I chose technology as objects in my previous blog and I was thinking of the fact that medications fall into this same category as well. I believe that medications have become very important as part of the care and health of people that they cannot go unmentioned. Medications are technology because they have in many cases improved and prolonged the life of humans in countless ways by keeping us healthy.
Medications are used in prevention of thousands of ailments. For example one medication that we use extensively on our floor is Lovenox. It is a blood thinner that helps prevent blood clots and it is the primary choice doctors on my floor use after surgery. We are an Orthopedic and Neurology department and we use it on our post surgical patients as well as those who have had a stroke. Technology has provided us with a great medication that has many uses. Comparing it to other anticoagulants such as Heparin it is much easier to administer and more convenient. As stated by Doctor Joseph Caprini, "Overall, this compound is certainly as effective as standard heparin, plus it has the distinct advantage of once-daily dosing and eliminates the need for frequent laboratory testing.". So unlike Heparin which you have to draw up, Lovenox comes in prefilled syringes in sets of milligrams, each one for a different purpose. We use high doses for stroke victims and low doses after surgery and for maintenance thereafter.
We are living in a world of innovation that is constantly changing and attempting to make it more convenient for us all. In the field of medicine the millions of drugs out there are improving the quality and quantity of life for many. Medications are a part of the technology that my field uses as an object of grand importance.
Works Cited
Doctors Guide Global Edition
www.pslgroup.com
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Enjoying your blog. Lovenox and its use has had increased use over the past decade. It is also used in the pediatric setting which is the area that I work. According to the American Association of Home Care Physicians, Lovenox, compared to heparin, requires less frequent lab tests, has a predictable dose response, and is a medication that can be utilized in an outpatient therapy setting. It even says that it may be less expensive to use because of the advantage of less routine blood monitoring.
ReplyDeleteLovenox is a great example of technology as an object. That fact that Lovenox comes in prefilled syringes decreases the chance of medication errors. We have all heard of accidental lethal doses of Heparin being administered. Lovenox is not used in the NICU where I spent the majority of my career. The only problem I have with Lovenox working as a case manager is obtaining it for our unfunded and undocumented patients. I am looking forward to learning more.
ReplyDelete