Anesthesiologists – the Modern Comfort Advocates
Anesthesiologists’ main job used to be to put patients to sleep or “knock them out.” No more. They increasingly face awake patients even during hour-long long cases managing their comfort and emotional needs.
QI, QA and Research
Do you have to or want to write a proposal for a project in QA, QI, HCAHPS, QPI, JCAHO, safety, patient satisfaction, or any of the other new requirements?
When Pain is Definitely No Gain
How about better helping patients manage pain when it really counts now and then – such as in surgery or during medical procedures?
Grieving After Tissue Loss
You might have thought that getting rid of a tumor, tissue from a breast reduction, tummy tuck, or getting rid of a condition that had been bothering you a while would just be good riddance. Don’t be surprised though if instead a grief reaction starts.
The Ethics of the Sting and Burn
Some professional societies consider it as ethical when healthcare providers use words that are known to hurt and harm, but find it unethical to intentionally use words that are known to make patients feel better and produce better medical outcomes.
Who Owns Your Body Parts?
After tissue is surgically removed who owns it? Can you take it home? Can you at least have a look at it?
Calling Names and Missing the Deed
Calling others names is much en vogue. The political landscape is ripe with the habit of putting a label on a person or whole group.
Scrub the Scrubs
A picture of four surgical intensive care nurses sitting cross-legged on the lawn and enjoying their lunch before a press conference accompanied an article in the Boston Globe about the averted nursing strike at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital.