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By Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, NWCC, FAND The pain of a wound is sometimes difficult to quantify, but if a patient complains of pain, this requires effective and timely pain management. In the midst of the war on narcotics, that might mean looking for alternative pain management techniques and learning new approaches. Several months ago, I was attacked by ...

By Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LDN, NWCC, FAND Inaccurate and incomplete intake and output records pose a problem in litigation as well as a risk to the patient who requires monitoring of fluid balance for medical reasons.  “Would you agree that the nurses did not know how to do basic arithmetic?” Of course nurses know how to add and subtract ...

Join yoga instructor and physical therapist Wendy Verga for a 10-minute session to learn how to magnify and expand the breath three dimensionally in order to invite in more healing energy for the body, concentration for the mind, and centering to calm the soul. ...

By Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, NWCC, FAND Patients with diabetes are more likely to suffer many serious health issues besides foot wounds and amputations. This makes it imperative that they resolve to get their blood glucose levels under control. All of the lawsuits I review have a common theme. The plaintiff suffers from a chronic wound and some degree ...

Free PDF Handout Click on this free downloadable handout about Hydration and Fluids to download the PDF to your computer or phone for future reference. Download Handout ...

By Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, NWCC, FAND Frequent bouts of diarrhea make it difficult to care for wounds on the sacrum or coccyx, and healing often is impeded because of fecal contamination. Many patients, particularly those with mobility issues, have pressure injuries on the sacrum or coccyx. Frequent bouts of diarrhea make it difficult to care for these wounds, ...

By Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, NWCC, FAND Wound care is a stressful profession, and sometimes your empathy bucket becomes empty, but job burnout is not a proper professional or legal defense. A group of my professional friends were having lunch together and catching up when one friend disclosed that she was taking a month off of work. We all ...

By Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, FAPWCA, FAND Documentation of turning and repositioning often leads to legal problems as some healthcare providers chart by exception and others chart at the point of care. “The hospital never turned the patient, and therefore the patient suffered a serious pressure injury,” declared the plaintiff attorney. The defense team shot back, “Whoa. Slow down. ...

By Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, NWCC, FAND It is important to advocate for yourself. This means voicing your concerns and making sure you receive timely and professional care from your health care team. Don’t be afraid to speak freely and speak up if you feel something is wrong. Some general guidelines on when to contact your doctor: • The ...

By Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, NWCC, FAND Frequent bouts of diarrhea make it difficult to care for wounds on the sacrum or coccyx, and healing often is impeded because of fecal contamination. In a previous article we examined the common causes and types of diarrhea. It is important to have a thorough medical work-up because that can identify the ...

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