Blog # 3
The technological advances in medicine are astounding. Advances in Heart Failure have given this group of patient’s the ability to live a more productive life. Heart Failure is basically a condition where the heart is unable to pump the normal amount of blood. The inability to pump causes the blood to backs up, causing Congestive Heart Failure. This disease can cause shortness of breath, chronic cough, irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite, swelling in the extremities, and confusion. Additionally, patient’s can have other heart problems such as Tachycardia (fast heart beat) or Bradycardia (slow heart beat).
In an effort to treat these conditions Cardiologist have used their knowledge and developed an AICD’s or Automatic Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators. This is an example of technology at its finest. This device is smaller than a pager and essentially helps the heart to function more efficiently and effectively.
Works Cited
www.hrspatients.org/patients/heart_disorders/heart_failure/treatment.asp
www.rochestermedicalcenter.com
www.texasheartinstitute.org
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Technology as Knowledge
Blog #3
In a continuing effort to decrease patient errors and make the nursing field more technologically efficient, the nursing profession has come a long way. Currently there are electronic scan devices used to verify patient’s accuracy. When a patient is admitted to the hospital, they are assigned a specific medical record number that is precise for that admission; a sort of bar code. No other patient has that exact number. Technology has linked all patient related information, for that particular admission; including name, age, date of birth, and allergies by that number. Additionally, physician orders, medications, adverse reactions, contraindications, blood types, test, and, consultations are also linked. When the bedside nurse is ready to administer a certain medication, request test, draw blood, she simply takes the hand held scanner and scans the patient’s arm band. This verifies that one has the correct patient most importantly; and that the action about to be performed was indeed ordered for that particular patient. Identifies drug inter-actions, dosage, and correctly charges the patient’s account. Basically, it verifies the “Five R’s”; right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time. If it is not the correct patient, an alarm goes off.
This procedure has significantly decreased the number of medication errors, decreased omissions, improves charting accuracy, and as an added benefit, it manages inventory, and correctly charges patient accounts. It has decreased the need for two nurses to verify medications.
Just another way technology is changing the face of nursing for the betterment of the patient and the profession.
Works Cited
nursing.advanceweb.com
albany.bizjournals.com
In a continuing effort to decrease patient errors and make the nursing field more technologically efficient, the nursing profession has come a long way. Currently there are electronic scan devices used to verify patient’s accuracy. When a patient is admitted to the hospital, they are assigned a specific medical record number that is precise for that admission; a sort of bar code. No other patient has that exact number. Technology has linked all patient related information, for that particular admission; including name, age, date of birth, and allergies by that number. Additionally, physician orders, medications, adverse reactions, contraindications, blood types, test, and, consultations are also linked. When the bedside nurse is ready to administer a certain medication, request test, draw blood, she simply takes the hand held scanner and scans the patient’s arm band. This verifies that one has the correct patient most importantly; and that the action about to be performed was indeed ordered for that particular patient. Identifies drug inter-actions, dosage, and correctly charges the patient’s account. Basically, it verifies the “Five R’s”; right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time. If it is not the correct patient, an alarm goes off.
This procedure has significantly decreased the number of medication errors, decreased omissions, improves charting accuracy, and as an added benefit, it manages inventory, and correctly charges patient accounts. It has decreased the need for two nurses to verify medications.
Just another way technology is changing the face of nursing for the betterment of the patient and the profession.
Works Cited
nursing.advanceweb.com
albany.bizjournals.com
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