Kim Valentine BSN, RN

Community Health, Care Coordination and Geriatrics

Member

All Content by Kim Valentine

  1. Kim Valentine

    The Importance of Oral Care in the Hospitalized Older Adult

    Kim Valentine posted a topic in General Nursing

    Indeed, we can't deny that we work with reduced staff in high acuity settings in our current health care environment. These workload pressures cause us to prioritize elements of care. But should we...
  2. Kim Valentine

    Back to Basics: Using Foundational Nursing Principles To Save Our Population from Drowning in the Sea of Media (mis)Information

    Kim Valentine replied to Armesse Cheney's topic in General Nursing

    Great article! If only we all went back to those basics! It makes so much sense. My friend is an epidemiologist for our local Public Health with her PhD and was challenged all the time during the...
  3. Kim Valentine

    Understanding Delirium in the Hospitalized Older Adult

    Kim Valentine posted a topic in General Nursing

    The percentage of adults over age 65 in the United States is now more than 16% of the population. Because this age group tends to have more comorbid and chronic conditions, they are twice as likely to...
  4. Kim Valentine

    Understanding and Preventing Dehydration in the Older Adult

    Kim Valentine posted a topic in Geriatric, LTC

    When thirsty, most of us inevitably go to the tap or refrigerator for a drink of water or some other refreshing beverage. In most cases, we all take this simple task for granted. Our receptors will...
  5. Kim Valentine

    Understanding and Preventing Dehydration in the Older Adult

    Kim Valentine replied to Kim Valentine's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Absolutely! Creative strategies are so
  6. Kim Valentine

    Understanding Delirium in the Hospitalized Older Adult

    Kim Valentine replied to Kim Valentine's topic in General Nursing

    Oh my goodness Wuzzie, my heart goes out to you. I used to work in the community and this has to be one of the most difficult situations as a caregiver. It sounds like she has had several tests. Is...
  7. Kim Valentine

    Understanding Delirium in the Hospitalized Older Adult

    Kim Valentine replied to Kim Valentine's topic in General Nursing

    Thank you for your comment. That must have been such a challenging situation for you to be in! I also wonder sometimes if "ageism" plays a role? I agree validated screening tools such as the CAM...
  8. Kim Valentine

    Understanding Delirium in the Hospitalized Older Adult

    Kim Valentine replied to Kim Valentine's topic in General Nursing

    Good point! I also realize critical care areas are some of the most challenging
  9. Kim Valentine

    Understanding Delirium in the Hospitalized Older Adult

    Kim Valentine replied to Kim Valentine's topic in General Nursing

    I think the CAM is useful to draw attention to the clinician that there is a delirium going on and not just assuming the patient has dementia thereby delaying treatment. But it is a screening tool...
  10. Kim Valentine

    Understanding Delirium in the Hospitalized Older Adult

    Kim Valentine replied to Kim Valentine's topic in General Nursing

    The first set to treatment is identifying the cause such as an infection, pain, constipation or abnormal lab values. Sometimes the solution is right in front of us. I know in critical care it is a...
  11. Kim Valentine

    Understanding Delirium in the Hospitalized Older Adult

    Kim Valentine replied to Kim Valentine's topic in General Nursing

    I think the first key is to identify if there is a reversible source, like an infection or electrolyte imbalance, etc. I see it more than I'd like to, that older adults in a delirium are deemed as...
  12. Kim Valentine

    Addressing Nurses' Sleep Meter For Better Heart Health

    Kim Valentine replied to Jordan Nacalaban's topic in Health, Stress Management

    Thanks for this article with such valuable information. Certainly shift work is a challenge to having a restful sleep but you bring up some good strategies to use. I used to “need” 8 hours of...
  13. Kim Valentine

    Duragesic and Tegaderm

    Kim Valentine posted a topic in Oncology

    Recently a pediatric oncologist ordered 12.5mcg of durgesic on an 8 year old home care client of ours. This family is not covered for the 12.5mcg patch but is covered for the 25mcg patch. The...
  14. Kim Valentine

    Duragesic and Tegaderm

    Kim Valentine replied to Kim Valentine's topic in Oncology

    I have recently heard that the manufacturer does not recommend the use of tegaderm whatsoever. I lothe duragesic patches
  15. Kim Valentine

    PICC reaction vs infection

    Kim Valentine replied to JOPICCRN5's topic in Infusion, Intravenous

    I recommend using the Biopatch along with a securment device like Statlock. The new stats on Biopatch state that PICC infections are reduced by 60%. That is a significant evidence for me to adapt my...
  16. Kim Valentine

    Do you care if they want you to remove your shoes?

    Kim Valentine replied to nurseby07's topic in Home Health

    Any shoe covers that I have seen don't have any kind of traction. In my mind they would increase your chances of falls in the home. I'll continue to take a "spare pair" with
  17. Kim Valentine

    Do you care if they want you to remove your shoes?

    Kim Valentine replied to nurseby07's topic in Home Health

    Actually it was explained to me that if you suddenly were in an unsafe situation in a home and had to run out quickly, you need to have shoes on. Also part of the health and safety regulations if you...
  18. Kim Valentine

    Do you care if they want you to remove your shoes?

    Kim Valentine replied to nurseby07's topic in Home Health

    We instruct our nurses to bring a change of shoes into the home. It is a health and safety
  19. Kim Valentine

    Anyone here from critical care?

    Kim Valentine replied to heygurlhey's topic in Home Health

    I worked ICU for 15 years and left nursing when I had my last child. I was not going to go back because I was so burnt out. I stayed home for three years and then went to home care. It was an eye...