Discuss the role of the nurse in the decision-making process when Essay

Discuss the role of the nurse in the decision-making process when caring for patients with complex needs - Essay Example The needs of the patient shall be outlined below. The physical endurance of patients with congestive heart failure is lower as compared to normal patients. Consequently, their emotional and physiological concerns cause major changes in the quality of their lives. These patients often perceive the quality of their lives based on their health status and limitations in self-care. They also see programs which focus on patient education and disease management as programs which can help improve the quality of their life and decrease hospital readmission rates (Chelho, et.al., 2005, p. 1). Congestive heart failure is a disease which reduces the patients’ ability to care for themselves mostly because of weakness caused by their weaker cardiac and respiratory systems (Hosenpud and Greenburg, 2007, p. 3). It afflicts many patients past the age of 70 and most of them are often readmitted to hospitals because of poor disease management (Hosenpud and Greenburg, 2007, p. 4). ... 111). There are various models which focus on different aspects of the patient’s health. For this patient, Lydia Hall’s Care, Cure, and Core Model shall be used as an assessment and care model. Lydia Hall’s model specifies that patients have basically three needs – the physical, the medical, and the social needs (McCoy, 2011). By fulfilling these needs, chronically ill patients can be adequately cared for. This model can be used in order to assist with patient education, management of maintenance medications, and delivery of physical and emotional support. Through medication management and provision of social support, patient hospitalization can be reduced; the patient’s ability to self-manage his disease can be ensured; exacerbations can be prevented; and hospital readmissions can be reduced (Quaglietti, et.al., 2000, p. 259). Lydia Hall’s model provides a framework for open communication between patients and nurses and it has three interrel ated elements which refer to medical and clinical management of patients. The care circle of the Hall’s model emphasizes on the intimate care provided by the nurses to the patients – in terms of assistance during bathing, dressing, and in the conduct of their daily activities (Tuohy and Birnbach, 2001, p. 135). In caring for the CHF and the breast cancer patients, the care model of Hall’s framework refers to the hands-on care provided by the nurses to the patients. This care includes the process of providing a relaxing environment for the patients, especially one which encourages open communication and trust between nurses and patients. Through open communication, the patients

Accessing Healthcare Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Accessing Healthcare - Assignment Example At the current rate of growth, by 2050, the Hispanic population would double to 30% and would be around 133 million individuals. Today, the Hispanics are found in all parts of the US, rather than the mere Southern States (CDC, 2011). Around 500,000 Hispanic are entering the US every year, legally and illegally, and when they enter they do not have proper facilities such as jobs, healthcare, education, etc. Hence they are force to live in poor conditions and make take up very low-end jobs (Moore, 2001). Due to various environmental, genetic, ethnic and situational problems existing in the US, the Hispanic population may find it very difficult to access healthcare facilities or be in a situation where they can control their health status. One of the major health issues that affect the African American population in the US is substance abuse, and within this population, there may be different variations noted, and often the Hispanic individuals get heavily criminalized for drug-related or alcohol-related crimes. Hence, they often end up facing huge drug offences and may be jailed. As per the NIDA 1991 study, the drug abuse rates may be lower in Hispanics compared to African-Americans or Caucasians, but comparatively it can be found that Hispanics misuse cocaine more frequently than any other population, and any offence related to cocaine usage is heavily criminalized. In other parts of the US such as New York, Heroin abuse is high amongst the Hispanics (Moore, 2001). There may be several reasons why the drug abuse problem is serious with the Hispanics. Firstly, there may be huge number of people in the Hispanic groups that indulge in serious drug abuse, compared to other populations, and in certain groups located, the rate of alcohol abuse may be similar to the Whites and the African-American, if not higher. Besides,