Good Morning, Rachel, Jeannie, and Kelly,
In a personal capacity I have already signed on in support of this resolution. I DO have some questions about parts of the resolution that may engender discussion during General Assembly. I was hoping you may be able to answer them here.
"41 Resolved, The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) should develop recommendations regarding safe product design, branding, and packaging to avoid inadvertent ingestion by children;"
The ACMT position paper (2025) which you include in your references lists recommendations for all of these with specific details. https://www.acmt.net/news/acmt-position-statement-revision-preventing-cannabis-exposures-in-children/ . Would it not be more efficient for ENA to collaborate with them and the AAP by reviewing these recommendations then endorsing them? Less time and money with more impact?
"44 Resolved, ENA should collaborate with partner organizations to develop practice resources to assist ED 44 nurses in educating caregivers and identifying accidental cannabis intoxication."
AAP & the National Center on Substance Abuse & Child Welfare have developed and published a tipsheet (2024) that outlines environmental safety and risk concerns for children and adolescents when parents or caregivers use cannabis. Tips include strategies and approaches professionals can use to mitigate risk and build parental capacity.
https://ncsacw.acf.gov/files/cannabis-tipsheet3.pdf Tipsheet 3: Cannabis Use in CANNABIS USE: CONSIDERATIONS FOR PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, PARENTS, AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS INVOLVED IN CHILD WELFARE AND THE COURTS (Not cited in authors' references).
AAP is also funding research projects in 2024 Educating Families on Safe Cannabis Storage – "Proposed interventions: Our proposed interventions include collaborating with community partners to develop educational materials. These resources will specifically aim to educate the community about the risks associated with unintentional ingestions of cannabis products in pediatric patients, how to properly respond to ingestions, and how to safely store these products at home." https://www.aap.org/en/advocacy/community-health-and-advocacy/community-pediatrics-funded-projects/educating-families-on-safe-cannabis-storage/ The EIIC template in NPRP Toolkit for download "Recognition of Toxidromes & Common Pediatric Poisonings" DOES NOT address educational needs and recommendations
https://emscimprovement.center/domains/pediatric-readiness-project/readiness-toolkit-checklist/section-4-improve/care-team-competencies/pediatric-poisoning-and-toxidrome-recognition-competency-sample-checklist/ Again, resources do seem to be available from partner organizations that could be utilized or adapted to emergency nursing practices, saving both time and money.
"46 Resolved, ENA should review the current literature related to urine toxicology screening in previously healthy children presenting with signs of cannabis exposure and recommends evidence-based diagnostics."
I need some clarification on this one, as I am not sure what the goal/purpose of this "Resolved". Is it to recommend a specific protocol for diagnostic lab toxicology testing? A recommendation by ENA for triage nurse to be alert to certain "markers" that might identify a need for urine toxicology screening? I need more of an explanation on what this particular "resolved" hopes to accomplish.
Again, as a Pediatric emergency nurse, educator, and state PECC, I have already signed on in support as I believe this is an important issue in our emergency departments. My questions are an effort to potentially engender more support and anticipate any opposition that may be brought up at GA.
Thank you for the work you put into this.
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Penny Blake, MSN Ed, RN, CEN
CCRN Alumnus
EMSC Liaison/ED Pediatric Readiness Coordinator
Florida Emergency Nurses Association
National ENA Pediatric Committee 2026-2028
Per Diem Clinical Educator NICU and Pediatric Services
PBHN
North Palm Beach FL
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