Home healthcare nurse
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Home healthcare nurse · Apr 2013
ReviewEvidence about the pharmacological management of constipation, part 2: implications for palliative care.
Constipation remains a challenging problem for patients and caregivers in home healthcare. Part 1 of this two-part series discussed the scope, physiology, and evidence-based practice for nonpharmacological interventions for constipation. This second article will focus on evidence-based pharmacological prevention and management of constipation, medication cost, and implications for palliative care.
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Home healthcare nurse · Jan 2013
Review Case ReportsUncertainties of the heart: palliative care and adult heart failure.
Chronic heart failure (HF) is a growing public health concern in Western nations. Incidence of HF increases with age, and demographics in the United States support a growing HF population. Annually, more than 100,000 people are admitted to hospitals because of HF. ⋯ Home healthcare professionals are in a unique position to identify HF patients who may benefit from palliative care programs delivered across care settings in the community. By developing ongoing relationships with patients and their family caregivers, we are able to focus on the complete care needs of this patient population and assist them with advanced care planning, psychological and social issues, and symptom management. We can also improve communication among care providers and patients/families to identify goals of care along the trajectory of HF illness.
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Home healthcare nurse · Mar 2012
Review Case ReportsAdults with sickle cell disease: an interdisciplinary approach to home care and self-care management with a case study.
The complexity of caring for adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) strains the confines of a care-segregated medical system. As treatment protocols have dramatically improved since 1990, many patients with SCD are now living well beyond their 6th decade of life. ⋯ In addition, the home healthcare nurse serves as patient advocate for the transition from acute care to home, as well as advocate for healthcare maintenance of vision, musculoskeletal involvement, and social and psychological support. This article seeks to provide a viable network for home healthcare nurses to establish self-care management and support of the adult patient with SCD.
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Palliative care within sub-Saharan African remains relatively new, with one service delivery model used being home-based care (HBC), a well-established mode of care provision within the HIV/AIDS context. The integration of palliative care into HBC services is a major advance in increasing its accessibility in the region. However, challenges exist to the provision of palliative services through HBC, especially for nurses, and these challenges, along with some of the responses to them, are discussed.
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There are many rheumatic diseases. Part 1 of this 2 part series on rheumatology presented a few of those most commonly seen in the community. ⋯ Additionally, as with most home health patients, an interdisciplinary approach that includes physical and occupational therapy, social work, nursing, nutrition, and other disciplines as needed should be implemented so that all patient needs are met and the patient is discharged at the highest level of self-care that is possible. Part 2 of this series will discuss the care of the patient with rheumatic disease at home and will provide a more in-depth look at lab diagnosis of rheumatic diseases.