What exactly is a concussion?
When a bump, jolt, or blow to the head causes a change in the way the brain works, it is called a concussion. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that causes…
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Verbal Abuse in Chemical Restraint
The following case scenario is an examples of the use of chemical restraint: Mr. Jones is a 65 year old man who is being evaluated in the emergency room after a fall with a possible…
MRSA: Legal Implications
According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a 2005 study comparing patients without S. aureus and those infected with it showed that those with the infection had nearly 3 times the length…
MRSA: Prevention & Treatment
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that “2 in 100 people carry MRSA”. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014) Hospitalized patients are usually tested prior to surgical or other invasive procedures. The…
MRSA: High Risk Populations
There are people who are at higher risks of developing complications to these infections. Patients with weakened immune systems who are unable to fight off the infection include those with cancer and receiving chemotherapy; those…
MRSA: Transmission
Staphylococcus aureus, or S. aureus, has been around for more than 100 years. Over the years the increasing overuse and misuse of antibiotics to treat bacteria, including, S. aureus, has caused bacteria to become resistant…
Patient Safety: Policies (Part II)
Policies should be in place to help providers make decisions about impaired patients. The legal matters to consider in developing a policy are breach of confidentiality (Part I, last week), duty to warn, duty to report,…
Patient Safety: Policies (Part I)
Policies should be in place to help providers make decisions about impaired patients. The legal matters to consider in developing a policy are breach of confidentiality (Part I, today), duty to warn, duty to report,…
Patient Safety: Documentation
One of the most important actions for medical providers in the situation described last week is meticulous and frequent documentation of every interaction with the patient. All treatment, instructions, evaluations, physical observations, and advice not to leave…
Patient Safety: Intoxication Case Scenario
In July, our monthly topic was a typical scenario that a patient will go through when they call 911. This month, we are going to see what happens when a severely intoxicated patient comes into…
Schizophrenia: Medical Treatment Options
The primary treatment for schizophrenia is antipsychotic medication. It can help individuals to manage their symptoms but it is not a cure. The older antipsychotic medications, called “first generation” were effective for positive symptoms and…
Schizophrenia: Approach Considerations
Individuals with schizophrenia may sleep excessively or use alcohol or other substances to diminish the voices. Command hallucinations are the most serious and can be dangerous. The voices may command an individual to harm themselves…
