Discussion 1-
The drug I chose to discuss is smoking cessation Zyban. This is an FDA approval drug that is targeted for adults who are having a difficult time breaking the habit of smoking cigarettes. The patient will need to see a doctor who will perform a physical and speak to the patient encouraging them to continue on the medication to become a non-smoker. The doctor will write prescription and the patient pharmacy will fill it. The cost of prescription is often covered by the patient insurance due to society behavior toward smoking and the health benefits when you stop. The development of smoking cessation products was introduced in the late 90's due to the overwhelming campaign to curb smoking because of the adverse health problems associated with nicotine. The most commonly observed adverse events consistently associated with the use of Zyban are dry mouth and insomnia (FDA 101: Smoking Cessation Products, 2015).
In addition to warnings about changes in behavior, hostility, agitation, depression and suicidal thoughts or actions while taking this drug, the medication guide for Zyban cites other adverse events and risks related to this product, including seizures, high blood pressure, and allergic reactions. Because Zyban contains the same active ingredient as the antidepressant Wellbutrin (bupropion), users and potential users are urged to talk to their health care professional about risks of treatment with antidepressant medicines (FDA 101: Smoking Cessation Products) .
This product is on the Med Watch list (FDA) due to the multiple warnings and symptom users may experience. Patients who receive a prescription for this product are 18 years and older. This product cannot be prescribed for children (FDA 101: Smoking Cessation Products).
I am an ex-smoker (18) years ago, and it took me three tries going cold turkey. I am not sure I would have been courageous to try this drug. The symptoms I experienced included irritation and an increased appetite for food which gave me 70lbs more of body weight. But the benefits I received; to be able to have better lungs and breathing cleaner air was worth the 6 months it took me to break this habit.
Discussion 2-
This discussion is a research activity in which you will evaluate the pros and cons of FDA regulation of the pharmaceutical industry. To meet the requirements of this discussion activity, you may consider the topic from either of the following perspectives: 1) a specific drug and its impact on patients or on costs.
For this week, I choose to look into the use of FDA regulations in regards to aromatherapy products. In our household, I try to do as much natural or essential oils as possible for illness and aliments. The job of the FDA is to put into place what a product is intended for as far as use and abuse goes. This is linked to labeling and advertising of the product as well.
Some pros of having on FDA rating for essential oils is the safety factor. In other words, when you use a product, you are told what to do with it and what should be expected along with possible side effects. This gives the consumer a safety net of sorts. It helps put trust in a product when you see those three special letters on the package or box.
A con can be it makes the world of generic products very difficult to break through. For those people that can't afford the real deal or main market product, they could use the off brand for the same purpose. But you are taking a risk with that brand without the FDA approval. It may not work as well or you may have to use more of the product than you would with the name brand. Both of these can impact the consumer through cost, risk and what is needed or desired.
Discussion 3-
Topic 1: What is retail medicine, and should it be of concern to health care managers and leaders in for-profit and not-for-profit environments?
Retail medicine is an alternative option to deliver medicine and patient care to those that don't want to visit a hospital. I think that it should be a concern for health care managers because in this day and age we all see the urgent care centers and clinics that serve patients in the same capacity as a hospital does. Also, the profit centers sometimes are as expensive as a hospital, but the wait is often shorter than the hospital settings.
Select an ACHE Ethical Policy Statement to review. In your own words, what is the issue or dilemma that the statement addresses? Synopsize the association's policy position for your classmates.
The issue that the policy address is workplace abuse. Abuse in any form is wrong, but it often happens in the workplace more often then we think. Workplace abuse is any conduct that affects the performance of you job by someone that is displaying inappropriate behavior. The policy position includes The American College of Healthcare Executives believes that all healthcare executives have a professional and ethical responsibility to promote a healthy workplace that is free of aggression, harassment and intimidation. Healthcare executives should demonstrate zero tolerance for inappropriate and disruptive behavior, including harassment on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, age, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, or any other personal characteristic. On behalf of their employing organizations, healthcare executives must further realize that they are responsible for implementing policy and monitoring compliance among their managers. To this end, healthcare executives should model desired behaviors and promote multifaceted programs in their organizations to prevent inappropriate and disruptive behaviors (ACHE, 2010).
ACHE. (2010, November 8). Retrieved March 11, 2015, from https://www.ache.org/policy/harass.cfm
Discussion 4-
What is retail medicine, and should it be of concern to health care managers and leaders in for-profit and not-for-profit environments?
Retail medicine has been described as health care services that are provided in "retail settings" or nonhospital, nontraditional medical environments (Nash, Jacoby, and Murtha, 2008). Examples of retail medicine include minor emergency health care clinics. (Burns 413) It should be a concern to health care managers and leaders in for-profit and not-for-profit environments because these retail clinics or convenient care clinics offer walk-in services for a limited scope of medical conditions from minor sore throats and ear infections to preventative services such as flu shots, vaccinations, and health screenings (Nash, Jacoby, and Murtha, 2008). They are usually staffed by advanced practice health professionals such as nurse practitioners (NPs) or physician's assistants (PAs).
Many of the convenient care clinics are members of the Convenient Care Association (CCA). The CCA is an organization of health care systems and companies that offer accessible, cost-effective, quality health services located in retail-based environments (Convenient Care Association, 2008). Executive management for the CCA is provided by a nonprofit public health institute, the Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC). (Burns 414)
What is the issue or dilemma that the statement addresses?
DECISIONS NEAR THE END OF LIFE
The American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) expects healthcare executives to be committed to the compassionate and competent care of dying patients. It is ethical to have an individual sign power of attorney, DNR- do not resuscitate, and to have a living will, with this said the individual will have his/her will regarding treatment when he/she is in an end of life situation. When an individual is in an end stage it is important to decide what your wishes would be if you wish for the physician to continue to keep you alive as much as possible, or if you would just want go with the divine to do his will. With this said you would need to know if you would like to go to hospice, hospice is an end of life support keeping the patient calm and comfort until the divine decides to take the life away. The ACHE expects that all the healthcares promotes end of life decision to help the individual with the end of life.