Your Healthcare Professional Digest Has Arrived

View Online

February 2010

Issue 7.2

Tell a Friend

FEATURE STORY

Getting to the Heart of the Matter

Occupational therapy and cardiac failure patients

Healthcare Professional Digest speaks with Interim HealthCare's national rehabilitation director, Jonna Borgdorff, PT

Occupational therapy. For many people -- including medical professionals -- it's a misunderstood term. After all, if it's occupational therapy, it's used just to get people back to work, isn't it? Definitely not.

Occupational therapists (OTs) help a variety of patient populations, including those who may not have worked for years. They employ tools and techniques unique to their field. And their goals differ from those of other therapists. Unfortunately, the confusion over what OTs do may, at times, be one reason for their underutilization, especially with cardiac failure patients.

EDITORIAL CORNER

OT and cardiac patients ... Coping with H1N1 ... Communication breakdown

Hello. I'm Linda Shaub, Interim HealthCare's vice president of marketing.

Occupational therapy is a discipline that's often misunderstood and underutilized. If you'd like to know more about OT, be sure to read this month's feature article. In it, Interim HealthCare's national rehabilitation director, Jonna Borgdorff, PT, discusses OT and the important role it can play in rehabilitating cardiac failure patients.

Are you afraid of the H1N1 virus? If so, you're not alone. See your peers' advice on how to conquer your fears -- and stay healthy. Picture this: An important health issue regarding a client arises, but your co-workers put off discussing it with your supervisor. What would you do? A reader would like to know.

If you have a dilemma of your own or any input you'd like to share, please do. With your help, we can make our newsletter even better and more relevant for you.

WHAT'S YOUR BEST ADVICE?

This Issue's Dilemma:

How do I communicate a communication breakdown?

I was taught to go to a supervisor immediately with any important issue concerning a client. However, some of the nurses I work with don't do this. Should I speak to my co-workers about their behavior? Tell our supervisor that my co-workers aren't giving her the information as soon as they should? Or just follow best practices myself and not worry about anyone else? -- Madge, RN

Share your experience. You could win funds toward CEUs.

Previous Issue's Dilemma:

The swine flu's made me a "fraidy cat"

I'll admit it. The swine flu scares me. I've been inoculated, but I'm still worried that I might get the flu. I'm also scared that I could take germs home with me or to a client's home and infect those around me. What can I do to get over my fears -- and keep from spreading the flu?

-- Bianca, RN Read the best responses from your peers.

SURVIVE AND THRIVE: Helping you be all you can be

Life's Simple 7
My Life Check from the American Heart Association
by AHA - heart.org

Goal-setting Doesn't Work
How to achieve actual results in all areas of your life
by Darren Hardy - Success

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? Ways to better communication

Basic Negotiating Tips
Barriers to successful negotiation
by Robert Bacal - conflict911

Resolving Nursing Conflicts
Communicating with your supervisor to get results
by Linda Childers - monster.com

REGULATORY & POLITICAL FRONT: Effects on you and your patients

Medicaid, CHIP Access Expanded in 26 States
Other states don't fare as well
by Doug Trapp - American Medical News

Increased Patient Cost-sharing May Hurt Elderly
Just a few dollars more leads to more complications
by Alicia Chang - Yahoo! News

A message from your local Interim HealthCare location

For more information, visit our Web site.

Get Connected

Career Opportunities

Take a minute to consider what's important to your quality of life, because we do. We provide the flexibility and opportunities that help create rewarding careers. Every day we post great jobs and make it easy to apply. Visit our CareersbyWeb page often.

CareTOON