Caregivers have a few tools and guidelines to manage polypharmacy, which is taking five or more medications daily. Polypharmacy affects older patients the most because of their age and a significant burden of decreased physical functioning. Adverse drug events (ADEs) lead to an increased risk of falls, increased delirium, more hospital admissions, and in the Read More
Month: December 2017
Keeping Patients Healthy for Happy Holidays
The holiday season presents challenges for all of us in terms of eating well, drinking in moderation, and getting exercise. Caregivers tending to patients have the additional obstacle of keeping their charges healthy throughout the season. Students can learn about how to talk to patients about staying safe and healthy this time of year. Some Read More
Polypharmacy and Deprescribing
The term “deprescribing” first appeared in medical literature in 2003. It describes the practice of backing off a prescribed medication when doses are too high, or stopping medications that are no longer needed. Deprescribing is a strategy to deal with polypharmacy, which is taking five or more medications daily. Polypharmacy is harmful because in older Read More
6 Tips to Preventing Colds and Flu
The best way to prevent the flu is to get an annual flu vaccine (see our post here about myths regarding colds and flu). Students can learn how to administer flu shots with Demo Dose® Practice Vaccin. However, even when you get a flu shot, you are still vulnerable to other viruses, including the common Read More
Art and Science of Developing a Scenario Library
Any paramedic program has the critical task of developing a specific scenario library. The development process must look at many factors including: the conditions to be covered, age group of patients, psychomotor skill incorporation, teamwork development, affective domain challenges and more. As EMS educators, our goal is to lead the development of our students from Read More