William is a 68 year old man who has just died in hospital. He could be your friend. He could be your spouse. He could be a close family member. This is the story of what will happen to William next. Immediately after William has died. William's death might be expected: he has been receiving … Continue reading What happens after you die in hospital?
What is a MID STREAM URINE collection?
You have been asked to provide a mid stream urine specimen and want to know how to do this (and why it needs to be mid stream).Mid steam urine collection is used to diagnose a bladder or urinary tract infection. Urine does not normally contain any significant numbers of micro-organisms. However, it can become contaminated … Continue reading What is a MID STREAM URINE collection?
Difficulty swallowing pills? Try these two methods.
The simple act of swallowing medications can be a real problem for many of us. Here are two tips to try and make pill or capsule swallowing a little easier. They are based on the results of a study of 151 adults ranging in age from 18 to 85 who were asked to swallow 16 … Continue reading Difficulty swallowing pills? Try these two methods.
The neuro torch.
You may have noticed some nurses and doctors carrying small penlight torches in their pockets. Known as neuro torches, they are used during a neurological assessment, to view your pupil's response to light. Normally, when the light intensity entering the eyes increases, impulses from the rods and cones on your retina travel via your optic … Continue reading The neuro torch.
Safety alert: pulse oximeter probes.
A pulse oximeter probe is a small peg-like or adhesive device that is used to measure the oxygen saturation of your blood (an indication of how effectively you are breathing) in hospitals and other clinical settings. It is usually attached to a finger, but in some situations it will be attached to an ear or … Continue reading Safety alert: pulse oximeter probes.
