Drug Monitoring Program

Drug Monitoring Program Paper 02/23/10 While the war on drugs has seemingly gotten better, there is a certain type of drug that is becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of and control. Most people would have never thought that pharmaceutical drugs would be the cause of more deaths in the state of Florida than heroin and cocaine related deaths combined in 2007. Nearly 550 of those death happened in the Tampa Bay area, leading this to becoming one of the biggest drug abuse crisis in quite some time. A drug monitoring program would be such a program that keeps track of the dispensing of pharmaceuticals, mainly controlled substances, that would potentially disable distribution of street drugs, put a halt to "doctor shopping", put doctors that write fake scripts under the radar, hopefully reduce the amount of people that become dependent upon narcotics and diminish the number of people of overdosing on these lethal prescription drugs. A study was conducted by an independent contractor to assess the proficiency of drug monitoring programs. The research showed that in states where a drug program was in place the supply of illegally obtained pharmaceuticals and the likelihood of abuse was significantly reduced. The study also showed that if law enforcement, rather than health oriented officials, were the ones to monitor the information there was a greater chance of

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Fasting patients before surgery is a well-established practice that prevents the aspiration of gastric contents and reduces the risk of regurgitation and vomiting (Jester and Williams, 1999)

Fasting patients before surgery is a well-established practice that prevents the aspiration of gastric contents and reduces the risk of regurgitation and vomiting (Jester and Williams, 1999) A period of fasting is a legal requirement (Hung,1992) However, the actual length of fasting is determined by the health professionals, which is appropriate given their knowledge of the patient. It is widely acknowledged that patients are being excessively fasted before surgery. (Jester and Williams, 1999) but it is still hospital tradition and custom which dictates the decision. (Seymour,2000) Patients are typically fasted from midnight for morning surgery, and from 6am for afternoon surgery, but a blanket "nil by mouth" fast from midnight on the day of surgery is not only an accepted policy in the UK, but is also a worldwide reality. (Methery, 1996, Pandit and Pandit, 1997) In the past, anaesthetists recommended fasting for at least 8 hours (Shevde and Trivedi, 1991) If the length of fast is inadequate, a patient may potentially aspirate their stomach contents into their lungs, leading to aspiration pneumonitis, which ovccurs in 1-6 per 10,000 anaesthetics. (Olsson, 1986) According to Mendelsson, (1946) the risk factors associated with aspiration pneumonitis increases when the patient has a gastric volume above 25ml and a gastric pH lower than 2.5. The ideal fasting time would avoid

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Public policy and health in the UK and the USA

Public policy and health in the UK and the USA Odin W. Anderson in his article "Issues in the health services of the U.S." claimed that the United States of America and the United Kingdom occupy extreme ends of the market plus/ market minus continuum as far as their respective health systems are concerned. It is true that the U.S. system is market oriented, and that there is often a high degree of government intervention in the operation of the health system of the U.K., however, developments in both countries have arguably effected their position upon this continuum. It is the purpose of this essay to outline the key features of both the U.S and the U.K.'s health systems in relation to their evolution over time. I also intend to discuss the problems facing both systems, which are often remarkably similar, and to outline the variations in policy style employed to tackle such problems. In so doing I hope to make explicit what might explain the variations to be found when comparing the two countries systems. The health system to be found in the United Kingdom is seen as a good example of the `direct' model of health care provision. It is a system of universal coverage paid for out of general taxation and administered by the state. Access to health care depends upon the need for treatment, and such treatment is free at the point of service. This system is both supervised by,

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Clinical Governance in the UK National Health Service.

Clinical Governance in the UK National Health Service Dr Alastair Baker King's Colloge Hospital, London, UK The UK National Health Service (NHS) was formed in 1948 by the Labour government. It was based on a vision of healthcare that still has a powerful influence in the UK including care for all equally 'from the cradle to the grave' and 'free at the point of delivery'. Funding was and remains from central taxation. The NHS is the largest single employer in Europe. Initially, the NHS was administered by Area Health Authorities who exerted little influence on day-to day running of clinical services. Management was weak and doctors held the major control over service delivery in a paternalistic manner. Lines of accountability were unclear and there was no transparency in the supervision of standards by the medical professional bodies; the Royal Colleges and General Medical Council. In 1991, the Conservative Government under Mrs. Thatcher, realising that there were cost inflation pressures within the NHS for which there was no mechanism for control or accountability, designed the 'Internal Market'. The whole service was divided into notional 'purchasers', Area Health Authorities and larger family doctor practices, who would control their own defined budget on behalf of their population by commissioning services, and 'providers', hospitals and community services designated

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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The Impact of Policy on Practice-analysis of a critical incident related to interprofessional delivery of health and/or social care (LO3,4) which demonstrates ability to set the situation in context (LOs 1,2) Evidence contained within PPPD

The Impact of Policy on Practice A 3000 word analysis of a critical incident related to interprofessional delivery of health and/or social care (LO3,4) which demonstrates ability to set the situation in context (LOs 1,2) Evidence contained within PPPD, 1000 words equivalent. Assessment of Practice Tool, 1000 words equivalent. Introduction This assignment will analyse a critical incident relating to inter-professional delivery of healthcare, and will draw upon local, national and international perspectives whilst incorporating Political, Economical, Sociocultural, and technological (PEST) factors. A critical incident can be described as an event that creates an emotional impact (Ghaye and Lillyman 1999). Pseudonyms will be used to maintain anonymity and confidentiality in accordance with The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2008) Code of Professional Conduct Guidance on confidentiality and permission has been given by the patient, staff and all participants' involved to discuss the case. . Identify and incident The incident unfolds as follows. Mr Taylor was a 75 year old man who had experienced difficulty urinating for many years. Unbeknown to him it was a common problem for men his age, yet embarrassment and naivety prevented him from consulting a doctor immediately. Eventually, he consulted his GP and was referred to a hospital, where the Urologist gave him a full

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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diversity right and equality

The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate the understanding of the terms Diversity Rights and Equality and how it can be applied to nursing care in British society. This article will ouline why Nurses should have an awareness of patients right ,how Nurses need to be aware of diversity to enhance patient care ,how equality is maintained in nursing care and how nurses can acknoledge rights and equality when meeting the needs of diverse groups. Diversity is each of us and all of us, individually and collectively. Diversity is everything that makes each of us different and those things about all of us that are similar. Diversity is what we can see and what we cannot see in each of us and all of us,at anytime, anywhere. The University of Kansas medical centre (2007). The Department of Health (2004) states valuing diversity within the NHS and determines the importance that health professionals recognize, respect and value difference for the benefit of the organization and its patients. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (2002) incorporates the idea of non-judgmental care into its code of professional conduct by maintaining clause 7 of the UKCC Guidelines for Professional Practice (1996, pp25) who instructed "as a registered nurse, midwife or health visitor you are personally accountable for your practice. In the exercise of your professional accountability you must recognize

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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To identify and focus on a specific risk to a patient. In order to do this effectively, a recognised risk assessment tool will be used and a treatment plan

The purpose of this essay is to identify and focus on a specific risk to a patient. In order to do this effectively, a recognised risk assessment tool will be used and a treatment plan then agreed upon. The efficacy of the assessment tool will be discussed along with the results it provides. Definitions will be offered throughout the assignment to assist the readers understanding of terms such as risk and risk assessment. An introduction to the patient and a brief description of the anatomy and physiology of the patient's condition will also be offered. The assignment will illustrate the use of a recognised nursing model along with the nursing process. Legal and ethical issues will also be discussed. Before discussing any risk assessment tools it is first necessary to provide definitions for terms such as risk, risk assessment and risk factors. The Mosby Nurse's Pocket Dictionary defines the term risk as "a potential hazard" (2003, p303), this hazard could be caused by any number of risk factors. A risk factor could be described as anything, which may cause a person to be more vulnerable to complications (Churchill Livingstone's Dictionary of Nursing, 2002, p384). These could include injury, disease, compromised nutritional status or pressure damage. Harrison (2003) describes risk assessment as "an assessment that can identify those at risk, so that steps can be

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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Identify the kinds of information that a frontline manager needs to carry out their role. Discuss some of the issues that they will need to handle to be effective when managing information

Option B Identify the kinds of information that a frontline manager needs to carry out their role. Discuss some of the issues that they will need to handle to be effective when managing information Introduction During this assignment I will first look at what kinds of information a manager needs in order to carry out their role. I will go on to investigate the confidentiality issues surrounding handling information and what can happen when that information is abused, muddled and mismanaged. I also hope to establish how good handling of information by a manager can enhance their work and that of others and how it can benefit service users, staff teams and agencies. Main Discussion A manager needs a wide range of information in order to successfully carry out their role. This range will include service user records, personnel information, monitoring facts and figures, financial information, communications such as e mails, faxes and letters and reports such as inspection reports. Of course, this is all hard data but as a manager you would also deal with soft data such as information received during telephone conversations or during meetings. Even just chatting with personnel can provide you with valuable information, as can something as subtle as observing body language. The manager at my current place of work WH (A residential unit for children and young people) appears

  • Word count: 2046
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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This essay is about accident prevention in the older adult at home. Relevant health promotion theories and model shall be used, sociological and psychological determinants affecting health will be discussed

This essay is about accident prevention in the older adult at home. Relevant health promotion theories and model shall be used, sociological and psychological determinants affecting health will be discussed. Relevant policies, documents, and government reports shall be included. The role of the nurse will be explained in relation to health promotion. Epidemiological, statistical evidence to accidents in the home will be included and why illness is a major life event. Dr Manish (2007) explains that "health" is an elusive word. Most people who consider themselves healthy are not. And many people, who are suffering from some known disease, may be relatively healthy. Health is a concept which does not merely relate to the absence of disease, of healthy working organs, or having good thoughts. Health is a holistic concept. It relates to a person as a whole. Not just the person you see, but also the person you feel. Health is a tri-une of three parts: emotional health, mental health and physical health." According to Heinrich (1931), who developed the domino theory, "88% of all accidents are caused by unsafe acts of people, 10% by unsafe actions, and 2% by "acts of God." He proposed a "five-factor accident sequence" in which each factor would actuate the next step in the manner of toppling dominoes lined up in a row. The sequence of accident factors are: ancestry and

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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"Rational decision taking in those areas where life is at risk (such as safety investment to reduce physical risk in transport and health care) requires a value to be placed on life" - Explain why you agree or disagree with this statement.

Topic 1: Accidental Deaths, Safety Policy and the Value of Life . "Rational decision taking in those areas where life is at risk (such as safety investment to reduce physical risk in transport and health care) requires a value to be placed on life." Explain why you agree or disagree with this statement. Economics is the study of the most efficient course of action to allocate finite resources. Health or life is a finite resource so in order to ascribe to rationality the most number of lives must be extended within the boundaries of natural law and the budget constraint. Natural law states that everyone will die at some point and the budget constraint states that there is a finite amount of finance available to extend these lives. To be rational and to follow economic theory correctly a value or cost is always involved because it is needed to compare with the benefits. A good example is the NHS. When a person reaches a certain age, say eighty, the health service is less likely to approve a costly operation to extend their lives by two or three years when the same operation might give a younger person thirty or forty years of life. If the operation cost £10,000 then for the older patient this represents £3000 per year of extra life. For the younger patient it is £250 per year. Although this is a value judgement and is not what the older person would agree to, it is

  • Word count: 1351
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Subjects allied to Medicine
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