Preventative Education - Essay Example

? Moving Toward Preventive Education Moving Toward Preventive Education In many s, supportive measures are the means by which chronic diseases are primarily addressed, with preventive measures often given less attention. As a result, chronic diseases like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) remain a prevalent problem within all aspects of health professions. COPD is one of the major causes of chronic morbidity and mortality worldwide, is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the world, and is most prevalent in countries where cigarette smoking or total tobacco consumption has been or still is very common (Kara, 2005). This illness is characterized by progressive airflow limitations that are irreversible and COPD can be avoided through implementation of various preventative measures like patient education programs implemented by treatment facilities in an effort to transition from supportive to preventative measures (Kara, 2005). Through strategic planning and careful resource management strategies, schemes to promote awareness and preventative measures can be successfully crafted to help patients and their families avoid contracting new illnesses or worsening their current conditions. Although their power is not absolute, healthcare professionals have the capacity to effect much change in the life choices of their patients through competent communication of information the patients may not be privy to. Case management can facilitate access to healthcare services like assessment, planning, coordinating, delivery, and monitoring to ensure the patient is receiving the care they need (Fraser & Strang, 2004). This allows nurses to influence the institutions in which they work, keeping the nursing perspective visible and increase the quality of care given to the patients (Fraser & Strang, 2004). Proper implementation allows nurses to allocate resources in the manner that will benefit both the patient and the institution by maximizing the effectiveness of resources and minimizing overall costs to the institution (Fraser & Strang, 2004). While COPD is not a curable condition, proper case management techniques can be applied to keep the condition manageable and help the patients maintain a full, active lifestyle (Barnett, 2009). Since COPD is primarily a disease related to excessive or long-term smoking and is completely preventable from both a pharmacological and non-pharmacological perspective and there are numerous methods that can be implemented to focus on the prevention, accurate diagnosis, and management of this disease (Barnett, 2009). Through a comprehensive understanding of the disease, as well as the physical, psychological and social impact COPD has on the patient, their careers, and their families, healthcare professionals will be better equipped to comprise management plans that are effective in all the affected areas of the patient’s life (Barnett, 2009). Formulating a collaborative approach that includes working with other healthcare professionals relative to the patient’s care like physiotherapists, occupational therapists, district nurses and social workers will enable a holistic approach to the patient’s care to be established and maintained (Barnett, 2009). Through this approach, the healthcare professional can help the patient examine numerous aspects of their lifestyle that may be detrimental to their health and exacerbate their COPD. Providing the patient with complete care and information is the most vital tool a nurse can provide to their patient. In the instigation of preventative routines, successful implementation of a case management scheme including the medical interventions available can help establish a routine of such care within the institution. Even though the current treatments are limited in helping relieve symptoms, nurses can do a lot to help educate patients and enable them to cope with their condition to reduce the progression of the disease (Barnett, 2006). The most vital piece of information a nurse can pass on to their patient regarding the successful treatment of COPD is to stop smoking immediately (Barnett, 2009). Smoking cessation will significantly the disease progression of COPD and can help restore some of the lung function lost through the course of the disease (Barnett, 2006). Nurses can help patient's develop plans to stop smoking or refer them to a service that can help them stop smoking and its importance can not be overemphasized (Barnett, 2006). Nutrition is an important aspect of maintaining patient functionality in patients with COPD (Barnett, 2006). Nurses can advise their patients to eat little and often, especially if eating large meals increases their sensation of breathlessness (Barnett, 2006). Breathing control using abdominal breathing is another aspect nurses can teach their patients as a coping mechanism that will enable patients to keep active and to avoid breathless attacks (Barnett, 2006). This technique will help improve the efficiency of the patient’s respiratory muscles to reduce the amount of air trapped in the lungs at the end of exhalation. Pulmonary rehabilitation can help improve the patient’s functional ability and quality of life through the provision of information regarding all aspects of their disease and includes an individually tailored exercise program to maximize the patient’s ability to engage in physical activity (Barnett, 2006). Encouraging patients to get vaccinated annually as part of an individually tailored self-management plans can help reduce the likelihood the patient will be hospitalized due to contraction of the flu or other illnesses (Barnett, 2006). Computers can be used to create and implement problem-based care plans that will provide advice and a management plan for patients to follow ((Barnett, 2004; Cohen & Cesta, 2005). Inclusion of the patient’s lung function and medication so that it is available to all practitioners involved in the patient’s care (Barnett, 2006). The patients should be given detailed instructions to follow and measures to take if their symptoms should increase (Barnett, 2006). These steps towards patient education can help organizations and nurses move from supportive care to preventive care and patient education measures for persons with chronic illnesses like COPD. There are various schemes nurses can use specialized to maximize the COPD patient’s ability to get and stay healthy that would also benefit the institution in cost prevention. Facilitating patients admitted with an acute exacerbation of COPD back into the community is not a good means of ensuring they will stay healthy without the benefit of educative services and support (Barnett, 2009).. Once discharged, patients may still need to be monitored and supported by a specialist team of COPD nurses until they have fully recovered from their episode and can successfully manage their own care according to the self-management plan created with their healthcare professionals (Barnett, 2009).. Providing appropriate educational support regarding inhaler technique, coping strategies and the progression of the disease will keep patients aware of what to expect from their illness, how to have an active lifestyle despite their illness, and let the patient know what supportive measures are available to help them quit smoking if they have not already done so (Barnett, 2009). The impact of this specialist Intervention and monitoring will have a positive effect on the patient’s recovery, which will enabled them to resume their daily activities and maintain their quality of life and independence (Barnett, 2009). Many opportunities for health promotion through patient education are underutilized in all aspects of healthcare. Through education, nurses can develop the skills necessary to use every opportunity for promoting health in everyday practice and help their patients become educated in various methods to promote and preserve their own well-being. Even the waiting times during visits to health facilities can be maximized in their potential as educational opportunities rather than just empty hours wasted waiting for their turn. Enhancing patient knowledge is the best option in case management for helping the facility and the patient diminish the costs associated with their illnesses. Keeping the needs of the facility and the needs of the patient balanced is the duty of the nurse and proper case management will help the nurse keep these contradictory aspects well in hand (Fraser & Strang, 2004). Incorporating theories of holistic care with those of case management can help the nurse provide the best care possible for the patient at the lowest cost to the institution. COPD is a systemic disease with high and increasing worldwide prevalence. The onset of this disease has been associated with both individual and community-based factors and COPD is usually the result of a combination of these factors. Numerous strategies are available to manage or prevent COPD, and nursing education is needed to empower nurses to educate their patients and present proper solutions through case management schemes that will benefit the patients and the institutions through effective, cost-minimal methods of treatment. Nurses all over the world have important roles in fighting the COPD pandemic and health promotion is the best tool available to keep healthy people healthy as long as possible. References Barnett, M.( 2009, April). Management of COPD: Making a difference. Journal of Community Nursing, 23(4). Retrieved from ProQuest Nursing Journals database. Barnett, M. (2006, February). COPD: the role of the nurse. Journal of Community Nursing, 20(2). Retrieved from the ProQuest Nursing Journals database. Cohen, E. & Cesta, T. (2005). Nursing case management: From essentials to advanced practice applications. Missouri: Elsevier Mosby. Fraser, K., & Strang, V. (2004). Decision-making and nurse case management: A philosophical perspective. Advances in Nursing Science, 27(1), 32. Retrieved from the ProQuest Nursing Journals database. Kara, M.(2005). Preparing nurses for the global pandemic of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 37:2, 127-133. Retrieved from the ProQuest Nursing Journals database. Read More