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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...

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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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Thoughts about Organ Donation
May 18, 2009 12:42 PM by Lorettajo Kapinos

Organ donation is a reality I have to face on a regular basis. Every death that occurs in the ER must be reported to our regional organ donation center. As a nurse, this becomes yet another task I need to accomplish. As much as I understand the value Read More...

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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...

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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...

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The Elimination of Diversion
January 5, 2009 1:33 PM by Lorettajo Kapinos

January 1, 2009 was the day designated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to end diversion for Emergency Departments in the state of Massachusetts. In a letter addressed to all hospital CEOs, the Commissioner and Director clearly stated Read More...

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Are you OK?
November 21, 2008 5:29 PM by Lorettajo Kapinos

It's a simple question: "Are you OK?" As nurses, we are trained to use this as an assessment of responsiveness. Think back to CPR training and how we shake Resuci-Annie to garner a response, yelling "Annie, Annie! Are you OK?" However, when we hear it Read More...

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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...

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At My Wit’s End?
October 17, 2008 2:24 PM by Lorettajo Kapinos

The madness started the moment I walked in the door at 11am. My first two patients (yes, only two!) were both intermediate care. One of them had been in the ER since 5pm the night before. He had outstanding inpatient orders that had been entered at 7am. Read More...

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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...

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Welcomed Change
September 2, 2008 1:27 PM by Lorettajo Kapinos

This summer has been a season of change at Baystate Medical Center. This is not uncommon, really, in that I work for a large facility that is always adapting to the latest trends. The difference this time is that it finally feels like we are being supported Read More...

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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...

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