TIP OF THE WEEK
Non-pharmacologic approach to transferring for patients with orthostatic hypotension
TIPS TO GIVE YOUR PATIENTS WHEN THEY GET OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING
- First, sit on the side of the bed with your feet hanging over the side
- Dorsiflex (alternate pointing your toes and pulling them towards you) your feet 10 times
- Stand up
- Count to 10 before you start walking
WALKING AIDS
If the physician suggests that a patient use a cane or a walker to walk, he or she should use it! Ideally the cane or walker should give patients extra stability when walking and can help them avoid a fall if they become unsteady. Patients should be properly fit for their cane or walker and follow the instructions for use.
OTHER NON-PHARMACOLOGIC THERAPY*
- Using fluid replacement therapy
- Crossing legs while sitting upright may also help increase blood pressure
- Following a high-salt diet aimed at producing a modest weight gain
- Wearing elastic compression stockings that cover the calf and thigh
- Elevating the head of the bed 5 to 20 degrees, which causes the body to hold on to fluid and salt
If a patient remains symptomatic after taking these measures, he or she may need drug therapy.
ABOUT ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION
Orthostasis means upright posture, and hypotension means low blood pressure. Thus, orthostatic hypotension consists of symptoms of dizziness, faintness or lightheadedness that appear only on standing, and which are caused by low blood pressure. Only rarely is spinning vertigo caused by orthostasis. Symptoms that often accompany orthostatic hypotension include chest pain, trouble holding urine, impotence, and dry skin from loss of sweating.
RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT
Ready, Aim, Improve – Transferring
The Ready... Aim... Improve! tools are a sample of the tools found in or developed from the improvement in transferring resource package. The tool includes valuable evidence-based practices and was created as a resource to guide home care providers' quality improvement efforts
Have you completed the Home Health Immunization Survey for 2007?
Please take five minutes to complete the 36 survey questions relating to your immunization practices. We are re-measuring the immunization practices in Ohio home health agencies and we need your help. The results of this survey will be compared with last year’s survey to identify trends over time.
IN THE NEWS
INFLUENZA VACCINATION AS SECONDARY PREVENTION FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
October 2006 -- National Guideline Clearinghouse -- On the basis of clinical evidence, the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of College of Cardiology (ACC) recommend inactivated influenza vaccination as a component of secondary prevention for persons with coronary disease and other atherosclerotic vascular conditions (Class I, Level B).
This recommendation is based on the judgment that influenza vaccination should be administered to all persons with cardiovascular disease (unless they have a contraindication to receiving the vaccine). This science advisory is consistent with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Read more >>
NEW THERAPIES MAY HELP SOME END-STAGE HEART FAILURE PATIENTS AVOID TRANSPLANT
May 7, 2007 -- EurekAlert -- Implanted pumps improved heart function enough in a small percentage of patients awaiting a heart transplant that they were able to leave the hospital without a pump and without a new heart, according to a study in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. The heart-assist devices also significantly improved the cardiac function in many other heart failure patients. Read more >>
COMING ATTRACTIONS
COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE CONFERENCE CALLS
June 12, 2007, 9:00am -- Pain
June 12, 2007, 3:00pm -- Oral Meds
June 13, 2007, 9:00am -- Telehealth
June 13, 2007, 3:00pm -- Organizational Culture
June 14, 2007, 9:00am -- Transferring
June 14, 2007, 3:00pm – Acute Care Hospitalizations
Dial in: 1-877-326-2337
Conference ID: 2143198
SAVE THE DATE
Home Health Quality Affair: Celebration of Your Success
June 27, 2007 | Columbus, Ohio
