Vancomycin: Not always effective

Healthcare providers used to freely prescribe Vancomycin to treat infections. This intravenously administered drug is powerful, but stimulated a generation of bacteria that is resistant to its use. Vancomycin is often used to treat organisms that are resistant to other antibiotics. The available treatment options are reduced if resistance develops. Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus was first detected…

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Infections in Hospitals – Barriers to Prevention

infections in hospital

These are 8 reasons why it is difficult to control infections in hospitals 1. All medical staff do not wash their hands when they should. The single most important and effective means for preventing infections is proper hand hygiene. Unfortunately this is a challenge for healthcare staff because of the demands of constant patient care.…

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Detecting compartment syndrome

Nurses are expected to know the symptoms of compartment syndrome and identify patients at risk for its development. The assessment of pulses, sensation, and movement of a limb will detect early signs of compartment syndrome. This is a dreaded complication that can cause massive damage to a limb. Compartment syndrome can develop in an arm,…

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Retained objects after surgery

retained objects after surgery

The patient leaves the operating room with a sponge, a clamp, or a towel inside. What is the impact on the patient of a retained object after surgery? We’ve heard the stories of the patient’s clamp that sets off the metal detector in the airport, but many patients find out about the presence of a…

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