Courses and Conferences: 34th Annual GAPNA Conference

Citation: Annals of Long-Term Care: Clinical Care and Aging. 2015;23(8):21

This September 30th through October 3rd marks the 34th Annual Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) conference, with the theme of “Creating a Culture of Excellence in the Care of Older Adults.” This year’s conference will be held in San Antonio, TX, and, as always, will gather the brightest minds in the geriatric nursing profession to bring new, relevant insight on a variety of important issues. Sessions will begin on Wednesday, September 30th, with a few pre-conference workshops facilitated by committee members and other industry experts on topics such as evidenced-based strategies, anticoagulant management, and safe use of opioids. On Thursday, after a brief breakfast celebrating new members of GAPNA and first-time attendees of the conference as well as a keynote address by committee members, the conference will open with a variety of events and presentations. Pharmacology hours and student-supported events will also be offered at designated presentations. ALTC has highlighted a few of the many noteworthy presentations below.

Thursday, October 1, 3:45 p.m.–4:45 p.m.
“Quality Improvement Skills for Advanced Practice Nurses in Long-Term Care: Culture, Teams, and Tools”
Led by Linda J. Keilman, DNP, GNP-BC, and George Byron Peraza-Smith, DNP, GNP-BC, CNE, this presentation will provide advanced practice nurses (APNs) with insight on leading inter-professional teams to enhance the quality of life for patients. Topics to be discussed include: improving systems and practices, formation of teams and the role they play in continuous quality improvement, and utilizing QI techniques and tools for examining system and practice challenges.

Friday, October 2, 9:45 a.m.–11:15 a.m. (Exhibit open); 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. (General Session)
“Update on Vaccinations”
In this session, ALTC board member Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, will review current information on the guidelines for vaccines and their relevance to older adults. The presentation will also cover updates on the new vaccines in the market, the benefits of those vaccines for older adults, and ways to improve vaccination rates within long-term care settings.

Saturday, October 3, 11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
“Urinary Incontinence: After the Diagnosis: Then What?”
Cathy Reimanis, DNP(C), MS, CNS, ANP-BC, CWOCN, and Donna L. Thompson, MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC, CCCN-AP, will discuss the management of urinary incontinence (UI) in older adults and evidence that must be considered to support treatment. The session will include a discussion of new methods for treatment of the condition, including neuromodulation. In-depth interviews as well as an overview of the new evidence-based guidelines will also be provided.

Throughout the conference, numerous industry-supported events will also be hosted by Boehringer Ingelheim, Lundbeck, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc, Pfizer, AbbVie, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, and Mylan. All industry-supported events will have seating and light refreshments available to attendees on a first-come basis.

In addition to the presentations on the show floor, GAPNA will also be hosting a number of fun, non-academic events each day to provide more networking opportunities for attendees and to raise funds for the organization. On Wednesday, attendees have the option to go to the “Scramble Golf Outing,” for $150 per person. The fee includes an electric cart with GPS and practice balls, and golf clubs are available to rent at the nearby pro shop. A full bar and restaurant is also onsite.

Two events will be held on Friday, September 2nd, the first being the “Fun Run/Walk” from 6:00–7:00 a.m., in which, for $25 per person, participants can start their day with some early exercise and get a chance to explore San Antonio. For added incentive, participants also have the option to listen to a downloadable MP3 recording from the GAPNA Online Library at no additional cost in order to earn contact hours.

For the last and perhaps most anticipated event, attendees can choose to attend Friday Night’s “Texas Hoedown” at 7:00 p.m. for $80 per person. The event promises to be a fantastic time with plenty food, country music, and dancing.

Registration for the event is open through the first day of the meeting, Wednesday, September 29th.