Raccoons can pose many hazards to household pets, people, homes and gardens, and other wild animals. People can help to prevent problems with raccoons by securing all outside garbage and feeding pets inside (outdoor dishes, both food and water, can attract raccoons). If raccoons around a home become a nuisance, home owners should contact the ..
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The main concern with any wound, whether it’s accidental or an opening for a surgical procedure, is to get it closed as efficiently as possible so that the body may begin the healing process and avoid infection. The two closure mechanisms that are used for most wounds are surgical sutures and surgical staples. Sutures Usually ..
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Y-ports, also known as piggybacks, provide a second access point in patient IV tubing for additional IV medications to be given. The most common setup is to have maintenance fluids, such as normal saline or Lactated Ringer’s, infusing as the primary fluid. Medications such as antibiotics are normally administered through a secondary port or Y-port. ..
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An implanted port, usually referred to simply as a port is often placed in patients requiring long-term IV treatment cancer patients receiving chemotherapy come to mind as they receive multiple rounds of chemo over an extended time period. A nurse certified in port access can access the port with a Huber needle for other types ..
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Chicago is the nation’s third-largest city, with over 2.8 million residents. The city contains hundreds of museums, art galleries, restaurants and cultural institutions, and attracts visitors from all over the globe. Chicago’s 227 square miles also contain many hospitals, many of which draw medical students and professionals, as well as patients, from around the world. ..
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Nuclear PET (positron emission tomography) scans help diagnose and treat many different diseases, including cancer and heart disease. Before the scan, the patient often receives an injection of a small amount of radioactive material so that the organs and tissues show up clearly on the PET scan. The radioactive material can also be swallowed or ..
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Medicare beneficiaries may receive a Medicare Summary Notice or an Explanation of Benefits (if enrolled in a private plan) that has codes that make little sense unless you are a billing professional. While these codes are usually explained in the footnotes of the notices, understanding how Medicare billing and coding works can help a beneficiary ..
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Even if you’re covered by two insurance plans, you can’t get double reimbursement for the same medical bills. If one of your insurers is Medicare, government rules determine how the two coverages interact. Coordination of Benefits Whenever you have two sources of health insurance, the insurers have to coordinate benefits. One of them becomes the ..
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With a little practice and a sample of the doctor’s actual signature, anyone can learn to forge a doctor’s signature. A forged signature can look especially realistic if an individual uses an actual doctor’s prescription pad. Some individuals may forge a doctor’s signature to write a doctor’s excuse or to obtain prescription medication. Forging a ..
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Because New York is not a member of the National Licensure Compact Agreement, obtaining a registered nursing license by endorsement requires that all the criteria established by the New York State Board of Nursing be met. Further, whether the state of your current license is a member of Linksys determines whether you will request your ..
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Communication skills are important in everyday life, but in the medical field, these skills can be the difference between life and death. Active listening skills are critical for effective patient-centered care, especially for obtaining important medical information. Active listening shows patients that you care and establishes a foundation of trust. To be effective in a ..
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Manic depression,or what we now call bipolar disorder, is a mental condition that drags an individual through cycles of extreme joy and sorrow. These episodes of high and low points, which can last from weeks to years, contribute to risky behavior and thoughts of suicide. Manic depression also jeopardizes social life, making it difficult to ..
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