Tags: cardiac emergency emergency department emergency room ER experiences
My husband has had 2 chest pain events within a week. As a nurse working primarily in cardiac nursing most of my career, I knew that any family member entering the arena of chest pain treatment would bear the wrath of my watchful eye. This has been An eye-opening, untoward (in my opinion), experience and an experience that can become a learning moment for many, as my skilled eye in emergency room settings can cause “jading” of an experience, but the perception should carry forward.
Read More →Tags: assessment Case Study emergency department guidelines mortality prevention risk factors sepsis standard of care treatment
The term sepsis is often misunderstood. The public and often healthcare workers are unaware of the severity and high mortality rates this infection process has upon the world. Sepsis has vague symptoms that make diagnosis difficult. Often, sepsis is diagnosed in the later stages, when more obvious yet severe symptoms occur. This case study discusses a female who presents to the emergency department with sepsis secondary to pneumonia. Over the course of three days, the patient’s health quickly deteriorates, demonstrating the rapid progression of sepsis. Clinical findings, such as vitals signs, lab abnormalities, and symptoms of sepsis are discussed. The term bundle of care is presented to educate the reader on the golden standard of care for treatment of sepsis. This case study intends to increase community awareness and education to health care providers as well as providing an evidenced-based treatment guideline. More education and raised awareness will help prevent a deadly yet treatable infectious process.
Read More →Tags: appreciation collaboration communication emergency department team building
Collaboration is especially significant in the healthcare environment to meet the increasingly complex demands of patients with multiple co-morbidities. This article discusses the importance of interprofessional collaboration, communication, and team building.
Read More →Tags: death emergency department ethical principles ethical principles in nursing ethical values ethics nursing ethics patient concern
When can you ethically call time of death?
Read More →Tags: critical care emergency emergency department Emergency Nurses Job Satisfaction night shift nursing leadership recruiting work environment
An exploratory study examining the contributing factors to nurse job satisfaction.
Read More →Tags: advanced practice advice advocacy advocate bullying child culture depression emergency emergency department Emergency nurse Emergency Nurses heart attack investigation love medication mental health patient safety stress treatment Whistleblowers work environment wound care
Since leaving nursing in 2008 I have wanted to write about my experiences as an emergency nurse and what happened to me as a whistleblower. This is my story.
Read More →Tags: emergency department healthcare finance Medicare methodology performance sigma six sigma
This article is a brief primer on Six Sigma methodology and its impact on healthcare finance and nursing.
Read More →Tags: birth delivering a baby emergency department Emergency nurse ER restroom
Nurse's experience of delivering a baby in the restroom of an ED.
Read More →Tags: Ambulance Case Study emergency department emergency room ER health law
This legal case study involves a young woman who presented ambulatory to the emergency room with a gunshot wound to the head.
Read More →Tags: advice child children emergency department Flu Influenza pediatrics The Flu
Among other advice for managing an influx of patients with possible flu, Dr. Whitley describes his experiences with clinical decisions such as which patients should be hospitalized and who can be safely managed at home during the ongoing influenza season. He also addresses the important issue of antiviral treatment and why he believes it is an essential component in the fight against influenza.
Read More →Tags: abdominal pain acetaminophen death emergency department end of life liver injury overdose suicide
In the United States, attempted suicide accounts for more than two thirds of acetaminophen-related liver injuries, whereas accidental overdoses account for only one third of the cases.
Read More →Tags: Bedside Manner cpr critical care emergency emergency department Emergency nurse family Family Presence nurse
A descriptive survey conducted in 2000 (Myers, et al 2000) investigated attitudes and beliefs of patients’ families and ER staff members about FWR. The survey reported that 98% of patients’ families indicated that they had a right to be present and would do it and would participate in FWR again; 100% of family members said that FWR was helpful to them, and 95% said it was helpful for the patient. It also showed that 70% of professionals surveyed after their participation in FWR actually produced a higher level of “professional” behavior along with a more “professional” bedside dialog amongst the health care team. The survey also indicated that having the family in the resuscitation room prompted the staff to take the patient’s dignity, privacy, and need for pain management into greater consideration when compared to an un-witnessed resuscitation effort. (Myers, et al 2000)
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