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Biomedical subjects

Judy Gates

Publications and source records attributed to Judy Gates.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Obesity: changing the face of geriatric care.

Statistics suggest that more and more older Americans are carrying extra weight-an estimated 40% of individuals between the ages of 60 and 69 have a body mass index >30 and 30% of persons between ages of 70 and 79 years are obese. Obesity, coupled with the challenges of aging, leads to an unfortunate burden of chronic disease, functional decline, poor quality of life, and an increased risk of being homebound. Physical assessment of the elderly obese patient should include measurement of height, weight (to determine body mass index) and waist circumference (to address central obesity) and consideration of vascular, skin, and mobility issues. Weight management strategies such as diet and hydration should balance nutritional requirements with weight loss; particular attention to protein needs in chair- and bedbound patients is necessary. Additional approaches such as exercise, bariatric weight loss surgery, and weight loss medication should be considered on an individual basis related to their inherent risks in this population. Weight loss/management options framed from an interdisciplinary perspective can improve quality of life for these patients and their caregivers. Research specific to obesity in this age group is warranted.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Challenges of ostomy care and obesity.

In the United States, 13 to 16 million people are morbidly obese to the extent that medical intervention, simply based on obesity-related comorbidities, is needed. The challenge of ostomy care and the very obese patient lies in the skill and planning required for successful physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery. It is commonly believed that from the onset, the obese patient having surgery is at a significant disadvantage. Care of the obese patient requiring ostomy surgery includes considerable challenges - from preoperative preparation, including finding an optimal location for stoma placement, to the challenge of preventing complications during the intraoperative and postoperative phases of care. Concerns regarding pain management, immobility, skin injury, respiratory issues, embolic threats, and caregiver injury increase when treating the obese patient and must be addressed specifically. A case study approach is used as a framework to discuss the ostomy experience.

Comorbidity↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Achieving Magnet status.

Magnet has become the gold standard for nursing excellence. It is the symbol of effective and safe patient care. It evaluates components that inspire safe care, including employee satisfaction and retention, professional education, and effective interdisciplinary collaboration. In an organization whose mission focuses on excellent patient care, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center found that pursuing Magnet status was clearly the next step. In this article, we will discuss committee selection, education, team building, planning, and the discovery process that define the Magnet journey. The road to obtaining Magnet status has permitted many opportunities to celebrate our achievements.

Arizona↗