Gary Poster, with essential assists from Galyn Norwood, Phiroon Phihakendr, Jose Quijada, Pavandeep Kalra. Two days later she died. Some 20,000 patients are killed every year by infections they pick up in America's hospitals. Patient-care technicians are trained for a matter of weeks, and their competency is judged solely by the employer.
Nursing involves all kinds of subtle perceptions.
If you say, 'I'm coughing. I feel anxious' to a registered nurse, that means pulmonary embolism. Nevertheless, patient-focused care is becoming the staffing pattern of choice throughout the country. Facing reduced reimbursements from Medicare, Medicaid and managed-care plans, hospitals must cut labor costs to survive. And nurses don't come cheap.