AJN November Issue News: Maternal Mortality, Nurses’ Salaries, Double Mastectomy, More

Photo by Dennis MacDonald / Alamy Stock Photo.

Maternal Mortality in U.S. on the Rise

In 48 states and the District of Columbia, the maternal mortality rate increased by 26.6% between 2000 and 2014. (Texas was analyzed separately; its rate doubled between 2010 and 2012.) California–which saw a decline in maternal deaths–was the exception. While there’s no clear cause for the increase, researchers have several ideas about factors that may have prompted it.

Salaries for Nurses Decrease, While NP Salaries Rise

According to a survey of 20,000 health care workers, compensation for nurses decreased 3.1% between 2015 and 2016; NPs reported a 5.3% salary increase during the same time period. Among health professionals, nurses were in the minority of groups that saw a salary decline.

Photo © bikeriderlondon / Shutterstock.

New Advisory on Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy

Although more women than ever are undergoing the procedure, the American Society of Breast Surgeons recently issued a recommendation against routine double mastectomy in the majority of patients with cancer in only one breast, owing to an increased risk of surgical complications and little to no oncologic benefit to removing the healthy breast.

More Trampoline Parks, More Injuries

Recreational trampoline parks in the United States are opening at a rate of almost six per month, but they pose a risk to children: a recent analysis shows that injuries at these parks are on the rise, and that children injured at trampoline parks are more likely to be admitted to the hospital than children injured using a trampoline at home.

In addition, click here and scroll down to “In the News” for this month’s NewsCAPs (brief takes on hot health-related topics) as well as a recap of announcements from health agencies.