DEPRESSION

Depression Screening in Newly Hospitalized Adults



Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of Depression in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on Depression and its effect on the Hospitalized adults. The research also analyzes many aspects of Depression and tries to gauge its effect on Hospitalized adults.

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Introduction4

Analysis5

Research Evidence5

Treatments8

Plan for Implementation8

References13

Depression Screening in Newly Hospitalized Adults

Introduction

Depression is a whole-body illness that adversely affects both the body and mind of sufferers, including their thought patterns, eating, sleeping, and social interactions. Symptoms include persistent sadness and crying; rumination; feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness; loss of interest in pleasurable activities, including sex; irritability, pessimism, and self-criticism; difficulty concentrating, remembering and making decisions; insomnia or hypersomnia (oversleeping); excessive eating with weight gain or restricted eating with weight loss; withdrawal from social life, including school, work, and leisure activities; persistent aches and pains that are not responsive to treatment; fatigue, loss of energy and motivation; and thoughts of suicide and possible suicide attempts. There are many reports of terrible injuries and even death from improper use of restraints. Some people claim that the use of restraints violates the resident's basic human rights and that it is a procedure performed against their will. However, my claim is that the use of physical restraints in the old age home should be implemented for safety reasons because many Depressive elderly patients suffer from diseases that cause decline in cognitive function, such as Alzheimer's disease. The claim of this paper is that it is our obligation to protect these patients from hurting themselves, wandering off or falling. Due to the reports of injuries and deaths resulting from misuse of the devices, a call for strict guidelines in their usage has to be made.

It is my intention in this paper to demonstrate that in some instances physical restraining is necessary in the nursing home setting to ensure adequate safety measures. Secondly, I will discuss the legal and ethical aspect of using restraints. Finally, since restraints have the potential for causing serious injury, there are safety guidelines in place for their use, and I will outline this protocol.

Analysis

Physical restraints are items used to restrict, restrain or prevent movement of a person. It is the forcible confinement of a confused, disorientated, psychotic or irrational person. Restraints of any kind are only used when the patient's behavior presents a danger to himself or to another person. Physical restraints are never used for the convenience of the staff or as a substitute for conscientious nursing care. Restraints include mitts to prevent removal of drainage tubes, or leg and arm restraints to limit mobility and prevent the patient from climbing out of bed or harming someone at the bedside. Waist and body restraints, such as a straitjacket, also prevent the patient from hurting himself. Some examples of physical restraints used in nursing homes are lap buddies, belts, "geri" chairs, vests or trays which keep the resident immobilized in his ...