Legal Nurse Consultant Program Article on Malpractice Conditions

When being treated by a healthcare professional, individuals expect a certain standard of care and trust.  Unfortunately, sometimes, by accident, or through negligence, bad things can occur to the patient.  Patients have a right for compensation and malpractice cases arise.  Legal teams utilize Legal Nurse Consultants within their team to better address malpractice.  They serve an important function in testimony and investigation.  Please also review AIHCP’s Legal Nurse Consultant Program

Legal Nurse Consultants help with malpractice cases. Please also review AIHCP’s Legal Nurse Consultant Program

 

The article, “What to Do If You Think You’re a Victim of Medical Negligence” by Jessica Coates looks closer at the conditions for malpractice.  She states,

“Most people hope or expect to receive quality healthcare when they are ill or injured. Unfortunately, accidents do happen from time to time and sometimes they are a result of negligence from medical practitioners. A nurse, doctor, or even orderly can make a mistake that may cause a patient to become injured or ill. In some cases, complications from, say, a botched operation, may lead to permanent health damage or even the death of the patient.  If you or someone you loved has become ill, injured, or even died as a result of what you think is a case of medical ineptitude, then you should file a medical malpractice lawsuit as soon as possible”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Legal Nurse Consultant Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Legal Nurse Consulting.

Pet Loss Grief Support Program Blog on Children and Pet Loss

For many children, their first experience with death is with a pet.  Some parents are fearful to discuss death with their children or try to shield them from it.  It is important not to shield children but to teach them within their comprehension and age, what death is.  Losing a pet is a sad moment but also a learning moment like all loss.  It teaches important life skills of how to adjust to loss with the death of future family, friends and other beloved pets.  Please also review AIHCP’s Pet Los Grief Support Program

It is important to include children about a death of a pet. Please also review AIHCP’s Pet Loss Grief Support Program

Please also review AIHCP’s Pet Loss Grief Support Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Pet Loss Grief Support.

Smoking and Addiction

Smoking is one of the most common addictions and bad habits people face.  It is extremely unhealthy yet many turn to it to calm nerves and anxiety.  This dependency makes smoking and its ingredients extremely addictive and dangerous.  So many try to break the unhealthy habit but are unable to due to tobacco and nicotine within the cigarette.  Learning to cope with the addiction and cravings take time.  Some individuals require substance abuse counseling while others go to support groups.  Others look to patches and other approaches to curb the physical and mental desire.  Trying to break the cycle of addiction can be difficult but with proper coping and counseling, one can finally become free of smoking.

Why is smoking so addictive and unhealthy? Please also review AIHCP’s Substance Abuse Counseling Training and see if it matches your academic goals

 

The article, “Why is tobacco so addictive?” by Joe Phealon looks closer at the addictive nature of tobacco and smoking.  He states,

“Nicotine is especially addictive when smoked or otherwise taken into the lungs because “the onset of the stimulant-like effects occurs very rapidly through this route of administration,” David Ledgerwood, a clinical psychologist in the Substance Abuse Research Division at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, told Live Science in an email.”

The article continues, “If someone smokes regularly for months and years, their brain will become used to having nicotine to the point where, eventually, “they need nicotine to function well,” Ledgerwood said. During periods when the addicted individual does not smoke, they may experience physical withdrawal symptoms until their brain can adjust to the nicotine’s absence.”

“Why is tobacco so addictive?”. Joe Phealon.  Live Science. July 17th, 2022

To read the entire article, please click here

 

Commentary

Smoking tobacco is a common practice throughout the world and has been for centuries. While the specific reasons for why people smoke vary from person to person, there are some general reasons that are often cited. These include wanting to relax, wanting to feel more alert, and wanting to socialize with others. There are a number of negative health effects associated with smoking, including an increased risk of developing cancer, lung disease, and other respiratory problems.

Smoking is addictive because it contains nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance. When people smoke, the nicotine enters their bloodstream and goes to their brain, where it binds to receptors and causes a feeling of pleasure. Over time, people who smoke cigarettes develop a tolerance to nicotine and need to smoke more and more cigarettes to get the same feeling of pleasure. Nicotine is an organic compound that is found in tobacco leaves. It is also the main psychoactive ingredient in cigarettes. Nicotine acts as a stimulant, and it increases alertness and reduces anxiety. It also has a calming effect on the body, and it can help to relieve stress.  This can lead to addiction.

Health Risks of Smoking

Smoking cigarettes is linked to an increased risk of developing a number of serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Smoking is also a major contributor to respiratory problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition to the health risks posed by smoking, there are also economic consequences. Cigarette smoking is estimated to cost the US economy billions of dollars each year in healthcare costs and lost productivity.

Smoking cigarettes introduces harmful chemicals into the lungs, which can damage the delicate tissue and lead to a number of serious health problems. The chemicals in tobacco smoke cause inflammation and irritation, and over time can damage the airways and lungs. This can lead to conditions such as bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer.

Quit Smoking

There are many ways to stop smoking, but not all of them are effective for everyone. Some people find that cold turkey is the best method, while others find that gradual reduction works best for them. Some people use nicotine replacement therapy, which can help to ease withdrawal symptoms and make quitting less difficult. There are also many prescription medications that can help with quitting smoking, and it is always best to talk to a doctor before starting any new medication.

Addiction counselors, peers, friends and support groups can also play large roles in encouragement.  It is also important to avoid places where one might find smoking.  The addictive nature is complex because it is both physical and also mental.  Good support is key in breaking the bad habit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, smoking is a highly addictive behavior that is detrimental to one’s health. Quitting smoking is very difficult, but it is possible with the right resources and support. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are many organizations that can help, such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse or the American Lung Association.

Smoking is a difficult but rewarding process. It takes time, patience, and perseverance to break the habit. However, the benefits of quitting smoking are numerous. Quitting smoking reduces your risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and other smoking-related illnesses. It also improves your overall health, including your respiratory and cardiovascular health. Additionally, quitting smoking can save you a significant amount of money over time.

Please also review AIHCP’s Substance Abuse Counseling Training and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Substance Abuse Counseling.  After completing the courses, one can then apply for certification and help utilize their talents in aiding others overcome addiction to smoking.

Additional Resources

“Nicotine control: E-cigarettes, smoking and addiction”. KirstenBell and HelenKeane.  International Journal of Drug Policy Volume 23, Issue 3, May 2012, Pages 242-247. Access here

“What Happens to Your Body When You Quit Smoking?”. WebMed Editorial Contributors. WEBMED.  August 3rd 2022. Access here

“Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking”. CDC.  Access here

“How to Quit Smoking.  The American Lung Association.  Access here

“Harms of Cigarette Smoking and Health Benefits of Quitting”. National Cancer Institute. Dec 19th, 2017. Access here

Grief Counseling Certification Blog on Words to Say After a Loss

So many times when individuals grieve, they are not given the appropriate time, response or care.  The rule of thirds dictates that only 1/3rd of the people in one’s life will respond emotionally to one’s loss needs.  Even those who care can sometimes say the wrong thing.  It is important when helping the bereaved to say what helps heals instead of further hurting the person.  Many well intentioned individuals can say the wrong thing at the wrong time and make the grief worst for the bereaved.  Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Certification

Careful words are needed in grief support. Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Certification

 

The article, “The Grief You Give: A guide for what to say in the wake of loss: Words for when “sorry for your loss” isn’t enough.” from Scalawag Editors looks at somethings that usually should not be said and what one can do better.  The editors list some common cliches.

“Grief can be downright awkward. There’s a certain pressure to find the right words to say. It’s common to default to apologizing. We blurt out sorry for your loss, scribble it into Hallmark cards, and paste it under social media posts, punctuated with a prayer hands emoji. We center ourselves even if we don’t mean to. What are you sorry for anyway?  Over the last several months, we’ve asked you, our people, to share the words and gestures that have proven helpful after a loss; which ones hurt more than they heal? From those responses, we’ve created this condolences guide to parse through perspectives on how we care and show up for one another—even when we get it wrong. Accountability is an act of love.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Saying the wrong thing can obviously be a big mistake.  Looking at the above cliches and making sure one does not follow the same mistakes is critical to helping a bereaved friend.

Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification as a Grief Counselor.

Holistic and Integrative Healthcare Specialist Program Blog on Nurses and a Holistic Approach

Nurses should not only focus on the symptoms or disease of a patient they first meet but be open to the entirety of the patient as a person.  Interacting in a more holistic approach will open the nurse to the multiple needs of the patient beyond the disease and symptoms.  It also opens the patient to other alternative medical ideas.  Please also review AIHCP’s Holistic and Integrative Healthcare Specialist Program

Nurses can offer patients a more holistic approach of care. Please also review AIHCP’s Holistic and Integrative Healthcare Specialist Program

 

The article, “How Nurses Can Take A Holistic Approach to Patient Care” by Adrian Johansen looks deeper into how nurses can be more holistic in their approach with patients.  She states,

“When assessing a patient’s needs for the first time, it’s important here to take the holistic approach. Every medical situation also has knock-on effects when it comes to mental, emotional, and even economic well-being. Utilizing the time of first contact well can also open nurses to information regarding the patient’s cultural needs. Taking notes here on more than simply the strict medical elements can ensure all personnel from first contact onward are fully apprised of the holistic requirements of the patient.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Holistic and Integrative Healthcare Specialist Program and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Holistic Nursing.

ADHD Consulting Program Blog on ADHD and Disorganization

ADHD can make one disorganized.  In that disorganization messiness is the final result.  Many individuals with ADHD have messes throughout their work area or home and are unable to keep things organized due to the constant movement from one issue to another.  Please also review AIHCP’s ADHD Consulting Program

ADHD can lead to disorganization and messiness in one’s life. Please also review AIHCP’s ADHD Consulting Program

 

The article, “Can ADHD Cause You to Be Messy and Disorganized?” from Healthline looks closer at how ADHD can lead to messes and disorganization in life.  The article states,

 

“ADHD’s cognitive effects can cause you to have trouble finishing tasks, such as homework, or scheduling appointments. This can also include tasks relating to the organization of a physical space, like your room or office. For example, maybe you did the laundry but haven’t folded it, so it just sits on the ground all week. Or you might start several creative projects and leave their elements out and about, cluttering the room. You may also find yourself constantly misplacing items.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s ADHD Consulting Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in ADHD Consulting.

Clinical Hypnotherapy Program Blog on OCD and Hypnosis

Hypnosis is known to help individuals with many mental quirks.  It can also help calm people with a variety of issues they may face.  OCD is no exception.  Hypnosis can help individuals be more calm and less upset with OCD tendencies.  Please also review AIHCP’s Clinical Hypnotherapy Program

Hypnotherapy may be able to help some with OCD although little clinical trials have been done. Please also review AIHCP’s Clinical Hypnotherapy Certification

 

The article, “Hypnotherapy for OCD: Does It Work?” by Traci Pederson looks at how hypnosis can help people with OCD.  She states,

“Proponents of hypnotherapy say that, theoretically, during the relaxed state of hypnosis, a person could safely address some of their OCD intrusive thoughts or obsessions.  For instance, a person with an intense fear of germs can consider these thoughts under hypnosis without experiencing the anxiety that usually accompanies them. Then any insights achieved during the hypnosis state may be brought back to the conscious mind. This could allow you to discuss them with your therapist and work on coping skills to reduce the distress these thoughts cause.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Clinical Hypnotherapy Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Hypnotherapy.

 

Grief Counseling Certification Blog on Depression and Shopping

Shopping sometimes can cheer anyone up.  Buying something new and exciting or adding to a collection can help one look beyond a boring and blue day.  If, however, an individual uses shopping as escapism or over shops due to depression, then shopping may not be the best cure.  It is important to see the difference when shopping becomes pathological and not just merely a way to cheer oneself up.  Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Certification

Shopping used to hide depression is unhealthy. Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Certification

 

The article, “Depression Shopping: Why Retail Therapy Does Not Heal” by Hope Gillette looks closer at how shopping can become pathological if used during depression.  She states,

“Getting something new can be fun and exciting. Even if you’re shopping for home necessities, the experience of buying something nice can make you feel accomplished. In fact, research from 2014 points out that making purchases helps alleviate sadness and gives a sense of control. Shopping as a recreational activity or because you need an item is one thing. Shopping because you depend on the mood boost could be something else.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Grief Counseling.

Healthcare Case Management Certification Blog on Post Acute Care

An important aspect of healthcare case management is post acute care.  Post acute care is important because it follows the care and follow ups needed after a hospital admission.  This is pivotal in lowered hospital readmissions that would not be necessary if better follow up care was provided.  Working with post acute care providers is essential to ensure better quality care for the patient over the long term.  Healthcare Case Managers play a key role in coordinating care after illness and during recovery to ensure the proper follow-up care is fulfilled and met.   They arrange and help the patient find the proper facility to meet their recovery needs as well as help the patient receive the proper follow up treatment.

Post Acute Care is important for long term health of patient. Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Case Management Certification

 

The article, “5 keys to effective post-acute care management” by Page Minmyer looks closer at better post acute care practices.  She states,

“Effective post-acute care management requires a multidimensional approach that incorporates effective communication, data analytics and clearly defined care coordination roles, according to a new white paper from Leavitt Partners. The benefits, however, are clear, as better post-acute care management can reduce readmissions, allow providers to more easily manage length of stay in skilled nursing facilities and better monitor discharge.”

“5 keys to effective post-acute care management”. Paige Minemyer. Fierce Healthcare. May 4, 2017

To read the entire article, please click here

Commentary

The field of healthcare case management is concerned with the coordination and delivery of care to patients with chronic or complex health conditions. Case managers work with patients and their families to develop a plan of care that meets the unique needs of each individual. They also work with other members of the healthcare team to ensure that all aspects of the patient’s care are considered and that care is delivered in a coordinated fashion.  This process can help to improve patient outcomes by making sure that the care they receive is timely and appropriate. Additionally, healthcare case management can help to reduce the overall cost of care by preventing duplicate services and avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations.

Post Acute Care

In regards to post acute care, the process is even more important in reducing readmissions.  Post-acute care is a type of medical care that is provided to patients who have been discharged from the hospital but still require some level of medical care. This type of care can be provided in a variety of settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, or inpatient rehabilitation facilities. Post-acute care is to help patients recover from their illness or injury and return to their prior level of functioning.  The goal of PAC is to help patients transition from the hospital to their homes or another care facility, such as a nursing home. PAC typically includes a variety of services, such as skilled nursing care, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.

Care managers also ensure the patient finds the proper facilities. Post acute care facilities provide medical and rehabilitative care to patients who have been discharged from the hospital but still require close medical supervision. These facilities typically offer a wide range of services, including skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. patients in post acute care facilities often have complex medical needs that require close monitoring and coordination of care.

Types of Post Acute Care

Post Occupation Therapy is the process of helping people return to their previous level of functioning after an injury or illness. This can involve helping them regain their strength and mobility, as well as their cognitive and emotional well-being.  Quite similar is physical therapy.  Post-acute care physical therapy is a type of PT that is focused on helping patients recover from a serious injury or illness. This type of PT can involve working with patients who are in the hospital, as well as those who have been discharged and are receiving outpatient care. The goal of post-acute care physical therapy is to help patients regain their strength, mobility, and independence.

Through these therapies, checkups, and follow ups, patients can find the acute care they need after their initial stay in the hospital.  Care Managers can arrange and help the patient find the proper facilities or therapies for their particular needs and also work with the insurance companies in paying for this type of necessary care.  In the meantime, these type of post acute cares can prevent relapse or costly readmissions into the hospital.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, case management is a vital role in the health care industry. Without case managers, patients would not receive the proper care and attention they need. Case managers are there to help patients every step of the way, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond. If you or a loved one is in need of health care, be sure to ask for a case manager. They can make all the difference in getting the care you need.  In regards to post acute care, case managers play a vital role in coordinating post-acute care. They are the link between hospitals, patients, and families during a time that is often filled with uncertainty. By educating themselves on the different types of post-acute care options and communicating effectively with all parties involved, case managers can ensure that patients receive the care they need to recover successfully.

Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Case Management Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Healthcare Case Management.   Nurses and other healthcare professionals are excellent candidates to take the required courses and become eligible for the certification.

 

Additional Resources

“Effectiveness of Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Services in Postacute Care: State-of-the-Science. A Review”. Janet A.Prvu, et, al. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation  Volume 88, Issue 11, November 2007, Pages 1526-1534.  Access here

“Postacute Care Preparedness for COVID-19Thinking Ahead”. David C. Grabowski, PhD, et.al. JAMA. 2020;323(20):2007-2008. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.4686.  Access here

“Successful Management of Post-Acute Levels of Care”. Rebekah A. Koutny, RN, BSN, CCM, MCG Nurse Editor, and Carrie Brockman, BSN, RN, ACM, MCG Senior Nurse Editor. MCG Community.  Access here

“Post-acute Care for People with Cancer”. American Cancer Society.  Access here

Christian Counseling Certification Blog on Counseling Styles of Christ

Christian Counseling has many approaches and styles to help individuals.  One way is to look to Scripture and find the styles Jesus used to talk to others.  Jesus used multiple approaches when talking and discussing issues with individuals.  Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification

Christ entering into dialogue with others through a variety of styles. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification

 

The article, “How Might Jesus Do Counseling?” by Josh Squires looks into Scripture to find different styles Christ used to counsel and speak to others.  He states,

“The four elements of this framework are commendation, comfort, conviction, and challenge. Before I explain each below, first let me give a caveat: this is not a formula for counseling. Though I will present these components in an order — the order that occurs in my own counseling most frequently — there’s no strict progression. Each conversation may have a different combination of these four elements — or may, in fact, focus on only one or two of the four. These four elements are not so much a pattern or a formula as a multifaceted perspective by which to view the counseling task.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals looking for a four year certification in Christian Counseling.