Q-Tips For Your Ears
Healthcare Information: Getting Back to the BasicsOur Podcast Series
Looking for health care information and quality resources? If so, you have landed in the right spot. Q-Tips For Your Ears is designed for everyone; the intent is to share basic information on topics that matter. The Series was developed by Great Plains QIN Quality Improvement Advisors. We hope you found what you were looking for. We welcome suggestions for content; AND be sure to check back often for new Q-Tips For Your Ears.
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How to prevent and treat skin tears and pressure injuries in the older population.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/skin-and-wounds-how-to-prevent-injury-and-improve-healing/
Good communication is essential to help patients stay out of the emergency department and hospital; avoiding the 'Multi-Visit Patient - MVP' label.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/mvp-multi-visit-patient-teach-back-communication/
What are Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)? Signs and symptoms, prevention and treatment.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/burning-questions-about-urinary-tract-infections/
Three vaccines those 60+ need for the 2023-2024 Fall and Winter seasons.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/three-shots-for-fall-covid-19-flu-and-rsv/
Learn about what makes a bias an implicit bias and the power and potential harm of implicit bias.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/implicit-bias/
Many people just assume falls are a normal part of aging – and they are NOT. There are actions older adults can take to keep on their feet to stay healthy and independent longer.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/keep-you-on-your-feet-preventing-falls/
What Matters, Having Difficult Conversations About End of Life- having conversations about what matters to you at the end of life can be difficult to begin. Learn how to start the conversation, what questions to ask yourself and your loved ones and ensure the things that matter to you are followed.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/what-matters-having-difficult-conversations-about-end-of-life/
When to Call for Help-navigating the uncertainties of when to reach out for medical assistance can be confusing. You might be unsure when to call the doctor’s office, go to urgent care or when to head to the emergency department. GPQIN developed a tool called When to Call for Help, listen in and learn how to use this to and where to find it.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/when-to-call-for-help/
Sepsis is a medical emergency as important to understand as stroke and heart attack. Learn the symptoms and what you should say to your healthcare provider when you suspect sepsis.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/time-is-sepsis-have-you-heard/
Following a diagnosis of heart attack or heart failure, or after a procedure such as a heart stent or heart surgery, participating in cardiac rehab is one of the best things you can do for your heart.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/cardiac-rehab-do-it-for-your-heart/
Besides helping prevent many long-lasting conditions known as chronic conditions, regular exercise can help make life better for people who have them.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/how-exercise-helps-with-chronic-disease/
What is C. diff, why is awareness of C. diff infections important and how can we prevent these infections to keep us safe? November is C. Diff Awareness Month; knowing the signs and symptoms is key to improved health and better outcomes. Take a few minutes to listen and learn more.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/c-difficile-what-everyone-needs-to-know/
Although there is no cure, diabetes can be managed with changes in lifestyle (diet and exercise) and treatment. Self-management of diabetes is critical to overall health and longevity. Education and support is available. As we recognize Diabetes Awareness Month, take a few minutes to listen and learn more.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/diabetes-the-path-to-understanding-starts-here/
Understand the history of vaccines, vaccine safety, and why vaccines are important and how vaccines improve health in the community. Take a few minutes to listen and learn more.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/vaccines-history-choice-and-what-we-should-know/
The American Cancer Society hosts the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November every year. It is an opportunity for people who smoke or use smokeless tobacco to commit to healthy, nicotine-free lives. Take a few minutes to listen and learn more.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/the-great-american-smokeout-make-a-plan-to-quit-smoking/
What are antibiotics, why is antibiotic awareness important and how can we be good stewards when using antibiotics? Knowing when antibiotics are needed and how antibiotic misuse can affect others is key to having antibiotics work when we need them. Take a few minutes to listen and learn more.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/antibiotic-use-gain-knowledge-and-understanding/
Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring (SMBP) is the regular measurement of blood pressure by the patient, outside the clinical setting. SMBP requires a home blood pressure measurement device to measure blood pressure at different points throughout the day. Learn how SMBP and support from the health care team can help with blood pressure control.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/self-measured-blood-pressure-monitoring/
Opioids are medications prescribed by providers to treat persistent or severe pain. More than two million Americans misuse opioids and more than 90 Americans die every day from opioid overdose. Who is impacted and what can you or your community do to help reduce opioid misuse? Take a few minutes to listen and learn more.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/the-truth-about-opioids/
Adverse drug events happen every day and can occur with anyone who is taking a medicine. What is an adverse drug event, how does it happen and what can I do to help reduce the risk? Take a few minutes to listen and learn more.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/what-are-adverse-drug-events/
The kidneys filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. As kidneys fail, waste builds up. Symptoms of chronic kidney disease develop slowly; some people have no symptoms at all and are diagnosed by blood and urine tests. Learn what you can do to help prevent CKD and lower your risk for kidney failure.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/chronic-kidney-disease-ckdcould-you-have-it-and-not-know-it/
When should the Emergency Department (ED) be utilized and when should a person monitor their symptoms at home? When should someone visit the doctor's office or an urgent care clinic? Why is ED overuse important and why does it matter? Take a few minutes to listen and learn more.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/how-to-stay-out-of-the-emergency-department/
It is important to understand the different types of stigma associated with mental health conditions. We believe we can reduce the stigmas surrounding mental health through awareness and education. Take a few minutes to listen and learn more.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/de-stigmatizing-mental-health-conditions/
Tips for returning home after a discharge from a hospital or nursing home facility. Take a few minutes to listen and learn more.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/tips-for-safe-return-home/
Did you know the health of your mouth, teeth and gums has an impact on your overall health? Take a few minutes to listen and learn more.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/oral-health_-a-window-to-your-overall-health/
Health Equity has become a priority and highly talked about topic. Familiarize yourself with what health equity is and learn about some of the different areas that influence an individual or a communities in achieving their best health.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/health-equity-what-it-is-and-why-it-is-important/
Health disparities exist in every community. Understanding how they are identified and how this information is utilized may help you understand and be aware of your communities’ efforts or needs.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/health-disparities-understand-the-difference-in-health-outcomes/
Understand what social drivers are and how they impact the health of individuals and communities.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/social-determinants-of-health/
Improving health literacy is one way to advance health equity. Understand what health literacy is, who it affects and strategies that can be done to improve health literacy.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/health-literacy/
Learn what cultural humility is and how it can impact building trusting relationships and health outcomes.
- https://greatplainsqin.org/blog/episode/cultural-humility/
Meet Your Q-Tip Hosts!
Dee Kaser, RN, CDCES (Left)
Tammy Wagner, RN, LSSGB (Right)
Dee and Tammy are Great Plains QIN quality improvement advisors and subject matter experts.