Category: Healthy Living

What is the Perioperative Surgical Home?

The perioperative surgical home (PSH) is a patient-centered, physician-led, interdisciplinary, and team-based system of coordinated care. Its focus is on optimizing surgical outcomes and enhancing the patient’s experience from the decision to undergo ACL surgery through the entire recovery period. This innovative model aims to streamline patient care, reduce complications, and ensure more efficient use of healthcare resources.

PSH is not only a framework but a transformative approach that encourages cooperation among healthcare professionals. By anticipating the needs of the patient and providing continuous care through all perioperative phases, this model serves as a blueprint for enhanced surgical care delivery, creating a seamless journey from preoperative preparation to postoperative recovery. This structure supports a comprehensive approach to addressing both surgical and non-surgical concerns, ensuring that patients are mentally and physically prepared for their procedures.

Core Principles of the PSH Model

The PSH model operates on several core principles designed to improve patient care:

• Patient-Centered Care: Tailoring care plans to the individual needs of each patient. This principle acknowledges that no two patients are the same and requires the healthcare team to develop personalized care strategies that cater to specific health conditions, preferences, and recovery goals.
• Coordination: Ensuring continuous and comprehensive care through multidisciplinary team collaboration. Coordination among various healthcare providers—surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other specialists—ensures that all aspects of a patient’s care are aligned, minimizing the risk of errors or overlaps.
• Efficiency: Eliminating redundant processes and streamlining care pathways. By analyzing and optimizing workflows, the PSH model helps to reduce unnecessary tests, procedures, and administrative tasks, ultimately saving time and resources for both patients and healthcare providers.
• Quality Improvement: Implementing evidence-based practices to enhance care quality continuously. The emphasis on ongoing education and adaptation of new research findings ensures that the care provided under the PSH model remains at the forefront of medical excellence.

Improving Patient Outcomes with PSH

Adopting the PSH model can significantly enhance patient outcomes. Research shows that coordinated care pathways and multidisciplinary interventions reduce surgical complications, lower readmission rates, and shorten hospital stays. By focusing on all stages of the surgical process, the PSH ensures that patients receive the proper care at the right time.

For example, one study revealed that hospitals utilizing the PSH framework saw a 30% reduction in postoperative complications compared to those following traditional models. This success is attributed to comprehensive preoperative assessments, personalized intraoperative management, and focused postoperative care, all integral components of a well-orchestrated PSH. Additionally, patient education plays a crucial role, as informed patients are better equipped to manage their health and recovery, leading to improved satisfaction and outcomes.

Increasing Healthcare Efficiency

The PSH model increases efficiency within healthcare systems by reducing waste and improving resource utilization. This coordinated approach allows for better allocation of medical personnel and equipment, leading to cost savings and more streamlined operations. According to studies from Health Affairs, integrated care models like PSH can lead to significant reductions in unnecessary procedures and improved overall system efficiency.

This efficiency is not just about cost savings but also about delivering quality care more effectively. By eliminating redundancies and streamlining communication among healthcare providers, the PSH model ensures that each step in the patient’s surgical journey is handled with expertise and precision. Furthermore, the reduction in unnecessary tests and procedures not only saves money but also reduces patient burden, lessening their exposure to potential risks and stress.

It is simple. There are 2 things you can focus on for better health starting right now! Movement and better sleep! By movement, you don’t need to ‘t need to start with a heavy routine on certain times of the day that seem unattainable. Moving more simply starts with…moving more. If you do not move much-add a bit more. If you think you sleep OK, do a self-check on how you fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up in the morning. Let’s dive more into these 2 healthy habits.

To move more can be obtained by starting small. If you take the elevator everyday at work or elsewhere, try the stairs. If you drive a few blocks to the corner store, walk the route every other time. If you walk on the treadmill at 2mph, add a .5mph. Get the point? You are moving more each day when you find ways to, well, move more!

Another great way to purposefully move and clear a busy mind is to practice yoga. Give it a try? If you start with 10 minutes today, that is 10 minutes more than you did yesterday! You can find many free Yoga workouts on YouTube. The way to thrive in a yoga workout is to wear light clothing and have a proper floor mat. I use my Avoalre Foldable Yoga Mat because it folds and travels well. Especially when traveling and eating out of the normal routine and walking more, taking a few moments to unroll a yoga mat to stretch is a great way to end a busy day. By the way, this yoga mat I use is on sale right now!

The second health habit is proper sleep. I spent this summer in a struggle, myself. I began to find it hard to stay asleep. I was constantly waking up and would have headaches in the morning. My. blood pressure was rising despite my BP meds and nothing was found to be wrong in bloodwork and checks. Nothing except I was truly not sleeping well and the high blood pressure seems to be a result. So, despite the fact I do not snore, I was ordered a sleep study. I though apnea was for those who snore or have large neck area but it turns out that 25-30% of sleep apnea diagnosis comes from no obvious symptoms other than headaches and being tired. Turns out I get about 2-3 hours only of REM sleep and once I hit REM, my Oxygen dips and I wake up twice as mush as when I am outside of REM. I have moderate apnea-not from snoring but because I have an obstructed airway by my small frame, who knew?

If you feel like you should be more rested or have morning headaches, here is your checklist. Do you fall asleep well? Do you stay asleep? Do you have morning headaches? Do you have uncontrolled hypertension? If so, ask your Doctor to do a sleep study. You may find you are not sleeping well and in that case, your health is very much compromised.

Despite the sleep study talk, also evaluate your bedding. Is your mattress supporting your body and do you have the right pillow for how you sleep. How you sleep means – your comfortable temperature, your sleep position and clothing. Adjust room temperature, change bedding depending on the season and climate and check your pillow. I am a side sleeper and have neck issues, so I do best with a cervical pillow. I love my Elegear Deep Sleep Cooling Neck Pillow. It relieves normal sleep pressure from my neck, stays cool and has a memory foam that holds its shape. You can use a coupon code to save 10% on this pillow on Amazon – IITU7OQ6. Give it a try!

If you take the small effort to move more and give yourself a sleep check, you are in better shape to end the year with healthy habits.

Children are a heritage and the fruit of the womb is a reward they say. This universal statement exalts the unique beauty and blessing each child is, even those with special needs. 

In medical terms, such children are said to have a learning problem compared to others their age. This may take many forms, including – 

• Difficulty with understanding, schoolwork, and reading/writing 
• Trouble mingling or socializing with peers 
• Communication issues or delays 
• Physical challenges 
• Problem concentrating on the task at hand 

The Pew Research Center found that nearly 7.3 million students in America’s K-12 education system have special needs. As tough as it is for the child to navigate a world of stigma, it can be equally challenging for a parent. This is especially true at the time of receiving a diagnosis. 

If your child has just been diagnosed with special needs, this article will help. Read on to learn the types of diagnoses and strategies to cope with and support your precious one. 

Types of Special Needs Diagnosis 

This section has briefly been mentioned above. Special needs among children can take many forms, each posing a unique set of challenges. Some disorders may involve two or more of the issues. 

In general, a special needs diagnosis is divided into four categories, as follows. We will also name the diseases characterized by each category. 

1. Physica: Special needs of a physical nature have to do with the limitations of one’s bodily functions, mobility, and dexterity. Common disorders include epilepsy and muscular dystrophy. 
2. Developmental: A child with developmental special needs may suffer from physical, language, and learning issues. Disorders under this category include autism, Down syndrome, and dyslexia. 
3. Sensory-impaired: Such special needs revolve around issues with hearing, vision, or both. The conditions associated with sensory impairment include blindness, deafness, or partial vision/hearing. 
4. Emotional/Behavioral: Children with emotional/behavioral special needs often find it difficult to regulate their mood and maintain relationships. They may be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dissociation, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). 

Key Strategies for Parents to Cope and Support Their Child 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that around 28.7% of adults across the US live with some form of special needs. A significant chunk of this percentage would include those diagnosed at the time of childhood. 

The first time a parent hears of their child’s disability can be an overwhelming one. It’s perfectly normal to feel confused, helpless, and stuck. Here are five strategies to help you cope and support your baby. 

Deal With Difficult Emotions 

The first and perhaps the most important aspect of the entire diagnosis is the initial shock. Some parents may find themselves getting overly emotional at odd hours or too numb to express any emotions. It is also natural to experience other difficult sentiments like anger, guilt, and fear. 

We would suggest against rushing this painful process. It is said that the best way out is through the pain. Even then, you must not try to flee as that will later resurface in unhealthy ways. Allow yourself time to grieve and absorb the diagnosis entirely. 

Do you feel anxious for your child’s future? Are you sad thinking about the experiences they might miss out on in life? Cry it all out if you must but deal with the difficult emotions head on. 

This is what the process of acceptance looks like. Though seemingly unbearable in the beginning, it will get better with time. Gradually, you will want to look ahead instead of focusing on the past. 

Be a Diligent Fact-Checker 

Once a sense of acceptance has seeped its way through your mind, it is time to educate yourself as much as possible. For instance – if your baby has received an autism diagnosis, get to know everything there is about the disease. 

You can start with its origins and who coined the term if you want. Then there will always be their healthcare team you can lean on. In many cases, therapeutic interventions and care coordination are done by pediatric nurses. If your child is assigned one, they are the best person to approach with your doubts and queries. 

These healthcare professionals pursue various nursing programs to help children with special needs. Most nurses in this field are so passionate that many have even switched careers from other areas through accelerated online nursing programs. 

According to Online ABSN Programs, this enables nurses to change lives by entering the workforce sooner. Through scheduled classes, clinical practice, certification, and personal study, they acquire the skills and knowledge needed to excel as a pediatric nurse. 

When asked, they will be happy to inform you more about your child’s needs. The nurse may even recommend useful resources and books to cross-check the knowledge you gained from the internet. 

Manage Medical Care 

Since we have discussed quite a bit about a healthcare team’s importance, especially a nurse, this point is a much-needed reiteration. Children with special needs require more specialized care compared to their peers. This may include a team comprising doctors, nurses, physical therapists, nutritionists, and more. 

You may have to squeeze in routine appointments, therapy sessions, etc. Try to always stay on top of your child’s health needs. Keep in touch with their healthcare team for back-and-forth updates. Most importantly, never miss an appointment unless there is some emergency. If they need to take any medicines, ensure you give them at the prescribed time. 

Practice Healthy Boundaries and Self-Care 

If your child’s special needs are mainly physical, you can try out assistive technology. However, behavioral needs are a lot more complex. It can be difficult to discipline your child and tempting to throw in the towel when they’re getting defiant or out of control. 

This is exactly when you must practice healthy boundaries and resist the temptation to take the easy way out. Depending on their disability, you may need to use gestures, pictures, etc., to communicate the rules. Set predictable consequences for bad behavior, stick to them, and be consistent in enforcing the rules. 

When they do things right, be equally diligent in showering praise and giving rewards to encourage that particular behavior. As you do all this, don’t forget yourself. It is important to take at least some time out for self-care. Do it before your child wakes up in the morning, their nap hours, or after they sleep at night. 

Participate in hobbies or activities that bring you the most joy. These may include forest bathing, painting, gardening, etc. Also, don’t forget to eat healthy, exercise regularly, and get sufficient sleep. You need to look after your health to take care of your child. 

Keep Hope Alive 

There is no way to exaggerate the importance of hope in all this. Even when things seem chaotic, confusing, and scary, resolve to place truth over your fleeting emotions. The silver lining in a special needs diagnosis is that not all is lost. 

Each such unique child can enjoy a long, happy, and meaningful life. Look up similar stories where children with special needs grew up to be thriving adults. Your child is in a unique spot and they have inner resources to adapt, overcome, and thrive. 

As a parent, the last thing you want to do is let your child’s condition define them. It is time to move beyond inclusion to a sense of belonging. 

As we draw to a close, a final word of encouragement would be to keep all lines of support open. This means reaching out to family, friends, or your child’s healthcare team for guidance and support. 

If you feel too stressed out or mentally drained, try mindfulness exercises or meditation. A study found that these combined with regular exercise make the best way to cope with stress. Once you’re in the right frame of mind again, you will gain renewed strength for the journey.