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The Reality of Propofol Abuse
September 7, 2009 3:22 PM by Lorettajo Kapinos

I have been following the first season of Nurse Jackie closely. Not only am I enjoying the show, but I also find the heated debate around it very interesting. Ainsley Maloney's coverage of the show at Advance Perspective has had great comments, as well Read More...

4 comments »     

Copay collection dilemma
August 19, 2009 10:43 AM by Lorettajo Kapinos

Most insurance companies require a copay for different types of appointments, including ER visits. This seems reasonable enough, and most of the rules, depending on the particular policy make sense. But now that the hospital I work in attempts to collect Read More...

6 comments »     

I QUIT....and then...
August 6, 2009 9:43 AM by Lorettajo Kapinos

I ran through the door at 3pm, a few minutes late. The hallway was filled with stretchers and wheelchairs holding patients that had been waiting for hours. The air was warm and thick; the air conditioner had apparently malfunctioned again. I swallowed Read More...

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Saying "I'm sorry" should be okay.....
June 11, 2009 11:18 AM by Lorettajo Kapinos

I have seen a recent resurgence in the news about medical apologies. According to a recent article on MSNBC , Rhode Island is trying to join 27 other states that have passed laws forbidding an apology from a doctor to be used in a law suit against them. Read More...

2 comments »     

Hold the Attitude, Please....
April 27, 2009 10:41 PM by Lorettajo Kapinos

Spring has sprung, finally. Thanks to the lovely Norovirus, this winter was brutal. Incapacitating vomiting with diarrhea took out practically everyone I know. With the abolition of diversion, frequent sick calls, and a super long winter, we in the ER Read More...

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What if They Knew?
April 6, 2009 9:24 AM by Lorettajo Kapinos

I often wonder what people expect when they come to the Emergency Department. In triage, I am bombarded with the same question over and over again. There are variations, of course, but it’s always the same. They want to know how long they are going to Read More...

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Interpreting a Foreign Language
February 16, 2009 1:02 PM by Lorettajo Kapinos

I recently decided to start a new adventure on the World Wide Web. With advances in technology today, I figured that designing my own website would be easy. I was wrong. I ran into so many difficulties and had trouble finding answers. What I learned was Read More...

1 comments »     

Life After Diversion
January 26, 2009 9:08 AM by Lorettajo Kapinos

Earlier this month, I wondered what it was going to be like in the ER without being able to divert ambulances. Right after I wrote that post, I went to work. It was a Monday. According to the nurse in charge that day, we had the highest acuity and census Read More...

1 comments »     

Defining Effective
November 5, 2008 10:52 AM by Lorettajo Kapinos

Last month I wrote about my recent frustrations with my current job. Things haven't changed much on the surface, but I still find myself searching for answers and ways to cope. Writing has always worked well to help me organize my thoughts and feelings. Read More...

2 comments »     

Brain Throb
September 29, 2008 2:28 PM by Lorettajo Kapinos

In my last blog , I spoke about the addition of computers to our nursing process. It has been challenging for everyone, including me. I have been quite taken aback, actually, at how much I have struggled over the past few weeks. I went into this acknowledging Read More...

1 comments »     

Extreme Moments
June 9, 2008 2:27 PM by Lorettajo Kapinos

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting the guys from the country music band Emerson Drive. Their song "Moments" has had an impact on me greater than I was able to express to them that night. It is difficult for me to put into words the emotions I have Read More...

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Reconsidering my 'Trauma Daze'
May 19, 2008 12:09 PM by Lorettajo Kapinos

The trauma room was once an elusive place to me where lives are magically saved and miracles occur every day. I waited anxiously to receive notice that it was time to take the Trauma Nurse Core Class (TNCC) and orient to the elite status of trauma nurse. Read More...

1 comments »     

The Power of a Smile
April 29, 2008 9:19 AM by Lorettajo Kapinos

Sometimes the ER can become a hum-drum shift of pacifying angry people. Working in triage can feel more like being in the penalty box than any other place on earth. In 2003, our triage and waiting area was redesigned with large picture windows to increase Read More...

2 comments »     

Open Forum for Change
April 7, 2008 9:54 AM by Lorettajo Kapinos

I mentioned in a previous blog, "The RSV Blues ," the pediatric emergency department has had a very busy winter. The adult area is even worse. One day last month, we had over 90 patients registered and being cared for in our 31-bed unit. How can this Read More...

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Perceiving Reality
February 5, 2008 3:34 PM by Lorettajo Kapinos

I had a conversation recently with my supervisor, Gillian, regarding reality versus perception. I cognitively know other people can have different perceptions of a situation than I do, but when it involves emotions, it becomes difficult to accept. In Read More...

7 comments »