N-Trivia

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 07:00 PM PST

Overview

kidney transplant

Organ donation is the removal of healthy tissues and organs of the human body from an individual. This person or donor can be those who have recently died or are still living. The purpose of donating a healthy organ is for transplantation to people who are in need of certain body part for life to be possible. Organs or tissues are removed via a surgical procedure.

Any people from all ages may be organ or tissue donors. When a person dies, organ, tissue or eye recovery agencies will then determine which organs or tissues are suitable for transplantation basing on the person's medical and social history. Aside from that, organ donation is only possible if the person (the one who recently died) signed a consent that allows the agency to remove his or her body organs and tissue at the time of his death.

Which organ can an individual donate?

People who are LIVING can donate a kidney or A PART of THE:

Lung
Liver
Intestine
Pancreas

Tissues that can be donated are:

Cornea (coating of the eyeball)
Middle ear
Skin
Heart valves
Bone
Veins
Cartilage
Tendons
Ligaments

Organs of the body that can transplanted after death:

Kidneys
Heart
Liver
Pancreas
Intestines
Lungs
Skin
Bone marrow
Cornea

When do organ donations occur?

Most organ and tissue donations occur after the donor has died. But some organs and tissues can be donated while the donor is alive.

Who can donate an organ?

Individual of all ages and background can be organ donors. Newborns as well as senior citizens have been organ donors. However, if the person is under 18 years of age, his or her parent or guardian must give permission for the person to become a donor. In cases where the donor is 18 years old or older, the interest and desire of wanting to be donor is shown by signing a donor card. The family should also be notified by the donor regarding his or her wishes.

Who cannot donate an organ?

People with the following medical conditions do not qualify to become an organ donor:

HIV
Actively spreading brain cancer
Certain severe and current infections

image courtesy of medicineforresidents.blogspot.com, myorgandonation.org

Restraint Application

Posted: 10 Feb 2011 06:11 PM PST

Definition

Restraint application is a technique of physically restricting a person's freedom of movement, physical activity or normal access to his body. A physical restraint is a piece of equipment or device that restricts a patient’s ability to move. It is any manual method or physical or mechanical device, material, or equipment attached or adjacent to the resident's body that the individual cannot remove easily which restricts freedom of movement or normal access to one's body.

The definition of restraint is based not on the equipment or device but rather on the functional status of the client. If the client cannot release himself from the device physically, then the said device is considered a restraint.

Purpose of Restraint Application

Restraints are used to control a patient who is at risk of harming him or her self and/or others. In some cases, restraints are also used for children who are not capable of remaining still when they are frightened or in pain during administration of medication or performing other procedures. However, using restraints in any health care facility should be used as the last option in dealing with patients.

When to use restraints?

Physical restraint should be used only when other, less restrictive, measures prove ineffective in protecting the patient and others from harm.

Types of Restraints

Soft restraints. This type of physical restraint device is used to limit movement of patients who are confused, disoriented or combative. The main goal of using this restraint is to prevent the patient from injuring him or her self and/or others.
Vest and Belt Restraints. In using this device full movement of arms and legs are permitted. This is used to prevent the patient from falling from bed or a chair.
Limb Restraints. Patients who are removing supportive equipments such as I.V. lines, indwelling catheters, NGTs and etc. are placed on limb restraints. This device allows only slight limb motion.
Mitts. This device prevents the patient from removing supportive equipment, scratching rashes or sores and injuring him or herself and/or others.
5. Body restraints. When patients become combative and hysterical they can be controlled by applying body restraints. This immobilizes almost all of the body.
6. Leather Restraints. This restraint is only used when soft restraints are not sufficient to control the patient and when sedation is either dangerous to the patient or ineffective.

Precautions of Restraint Application

Before applying restraints it is important to try other methods of promoting patient safety. Alternative methods that might be effective are reorientation of the patient to the physical surroundings, moving the patient's room near to the staff members, teaching relaxation techniques in order to decrease anxiety and fear and decrease overstimulation.
Documentation of any alternative method used is extremely important. Restraint application should be documented thoroughly.