Author: Joseph Gerard

Supporting clients with homesickness: a guide for counselors Recognizing homesickness 

Posted on by Joseph Gerard

Stressed and homesick Asian woman.

By Evelyn Leed,

Homesickness is a common human experience, yet in a clinical setting, its impact can be profound and complex. It’s more than just a feeling of longing for one’s home – rather, homesickness is an emotional state typically triggered by the perceived or actual separation from a familiar environment, attachments, and routines. It often involves a preoccupation with home-related thoughts and a sense of anxiety and distress about the new, unfamiliar surroundings.

At its core, homesickness is often a grief response. Clients are grieving the loss of their support systems, their sense of identity tied to their previous environment, and the comfort of predictability. This psychological distress can present itself in numerous ways, such as:

  • Intrusive thoughts: A persistent focus on what is being missed.
  • Negative feelings: Sadness, anxiety, loneliness, and irritability.
  • Behavioral changes: Social withdrawal, lack of motivation, and changes in eating or sleeping patterns.

Your client may have experienced their homesickness being dismissed as a transient phase. Despite their best efforts to navigate the emotions themselves, it can further manifest as a significant stressor contributing to anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. 

So, for counselors, recognizing and addressing homesickness is a crucial aspect of providing holistic support, particularly for clients navigating major life transitions such as studying abroad, relocating for work, or immigrating. 

 

Approaches for client support

By applying empathetic and structured approaches, counselors can effectively guide clients through the distress of homesickness. What methods you choose to use will be tailored to your approach and relationship with the client, but the following can all be helpful to further supplement your work.

Normalizing

The first step is to assure the client that their feelings are normal and valid. You can explain that homesickness is a common response to a major life change and recommend that they frame it not as a weakness, but as a sign of their capacity for strong attachment. For example, you may say things like: “It makes sense that you feel this way. It shows how much your home and the people there mean to you.”

By providing information about why they may feel this way, it can help them understand and manage their symptoms more effectively.

CBT techniques 

You may find clients struggle with many negative feelings and put themselves down – by saying things like “I’ll never make friends here”, for example. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is highly effective for addressing the negative thought patterns associated with homesickness. 

Your role as a counselor is to help clients identify and challenge automatic negative thoughts. Referring to the example of making friends, you could explore evidence to the contrary or reframing it to “making new friends takes time, and I can take small steps to meet people.” Through cognitive restructuring, your aim should be to help them to examine the evidence for and against their belief, consider alternative explanations, and reframe the thought into a more balanced and realistic perspective.

Maintain a connection to home

Technology allows for constant connection, but this can sometimes hinder adjustment, so it’s about finding a healthy balance. Work with your client to create a connection schedule. Instead of constant, sporadic contact that highlights their absence, encourage them to schedule specific, meaningful calls. This allows them to be more present in their new environment between calls and gives them something to look forward to.

Something which may come up is the impact of social media. One of the challenges is that it often creates a distorted and idealized view of life, showcasing highlight reels that can leave individuals feeling as though they are missing out on something important. Counselors need to delve into strategies for managing social media use more mindfully, such as setting time limits, curating feeds to include uplifting or realistic content, and taking regular breaks to focus on the present moment.

Steps to integration

A common negative thought around homesickness is the sentiment that “everything was better back home.” This can be challenged by encouraging clients to acknowledge both the positives of their past and the potential opportunities in their present, thereby fostering a more nuanced view.

Using an “both/and” approach, acknowledge that they can both cherish their home and build a meaningful life here. Encourage them to explore ways to integrate parts of their old life into the new one. This could involve cooking a familiar meal, finding a community of people from their home region, or sharing their culture with new friends.

Grounding techniques

When feelings of anxiety or sadness become overwhelming, grounding techniques can help clients stay in the present moment. By teaching them certain methods, you can provide them with a toolkit of what to do when you’re not around. This could include:

  • The 5-4-3-2-1 technique (naming five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste). It’s a powerful one to pull a client out of a spiral of homesick thoughts and back into their immediate surroundings.
  • Deep breathing techniques like box breathing (inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4) or diaphragmatic breathing, focusing on expanding the belly with each inhale and contracting it with each exhale.
  • Body scans, where you encourage your client to mentally scan their body, noticing any tension or relaxation, starting from their toes up to their head. The goal is simply to observe without judgment, connecting them to their physical presence in the moment, creating relaxation.

By applying these empathetic and structured approaches, counselors can provide crucial support and effectively guide clients through the emotional distress of homesickness. This process of supporting them through the transition does more than just address their immediate discomfort; it also empowers them. By learning to navigate these feelings, clients not only find the strength to overcome their current challenges but also build a foundation of resilience that will serve them well in future life changes and transitions.

 

Author bio 

Evelyn Leed is a mental health specialist dedicated to guiding individuals through significant life transitions. Evelyn is passionate about empowering her clients to navigate change effectively, helping them build resilience and coping strategies needed to adapt and thrive. Her work is centered on providing compassionate, practical support that fosters lasting personal growth.

 

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Stress Management Consulting CE courses and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

Creating an Assessment On Caffeine Use for ADHD Patient Evaluations

Posted on by Joseph Gerard

table full of coffee cups full of coffeeWritten by Elissa Capelle Vaughn

Assessing a patient’s caffeine intake is a vital part of any health assessment. While a cup of coffee is part of a normal morning routine, it’s still a natural chemical stimulant that impacts a patient’s central nervous system. However, for patients with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADHD, coffee may go beyond the typical morning pick-me-up. 

Patients with ADHD who regularly manage symptoms like hyperactivity, impulsive thoughts or actions, and attention issues may use coffee or other caffeinated beverages to manage these core symptoms. While caffeine may assist some patients in managing these symptoms, especially focus, it can also have a paradoxical effect on ADHD itself, including heightened anxiety or irritability, which can worsen attention.   

Clinicians and nurses need a proper structure for effectively assessing caffeine use in patients that includes questions and patient counseling on the effects of caffeine, including possible risks for ADHD symptoms.  

Here are several points to consider when developing a caffeine use health assessment for patients with ADHD. 

 

Inquiring About Caffeine Sources and Consumption 

A complete caffeine use questionnaire for patients with ADHD should start with a thorough discussion on caffeine use itself, primarily, the daily amount consumed, and sources of caffeine. Asking focused questions on caffeine habits will allow medical professionals to better identify areas where more education on ADHD response to caffeine is needed, especially when it comes to potential risks for core symptoms. 

For example, a discussion on daily caffeine intake should start by asking a patient about the amount of caffeinated beverages they consume daily. The next questions should target the sources of that caffeine, including coffee, energy drinks, tea, and so forth. Answers should also include any over-the-counter (OTC) supplements that contain caffeine. 

The objective of these questions is to establish the patient’s total daily caffeine intake. If a patient is not aware of the adverse effects of too much caffeine on their ADHD symptoms, understanding their daily intake can help them make necessary modifications. Patients who take prescribed medication for their ADHD diagnosis must understand the potential risks of consuming too much caffeine. 

Your next question should inquire about the timing of the patient’s caffeine use. Caffeine can remain in a patient’s body for several hours. Since up to 70% of ADHD patients may experience insomnia, according to Frontiers in Psychology, inquiring about the last cup of coffee of the day can prompt further discussion about sleep quality and ADHD. If left unaddressed, patients with ADHD may experience increased fatigue. 

 

Assessing Energy Drink Consumption

Inquiring about caffeine sources is critical since some beverages contain considerably more caffeine than others. 

For example, one can of a popular energy drink can contain over 200 milligrams of caffeine, in addition to increased levels of sugars and other stimulants like ginseng or guarana. This question is particularly important for assessing the health of younger patients with ADHD, especially adolescents to young adults in their 20s.  

These types of beverages can increase the risk of anxiety and even cardiovascular issues like heart palpitations. Consuming them in large quantities is particularly concerning. 

 

Tiredness and Caffeine Use

It’s not uncommon for a caffeine stimulant to cause tiredness. This reaction is an example of a paradoxical effect. 

Tiredness may also be due to sudden fatigue once the caffeine wears off. Caffeine blocks the adenosine receptors that promote sleep, but those levels rise as caffeine levels dip. 

The next question should assess how long it takes a patient to fall asleep. These answers can provide more clarity about the effect of caffeine consumption on sleep quality. This would be a good opportunity to educate patients about ADHD comorbidities like sleep disturbances. 

Caffeine use can cause blood sugar levels to rise temporarily before leading to a “crash.” This cycle can lead to an increased feeling of fatigue. 

Answers to these questions can help medical professionals gain more insight into a patient’s sleep troubles, opening the door to discussions on caffeine moderation for ADHD management. 

ADHD patients who consume more caffeine per day may develop a tolerance, causing more symptoms of withdrawal, as well as dehydration, since caffeine is a diuretic. Increased tiredness, headaches, and irritability from withdrawals also contribute to tiredness. 

Asking patients specifically about the frequency of withdrawal symptoms, like headaches and irritability, can provide more information on caffeine dependence. Asking a patient whether they’ve tried to cut back on caffeine or quit altogether is also crucial information. These answers help clinicians provide safer and more effective recommendations for caffeine decreases.

 

Caffeine Use and Anxiety

The next set of questions should focus on the relationship between caffeine and anxiety. Questions should assess for the following symptoms: 

  • Anxiety
  • Restlessness
  • Racing heart
  • Jitteriness

If patients are experiencing these symptoms after consuming caffeine, over-caffeination may be the cause. Too much caffeine can cause overstimulation, worsening ADHD symptoms. Assessing this information correctly can prevent misdiagnosis of other conditions or the possible prescribing of unneeded medications.

 

Caffeine and Medication Use  

Next, screening protocols should establish if patients are currently taking any prescription medication. Patients diagnosed with ADHD may be prescribed a type of stimulant-based medication for their diagnosis. The next question should ask about any caffeine-related symptoms while taking medication concurrently.  

For patients with ADHD, caffeine and medication may increase the risk of paradoxical symptoms like insomnia. Patients may experience an increase in anxiety or elevated heart rates. Determining whether there’s a combined impact can help medical professionals recommend changes to caffeine intake or ADHD medication schedules.

 

Listening to Patients

Once an assessment is complete, there will be enough information to shift to caffeine use education and collaborative strategies between clinicians and patients. This process starts by asking about the patient’s perspective on caffeine use. Empathy is key. If tapering or quitting caffeine is highly recommended, a patient with ADHD may feel differently if they feel caffeine genuinely helps them manage core symptoms like focus.  

This process is all about informing. Clinicians should validate patients’ positive experiences with caffeine. This validation is necessary for building trust, which is a foundation for receptiveness. 

It’s a good opportunity to discuss how caffeine works, including how it can temporarily improve focus by increasing alertness. Using visuals can help patients understand how caffeine blocks the adenosine neurotransmitter that promotes better sleep and relaxation; this illustration can give patients more insight into their sleep troubles, which may encourage them to accept advice on healthy caffeine tapering. 

Some patients may note a reduction in their ADHD-related hyperactivity (and fidgeting) after consuming caffeine. This calming effect is likely due to a temporary release of dopamine and norepinephrine. Individuals with ADHD may have lower levels of these neurotransmitters. Therefore, they may perceive caffeine use as essential to regulating brain activity.

Memory may also come up in these patient conversations. 

For example, a study cited by Johns Hopkins University noted that caffeine could have a positive impact on working memory. Such findings can tie into patients’ feelings of a cognitive boost after caffeine consumption. Clinicians should validate such studies in discussions, should they come up. Referencing studies is another opportunity to illustrate how caffeine blocks certain neurotransmitters to heighten alertness temporarily.   

 

Discussing the Potential Risks of Caffeine for ADHD

After establishing trust with patients, the next stage is to discuss the potential risks of caffeine use. For example, clinicians should take this time to illustrate connections between caffeine-related overstimulation and an increase in anxiety and agitation in patients with ADHD. Patients can better understand how caffeine may be negatively impacting them. 

Patients who’ve described an increase in impulsivity can better connect their caffeine use to these increases. Clinicians can describe how caffeine enhances the brain’s natural “reward” system through dopamine increases. This effect can lead to an increase in ADHD-related impulsivity as the brain naturally seeks stimulation and gratification. 

If a patient made a note earlier about nervousness, jitters, migraines, and even stomach problems, medical professionals can further elaborate on these issues as side effects of high caffeine intake. Such symptoms can interfere with daily activities.

One of the most critical risks to discuss with patients is the co-use of prescription medication for ADHD, especially if it’s a stimulant, and caffeinated beverages. Clinicians must explain to patients that this combination can trigger symptoms related to over-medication, including: 

These symptoms can negatively impact the effectiveness of a prescribed ADHD treatment.

 

Making Recommendations

After assessing a patient’s caffeine use, listening to their perspectives, and discussing possible risks, the next conversation should focus on recommendations. This should be a collaborative process, focusing on informed decision-making.  

One recommendation is to keep a log of caffeine intake, similar to food allergy logs. Patients are encouraged to start fresh, logging their first dose of caffeine or their first cup of coffee of the day. The amount of caffeine should be logged in milligrams. After consuming caffeine, patients should document how they feel. 

Being mindful of how caffeine affects the body can encourage patients to decrease their intake naturally and avoid over-caffeination. 

 

Moving Forward

Ultimately, the goal of these ADHD caffeine assessments is to empower patients to make smart choices about their ADHD diagnosis and overall health. Physicians and nurses are in a position to make a profound difference in the lives of patients with ADHD. Developing detailed caffeine use assessments is part of a holistic approach to managing ADHD on all fronts, from clinical interventions to wellness-focused strategies.   

Author bio:

Elissa Capelle Vaughn is a New York-based content writer who covers trending topics in health and wellness. She also brings a diverse background in sales and marketing to her work when discussing communication strategies in the health field.

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Attention Deficit Counseling Certification programs and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

Trauma in Teens: How Parents Can Recognize It and Help Their Kids Heal

Posted on by Joseph Gerard

sad teenager sitting alone clip art

Written by Kim Hobbs.

Teens can hide their pain well. That makes it likely for parents to miss red flags in their child. Maybe you think the mood swings are just teenage angst. Or maybe you assume quietness is them being shy. But sometimes, these are signs of trauma. When they go through something dark, it’s vital to be present.

Sure, your teen might seem fine. But trauma can be hiding underneath. They need guidance. And that starts at home with their parents. You are their gateway to healing.

In this guide, we’ll uncover what teen trauma looks like, why it matters, and how parents can respond with care.

Common Reasons for Trauma in Teens

Teenagers face more than just schoolwork and friendship issues. Sometimes, they go through experiences that shake them to their core. Trauma when you’re that young can come in many forms. That includes things like:

  • Abuse in relationships: Teens can, unfortunately, experience trauma from bad relationships. Many times, it happens within the family. It can also occur in their romantic relationships. Abuse can be physical, like being hit. Unwanted touching is another form of physical abuse. Sometimes, it can be emotional. Verbal abuse can break down their confidence. Gaslighting can make them doubt themselves.
  • Bullies: Bullying at school is a reality many teens face. Most of the time, it happens face-to-face at school. But it can also happen online through cyberbullying. School then becomes anxiety-inducing instead of a place for learning.
  • A grave loss: Teens aren’t always equipped to handle grief. Losing a parent or a close friend can trigger a profound sadness in them. Facing loss can get in the way of their daily routines. It’s always too much for a young person to go through.
  • Natural disasters: Events like floods, tornadoes, or wildfires can make teens feel powerless. Trauma after natural disasters destroys their sense of safety. Sure, they may escape physical harm. But losing their home is deeply unsettling. Teens may struggle with anxiety after the event.

Why Trauma Hits Teens Differently

Trauma hits teens hard because their emotions are still developing. That’s why when bad things happen, they don’t know how to act. Trauma can negatively affect young people’s mental health. That’s alarming, considering depression is already prevalent in teens. 

One in seven adolescents globally experiences mental health issues. Coupled with trauma, these challenges can get more intense. It makes anxiety harder to manage. It ends up putting extra strain on their well-being.

There’s also the subject of identity formation. Teens are still figuring out who they are. Social pressures shape their identity. So does the approval of friends. Trauma can distort these experiences. As a result, it can make them question their worth.

Teens also haven’t had years to develop coping strategies after getting hurt. They may not know how to process it. Without guidance, fear becomes overwhelming. It can lead to risky behaviors. That’s why parental support is so crucial.

Warning Signs of Trauma Parents Shouldn’t Ignore

Teens don’t always tell you when something is wrong. But trauma shows up through little clues. Pay attention to your teens. That way, you can step in right away if you see any of these warning signs.

Sudden Mood Swings

Trauma can make emotions feel more intense. Your teen may go from happy to irritable in minutes. Small things can trigger big reactions. This isn’t just sheer moodiness. It’s the stress of trauma showing up mentally.

Help your teen manage their anger by staying calm. Avoid reacting with anger, too. Don’t scold them for their “attitude.” Instead, validate their feelings. Say, “I see you’re upset. I’m here.” Ask why they feel that way. Soon, they’ll feel safe to open up.

Withdrawing from Family and Friends

Withdrawal from people is one of the many early signs of mental health issues. And in many cases, it stems from trauma. Teens facing a dark time may feel misunderstood. So, they’ll skip hangouts. They won’t take phone calls. They may spend long hours alone instead.

Gently check in without pressure. Invite them to small activities at home. Even a quick snack in the kitchen together is enough. Let them know you’ve noticed. Asking to spend time with them in little ways shows them that you care.

Reckless Behavior

Trauma can lead to impulsive decisions. You may notice your teen sneaking out more. Maybe they don’t respect house rules anymore. They could even use risky behaviors to cope. That can include substance abuse, which is very serious.

If you’ve noticed these behaviors, talk to them. Don’t aggressively confront them, though. Sit them down and chat. Talk openly about the risks of their actions. But keep in mind not to shame them. Set clear boundaries. 

Encourage them to manage stress in healthier ways. Introduce them to enjoyable hobbies. Consider journaling or yoga. These coping outlets are much safer and more effective than risky behaviors. They’re great for helping your teen regain control of their emotions.

Strong Startle Responses

Going through something traumatic can leave the nervous system on high alert. Your teen might jump at loud noises. They may flinch at touch. It’s like they’re constantly bracing for danger. That’s because their bodies are stuck in “fight or flight” mode.

Don’t make them feel like they’re overreacting. Keep a calm environment at home. If their anxiety gets worse, practice grounding techniques together. Deep breathing is a great option for this.

They Don’t Talk About Their Feelings

Teens might avoid discussions about sadness. When asked how they are, they might say, “I’m fine.” But if they shut everyone out, it’s not good.

Trauma can make feelings scary. So, teens might shove those emotions down. This is called emotional bypassing. It’s a way to protect themselves from pain.

As a parent, stay patient and present. Give them space to open up. However, don’t pressure them. Check in regularly, even with small questions. If they share how they feel, validate them. 

If they’re not ready, encourage expression in other ways. Writing and art are great for young people to express their emotions without talking about the hard stuff right away. Over time, the trust will grow. And they’ll start sharing more.

How Parents Can Help Teens Dealing with Trauma

Helping a teen through trauma can be overwhelming. You might feel helpless as a parent. But don’t just give up. Try various ways to get them to open up. If they trust you, you can guide them toward healing. Here are several ways to make them feel safe again.

Listen More Than You Talk

Traumatized teens often carry heavy thoughts. Oftentimes, they don’t know how to express these out loud. Talking over them can make them shut down even more. So, listen to them intently. Give them a space to feel heard.

When they share how they feel, make eye contact. Nod gently to show them you’re actively listening. Hold their hand when they’re getting emotional as they speak. The goal is to make them feel validated. It builds trust. So, over time, your teen can open up more.

Create a Safe, Calm Home Environment

When dealing with trauma, teens become hyper-aware of stress. A tense home adds to that anxiety. Make sure your home environment is calm. That way, they’ll always feel safe at home, never on edge.

Have quiet spaces in the house for rest. Don’t fight with your spouse in front of the kids. Little things like these can help struggling teens regulate emotions better. Soon, stress decreases. It reinforces that home is a safe space, not a source of pressure.

Emphasize That Speaking Up Matters

Teens may hide abuse for fear of retaliation. Your job is to make sure their fear doesn’t win. They need to know it’s okay to voice their concerns. Remind them that it’s okay to tell you anything, even if it’s scary. Tell them you’ll always be on their side. Showing no judgment. That way, they might feel safer opening up to you.

Talk to them about stories where speaking out made a difference. For instance, the McLean County Juvenile Center sexual abuse lawsuit in Illinois might be difficult to talk about. But it shows how speaking up against abuse can protect them and others. It tells them that speaking up can prevent future harm.

Connect Them With Professional Help

There are many reasons why teens need therapy. Struggling after a traumatic experience is one of them. Trauma affects mental health in ways parents can’t always fix. So, sometimes, professional guidance is the way to go.

Schedule therapy sessions for your teen. Group therapy is also a great idea if they’re not comfortable with one-on-one conversations yet. Here, they’ll learn healthy coping strategies. They’ll also have a safe space to share their feelings. These professionals are trained to make them feel understood.

Encourage Healthy Coping Habits

Introduce your teen to healthy habits. Choose ones that can help them cope with negative feelings. Suggest things like exercise and meditation. Journaling and painting are also fantastic options for creative teens. 

Make the activities fun. Try to make them social, too. That way, they meet new friends. This allows them to stay engaged, not just cooped up in their room.

These activities help your teen release built-up tension inside. It also lets them process emotions safely without turning to reckless behavior. It boosts their mood. It increases their confidence. Over time, they’ll learn how to handle stress better. 

Conclusion

Small steps can make a huge difference when your teen is struggling with trauma. By noticing subtle cues, you can create a safe space for your teen. Trauma doesn’t always show itself clearly. But a caring presence always helps.

So, create a calm home for your struggling teen. Listen intently when they share their feelings. Encourage coping habits they’ll enjoy. Remind them they’re never alone in their journey. When you do, you’ll notice small changes. There’s less tension in them. Their trust in you will grow. And one day, they’ll feel confident in themselves again.

Healing trauma in teens is possible. You just have to be there to support them. Make them feel safe. With your love to ground them, they will find their light again.

Author Bio

Ms. Kim Hobbs is an accomplished writer, storyteller, and creative thinker whose passion for the written word has captivated readers worldwide. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for weaving compelling narratives, Kim explores themes of resilience, transformation, and the human experience.

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Crisis Intervention Certification programs and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

How Cleaning Protocols Influence Patient Safety and Accreditation Metrics

Posted on by Joseph Gerard

clean hospital room and bedsWritten by Veronica Turner.

Not too long ago, the idea that doctors had to wash their hands in between patients was absurd. It took trailblazers such as Ignaz Semmelweis to realize the existence of germs and understand the effects of pathogens. Thanks to them, hygiene, which includes thorough handwashing, is now a fundamental, non-negotiable standard for healthcare providers worldwide.

Modern healthcare units today have well-established cleaning procedures whose efficacy is reviewed periodically by accrediting organizations (like The Joint Commission) and enforced by regulators like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Such organizations use adherence to these protocols and infection prevention outcomes as key factors in their scoring systems. This means that, besides patient safety, a lapse in environmental hygiene can affect an organization’s financial health and accreditation status. 

In this article, we investigate how scientific evidence connects environmental cleaning to infection prevention, how monitoring systems enhance compliance, and the way in which these activities have a direct effect on accreditation metrics and reimbursement models.

Cleaning Protocols and Patient Safety

There is overwhelming evidence of the association between environmental cleaning and patient safety in the literature. Studies have confirmed that high-touch surfaces, such as sink and nurse call buttons, can be a source of pathogens such as Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE).

Without proper cleaning protocols, only about 48% of high-touch surfaces situated near patients are cleaned correctly, according to a multi-hospital study. This shows that gaps in routine protocols directly contribute to pathogen persistence and the risk of onward transmission. It’s also the reason why healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are one of the greatest hospital and long-term care facility risks and a factor leading to increased hospitalizations, increased cost of treatment, and additional mortality.

The Results of Proper Cleaning Protocols

Based on results from randomized controlled trials, we know that comprehensive cleaning schemes can prevent infection. A comprehensive cleaning scheme usually combines the latest disinfectant strategies, advanced technologies, and proper training to kill a broad spectrum of pathogens on various surfaces.

For example, in a trial (the BETR study), rooms that were cleaned using ultraviolet-C (UV-C) adjunct disinfection were associated with a 11% decrease in patient acquisition of target organisms. That meant fewer C. difficile and VRE infections hospitalwide. Additional clinical studies support that thorough terminal cleaning, especially in rooms previously housing infected patients, can reduce surface contamination by approximately 99%.

Many healthcare workers and even patients still remember the recent COVID-19 outbreak and the chaos it ensued. It was also a time for patients and healthcare workers to understand just how important cleaning can be. Sadly, the lack of well-established cleaning standards and monitoring systems led to numerous avoidable deaths.

Cleaning Protocols and Their Impact on Accreditation Metrics

Healthcare units everywhere should consider the existence and implementation of proper cleaning protocols as a part of their standard of care. In the U.S, organizations are somewhat forced to do this because their procedures are in plain view and open to scrutiny.

All patients have the right to fill in a standardized patient satisfaction survey after they’ve been treated in a hospital or clinic. The most important ones (that are also reported to authorities) are: 

  • HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems): available at the national level, and collects information on what patients think of the care they received during treatment.
  • CAHPS (Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems): a collection of surveys that allow patients to grade their experience in different healthcare scenarios, like hospitals, home healthcare, and specialty providers.

In addition to patient surveys, U.S. healthcare organizations are judged based on the Hospital-Acquired Infection (HAI) rates. The HAI rate represents the frequency with which patients develop an infection while receiving care for another condition. This infection must not be present in the patient or incubating at the time of admission. High HAI rates signal a problem with the quality and safety of care in that unit.

In short, cleaning protocols are a direct and effective method for improving patient outcomes and boosting a unit’s accreditation and safety ratings.

The Role of Monitoring and Auditing

Healthcare units need consistent monitoring to maintain effective cleaning practices. U.S. hospital data demonstrate that audit-and-feedback programs can increase cleaning effectiveness from less than half of surfaces cleaned (~47%) to more than 80% within months. 

Monitoring also encourages behavioral changes in hospital or clinic staff. When it’s clear that the organization keeps track of cleaning performance and brings up the topic during staff training, you create accountability mechanisms that are hard to ignore.

The methods used also have an impact on efficiency. Medical cleaning personnel are more likely to use easy-to-implement interventions that provide accurate, immediate feedback, such as fluorescent gel markers and adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

For example, fluorescent gel is the go-to in many units because of its ease of use. Cleaning services staff apply the gel to surfaces before cleaning, then shine a UV light on the surface to check for any glowing residue. If it glows, the surface is not entirely clean or thoroughly disinfected. 

The Financial Impact of Accreditation Metrics

Due to rules established by accredited bodies, there is a direct connection between Hospital-Acquired Condition (HAC) rates and institutional performance, accreditation, and reimbursement structures. This is also a way to encourage healthcare organizations to prioritize the safety of their patients and staff.

For example, the CMS established the HAC Reduction Program, which penalizes hospitals that fall into the worst-performing quartile based on their Total HAC Score. These organizations face a 1% reduction in Medicare payments. It may not sound like much, but it can amount to millions of dollars for large organizations. 

Another regulating body is the Joint Commission International (JCI), which evaluates and accredits more than 20,000 healthcare organizations in the United States and internationally. This agency considers infection control and cleaning protocols when evaluating performance.

The JCI “Gold Seal of Approval” is a strong indicator that a hospital or clinic is committed to patient safety and best practices. If an on-site inspection finds deficiencies in environmental cleaning, that organization could lose accreditation and face public scrutiny. 

Lastly, hospital-acquired conditions themselves are a financial burden, costing hospitals and clinics billions every year. Meanwhile, the cost of housekeeping and environmental services is between 3 and 6 million per hospital per year, on average (excluding extremely specialized infection control beyond normal protocols). 

In short, it’s more affordable to have proper cleaning protocols than to take shortcuts and gamble your patients’ safety and the organization’s reputation and accreditation.

How to Operationalize High-Quality Cleaning Protocols

Well-designed, high-quality cleaning protocols use a strategic, multifaceted approach that integrates staff training, modern technology, and a commitment to quality assurance.

Staff Training and Competency

Every healthcare unit needs an on-site environmental services team. These professionals are the first line of defense against HAIs and HACs and a cornerstone of a safe patient environment.

They must be well-trained in basic areas such as:

  • Scientific Principles: how pathogens are transmitted and why specific disinfectants are effective against certain microbes.
  • Protocol Adherence: Detailed, hands-on instruction on proper cleaning techniques for different surfaces and areas, including the correct sequence of cleaning to avoid cross-contamination.
  • Safety and PPE: Proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect both the worker and the patient.

Each healthcare unit must have a regular training schedule (e.g., once every three months) and a competency assessment system to ensure that staff maintain their skills and stay current with new best practices. Cleaning protocol training is not a one-and-done kind of thing. 

Technology and Innovation

Technology can make cleaning protocols more effective and efficient while reducing human error. It also makes the job safer and easier for cleaning staff, benefiting everyone involved in the process.

Here are a few examples of how modern technologies transform medical cleaning:

  • UV-C light disinfection (UV-C robots): These are automated systems that use ultraviolet light to destroy the DNA of germs, rendering them unable to replicate. They’re fast and can disinfect entire rooms, including hard-to-reach areas, in minutes.
  • Electrostatic Sprayers: This technology applies a positive charge to disinfectant droplets, causing them to cling to negatively charged surfaces. This ensures a more even and thorough coverage of complex and irregularly shaped objects like bed rails and medical equipment.
  • Monitoring and Verification Systems: As discussed earlier, systems like adenosine triphosphate (ATP) testing and fluorescent markers provide objective, data-driven feedback on cleaning effectiveness.

Commercial Cleaning Services

Healthcare organizations tend to partner with specialized providers of healthcare facilities cleaning, even if there’s an in-house team that handles routine daily tasks. Commercial services can provide access to a highly trained workforce, advanced technology, expertise in complex regulatory standards, and additional labor for specific needs.

For example, after a patient with an infectious disease is discharged, a commercial service can perform a deep, comprehensive terminal clean using advanced techniques and equipment to ensure the room is completely decontaminated.

Commercial services are also trained and certified to handle the cleanup and disposal of biohazardous materials, a task that requires specific protocols and a high level of expertise. 

In Conclusion

As we’ve proven, cleaning protocols are central to patient safety, accreditation, and financial sustainability. Evidence shows that thorough, audited cleaning reduces infections, protects vulnerable patients, and safeguards hospitals from penalties and reputational damage. 

Author Bio: Veronica Turner is a health and lifestyle writer with over 10 years of experience. She creates compelling content on nutrition, fitness, mental health, and overall wellness.

 

References

Weber, David J. et al. Role of hospital surfaces in the transmission of emerging health care-associated pathogens: Norovirus, Clostridium difficile, and Acinetobacter species, American Journal of Infection Control, Volume 38, Issue 5, S25 – S33, https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(10)00408-6/fulltext 

Verhougstraete, M., Cooksey, E., Walker, J., Wilson, A. M., Lewis, M. S., Yoder, A., Elizondo-Craig, G., Almoslem, M., Forysiak, E., & Weir, M. H. (2024). Impact of terminal cleaning in rooms previously occupied by patients with healthcare-associated infections. PLoS ONE, 19(7), e0305083. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0305083 

Carling, P. C., Parry, M. M., Rupp, M. E., Po, J. L., Dick, B., & Von Beheren, S. (2008). Improving cleaning of the environment surrounding patients in 36 acute care hospitals. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 29(11), 1035–1041. https://doi.org/10.1086/591940 

Anderson, D. J., Moehring, R. W., Weber, D. J., Lewis, S. S., Chen, L. F., Schwab, J. C., Becherer, P., Blocker, M., Triplett, P. F., Knelson, L. P., Lokhnygina, Y., Rutala, W. A., Sexton, D. J., & CDC Prevention Epicenters Program (2018). Effectiveness of targeted enhanced terminal room disinfection on hospital-wide acquisition and infection with multidrug-resistant organisms and Clostridium difficile: a secondary analysis of a multicentre cluster randomised controlled trial with crossover design (BETR Disinfection). The Lancet. Infectious diseases, 18(8), 845–853. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(18)30278-0 

Izadi, N., Etemad, K., Mehrabi, Y., Eshrati, B., & Hashemi Nazari, S. S. (2021). The Standardization of Hospital-Acquired Infection Rates Using Prediction Models in Iran: Observational Study of National Nosocomial Infection Registry Data. JMIR public health and surveillance, 7(12), e33296. https://doi.org/10.2196/33296 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (2025). Hospital-Acquired Condition (HAC) Reduction Program: Scoring Methodology. ttps://www.cms.gov/files/document/fy-2026-hac-reduction-program-methodology-infographic-updated-08/04/2025.pdf 

Haag, C., Archulet, K., RN, & Chau, A. (2024, November 7). Closing the gap: Maximizing the potential of UV-C technology to reduce Health Care-Associated infections. Infection Control Today. https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/closing-gap-maximizing-potential-uv-c-technology-reduce-health-care-associated-infections 

Environmental cleaning procedures. (2024, March 19). Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs). https://www.cdc.gov/healthcare-associated-infections/hcp/cleaning-global/procedures.html 

Gastaldi, S. et al. (2025). Tools and strategies for monitoring hospital environmental hygiene services. Journal of Hospital Infection, Volume 159, 52 – 61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2025.01.011. 

Please also review AIHCP’s Certification programs and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

What is Concierge Medicine? Benefits & How It’s Different From Traditional Primary Care

Posted on by Joseph Gerard

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Written by Esme Wang.

Concierge medicine has become increasingly popular as patients seek more personalized, accessible, and comprehensive medical care. While traditional healthcare models often involve rushed visits and long wait times, concierge medicine offers an alternative that prioritizes stronger physician-patient relationships and preventive care. For those exploring concierge healthcare in Bellevue, it’s worth understanding how this approach differs from conventional primary care and why more individuals are choosing it.

Defining Concierge Medicine

Membership-based medicine, also known as concierge medicine, is a type of healthcare in which a patient and their physician make a monthly payment to receive access to greater healthcare benefits. Such membership is typically associated with longer appointment times, same-day scheduling, personalized communication with the doctor, and a greater emphasis on wellness and preventive care.

Contrary to traditional practices that were volume-based, concierge doctors tend to restrict their patient load, thus allowing them to serve a smaller group of patients more effectively. This reversal of the situation when the patients were packed together to smaller committed panels gives room to meaningful discussions, planning health in detail, and an actual collaboration in handling long-term wellness.

The Traditional Workings of Primary Care

The conventional primary care is mostly insurance-based. Physicians are paid on a visit or per-service basis, which encourages a high turnover of patients. Doctors are normally dealing with thousands of patients, and this means that they may not have a lot of time when each patient visits: sometimes it may be 1015 minutes per appointment visit.

This system may make patients feel rushed, unheard, or with unanswered questions. Although traditional primary care remains the primary provider of care to a large number of people, it tends to focus on curing diseases once they occur rather than promoting positive preventive and integrated health measures.

Personalized Attention and Longer Visits

The duration and quality of visits are two of the most notable differences between traditional care and concierge medicine. In a concierge environment, patients should have sufficient time to discuss their health issues, which is typically 30 minutes or longer. There is no rush among physicians to leave one patient and attend to another, which enhances communication and trust.

This period also provides doctors with an opportunity to investigate lifestyle habits, including diet, stress, and exercise, which patients often overlook during brief visits. Concierge physicians focus on the underlying causes of health problems, rather than the symptoms, and therefore, they are able to develop a multifaceted, customized plan that yields better outcomes over the long term.

Access and Availability

The second significant distinction between concierge-based medicine and standard primary care is the accessibility that patients have. By adopting concierge practices, patients can mostly choose whether to book an appointment on the same day or the next day, eliminating the frustrating waiting time that is typically characteristic of traditional systems. Instead of having to wait weeks to see an appointed physician, the concierge members have easy access to their doctor when they need him or her most. This access usually incorporates modern methods of communication, including calling someone, sending a text message, or emailing. As a result, it is easier to remain connected and cater to concerns as soon as possible.

Conversely, the traditional practices are volume-based. Patients often have to endure delays during their scheduling process, and even after obtaining an appointment, they spend most of their time with nurses, receptionists, or physician assistants rather than with the doctor. This passive communication may lead to misunderstandings and make patients feel disconnected from their medical caregiver.

There are significant advantages to overall health outcomes due to increased access to concierge care. The ability to reach a doctor in a short amount of time allows fixing minor issues before they turn into bigger ones, which minimizes the chances of an expensive or stressful trip to the emergency room. For chronic patients, easy and timely access to their doctor can facilitate close monitoring, better symptom control, and quicker adaptation to treatment modes.

Lifestyle benefits also arise from accessibility. This can save time and reduce stress for busy individuals who often juggle a demanding career or family responsibilities and need to schedule appointments quickly or easily communicate with a physician.

Rather than the client getting to restructure their whole schedule around having a few appointment slots, concierge patients have the comfort of knowing that their healthcare requirements will be fulfilled without wasting time unnecessarily. Seniors are also likely to be attracted to this model, as it will ensure them that they have easy access to their doctor whenever there is a need to seek medical advice on their current health issues or in case of any drastic variations in their health condition.

Preventive and Holistic Care Focus

A strong focus on prevention rather than reaction is one of the most recognizable elements of the concierge medicine model. Concierge physicians invest time in wellness screenings, regular check-ups, and extensive risk assessments instead of waiting until a condition becomes serious or compelling. These preventive measures help detect possible health issues before they develop into severe diseases, allowing patients to have more control over their health at a younger age. This is a direct contrast of traditional primary care, which, in most instances, is focused on managing the present symptoms or the pressing medical cases rather than on the preventive measures in the long term.

Concierge physicians can also investigate a patient’s condition more closely, as they are not subject to the time limitations inherent in conventional methods. They are able to examine the lifestyle variables like diet, activity, stress, and sleep quality, all of which are very important in general health. Through these elements, physicians can collaborate with patients to design individual wellness plans that are not only effective in treating medical conditions but also promote healthier lifestyle routines and achieve long-term results.

Another characteristic of concierge medicine is that it incorporates holistic practices alongside traditional medical care. Lifestyle coaching, nutritional education, mental health services, and stress management methods are among the elements that many concierge physicians incorporate into their care plans. This holistic nature is based on the fact that health is not merely the absence of illness, but the process of maintaining physical, emotional, and mental satisfaction. The model is helpful to patients because it regards them as complete persons and not isolated cases or groups of symptoms.

The preventive and holistic focus also increases the quality of life. Patients can also tell of the increased support and enlightenment due to their doctors providing them with education and follow-up instructions instead of prescriptions or referrals. In the case of chronic diseases, this model not only helps patients manage the symptoms they experience but also provides them with the mechanisms and measures that can help them become more resilient, reduce flare-ups, and stay steady. In healthy patients, it ensures they are on track with their wellness and avoid future health-related issues.

Cost Considerations

Concierge medicine involves patients paying a membership fee, either on a monthly or yearly basis. Some of them may make this a hindrance, but the price is usually compensated for with the advantages of easier access, a reduced number of emergency visits, and improved health outcomes that are managed. Many services can still be received through traditional insurance, but the membership model will also provide patients with extra value that standard coverage does not offer.

Who are the Big Winners of Concierge Medicine?

The model is attractive to a wide spectrum of patients, busy professionals/executives, and seniors with multiple chronic illnesses. The convenience of care, which is easily available, is also valuable to families. Finally, concierge medicine is highly adaptable for anyone who wants to be more active and participatory in their healthcare.

Conclusion

Concierge medicine represents a fresh approach to addressing the drawbacks of primary care. By making the visit longer, more face-to-face, more accessible, and more prevention-centered, the model will provide a care experience that places the patient’s needs at the center. For individuals interested in utilizing the concept of concierge healthcare in Bellevue, it offers not only convenient options. Nevertheless, even the peace of mind of knowing that your health is taken care of in the time, attention, and care that it actually deserves.

 

Author’s biography-

Esme Wang is a copywriter and content strategist. She helps businesses stop playing around with content marketing and start seeing the tangible ROI. She loves writing as much as she loves the cake.

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Certification programs and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

The Link Between Quick Medical Attention and Stronger Recovery

Posted on by Joseph Gerard

stethoskop on paperWritten by Arthur Brown.

If you think that slip and fall accidents are a rare occurrence, think twice. In fact, they are pretty common; it’s just that people and the media, in general, do not talk about them a lot. But the reality is, they can happen to anyone at any time.

You can walk on a wet surface without even noticing or falling, or on an icy sidewalk, etc. In some cases, these accidents can be relatively minor, resulting in bruising only. However, at times, they can be so severe that a person can experience a concussion, broken bones, or end up in a life-threatening situation.

The point is that whatever the situation may be with you, you should never take these things lightly, and even if you feel okay, you should still seek medical help immediately because that’s something that will not only affect your recovery, but life in general.

As stated previously, since this topic isn’t discussed enough, today this informative guide is going to further delve into it, to accentuate the link between fast medical care and speedy recovery.

Common Causes of Accidents

Before we cut to the chase, let’s first talk about the most common causes of these types of accidents. There are lots of factors that may lead to this; however, according to the statistics, the most common causes of slip and fall accidents include wet floors, uneven sidewalks, poor lighting, cracks, loose floorboards, and others. There are a number of places where these incidents can occur, but the most common include:

  • Restaurants
  • Stores
  • Shopping centers
  • Swimming pools
  • Nursing homes
  • Apartment buildings

Slips and falls are no joke, and aren’t only painful, but expensive, as well, meaning that you should expect your medical bills to be pretty high! If your injuries are a direct result of someone’s negligence, then be sure to contact a personal injury lawyer who’s going to prove that, and, at the same time, help you get the compensation you deserve.

These people know how stressful all of this can be, and they’ll do whatever is in their power to properly present your case in court and fight for your rights!

The Importance Of Quick Medical Assistance

As concluded previously, slip and fall accidents can be relatively benign and visible, yet there are those that seemingly look harmless but are, in fact, far more dangerous. This refers to:

  • Fractures (wrist, hip, and shoulder)
  • Back and spinal injuries
  • Head injuries (concussion, or serious trauma to the brain)
  • Soft tissue damage (bruises, muscle injuries)

Some of these injuries will instantly cause swelling and pain; however, some, like a concussion, may showcase symptoms after a few hours or even days. If you do not want to risk anything when it comes to this, then you cannot delay your visit to the doctor because only they are capable of treating these injuries properly.

Early Medical Assessment Is Mandatory In These Situations

An early medical assessment is pivotal after a slip and fall accident, not only because it’s going to help you mitigate the pain that you are enduring, but also to establish the connection between the injuries you sustained and the incident. With it, you will:

  • Get the precise diagnosis – As concluded above, certain injuries may be noticeable after a while, and if you do not get professional help, they may go unnoticed. On the flip side, early diagnosis enables you to keep things under control and prevent further complications.
  • Medical records – If by any chance you decide to file a claim against a liable party, then precisely these records will further strengthen your lawsuit. They perfectly show the severity of your injuries, the necessary medications, procedures, and treatments, and the projected recovery timeline.
  • It will help your attorney, too! – The more information (regarding your injuries) you collect, the stronger your case will be, increasing the odds of a favorable outcome that’s going to help you cover your medical bills and receive compensation for lost wages.

Delayed Medical Care Can Only Make Things Worse!

You may think that time doesn’t play a key role in these circumstances and that if you delay medical care, it’s not going to matter as much, but bear in mind that this type of reckless behavior will ultimately backfire on you.

  • Fractures may become worse over time if they aren’t treated on time, and then medications won’t get the job done, but you’ll probably need surgery.
  • Ligament and/or tendon injuries, if left untreated, may cause permanent instability
  • Back issues that were relatively benign may turn into a chronic problem

Early intervention isn’t only beneficial for your overall health, but for your financial health, as well! The more you postpone these things, the higher your medical expenses are going to be, because you’ll be needing treatments that are far more complex and pricey.

Symptoms To Watch Out For

As stated several times above, specific symptoms won’t appear right after the accident, but after a while, and if you haven’t already seen a healthcare provider, then it’s essential to carefully monitor your condition and pay attention to the symptoms that might be more dangerous than you may think at first glance:

  • Headache – If it comes and goes, then it’s probably nothing. In contrast, if it persists, then it may indicate a concussion or something more serious.
  • Abdominal pain – This may indicate that you have internal bleeding, which needs urgent medical assistance!
  • Numbness or tingling – They may be a sign of spinal cord injury or nerve damage
  • Mood swings – Slip and fall accidents do not impact a person only physically, but also mentally. Many people become depressed, have frequent mood swings, anxiety, and many other mental health issues. That’s also something you need to work on if you notice that it’s affecting your everyday life.

Depending on the severity of your injuries, your recovery can be relatively fast or slow, but what’s most important is to address them as soon as possible, because every other option can only slow down the healing process.

 

About the Author:

Arthur Brown – A dad of 3 kids and is a keen writer covering a range of topics such as Internet marketing, SEO, and more! When not writing, he’s found behind a drum kit.

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Certification programs and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

The New Era of Lifestyle Medicine: 7 Emerging Trends Transforming Healthcare

Posted on by Joseph Gerard

A wooden block sign that says Healthy Lifestyle.

Written by Muhammad Numan,

With the escalation of chronic illnesses like diabetes, arthritis, and other mental illnesses, it is evident that traditional medical treatments would not be enough to treat them. The reason is that medication only treats the symptoms, not the root causes.

Lifestyle medicine is a healthcare approach that seeks to address the root causes of different chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity [i]. Thus, it has the potential to reduce the morbidity rate associated with chronic disease management significantly.

This behavioral intervention involves nutritional support, physical activity, stress management, avoidance of substance use, restorative sleep, and social engagement. Overall, lifestyle intervention is a clinical and population-level approach supported by integrated health coaching. It empowers patients to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, eliminating the need for conventional medications.

Read on to learn about the emerging trends in lifestyle medicine that are transforming healthcare!

 

Emerging Trends in Lifestyle Medicine

Lifestyle medicine employs a whole-person approach with integrated patient care. The seven emerging trends in lifestyle medicine are as follows:

1.     Precision in Lifestyle Medicine Based on Genomics

Precision lifestyle medicine incorporates multiomics data, including genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics. Such data helps tailor lifestyle prescriptions, such as physical exercise, diet, and supplement intake, to the individual’s unique lifestyle.

Genomic precision also varies from person to person when it comes to personalized dosing. For instance, in a study, vitamin D was found to benefit individuals with a specific genotype (rs7968585 AA), while for others, it proved to be detrimental. This highlights the importance of personalized dosing in genomics [ii].

2.     Digital Therapeutics and AI-Powered Behavioral Coaching

Digital lifestyle medicine (DLM) has become an emerging field in medicine. It highlights and elevates the importance of daily behaviors to prevent and reverse chronic diseases. Typically, using virtual or digital platforms, digital lifestyle medicine reaches out to patients to empower them to take charge of their healthcare journey.

Digital lifestyle medicine has also taken a next step in personalized treatments. By leveraging data from wearable devices, physicians are able to plan tailored treatment plans for their patients, incorporating their unique choices and preferences. Further, combined with AI powered coaching, digital lifestyle medicine is transitioning into precision lifestyle medicine.

Additionally, AI-based digital interventions integrated with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) systems support behavioral strategies [iii]. These strategies are implemented for sustainable life changes.

3.     Microbiome Modulation as a Lifestyle Medicine Strategy

Microbiome modulation refers to intentional alteration of the composition and functioning of the microorganisms in the body through lifestyle interventions. Diet, exercise, sleep, and fasting are a few lifestyle behaviors that play pivotal roles in these alterations and prevent chronic diseases.

According to the research, gut microbiome supplementation, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and symbiotics, assists in managing dysbiosis, a condition related to dysregulation of intestinal bacterial homeostasis [iv].

Contemporary research aims to find appropriate treatments to increase beneficial microbiota in the gut microbiome to modulate metabolic syndrome and reduce chronic inflammation and insulin resistance.

4.     Lifestyle Medicine in Mental Health and Neuroplasticity

Lifestyle medicine uses non-pharmaceutical strategies to support mental health through neuroplasticity. For instance, physical activities stimulate the production of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), which is essential for the growth of neurons [v]. These particular neurons are mostly found in the brain’s hippocampus region, which is pivotal for learning and memory.

Several meta-analyses reveal that exercises positively impact your mood more than psychotherapy and medications. Agitation, depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses can be cured with some routine exercise snacks [vi]. These are some short bouts of physical activities like push-ups, squats, or even stair climbing.

5.     Community-Based Interventions

Social prescribing and community-based interventions are among the most effective strategies for transforming healthcare through lifestyle medicine. A systematic review of random trials found that social prescribing interventions targeted specific chronic conditions, resulting in improved quality of life and disease-specific psychological outcomes [vii].

Social cohesion has also improved community engagement through various community-based initiatives. These community outreach programs keep the members active and engaged with each other, fostering their mental well-being.

6.     Lifestyle Medicine Meets Planetary Health

Planetary healthcare is the most undervalued area in medicine. It contends that human health is deeply connected to the earth’s natural system, and environmental degradation is a big public health challenge. Climate change is adversely affecting the very foundation of lifestyle medicine, which we all rely on to prevent chronic conditions [viii].

The situation posits that healthcare professionals should guide individuals to adopt climate-friendly behaviors to improve their quality of life. These include active transport, a biodiversity diet, the use of catalytic inverters in vehicles, and the avoidance of toxins. Such initiatives would build resilience in both individuals and the planet.

7.     Value-Based Care Models Support Lifestyle Medicine

Value-based care models refer to healthcare systems that reward healthcare professionals for providing quality care at affordable prices. Unlike volume-based models, which operate on a quantitative approach, value-based care models prefer quality over quantity [ix]. Coordinated care among the providers and the setting not only encourages prevention but also suggests tools to manage chronic diseases.

Lifestyle medicine completely resonates with the goals of Meadows Place Associates, which offers a value-based care model. Both prevent costly chronic disease conditions, improve long-term health goals, and ensure patient engagement and satisfaction.

Lifestyle Medicine – A Sustainable Solution for the Future of Healthcare

Lifestyle medicine is a medical approach that uses evidence-based behavioral changes to treat, prevent, or even reverse chronic diseases. It focuses on addressing the root causes of illness through evidence-based behavioral change in healthcare.

In the contemporary healthcare system with spiking healthcare challenges, lifestyle medicine provides a powerful tool to overcome these hurdles. Non-pharmaceutical interventions provide integrative healthcare coaching and incorporate nutritional support with healthy habits.

As we move through 2025, lifestyle medicine is becoming essential for everyone’s healthcare journey. Incorporating digital health tools, AI solutions, planetary healthcare, genomics, social prescribing, and microbiome modulation furthers the impact of lifestyle medicine.

Based on these principles, Meadows Place Associates is the one initiative that offers judgment-free, virtual care for adults who are tired of short visits and insurance headaches.

Author’s Biography

Muhammad Numan is a healthcare writer and Content Marketing Executive at Practice EHR, where he has spent the past two years creating impactful content for healthcare professionals. With a Master’s degree in Pharmacy, he brings a unique blend of clinical knowledge and marketing expertise to help health tech companies communicate more clearly and effectively. His work focuses on bridging the gap between complex healthcare concepts and accessible, audience-friendly messaging.

 

REFERENCES

  • Kushner, R. F., & Mechanick, J. I. (2016). The importance of healthy living and defining lifestyle medicine. In Lifestyle Medicine: A Manual for Clinical Practice (pp. 9-15). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
  • Ballard, J. L., Wang, Z., Li, W., Shen, L., & Long, Q. (2024). Deep learning-based approaches for multi-omics data integration and analysis. BioData Mining, 17(1), 38.
  • Chen, C., Liu, A., Zhang, Z., Chen, J., & Huang, H. (2024). Digital therapeutics in hypertension: How to make sustainable lifestyle changes. The Journal of Clinical Hypertension, 26(10), 1125-1132.
  • Manske, S. (2024). Lifestyle medicine and the microbiome: Holistic prevention and treatment. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal, 23(5), 10.
  • Huizenga, A. (2025). Neuroplasticity and mental health: Implications for depression and anxiety treatment. The Cognitive Neuroscience Journal, 8(1), 251.
  • Amiri, S., Mahmood, N., Javaid, S. F., & Khan, M. A. (2024, November). The effect of lifestyle interventions on anxiety, depression and stress: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. In Healthcare (Vol. 12, No. 22, p. 2263). MDPI.
  • O’Sullivan, D. J., Bearne, L. M., Harrington, J. M., Cardoso, J. R., & McVeigh, J. G. (2024). The effectiveness of social prescribing in the management of long-term conditions in community-based adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Rehabilitation, 38(10), 1306-1320.
  • Pathak, N., Pollard, K. J., & McKinney, A. (2022). Lifestyle medicine interventions for personal and planetary health: the urgent need for action. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 16(5), 589-593.
  • Fernández-Salido, M., Alhambra-Borrás, T., Casanova, G., & Garcés-Ferrer, J. (2024). Value-based healthcare delivery: a scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(2), 134.

 

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Holistic Nursing Certification programs and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

4 Interventions for Grief Support Groups With Songs

Posted on by Joseph Gerard

Support group patients comforting depressed woman at therapy session, panoramaWritten by Emily Stokes,

No two people process grief in the same way, which makes it essential for healthcare professionals to ensure that support for dealing with it is varied and flexible.

Music can be compelling in this context, and there are various ways to use songs as a means of encouraging individuals and groups to work through their complex emotions. Its effects can be subtle or seismic, but in either case, the outcome is positive progress.

It’s vital to implement songs in a grief support setting in a manner that’s structured and clinically sound. So with that in mind, here’s a look at a few different intervention options that work well, and how to make the most of them in your own groups.

Reflecting on Lyrics

Lyrics are the emotional core of many songs, and yet it’s easy to overlook their meaning when listening casually. In a support group dealing with the emotion of grief, the facilitator can encourage members to reflect on what the songwriter has to say on a much deeper level, in turn allowing them to explore their own emotional responses to the message conveyed.

The choice of song matters here, of course, so you need to pick tracks that cover themes or stories related to the kinds of experiences that group members are facing themselves. Loss is a common talking point in popular music, although not all of the songs you use need to be steered by this theme. There’s just as much to be gained from including those whose lyrics deal with resilience and perseverance, for example.

Printing out the lyrics so that members can read along as you play the song in full is a must, as it makes the meaning more transparent and the experience more engaging. Once a full playthrough is complete, ask some specific questions regarding the lyrics.

For instance:

  • What line stood out most, and why?
  • What aspect of the lyrics connected with your own story, and how?
  • What emotion did the lyrics evoke most strongly, and what do you feel about the journey the songwriter takes you on?

The overarching idea is to provide grief support group attendees with a way to express their own emotions and responses to emotive content, while ensuring that this process is less intimidating than a more direct approach.

Collaborative Songwriting

There’s space for creativity in grief support groups, and collaborative songwriting provides an avenue for introducing music as a therapeutic method while also making it less focused on the individual.

It’s useful to begin the songwriting process by deciding on a top-level theme together; ideally, one that’s relevant to the experiences and emotions of everyone. Popular options include hopefulness, resilience, and remembrance of loved ones, but feel free to explore other suggestions from the group.

Again, facilitators must prompt the creative process with questions that spark input from group participants, as it’s likely that many people will be reticent to experiment with songwriting, given that this is a pastime few will have attempted for themselves until this point.

You might ask:

  • What emotions are you feeling most frequently at the moment?
  • What message do you want to get across over the course of the song?
  • What other songwriters inspire you, and what features define their lyrics?

Get input from everyone and note down what they say on a whiteboard or large paper flip chart so that everyone can see the ideas building and recognize that their contributions are relevant. Simplicity and brevity of expression are recommended here, although again, if there are more complex themes and thoughts in play, it’s better to explore and unpack them than suppress them.

Keeping things simple also applies when developing the melody. If there are gifted musicians already within the group, they might take the lead here. If not, it is sensible to take existing tunes and repurpose them as the backdrop for your new lyrics. This takes the pressure off everyone.

Most importantly, don’t force anyone to go outside of their comfort zone. Some will be happy to be more actively involved in the songwriting and any subsequent performance than others. This has to be an inclusive experience.

Sharing what you’ve created is another beneficial outcome, and digital tools make this a breeze. For instance, if you record your finished song, you can then use a service like DistroKid to add it to streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. From here, the broader network of friends and family who are also within the sphere of grief will be able to hear the songs and take their own comfort from them.

Creating Playlists

Putting together a playlist is a soothing and satisfying process regardless of the aim or intention, so its application in a grief support scenario has obvious upsides.

Here, the motivation for the playlist is to create a combination of songs that reflect the life and legacy of the loved one who has been lost. Every track can spur a memory and hold special meaning for the individual who’s grieving. This is inevitably going to create moments of pain. Still, there is also the opportunity to start looking back and finding moments of positivity and light, rather than every aspect of grieving feeling like a struggle.

Facilitators must stimulate the playlist creation process with guiding questions to inspire participants, because not everyone will find it simple to come up with suitable song choices.

You might ask open-ended queries like:

  • What was their favorite song, and what time in their life is it connected to?
  • What music did you listen to together?
  • What genre or artist do you most associate with them, and why?

As playlists are put together, this also serves as a conduit for sharing stories and having conversations about loved ones within the group. People feel more connected with one another when it’s clear that grieving is a universal experience.

In terms of the technical side of playlist creation, turning to streaming services like Spotify and YouTube is the obvious option. You can, of course, allow those without the technical skills or inclination to use digital tools to write down songs by hand, which you can then add to playlists later.

Once finished, playlists can be shared and enjoyed by group members and their families, allowing for moments outside of the group in which memories and emotions can be discussed freely. It gives structure to this without being overly conspicuous as a clinical tool, so it is especially useful in the case that participants are resistant to more traditional forms of support.

Guided Imagery with Music (GIM)

GIM is a specific therapeutic technique that integrates music with visualization. In a grief support setting, it can be deployed to enable a more personal approach to processing emotions and confronting memories about a loved one who has been lost, without the need for verbal expression.

Facilitators typically choose music which is calming, soothing, and lyric-free, while giving participants instructions on how to visualize a scene which sets out to deal with the emotions they are feeling around the death of someone close to them. Classical music is a popular choice, although ambient music from modern artists can also be appropriate.

The guidance provided by the facilitator does not need to be overly specific. Invite group participants to picture themselves somewhere safe, secure, and ideally connected with a cherished memory they have of the loved one in question. Combine this with talking points about the future and the thoughts of hope and strength that will enable them to move forward positively.

Additionally, ensure that your own input is broken up to allow for moments of quiet reflection on what’s been said, during which only the music is heard. This gives participants space to think and absorb.

The final stage of GIM can revolve around a discussion of the experience, including the opportunity for participants to speak openly about what they felt. Non-verbal options for reflection, such as journaling, are also worth offering, as not everyone will want to share what they’ve encountered with an audience.

The results of GIM vary, and some will find that it taps into memories, thoughts and emotions that were previously obscured from them. In contrast, others will simply appreciate the calmness and tranquility it encourages.

The Last Word

The introduction of song lyrics, songwriting, playlists, and GIM in grief support groups gives facilitators more options for empowering participants and assisting them as they face the toughest period of their lives.

All of the interventions discussed can be effective, but only if they are adopted in a way that’s structured and non-confrontational. Making people participate in activities that they’re not comfortable with is not wise, even if the intentions are good. Be inclusive, sensitive and communicative as you roll out songs for therapeutic purposes, or risk backlash.

Also, keep in mind that you will need some level of tech know-how to enable participants to make playlists and record songs if you decide to adopt this approach. It might add a modicum of complexity to the running of grief support groups, but the payoff more than justifies this.

 

Author bio:

Emily Stokes is a freelance writer with experience in the higher education and non-profit industries. She creates content for blogs and other online resources, and enjoys distilling down complex concepts through her writing.

 

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

How to Start in Healthcare with Stackable Credentials

Posted on by Joseph Gerard

Licensures for nurses are regulated by the state but specialty areas that are not licensed can be merely certifications. Please also review AIHCP's Certification ProgramsWritten by Shai Curimo,

Today, breaking into health care can be both exciting and urgent, especially with people’s “virus scare” every now and then. According to studies, there are about 1.9 million openings in health care each year, reportedly driven by retirements and its growing demand. 

So, if you want a more practical way in, some stackable credentials can offer you the fastest, most flexible pathway to lasting career growth in this arena. That’s why it’s best to keep this guide close.

Start Smart: Choose Your First Entry-Level Role

You’re not running amok; you need a target you can hit fast and with precision. You may also want reasonable cost, accredited training, and real demand (not just projections).

Most competing entry roles you may want to bet on today

  • Medical assistant

  • Phlebotomy technician

  • Certified nursing assistant (CNA)

  • EKG technician

Why these specialties? In the United States health care labor market these days, entry-level roles like CNAs and medical assistants show consistent growth, even projecting that the need for medical assistants is expected to increase by 12% percent from 2024 to 2034, adding 102000 jobs locally and even out of the country. That’s why having a credential anchored in an accredited program gives you legitimacy and access to some employers who can offer a position on their team.

Some beneficial programs to focus on

  • Accredited by recognized bodies like the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or state nursing boards

  • Approved for continuing education tracking

  • Short enough that you can complete quickly, ideally 4 to 12 weeks

With these skill designs, making efforts for continuing education can easily help you move from zero to getting more credentials fast, especially if you’re in healthcare. It’s also where you gain confidence and start earning right away.

Get Accredited Training that Sets You Apart

Actually, you need a program that ticks boxes: recognized, efficient, and aligned with employer expectations, allowing you time to avoid wasted time or expense.

Weighty criteria to look for

  • Accreditation, not just marketing promises

  • Real employer referrals or job placement rates are published

  • Transparent costs broken down by program components, like materials, tests, and clinical time

  • Clear timeline projections so you can plan your life

When you shop around online or locally, aim to find training programs offered by community colleges, vocational schools, or health career institutions. Many list job placement percentages. In 2025, the US Department of Education reports that vocational health programs with 60 percent or higher placement outperform general adult ed programs that average 45 percent placement.

Choosing Your Launching Pad

When it comes to reputable, career-ready training courses that align with health care entry roles, especially those focused on patient-facing skills, consider BTI career training programs via the non-credit career training offerings at berks.edu/career-training-programs. That page lists key health-care-adjacent programs that give you a fast path to credentials, accredited training, and reputable certificates. It’s a smart first step when you look for programs that employers recognize, with cost and timeline clearly laid out.

Earn That Baseline Credential and Build Patient Experience

Once you’re enrolled in training, go all the way and focus on your success.

Tricks to make them stick from day 1

  • Commit to attending all sessions live or virtually

  • Engage hands-on during labs or clinical training to build real skills

  • Connect with instructors and ask about job leads or employer connections

  • Track your hours and documentation meticulously

When you finish each program, you get your certificate or license, and you also get your baseline credentials. Next stop? You need to gain patient-facing experience ASAP. Most of today’s employers care about that almost as much as the credentials you present. 

Some arena where you get the skill-learning, fast

  • Volunteer at clinics, nursing homes, and health fairs

  • Do short gigs like temp assignments for clinics or blood drives

  • Network with instructors for job referrals

Layer on Specialty Certifications that Match Your Capabilities

Here’s where that “stackable” idea kicks in for you. Once you’ve earned that initial role and experience, you add certifications that deepen your worth and make you more valuable to future employers. Each of them can cement your profile in a specific direction and specialization.

You need to pick based on your career projections, with powerful options, such as:

  • Case Management, if you like coordination and community health

  • Holistic or integrative health certifications, if you skew alternative medicine

  • Specialty areas like phlebotomy, EKG, coding, or dental assisting

However, you also need to be aware of and watch out for some issues, like:

  • Each certification needs to be recognized by employers, ideally with a national credential, not just a school certificate

  • You want Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or renewal timelines that align well with your practice area

  • Try to find programs that build on your base credential, not duplicate learning

For example, you earn a Medical Assistant certificate and get some patient-work time in a clinic or healthcare provider’s office. Then you add a phlebotomy certification, making you now skilled in both assisting and venipuncture. 

Some data today shows that professionals with two or more certifications can earn additional percentages per hour compared to single-certified holders. This matters most when you negotiate pay or choose employers that can level up your compensation or benefits.

Track CEUs and Stay Current While You Stack

You are already building credentials, it’s but apt that you have to maintain them and keep up with your profession’s updates. Today, most certifications require continuing education, that’s why you may need to:

  • Set a calendar or digital reminder for all renewal dates

  • Choose CEUs that serve multiple credentials at once—for example, a patient-safety course might count for both case management and MA renewal

  • Look for affordable or even free CEUs offered by professional associations or community providers

  • Keep a credential binder or digital folder with certificate images, transcript copies, and CEU records

Why keep them that organized? If your employer asks for documentation upon hire or audit, you can deliver and present it easily with confidence. With the competition in this sector, complying and earning your continuing education units is already considered a non-negotiable condition of employment and promotion eligibility. All these can keep you marketable, where hiring managers consistently screen out candidates who seem to lack these qualifications.

Meet Employer Expectations and Set Yourself Apart

You now have credentials, documented experience, and CEU compliance, boosting your hirability. All you need now is to present this smartly to your employers. Usually, here’s what they may expect:

  • A clean, concise certification record—credential names, certifying body, dates earned, renewal dates

  • Patient-interaction demonstrated through letters, timesheets, or supervisor contact

  • Optional but valuable: evidence of continuous learning—a CEU log, LinkedIn updates, or affiliation with professional associations

This is why you may need to customize your resume and cover letter to highlight credibilities, like:

  • Your baseline credentials, next certifications, and how they make you versatile

  • Your patient work hours and what you learned (teamwork, empathy, efficiency)

  • Your commitment to maintain competence via CEUs

  • That sells you beyond “entry-level” to someone employers can invest in.

Use Search-Friendly and Relevant Phrases to Be Found and Hired

If you are posting your resume online, applying via ATS (applicant tracking system), or even optimizing your LinkedIn presence, you want keywords that match how employers search. You have to keep them natural, not robotic, at all. Think about how hiring managers look at your:

  • Location: your region plus role, like “Kansas medical assistant” or “healthcare training in Philadelphia”

  • Certification abbreviations plus full names, like “CNA” plus “Certified Nursing Assistant”

Specialty ability, like “phlebotomy certified” or “EKG tech skilled”

Stay Agile: Turn Stackable Strategy into Long-Term Advancement

Today, working on your credential stacking is not just a well-timed stepping stone; it’s your sure way to career agility and success. Here’s how you can stay flexible and future-ready immediately:

  • Watch trends in nursing, telehealth, coding, and holistic care; add related certs early

  • Join professional forums or associations that spotlight future job growth, like the American Health Care Association, or integrative health networks

  • Be ready to reposition, like after stacking MA plus case management, you can transition into patient navigator roles, care coordination, or even health coaching

Also, health care is now shifting toward value-based care and more holistic results. Many employers these days want team members who understand both clinical basics and patient navigation across the services they offer. That’s why you have to stack smart certifications that align with that shift, and you become that rare hire who already fits future models.

Final Thought

When walking your way towards the industry, you’re not just starting a healthcare job; you’re actually engineering your future in it, layering one credential at a time. It’s a more precise way of earning respect through experience and expertise. You keep yourself current, letting your resume speak to your employers as someone who is nimble, credible, and invested in success.

Each of your steps builds on the last taken, with each credential compounding more opportunities. So, just trust the process and you’ll get a clear path. 

Be confident, therefore, you’ve got what it takes.

 

——————————————

About the Author

Shai Curimo is a communication arts professional with a multidisciplinary background in banking, law, human resources, and health-related studies. She focuses more on writing that clarifies complex subjects in healthcare, education, law, and professional development. Through her continued training and applied experiences, she produces content that’s interestingly simple, precise, well-researched, and crafted to meet the needs of her professional and academic readership.

Please also review AIHCP’s Certification programs and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

What is sliding scale insulin therapy?

Posted on by Joseph Gerard

Insulin ampoule with injection syringe. Diabetes control concept. Medical shot for diabetic patients. Medicine bottle for people with high blood sugar. Vector isolated eps illustrationWritten by Owen Clarke, PharmD,

Sliding scale insulin is a method of therapy in which the insulin dose changes depending on the patient’s blood glucose at the time of testing. If numbers are high, more medicine is given, if they are low or within a normal range, little or none is injected.

This approach is especially familiar in the hospital. Physicians often use it for patients with diabetes who are temporarily admitted for another illness, medicine or for surgery. It looks simple: a nurse checks the glucose, then follows the chart to decide how much insulin to give. The appeal lies in its clarity, but sliding scale insulin therapy is reactive. Instead of preventing problems, it corrects them after they appear, which can lead to unpredictable results.

Historical Background

The sliding scale insulin grew popular in medicine during the mid-20th century. At that time, physicians had fewer tools for monitoring, and long-acting insulins were harder to manage without good feedback. Linking a single blood sugar reading directly to an injection looked like a practical solution.

In hospitals, the method became routine. Patients with diabetes admitted with infections, trauma, or surgery often had “sliding scale insuin” written into their orders. Regular dosage was usually chosen because its action profile was predictable enough for ward routines. Nurses could apply medicine quickly without complex calculations, and pharmacy staff could support it with standardized instructions.

Many physicians and medical students at university hospitals learned the method first. It was easy to teach: check the glucose, find the number on the chart, and give the corresponding dose. Research eventually showed that the results were inconsistent, often leading to spikes of hyperglycemia and sudden drops afterward, but old habits remained strong.

How It Works in Practice: Blood Glucose Levels

In everyday hospital care, the sliding scale insulin is built around a chart that pairs blood glucose levels with the very medicine. This hospital sliding scale insulin protocol is usually part of the patient’s chart and guides both nursing and pharmacy staff.

A Typical Chart for Insulin Regimen

A sliding scale insulin chart might read:

  • 150–200 mg/dL — 2 units of regular insulin;
  • 201–250 mg/dL — 4 insulin units;
  • 251–300 mg/dL — 6 insulin units;
  • Above 300 mg/dL — call doctor and consider a higher dose.

Timing of Insulin Doses

The timing usually revolves around meals and bedtime. Before a patient is about to have meal, the nurse checks glucose and injects according to the chart. At bedtime, another test is done, and insulin may be given if the level is high. In perioperative care, when eating patterns are irregular and stress hormones push glucose higher, sliding scale is also used because it looks flexible and easy to adjust.

Types of Insulin Used

Traditionally, regular insulin is the most common choice, but many hospitals also rely on rapid-acting medicines. Humalog insulin, for example, is sometimes substituted because of its faster onset.

Who Is Involved

Behind the routine is a team effort:

  1. Nursing staff handle the measurements and injections.
  2. Pharmacy helps ensure that medicine doses and supplies are consistent.
  3. Healthcare providers oversee the orders and make adjustments if glucose swings become too large.

Although this method is straightforward, it has clear limits. Patients with diabetes may face repeated cycles of highs and lows because insulin is given only after problems appear. For this reason, more hospitals are moving toward structured schedules that combine basal coverage and mealtime insulin, leaving sliding scale insulin behind as an older, reactive tool.

Clinical Practice Where SSI Orders Are Used

Sliding scale insulin is most often applied to hospitalized patients with diabetes who need short-term control of their glucose. Doctors use it in situations where the need for insulin is uncertain or rapidly changing. The method looks convenient because nurses can test and give insulin without planning meals or predicting daily needs. In reality, it often leaves patients swinging between hyperglycemia and unexpected lows.

Medical Wards

Patients admitted with infections or acute illnesses often experience stress-induced hyperglycemia, even if they do not have diabetes. Sliding scale insulin may be used here as a temporary tool to control fluctuating glucose levels during hospitalization.

Surgery and Perioperative Care

During surgery and the perioperative period, factors like anesthesia, fasting, and post-surgical pain can disrupt normal glucose regulation. Sliding scale insulin is often chosen for quick, short-term corrections when daily requirements are hard to predict.

Intensive Care

In intensive care units, structured insulin regimens are generally preferred, but sliding scale protocols are sometimes still used. They provide a straightforward way to address sudden spikes in glucose among critically ill patients with diabetes.

Total Parenteral Nutrition

When patients cannot eat and receive glucose directly through intravenous nutrition, their blood sugar can rise unpredictably. Sliding scale insulin is occasionally applied in this setting to manage those sharp fluctuations.

Limitations of Sliding Scale Therapy

The attraction of sliding scale insulin is its simplicity, but that simplicity hides several problems. The most important is that it acts after the fact. Glucose rises, insulin is given, and then another rise happens again. This cycle continues, with no true prevention.

Reactive, Not Preventive

The central problem is that insulin comes after high numbers, not before. Patients with diabetes may spend hours with elevated blood glucose before correction arrives. This results in poor glycemic control settings and delays recovery.

Risks for Patients With Diabetes Mellitus

  • Hyperglycemia: repeated highs are common because no basal coverage is present.
  • Hypoglycemia: if the dose is too strong, sudden drops can occur, especially if meals are delayed.
  • Longer hospital stays: studies show that cycles of poor control can lead to issues and prolong hospitalization.

Evidence and Perception

Research has consistently shown that sliding scale insulin therapy is an antiquated approach compared with more proactive schedules. Many guidelines now recommend stopping SSI orders whenever possible. Still, habit and familiarity keep it alive in daily practice. Clinicians may believe it is safer because of its simplicity, even though evidence suggests otherwise.

What It Feels Like for Patients

For many people with diabetes, the hospital routine of frequent insulin injections can feel exhausting. Patients often describe the discomfort of repeated needles, especially when checks are done before meals and at night. The ups and downs in blood glucose create another challenge: long stretches of tiredness, constant thirst, or sudden drops that bring shaking and confusion.

This cycle can leave hospitalized patients worried and unsure if their condition is under control. Beyond the physical side, there is also an emotional weight — the sense that treatment is happening to them, not with them. Instead of feeling stable, they may experience fear of the next hyperglycemia spike or the next sharp fall.

Everyday Life: Home vs. Hospital

Sliding scale insulin still appears because it looks simple for staff. Nurses can quickly give regular insulin when numbers are high, and instructions are easy to follow. Yet research on glycemic control in hospitalized patients shows that this method is not the most effective. More modern approaches use basal insulin and mealtime dosing, offering steadier protection. Most doctors rarely recommend sliding scale insulin on its own, since daily life requires flexibility with diet, exercise, and long-term balance.

A patient can often recognize sliding scale insulin if the doctor gives a chart that links a glucose reading to a dose, without mention of a set background schedule. If this happens, it is worth asking questions. In many university hospitals, clinicians now teach alternatives that prevent problems instead of chasing them afterward. For people living with diabetes, knowing the difference can help them feel more in control of their treatment and recovery.

Alternatives and Modern Approaches

As clinical practice advanced, healthcare facilities began to adopt more proactive methods of inpatient management. These newer factors aim to smooth out fluctuations rather than chase them afterward.

Basal–Bolus Regimens

The most widely accepted alternative is a scheduled insulin regimen combined with mealtime insulin. Basal insulin covers background needs throughout the day, while mealtime insulin handles spikes after food. This approach mirrors natural insulin levels and provides steadier control.

Structured Protocols

  • Scheduled basal coverage ensures that blood glucose level does not drift upward during fasting or overnight.
  • Mealtime dosing keeps post-meal spikes in check.
  • Correction doses can still be added, but they are layered on top of a stable foundation rather than replacing it.

Practical Shifts in Hospitals

Many hospitals now include clear instructions to stop sliding scale insulin in favor of basal–bolus regimens. Intensive care units, surgical teams, and general wards increasingly follow this practice. It requires more planning and staff education, but it lresults in better glycemic control.

Modern medicine also combines regular insulin therapy with oral agents like metformin for those who can eat, which further improves outcomes. The evidence points to consistent benefit when compared to the reactive sliding scale. 

Clinical Perspectives: Glycemic Control in Hospitalized Patients

Sliding scale insulin has been a routine part of hospital medicine for decades, but perspectives on its value have shifted. Many physicians acknowledge that the method is easy to apply yet does not deliver the stability patients with diabetes need. Nursing staff also raise concerns: constant checks, frequent injections, and no real sense of overall control. Pharmacy teams highlight another factor — total insulin exposure is unclear because doses are scattered across the day.

Why It Still Gets Used

Despite the criticism, sliding scale insulin remains visible in inpatient management. The reasons are often practical:

  • Familiarity – most physicians, especially those trained years ago, learned it as the default hospital regimen.
  • Simplicity – medical students and junior staff find the chart easy to follow.
  • Flexibility – if a patient does not eat, the nurse simply skips the injection.

The Call to “Stop Sliding”

Over the last two decades, university guidelines and expert groups have encouraged clinicians to stop sliding medicine. They emphasize that poor glycemic control leads to higher risks of hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and complications. Evidence from research suggests that proactive regimens, such as basal-bolus with scheduled basal coverage, are safer and more effective. Yet the shift requires retraining physicians and rethinking hospital routines, which does not happen overnight.

Summary for Practice

Sliding scale insulin therapy is part of insulin history, but it no longer represents best practice. It was once considered a safe, moderate approach to inpatient diabetes management, especially around surgery and in intensive care.

For most patients, modern regimens offer a clear benefit. Structured medicine therapy with basal insulin dosage and scheduled coverage provides steadier control, reduces the risk of complications, and improves outcomes. Physicians, nursing staff, and pharmacy teams all play a role in moving away from reactive sliding scale insulin toward proactive management.

Bio of the Author

Owen Clarke, PharmD — is a dedicated pharmacist with a degree from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. With five years of experience, he began his career as a part-time assistant pharmacist before advancing to a full-time hospital role, where he prepares and customizes medication plans for conditions like diabetes and thyroid disease.

References:

  1. Clement S, Braithwaite SS, Magee MF, et al. Management of diabetes and hyperglycemia in hospitals. Diabetes Care. 2004; 27:553–591.
  2. Van den Berghe G, Wouters P, Weekers F, et al. Intensive insulin therapy in critically ill patients. N Engl J Med. 2001; 345(19):1359-1367.
  3. Dhatariya K, Corsino L, Umpierrez GE. Management of diabetes and hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A. et al. eds. Endotext. MDText.com, Inc; 2000.
  4. Bucciferro E, Dhatariya KK, Franklin V, et al. Use of a standardized protocol to decrease medication errors and adverse events related to sliding scale insulin. Qual Saf Health Care. 2006;15(2):141-144.

 

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Certification programs and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification