History of Healthcare
Why was it important for hospitals to start handwashing and sterilizing equipment?
Lowers infections/deaths
Which pathway includes nurses, doctors, and physical therapists?
Therapeutic
A patient is rushed in with chest pain. Who is likely to check their vital signs?
Nurse / Medical Assistant
A patient refuses a flu shot. What should the team do?
Educate the patient of risks, but respect their decision
A worker’s deep cut is showing signs of infection. Which historical discovery is most important in treating it?
Antibiotics
England banned throwing waste into the streets in the 1800s. Why did this change public health?
Stopped outbreaks of infection
A pharmacy technician prepares medications. Which pathway do they belong to?
Support
A patient is prescribed antibiotics. Why do both the nurse and pharmacist need to be involved before the patient takes the medicine?
To be sure of dosage, allergies, other reactions
A 17-year-old refuses surgery, but parents say yes. Whose voice matters most?
Depends on the state, in CO, the patient
A diabetic patient can’t refill insulin because the prescription is expired. Name 2 professionals who should work together to fix it
Physician, pharmacist
X-rays were new in the late 1800s. What advantage did they give doctors compared to older methods?
See inside person instead of cutting into them
A radiology technician takes X-rays. Which pathway is this?
Diagnostic
A patient recovering from a broken leg needs help learning to walk again. Who should lead this process?
Physical Therapist
A family argues with the healthcare team about whether Grandma should stay on life support. What should the team consider before deciding?
Patient's wishes, family input, medical team's duty to patient
A patient doesn’t understand their discharge instructions. What could the nurse say or do to check for understanding?
Ask a question that requires the patient to repeat back
Germ theory changed how people thought about disease. What was one immediate impact and one long-term impact?
Better sanitation; research to antibiotics and vaccines
A medical coder updates patient records. Which pathway is this?
A patient is being discharged after surgery. What needs to happen before the patient leaves (be specific)
Discharge nurse explains exact steps and asks questions to make sure the patient understands
A patient refuses a blood transfusion for religious reasons. What is the team’s responsibility?
Educate on risks, explore alternative options
Which pathway would include a medical sales rep?
Health informatics / Biotechnology / Support
Ancient doctors sometimes drilled holes in skulls (trepanation). Why might this have seemed logical at the time, and what do we do instead today?
Release evil spirits
A researcher develops a new vaccine. Which pathway is this?
If you have a patient who speaks another language, name one way you can make sure communication is clear
Use a trained medical interpreter/translator / Use visual aids, gestures, or pictures.
A patient can’t afford a needed medication. Should the patient get the medication?
Yes, care should be given regardless of ability to pay
If someone working in Health Informatics was not doing their job properly, what is one negative result that could happen?
Prescribed wrong medication, missing allergy information, lost test results, billing / insurance problems