MyNursingUniforms Blog

The reform of the US health system has not been without controversy. But in forced change there lies great opportunity. In seeking to avert the collision course of an aging chronically ill population with a financial inability to maintain the current system, policy makers have had to reflect and discover a hitherto unrealized fact, that nurses are the backbone of the health care system, both by virtue of their numbers and diversified involvement in caring for patients. With informatics being mandated into the health care system the nursing profession is in an ideal position to create a synergy between their work and technology. (more...)

Nurses are the health care professionals that will spend the most time caring for patients, therefore technology will impact their work the most. (more...)

What would a hospital that consistently provided the best care for their patients and had a fulfilled staff look like?

All the necessary components for optimal care are present in the nation’s health care system, however, the execution to achieve maximum potential in all clinical locations is questionable.

An ideal acute care setting would first of all view the patient as an essential partner in the care environment. Instead of present care systems being planned around the providers they would involve the patient and family as integral to any decision made about treatment. (more...)

it would be beneficial if somebody were helping you transition because when you and the patient come out of the hospital here you are 2 dummies, one sick and one dummy. What do you do? Where do you go? You make a million phone calls. You do a lot of things that are stupid and nothing gets done. -Joanne an 79 year old caregiver.

To continue the discussion on chronic care for the elderly, these next 2 articles will focus on different programs that address the problem of uncoordinated or fragmented care.

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This series of articles will discuss the impact of chronic illnesses on the elderly, and what innovative programs have been tested to cope with this challenge. There are 10s of millions of Americans who have more than one chronic disease and many of them are over 65 years of age. 20% of senior citizens have 5 or more chronic illnesses*. Needless to say this has a negative impact on their quality of life.

Many of these illnesses are the result of preventable risk factors such as stress or obesity. Dr. Andrew Weil has noted that 400,000 people die every year from obesity related illnesses.* Therefore the starting point of coping with the dual challenge of an increasing older and sick population is to include prevention and a healthy lifestyle as the first recognized strategy in the war on chronic illness. Citizens living longer will mean that in the next 2 decades people with multiple chronic illnesses will increase to include 25% of the population.* (more...)

Obesity and Nursing in America

Obesity is currently the number one health risk in America. A growing epidemic that threatens the health care system, obesity is forcing changes in equipment and care in hospitals. Reports show one third of American adults are overweight or obese, and 17% of teenagers are in the same category. This is a disturbing trend that is putting added strain on the healthcare system, not only due to issues of accommodation for these patients, but because of the diseases and illnesses stimulated by obesity.

Children at Extreme Obesity Risk

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You may have heard of the term "Super Woman (or Super Man) Syndrome", a phrase that describes those people who appear to the world to be at the top off their game, juggling task after task, all while appearing to be in control and managing life's pressures without effort. In today's fast paced world, more men and women are struggling keep up with the pace of their own lives!

It is a fact that many nurses are facing work vs. rest time conflicts. As some hospitals run short of staff due to either cut backs or simple lack of staff for other reasons, nurses are faced with doing more work in a shorter period of time. This day to day physical, mental and emotional stress may lead to exhaustion, and when combined with the "outside of work" demands of everyday life and family, he or she may not have an opportunity to slow down, relax, and decompress at the end of the day. When asked how he or she is, the answer is usually something along the lines of "Busy, but that's okay. You know me, I'm always on the go." When this constant activity becomes normal and there is no time to recharge your life batteries and care for your own needs, super-hero syndrome begins – as does the trouble.

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