Describing a specialist Cohen, Michael R Medication Errors SAFETY PRACTITIONER In order to expand and share its knowledge of safety practices, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices sponsored a medication safety contest. The winning entry in the category Job Description for a Medication Safety Practitioner went to Covenant Health Systems in Lubbock, Tex., for its […]
What’s nursing practice really like? What’s nursing practice really like? That’s the question that a group of nurse-researchers would like you to help them answer for their project called “An Emancipatory Study of Nursing Practice.” They’re asking nurses around the world to write stories that illustrate what nursing practice is like today. The researchers will […]
Rest in peace Ufema, Joy GRAVE ROBBERY Last week, my 7-year-old son stumped me with a question. As we drove past an old cemetery, he noticed several graves with cement coverings that looked like tabletops. I couldn’t tell him what they were for. Do you know?-J.G., VA. Believe it or not, these coverings were once […]
Helping your patient back on track after knee replacement surgery Leininger, Suan M HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO GUIDE HIM ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY. PATIENT DO’S AND DON’TS Give your patient these tips on recovering from knee replacement surgery. Do * Keep your incision clean and dry. * Call the doctor if […]
Is Kava safe? Cohen, Michael R DIETARY SUPPLEMENT The FDA is investigating whether the use of dietary supplements containing the herb kava (a product with sedative properties, also known as kava kava or Piper methysticum) poses health concerns. The reason is that products containing kava extracts have been implicated in at least 25 cases of […]
Cell phone interference: How serious? criticalcare CURRENTS * Use of cellular telephones near external cardiopulmonary monitoring devices may cause interference, but most of it’s not clinically important, according to a new study. Clinically important interference could hinder interpretation of data or cause an equipment malfunction. Researchers assessed the potential for electromagnetic interference by using five […]
End-of-life hydration–benefit of burden? Zerwekh, Joyce Teach your patient and her family the pros and cons so they can make informed decisions. Janet Goodwin, 36, is close to death from ovarian cancer. She’s receiving intravenous (I.V.) fluids and has developed peripheral and pulmonary edema. At this point, her family wants to know if I.V. therapy […]
Overseas travel assignments: Taking the bugs out Santulli, Elizabeth Taking an assignment overseas? Before you go, learn how to reduce your risk of contracting infectious diseases. At some point in your career, you may have the opportunity to take a nursing assignment abroad. Although this may be the opening you’ve been waiting for, it also […]
Tips for talking to patients Reynolds, Janice I wanted to share a couple of tips I have for helping patients. Sometimes a patient refuses pain medications because of her religious beliefs. You must honor her wishes, yet seeing someone in pain and not being able to help is difficult. One of my terminally ill patients […]
A measure of caution needed Cohen, Michael R NITROGLYCERIN DOSING A nurse following an order to “apply 1 inch of nitroglycerin paste” to a patient’s chest got a unit-dose packet of Nitro-Bid 1 gram and squeezed an inch onto a measuring strip. When a more experienced colleague saw medication remaining in the packet, she realized […]