EP 207: When Your Patient Falls

EP 207: When Your Patient Falls

EP 207: When Your Patient Falls

Patient falls are one of the many incidents that could happen to patients in hospitals, and as much as nurses do their best to prevent this from happening, it cannot be avoided. It does happen. But can you avoid this incident?

And what are the usual or common causes of patient falls? Knowing these can help save your patient’s life and your license. It’s best to be prepared at all times. 

In today’s episode, we will discuss our experiences when a patient fell. We’ll also discuss how it happened, how we felt, and what we had to do. In addition to that, we will also discuss what to do when a patient falls and the most common causes of it. 

What to Do When a Patient Falls

  1. Call for help and stay with the patient
  2. Assess the patient for any injuries
    • Ask what happened and if they have any pain or hit their head
    • If the patient is unable to respond appropriately, assume they hit their head
    • Are there any visible injuries?
  3. Notify MD, Charge, house supervisor
  4. Take the patient to CT
  5. Notify family if needed
  6. Make the patient a forever high fall risk
  7. Chart what happened
  8. File an incident report

Reports on Patients Falling in Hospitals

Each year, somewhere between 700,000 and 1,000,000 people in the United States fall into the hospital. A fall may result in fractures, lacerations, or internal bleeding, increasing health care utilization. 

  • Falls occur at a rate of 3–5 per 1000 bed-days
  • Resulting in around 250,000 injuries and up to 11,000 deaths
  • Approximately one in four falls result in injury, with about 10% resulting in serious injury.

Most Common Causes of Patient Falls

We looked at several websites to see the most common causes of falls. According to some law firms, the most common causes of falls are:

  • Failure to Call a Nurse for Assistance
  • The Bed-Exit Alarm is Not Set
  • Patients are on High-Risk Medication
  • Patient Inaccurately Assessed
  • Delayed Response when the Nurse is Called
  • Nurse and staff shortages
  • Slippery floors and surfaces
  • Inefficient work environments
  • Poorly lit or obstructed views

According to the joint commission, the most causes of falls are:

  • Fall risk assessment issues
    • Inconsistency in the rating of patients (Hester Davis tool)
    • Risk assessment tools not being an accurate predictor of falls
  • Handoff communication issues
    • Inconsistent or incomplete communication of patient risk for falls between caregivers
  • Toileting Issues
    • The patient did not seek help and fell while toileting
    • Medications that increase the risk of falls combined with toileting
  • Call Light Issues
    • The patient did not know, forgot, or chose not to use the call light
  • Education and Organizational Culture Issues
    • Lack of standardization of practice and application of interventions
    • Fall prevention education for patients and families is not used or is inconsistently used
    • Patient awareness and acknowledgment of their own risk for falls
  • Medical issues
    • Patient on one or more medications that increase the risk of falls (e.g., diuretics, laxatives, narcotics, antipsychotics, or anti-hypertensives) 

 

Sources:

https://www.vanweylaw.com/insights/top-reasons-hospital-falls-occur-medical-facilities/
https://www.jacksonwhitelaw.com/az-personal-injury/causes-of-falls-for-patients-in-hospitals/
http://www.hpoe.org/Reports-HPOE/2016/preventing-patient-falls.pdf 

To avoid this situation, watch the full episode here 👇👇👇

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction
03:02 Matt’s Patient Fall Experience
10:20 Peter’s Patient Fall Experience
16:46 Who is liable for patient falls
20:26 What to do when a Patient Falls
24:55 LAW FIRM: Most commons reasons why patients fall
28:44 Healthcare Joint Commission: Most commons reasons why patients fall
37:52 Wrapping up the show

EP 206: Marriage and Family Therapy with Ashley Turner

EP 206: Marriage and Family Therapy with Ashley Turner

EP 206: Marriage and Family Therapy with Ashley Turner

Marriage and family therapy is a good way to work out issues within the relationship. If you know that your marriage is on the rocks or have family issues that need to be addressed and resolved, going through therapy is a big help.

Sometimes, some things can be resolved without ending in a bitter divorce or separation. It is why therapists and marriage counselors exist. If you are in this predicament, this episode is for you.

​​In this episode, we welcome our guest, Ashley Turner is, a yoga–meditation expert, Licensed Psychotherapist, writer, facilitator, and 7-figure wellness entrepreneur.

She is the founder and CEO of The Center for Yoga Psychology – an innovative, scientifically grounded training center for yoga teachers, mental health clinicians, and dedicated students fusing yoga, mindfulness, trauma resolution, shadow work, and neuroscience.

It has fast become a go-to resource for evidence-based yoga, meditation, and breathwork for mental health. 

Ashley has graced such lists as:

  • 100 Women in Wellness to Watch ~ MindBodyGreen
  • 100 Most Influential Yoga Teachers in the US – Sonoma
  • Top 100 Psychotherapy Blogs – FeedSpot 

She is also a sought-after speaker, facilitator, and presenter at conferences and events worldwide. Her mission is to integrate yoga and meditation into the mainstream medical and educational systems by training highly-skilled professionals and helping them build fulfilling, highly profitable businesses.

www.AshleyTurner.co | www.Yoga-Psychology.co

Questions for Our Guest

The questions below are some we’d like to tackle. We often go off-topic, so we don’t expect to hit them all. If you have any ideas, please let us know.

Looking forward to our conversation!

  1. Can you give a background about yourself and how you became a therapist, facilitator, and Priestess?

2. Being an LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist), what do married people and families struggle with? Why do those people seek therapy?

3. What advice can you give people before they get married or settle down?

4. What are some things people should know before they start a family?

5. What is some advice you can give to healthcare professionals?

      • People that work in an environment that revolves around life and death? 
      • Are people struggling to find a balance in their relationships or family? 

6. Have you had any personal struggles in relationships or family? How did you overcome them?

7. You also describe yourself as a priestess: what does that mean?

8. Is yoga for everyone?

      • What’s the best way to get started?

9. What role do you see yoga and meditation playing in healthcare?

10. What are some proven scientific benefits of yoga? What holistic interventions can healthcare providers operating in the traditional medical system responsibly offer patients?

11. What type of meditation and yoga do you practice? Why?

      • What do yoga and meditation bring you?

12. What is trauma-informed yoga?

13. What Trauma-Informed care can we offer in healthcare settings to take care of the “whole person”?

14. What are the chakras?

      • How do they connect the body and mind? 

15. And how could they be referenced in modern healthcare?

16. You speak a lot about addictions, traumas, and chakras; how are they all related?

Ending Question

Before we end the show, we have one last question we like to ask all our guests.

If you had the opportunity to have a Cup of coffee with anybody one last time, who would it be & why?

Links: 

Learn all about marriage and family therapy by watching the full episode here 👇👇👇

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction
02:10 About Ashley Turner
05:20 Recurring problems that arise in married life
08:54 How to Establish Effective Communication in Difficult Situations
14:44 How To Build And Foster Trust In Relationships
20:28 How To Identify The Ideal Relationship For You
27:04 How To Clarify Core Values & Priorities
30:30 Self-Care Strategies for Resilience in Healthcare
36:11 The Pathophysiological Benefits Of Yoga And Meditation
39:17 Yoga Meditation for Total Mind-Body Wellness
45:56 Trauma-Informed Yoga: Exploring Its Benefits and How It Works
52:09 Integrating Chakra System into Modern Healthcare
1:02:58 Wrapping up the show

Be a Travel Nurse and Work in These Top 10 Best Places 

Be a Travel Nurse and Work in These Top 10 Best Places 

Be a Travel Nurse and Work in These Top 10 Best Places 

So, you are a nurse who is looking for something new to do. You love your job set-up in the healthcare facility you currently work in, but your mind wanders. It would help if you had an adventure.

You need to fuel your passion! If this is your current mindset right now, sign up to be a travel nurse and get to choose ten of the best places for this job. 

Where Can Travel Nurses Work?

 

#1. Alaska

With stunning views and a vast space for fishing, Alaska is home to the largest hospital in the city, the Providence Alaska Medical Center. Travel nurses who enjoy activities like camping, fishing, and boating will surely enjoy Alaska.

The growing healthcare industry and great pay are why many travel nurses chose this destination for work [1].

With the city’s unique features and long sunny days, Alaska is ideal for those interested in working here as a nurse and enjoying the outdoors.

Make sure to bring plenty of sunscreens! 

 

#2. California

Cali is home to excellent teaching hospitals, including the UCLA Medical Center, UCSF Medical Center, and others. Not only that, but California also has one of the highest-paying nursing salaries in the country.

If you love the idea of learning and visiting California’s famous landmarks, this is an exciting place to choose!

If you love beaches, California has plenty, and if you are a wine enthusiast, you will surely enjoy the endless array of vineyards there too.

There are plenty of places to explore so you will surely love your time here. 

 

#3. Texas

If you want to work in Texas, Austin is the place to be. Ranked as one of the most popular locations for travel nurses, Austin is a fast-growing city with a high density of healthcare facilities to keep the flow of nurses constant.

Besides the booming healthcare industry, Austin is also a hub for entertainment. If you love food, music, and festivals, Austin is your next best destination.

 

#4. Florida

Another popular destination for travel nurses to work in is Florida – Miami, in particular, is a rather popular state to be in. If you are looking for warm weather and beaches, Florida is an excellent choice. It is a popular location for nurses who enjoy spending time at the beach after long working hours.

If you love exploring popular tourist attractions, Florida is home to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World. They also offer epic nightlife destinations like the Design District, Downtown, and many others.

All in all, it is a well-rounded city with many things to do after your shift.

 

#5. Hawaii

As a travel nurse, you have the opportunity to work in different locations, even with the pandemic travel restrictions that we have now. If you are interested in working far from the usual continental U.S. sights, you can apply for work in Hawaii.

However, this may be steep competition as it takes time to get approval for a work permit. But with patience, you, too, can land an assignment here.

Just be reminded that Hawaii is not exactly the place for travel nurses who want to earn top dollar, but if you are longing for an experience of a lifetime, this is it. 

 

#6. Colorado

Colorado is a compact nursing state which means a license in one state allows you to work assignments in another, just like in Texas.

If you choose urban life, Denver is an excellent choice to work and be a travel nurse. After your work, you can enjoy the breathtaking views the Rocky Mountains have to offer.

If you love skiing, Colorado has plenty of winter sports activities that you will surely love. Not only that, but since Colorado is part of a compact nursing state, you can attain greater work mobility without complications. 

 

#7. New York City

When we talk about New York, we always think of tall skyscrapers and high-rise apartments. But when it comes to healthcare facilities, New York is one of the best.

They are known for medical centers like the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Mount Sinai Hospital. As a travel nurse, you have the opportunity to work in one of the best cities without a permanent commitment. In addition to that, New York is home to prestigious art galleries, museums, parks, and restaurants. This state is also one of those that offer nurses high salaries – which helps in the expensive nature of the city [2].

 

#8. Arizona

If you are looking for travel nursing opportunities that require low-cost living, then go to Arizona. Tucson City offers travel nursing opportunities that you might like.

Among the best features that this city has to offer include food scenes, music, a predominantly younger demographic of university students, and a good number of retirees.

So, if the desert life suits you, you might as well look into this location for travel nurse assignments.

 

#9. Washington

For coffee lovers who are also traveling nurses, working in Washington is a great choice. Seattle is one of the top cities in this state that offers good pay for nurses.

With the current nursing shortage in this city, it is an excellent opportunity for you to grab and find an assignment. As the coffee capital of the United States, you will surely enjoy this city.

If you love farmer’s markets, you can visit the Pike Place Market, considered the world’s oldest farmer’s market.

They also offer museums for you to check out – the Museum of Pop Culture and Museum of Flight are among the best tourist attractions you can find here. 

 

#10. Chicago

As the United State’s third-largest city, Chicago is home to some of the country’s largest and most prestigious healthcare facilities.

However, with the current pandemic, Chicago also faces nursing shortages, and the demand for nurses has pushed average salaries to $70,000 per year.

If you have plans to be a travel nurse in this state, do it. Not only will you enjoy working here, but you will also love the skyscrapers and their famous spot called Millenium Park. 

 

Pack Your Bags and Go!

If the location you would like to be a travel nurse in is not listed here, don’t worry. Many hospitals still need nurses out there, so you can choose wherever your passion takes you! And if your favorite destination is listed here, grab the chance to work today; good luck!

 

Looking for more nursing and travel nursing information? Check out these helpful links!

EP 204: What Does a Flight Nurse Do with Madison Vawter

EP 204: What Does a Flight Nurse Do with Madison Vawter

What Does a Flight Nurse Do with Madison Vawter

What does it take to be in a different nursing path? Nursing is a vast field to explore. If you are not too keen to work as a bedside nurse, you can always find a different nursing field to pursue. One of these paths is being a flight nurse.

A flight nurse cares for critically ill patients in a plane or helicopter as they are transported from an accident scene to a medical facility. They also ensure their patients don’t go into code while transported to long-term care. 

Qualifying as a flight nurse is easy. You need a nursing license in your state and experience in critical and trauma care. If you’re interested in a fast-paced environment like this, you may qualify to be one. But is that all that it takes to become a flight nurse

In this episode, we would like to introduce you to Madison Vawter. Madison is a flight nurse with an ER, ICU, and Trauma background. We talk about what a flight nurse does, how to become one, and how to build confidence. 

Question for Our Guest

The questions below are some we’d like to tackle. We often go off-topic, so we don’t expect to hit them all. If you have any ideas, please let us know.

Looking forward to our conversation!

These are the questions you had in Calendly. We’ll go off your questions and wherever else our conversation goes.

  1. Can you give us a brief background about yourself and How you got into flight nursing?
  2. What are the responsibilities of a flight nurse? 
  3. What education is needed to become a flight nurse?
    • Is it a competitive market to find a flight nurse position?
  4. What are the keys to building a solid resume as a nurse?
  5. What are your thoughts about bullying in nursing? 
  6. What do you think is the key to building confidence as a nurse?

Ending Questions

Before we end the show, we have one last question we like to ask all our guests. If you had the opportunity to have a Cup of coffee with anybody one last time, who would it be & why? 

Connect with Madison and follow her journey through her Instagram at @madrose.v.

Do you have what it takes to be a flight nurse? Check out the full episode here 👇👇👇

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction
01:27 About Madison Vawter
03:54 What is a typical day in the life of a flight nurse like?
05:50 What tasks fall under a flight nurse’s responsibility when there are no patients?
08:01 What other healthcare professionals accompany a flight nurse?
10:48 Who makes the decisions about orders, and how are they communicated?
12:42 What does the team do when they receive an emergency call
17:42 Cases that Madison enjoys addressing
19:18 What does it look like working inside a helicopter
22:02 The most memorable experience
29:43 What is required to enter the field of flight nursing?
32:38 The very competitive field of flight nursing
37:20 Hospital vs. Company based program
38:24 How does the onboarding process look like
41:00 Does a flight nurse need to get familiar with aviation?
44:00 Can a flight nurse care for patients of any age?
45:19 Tips for building self-confidence
53:23 The challenges of a flight nurse
57:42 Wrapping up the show

EP 203: 10 Tips Every Nurse Should Know

EP 203: 10 Tips Every Nurse Should Know

10 Tips Every Nurse Should Know

Do you know the tips every nurse knows? A nurse’s job can be challenging. We deal with different people and patients and work with other healthcare professionals. We execute our nursing care plans with knowledge and skills, and even though we feel pressured, we always smile no matter how demanding the situation is.

Indeed, nurses are the nurturers and healers of healthcare. But how can a nurse last long in this profession? How can we overcome every obstacle that comes our way? 

This episode will discuss the ten tips every nurse should know. Being a nurse is no easy profession, but these tips can help you make it easier to overcome obstacles that nurses face in healthcare. 

10 Tips Every Nurse Should Know

1. As a nurse, know how to eliminate negative self-talk and remain calm. 

  • Are you aware of internal dialogues, how you speak to yourself, and your worries/fears/concerns?
  • If you need help, ask, don’t whine about it. No one likes a complainer. For example, during floating – stay positive and try to have a good shift; your energy helps the unit.

2. As a nurse, you should learn to prioritize. 

  • Prioritize the things that you must get done.
  • Learn to delegate when you can. 
  • Write a list of things you need to do – color code your notes if you need to. 

3. As a nurse, know how to ask questions and when to ask for help.

4. As a nurse, you should know how to prioritize when you need your self-care 

  • For those that don’t work in California, take your break! Don’t be that nurse who never needs a break during your first year.
  • When if it’s just 15 minutes to recharge, accept the break. Who’s a fan of minute 15 min power naps? That mental clarity also helps you improve focus.

5. As a nurse, you should know how to Establish a routine. 

  • Figure out and establish the best routine in your current unit/contract. Get to work early if you need. Get the supplies you need. Look up your patient prior. 

6. As a nurse, you must know how to take notes and be organized. 

  • You can be pulled aside and overwhelmed with demands and requests from your patient and co-workers at any second. It’s unavoidable. Have your favorite report sheets. Eventually, you can ditch taking notes and remember things on the go.

7. As a nurse, you must know how to care for yourself!

  • Hydrate from start to finish of your shift
  • Nutrition matters; plan your meals and carry healthy foods/snacks
  • Strive for a balance between all your pursuits, and make time for things you enjoy to have fun. 

8. As a nurse, you should know how to listen to your patients.

  •  Listen to your patients; they know their bodies better than the clinicians or the knowledge that you know about their disease process. Pay attention to what they tell you.

9. As a nurse, you should know how to ask for feedback.

  • You can’t improve if you don’t know what to improve. Your IV skills. The way you perform a duty. Be receptive and grateful when a colleague gives advice or offers a suggestion. 

10. As a nurse, you should know how to Become efficient at charting. 

  • Learn the charting system as soon as possible. Time is valuable in nursing; it should be utilized in patient care, not sitting behind a computer. 

To learn more about these tips, click here to watch the full episode 👇👇👇

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction
01:53 1. You should know to eliminate negative self-talk and remain calm.
03:01 2. You should learn to prioritize.
04:50 3. You should know how to ask questions and ask for help.
07:30 4. You should learn how to prioritize yourself.
10:08 5. You should know how to Establish a routine.
12:29 6. You should know how to take notes and be organized.
15:20 7. You should know how to take care of yourself too!
18:06 8. You should know how to listen to your patients
21:01 9. You should know how to ask for feedback
23:58 10. You should know how to Become efficient at charting