Elizabeth M. Pieroth takes time out to discuss the many phases of a concussion as reference in your career as a case manager. She opens the discussion by pointing out that true concussion occurs most frequently during sports, but concussion can occur in a number of settings, including the workplace. She sets the scene with a brief explanation of concussions and resulting symptoms.
Her key message is that concussion results in "changes in mental status," not loss of consciousness. She directs the discussion to developing a method for determining when full recovery has been achieved. Her approach is to outline the reasons behind this condition, and what methods can be implemented to resolve this condition. Last but not least, she touches on "vertigo" and outlines methods to resolve this condition. Elizabeth closes with this advice: an individual and integrative approach to concussion care results in the best outcome for these patients.
Darlene S. Commons chooses to share her views on being a "mentor." She opens with a Chinese proverb, "There is a great person who makes everyone feel small. But the really great person is the one who makes everyone feel great." She advances this thought by pointing out that mentoring situations are individual support given voluntarily by one person to another. This has untold value because knowledge has become often more important for organizations than some other resources such as technology, market position, and financial resources. Darlene concludes by challenging each reader to consider being a "mentor" to those they come in contact with in their normal healthcare tasks.
Paul Haulsser takes the reader on a tour of aging patients, friends, and family members. How he interacts with them is determined by his case management experiences. He concludes with these rules that he developed over time:
* listen,
* be present,
* be prepared,
* be realistic, and
* be prepared for miracles.
When reading this article, you may see yourself when you interact with friends and family members.
Lana Allen demonstrates the value of communication with the healthcare team to gain a "successful return to work." She coordinated the efforts of the vocational consultant, physical therapist, and the spine surgeon. The patient was able to return to regular duty as a truck driver before the hearing regarding the defense appeal was scheduled. Definitely a win-win situation. Read the step by step this team took to ensure this "return to work" as reported by Lana.
-Frances Snowden, BS, RN, CRRN, CCM
Contributing Editor