There are many methods for pain management.“Pain that continues when it should not.” That’s how the American Chronic Pain Association defines chronic pain, from which roughly 50 million Americans suffer. There are many methods for pain management, including non-narcotic drugs like acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen, and narcotic medications like morphine and methadone. New techniques and technologies continue to emerge, however, offering healthcare … [Read more...]
Supporting Healthcare Professionals’ Mental Health
Finding mental health support for healthcare professionals, however, has proven to be a challenge.We applauded them from the rooftops, made viral videos to express our gratitude, and threw endless pizza parties. The nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals who stepped up during the course of the pandemic were nothing short of heroic — but that heroism wasn’t without cost. The mental, physical, and emotional burdens … [Read more...]
Identifying and Preventing Child Abuse
Whether a nurse in the emergency department or a school psychologist, healthcare professionals are often uniquely placed to spot the subtle signs of abuse in children. In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we’re shining a light on the most common types of child abuse in the U.S., as well as reviewing the signs, risk factors, and mandated reporting policies that impact healthcare professionals. The many faces of child … [Read more...]
Improving Outcomes with Trauma-Informed Care
A trauma-informed approach to care (TIC) shifts the focus from “what is wrong with you?” to “what happened to you?”Harry, an 86-year-old man admitted to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation after a hip fracture, could be abrasive and belligerent. A previous nursing facility discharged him due to his uncooperative behavior. After speaking with his son, the staff learned that Harry, a WWII veteran, spent two years in a Japanese Prisoner of War (POW) camp as a … [Read more...]
COVID-19 Updates: Pandemic Takes Toll on Mental Health
Congenital Heart Defects May Exacerbate COVID Symptoms, and MoreDiagnosis trackerMore than 448 million cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed worldwide as of Monday evening, including more than 6 million deaths. Healthcare officials in the United States have reported nearly 81 million positive COVID-19 cases and more than 985,000 deaths. Source: www.worldometers.info/coronavirusVaccine trackerMore than 10.9 billion individual doses of the COVID-19 … [Read more...]