Newswise — Emerging trends in patient care combine with advances in healthcare technology as thousands of nurses who care for acutely and critically ill patients gather in Chicago this month.

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) hosts its annual National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition (NTI) Saturday, April 30, through Thursday, May 5. Most of the 500-plus sessions take place in McCormick Place with the Hilton Chicago Hotel and Hyatt Regency McCormick Place also hosting official events.

AACN expects attendance to top 6,000 nurses and include many at the forefront of research, academia, staff development and management.

NTI, the world’s largest conference for nurses who care for acutely and critically ill patients, includes the Critical Care Exposition, the largest and most comprehensive trade show specifically for acute and critical care nurses. Spread over 200,000 square feet will be more than 300 exhibits that encompass cutting-edge healthcare equipment, devices, supplies and pharmaceuticals.

AACN’s National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition (www.aacn.org/nti) offers more than 500 sessions about best healthcare practices, now and in the future. Topics include the following, among others:• How poor workplace communication undermines checklists and other safety tools to negatively impact patient care• Benefits and risks of healthcare technology, including tele-ICUs, simulation training and monitoring alarms• Caring for trauma and critically ill patients with multiple healthcare issues, such as those who are pregnant, homeless, obese or abuse drugs and alcohol • Eliminating healthcare-associated infections and medical errors• Managing medications for critically ill patients• Involving the family in patient care• Responding to disasters in the local community and across the globe• Providing palliative care for dying patients

AACN posted the 2011 NTI conference brochure with all sessions selected for presentation in Chicago to www.aacn.org/nti.

About the National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition: Established in 1974, AACN’s National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition (NTI) represents the world’s largest educational conference and trade show for nurses who care for acutely and critically ill patients and their families. Bedside nurses, nurse educators, nurse managers, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners attend NTI.

About the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses: Founded in 1969 and based in Aliso Viejo, Calif., the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world. AACN joins together the interests of more than 500,000 acute and critical care nurses and claims more than 235 chapters worldwide. The organization’s vision is to create a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and their families in which acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution. To learn more about AACN, visit www.aacn.org, connect with the organization on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aacnface or follow AACN on Twitter at www.twitter.com/aacnme, #NTI2011