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Pediatric Pain Management: the Multidisciplinary Approach

Children getting treatment services to some of the pain they are feeling can sometimes become a hard and challenging situation to many pediatric doctors and nurses. Many controversies arise to whether there exist ways of treating pediatric pain or instead to only focus on how best one needs to treat the pain rather than putting more concern on the pain of the child.

Today, pain is perceived as a symptom of treating rather than an inevitable consequence. There exist various reasons why people treat pain. One of the most common reasons is because it is one of the most humane things that one can do. Some of the other reasons for treating pain are because adequate pain management reduces both the child and the parent’s anxiety helping them relax and cooperate to some of the procedures that are being undertaken.

Treating pain helps reduce the burden that most medical staff whenever there is no control to the anxiety both the child and the parent or guardian have. Some of the negative effects that are apparent to pain are that it increases the mortality rate, also creates hyperalgesia. Pain is also known to have a negative effect on the development of a child.

Pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage. The above definition has elicited mixed judgments to how people perceive pain regarding it as an inherent quality of life that appears early in development and serves as a signal for tissue damage.

What are some of the effects of pediatric pain?

Infants, when born, were initially believed to experience less pain because many believed that their nervous systems were immature. Although the ascending pathways of the neonatal nervous system are understood to be fully developed thus allowing the transmission of painful stimuli, the descending inhibitory trails are not established. The above showed that painful stimuli may reach the brain leading to more pronounced pain sensation in neonates than in children and adults.

So, what are some of the various ways to which one can manage pediatric pain?

There exist general principles that can be applied to pediatric children to managing pain. One of the ways includes conducting an adequate assessment understanding where the pain is coming from and to how it can be managed. Some of the results that are brought to assist in providing a clear judgment to how the pain can be stopped.

Whenever pediatricians are conducting their analysis it is often common for them to anticipate some of the pain thus treatment is administered prophylactically. It is a process which ensures that every child after surgery will have pain the following day thus considered inhumane if the pediatric will not offer any painkillers after.

Another approach which doctors can use in managing pediatric pain is by involving the parents or the guardians of the baby who always offer the best explanation to what their children are suffering from. It is clear that in hospitals, pediatrics use these approach in reducing the anxiety that both the parents and their children have. There exist various ways to how medics assess the pain of children which can either be psychological i.e. checking a child’s respiratory rate, heart rate, cortisol levels, palmar sweating, blood pressure, etc.

Checking can also be behavioral which can include:

  • Body movement
  • Facial action
  • Crying
  • Posturing
  • State of arousal
  • Breathing pattern

There exist widely used drugs that are known to benefit and reduce the level of pain that the child may be born. They can include Opioids which are moderate and are often used to patients who are suffering from acute pain. Another drug commonly used is NSAIDS that are usually effective in managing mild-to-moderate pain and at other times combined with Opioids to for more severe pain. Most of the drugs administered often have their own side effects and so, it is always better to understand some of the benefits and limitations of using the said drug.

RNs Putting Innovative Ideas to Work

Nurses contribute immensely to the medical field and their skills are greatly appreciated by the public for the great effort they put through. They are instrumental in improving the life of a patient through the care they offer and innovative ideas that are mainly based on their knowledge to some of the best practices.

Innovation commonly translates to doing things differently thus helping one achieve large gains whenever it comes to performance. It is important to note that without nurses, the health industry would come to a standstill since they are fundamental people in the many medical facilities.

Innovative ideas are known to help patients strive through a disturbing problem and symptom that can help offer quality care and overcome some of the issues that affect them. Applying innovation to clinical practice helps lead the quality improvement and benefit many patients. So, what are some of the innovative ideas that registered nurses are putting to work?

Registered nurses nowadays use electronic medical records (EMRs) in identifying patients who may require specialized services in their clinical settings. Using predictive care models is critical in ensuring that they can easily predict and use some of the data in identifying falls, readmissions and make appropriate quick decisions before it is late.

Registered nurses are also using wearables that are useful and must be worn when in attendance to infant care which has brought improved care and comfort among patients when most of these ideas are put into practice and work. Some of the ideas include the coming up of an infant suit with an opening that helps provide umbilical cord exposure after seeing some of the problems parents were encountering in trying to dry their children’s umbilical cord.

Many of the caregivers also work to provide solutions to many common problems that can help improve a person’s life. It is with these connections that it has seen many nurses address some of the issues like offering patients caregivers that are available online hence have flexible time to conduct other issues that may arise.

Registered nurses these days have collaborative clinics that help various community and medical issues that may arise amongst them. An example is the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) in San Antonio, Texas, where nurses came up with the idea for an inter-professional and collaborative healthcare clinic. Most of these programs are under the Nurse Education, Practice, Quality & Retention (NEPQR) which provides support the development of safe, efficient, effective and equitable healthcare in collaborative practice environments.

Many of the registered nurses are also putting in innovative tools that aim to give hope to patients who may feel discouraged. Putting up larger posters in hospitals to try and motivate many of the patients is a good way to making them feel loved or appreciated despite the condition they are suffering from.

Nurses constantly using technology by employing discharge instructions through telephony which has helped many nurses record and fill any discharge of a patient when they are done getting help. The technology used helps both the staff and the patients including their parents or loved ones with instructions or any other educational video that is useful in helping improve communication between the inpatient and the family members.

Some of the innovations ideas made by nurses have been lifesaving and helpful to how they conduct most of the activities in the organization. For instance, in the operating room, Registered Nurse Jill Byrne of the Cleveland Clinic created a vest to keep surgical staff cool under hot operating room lights. The lightweight vest contains pockets to hold ice packs and is designed to fit under surgical gowns to fight heat stress. Most of the examples explained above show the kind of innovative structures that are useful in the day-to-day medial field.

Most of these innovations have not only helped to improve lives but also save the medical facilities in which they work in millions of funds thus reducing the number of readmissions saving both times and also improving the patient’s health.

NURSING PRACTICE IN FLORIDA

Nursing is one of the most widely chosen careers gaining attraction with many youths who would love to see their careers in the medical field. Nursing is known to giving the student the flexibility to working in various fields as the medical profession continues to evolve with new medication constantly becoming researched.

Nursing as a career path requires skills and specialized knowledge to overcome some of the conditions. It is a very serious job description which requires serious determination and attitude in ensuring that every patient receives the best healthcare possible they can ever get.

The above career requires nurses who are prepared and competent since it poses a risk and harm to the public if done by professionals who are not prepared in taking the job as a career. Many states in the US and other countries have acts which are usually enacted by the state’s legislature. Many of these acts, however, do not provide the necessary guidance that is needed in the nursing profession and thus has a board of nursing which is equipped with the authority to developing administrative rules or regulations that are useful in making the law more specific.

Nursing practice in the state of Florida is under the standards of the Florida Administrative code which are the permanent collection of state laws that are organized by their subject are into a code which consists of titles, chapters, parts, and sections that are continuously updated. The sole legislative purpose of the Nurse Practice Act is to ensure that every nurse practicing in this state meets minimum requirements for safe practice. The above legislation ensures that nurses who fall below minimum competency or who otherwise present a danger to the public shall be prohibited from practicing in this state.

For one to practice nursing in Florida, one must seek a license from the Florida Board of Nursing that is under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Health. The role of the department of health outlined under the Florida State 456, Health and Professions and Occupations state that all health professions shall be regulated only for the preservation of the health, safety, and welfare of the public under the police powers of the state. The above health professions shall be regulated whenever their practice is unregulated and thus known to harm or endanger the health, safety, and public welfare.

The Florida Board of Nursing consists of 13 members who are required to residents of Florida. It is made up of 7 registered nurses who come from different diverse fields and have been in the nursing profession for at least 4 years. It should also include 3 practical nurses who 3 years of practice prior to their appointment and 3 other members who have never been licensed and are in no way connected with nursing practices. All the above members are appointed by their governor for a term of 4 years.

The Nursing Practice Act ensures that the Florida board of nursing make and enforce rules and regulations for registered nurses, certified nurses, practical nurses, certified nurse-midwives, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, registered nurse first assistants, and certified registered nurse anesthetists. The work of the Board of Nurse is to ensure that it monitors, licenses, disciplines, educates, and rehabilitates its licensees to assure their fitness and competence in providing healthcare services for the people of Florida.

Some of the specialties that Florida nurses can take include:

1.Legal Nurse Consultant Who are qualified registered nurses who use the skills and experience together with the expertise to consult on medical lawsuits

2.Certified Dialysis Nurse Are nurses who assist patients and individuals that have severe problems relating to their kidneys.

3.Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Assist in determining the health status of the patient as it relates to the risk factors and to the anesthetic management of the patient when in surgery.

4.Licensed Nurse practitioner Whose job description involves offering primary and secondary care to patients often in collaboration with a doctor.

Symptoms of Eczema Condition

Many people tend to suffer from some common type of itchiness either on your hands, chin, chest which becomes irritative making one scratch themselves. Many people often get the irritation on their neck and even behind their knees. The above symptoms are really irritating which is why a visit to the hospital will help figure out whether you have Eczema. So, what is this disease?

Eczema is a condition which affects the skin patches making them become inflamed, itchy, cracked, red and rough. In extreme cases, blisters may sometimes occur depending on the nature of the condition. The disease is often associated with atopic dermatitis which is a collection of diseases that involve the immune system. Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin that is common with people that experience eczema.

Who is the kind of people that can get the disease? Is there a way to know whether your or your child has been diagnosed?

A brief understanding of Eczema is the first step to treating and knowing how one can manage it. The condition is known to affect a person’s daily routine which is why learning more about the condition is useful in helping you not focus much about the condition.

There exist different types of eczema. Some of the most common types of eczema include:

  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Contact dermatitis
  • Dyshidrotic eczema
  • Nummular eczema
  • Seborrheic dermatitis
  • Stasis dermatitis

Eczema condition can also be managed in many cases. It is, however, not easy to live with the condition. The above condition is known to mostly affect babies and children since they are mostly seen in their cheeks and chin. The above places do not mean that it does not appear in any other body part. Symptoms do vary from person to person and thus in most cases, many of these conditions experienced often go away whenever one continues to grow older.

Eczema disease is not contagious and thus one cannot catch it from another person. Researchers believe that a combination of a person’s genes and environmental factors cause eczema. Many believe that the allergy causes an irritation with a person’s immune system making reacting with an antigen of the body. What are some of the drugs or treatments available to people with eczema?

The above condition does not have any cure and thus depending with the age of a person, then there exist some remedies to which one can use such as phototherapy, immunosuppressants, biological drugs and other OTC remedies that they may be prescribed. One of the easiest ways to prescribe is by understanding your triggers so that one can avoid exposure. It is also important for one to use the prescribed medication that they have been given by their doctors or bought over the counter constantly to avoid any other issues. It is also important to implement a regular bathing routine which is useful in moisturizing one’s skin keeping it free from dirt and any other infection that may worsen the situation.

Symptoms that are found with people with eczema

Itchiness

It is usually mild and at other cases moderate. If the situation is dire then, one can have an extremely inflamed skin which can be so bad making one’s skin to bleed. One of the cases one should look out for are a red, inflamed skin, dark colored patches of the skin, areas of swelling or dry, sensitive skin.

What is the difference between eczema and atopic dermatitis?

There exist various types of eczema, however, each of the various types discussed above has their own symptoms and treatments. Whenever faced with these conditions, it is imperative to seek a medical know-how to the type of eczema that you are suffering from to have a better way to managing the condition. Some of the medications commonly used include the triamcinolone, mometasone, Elidel, hydrocortisone, desonide and many other drugs prescribed by the medical doctor.

Most Bed Bug-Infested Cities in the U.S

Bed bugs can be a nuisance to any homeowner or family. They are known to attack houses and are excellent hitchhikers making them easily transported from one place to another. Many of these bugs are known to hide in boxes, suitcases, shoes, or near a food supply. Many of them are known to hide in small cracks and crevices in walls close to the human environment.

These infestations are known to attack mattresses, box springs and other folded areas in search of blood from humans. They are notorious creatures which are known to hide behind wallpapers, picture frames, electrical switches, etc. most of them can survive in either temporary or alternative habitats such as under the seats of cars, trains and even buses.

Some of the most common ways humans try to deal with these infestations are by avoiding encounters that are associated with these organisms. Many of the family members often resist taking in furniture that they are left in the street since most of these pieces of equipment are already infested. Many of the pest control companies are report how such kind of these pests have invaded small single-family homes, apartments and other buildings including offices. It is not uncommon to find many of the high-end hotels and clothing stores not infested by these infestations.

According to a report written by Condé Nast Traveler which reports that cities from Orkin’s annual list of some of the top 50 bedbug-infested cities in the US that was executed between December 1, 2016, and November 30, 2017. The results pulled out show residential buildings such as hotels, buildings, hotels, and apartments. Orkin’s entomologist explains the rise of bedbugs as a serious issue that is more common in some cities than others. According to the list, Baltimore followed by Washington D.C. and Chicago top the list among the most bedbug-infested cities in the US.

Many of the pest infestation companies often advice families and the population that no matter the city they are in, that they must check the conditions of the areas they are moving to even if it is a simple check under the mattress they are to sleep in. According to the list compiled by Condé Nast Traveler, some of the 50 most infested cities in the US include:

1. Baltimore

2. Washington, D.C.

3. Chicago

4. Los Angeles

5. Columbus, Ohio

6. Cincinnati, Ohio

7. Detroit

8. New York

9. San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose

10. Dallas-Fort Worth

11. Indianapolis, Indiana

12. Philadelphia

13. Atlanta

14. Cleveland-Akron-Canton, Ohio

15. Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina

16. Richmond-Petersburg, Virginia

17. Houston

18. Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News, Virginia

19. Charlotte, North Carolina

20. Buffalo, New York

21. Knoxville, Tennessee

22. Nashville, Tennessee

23. Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, Michigan

24. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

25. Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina-Asheville, North Carolina

26. Champaign-Springfield-Decatur, Illinois

27. Phoenix

28. Denver

29. Milwaukee

30. Hartford-New Haven, Connecticut

31. Charleston-Huntington, West Virginia

32. Boston

33. Syracuse, New York

34. Dayton, Ohio

35. St. Louis, Missouri

36. Seattle

37. Miami-Ft. Lauderdale

38. Flint-Saginaw-Bay City, Michigan

39. Omaha, Nebraska

40. Cedar Rapids-Waterloo-Dubuque, Iowa

41. San Diego, California

42. Lexington, Kentucky

43. Honolulu, Hawaii

44. Louisville, Kentucky

45. Las Vegas

46. Greensboro-High Point-Winston Salem, North Carolina

47. New Orleans, Louisiana

48. Myrtle Beach-Florence, South Carolina

49. Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida

50. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, New York

Getting rid of bed bug infestation is not an easy process and thus many people talk of how patience and perseverance are required in permanently getting rid of bed bugs naturally. It is important to constantly treat your premises once or twice a week. These creatures are known to continuously lay hundreds of eggs disturbing one much-needed sleep. Many pest control companies recommend disinfecting and spraying medicine three to four times a week. Some of the easiest ways to coping with these creatures include:

  • Vacuum the house thoroughly
  • Wash infested items in hot water
  • Not using bed bug bombs and pesticides since most of them are resistant to these chemicals
  • Avoid picking up items at yard sales

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