Home Health

By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, FAAN

This November marks the second annual National Family Caregivers Month. Family caregivers are the unsung, unpaid giants of health care. Some are suddenly thrust into the role; others take on caregiver duties more gradually. In fact many people do not even self-identify with the term 'caregiver'. They think of themselves as husband, wife, son or daughter doing what they want and need to do for their loved one.

By Diana L. Gallagher MS, RN, CWOCN, CFCN

I frequently write about the value and rewards of being a WOCNCB® certified nurse. It is an amazing job that allows me to save limbs and change lives on a daily basis. After decades of working in acute and outpatient care, I now work as an independent consultant. I teach, I write, and I see patients on a daily basis. Where I live, we currently do not have a single home health agency that employs a Certified Wound and Ostomy Nurse (CWOCN®). Routine wound and ostomy care can be easily managed but when there are those challenging patients with difficult wounds or unusual ostomies, there is a clear need for the care of a CWOCN.

By Janis E. Harrison, RN, BSN, CWOCN, CFCN

I've come to enjoy my blogging. I always hope there is a tidbit in each of my monthly installments to help someone, somehow. Today started my vacation. My blog has twirled in my mind now for days as I have attempted to get everything done before leaving on vacation.

By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS

I hope this missive finds all of you safe and warm. For many, this has been an exceptionally brutal winter. Blizzards, ice storms, avalanches and a drought. All that is missing are zombie snowmen and a plague of locusts.

By Diana L. Gallagher MS, RN, CWOCN, CFCN

While watching the CBS news show, Sunday Morning, my attention was captured by a piece offered by Steve Hartman. I admit that I am a fan of Steve Hartman. I always enjoy his sense of which stories are really important. Today's news is filled with turmoil, tragedy, and drama; a lot like life but on a much larger scale. There simply has to be something positive trapped in the midst of so much overwhelming negative information. Once again, Steve Hartman found that thread of optimism in the midst of tragedy. It is that invisible thread and hope that there is something positive to reap out of overwhelming tragedy that serves as a lifeline to so many of us.

By Michael Miller DO, FACOS, FAPWCA, WCC

We have all seen the use of the term "Entitlement Mentality" in the media. Liberals decry its use by pointing out that the government has a duty to all citizens to assure that all people have the same rights. This argument tends to fall short when there is juxtaposition of families with multiple generations of "welfare" against those who chose to delay gratification to further their educations and become health care professionals and other occupations of service. We have all seen patients whose corpulence rivals that of Jabba the Hut and wondered not only how someone could allow themselves to mutate into such a state but more, how their loved ones could allow it. Of course, in the grand scheme of things, it does make for interesting reality television. Like the 55 year old male who had the equivalent of a '57 Chevy bypassed from him. Let's face it–regardless of how mechanistic you would like to believe we all are, regardless of your occupation, personal feelings always play a role. If not, then why would it matter if there were Republicans or Democrats sitting on our judiciary, as shouldn't the laws be interpreted based on their meaning and relationship to the US constitution and Bill of Rights and not which President appointed you to the bench?

By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS

November is National Caregiver Month. Unpaid caregivers are the unsung army of health care providers. They give their time, energy, resources and most importantly love to those in need. Years ago images in television and movies depicted multi-generational families living under one roof in peace and harmony. Today's realities of caring for a loved one with significant medical, psychological and psychiatric needs largely go unacknowledged and unappreciated.

By Lydia A Meyers RN, MSN, CWCN

There is a traveler coming to your hospital who will only be working for 13 weeks, eight weeks or however long the facility needs that nurse. As a nurse working in the hospital, how does working with this temporary staff member make you feel? What does the organization have in store for that nurse?

By Paula Erwin-Toth MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS

Ah February! The month of love and romance. Regardless of whether Buckeye Chuck or Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring or 6 more weeks of winter for those of us who live in the northern climes winter seems cold, dark and endless. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a real possibility and the idea of hibernating until spring is tempting. If you are living with a chronic wound, this time of year can be especially problematic. Getting out for groceries, doctors appointments, or worship can be a major undertaking. The challenges for home care nurses are incredible.

By Lydia A Meyers RN, MSN, CWCN

I recently wrote a blog on my proposal to remodel home health care. I continue my musings as we consider other ways we can incorporate consumer-based business and marketing practices into the health care arena. What has become very clear to me through my recent studies and professional experience is that there is an urgent need to continue with evidence-based care and quality care. One way for this to happen is for health care facilities to become specialized and to fill the unique needs of the community at large and then market that specialty.