Digital Thermometers Tell Body Temperatures

There are several thermometers in the market today. People use thermometers according to preference. Different patient uses different kinds of thermometer such as axillary, oral, and rectal. The use specific kind of thermometer with its appropriate approach helps get correct results. I am using a one of a kind digital thermometer today wherein just a simple slide of the thermometer's sensor on the patients forehead will instantly gives an accurate temperature reading. Advancements in technology is continuously increasing. Thermometers are now digital. The old fashioned mercury thermometers are no longer for public use because of safety issue in lead exposure. I remember well the way we use mercury thermometers before. It took a lot of effort shaking the mercury down and disinfecting after each patient use with alcohol. I broke a lot of thermometers in front of my patients back then and it was really unsafe. In this modern days of innovation, the use of thermometer has never been this simple. Getting patients temperature while providing safety has been made easy with the use of digital thermometers. Just a scan to patients forehead will provide accurate temperature readings. I am grateful for this technological advancement that help nurse in variety of ways.

The Use of Specialized Bed in Preventing Pressure Ulcers

I was taking care of a patient today who is bed-bound and cannot take care of himself. I took an initiative to request for a specialized bed. This innovative technology is very beneficial in the field of nursing. Nurses are working hard in giving nursing care to patients including those who need total care. Preventing a break in patient's skin is a big challenge in our nursing profession. All possible precautionary measures to prevent decubitus ulcers are being considered as a priority in my work place. The current health care system is changing policy regarding pressure ulcers. Hospital acquired pressure ulcers are taken seriously. Air mattress is widely utilized as preventive measures against hospital acquired decubitus ulcers. There are lots of advantages of using this specialized bed. A specialized bed with pressure reducing mattresses like air mattress do not just prevent bed sores but also provide comfort for patients and nurses as well. It also helps prevent falls. Bathing and turning patients are made easy with the use of an air mattress because pressure is reduced. Although it is expensive to rent theses specialized beds, the advantages always prevail. It is a wise judgement to take all precautionary measures to prevent a break in skin integrity of every patient especially those who need total nursing care. Afterall, prevention is way much better than cure. The use of specialized bed with pressure reducing mattress is one key in preventing pressure ulcers.

Providing Nutrition Using Enteral Feeding Pump

I was starting an enteral feeding when I started to wonder what would it be without a feeding pump in the United States and around the world. This question struck in my mind and made me curious. I remember the way I was giving feeding in the Philippines a decade ago. Bolus feeding is commonly used in our facility. At that time, nurses encouraged families to do enteral feeding for those patients who cannot do it for themselves in order for nurses to attend to other patient's needs. It took more nurse's time,  effort and patience feeding one patient using gravity because we did not have feeding pump at that time. Now that I am here in America, I definitely experienced the great benefits of using feeding pump. Providing enteral nutrition has been made easy and simple. Nurses can easily administer prescribed amount of feeding, regulate feeding rate and check for residual to determine malabsorption. Feeding problems can potentially be avoided. Proper guidelines must be followed in using feeding pump. Keeping patients head on elevation when feeding and checking for residuals regularly prevent feeding complications such as bloating and vomiting. It is important to maintain proper maintenance of these feeding devices. Charging feeding pump always, keeping it clean, and making sure it is in good working condition are responsibilities that nurses considered. Feeding pump is indeed one great technological innovation that lightens the work load of nurses in providing enteral. 

Managing Pain With Patient-Controlled Analgesia

I am simply amazed by the innovation of such a useful pain management measure in our surgical department, the use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Proper pain management is one important goal in nursing. Pain has been given a great emphasis nowadays. The use of patient-controlled analgesia is widely used to alleviate pain and suffering. It has the capability to deliver exact amount of pain medication and a specific indicated time for pain management. The great advantage is that the patient himself is the one controlling the administration of pain medication. It gives the patient an independence in alleviating his own suffering.  Ensuring that PCA machines are properly working and correctly programmed for the right patient is very important. Nurses must collaborate to counter check before starting PCA administration. Patient safety is a prime importance. PCA machines are commonly used in our department for controlling pain of our post operative patients. It is vital for us nurses to make sure that hospital policies and procedures  in starting patient controlled analgesia are properly followed to enhance patient safety.

The Importance of Professional Meeting for Nurses

I attended the School Nurse Symposium 2011 today held at the Knapp Medical Conference Center. The Texas School Nurse Organization (TSNO) sponsored this event, which was primarily attended by the Rio Grande Valley school nurses. This year’s theme is, ‘Opening Doors to Better Health’. This symposium is organized to provide relevant nursing topics that impact school nursing and to utilize specific strategies and applications in the clinic practice. The presentations are geared towards improving patient outcome through the use of improved assessment, effective communication, and appropriate application. The eight-hour course agenda include discussions on Assessment of Childhood Illnesses, Anger Management, Obesity/ Diabetes, and Essential Fatty Acid and Health. Door prizes and exhibits were included that made the activity more fun and entertaining. This nursing professional meeting is indeed successful.

The symposium is a great learning opportunity for the participants. I personally learned the value of school nurses in our community. Nursing profession is aiming towards improving health. I realized that school nurses, like any other areas in nursing, are constantly facing an ever rising demands in dealing with health care needs of not just school children but organizational staffs as well. I was able to learn the nature of school nursing and its current trends, issues, and challenges. I learned about relevant nursing topics that influence school nursing. I learned the importance of thorough assessment and screening to detect childhood illnesses, the proper techniques in dealing with an angry child, the effective ways in managing childhood obesity and diabetes, and the benefits of essential fatty acids in our health. And because the presenters are Rio Grande Valley physicians, I was able to absorb some specific strategies and applications in the local clinic practice. Most importantly, I learned the importance of professional organizations in our nursing profession. I realized that professional organizations such as TSNO are promoting goals to assist nurses toward professional growth and development. I learned that professional advancement is necessary in our community. Attending to professional meetings and taking part in professional organizations in nursing are vital in improving the delivery of our health care system and the global health in general. The learning experience from this seminar is meaningful to me. I am looking forward to attend more professional meetings in the future because I learned from this symposium that participation in professional organizations is one key to achieve advanced practice nursing. I am very grateful for the success of the symposium.

Clot Prevention After Surgery

Earlier today, I received a new post laparoscopic appendectomy patient from recovery room and immediately assessed the patient and monitored for stability of the patient's condition. I always make sure to apply anti-embolism stockings and sequential compression devices (SCD's) to all my post operative patients as preventive measures for clot formation. It is of great importance in my nursing profession to prevent possible complications of surgery and one thing to avoid is clot formation. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and embolus are common complications of patient after surgery and may even lead to death if not prevented. Blood clot and embolus are absolutely preventable. The use of anti-embolic stockings and sequential compression devices is important in preventing such post operative complications. Certain nursing considerations need to be observed when applying these clot prevention measures such as the right stocking size to be applied and frequent observation of the neurovascular status of patient's extremities. Ensuring patient safety is important in applying any mechanical devices for the patients and so making sure SCD machines are functioning properly is great concern. Administering prescribed anti-coagulation at appropriate time such as heparin and lovenox as DVT prophylaxis is another effective way of preventing clot formation in patients after surgery. Adhering to hospital policies and procedures are vital to ensure patient safety and this includes the proper way of applying anti-embolism stockings and sequential compression devices for clot prevention.