Patient Abuse by Nursing Assistants

We have all heard horror stories of patient abuse by Nursing Assistants. This takes shape in many forms including sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and theft. Most medical facilities Nationwide are taking precautions against such abuse occurring, including completing background checks. In some states, you can’t work as a Nursing Assistant if you have any charges relating to domestic violence, harassment, or drunk driving because it is possible such behaviors can escalate in the work environment.

Many organizations complain that Nursing Assistants aren’t properly looked into because the demand is so great in the industry. As a result, some employers are lowering the background check expectations. However, many states are holding the employer responsible when such abuse occurs, so this will likely help to curb that process.

Sexual abuse charges by Nursing Assistants are taken very seriously. Such sexual abuse reports include allegations of inappropriate touching and sexual intercourse. It is most commonly found to take place with male Nursing Assistants with those they are responsible for bathing. It is the responsibility of Nurses to routinely make a surprise visit into the area where a Nursing Assistant is alone with a patient. This will help convey the message that their endeavors may be interrupted and caught.

Physical abuse by Nursing Assistants is often hard to prove unless it has been witnessed or bruises appear. Often this type of abuse is conducted by Nursing Assistants who are not satisfied with their job. They are easily upset, frustrated, and overwhelmed. Some abuse their patients as a method of teaching them that they think some of their behaviors are inappropriate. For example, some patients have reported being hit for soiling their clothes and bedding. This often goes unreported in elderly populations as they become very afraid.

Verbal abuse is one of the most common types of abuse by Nursing Assistants. It can be simple teasing, belittling, or threats. Often this type of behavior stems out of control issues and the desire to have a more important job.

Theft is the number one reported type of abuse by Nursing Assistants. In can include cash, food, jewelry, and even dietary supplements. In medical facilities, such theft can be hard to prove who did it because the patient comes into contact with so many individuals who work in the facility.

While most Nursing Assistants do their job with as much energy and work ethic as humanly possible, there are those who give the entire profession a bad name. It is sad when you think about it – when is the last time a Nursing Assistant who did a good job made National headlines? Yet let one fall out of line, and you will hear it on the TV, radio, and the internet continuously.

The Nursing Assistant profession can be very difficult. It takes a very particular type of individual to be able to meet the requirements. Employers have a responsibility to protect all the patients. This requires money and time to be spent on extensive background checks and training. It also requires workshops and ongoing training for all staff members. Everyone should know signs of abuse to be watching for and how to report them. Abuse by Nursing Assistants will be prosecuted by law. Anyone going into the profession needs to be made very aware of that.

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Parasites and the pH miracle diet

The pH miracle diet restores balance to body. By eating mostly alkaline foods, you give your body nutrition that is more in line with the alkaline state of your cells. Excess acidic foods can lead to a host of problems. Among other benefits, following the pH miracle diet can also reduce your tendency to harbor dangerous parasites in your system that can wreak havoc on your health.

What do pH and parasites have to do with one another? The human body has a normal pH at the intracellular level of around 7.4. This is slightly alkaline. Parasites, which are unfriendly bacteria, viruses, protozoa, amoebas and microscopic worms, cannot live between a pH of 7.2 to 7.4.

In the United States, we have a diet that produces high levels of acid at the intracellular level. This is called acidosis, and it is a major underlying cause to many diseases. It also allows parasites to run rampant through your body. If you want to maintain health, you’ll need to restore balance to your body with an alkalizing diet.

Over time, everything we consume either keeps our bodies in an acidic state or a base state (alkaline). Processed sugars and starches, which are both a major mainstay of the Western diet, are some of the prime offenders in the acidification process. Natural sugar sources have minerals and vitamins within them. Fruits start out as acids, but have the necessary minerals within them to help the cells turn those acids into alkaline by products. Processed sugars do not, and when they are consumed, they release acid into the body. With heavy use of starches and sugars, the body becomes acidic.

Acidic pH at the intracellular level becomes a breeding ground for parasites and actually causes a mutation of friendly intestinal flora into a condition called candidiasis. Candida is natural yeast that is found in the intestine. It is kept in balance by other friendly bacteria that live with it.

However, with the overuse of sugar and the introduction of antibiotics, these friendly bacteria will becomes less prevalent. Candida will mutate and grow out of control. Candida symptoms include uncontrollable sugar cravings, chronic yeast infections, acne, dry skin, fatigue and frequent sinus infections. Parasites can also thrive when candida does, because the friendly bacteria are not there to keep them in check. Worms that would normally pass through the body find a hospitable environment and take hold in the intestine.

Parasites can destroy cells faster than they can be regenerated. They also produce toxic substances as a byproduct of their digestions. These toxic substances can lead to allergic reactions and can cause you to develop new food allergies. Parasites also irritate and invade body tissues, including the intestinal lining and even the skin. The parasites make it difficult for the tissues to operate correctly.

Over time, organ obstructions can develop and this can put pressure of your body organs and overall body functions. The immune system becomes depressed and the presence of parasites can prevent your body from using its natural healing reactions. Finally, the over presence of parasites in the body can prevent your body from absorbing nutrients properly.

The good news is that by following the pH diet you can restore the balance to your body. Since parasites can’t live in an environment that is between 7.2 and 7.4 pH, alkalizing your diet will help remove them from your system. When you follow this diet you will be able to reverse the acidification process and make your body an inhospitable place for parasites.

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Overcoming plateaus on the Atkins diet

If you are experiencing a stall or plateau in your Atkins weight loss efforts, you are not alone. This occurs from time to time. However, you first must make sure that you have actually reached a plateau point.

A plateau means that you have gone an extended period of time without losing weight or inches. It’s important to take your measurements before you start your weight loss plan, in addition to your weight. On some weeks it may not seem like you are losing any at all on the scale. But a quick look at your measurements will prove otherwise.

On the Atkins diet you are replacing fat with muscle, which is denser and heavier. You might actually gain a little weight because you are building muscle to replace your fat. The result will be an increase on the scale, but a decrease in your inches. Your body will be smaller and leaner, but you may weigh the same.

Before you start your program, measure your chest, waist, hips, upper arms, thighs and calves. You never know where you may be losing inches, so it’s important to have these comprehensive measurements to refer to. It is normal to go through periods where you body is readjusting. Remember that you are reforming the composition of your body and this process will take some time. Check your measurements once a week, just like your weight, and you can track your overall progress.

There may be periods of 3 to 4 weeks where you have a stall in weight loss, but a loss in inches. Or vice versa. Using both methods to track your fat loss is the best assurance for an accurate measure of your progress. These stall periods are not a reason to quit or to give up. They are natural parts of the weight loss process.

Stalls may occur more frequently if you are 5 to 10 pounds away from being at your goal weight. By following a low-carb, high-protein way of eating you have created a lot more muscle in your body. Your muscle-to-fat ratio is higher than ever before, so your body might be resisting losing anymore fat. It may be time to rethink your goal weight. Perhaps your body is trying to tell you something and its time to start maintaining your weight loss rather than trying to lose more.

There are some other possible causes of stalls and plateaus on the road to weight loss. If you’ve gone four weeks with no change in weight or measurements and you are nowhere near your goal weight, you can try a few different methods to get yourself out of the rut. First, make sure your carbohydrate level is in check. If you are eating too many carbohydrate grams per day, your weight loss will stall. Look for hidden carbohydrates in packaged foods, dressings and sauces to make sure they aren’t the culprits in your plateau.

Check your daily water intake. When you are dehydrated, your body will retain water and that can mimic a plateau. Water will also help flush ketones from your system and make more room for new fat burning ketones.

Undereating can also be a cause for weight loss plateaus. Make sure not to let yourself go hungry and eat smaller, more frequent meals. Remember, you are on a carbohydrate-restricted diet, not a calorie-restricted diet. Make sure to have some protein with every meal and snack. Never go more than 5 hours without eating something (except overnight of course). Also, eat freely from the acceptable foods. Don’t try to count calories or restrict your calorie intake. When your body gets too few calories, it goes into starvation mode and will hold onto fat cells.

Increasing your exercise level can help get you through a plateau as well. As your muscles get used to working out at a certain level, you’ll have to increase the duration or the intensity in order to keep challenging your body. Add a new exercise into the mix, or try increasing weight in resistance training.

Trying one of these methods will most likely get your weight loss back on track. Remember that occasional stalls are normal, but they do not have to last.

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Osteogenic Sarcoma and Back Pain

When doctors access osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, they will also consider Osteogenic sarcoma, or Osteosarcoma. The symptoms are amazingly similar in comparison, yet different in several ways. For instance, if osteoporosis is present the patient will experience back and joint pain, fatigue, and so on. Likewise, if Osteogenic sarcoma is present the patient may feel pain, limited range of motion (ROM), immobility, and so on.

Osteogenic sarcoma is a malignant or benign bone tumor, yet when Osteogenic sarcoma is present, the bone malignant is present. The tumor causes invasion of the ends that rest at the elongated bones. Etiology aspects claim that Osteogenic sarcoma may limit certain activities, such as osteolytic and osteoblastic.

The physical aspects are considered when the cell growth is unregulated and controlled by linking cell divisions. If lack of control and regulation is present, it can result in growth of abnormal tissue, which contains a tumor and/or tissues. Osteoblastic activities may cause bone-forming cells (Osteoblastic) to overdevelop or under develop the bones. Anytime the connective tissues are interrupted, it causes intense problems over the entire body.

When osteoblasts start, the tumor begins dissolving the soft tissue and the bones, which presents danger, since the growth can travel to the lungs. (Tumors may be growth that develops into cancer, which emerges from lumps or swelling)

Symptoms:
When Osteogenic sarcoma is present, the patient may experience pain. Limited mobility is present as well, which causes weakness and can lead to fractures. The soft tissues often mass, spreading over the site where the tumor resides and causes the tissues to heat. The body temperature will elevate, which increases the symptoms.

How doctors diagnose Osteogenic sarcoma?
Doctors will often use a variety of tests, such as bone scans, aspirations to test bone marrow, biopsy, CT (Computerized Tomography) scans, blood chemistry, and so on.

Once the tests are completed and if increases in alkaline phosphatase, cancer cells, mass, etc are noted, a diagnostics is set in motion. The diagnostic leads to medical management, nurse intervention, care, etc, which doctors will then monitor the patient to weed out further complications.

Further complications may include metastasis and/or fractures. Fractures are severe, yet metastasis is spreading of cancer that starts from the tumor. Once it begins to spread, it travels through the body, exporting its tiny clumps to the cells and transports itself via the blood or in the lymph. The tumor is malignant, which develops and spreads if cancer is present. Osteogenic sarcoma then is dangerous.

Treatment:
Doctors often recommend a high-protein diet. The patient is also monitored, and treated with heparin lock therapy. As well, the patient is recommended radiation therapy, lab studies, etc. Calcium and phosphorus is also prescribed. While Osteogenic sarcoma can cause back pain, it is wise to seek information from ACS. (American Cancer Society) Having an overall view of your diagnostics can help you focus on finding a cure, or better health.

ROM exercises, painkillers, and so forth are often prescribed when Osteogenic sarcoma is present. While the pain often starts in the various areas, thus it can spread throughout the body. The patient is often prescribed NSAID. Some activities are limited, since it can increase the pain. The patient is also advised to avoid infectious people.

Nurse intervention often includes various treatments, which the purpose is to avert further complications, such as paralytic ileus, urine retention, sensory/motor deficits, infection, and muscle spasms.

In addition to Osteogenic sarcoma causing back pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, spinal fusions, gouty arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis can all cause back pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is perhaps an autoimmune disease. Ultimately, it is transmitting through genetics.

Nursing Assistant Relationships with Other Staff

To be an effective Nursing Assistant, you must have excellent communication skills. You will be communicating throughout your daily activities with patients, their family and friends, and an array of medical staff. You will work directly with the Nursing staff. This will be a very important area to develop strong relationships in. You will also be communicating with physicians, X-Ray technicians, lab staff, surgery units, and emergency services. Therefore, it is very important that you continually work on your communication style and effectiveness. Your job will be much easier if you are able to establish good relationships with other staff members.

As a Nursing Assistant, you will be overseen by the Nursing staff. They will depend on your to report accurate information on patient charts. You need to be sure you are documenting what they ate and how much, their vital signs, and any changes you notice. If you think something requires immediate attention from a Nurse, then you need to be able to communicate that message effectively. You also need to feel comfortable going to the Nursing staff for assistance and questions as the need arises.

Since Nursing Assistants have far more one on one interactions with patients, other staff often depends on their observations to assist them. It is very common for Nurses and Doctors to ask the Nursing Assistant about sudden changes in a patient’s behavior. Therefore, paying attention to detail is very important. You will want to pay attention to your instincts that something is wrong and report it immediately to the proper staff member.

In the ideal working environment, Nursing Assistants are valued for their contributions to the medical field. They are respected by the other staff and informed of changes and important decisions. However, in many medical facilities, Nursing Assistants are frustrated because they feel they aren’t in the loop. The often complain of being left in the dark as to what is taking place among other staff members. The biggest complaint is with the Nurses.

Nursing Assistants claim that when they have tried to explain patient information to Nursing staff, they are dismissed as if they aren’t credible because they don’t have the education to determine such information. They also feel that they report all changes to the medical staff, yet no one is reporting changes to them about the patient such as new medications or a new diet. This can be very frustrating for Nursing Assistants. This kind of issue can lead to a divided work staff who aren’t working together in the best interest of the patients.

There are five ways employers can work with staff to eliminate such issues. Enforcing these goals will allow medical staff to develop better relationships on an ongoing basis, providing better care for patients. It often helps with the moral of the staff as well. Everyone should get a brief overview of what the other medical staff is responsible to do. Too often one group of people feel they do more than another because they just aren’t aware of everything that particular job description entails. This will help staff members value the work of others more. Asking Nursing Assistants for their input and opinion often builds relationships with other staff because they feel part of the overall care process for patients. Recognize the talents of each other and your abilities. This will help balance out strengths and weaknesses, enabling all staff to provide better quality care to patients. It is important to be supportive of other medical staff, not just those with the same title as you. Nurturing new staff is also very important. They need to feel as if they are part of the team from the minute they enter the door on their first day of work.

The relationships Nursing Assistants develop with other staff are very important. This starts will realizing your own communication style, and improving your communication skills. It may also require you to address issues with administration to develop ways for communications among the medical staff to improve. Be ready to offer ideas to make it happen when you approach administration. With the overall goal being to provide excellent care for all patients, communication that works well for everyone is a great place to start.

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Nursing Assistant Licensing Requirements

For those interested in pursuing a career in the medical field, obtaining your certification as a Nursing Assistance can be exactly what you are looking for. While the specifications for licensing vary by state, all programs have basic elements. First, you must be able to pass a background check. This is for the safety of all patients and other staff. Some states only look at felony convictions, while others look for reckless behaviors including harassment, domestic violence, and driving under the influence of alcohol. Most programs also require a GED or High School diploma.

Nursing Assistant programs are generally run by healthcare facilities and local colleges. Contact any such facility for a listing of up coming classes in your area. Generally, the courses run from four weeks to twelve weeks in length. You will be required to complete a set amount of hours of classroom time as well as a set amount of hours of clinicals. These clinicals are hands on practice that takes place at a medical facility. You will not be paid for your hours worked during this training program. Federal law requires a minimum of 75 hours in any program, all of which must be supervised by a qualified Registered Nurse.

Upon completing all of your classroom hours and clinical training, you will then be required to take a Certified Nursing Assistant exam. This exam is held periodically throughout each state. Some agencies will allow you to secure employment as a Nursing Assistant during that period of time between completing the program and your scheduled exam. Often, verification of program completion and verification that you are registered to take the test are sufficient.

This comprehensive exam is made up of two parts, written and clinical. The written part of the test is said to be mainly common sense. The clinical portion will require you to perform a number of techniques that you will be using in your job. You Nursing Assistant program instructor will inform you of items you should be well skilled in for the exam. In addition, forming your own study group and taking online practice tests can help you feel confident as the date of the test arrives.

The Nursing Assistant licensing requirements are designed to ensure everyone obtaining a certification from the program is properly trained in policies and procedures. Precautions are taken for the safety of the patients, their families, and other medical staff members. It is important to understand that the program will only help you to learn the basics of the job. The specific job requirements will depend on the facility you are working for. You will receive either orientation or on the job training at each medical facility you begin employment with in the area of Nursing Assistant.

With the demand for Nursing Assistants very high right now, it is an excellent career to pursue. The demand is anticipated to continue growing, with the biggest demands being in facilities caring for the elderly. This is the result of people living longer on average.

If you have any questions about the Nursing Assistant licensing requirements in your state, contact your state Medical Board by phone or online. The interest also provides you will additional information on licensing, classes, and career development in the area of Nursing Assistant.

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Nursing Assistant Background Checks

In today’s society, background checks are conducted by most employers to help safeguard against theft as well as to help secure the safety of the people they serve and the other staff members. Anyone wanting to be a Nursing Assistant should expect a very thorough background check to be conducted prior to being hired at any medical facility. In many instances, a background check will have to be completed prior to acceptance in a Nursing Assistance program. It generally depends on the state requirements.

The level of clearance you must pass on a background check varies by agency and state. In some states, only crimes involving violence will ban you from employment as a Nursing Assistant. In others, any felony will result in not being hired. There are a few states that push it even further. If you have any history of domestic violence, harassment, drunk driving, misdemeanors, or felonies, you can’t work in the medical profession.
While some may think this is extreme, statistics show theft and abuse committed by Nursing Assistants is done by those who have some criminal record prior to being hired by the agency where the abuse or theft took place.

If you are not familiar with a background check, it can include many things. Some employers simply check your criminal history. Others go to great lengths to find out information about you. They will check the education information on your resume, verify all past employment, and call all your references. There are a select few employers who will conduct a credit rating as well. This is because up to 40% of all resumes given to employers contain some kind of false information.

Investigating a person’s motor vehicle record has also become popular. The one area that an employer can’t look into is your medical history. However, many medical facilities require Nursing Assistants to pass a physical exam prior to hiring.

An employer will need to discuss the types of background checks they will conduct prior to doing so. Often, you will need to sign consent from allowing them to obtain such information. In most cases, an employer will not be conducting a background check unless they are ready to offer you the job. It is not uncommon for them to offer the position, but clarify that it is contingent on the background check coming back clear.

This being told, Nursing Assistants need to be up front about their background. While it is difficult to secure employment in the field with a criminal history, it is possible depending on the circumstances. If you lie about your work experience, it is quite possible you will get caught. Since the demand is so high for Nursing Assistants, you can still get the job if you don’t have much work experience. Employers are often looking for someone who is honest and willing to work. Show them both, and they will offer to train you.

If your background check comes back with information that negatively reflects your chances of being hired, the company has to provide you with the information they received as well as the name of the company they obtained the information from. If they information is incorrect, it is very important that you contact your local agency relating to the reported information. In addition, remember that getting into trouble with the law, the Department of Motor Vehicles, or financially might result in you losing your position as a Nursing Assistant. You will want to review the policies for the agency you are accepting employment with.

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