AAACEUs Blog
Human Trafficking - A Toolkit for Identifying Victims
By AAACEUs
Human trafficking is increasingly prevalent in our society and as healthcare professionals we encounter it more and more. Human trafficking is a criminal business that profits from the illegal transportation of people, typically for the purposes of forced labor or sexual exploitation. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, it is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world today and second largest - second only to drug trafficking and tied with illegal arms. Why has this become such an issue in modern day America?
Suicide Prevention - The NIMH's Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) Toolkit
By AAACEUs
Suicide is a global public health problem. Worldwide, suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals 10 - 24 years old. According to the CDC, in 2015, more than 5,900 young individuals in the US committed suicide - even more common are suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts.
Opioid-Related Deaths - CDC's Report on Opioid Overdoses in the Emergency Department
By AAACEUs
Life expectancy has dropped in America for the first time since 1999. The reasons for this are complex, but one of the main culprits is the growing opioid epidemic in this country. As opioid abuse and opioid-related deaths receive increased attention, we're starting to see best practices by healthcare providers change and evolve.
JCAHO's New Standards for Pain Management and Assessment
By AAACEUs
In 2001, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) released their new pain management standards. These new standards led to a commonly held perception that should be seen as the "5th vital sign". At the time, patients' pain was not being managed well and the emphasis of the new guidelines was to address this concern. It is a commonly held belief that this led to a period of overprescribing that was one of the many factors that contributed to the opioid crisis.
SAMHSA's Resource Guide on Opioid Use in the Older Adult Population
By AAACEUs
With the opioid epidemic receiving increased attention over the last year, there is a lot of information available regarding opioid abuse. In particular, there has been a focus on the population aged 25-40 but there is also concern regarding opioid use/abuse amongst the elderly. The population of older adults who misuse opioids is projected to double from 2004 to 2020, from 1.2 percent to 2.4 percent.
Tips for Alzheimer's Caregivers
By AAACEUs
As healthcare professionals, it's important to understand the stress and challenges the primary caregiver is faced with on a daily basis. Many individuals who find themselves in the position of primary caregiver sometimes lack the knowledge of the disease process of Alzheimer's and what it means to be the caregiver.
Return to Work: Having the Right Plan in Place For Success
By AAACEUs
Assisting an employee through the return to work process after a leave of absence for a mental illness is a delicate and challenging job. How much information to share, what accommodations need to be made, who needs to be involved in the planned return, and how coworkers react are just a few of the challenges. Having a solid plan in place for the return to work (RTW) process is a valuable tool for any work environment.
National Cancer Institute's Discussion on Medical Marijuana Use for Cancer Patients
By AAACEUs
Now that more states are legalizing marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes, patients are beginning to ask healthcare providers if marijuana could be helpful for their symptoms or side effects of treatments. As marijuana is federally illegal in the United States, it can be hard for healthcare professionals to find reliable and current information for their patients and families. The National Cancer Institute has published on its website a discussion of cannabis and cannabinoids relating to cancer.
The Challenges of Parkinson's Care: Tips For The Primary Caregiver
By AAACEUs
Taking care of someone with a chronic, debilitating disease is difficult. Caregiving is a 24/7 job and, as the disease progresses, it becomes more demanding.
