#thegoodaboutblogging

 As a first-time blogger, I learned so much using blogging in my Environmental and Occupational Effects on Health course. After so much frustrations learning to write and publish blogs, I have come to realize that blogging promotes autonomous learning by providing opportunities for students to take control of their learning. Blogging motivated me to learn and become a better reader and writer. I feel confident now with publishing my blogs in any social media. Blogs improved and promoted my discussion ability with my colleagues, take and give critical feedback. I truly appreciate my new blogging skill; my gratitude’s goes to Dr. Barbara Sattler for introducing blogging in my learning.

BLOG#26

While technology has the potential to improve care, it is not without risks. Technology has been described as both part of the problem and part of the solution for safer health care, and some observers warned of the introduction of yet-to-be errors after the adoption of new technologies.

Patient care technology has become increasingly complex, transforming the way nursing care is conceptualized and delivered. Before extensive application of technology, nurses relied heavily on their senses of sight, touch, smell, and hearing to monitor patient status and to detect changes. Over time, the nurses’ unaided senses were replaced with technology designed to detect physical changes in patient conditions.

The general public believes that technology will improve health care efficiency, quality, safety, and cost. However, few people consider that these same technologies may also introduce errors and adverse events. Given the so many types of medical devices used by millions of health care providers around the world, device-related problems are inevitable

Being informed consumers and users of technology in health care means that nurses be involved in the selection of new equipment, receive the proper training for its use, and monitor equipment safety and the effect of technology on patients and families on an ongoing basis.

BLOG#25

The San Francisco Veterans Medical Center (SFVAMC) and six other Community Based Outpatient Clinics have stepped up efforts to become more environmentally friendly in their hospital and business practices. Among the green initiatives underway are plans to utilize solar energy to power electric vehicles and a wind turbine to power lighting fixtures, install light efficient fixtures, and upgrade the main campus boilers to more efficient units. 

 These efforts will allow us to provide valuable services to our veterans while reducing or using cleaner energy sources resulting in lesser air emission and the betterment of our environment. In addition, the recycling program has been improved, including the management in clinical labs of certain waste solvents, and the purchasing of environmentally friendly products has been increased.   

These initiatives are part of a coordinated effort to help make the Veterans Integrated Service more sustainable through the work of the Green Team, which includes representatives from all six SFVAMC campuses.  “As a large network of medical centers serving over 2.5 million Veterans a year”.

SFVAMC recognizes the impact it can have on the environment, especially the surrounding neighborhoods, by implementing more green practices.  The Green Team aims to promote sustainable practices by employees both at work, and at home, and integrate green business and medical practices into the Veterans’ healthcare administration.