Connections In Healthcare

    Pruritus, or itchiness, can be a very significant annoyance. For some patients it can be so severe that it interferes with therapy participation. Addressing this issue productively can reduce anxiety and improve patient participation. Patients with limited range of motion or flexibility may not be able to reach affected areas to scratch or apply lotion or powder. In this post I will share popular anti-itch remedies as well as methods to aid application of lotion and other anti-itch products to hard-to-reach areas. Hydrating the skin is often the most effective solution for itch relief. For serious pruritus, a medicated lotion may be needed instead of typical lotion. Popular over the counter (OTC) anti-itch lotions include those with 1% pramoxine hydrochloride (Sarna, CeraVe), or 1% hydrocortizone (Cortizone-10). These are appropriate for most areas of the body. If not sufficient, an oral anti-itch medication may be useful. Dyphenhydramine (Benadryl) and cetirizine (Zyrtec)...

The Survey of Spiritual Needs is a seven-question survey to assess for spiritual distress, depression and patient needs and wishes related to these issues. This survey can be completed in two to five minutes. It is intended for adult and older teen populations with abstract reasoning skills. Screening for spiritual needs can be conducted by any healthcare personnel including patient care technicians and certified nursing assistants. The SOSN is a brief survey that will enable any healthcare professional to assess for spiritual distress and disruptions in spiritual engagement thoroughly yet quickly. It will also enable the examiner to identify solutions to help their patient re-engage with this occupation and begin to resolve present distress. It will enable the examiner to connect the patient with other appropriate resources and determine if further screening is necessary. No prior training is required. Some users of the original SOSN have requested a shortened version. This alternate ...

Tired of struggling to open jars? Me too. There are many techniques and gadgets out there that claim to help make opening jars easier. Some work better than others. Here is a method that doesn’t require buying any additional kitchen gadgets. First, let’s discuss why jars are hard to open. Jars are sealed by pressure. The contents of the jar are under a vacuum. The vacuum is maintained by a thin rubber layer between the lid and the rim of the jar. This acts against turning the lid as well. While we cannot remove the rubber, we can remove the vacuum to ease the effort needed to open the lid. To do this you will need either an ice pick, awl, or a knife with a sharp tip. You will use the sharp device to puncture a small hole in the top of the lid. Place the sharp tip near the center of the lid holding it so the end of the device is open and not covered by your hand. Use a heavy wooden spoon, rolling pin, or some other weighty object to hit the end of your sharp device. A firm tap is all th...

Many disabled and elderly people can no longer complete home cleaning tasks adequately. In our age of high transience, more and more people are left living alone with no family close by. Discharging home from the hospital with a new disability or mobility deficits can pose major barriers to a person's ability to keep up with house chores like dusting, moping, or vacuuming. They may not have a ready solution for this problem. Of course, one simple solution is to hire a cleaning service. Sadly, many live on a limited income and cannot afford such services. One barrier is that most of the companies offering such services have minimum requirements such as two hours per week. They charge anywhere from $25-$50 per hour which adds up quickly. In some large cities there are companies who offer discounts to senior citizens. So, it is always worth an internet search or calling a few companies to ask. Here are some other options to consider. Call a company directly and explain the situation...

Deep breathing exercises are widely recognized for their benefits in managing strong emotions like anxiety and depression. Here is a powerful exercise that combines deep breathing with visualization to help calm the mind. Begin by visualizing a small ember ignited by a match. It glows a dim yellow and appears ready to burn out. Inhale deeply, and as you exhale, picture yourself gently blowing on the small ember. As you blow, it begins to glow brighter. Continue this process two more times, exhaling slowly each time. Now, take another deep breath and blow gently onto your ever-brightening ember. This time, as you blow, the ember bursts into a bright flame—a flash of heat and light that lasts for a moment. Then, the flame goes out, leaving only blackish-gray ash. Draw one last deep breath. As you blow strongly, imagine the ash being carried away into a gentle breeze. If you wish, envision that your worries are consumed along with the ember and carried away with the ash. Feel free t...

Is it ok to pray with patients as a medical professional? Generally speaking in the United States, it is legal to pray with patients. There are some ethical considerations to keep in mind. Also, it is important to check your facility’s policies to ensure you remain compliant. It is vital that we keep in mind the right of every person to be treated equally regardless of religion or worldview. Additionally, patients are a captive audience in a medical setting. It is not a public space where they can easily walk away if they choose. Thus, we must respect their right to access medical care without proselytization. Always ask a patient if they would like you to pray with them in a way that allows them to say no. "Would you like me to offer a prayer?" Instead of "Let's pray about it." Do not pray for a patient publicly if they are not alert and oriented enough to agree to it. You can always pray for them privately in your mind. Also, be wary of praying for a patient p...