Biomedical subjects

M Thobaben

Publications and source records attributed to M Thobaben.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

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Patient Self-Determination Act: advocating for the patient's wishes.

The United States has a long tradition of protecting an individual's rights. A recent example is the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA), federal law (1992, P.L. 101-508). It specifically allows competent individuals to communicate their preferences for life-sustaining medical treatment before they become incapacitated and are unable to make them known. It requires health care agencies, including home health agencies, receiving funds through Medicaid or Medicare programs to provide information and education about advance directives (ADs) to their patients, staff, and the community. Home health care agencies need to have protocols in place to be in compliance with the law. Agencies have to inform patients about their rights to make health care decisions and must maintain written policies about the implementation of those rights. The federal law prohibits home care providers from making the patient's care conditional on the existence of an AD or in any way altering the quality of care provided because of his or her wishes.

Advance Directives↗

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Elder abuse and neglect.

Home care providers have a professional and legal obligation to help prevent their elderly patients from being abused and neglected by family members and other home care providers. The elderly are often in a vulnerable situation because they depend on family members or others to help with personal care, housekeeping chores, and money management. A recent article in a major newspaper illustrates the problem. It reported that Mr. X, who was 84 years old, had been without food or water while he lay curled in the trunk of his car for 2 days before he was found by the police. When found, he reported that he saw daylight only when his housekeeper lifted the car trunk lid to ask him if her forgery of his check looked authentic. After he was rescued, he acknowledged that he was confused about why his housekeeper, who had befriended him, had turned on him. He expressed concern for her and hoped she would get a break in her sentencing. "She didn't kill me," he said. This situation is not that unusual. Elder abuse and neglect is a major public health problem in the United States, with most cases hidden from public scrutiny. The National center on Elder Abuse reports that cases of domestic abuse against the elderly increased from 117,000 in 1986 to 241,000 in 1994, and that represented only a fraction of older Americans who were abused and neglected in their homes. The Center estimates that 818,000 elderly Americans were victims of various types of domestic abuse in 1994. They believe the rise in reported cases illustrates a growing pattern of violence and neglect among the nation's expanding elderly population.

Aged↗

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A safe and healthy work environment.

Home health and hospice employers must be continually diligent in their efforts to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses. They have a legal and professional responsibility to provide employees with a workplace that is free from recognized hazards that cause or are likely to cause serious physical injury or death, and to maintain working conditions that are safe and healthful for their employees. This article reviews laws that affect work-related safety and illness. It provides guidelines for agency prevention programs regarding employee protection against workplace violence and infectious disease. A safe and healthy workplace is essential for home health and hospice employees to provide quality client care and for agencies to be protected from potential liability.

Community Health Nursing↗

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