Wound dehiscence
Dehiscence of abdominal surgical wounds is a medical emergency and requires immediate action to reduce further complications. Knowing who is at risk and the early signs of dehiscence can help you take measures quickly.
Anemia afflicts nearly 1 in 4 people worldwide, but there are practical strategies for reducing it
Anemia is a major health problem, with nearly 2 billion people affected globally. It afflicts more people worldwide than low back pain or diabetes – or even anxiety and depression combined. Despite this, investments in reducing anemia have failed to…
Must nurses care for migrants?
Basic human rights apply to everyone. (more…)
Get to the HEART of palliative care for patients with heart failure
All healthcare providers should possess primary palliative care are skills; secondary palliative care is used for complex symptoms, difficult discussions, and assistance with hospice transition. Palliative and hospice care are distinct disciplines; patients can and should receive palliative care management…
Lung Cancer Rates in Middle-Aged Women Now Higher Than in Men
Lung cancer rates have been falling faster in men than in women, a trend that has now extended from younger women to those over 50, a new study from the American Cancer Society (ACS) has shown. The researchers looked at…
Rural NC school receives grant to fund school nurse
The Summit Charter School in North Carolina recently received a grant from the Highlands-Cashiers Health Foundation to employ a full-time school nurse. This grant will enable the school to provide the students of Summit greater access to healthcare professionals. American…
A new sense of gratitude
In 2021, giving thanks is different. In November, Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to stop and reflect on the people and events that have made a difference in our lives. However, this year feels different when it comes to expressing…
Asking difficult questions
Nurses play a prominent role in building equitable healthcare systems that address diversity and inclusion. Collecting information about race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity can help organizations and nurses improve care and outcomes.
Why I go to the office
In these waning days of the pandemic, one of the hottest discussions is whether office workers should physically go back to the office and end the work-from-home alternative. Great arguments are offered from both sides of the divide. Those who…
Mindfulness for medication safety
Break the cycle of rushing and multitasking. Takeaways: Patients experience an average of one medication error per day. Many medication errors are related to human factors, including rushing, multitasking, and running on autopilot. Mindfulness strategies can help nurses slow down…
ANA responds to Supreme Court rulings
The U.S. Supreme Court handed down three key rulings this summer in cases that the American Nurses Association (ANA) had been monitoring, two that protect the rights of vulnerable populations and another that erodes insurance coverage for preventive reproductive services…
NP role in medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder
Combine medication and counseling with shared decision-making to treat addiction. Takeaways: Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), an evidence-based intervention for opioid use disorder and withdrawal symptom management, combines medication with counseling and behavioral therapies. Barriers to MAT include stigma, financial constraints, federal laws,…
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome explained
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is a three-phase cyclical syndrome characterized by periods of intense nausea and vomiting, frequently relieved with hot water bathing, that poses many diagnosis and treatment challenges. Treatment modalities are still being studied, but include using nontraditional antiemetic…
Frequently asked questions about palliative care
Nurses can serve as leaders as they help patients and families through a difficult time. Takeaways: All nurses must be competent in providing palliative and end-of-life care. Nursing advocacy includes being able to recognize symptoms that cause patient distress, making…
Coffee and conversation gets new staff up and running
Endoscopy nurse leaders take a unique training approach. Takeaways: Coffee and Conversation, a novel approach to in-service education, serves as an efficient and effective method for providing specialty-specific education and training, improving nurse knowledge, and building staff cohesion. It helps…
Sense of Duty
Immanuel Kant believed that no action was moral unless performed out of a sense of duty or obligation. Even the word duty suggests that one must follow a certain course of action. In my life duty to my family, profession…
Into the community
Beyond being trusted by the public for their roles in hospitals, ambulatory clinics, schools, and other settings, nurses have a long track record of using their expertise and passion to strengthen the health and well-being of their neighbors. Here are…
Evidence-based practice: Medical device–related pressure injury prevention
Learn the risk factors and tailor prevention to device type. Medical device–related pressure injuries (MDRPIs) are a common but preventable patient care issue with simple interventions. Prevention guidelines and evidence-based practices can help reduce MDRPIs.
Supporting patients with end-of-life conversations
I’m an operating room RN who has worked in a hospital environment for over 25 years. Five years ago, my husband died from pancreatic cancer. The diagnosis was a death sentence. He died 4 months later. Watching him waste away…