...How effective have harm reduction interventions been in reduction of Hepatitis C incidence among Injecting Drug Users in the UK? 1.0 Introduction The prevalence of Hepatitis C (HCV) internationally is largely unknown mainly due to the fact that most individuals have no symptoms in the early stages of the infection. The WHO estimates the figure at 170 million people infected with HCV and it is estimated that approximately 3-4 million people are newly infected each year . Injecting drug users (IDUs) are at greatest risk from HCV through the sharing of injecting paraphernalia. In the UK estimates from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) data has the number of people chronically infected with HCV at 216000 of which 90% are attributable to IDUs with over 40% of the IDU population being HCV antibody positive . Some estimates of numbers with HCV in the UK suggest about 500000 . In 2010, new HCV infections diagnosed in the UK was 10,381 of which there were 7384, 106, 2129, and 312 in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales respectively . There appears to be higher rate of transmission among IDU now than a decade ago; 23% compared to 12% in 2000 Although UK is classified as a low prevalence country for HCV; The HCV poses numerous challenges for public health in terms of potentially preventable mortality and morbidity. According to NICE guidance, it would cost the NHS about £1.6 billion to treat all Hepatitis C patients. The cost therefore of failing to diagnose and...
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...Piercing the skin with needles seems like a peculiar notion and the possibility that this could have any health benefits seems a bizarre concept, at least from the biomedical perspective. Yet, acupuncture is now a common form of treatment for many ailments and most towns in New Zealand have an acupuncture clinic (Dew, 2003). However, there have been several social, political, medical and regulatory processes and forces by which acupuncture has become this integrated into mainstream health services. This discussion will focus on four of these processes, which include providing evidence which is in accordance with biomedical constructions of evidence, use of needles as a boundary object, the rise of integrative medicine and subsidisation of the...
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...http://aim.bmj.com/content/22/2/93.full.pdf+html Phantom limb pain (PLP) is when a person who has had a limb amputated experiences a painful sensation and pain where the limb used to be and this can affect the person’s quality of life as it may prevent them to focus on anything other than the sensation that is occurring. There are various forms of treatment that can be used to help the individual with the pain that they are feeling. For example: acupuncture, hypnosis, various medication and mirror box therapy. Acupuncture David Bradbrook- a physiotherapist- reviewed 3 cases where acupuncture was used to treat PLP and in 2 out of 3 of these cases this form of treatment was successful. Acupuncture works by placing needles in specific areas of the body and the needles stimulate nerves under the skin that will release pain-relieving substances- endorphins . In the first case study the...
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...Gibbs (1988) noted that in recent years reflective practice has been embraced by professionals such as nurses, social workers and teachers. He said the process of reflection provides a systematic way of describing how a learner’s performance grows in complexity when mastering academic tasks. This work will employ a reflective model to analyze the therapeutic engagement with one of the patient that I was involved with. The central theme of this assignment is to explain the condition of a client who was admitted to the ward via accident and emergency department. For the purpose of this essay the patient will be referred to as Mrs. X. The pseudo name is given in accordance with the confidentiality and privacy code NMC (2004). Mrs. X has a condition of schizophrenia (a condition of mental health) because she had not complied with her prescribed medication. I selected this patient for my reflective essay because of the insight that my interaction with her gave me. In my encounter with Mrs. X, I had to administer medication on her by intramuscular depot (Injection). I decided to reflect upon this patient and the nursing procedure carried out on her because it was my first time to administer an injection on a patient. To assist me in the process of reflection, I will be comparing different theories of reflection and I will choose the one that is suitable and applicable to the level of my learning. Reflective practice can be traced back to the work of Dewey (1933). Dewey (1933) was...
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...Evidence Based Practice: Aseptic Technique for Peripheral IV Insertion Name: Course: Instructor’s Name Date: Introduction The significance of asepsis in the intravenous IV therapy is integral in the modern patient care because of the increased patients number requiring IV therapy due to changes in patterns of prescription and the today’s illnesses which has acute nature (Bofah et al, 2012). Peripheral Intravenous Cannulation according to Bofah et al (2012), is a procedure in which patent’s skin is punctured with a needle allowing a device to be temporarily inserted into the hand or forearm veins in administering intravenous medications or fluids, although other body sites can be used. It is vital to use intravenous drugs in the management of the patients who are hospitalized. The infections linked to the intravenous therapy may affect the blood stream or the skin around the insertion site of the catheter (Bofah et al, 2012). For this reason, Bofah et al (2012) suggested that general infection control and universal precautions measures need to be taken into considerations when undertaking a clinical procedure. However, specific measures need to be taken into consideration when administering intravenous therapy especially those in the home setting and the vulnerable patients. Kampf et al (2013) conducted an observational intervention study on “Improving Patient Safety during the Insertion of Peripheral Venous Catheters. The aim of the study was to determine...
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...Evidence Based Practice: Aseptic Technique for Peripheral IV Insertion Name: Course: Instructor’s Name Date: Introduction The significance of asepsis in the intravenous IV therapy is integral in the modern patient care because of the increased patients number requiring IV therapy due to changes in patterns of prescription and the today’s illnesses which has acute nature (Bofah et al, 2012). Peripheral Intravenous Cannulation according to Bofah et al (2012), is a procedure in which patent’s skin is punctured with a needle allowing a device to be temporarily inserted into the hand or forearm veins in administering intravenous medications or fluids, although other body sites can be used. It is vital to use intravenous drugs in the management of the patients who are hospitalized. The infections linked to the intravenous therapy may affect the blood stream or the skin around the insertion site of the catheter (Bofah et al, 2012). For this reason, Bofah et al (2012) suggested that general infection control and universal precautions measures need to be taken into considerations when undertaking a clinical procedure. However, specific measures need to be taken into consideration when administering intravenous therapy especially those in the home setting and the vulnerable patients. Kampf et al (2013) conducted an observational intervention study on “Improving Patient Safety during the Insertion of Peripheral Venous Catheters. The aim of the study was to determine the...
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...Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV Reflective Essay: April 22, 2013 Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV Reflective Essay Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a slowly replicating retrovirus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The number of people infected with HIV/AIDS is rising in America, so with that being said what happens to the children who are born at the hands of an HIV infected mother? HIV breaks down our body’s immune system causing people to become ill with opportunistic infections that normally wouldn’t cause them to get ill. HIV is cannot be diagnosed based of only symptoms because the symptoms are muscle aches, swollen glands in the throat, fatigue, headaches and other flu-like symptoms. This is why it is very important to get tested at least yearly because the sooner the treatments can be started than the better the chances of getting the disease maintained before it moves to AIDS or causes other unwanted problems such as altered mental changes. HIV is spread through exposure to exposure to HIV-infected blood or body fluids. The primary transmission modes are contact with an infected persons body fluids during unprotected sex, blood-to-blood exposure (either by direct contact or through needle sharing among injection drug users), and perinatal transmission from infected mother to child(Cibulka, 2006).The transmission of HIV from an HIV-positive mother to her child during pregnancy, labor, delivery or breastfeeding is called mother-to-child...
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...and erysipelas are often used interchangeably and current usage tends to regard erysipelas as a form of cellulitis rather than a separate entity, making clear distinction difficult (Hay 2004, Kilburn et al 2010). Erysipelas affects the upper dermis and superficial lymphatics, with distinctly raised lesions and clear lines of demarcation between involved and uninvolved tissue. Cellulitis extends more deeply, involving the deeper dermis and subcutaneous fat and lacks the distinctive anatomical features of erysipelas. For the purpose of this essay I will be using the term ‘cellulitis’ to refer to both conditions. This essay will endeavor to discuss the incidence, its clinical presentation, risk factors, differential diagnosis, pathophysiology and classification according to severity of cellulitis with reference to current and relevant literature. The management of cellulitis will not be discussed as it goes beyond the capacity of this essay to accommodate this highly researched area (See appendix IV for empirical antibiotics used to treat common SSTIs). Incidence Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are relatively common, however there seems to be a...
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...Title of assignment: Describe compare and contrast the traditional abstinence model of addiction treatment with the modern harm reduction model in the context of counselling a heroin using client who is HIV or Hep-C positive I declare that this assignment is entirely my own work and that all sources are credited. Introduction: In this essay I am going to first define abstinence, harm reduction, heroin and HIV. Then i’m going to compare and contrast the abstinence model versus the harm reduction model in relation to a person who uses heroin and has also HIV under the counselling context. Definitions: The Abstinence Model: The term 12 step applies to a number of self-help groups which have grown from the original alcoholics anonymous movement. 12-step groups are fellowships of men and women who meet regularly to support each other in their efforts to achieve and maintain abstinence. Groups are run by the members themselves who are not professional counsellors. They have a spiritual foundation are not affiliated with any organised religion. (McMurran, 1994) For the purposes of this essay groups like NA(Narcotics Anonymous) would represent a traditional abstinence group and the Minnesota Model would represent a counselling approach in relation to addiction counselling. The Harm Reduction Model: The idea of harm reduction first emerged explicitly in Dutch drug policy during the 1970s and 1980s from concern about the social integration of people who use drugs into...
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...Diseases are sometimes extremely devastating and cruel. Some diseases move very rapidly while others are slow and painful. Treatments are sometimes useful yet other times nothing can stop the silent beasts that lurk in the body. Parkinson’s disease is a slow moving disease that slowly corrupts the brain. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic motor disorder that causes tremors, rigidity, slowed body movements, unstable posture and abnormal gait. This happens when neurons, nerve cells, in a part or the brain called the substantial nigra gradually die. These cells normally produce dopamine, a chemical that helps relay messages between areas of the brain that control body movement. The death of the cells leads to abnormal low levels of dopamine, and causes difficulty in controlling muscle tension and muscle movement both at rest and during periods of activity. PD as of now affects about 500,000 Americans, with about 50,000 new cases diagnosed each year. It is generally a disease that affects people of late or middle age at about age 60 however about 5 percent of patients have early-onset PD and are younger than 40 years old when symptoms begin. PD is slightly more common in men then women. So far scientists have not determined the reason why some people develop PD and others do not. Some experts blame a process called oxidation. During oxidation unstable molecules that areproduced in the brain as a result of its normal chemical reactions which ultimately damage the brain. Another...
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...body’s natural immune system is able to rid the body of it. With HIV, the body’s immune system cannot clear the virus and the reason behind this is still trying to be figured out by scientists (AIDS.gov, 2014). Scientists believe that the source of HIV came from a certain type of chimpanzee in Western Africa and was transmitted to humans when these infected animals were hunted and eaten. Studies have shown that HIV may have transmitted to humans as far back as the 1800s and slowly spread across Africa, eventually making its way to different parts of the world. HIV has existed here in the United States since the mid to late 1970s (CDC, 2014). So what causes HIV? How does one get infected with this non-curable disease? In this short essay we will explore this communicable disease in detail, discuss factors that contribute to the development of this disease, discuss the epidemiologic triangle as it relates to HIV, and lastly explain the role that a community nurse has in regards to prevention. HIV is a non-curable disease and once you have it, you have it for life. HIV is found in bodily fluids such as, blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, breast milk, vaginal fluids, and rectal mucous. If any of these infected fluids enters a person’s body, they can become infected with this disease (AIDS.gov, 2014). Here in the United States, HIV is mainly spread through sharing of syringes and unprotected sex (vaginal and anal). HIV can also be spread to newborns from infected mothers,...
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...Lauren Schaap Mrs. Vanden Berg English 1: Research Essay 22 February 2018 The Rise of Alternative Medicine Certain medicines are used as substitutes to traditional, or conventional medicines, and they are known as alternative medicines. Alternative medicines have been around for ages, as far back as the ancient and Bible times, but suddenly they are becoming very popular. Some are more effective than others, and some are not as safe as they are claimed to be. Some may not be safe in the sense of being a hazard to one’s body and others are dangerous in how they relate to spiritual hazards. Alternative medicines have been increasing in popularity more than ever and are more effective to some people than to others. Alternative Medicines have...
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...In this essay I will be discussing a teaching activity that I carried out in clinical placement which was breathing exercises and relaxation techniques for a client who suffers from anxiety. I chose this activity because in my clinical placement many clients in the services suffer from anxiety. I researched on methods which could be used for clients who suffer from anxiety such as:- breathing exercises, yoga, anxiety management, massages, taking up exercises, CBT(Cognitive behavioural therapy), having a healthy life style and talking about feelings and thoughts which all help to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. I chose a 66 year old lady who suffers from anxiety and will be naming her Catherine to maintain confidentiality. The code: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives’ (2008) states: "You must respect people's right to confidentiality”. I will be using a Gibbs (1988) reflective model as his model incorporates: - “description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and action plan” (Gibbs, 1988). Catherine suffers from anxiety and would feel anxious in the morning and if she would have to go out to the shops or for a day out to the park. Catherine feels she can’t go out due to changes in her life because she lives alone and her husband passed away a year ago; they use to go out together, everywhere. Catherine does not feel anxious when she is accompanied by a friend or a team member from services, but tends to feel anxious when she is alone...
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...Reflective practice account Based on Gibbs reflective cycle Name Kielley Ann Myers Date 27th July 2012 When asked to do a self reflecting account on identifying a new skill achieved during the module, I could have chosen such accomplishments as VAC (Vacuum Assisted Closure) therapy, Maggot therapy or Nutrition and Dietetics. But I wanted to go back to basics and review and fully expand a skill that I knew of, which is Pressure Ulcers (also called pressure sores or bed sores). A stated by the NHS Choices website “It is estimated that in any given year fewer than half a million people in the UK will develop at least one pressure ulcer. About 1 in 20 people who are admitted to hospital with acute sudden illness will develop a pressure ulcer; this is usually people with underlying health conditions.” I have been a H.C.A (Health Care Assistant) for over 17 years to now, and I have always been aware of pressure ulcers, and how to try to avoid them but never really knew the complete details of What, How or When of them. I have been on many different courses for H.C.A’s through the years, but they have all really skimmed over the subject of pressure ulcers. I now work on a vascular ward of the hospital where many of the patients are bed or wheelchair bound due to lower limb amputations, caused by complication from diabetes mellitus to circulatory problems. So I thought that by widening...
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...Ethics Paper Abstract In today’s society there are many health care professionals who have to conduct group sessions. It is imperative that for the safety of every client and therapist that a thorough training in ethical standards are established. In laying the foundation for ethical standards it is essential to establish boundaries for what exactly constitutes group work. Many people within group therapies will have different ideas and opinions based upon their own interpretation, morals, beliefs, cultural influences, and personal experiences. Within a group session there is a high standard of ethical behavior to protect the members of the group, the facilitators and anyone else involved in the group dynamics. This essay will provide information about how group sessions are conducted, common ethical issues within group therapy and how these issues compare to those from individual counseling. Ethics in Groups Introduction According to Kemp (2010) therapeutic communities consist of having qualities of belonging, governance, communication, interdependence and participation and are known as groups or group counseling. Within group sessions there is a common issue that each individual are coping with. The group is encouraged by the leader to express themselves and give feedback. Each person in the group, including the leader, are to provide new ways of behaving and to tackle issues that an individual presents in a session and provide one another with an opportunity...
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