The changing demgraphics of America's aging population presents many challenges for the nursing profession. I'm indebted to Deyanara Riddix, content coordinator of Nursingschoolhub.com, for the following information.
"For every senior over the age of 65 in the year 2000, there will be 2 by the year 2030. Today that is 1 out of every 7 people is over 65. By the year 2022, 32 percent of our workforce will be comprised of seniors over 65. The average american will live 19 or more years past their 65th birthday.
"The 85 and older population is predicted to triple to 14.6 million by 2040. Most of the seniors’ medical needs will become the responsibility of nurses. Currently there are just more than 1.5 million Nursing Assistants, 738 thousand Licensed Practical Nurses, 2.7 million Registered Nurses, and 151 thousand Nursing Practitioners, anesthetists, and midwives with an 11% growth expected by 2022.
"The average age of nurses is now 50 years old. From 1982 to 2008, the percentage of nurses under the age of 40 dropped from 54 percent to 29.5 percent. Aging America needs more educated nurses who are versed in some of the more technical areas, such as biometrics, robotics, and electronic records."
For a comprehensive infographic illustrating the above data, please see the following website: Nursing School Hub
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Have You Read My Interview on Smashwords?
I'm excited!
A revised interview with me has just been published at Smashwords. It's an in-depth Q&A interview. If you get a chance, click: Interview With Author Robert Tell.
I would welcome your comments on this blog, and your suggestions for additional questions you'd like to see answered in the interview. I promise to answer them.
Best wishes,
Robert Tell
A revised interview with me has just been published at Smashwords. It's an in-depth Q&A interview. If you get a chance, click: Interview With Author Robert Tell.
I would welcome your comments on this blog, and your suggestions for additional questions you'd like to see answered in the interview. I promise to answer them.
Best wishes,
Robert Tell
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Should the Drug Zofran Be Avoided During Pregnancy?
A provocative question and one for which this writer has no expertise to share with you. However, Krystal Blake, of the Birth Injury Guide has studied the matter and has prepared the following guest article for today's post. As always with such matters, each person is cautioned to gather all the available facts and to make an informed decision that makes sense to her and her doctor.
Here's the article:
"What are the Potential Side Effects of Zofran?
Zofran, also known as Ondansetron, is a prescription medication that is
manufactured by the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Zofran1
was originally developed to help mitigate the effects of chemotherapy and
radiation that cancer patients often suffer from. This drug can effectively block
the actions of the body that trigger nausea and vomiting. In addition to being
used to treat nausea in cancer patients, it was also used and prescribed to treat
nausea in patients post-operatively.
Since its development, however, Zofran has also been used “off-label” to treat
women for morning sickness. Typically prescribed during a pregnant woman’s
first trimester, it has been given to millions of women across the country for
years.
What Does “Off-Label” Mean?
The term off-label drug use2 has several meanings. It may involve prescribing a
currently available and marketed drug for a symptom or disease that the Federal
Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved, or it may involve prescribing a
marketed medication to a patient population, dosage, or dosage form (e.g.,
intravenously, orally, topically, etc.) that does not have FDA approval.
Zofran has been prescribed off-label to a patient population that the FDA has not
approved use for as there are not sufficient studies or tests that have been
conducted in the respective population to show that it is safe for this particular
use.
How Does Zofran (Ondansetron) Work?
Zofran, a powerful anti-nausea and vomiting drug, belongs to a class known as
the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 3 antagonists that block the effects of
serotonin.3 More commonly referred to as 5-HT3 antagonists or setrons, this class
of drugs acts as receptor antagonists at a subtype of serotonin receptor found in
the vagus nerve and other areas of the brain. These receptor antagonists are
extremely effective in treating nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing
chemotherapy, radiation, or post-operatively to help with the side effects of
anesthesia.
Drugs used for chemotherapy often create serotonin in the gut which causes
nausea and vomiting. With the help of these serotonin antagonists, the body is
able suppress nausea and vomiting by preventing serotonin from activating and
sensitizing the gut.4
The FDA and Zofran
Zofran first entered the U.S. market in 1991 and it was FDA approved for the
uses previously mentioned. In 2011, the FDA administered a warning about the
drug indicating that there had been links between Zofran use and QT interval
prolongation, or effects on the electrical activity of the heart.5 Shortly after, there
were also warnings regarding the increased risk of birth defects developing in
children whose mothers had taken Zofran during pregnancy. Among the most
universally known birth defects associated with the drug are cleft lip and cleft
palate, in addition to heart defects, including Atrial Septal Defect (ASD).6
There have been a number of studies regarding the drug’s potential effect on
pregnant women, but additional studies are warranted. The CDC has issued a
warning of the possible connection between Zofran use and birth defects, and
the FDA has continued to condone prescribing drugs off-label. However, many
people believe that more studies are needed in order to obtain a clear answer on
the risks associated with taking the drug during pregnancy.7"
For further information check out their link at:
http://www.birthinjuryguide.org/birth-injury/causes/medication/zofran/
Footnotes:
1 http://www.drugs.com/zofran.html
2 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3538391/
3 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3470505/
Here's the article:
"What are the Potential Side Effects of Zofran?
Zofran, also known as Ondansetron, is a prescription medication that is
manufactured by the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Zofran1
was originally developed to help mitigate the effects of chemotherapy and
radiation that cancer patients often suffer from. This drug can effectively block
the actions of the body that trigger nausea and vomiting. In addition to being
used to treat nausea in cancer patients, it was also used and prescribed to treat
nausea in patients post-operatively.
Since its development, however, Zofran has also been used “off-label” to treat
women for morning sickness. Typically prescribed during a pregnant woman’s
first trimester, it has been given to millions of women across the country for
years.
What Does “Off-Label” Mean?
The term off-label drug use2 has several meanings. It may involve prescribing a
currently available and marketed drug for a symptom or disease that the Federal
Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved, or it may involve prescribing a
marketed medication to a patient population, dosage, or dosage form (e.g.,
intravenously, orally, topically, etc.) that does not have FDA approval.
Zofran has been prescribed off-label to a patient population that the FDA has not
approved use for as there are not sufficient studies or tests that have been
conducted in the respective population to show that it is safe for this particular
use.
How Does Zofran (Ondansetron) Work?
Zofran, a powerful anti-nausea and vomiting drug, belongs to a class known as
the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 3 antagonists that block the effects of
serotonin.3 More commonly referred to as 5-HT3 antagonists or setrons, this class
of drugs acts as receptor antagonists at a subtype of serotonin receptor found in
the vagus nerve and other areas of the brain. These receptor antagonists are
extremely effective in treating nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing
chemotherapy, radiation, or post-operatively to help with the side effects of
anesthesia.
Drugs used for chemotherapy often create serotonin in the gut which causes
nausea and vomiting. With the help of these serotonin antagonists, the body is
able suppress nausea and vomiting by preventing serotonin from activating and
sensitizing the gut.4
The FDA and Zofran
Zofran first entered the U.S. market in 1991 and it was FDA approved for the
uses previously mentioned. In 2011, the FDA administered a warning about the
drug indicating that there had been links between Zofran use and QT interval
prolongation, or effects on the electrical activity of the heart.5 Shortly after, there
were also warnings regarding the increased risk of birth defects developing in
children whose mothers had taken Zofran during pregnancy. Among the most
universally known birth defects associated with the drug are cleft lip and cleft
palate, in addition to heart defects, including Atrial Septal Defect (ASD).6
There have been a number of studies regarding the drug’s potential effect on
pregnant women, but additional studies are warranted. The CDC has issued a
warning of the possible connection between Zofran use and birth defects, and
the FDA has continued to condone prescribing drugs off-label. However, many
people believe that more studies are needed in order to obtain a clear answer on
the risks associated with taking the drug during pregnancy.7"
For further information check out their link at:
http://www.birthinjuryguide.org/birth-injury/causes/medication/zofran/
Footnotes:
1 http://www.drugs.com/zofran.html
2 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3538391/
3 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3470505/
4 Kamm MA (March 2002). "Review article: the complexity of drug development for irritable bowel syndrome". Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Enjoying A Senior Lifestyle
From childhood to your senior years, you'll transition through numerous lifestyles. When it's time to enjoy a senior living lifestyle, you'll be able to apply many of the life lessons you've learned along the way to the adventures that await. Over the years, you may have compiled a mental list of things you want to do now that you have the extra time and new-found freedom. If you've been too busy to give much thought to how you want to enjoy your retirement years, you can get some amazing ideas and inspiration from sources such as Retirement Living Magazine and friends who are already actively enjoying their retirement years.
Local Activities
When your schedule was full with work and family obligations, you might not have had the time to participate in nearby activities and local places of interest. Now that you're retired, do some exploring around your area to discover interesting attractions.
Get reacquainted with your home
Your retirement lifestyle can make leisurely mornings a reality rather than a dream. An afternoon outdoors with a good book and a cold drink is an activity you can enjoy now. There's an abundance of great movies just waiting for you to watch. Invite some friends over for a marathon movie night. Without a work schedule, you don't have to be concerned with getting to bed on time so you can be alert for work the nest day.
Travel
In addition to exploring activities near your home, you may want to travel to distant destinations that you've dreamed of visiting. If you're undecided about where to go, take some time to read about the many travel packages and destinations designed especially for seniors. Look at the variety of travel modes you have available to you. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone by taking a cruise, experiencing RV travel or flying to your destination. If you're uncomfortable traveling alone, you can arrange a trip with a tour group.
There's a lot to look forward to in your retirement years. This is a great time to get reacquainted with old friends and make new friends. Finding a balance between a relaxed lifestyle that includes lazy days and no definite schedule to abide by and the freedom to explore new places and experience new adventures is the key to happy, fulfilling and rewarding retirement years.
Local Activities
When your schedule was full with work and family obligations, you might not have had the time to participate in nearby activities and local places of interest. Now that you're retired, do some exploring around your area to discover interesting attractions.
Get reacquainted with your home
Your retirement lifestyle can make leisurely mornings a reality rather than a dream. An afternoon outdoors with a good book and a cold drink is an activity you can enjoy now. There's an abundance of great movies just waiting for you to watch. Invite some friends over for a marathon movie night. Without a work schedule, you don't have to be concerned with getting to bed on time so you can be alert for work the nest day.
Travel
In addition to exploring activities near your home, you may want to travel to distant destinations that you've dreamed of visiting. If you're undecided about where to go, take some time to read about the many travel packages and destinations designed especially for seniors. Look at the variety of travel modes you have available to you. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone by taking a cruise, experiencing RV travel or flying to your destination. If you're uncomfortable traveling alone, you can arrange a trip with a tour group.
There's a lot to look forward to in your retirement years. This is a great time to get reacquainted with old friends and make new friends. Finding a balance between a relaxed lifestyle that includes lazy days and no definite schedule to abide by and the freedom to explore new places and experience new adventures is the key to happy, fulfilling and rewarding retirement years.
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