The convenience sampling that was used in recruiting all male patients who were on blood pressure medications is a glaring bias in this study. There was no information provided addressing why the patients were presenting to the clinic. There are many interventions that can raise blood pressure. For example, the study conducted by Marshall, Anantharachagan, Choudhary, Chue and Kaurhis, (2002) investigated the effect of situational anxiety on blood pressure experienced in anticipation of a blood test. Marshall, et. al., (2002) found that anticipation of a blood test can raise blood pressure. Foster-Fitzpatrick, et. al., 1999 did not address the purpose of the patient’s visit to the clinic.
Also, to improve patient compliance with medications, both the providers took extra time with the patient to clarify concerns. Additionally, a home BP monitoring system was installed to generate automatic BP readings to monitor improvements in blood pressure. Despite having well-planned processes, some hindrances happened due staff call-ins and home BP monitoring failure. Overall, in this cycle, a 10 to 15% improvement was observed in all four ramps (See Figure. 4).
Caring Hospice will be located in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. This is the southeastern region of the state. It is comprised of poor communities where residents often are forced to travel as far as fifty miles or more for adequate health care. Market research shows there is a
Many patients who receive hospice care expect to die soon. But research shows that many people now survive hospices. It’s not uncommon for patients in hospice care to get better. Miracles can and do happen. Entering hospice care no longer means that your life expectancy is short. There is life after hospice.
Hospice is compassionate care provided to patients facing terminal illness or illness for which there is no cure. These patients are diagnosed with an illness from which they will never recover and usually have a life prognosis of six months or less (Hospice Foundation of America, 2014). The goal of hospice care is improving quality of life and managing the symptoms of disease and the dying process. The care hospice offers is focused on pain management and emotional and spiritual support for both the patient and family (National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, 2012). Hospice care can be provided in many different settings, often the patient’s own home. Hospice care can also be provided in hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities and free-standing hospice centers and is available to patients of all ages (NHPCO, 2012). A patient receiving care in a hospice program has a team of healthcare individuals that can consist of the patients own physician, nurses, home health aides, clergy, social workers, and speech and physical therapists (NHPCO, 2012). Usually, a care plan is developed by the hospice team and care of the patient is provided by family members with the support of the hospice staff (NHPCO, 2012). Nurses make regular visits to the patient and family and are on call 24/7. Once enrolled in a hospice program hospice covers everything that will be needed to care for you, from medications to manage pain to
K.H. is a 67-year-old African-American man with primary hypertension and diabetes mellitus. He is currently taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and following a salt-restricted weight loss diet. He is about 30 pounds over his ideal weight. At his clinic visit his blood pressure is noted to be 135/96. His heart rate is 70 beats/min. He has no complaints. His wife brought a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope with her in the hope of learning to take her husband’s blood pressure at home.
The origin of the word “hospice” in medieval times meant “way station for weary travelers” (Perry). The first hospices were run by members of religious orders in the medieval times that cared for weary travelers whom found refuge with them until their death. Modern hospices are
Hospice House-The Josie Harper Residence offers inpatient and routine hospice care. It provides necessary individual terminally ill care that could be overwhelming and difficult to provide in the home. The tentative care received by residents living with terminal illnesses, families, and friends is full of compassionate and comfort.
This patient population usually has no symptoms and are unaware of the current issues they may be having with their blood pressure. If at the time of the health fair the patient does not present with high blood pressure the nurse can also guide them to check their blood pressure on a regular basis and tools to help prevent any changes they may experience in their future (Bisognano, 2012).
At some point in a terminally ill person 's life, there comes a time when all treatment options have been exhausted, and patient comfort is the number one priority. During this process, hospice care comes into play to ensure quality of life of a patient. Pain management and supportive services are provided to anyone who is willing by Medicare, and other government assistance programs, for individuals and families that cannot afford private home care. These services are provided by a trained group of professionals, including; Doctors, Nurses, Counselors, Social workers, Physical therapists, Volunteers and Chaplains. There are different types of hospice
Pathway Hospice is located in West Columbia, SC and Greenville, SC. It is run by a compassionate man as the Vice President (VP), John Powell. Pathway Hospice has 15 employees, and have three volunteers and has on average, the West Columbia office serves a caseload of 30 patients. I was able to obtain an appointment for an interview with the PCC (patient care coordinator) of the West Columbia office. The building is not easy to identify unless you locate their sign or have been there before. Pathway Hospice is a great company to work for, volunteer for and has many positions on their interdisciplinary team.
Hospice’s main focus is on the patients and their needs. As shown on www.nhpco.org, the website for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, their vision for patients and families is one where individuals and families facing serious illness, death, and grief will experience the best that humankind can offer (National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, 1). With this in mind, those who are involved with Hospice work to provide patients with relief from their symptoms and try to lift the weight off of their shoulders, also known as the Palliative Care part of Hospice. Hospice care involves a team-oriented approach, where members of the organization will work together to ensure the the patient, and their family as well, receive compassionate care (National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, 1). This includes physical care, such as pain management, emotional care, such as relieving stress, and spiritual care. Emotional and spiritual
Modern medical advancements have significantly decreased the prevalence and severity of infectious disease as well as the treatment of acute, traumatic conditions. Pharmacological research has also gained insight into the management of chronic disease. Still, there is an epidemic of chronic, treatable diseases like stroke, heart disease, and kidney disease. Hypertension proves to be the underlying factor associated with these diseases. Hypertension is often referred to as the silent killer because of its indication in deadly disease, and the importance of monitoring ones blood pressure is vital. Lifestyle, diet, and genetic predisposition are all factors of high blood pressure. Chronic high blood pressure above safe levels, known as hypertension, puts elevated physical stress on the renal and cardiovascular systems. By controlling this factor in patients, healthcare providers can decrease cardiovascular events, improve health outcomes, and decrease overall mortality. Patient education is often overlooked in its role in the control and prevention of high blood pressure. This paper analyzes the causes and physiology behind high blood pressure as they relate to the current nursing interventions. The role of nurses is discussed in relation to patient education regarding high blood pressure, and educational approaches are analyzed.
With the information found with what a patient’s blood pressure is, it helps health care