Category: Respiratory Compromise

Monitoring with Capnography Improves Patient Safety

In this article published in the December 2018 issue of the British Columbia Medical Journal, Drs Richard Merchant and Matt Kurrek encourage the use of capnographic monitoring to improve the safety of patients undergoing procedural sedation.

By Richard Merchant, MD, FRCPC (Clinical Professor, University of British Columbia, Department of Anesthesia, Pharmacology, & Therapeutics) explained in a clinical education podcast with Matt Kurrek, MD, FRCPC (Professor, Department of Anesthesia, University of Toronto)

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Hospitalists can play a key role in prevention of respiratory compromise

By Jeffrey S. Vender, MD

Clinicians and even the general public are aware of the dangers of sepsis, the life-threatening illness caused by a body’s response to an infection. Irrespective of one’s perception of pharmaceutical marketing materials or the evidence-based medicine used, awareness about sepsis has led to earlier diagnosis and interventions that have likely saved countless patients’ lives.

Moreover, hospitalists have played a key role in sepsis prevention.

Please click here to read the article by Dr. Vender.

Dr. Jeffery Vender is the emeritus Harris Family Foundation chairman of the department of anesthesiology at NorthShore University Health System in Evanston, Ill. He is clinical professor at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and chairman, Clinical Advisory Committee, Respiratory Compromise Institute. Dr. Vender has consulted with Medtronic

 

Can Negligence Result in Safer Patient Care?

The recent jury finding that a Holy Family Hospital nurse was negligent in the care of Helen Marie Bousquet raises the question whether negligence can result in safer patient care.

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

According to recently released press release by the Estate of Helen Marie Bousquet:

“A jury in the Essex County Superior Court in Lawrence, Massachusetts found that a Steward Health Care owned Holy Family Hospital nurse was negligent in her care of Helen Marie Bousquet on Monday, Sept. 17.”

Helen Marie Bousquet tragically passed away after what has been described by her son, Brian Evans, singer and nominee for Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district, as “a basic routine procedure” for knee surgery. Mr. Evans said that her tragic and avoidable death highlights the need for better assessment of patients for sleep apnea and for better treatment and monitoring of such patients before, during and after surgery.

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Hospitals to be Evaluated on Their Sleep Apnea Preparedness

Brian Evans, singer and nominee for Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district, and the Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety (PPAHS) announce plans to evaluate hospitals on their sleep apnea preparedness.

Helen Marie Bousquet tragically passed away after what is being described by her son, Mr. Evans, as “a basic routine procedure” for knee surgery. Mr. Evans said that her tragic and avoidable death highlights the need for better assessment of patients for sleep apnea and for better treatment and monitoring of such patients before, during and after surgery.

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Opioids Can Kill People in the Hospital Too

In an article for DoctorWeighsIn, Michael Wong, JD, discusses why opioids don’t just cause harm on the “street”. Opioids can kill people in hospital too!

Much of the public attention on the opioid-epidemic has been focused on the harm caused by prescription use and abuse of opioids. However, there is another facet that must be focused on: opioid-induced respiratory depression in clinical settings.

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Early Detection and Treatment of Sepsis Saves Lives!

On September 5th and 6th, the Global Sepsis Alliance, initiator of World Sepsis Day and World Sepsis Congress, will host the 2nd World Sepsis Congress. The 2nd WSC is a free online congress in which over 100 renowned experts from all around the world will give presentations on all aspects of sepsis. The congress will be held in English and is open to everyone with an internet connection.

For more information on program, speakers, time zones, and to register for free, please visit www.worldsepsiscongress.org

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Patient Monitoring Guide Features Manufacturers’ Answers on Their Monitoring Solutions

On the 7th anniversary of the Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety (PPAHS), PPAHS is pleased to release the Patient Monitoring Guide.

Since its first blog post 7 years ago, Michael Wong, JD (Founder and Executive Director, PPAHS) says PPAHS has advocated for continuous electronic monitoring of all patients receiving opioids. Mr. Wong explained that the primary motivation behind the Patient Monitoring Guide is to help answer questions posed by clinicians, hospital executives and risk managers about patient monitoring systems and to help them make decisions on which patient monitoring system best suits their clinical needs.

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PPAHS Remembers Amanda Abbiehl on Her 8th Death Anniversary

The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety remembers Amanda Abbiehl on her 8th death anniversary.

As reported by ABC News, “When Amanda Abbiehl’s parents kissed her goodnight on July 16, 2010, they never imagined it would be for the last time.”

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Proper Inhaler Use Can Prevent Many Instances of Respiratory Compromise

Proper inhaler use can prevent many instances of respiratory compromise.  In a recent survey, “The Role of Inhalation Delivery Devices in COPD: Perspectives of Patients and Health Care Providers,” researchers from the American College of Chest Physicians surveyed 513 healthcare providers managing COPD and 499 patients with COPD across the United States and found that both patients and healthcare providers place less importance on inhaler devices than medication in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and concluded:

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COPD’s Role in Respiratory Compromise

COPD is a tremendous healthcare burden in the U.S. and worldwide, and it is important for patients and their clinicians to understand COPD’s role in respiratory compromise.

To better understand some of the key issues every patient and clinician should know about COPD’s role in respiratory compromise, the Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety is pleased to release a clinical education podcast with the Society of Hospital Medicine’s COPD Team.

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