Legal Nurse Consulting
Computerized medical records – forensic issues
There is a strong trend to computerization of medical records. This method of recording information about a patient offers many advantages. Access to a medical record may be electronically limited. For example, a nursing assistant may be permitted to only enter vital signs but not review orders, laboratory results, or write nursing notes. A paper…
Read MoreA wheelchair and the risk of patient falls
When my brother was a resident in a nursing home I noticed he spent long hours in a wheelchair. There are numerous chairs and devices on the market that fulfill a variety of nursing home resident needs. For example, glider or rocking chairs with vinyl-covered cushions are used with patients who like to rock and…
Read MorePresentation Tips for Legal Nurse Consultants
You’ve been asked to go into a law firm to do a presentation to the attorneys. What a great opportunity to share your knowledge. Here’s what you need to know. Here are a dozen tips I have learned from my involvement with speaking and National Speakers Association 1. Don’t start by thanking the organizer for…
Read MoreThe Wound that Does Not Heal
Impact of nonhealing wounds Chronic, nonhealing wounds are disabling and constitute a significant burden on patients’ activities of daily living (ADLS) and the healthcare system. Of persons with diabetes, 2% to 3% develop a foot ulcer annually, whereas the lifetime risk of a person with diabetes developing a foot ulcer is as high as 25%.8…
Read MoreThe Sore in Pressure Sores
Bill is a 70 year-old-man who developed paraplegia. During his prolonged hospitalization, a stage IV pressure sore formed. One year later, it is still present and it dominates his life at home. Pressure sores may have a huge impact on the quality of a patient’s life. There is a financial impact of prolonged treatment –…
Read MoreViolent patient beats psychiatrist
Damages Violent patients are a growing concern. In a Virginia case, a psychiatrist was beaten by a patient and suffered a traumatic brain injury, a fractured eye socket, concussion and skull fracture. He is now depressed, has post traumatic stress disorder and vision impairment which prevents him from working. Violent patient causes injuries The injury…
Read MoreLegal Nurse Consultants: Tips for Improving Writing Skills
I think we should always be focused on improving writing skills. People use very different writing styles, not just what you learned in school from your English teacher. Informal writing has changed. Text messaging has made us brief. But the real risk in brevity is that you are going to miss things and not be…
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