Accurate auscultation – or listening to heart sounds, and sounds from other organs including the lungs, with a stethoscope – is a basic skill, yet also comes with challenges. Auscultation helps healthcare professionals, including nurses, physicians, EMTs and paramedics, assess and diagnose patients. According to John Finley, a professor of pediatric cardiology, heart sounds are Read More
Author: Dawn Mangine
Improving Patient Safety in EMS with Simulation
Although patient safety hasn’t been studied as much in EMS as in nursing and pharmacy (for example), it is becoming a focus in EMS and EMS education now. Educational challenges that exist can be overcome by incorporating simulation into the EMS curriculum. The Center for Patient Safety (CPS) is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to Read More
Preventing Cervical Cancer and Promoting Cervical Health
Each year, more than 12,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Teaching students, educators, healthcare providers, and women how to prevent and treat it, and promote cervical health, is more vital than ever. Two Ways to Prevent Cervical Cancer 1. The HPV Vaccine The HPV vaccination prevents infection from certain strains Read More
The Importance of Blood Donation
The only source of blood for patients who need a transfusion is a generous blood donor. Blood cannot be made or manufactured outside of the body. Obviously, blood is necessary for life. It delivers oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, as well as carrying waste products away from cells. Blood is made up of four Read More
What is Medical-Surgical Nursing?
Medical-surgical nursing, also called med-surg nursing, is the largest nursing specialty in the United States. The majority of med-surg nurses work in a hospital caring for adult patients who are acutely ill. Medical-surgical nursing education provides nursing students with knowledge of all areas of adult health. This specialty covers a broad range of patient care, Read More
Overcoming the Nurse Educators Shortage
The shortage of nurse educators in the United States is a critical problem that impacts the nursing shortage directly, as well as, in the long run, patient safety. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, in 2016 more than 64,000 qualified applicants were turned away from nursing programs due to a 7.9% national Read More
Tools to Manage Polypharmacy
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
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