Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Ugh...
Lots of family stuff, no opportunities to post.... My apologies to anyone that reads this. I hope to post in the next few days.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
On another topic...
Please pray for me. I have been subpoenaed to testify as a witness regarding a patient I cared for a few months ago. I won't specify any details, but please pray that I can recall the information for which I am asked and that my testimony helps to bring about justice.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Rx drug abuse
It's such a shame. Mary-Kate Olsen wants immunity before talking to the D.E.A. regarding Heath Ledger's death. Why do people think it's okay to take whatever, whenever? The Church condemns the abuse of illegal (and legal) drugs, obviously, citing the 5th Commandment:
I agree with the Church's interpretation as discussed in the Catechism. However, in a free society, I feel I don't have much power over other besides trying to model those virtues in my own life. If they choose to do harm to themselves and aren't directly harming anyone else, all I can do is pray for them. I guess the bigger problem I have is that people acting foolishly like this scare others about the prescriptions their providers give them and cause undue worry and sometimes harm. I have had to explain many, many times to patients that it's okay to take the Vicodin (morphine, dilaudid, Norco, Ibuprofen, etc.) for pain, that one pill won't result in addiction. I often end up giving a brief summary of the pharmacokinetics of pain medications and how addictions form in order to ease the fears of those prescribed these medications for legitimate purposes. I have also counseled many patients that have unnecessarily suffered out of fear of taking medication, even something as benign as acetaminophen.
Heath Ledger's death is tragic, as is Mary-Kate's involvement. I hope that through his loss we can gain some insight into the problem of drug abuse in our nation and move towards some solution and healing. May the Holy Spirit guide the investigators and open pathways to help for those suffering addiction.
Respect for health
2288 Life and physical health are precious gifts
entrusted to us by God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good.
Concern for the health of its citizens requires that society help in the attainment of living-conditions that allow them to grow and reach maturity: food and clothing, housing, health
care, basic education, employment, and social assistance.2289 If morality requires respect for the life of the body, it does not make it an absolute value. It rejects a neo-pagan notion that tends to promote the cult of the body, to sacrifice everything for it's sake, to idolize physical perfection and success at sports. By its selective preference of the strong over the weak, such a conception can lead to the perversion of human relationships.
2290 The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others' safety on the road, at sea,
or in the air.
2291 The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human
health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense. Clandestine production of and trafficking in drugs are scandalous practices. They constitute direct co-operation in evil, since they encourage people to practices gravely contrary to the moral law.
I agree with the Church's interpretation as discussed in the Catechism. However, in a free society, I feel I don't have much power over other besides trying to model those virtues in my own life. If they choose to do harm to themselves and aren't directly harming anyone else, all I can do is pray for them. I guess the bigger problem I have is that people acting foolishly like this scare others about the prescriptions their providers give them and cause undue worry and sometimes harm. I have had to explain many, many times to patients that it's okay to take the Vicodin (morphine, dilaudid, Norco, Ibuprofen, etc.) for pain, that one pill won't result in addiction. I often end up giving a brief summary of the pharmacokinetics of pain medications and how addictions form in order to ease the fears of those prescribed these medications for legitimate purposes. I have also counseled many patients that have unnecessarily suffered out of fear of taking medication, even something as benign as acetaminophen.
Heath Ledger's death is tragic, as is Mary-Kate's involvement. I hope that through his loss we can gain some insight into the problem of drug abuse in our nation and move towards some solution and healing. May the Holy Spirit guide the investigators and open pathways to help for those suffering addiction.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Let's Get Political...
I don't know of a better way to generate conversation (or knock-down-drag-out-brawls) than by bringing up politics:
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/issues.healthcare.html
I'm curious to know what others think about the presumptive candidates positions. Comment to my blog and take the poll.
Personally, I'm a bit torn. I often find myself debating between which is better-- equality of opportunity or equality of outcome. In the case of healthcare, I think we have a moral and ethical responsibility to ensure equality of opportunity for all--that is, ensuring access to care, especially in underserved areas (rural and poor areas of our country), and finding ways to extend community health care initiatives and preventative care initiatives. I also think we need reforms to make health care more efficient and affordable, such as through medical malpractice reform and using physician extenders (Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants) to help ease the burden of the number of patients requiring primary care. As an ER nurse, I'm acutely aware of the desparate need for primary care providers, especially for the poor. Much of what I care for in the emergency room is far from being an "emergent" condition and would be more appropriately and more economically managed in an office, but many cannot see a provider for weeks, if at all, due to Medicaid restrictions or lack of insurance. If we strive for equality of outcome, then total universal coverage for all Americans would be the only way to acheive that all people have their medical needs paid, but at what cost to our own wallets? I hate to say that I consider my own wallet in this conversation, but with prices for basic needs rising at an incredible rate, I fear the rising tax bill as well. I would love to think that we could acheive a utopic healthy society where all people have their medical needs met, however, I think it's naive to believe that. I believe the more practical solution is to create avenues to affordable health care while encouraging personal responsibility for one's needs and the needs of one's family.
I certainly don't have the answer, but I would like to know what you think. Leave comments and let's have a discussion!
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/issues.healthcare.html
I'm curious to know what others think about the presumptive candidates positions. Comment to my blog and take the poll.
Personally, I'm a bit torn. I often find myself debating between which is better-- equality of opportunity or equality of outcome. In the case of healthcare, I think we have a moral and ethical responsibility to ensure equality of opportunity for all--that is, ensuring access to care, especially in underserved areas (rural and poor areas of our country), and finding ways to extend community health care initiatives and preventative care initiatives. I also think we need reforms to make health care more efficient and affordable, such as through medical malpractice reform and using physician extenders (Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants) to help ease the burden of the number of patients requiring primary care. As an ER nurse, I'm acutely aware of the desparate need for primary care providers, especially for the poor. Much of what I care for in the emergency room is far from being an "emergent" condition and would be more appropriately and more economically managed in an office, but many cannot see a provider for weeks, if at all, due to Medicaid restrictions or lack of insurance. If we strive for equality of outcome, then total universal coverage for all Americans would be the only way to acheive that all people have their medical needs paid, but at what cost to our own wallets? I hate to say that I consider my own wallet in this conversation, but with prices for basic needs rising at an incredible rate, I fear the rising tax bill as well. I would love to think that we could acheive a utopic healthy society where all people have their medical needs met, however, I think it's naive to believe that. I believe the more practical solution is to create avenues to affordable health care while encouraging personal responsibility for one's needs and the needs of one's family.
I certainly don't have the answer, but I would like to know what you think. Leave comments and let's have a discussion!
Welcome to my Blog
Hello!
Welcome to my blog. I'm glad you found me! I'm hoping that this new blog will serve a few different purposes: 1.) a place for me to share ideas about professional nursing, and 2.) provide a place to discuss some of the moral and ethical situations that arise in healthcare, and 3.) serve as the occasional "dumping ground" for my ramblings (ok, maybe frequent ramblings...). As a dedicated Catholic, I hope to write in a manner and give opinion consistent with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. I welcome comments, even from those who disagree with me, and hope for thoughtful discussions about some of the "hot topics" that arise in our world.
A little about myself, for those who are interested-- I'm an ER nurse in a busy Level I emergency department. I take care of a very diverse population, which I enjoy, but also presents many challenges. I am a "cradle Catholic" and have a deep love of God and my faith. I try to reflect Christ's Mercy in the care I give my patients, although I sometimes fail with some of the "difficult" patients. I hope that this blog will provide a place for me to talk about some of those challenges. Perhaps someone will learn from my struggles and I may learn from someone's insight. Please comment on my blog freely so we can learn from each other!
*Side note: At all times, I intend to protect patient confidentiality. Be aware that what I write about, although based in fact, will be altered to protect any identifying characteristics about a patient or situation. I fully respect our privacy laws and by no means will I jeopardize a patient's right to privacy for the purposes of this blog.*
Thanks again for taking the time to read my blog and, please, post your comments. I am open to suggestions for topics to discuss as well as to affirmations and criticisms of my writing. Perhaps this blog can be a springboard for a community of nurses that can work together to spread God's Love through caring hands and hearts.
Welcome to my blog. I'm glad you found me! I'm hoping that this new blog will serve a few different purposes: 1.) a place for me to share ideas about professional nursing, and 2.) provide a place to discuss some of the moral and ethical situations that arise in healthcare, and 3.) serve as the occasional "dumping ground" for my ramblings (ok, maybe frequent ramblings...). As a dedicated Catholic, I hope to write in a manner and give opinion consistent with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. I welcome comments, even from those who disagree with me, and hope for thoughtful discussions about some of the "hot topics" that arise in our world.
A little about myself, for those who are interested-- I'm an ER nurse in a busy Level I emergency department. I take care of a very diverse population, which I enjoy, but also presents many challenges. I am a "cradle Catholic" and have a deep love of God and my faith. I try to reflect Christ's Mercy in the care I give my patients, although I sometimes fail with some of the "difficult" patients. I hope that this blog will provide a place for me to talk about some of those challenges. Perhaps someone will learn from my struggles and I may learn from someone's insight. Please comment on my blog freely so we can learn from each other!
*Side note: At all times, I intend to protect patient confidentiality. Be aware that what I write about, although based in fact, will be altered to protect any identifying characteristics about a patient or situation. I fully respect our privacy laws and by no means will I jeopardize a patient's right to privacy for the purposes of this blog.*
Thanks again for taking the time to read my blog and, please, post your comments. I am open to suggestions for topics to discuss as well as to affirmations and criticisms of my writing. Perhaps this blog can be a springboard for a community of nurses that can work together to spread God's Love through caring hands and hearts.
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