Targets, trends, excesses, and deficiencies: refocusing clinical investigation to improve patient outcomes

Clinical auditing to improve patient outcomes

Auditing: what is it all about? Clinical audit is about measuring the quality of care we provide against relevant standards. If we are failing to meet these standards, the audit should help us understand the factors that are causing us to fail, so that we can set priorities and make improvements. Auditing forms part of a cycle of activities: • Selecting standards (setting our own or adopting e...

Diagnosing Trace Mineral Deficiencies and Excesses in Transition Dairy Cows

Trace minerals are required for essentially all biochemical processes in the body. Many of these minerals are necessary for optimal growth, physiologic function, and productivity in animals. This paper focuses on 8 trace minerals: cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iodine (I), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn). These trace minerals have been chosen because nutritio...

Functional dysphonia: strategies to improve patient outcomes

Functional dysphonia (FD) refers to a voice problem in the absence of a physical condition. It is a multifaceted voice disorder. There is no consensus with regard to its definition and inclusion criteria for diagnosis. FD has many predisposing and precipitating factors, which may include genetic susceptibility, psychological traits, and the vocal behavior itself. The assessment of voice disorde...

#ILookLikeASurgeon: embracing diversity to improve patient outcomes.

Evaluating New Technology to Improve Patient Outcomes

Journal of Infusion Nursing H ealthcare reimbursement trends have promoted increased use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). The majority of hospital patients require infusion therapy, and increasing numbers of patients are discharged with ongoing needs for infusion therapy in outpatient settings. Both patient groups benefit from use of PICCs and many medical centers are creatin...