Category: Patient Safety

COVID-19 Patients Are at a Greater Risk of Blood Clots

Editor’s note: Our understanding of COVID-19 symptomatology is evolving as the current pandemic unfolds. The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis has collected a number of studies and case reports on thrombosis in COVID-19 patients. The Journal of American College of Cardiology released a review of current understanding, citing many of the studies and case reports which are on the ISTH site. This COVID-19 pandemic challenges us to use current knowledge and innovate new approaches to care for patients diagnosed with COVID-19. This article seeks to summarize some of the current knowledge about thrombosis in COVID-19 patients, knowing that future studies and case reports will undoubtedly refine the statements made below. However, this is science, continually evolving and improving based on current understanding. With that, this article offers some insights about VTE in patients admitted to the hospital who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

By Michael Wong (Founder/Executive Director, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety), Laurie Paletz, BSN PHN RN BC SCRN (Manager, Stroke Program Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai), and Thereza B. Ayad, RN, MSN, DNP, CNOR (Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts Medical School-Graduate School of Nursing; Surgical Services Clinical Staff Educator, North Shore Medical Center)

(reviewed by Sue Koob, MPA, Chief Executive Officer, Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association and Pat Salber, MD, MBA, Editor-in-Chief, DoctorWeighsIn)

Continue reading “COVID-19 Patients Are at a Greater Risk of Blood Clots” →

Going to the Dentist in this COVID-19 Era

Editor’s note: As many states look to “re-open,” some of us may be looking to do what might have been put off during the last few weeks of COVID-19 isolation – such as, going to the dentist. T help Michael Wong, JD (Founder/Executive Director, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety) interviewed Bradley T. Truax, MD about what precautions dentists and their patients should consider.

By Michael Wong, JD (Founder/Executive Director, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety)

As many states look to “re-open,” some of us may be looking to do what might have been put off during the last few weeks of COVID-19 isolation – such as, going to the dentist.

Continue reading “Going to the Dentist in this COVID-19 Era” →

Nursing the World to Health

Editor’s note: The theme for this year’s national nurses’ day could not be more appropriate given the current COVID-19 crisis “Nursing the World to Health.” The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety is proud that nurses are leading the virtual chat line that we launched to support cardiovascular and particularly patients with atrial fibrillation (Afib).

By Michael Wong, JD (Founder/Executive Director, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety)

The theme for this year’s national nurses’ day could not be more appropriate given the current COVID-19 crisis “Nursing the World to Health.”

Continue reading “Nursing the World to Health” →

Great COVID-19 Advice and Resources from Our Cardiovascular Partners

Great COVID-19 Advice and Resources from Our Cardiovascular Partners

If you have questions, the Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety launched a free online service (the CV Virtual Clinic) where patients can speak with experienced registered nurses and get personalized answers to their questions. 

Continue reading “Great COVID-19 Advice and Resources from Our Cardiovascular Partners” →

Virtual Clinic to Help Atrial Fibrillation (Afib) Patients During COVID-19 Crisis

The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health and Safety (PPAHS) today announced the launch of a new, free virtual clinic and website, Virtual Patient Care, in response to the COVID-19 crisis, to meet the pressing needs of patients with atrial fibrillation (Afib), who are at the highest level of risk from stroke, and to help Afib patients cope with the difficulties imposed by COVID-19. 

“Under current COVID-19 conditions, patients face the burdens of social distancing and increased difficulty in reaching clinicians busy with emergencies. Telehealth has proven essential in addressing patients’ pressing health needs and ensuring good patient-to-clinician dialogue,” said Michael Wong, JD, Founder and Executive Director of the Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety. “With today’s launch of Virtual Patient Care and the CV Virtual Clinic, vital telehealth benefits are now also extended to Afib patients in need.”

Continue reading “Virtual Clinic to Help Atrial Fibrillation (Afib) Patients During COVID-19 Crisis” →

Malignant Hyperthermia Is Your Facility Prepared?

[Editor’s note: This poster was accepted for presentation at the 2020 AORN National Conference and Surgical Expo, which unfortunately has been canceled because of the current Covid-19 crisis. However, the information contained on the poster contains important information that all healthcare facilities should be aware of and implement to prevent Malignant Hyperthermia and to minimize patient harm and prevent patient mortality, so we asked the poster authors to discuss their findings here. 

By Thereza  B. Ayad, RN, DNP, CNOR and Lynn Razzano, RN, MSN, ONC CMSRN

Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) complicates 1:100,000 adult surgical cases. MH is a severe reaction to a dose of anesthetics – infrequently, extreme exercise or a heat stroke can trigger MH in someone with a muscle abnormality where the individual’s muscle cells have an abnormal protein on their surfaces.

Although rare, MH can be fatal. 

MH symptoms/ manifestations include:

Continue reading “Malignant Hyperthermia Is Your Facility Prepared?” →

Coronavirus Brief for Caregivers

Editor’s notes: Rather than long-winded expressions of concern – which is what seems to be occurring regularly from airlines to grocery stores and everything in between, PPAHS will present coronavirus briefs. We hope that you find this brief on tips for caregivers to be useful and just long enough to be of interest.

The quandary for caregivers during the current Covid-19 crisis is the conflicting recommendations demanding social distancing and the need to make sure that the person that they are caring for is still receiving the attention and care that they need.

Here are 5 steps you can take as a caregiver:

Continue reading “Coronavirus Brief for Caregivers” →

Fact and Fake News About the Safety of E-cigarettes

An outbreak of lung injuries among e-cigarette users across the United States has focused national attention on the potential dangers of vaping, prompting the federal government and some states to take policy steps in response.

According to the CDC, e-cigarettes (also known as e-cigs, e-hookahs, vapes, vape pens, tank systems, or mods) have become extremely popular. The increase in their use may be attributed, among other factors, to the perception that e-cigarettes are not harmful, do not contain nicotine, and may help cigarette smokers quit smoking.

Continue reading “Fact and Fake News About the Safety of E-cigarettes” →

November is National Family Caregivers Month

Family caregivers want their loved ones to have the best care possible – at the doctor’s office, at the hospital, and at home. We encourage family caregivers across the country to ask questions, explore options and share in the care decisions that affect the health and well‐being of their loved ones.

Continue reading “November is National Family Caregivers Month” →