Levels of Health Care for a Brain Tumor Patient - Essay Example

Levels of Health Care for a Brain Tumor Patient Any anomalous growth of cells in the brain refers to a brain tumor. Tumors can be categorized as benign; non-cancerous, and malignant; cancerous. Both of these categories are dangerous because they form in the brain which is a sensitive organ of the human body. When these tumors are growing in the brain, they subject pressure upon the normal tissues causing the brain to swell and inflammatory effect. Brain tumors can be diagnosed through various processes: physical examination, neurologic examination, a Computerised Tomography (CT) scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). By physical examination, general health signs are checked. Neurologic examination is where the doctor examines the patient for attentiveness, strength of the muscles and coordination, any spontaneous effect and reaction to pain. The doctor also conducts an examination of the eyes to identify any swelling of the nerve connecting the brain and the eye which might have been caused by the pressure inserted by the tumor. With CT scan, an X-ray is conducted where the results are observed from a computer connected to the x-ray machine which clearly shows the position and the size of the tumors. MRI is where a high magnetic material is connected to a computer which shows detailed and clear pictures of the body that is provided by the means of a special dye which makes different tissues distinct. The pictures can be printed out (Potts & Mandleco, 2012). The patient undergoing brain tumor care is named Mrs. Y for purposes of patient confidentiality as required by the nursing and medical ethic. Primary level of health care is the first step where patients are exposed to health care systems which are normally the smaller health care facilities like the dispensaries serving the local community. Mostly, this unit involves simple diagnostic measures, preventive and curative where in-patients services are rare. Nurses are mostly found in this stage that will refer the patient to a district hospital which provides better services and in-patients services. The nurse examines the general sciences and symptoms of illness from the patient who then refers the patient for further treatment from the district level because the facility has no the necessary machines and equipment to examine the patient further (Potts & Mandleco 2012). The nurse can only administer pain killers to the patient. District level hospitals have nurses, doctors and physicians who can conduct imaging, laboratory tests, simple X-rays and theaters to conduct simple surgeries. Most of the doctors and physicians could be operating in the provincial hospitals; therefore, they are only present in the hospitals rarely. The patient is given a chance to explain herself. Snooks state that because there is lack of proper equipment to critically examine the patient’s brain, the physician will have no choice but to refer the patient to the next level (2009). The physician explains to the patient and the family members of her condition and the challenge the facility is facing, the complexity of the condition and the cost of the procedure. The physician writes a note of referral which provides the initial examinations and any medication the patient has been given during this level. Mrs. Y may have a difficult time understanding her condition; many people view that any disease of the brain may result in madness. Therefore, counseling services may be provided by the administration to the patient and the family to reduce tension and stress (Potts & Mandleco 2012). The financial services to cover Mrs. Y treatment during this stage and to the next level may subject the family members some stress. Secondary level of health care refers to a stage with more sophisticated facilities as well as specialists in a particular area. Highly trained doctors, nurses, surgeons and physicians are readily available. This may be a provincial hospital with a larger space to accommodate several patients. Improved technology is applied in this level which can have most of the health problems solved. X-ray examinations are conducted; radiology facilities are present and sophisticated laboratory equipment and machines (Snooks, 2009). CT scan can be conducted where the physician observes the images of the brain tissues, the tumor shape and size, the way it is pressing on to other brain tissues. The physician can inject the patient with a special dye which makes the images clearer. Magnetic Resonance Imaging is also performed in this stage which employs the use of powerful magnetic devices connected to a computer for observation of the body tissues and the result can be printed out for critical analysis. From the observation, examination and analysis, the doctor together with other physicians, after identifying the cancerous substance in the brain can draw a conclusion to administer an operation to the patient. The patient together with her family is informed of the development and the best option to solve the problem. The administration of the facility books in the patient for counseling session to ease tension and remove stress, make the patient and family realize the necessity of the procedure. The administration also informs the family of the amount of money they will be required to raise for the operation and to appoint them a date for the operation. If after the procedure the patient does not get well, the physician in charge will refer the patient to the next level of health care for advanced check up and treatment (Snooks, 2009). The physician ensures that the patient with her family is willing to take the next challenge, explain to them the importance of the next level. The physician describes all the tests, procedures and medication the patient has undergone together with the amount of time the patient has been under the prescription so that an alternative and advanced process can be administered to the patient (Ahmed, Bhurgri & Shakoor, 2007). Tertiary health care level is the highest and most sophisticated stage. Such facilities are mainly found in national level and institutions of higher learning that provide medical attention to patients with complicated diseases (Ahmed, Bhurgri & Shakoor, 2007). Most of these facilities are very few because the kind of materials, equipment, and expertise is very expensive and rare. Most such patients require intensive care units with several specialists. Moreover, the facility provides training, educational and consultative services. The facility has several individuals who are on stand by in case of any emergencies. Their services are very costly to many patients which make most of them lose hope. Ahmed, Bhurgri and Shakoor (2007), point out that brain tumor patients undergo advanced scans, imaging and radiological services. Any remaining anomalous cells in the brain are removed through a surgery which may be the same or different from the one conducted in the secondary stage; consideration of the notes of the secondary stage physician is essential. The patient at this stage undergoes a chemotherapy session. The administrative personnel are to schedule for chemotherapy sessions to the patient. Payments for the services and the drugs are done at the administrative offices. The family may have a difficulty in settling the bill because it is too expensive; one session of chemotherapy requires lots of money and it takes approximately eight sessions. The drugs are also expensive to acquire. The patient and the family members need moral support and counseling services to overcome the situation, to encourage and give hope to the patient complete all the therapy sessions. References Ahmed N., Bhurgri Y., & Shakoor K. (2007). Pediatric Brain Tumours at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, Vol 8, pp 399-404. Retrieved from :< http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CE4QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.apocp.org%2Fcancer_download%2FVolume8> on 8 April, 2012. Potts, N., & Mandleco, B. (2012). Pediatric nursing: Caring for children and their families. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning. Snooks, K. (2009). Health psychology: Biological, psychological, and sociocultural perspectives. 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