Abstract This paper looks at the reasons for antimicrobial prophylaxis. The writer demonstrates the role played by nurses in making sure that antimicrobial prophylaxis is carried out according to recommended dosing, timing and use of appropriate medications. This article also explores the role the nurse can play in ensuring sepsis in the surgical environment by being a leader and teacher in this field.
From the Paper "In January the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) issued a Sentinel Event Alert regarding acquired infections. The report presented distressing news regarding iatrogenic infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated more than two million hospitalized patients contract iatrogenic infections in the United States every year and as many as of them die from these infections. Surgical site infections (SSI's) are the second most common cause of nosocomial infections and up to two percent to five percent of patients undergoing clean extra abdominal ... "
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the American Medical Association (AMA) first arose as a loose association of medical professionals and scientists in 1847. The writer points out that the group was intended to increase the standards of medical and biological education in North America, but was considered both impractical and utopian by many. The writer then looks at the mission of the organization today and discusses the political action committee's activities. The writer maintains that from Medicare to animal testing to malpractice insure, the AMA and the American Medical Association political action committee, which are, for all intents and purposes, one in the same, have served their beneficiaries as well as possible, through lobbying and outward pressure. The writer concludes that their methods may have brimmed over the line of constitutionality at points, but that should not mar the AMA's record because, as a political action committee, it has done all in its power to legally and persuasively enact legislature to assist America's doctors.
From the Paper "Current president of the AMA, Ronald M. Davis, gave a speech in 2005, which highlighted the organization's illustrious history more than any political or economic agendas. At Smith Davis's initial meeting, over two hundred and fifty delegates from twenty-eight states voted to elect Nathanial Chapman the organization's first president. His first actions included those that would be deemed necessary by burgeoning doctors; the condemnation of secretive and patent medicine, which robbed business, and the establishment of a code of medical ethics and the world's first Committee on Medical Ethics to enforce the doctrines. By the end of the nineteenth century, the groundwork had been laid for the organization's present political sphere of influence."
Abstract This paper addresses the problem of medication administration errors (MAE) by reviewing the article "Applying Airline Safety Practices to Medication Administration" by Theresa M. Pape. The author summarizes Pape's study of predictive distracters of nurses during medication administration cycles and cautions that this task is one that must be carried out with very little space for error. The paper reviews the quasi-experiment in the study and concludes that the results from the study shows that it is imperative that health care leaders discourage unnecessary conversation that arises from both the nurse administering the medications and other staff members. The paper also stresses that the relevance of this study is undeniable for hospitals and healthcare institutes.
From the Paper "The relevance of this study is undeniable. In the hospital, medication errors can be as minimal as missing out on a patient's single dose of antibiotics, or as fatal as giving too much mind-altering medication on a critically ill patient. Many deaths have occurred from such mistakes, and health care professionals must do more than accounting blame on the system, and even on others. The quality of health care has suffered, and many have blamed this on short staffing and overworked nurses. However, this study revealed that the problem may not be structurally-rooted at all: medication errors are gravely influenced by the amount of distraction nurses inflict upon themselves."
Abstract This paper, presented as a research proposal, explores several topics relating to medical malpractice claims including whether or not increased claims result in decreased quality care. This paper discusses how on-going medical litigation impacts a patient's access to quality and specialized healthcare services. Thie researcher of this brief, yet concise, paper proposes to poll a sampling of 50 patients and 20 physicians using a tailored questionnaire to determine the extent to which patients and physicians feel malpractice claims have in fact impacted on the quality of healthcare. This writer also intends to analyze the medical malpractice claims from Denver's Bureau of Health Services from 1990 and up to the present.
Table of Contents:
Introduction/Background to Problem
Hypothesis
Literature Review
Research Design
References
From the Paper "Boulard cites many studies that clearly show the increasing costs of malpractice insurance affect specialist care. In 2002 alone more than 60 specialists at one critical care facility in Las Vegas left their jobs after another malpractice premium spike. The crisis results in closure of a 24-hour critical care center. The crisis emphases the potential for not only reduced care but complete lack of access to care for hundreds of patients in similar situations. While legislatures are working on solutions to such problems, the issue is far from resolved. In some medical facilities, physician assistants and nurse practitioners are performing procedures doctor's once did, simply because the cost of medical malpractice is too high for doctors to perform procedures themselves."
Tags: legal, medical, healthcare, lawsuit, patient, care, research, proposal
Abstract This paper establishes guidelines for the storage, safety, record keeping, consent forms and stock medications used in nursing homes. It is based on federal laws and state regulations and describes how the medications should be dispensed, how records should be kept, the need for informed consent, safety measures and stock medications kept in nursing homes.
From the Paper " All medications should be stored in a locked cabinet at all times except where they are required to be kept by a resident on his her person because of the need for frequent or emergency use as determined by their physician..."
Tags: storage, nursing, record keeping, stock medications
Abstract In this article, the writer examines the subject of medical research. The writer looks at the effects of medical research and discusses new technologies and drugs on life expectancy. The cost effectiveness of medical research and innovations are examined in this paper. The writer looks at the financial implications of a longer life expectancy. Health programs for the elderly are also discussed.
From the Paper "Over the last decades considerable medical progress has been made in eliminating or alleviating the effects of human illnesses, thus prolonging the life spans of many people in the United States (U.S.) The invention of new technologies, medications and procedures has radically increased the effectiveness of the treatment of previously lethal diseases. Only a century ago, people frequently died from diseases such as influenza, tuberculosis and gastrointestinal disorders. These diseases no longer posed a significant mortality threat in contemporary society. Moreover, even though heart disease ... "
Tags: Life expectancy, financial implications, medical research.
Abstract This paper analyses the phenomenon of deviant behaviour in present day. It includes explanations of three domains of human experience when attempting to define abnormal behavior and functioning. These domains include biological, psychological and sociocultural criteria for ascertaining abnormal behavior. It studies the issue of giving children medication in order to solve behavioral and educational problems. It concludes that medicalization of deviancy is just a way out of the actual problems, and is ineffective and even destructive at times.
From the Paper "Over the years the concept of deviance has changed. Ten years ago sex outside marriage was a taboo, divorce rare and the nuclear family stable. Today sex is common, divorce the new fad and the single or same sex family the norm. As society changes deviant behavior takes on a new definition depending on the norm of the times.
As we see society change we see that many fundamental basics of sociology too are undergoing a change. Religion has given way to secularism, the family system is no longer a societal pillar and the media is all-pervasive. Simply observing a magazine will show the changes that have taken place in the span of a decade. As we see crime statistics rise and the increasing number of children with deviant behavior patterns we see that the concepts of normality and deviance are changing as well. According to Freud (1999), normality is a value-based concept. It is influenced by the historical moments and sociopolitical economics. As a society, we decide who is normal and who is deviant (Freud, 1999). We also decide what will be done with those who deviate from what we deem as normal (Freud, 1999). Normality is also highly culture specific (Freud, 1999). Deviance/abnormality can be very problematic as any type of behavior can be considered deviant by a culture at some point or another (Curra, 2000; Halgin & Whitbourne, 1997). This is known as cultural relativity. According to Gelfand, Jenson, and Drew (1997) and Halgin and Whitbourne (1997), most all cultures identify some behaviors as abnormal. Halgin and Whitbourne (1997) explain three domains of human experience when attempting to define abnormal behavior and functioning. These domains include biological, psychological and sociocultural criteria for ascertaining abnormal behavior."
Tags:medical, deviance, Halgin, Whitbourne, behaviour, phsychological, biological, sociocultural, society
Abstract This junior level paper on Positions In Medical Information reviews the prospects of job posts available in the vast field of medicine. The paper gives a clear description and experience required for each medical job position, including their basic salary structure. This paper also compares the job market available for each office, as well as gives a narration of their prerequisites.
Tags: BUSINESS / EMPLOYMENT, WORK RELATED ISSUES, positions in medical
Abstract This paper is an explanation of the condition known as bipolar disorder and how it can be treated medically. It looks at the different types of medication and their methods. This paper breaks down the pharmacological jargon and explains it to readers in simple terminology.
From the Paper ""Bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive disorder, is a mood disorder in which people experience alternating episodes of mania and major depression ("Bipolar"). " In the early 1900s, Emil Kraeplin, a German psychiatrist, was the first to formally recognize this condition he called manic depression ("Bipolar"). At that time treatment for mental illness was very poor. Fortunately, within the last twenty years, many effective medications for the treatment of bipolar disorder have become available. Bipolar disorder is caused by imbalances of chemicals, called neurotransmitters, in the brain. The imbalance is quite possibly a genetic defect. The key to effectively treating bipolar disorder (an incurable disorder) is reestablishing the normal balance of the brain's neurotransmitters (Rodgers). These new effective drugs are the most popular treatment to maintaining a "normal" life while affected by bipolar disorder. Medications like lithium carbonate, risperdone, fluoxetine, and alprazolam help treat bipolar disorder by altering the balance of one's neurotransmitters."
Abstract This paper analyzes a case in which a mother (who is a hospital employee) demands access to her daughter's original medical records for the purpose of altering the records.
From the Paper "This case involves a situation in which a minor teenage girl has been determined by physician examination at a hospital to be pregnant ..."
Tags:Medical, Privacy, Access, to, Medical, Records, Electronic, Storage, Access, Control
Abstract This paper explains that medication errors extend to the very core issues of nursing. The author points out that the nurse and preceptor, who made the medication error in this case, involves the nursing student by asking her to ignore the error and say nothing. The paper relates that it is very clear that this individual is not suitable to be a nurse or a preceptor and that she should be reported.
From the Paper "Every situation involving a medication error is a serious matter and a potential legal case (Smetzer, 1998). Medication errors extend to the very core issues of nursing. The most pertinent of those issues is accountability. "In the legal sense, if one is accountable, one is liable to be called to account for the extent to which the actions taken were consistent with the nurse's responsibilities" (Snowdon & Rajacich, 1993, p. 5). In this situation (#2), only two options are available. As will be demonstrated, the only option which conforms to the concept of accountability is the second choice."
Abstract The paper focuses on medical waste management. The paper ties in the treatment of hemodialysis to demonstrate how one illness can affect the system. It further discusses the history of medical waste management, the issues surrounding it through history and then focuses on the current issues of incineration, disease, effects on the public and global warming. The paper discusses the politics involved, and the future concerns.
From the Paper "The issue of medical waste management has been relatively new to our culture in the United States. While we have always been aware that medical waste must be disposed of in the most efficient manner, it was not until the 1980s that concerns regarding the process gained public prominence and government intervention. In consideration of the fact that medical waste encompasses virtually every item, (to include human tissue and body parts), that are removed from a medical facility, it is understandable why public concern has been focused on this issue now for over 20 years."
Abstract The paper evaluates the ethical significance of pain medication in the treatment of elderly patients with chronic or terminal illnesses. The paper discusses that it is often the case that pain medication is withheld from elderly patients for a variety of reasons, and this often complicates matters in many different ways, which often interferes with personal wishes and needs.
From the Paper "In today's society, it is critical that elderly persons, which comprise a substantial portion of the population, are cared for and treated with the respect that they deserve, which includes the ability of professional caregivers and medical personnel to provide the means that are necessary to sustain an acceptable quality of life. During this stage, chronic illness and gradual decline is prevalent and therefore, many medical problems require medication to maintain control of these illnesses. Unfortunately, many elderly persons are not cared for properly during these years, as it is believed by many that their families possess a tendency to neglect them for a variety of reasons and their caregivers are either oblivious to this fact or do not make any attempts to provide the appropriate care."
Abstract This paper discusses the ethics of conducting medical research in Uganda, when the drug developed will not be made available there immediately. The paper analyzes the financial aspect of the research and how this might benefit Uganda as the research is conducted, finding that such a benefit is sufficient to make the medical research proper.
From the Paper "The research should be conducted in Uganda. The disease is a major threat to the population of the world and needs to be controlled. Costs in the United States are high, and extending the time it would take to bring the drug to market adds to those costs and reduces the effectiveness of the research, which will help no one if it is not completed. The people of Uganda will benefit as will the people of other parts of the world by the fact that such a drug is developed. The suspicion that the company will not provide the drug to Uganda, not in the near term, is only a suspicion and thus should not be a determining factor. Even if it proves to be true, developing the drug is more vital to all people than not developing it."
Abstract This case analyzes a community health medical center with statistics and information based in 1995. A detailed analysis of the case highlights three central issues: recruitment of qualified physicians, the need to reach out into the community and the potential expansion into additional facilities. The paper proposes a central solution set that incorporates all of these issues and a new electronic medical records network.
From the Paper "Executive Summary Based on the mission statement: "To promote a healthier future for our community by consistently providing excellent accessible health care with pride, compassion, and respect" (Ginter, Swayne & Duncan, 2002) this document will provide a strategic plan to address the various issues currently facing C. W. Williams Health Center. C. W. Williams is facing numerous issues. The primary issues synthesized from the data as presented include: staff recruitment, expansion opportunities and strategic alliances. This case study presents an analysis based on these three central issues. It is this writer's belief that several unique solutions all aimed at effectively combining the concepts behind strategic alliances and satellite locations can combine to achieve the goals and objectives identified for C. W. Williams. All solutions presented are also consistent with identified conceptual goals cited in literature for managed care, alliance formation, strategic partnerships, community health programs, etc."
