Infant and Pediatric Mortality Rates
Mortality rates of pediatric and neonatal patients have improved over the past few decades though, some countries still lack the improvement that has been witness elsewhere. The issue lies within the simple precautions that can be taken to prevent multiple deaths of infants and children. Nurses are also effect by the deaths of their patients. Future implications need to be set fourth to not only benefit the patients but the nurses as well.
The Now
In 2013 the mortality average for children aged one to four in the United States was about 25.5 out of every 100,000 of the population. The three leading causes of death for children in this age group were: accidents (the CDC describes as unintentional injuries), congenital malformations, deformities, and chromosomal abnormalities, as well as assault or homicide. In 2013 there was a total of 4,068 deaths of children aged one to four years old (“Child Health”, 2016). In the same year, the mortality average of children ages five to fourteen, were dramatically lower at 13 to ever 100,000 of the population. Though there was a higher number of deaths at 5,340, due to the fact that the age distribution was slightly more heavy on those that were younger. These death we 're caused by a range of incidents such as accidents, cancer, and self harm (“Child Health”, 2016). Over the past three decades the United States has experienced an increased improvement in the the mortality rate of pediatric patients. From 1990 to 2011 the average number of teen death per 100,000 of the population decreased by 20. Shifting from 46 teen death in 1990 to 26 in 2011 (“The Annie E. Casey Foundation”, 2014). According to the Anni...
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...ons would then improve a nurses ability to elicit care to their next patient. (Kellogg et al., 2014, p.300). The ability to verbalize their experiences of patient death, has opened the eyes of the community to see that a great support system for the nursing staff is needed (Kellogg et al., 2014, p.300).
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Statistically pediatric amorality rates are improving in the United States, though they are still higher than what is wanted. Simple precautions can be taken to drastically lower mortality rates in underdeveloped countries. Programs implicated in to hospitals as a way for nurses to grieve after the loss of a patient can lower mortality rates as well, seeing as nurses often never have the time to truly grieve about one patient. This could then cut down on the emotional ware and tear that nurses experience in their profession.
meet the challenge of preparing future nurses who will have the knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSAs) necessary to continuously improve the quality and safety of the healthcare systems within which they work” (QSEN, 2017). The six QSEN competencies include patient- centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence- based practice, quality improvement, safety, and informatics. Two QSEN competencies that relate to MAS are safety, and teamwork and collaboration. The nurse needs to have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding MAS to ensure the newborn’s safety. In order to keep the newborn safe, the nurse must have critical thinking skills to be able to recognize and communicate pertinent information, such as new
Nurses play a big role in supporting the parents while their child is in the NICU. Showing compassion and demonstrating caring actions when caring for the patient makes it more likely that the parents will trust the nurse and the information the nurse gives them regarding their child’s condition. This trust is important as it helps the parents feel confident in the decisions they are making about their child’s care. When the parents of an ill child in the NICU have decided to terminate treatment palliative care by the nurse and other healthcare providers comes into play. Palliative care is keeping the child comfortable by treating the symptoms and being there for the parents and child physically, emotionally, and spiritually (Eden & Callister, 2010).
Mphahlele, R. R. (2007). Caring for premature babies - a clinical guide for nurses. Professional Nursing Today, 11(1), 40-46.
The journal associated with this organization is Advances in Neonatal Care. This information was established through the website and the Co- Editors ...
Neonatal nursing is a field of nursing designed especially for both newborns and infants up to 28 days old. The term neonatal comes from neo, "new", and natal, "pertaining to birth or origin”. Neonatal nurses are a vital part of the neonatal care team. These are trained professionals who concentrate on ensuring that the newborn infants under their care are able to survive whatever potential life threatening event they encounter. They treat infants that are born with a variety of life threatening issues that include instances of prematurity, congenital birth defects, surgery related problems, cardiac malformations, severe burns, or acute infection. Neonatal care in hospitals was always done by the nursing staff but it did not officially become a specialized medical field until well into 1960s. This was due to the numerous advancements in both medical care training and related technology that allowed for the improved treatment and survival rate of premature babies. According to the March of Dimes, one of every thirteen babies born in the United States annually suffers from low birth weight. This is a leading cause in 65% of infant deaths. Therefore, nurses play a very important role in providing round the clock care for these infants, those born with birth defects or other life threatening illness. In addition, these nurses also tend to healthy babies while their mothers recover from the birthing process. Prior to the advent of this specialized nursing field at risk newborn infants were mostly cared for by obstetricians and midwives who had limited resources to help them survive (Meeks 3).
Nurses are both blessed and cursed to be with patients from the very first moments of life until their final breath. With those last breaths, each patient leaves someone behind. How do nurses handle the loss and grief that comes along with patients dying? How do they help the families and loved ones of deceased patients? Each person, no matter their background, must grieve the death of a loved one, but there is no right way to grieve and no two people will have the same reaction to death. It is the duty of nurses to respect the wishes and grieving process of each and every culture; of each and every individual (Verosky, 2006). This paper will address J. William Worden’s four tasks of mourning as well as the nursing implications involved – both when taking care of patients’ families and when coping with the loss of patients themselves.
The nurse to patient ratio is unrealistic in many hospitals. In most cases it is almost impossible to give each patient the true amount of detailed care they really need. This is seen in most cases where there is one nurse assigned to 16 patients and each patient requires a different level of attention. Nurses are pressed for time, forcing them to cut corners, resulting in an increase in nosocomial infections and patient deaths. “The past decade has been a unsettled time for many US hospitals and practicing nu...
death among young adults. One in every five American parents personally knows a child that has
As a first world country American infants should have a seemingly better start at life than many other countries. In recent decades America has made a strident effort in the progress towards lower Infant mortality rates resulting in a decline from 12.1-6.2 ( ). However, there is a concerning disparity between white American babies and black American babies in terms of infant mortality. The current Infant mortality rate for non-Hispanic white women is 5.11 deaths per 1,000 births. For Non-Hispanic black women the rate is 11.42 deaths per 1,000 births.. A high rate of infant mortality is seen equally in African Americans across the strata of the racial group showing no prejudice to SES, education, and other intrinsic factors such as education or access to health care. African American infant mortality rates are a severe social disparity in modern America as compared to other minority and non-minority groups regardless of SES, educational status, and age. This alarmingly oppositional data is both puzzling and startling to public health professionals and doctors alike as they attempt to determine a direct cause for such a devastating disparity
Granted, textbooks and nursing classes deal with death, but Marks explains that you do not really understand it until it is right in front of you. Overtime it becomes something that nurse’s become accustom to. To clarify the subject of death never becomes easy, it just becomes bearable. After 31 years of experience Marks explained to me that nurses have to learn how to distance themselves, yet still be caring at the same time; a trait that does not come easily to most. In the same way treating someone with a terminal illness is just as hard. In these cases nurses must step into the role of councillors. They must learn how to comfort their patient, yet not become too attached. As well they must learn how to explain to them what is happening, which can become especially hard when dealing with
A nurse’s role in our society today is exceptionally significant. Nurses are somewhat idolized and looked to as our everyday “superman”. “The mission of nursing in society is to help individuals, families, and groups to determine and achieve physical, mental, and social potential, and to do so within the challenging context of the environment in which they live and work” (“The Role of a Nurse/Midwife”). Many Americans turn to nurses for delivery of primary health care services and health care education (Whelan). In our country, there is constantly someone in need of health care. There will always be a baby being born or a person dying, someone becoming ill or growing old. Some people due to their physical and/or mental state of health are completely dependent on a nurse and wouldn’t be able to get through the simple obstacles of every day, or achieve the necessary requirements of a simple day without their aid. Not only do nurses help, and assist you when you’re sick, but also act to promote good health to others. They end...
The next time I walked into a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit was as a fourth year medical student. This time not as a spectator, but as a medical professional expec...
The societal taboo associated with death and dying is only worsened when death becomes imminent for an infant or child. Pediatric death and dying is a seldom discussed and often evaded topic in healthcare. This topic, although somber and challenging, is relevant for those nurses who encounter pediatric death and dying first hand. The following discussion will define death and dying in a pediatric population, identify the role of the bedside nurse in support of the dying child and parents of child, the bedside nurse’s role in an interdisciplinary team on a floor where death is a common occurrence, and promotion of nursing self-care to combat compassion fatigue and burnout.
The field of nursing provides one the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Nurses interact directly with patients at times of hardship, vulnerability, and loss. The nursing profession has been around for decades. Due to the contribution from historical leaders in nursing, the nurse’s role has progressed over time. Although the roles of nurses have evolved throughout the years, one thing has remained the same: the purpose in giving the best patient care.
In my medical career, I have been privileged to work alongside some of the most professional, dedicated, knowledgeable and compassionate nurses. I have seen first-hand the difference that they can make in a patient’s life and their family, during those unfortunate times when sickness and injury can be so overwhelming. The appreciation and respect that I have for nurses, as well as their indispensable contribution to the health care system, is what encourage me to pursue nursing as a profession.