Five Tips to Prevent Disease at Home

5 Tips to Prevent Disease at Home

Protecting our health and that of our children is becoming even more important these days, what with the fear of swine flu and other illnesses disrupting and even taking lives. Good health begins at home; it depends on our lifestyles and our sense of hygiene. And if you don’t realize this, your family could be prone to various ailments, all of which could have easily been prevented. Help your loved ones maintain their health by:

• Adhering to hygiene: The most important part of maintaining hygiene is to wash your hands as often as you can. Our hands are magnets for germs, and when we fail to wash them before we cook, eat or touch our children, we pass on the risk of infection to them and also fall prey to it ourselves. When we emphasize cleanliness at home and make our children realize its value, we are doing all we can to keep disease at bay.
  



• Realizing the value of exercise: Regular exercise is a boon to those who are prone to diseases because it not only helps you reduce weight but also boosts your immune system and makes you stronger and fitter. So set an example for your children by working out at least four times a week. Get them to play a sport too as they need to be active and alert instead of spending all their free time in front of the television or with their video and computer games.
  



• Emphasizing on fresh air: Very often, we tend to keep all our doors and windows closed because the thermostat is on and because we don’t want our homes to become dusty. But when we do this, we lose out on the fresh air that Mother Nature provides us with every morning. If you cannot throw open the windows to your home, take a walk in the fresh air every morning to inhale the breath of health and energy.
  



• Cooking healthy food: When you pay attention to the nutrition value of food, you know you’re giving your children good health as a gift. We eat to live, and live healthily we must. So plan your meals and reduce the amount of processed food, snacks and junk food allowed at home. Emphasize on fresh fruits and lots of vegetables in every meal and steer clear of aerated sodas that have tons of sugar and only serve to increase your weight.
  



• Knowing basic first aid: If you are prepared to administer basic first aid at home, you could save yourself the trouble of an extended visit to the ER. Small cuts, burns and other minor injuries don’t become serious if you’re able to stop the flow of blood or minimize the symptoms before you’re able to get your loved one to the hospital. Also, if you know how to provide basic first aid when someone is choking or experiencing a heart attack, you could end up saving their lives.

By-line:
This guest article was written by Jennifer Johnson, who regularly writes on the topic of nurse practitioner schools . Jennifer welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: jennifer.johnson1@rediffmail.com

H1N1

Schools in session & that means one thing, cold & flu season.

This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. H1N1, also know as the Swine flu, is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza A virus. The Swine flu is spread from person-to-person much like the any seasonal flu. The influenza viruses infect the lining of the nose, throat and lungs. The virus enters your body when you inhale contaminated droplets or transfer live virus from a contaminated surface. The virus is then transferred to your eyes, nose or mouth hand via hand contact.

The Swine flu is a new strain with a genetic make up of the combination of the swine, avian & human influenza viruses.

Swine flu symptoms in humans are similar to those of infection with other flu strains:

Fever
Cough
Sore throat
Body aches
Headache
Chills
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Vomiting

Swine flu symptoms develop three to five days after you're exposed to the virus and continue for about eight days, starting one day before you get sick and continuing until you've recovered.

Usually there is no need for treatment other than the symptoms. However, in some cases a physician may prescribe medication to reduce sever symptoms.

Common sense play a VERY important role in prevention of any flu.

Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap & water. A good 20-30 second of hand washing with warm water is best. School aged children are often taught to sing the ABC song or Happy Birthday, to know how long to wash. If facilities are unavailable to wash, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Flu viruses can survive for two hours or longer on surfaces, such as doorknobs and countertops.

Avoid contact. Stay away from crowds if possible.

Stay home if you're sick. If you do have swine flu, you can give it to others starting about 24 hours before you develop symptoms and ending about seven days later.

Resources: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/swine-flu/ds01144

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090504-swine-flu-picture.html

Healthcare & Nursing

Healthcare reform has been a major topic lately. What do you think about the bill?

Ribbon Awareness

So many ribbons & braclets in support & awareness. Do you really know what they all mean? I've done some searching & here is a list.


Awareness Ribbons by Color
Pink Ribbon:
Meaning: Most commonly associated with breast cancer awareness, this ribbon is also a symbol for birth parents, and childhood cancer awareness (alternative color: light blue)

Yellow Ribbon:
Meaning: We've all seen this symbol used to support our troops, but it is also a symbol for MIA/POW, suicide prevention, adoptive parents, amber alerts, bladder cancer, spina bifida, endometriosis, and a general symbol for hope. A yellow ribbon with a heart is used to represent the survivors left behind after a suicide.

Pale Yellow Ribbon:
Meaning: This color is a symbol of spina bifida

Red Ribbon:
Meaning: Most commonly associated with the fight against AIDS and HIV, this ribbon also is a symbol for heart disease, stroke, substance abuse, MADD, DARE, Epidermolysis Bullosa, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

Burgundy Ribbon:
Meaning: This color is a symbol of brain aneurysm, Cesarean section (worn upside down), headaches, hemangioma, vascular malformation, hospice care, multiple myeloma, William's syndrome, Thrombophilia, Antiphospholid Antibody Syndrome, and adults with disabilities.

Purple Ribbon:
Meaning: This color is a symbol of pancreatic cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, domestic violence, ADD, alzheimer's, religious tolerance, animal abuse, the victims of 9/11 including the police and firefighters, Crohn's disease and colitis, cystic fibrosis, lupus, leimyosarcoma, and fibromyalgia.

Lavender Ribbon:
Meaning: This color is a symbol for general cancer awareness. It can also be a symbol for epilepsy, and rett syndrome.

Periwinkle Ribbon:
Meaning: This color is a symbol of eating disorders and pulmonary hypertension.

Blue Ribbon:
Meaning: This color is a symbol of CFS/ME, drunk driving, child abuse, Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), the victims of hurricane Katrina, dystonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), alopecia, Education, Epstein-Barr Virus, Save the Music, colon cancer.

Blue and Green Ribbon: for Intracranial Hypertension

Dark Blue Ribbon:
Meaning: This color is a symbol of arthritis, child abuse prevention, victim's rights, free speech, water quality, and water safety

Light Blue Ribbon:
Meaning: This color is a symbol of childhood cancer (alternative color: pink), prostate cancer, Trisomy 18, and scleroderma.

Teal Ribbon:
Meaning: This color is a symbol for ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancers as well as sexual assault, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and tsunami victims.

Green Ribbon:
Meaning: This color is a symbol of EDS, childhood depression, missing children, open records for adoptees, environmental concerns, kidney cancer, tissue/organ donation, homeopathy, Lyme Disease, and worker and driving safety.

Orange Ribbon:
Meaning: This color is a symbol of Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, leukemia, hunger, cultural diversity, humane treatment of animals, and self-injury awareness.

White Ribbon:
Meaning: This color is a symbol of innocence, victims of terrorism, violence against women, peace, right to life, bone cancer, adoptees, and retinal blastoma.

Pearl Ribbon:
Meaning: This color is a symbol for emphysema, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and multiple sclerosis.

Black Ribbon:
Meaning: This color is a symbol of mourning, melanoma, and gang prevention.

Brown Ribbon:
Meaning: This color is an anti-tobacco symbol as well as a symbol of colon cancer, colorectal cancer.

Grey Ribbon:
Meaning: This color is a symbol of diabetes, asthma, and brain cancer.

Silver Ribbon:
Meaning: This color is a symbol for children with disabilities, Parkinson's disease, and mental illnesses such as severe depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders.

Gold Ribbon:
Meaning: This color is a symbol for childhood cancer.

Jigsaw Puzzle Ribbon:
Meaning: This style of ribbon is a symbol for autism.

Lace Ribbon:
Meaning: This style of ribbon is a symbol for osteoporosis.

Pink and Blue Ribbon:
Meaning: This style of ribbon is a symbol for miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death due to SIDS or other causes.

Flag Ribbon:
Meaning: This style of ribbon is a symbol for both the victims and heroes of the 9/11 attacks. It is also a symbol of patriotism and support of our troops. In addition, it is a symbol of fireworks safety.

Rainbow Ribbon:
Meaning: This style of ribbon is a symbol of gay pride and support for the GLBT community and their quest for equal rights.

Yellow with Black polkadots: UK Fibro Awareness ribbon.

Red & Yellow Ribbon: Hepatitis C awareness

Black and White (zebra) Ribbon: Carcinoid

Online CE's

Nurses in PA are now required to maintain CE's. The state requires 30 contact hours every two years for RNs. As of this time LPN's are not required to maintain CE's. In an effort to comply with the new requirements, I have been searching the internet for on line CE's. There are numerous websites out there that offer CE's, however be cautious when choosing. Not all sites comply with the state's credential requirements. To be sure that the site meets state requirements contact the PA State Board of Nursing at:

Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing PO Box 2649 Harrisburg, PA 17105 Telephone: (717) 783-7142 Fax: (717) 783-0822

http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/lib/bpoa/nurseboard/faq_rnce.pdf

New Design With Nurses in Mind

On May, 2, 2009 Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh opened the doors to a new facility. The old St. Francis Hospital was converted to a new pediatric hospital.

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh was designed by Astorino, the full-service architectural and engineering firm. Astorino created this state of the art facility by utilizing a unique process that gained insights into the hearts and minds of patients, families and staff. The result is a hospital that meets the deepest needs of all who will inhabit this 10-acre campus for generations to come.

Nurses are getting older and fewer young professionals are entering the field of nursing. As a result, meeting the needs of these older nurses has become an issue in healthcare today. Astorino interviewed several nurses to find out what issues they had at work. It was from their input that Astorino attempted to solve these problems through innovative design.

Heavy lifting, inconvenient work stations and labor-intensive equipment were some of the results from the interview. With this in mind, Astorino used its experience in architecture and design to lessen the physical burden that occurs on a daily basis in the field of nursing.

According to, Astorino several features that benefit nurses directly are:

• Computerized room-level observation stations and decentralized nurses’ stations allow caregivers to closely monitor and remain in close proximity of patient
  

Integration of mobile and wireless technologies such as patient alarms via wireless phones add flexibility and eliminate the need for burdensome equipment

Supply cabinets and medicine dispensers in close proximity to patient rooms offer easy access to supplies and medications

As a seasoned nurse, I feel that these are all an excellent benefits. Supplies at my fingertips, computerized charting and wireless phones to communicate, all I can say is WOW! These features have been a long time in coming to the nursing profession.

Resources:
http://discoverdesignbuild.com/?p=143
http://www.gofathom.com/

Moving Day

On May 2, 2009 Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh will say good bye to it's old location & hello to it's new one. Children's will open the doors to the ER around 6 am.

Pittsburgh Nurse Group

Calling all Pittsburgh Nurses. Are you interested in meeting other nurses? I would like to start a group that would meet to talk about trends, issues & current topics. If interested please contact me at: pittsburghnurse@comcast.net

Moving Day

The big move for the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is scheduled to occur May 2, 2009.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09053/950912-52.stm

Helping A Friend

I recently received an email from a gentleman in Canada. If you can help him out in any way please do. Please read:

I am a medically disabled songwriter from St Catharines, Ontario, Canada, and have written many songs about many different subjects and in several different styles, but one in particular was a result of my numerous times spent in various hospitals in my area.

One of the last times I came home I decided to try and write one for those who had cared for my well being during those trying times and I focused on the ones that were fresh in my memory. The song I wrote about (and for) them is called "LADIES IN WHITE". They wore white uniforms and were all female (YES, I know that there ARE male nurses AND know that not many wear white any more... but besides how amazingly efficient and caring they were, that was what I remembered of them .. besides, since white is actually made up of all the colours of the spectrum, it therefore represents every colour). It is not rock or pop, rap or hip hop or even a ballad... it is just a happy, simple to sing-along-with, uptempo song.

I mention that I am medically disabled because various factors of my condition stop me from being able to use professional studios to record my songs, so I have to do them here, at home, in my basement, on donated equipment from musicians I used to work with. For the same reason, I also am unable to perform my music live.

iTunes : http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=262116499

Amazon.com : http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1226787344/ref=sr_st?keywords=%22pete+dowan%22&rs=&page=1&rh=i%3Adigital-music%2Ck%3A%22pete+dowan%22&sort=titlerank

Renowned Researcher To Study Children's Asthma In Pittsburgh

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09002/939107-85.stm

New Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Continues the Next Step of Going Paperless

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08366/938589-114.stm

UPMC Adopts New Rule As A Result From a Patient's Death

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08366/938745-114.stm