Patient Latest: A Case Study

This reading discusses the use of wireless alerts pagers in a Surgical Intensive Care Unit and how it affects both work practices and information flows through a qualitative study. From the research that exists, we can see that pagers are successful communication tools because of the mobility and immediacy they provide. Interviews were completed with physicians and pharmacist who used the pagers and nurses who did not use the pager about how it impacted their work. In addition to collecting data this way, the researchers also compiled observational data from watching the device be used in regular practice. The study noted that

Many people can relate to his personal battle with cancer and his dedication to cancer research. His speech was full of emotion. He gave examples of his anguish during a seven-day stay before the awards ceremony, explaining his liver complications, kidney failure, and multiple surgeries. This provided the audience with real life experiences to understand the depth of what this award stands for.

Despite his circumstances, Joel does his best to maintain his positive outlook. He says, “I have never gotten angry about my illnesses. I have been sad, but never angry.” In fact, in the face of this battle for his life, Joel finds contentment in maintaining his service to others. “The one thing having cancer has really done for me is it has reaffirmed my commitment to being of service to other people who are in greater need than I am. I found the path to unconditional love a long time ago. Having a life of love and care and compassion has been the right kind of life for

After a week working in the hospital, I went on home visits with nurses, doctors, nutritionists, psychologists and a monk. The first patient lives in a shabby wooden house. A great contrast could be seen between the room that the patient lives in and the rest of the house. “The patient is diagnosed with prostate cancer with bone metastasis. The room is specially built for him by the hospital and his family. He won’t live long.” A nurse told me. On another visit, I met a man with esophagus cancer.

There are many problems that could arise from a patient’s information landing into the hands of a stranger, a boss, an enemy, or any other individual that does not have permission to view that information.

In “Doctors, Patients Likely to Talk More Via Emails” (2013), Dean Olsen discuss about how communication through emails can improve or make matters worse for doctors and patients. Some patients are likely to email doctors before they visit in person, this way they can save time to get an appointment. Researchers also agree that using electronics enhance the aspect of care for patients. However, some doctors think that the patient should come see them in person for better care. The doctors and nurses already have other important things to handle, such as emergency situations, and taking care of the sick people. They do not have time to sit on the computer and chat with their patient. While someone is really sick, then

Texting Message can be used in health and social care setting. The technology is now

While working at Tufts Medical Center this past week, I had the opportunity to help the oncology clinic with a donation and was introduced to Tony Stoddard. Tony Stoddard is the father of a 5-year-old boy, who passed away almost 4 years ago from neuroblastoma. Since his son passed away, he has been working to promote awareness of Childhood Cancer in hopes there will be more research and better funding for childhood cancer in the future. Stoddard brought boxes filled with toys, band aids, and other distraction tools to Tufts Floating Hospital. We helped by transporting the boxes from the parking garage to the oncology clinic. As we helped, he was able to tell me his story and his goals for the future. Back in 2013, he contacted various officials

In this presentation he gave the backstory of his terminal diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and how is he still making most out of it. He states how he plans to utilize time he has left with his family. He explains what his priorities is and how he intends to achieve those goals. He was still struggling while approaching his family. The video is all about

Leukemia is “a malignant progressive disease in which the bone marrow and other blood-forming organs produce increased numbers of immature or abnormal leukocytes. These suppress the production of normal blood cells, leading to anemia and other symptoms.”An estimated combined total of 162,020 people in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with leukemia, 60,192 people die, 14% live in remission and my father is just another statistic. When I was nine years old, my father was diagnosed with Leukemia, an illness that at the time I did not understand. This left my mother raising two kids and working two jobs to make ends meet. Throughout this time of never ending hospital visits, I experienced the kindness and care provided to us by my father’s doctors - something that until this day I will never forget.

Dutch was diagnosed with glioblastoma and had surgery to remove two tumors in 2013. Prognosis after his surgery was good, and he far outlived the average patient due to how aggressively brain tumors grow. Following his diagnosis, he opened the Darren Daulton Foundation, that provides medical relief for those fighting brain tumors and brain cancer. Dutch’s love and care for other people never wavered, despite what he was going through, much like the days of ice packs on his knees.

Another example of this healing involves a man named John Pattison, aged twenty-one. In 1974, he was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer and was not expected to live more than six months. He

Text messaging is an easy and fast way of communicating with patients and it allows patients to reply instantly. It is also inexpensive in that it cuts down in paper and postage. For example a GP practice signing up to use a text messaging service to inform patients of their appointments, flu vaccinations, times and dates etc.

Mhealth has reached the poorest of communities (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). More than 9 million patients email their physician in 2009 (Digital Health Care, 2010), because patients’ busy lifestyles do not allow time for an office visit for non-emergent health conditions. . In recent years, the expansion of mobile health (mhealth) technologies, including health text messaging, mobile phone applications, remote monitoring, and portable sensors, have changed the way health care is being delivered in the U.S. and globally (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). Patients like the convenience of communicating with his or her physician through advanced technology.

I step into the recovery room and hear the steady beep of the vitals machine. My bone marrow donor is wide awake and sitting up in bed; he is in recovery following his marrow stem cell donation. I immediately notice his beaming smile, a sharp contrast to the drab hospital room and a remarkable reaction considering all he has been through that morning. I sit down and speak to him to assess his health and ensure he is recovering as expected. His first question for me is not about his own health, but the health of another patient to whom he has been willing to donate, a person he doesn’t know, has never met, and may never even have the opportunity to communicate with depending on where they are being treated. I assure him that his donated cells have been processed and transported successfully, but we will not know anything specific about the recovery of his recipient for about another 30 days. He relaxes his body back slightly on the hospital bed and continues to smile. I haven’t told him anything he doesn’t already know, yet a sense of fulfillment seems to wash over and emanate from him. His contentment is infectious.