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After assessing, making nursing diagnoses, and stating the plan's outcomes, the life care planner researches the cost of each item or service recommendation and may calculate the cost for lifetime needs. This is where errors can occur. An opposing attorney will likely look for this "low-hanging fruit." There may be no right way or wrong way to arrive at the total cost. Being aware of common pitfalls can assist in determining the best methods for the varying frequencies and intervals that will be applied to each of the future medical care items so your report will reflect the best opinions about the cost of future needs in a defensible manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nurse Life Care Planners (NLCPs) write long-term care plans for patients with lifelong medical conditions, many with neurological conditions such as stroke and traumatic brain injury. In certain circumstances, NLCPs encounter patients needing neurologic shunts. A ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is one of several medical devices used to drain cerebrospinal fuid (CSF) away from the brain and into the peritoneum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical, research, and educational advantages of narrative interviewing in case management and rehabilitation counseling settings are discussed. The translation of narrative interviewing as a research approach to narrative interviewing as a practical clinical approach supports in-depth client interviewing, self-refection, information-gathering, and rapport- building in clinical settings where counselors do not traditionally perceive that they have opportunities to do so. Storytelling is cross-culturally intrinsic, familiar, and relevant, and allows the client an uncommon platform in the rehabilitation field. Narrative interviewing techniques and basic counseling responses were taught to master's level rehabilitation counseling fieldwork students who integrated the techniques into their work with clients. Longitudinal follow- up assessed student impressions of and fidelity to the narrative approach, which supported the technique and highlighted areas for future inquiry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic pain manifests in myriad ways. Sometimes, large areas of the body are affected. At other times, pain zeroes in on key targets, such as the big toe. In pain syndromes (aggregates of symptoms that occur simultaneously), whole regions and several systems in the body may be affected. Furthermore, the causes of pain are diverse. Here are some of the most common and most notable compass points in the vast diagnosis we know as chronic pain. This physiological review is meant to assist the Life Care Planner as a resource for various chronic pain syndromes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With advances in prenatal and neonatal care, survival rates for infants with intrauterine hypoxia and birth asphyxia have risen dramatically. This article gives an overview of the current state of research for perinatal brain injury, neonatal encephalopathy (NE), and cerebral palsy, with findings of pertinent studies, reviews, and meta-analyses, with a focus on how research findings translate into life care plan considerations including aging with disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very few health professionals, including those in rehabilitation hospitals, concussion clinics, brain injury centers, settings for children with special needs and those dealing with neurologically compromised patients are adequately aware of visual problems resulting from congenital or acquired conditions. Unfortunately, this creates a gap in rehabilitative services, resulting in incomplete treatment and frustration for the patient, family and treatment team. This article will help the reader better understand neuro-optometry, when a referral to a neuro-optometrist will be helpful, and how to better understand the information report after a neuro-optometry evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a brief overview of birth injuries and how knowledge of injuries might affect ongoing planning for caregiving, health care, and further research. It describes selected birth injuries with information on what is known regarding short- and long- term sequelae. It also identifies areas needing clarification and further exploration. The author offers an explanation regarding potential barriers to uncovering pertinent information surrounding birth injuries, and suggests recommendations for prioritizing where to begin to address knowledge gaps relevant to birth injuries and outcomes from these injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the first of two articles offering information for U.S. life care planners on housing and architectural modifications to allow wheelchair access. It cites issues with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) rules and standards that can create an environment just as inaccessible to a particular individual as an unmodified environment. It talks about factors to consider including single- or multi-unit home, rental or ownership, and terrain and grade.

The article offers a guide for the nurse life care planner in considering home modifications for the catastrophically injured. It discusses two home modification types, the simple ramp and rail project that requires a qualified building consultant, and the complex case with significant accessible design services for which a medical residential designer is needed. It talks about pricing and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, and presents sample house plans and a case study.

The article discusses evidence-based practice in life care planning (LCP) for nurses using a scientific based practice model. The author says the approach is not designed to replace the nursing process but instead is aimed to augment and incorporate nursing into the evidence-based model. Reasons for incorporating evidence-based practice into the nursing process are discussed. Evidence-based practice and the nursing process are discussed as problem-solving strategies.

The article presents a study on the causes of brachial plexus injury (BPI) and brachial plexus palsy (BPP) in infants in children and its relationship to language impairment. Topics discussed include assessment of a group of cases of BPI/birth trauma (BT), a description of the subjects in the study, and a discussion of the findings. Also mentioned are the manifestations in the group profile and recommendations for further research.

The article examines achieving a balance between work and caregiving. Topics discussed include the results of a 2009 study by the National Alliance for Caregiving, issues in balancing work and giving care to family members, and the importance of being forthright, flexible and fair in trying to achieve balance. Also mentioned is the value of performance reviews and taking breaks throughout the day.

The article discusses the factors to consider when evaluating use of an environmental control unit (ECU), basic purposes of ECUs and issues to be addressed during the prescriptive process. It cites the information critical when fitting an individual's ECU such as abilities and aptitudes, functions ECU needs to perform and interface to be used by the individual. It notes that the primary issue to be addressed when planning ECU implementation is an individual's tolerance for technology.

The article discusses the issue of military sexual trauma (MST) in active duty and veteran victims and marked increase in suicides. It cites the development and use of Post Deployment Health Assessment (PDHA) completed by each soldier in 4 intervals including pre-deployment, before leaving post-deployment facility and entrance into military treatment facility. It notes how VA's proactive approach to MST and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) gave the author's life a sense of hope.

The article focuses on obtaining medical and cost information from Veteran's Affairs (VA) medical system to provide a process to succeed in obtaining medical records for an individual with previous military service and/or access to the VA medical system. It cites the best practice process to obtain VA medical records including obtaining the VA medical record request form, reviewing the form with the veteran and requesting the veteran to visit the medical records department at each facility.

The article discusses how personal bionics is changing the life of amputees and reducing the complexity of their life care planning. The technology allows normal, natural and more personalized movements for individuals with limb loss or impairments and enables people to return to work and other important daily activities faster and easier. The BiOM is one of the most studied-prosthetic devices on the market and has demonstrated to reduce comorbidities including obesity, diabetes and depression.

The article provides information on the U.S. Veterans Administration (VA). The Naval Home was the first national effort to provide medical care for disabled veterans in the U.S. established in Philadelphia in 1812 to care for veterans of the War for Independence and those injured in the War of 1812. Since 1998, veterans who served in a combat zone or comparable hostilities are eligible for free VA hospital care, out-patient services and nursing home care for 2 years after leaving active duty.

The article presents two quantitative research studies showing positive results for patient-centered cognitive rehabilitation and quality of life after acquired brain injury. Both give evidence for practice intervention decisions, including concepts of considerations for quality of life, community reintegration and individual coping styles. The results combined with scientific evidence can serve as a lifelong guide to assist the injured person's health care service delivery.

The article provides tips on life care planning after a Brain injury. After a brain injury medical and rehabilitation challenges drastically affect the life care plan of the patient. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients can chart their own courses and create their future by effective use of settlement and other resources.

The article discusses use of cognitive therapy in treating brain injury. Brain injury treatment teams consist of practitioners of many disciplines, including physical therapy, speech/language pathology, nursing etc. Also need to be taken into account is the utilization of cognitive remediation or cognitive rehabilitation therapy. Real world assessment by life care planners will determine cognitive needs of patients and resulting rehabilitation recommendations.

The article focuses on sacral neuromodulation therapy for treating bladder and bowel control problems. It states that the therapy involves electrical stimulation of nerves which control bladder and bowel. It mentions that the therapy is for people with problems like cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia, which cause urinary symptoms. It highlights that sacral neuromodulation is tested for success before surgical implantation of neurostimulator.

Deep brain stimulation provides a less invasive surgical option for many patients with movement disorders that are no longer maximally responsive to pharmacotherapy. Currently, Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, obsessive compulsive disorder are the only FDA approved indications for this procedure; however, there are many more neurological and psychiatric disorders that are currently being studied. This paper is intended to provide a general introduction to deep brain stimulation and an update on functional neurosurgery in treating movement disorders. The readers are expected to understand the scientific rationale of this procedure, the importance of proper patient selection, and the clinical protocols to maximize the post-operative benefits and minimize the surgical risks for the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on cochlear implant (CIs). It states that electrical stimulation from the implants serve as a way to bypass damaged cochlear structures or hair cell which leads to hearing loss. It highlights that outcome of CI may depend on several factors like length of use of hearing aid and duration of deafness. It mentions that follow-up is needed if the patient has redness or swelling in implant site or redness of skin under the magnet.

The article offers information on use of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy to control seizure. It states that the therapy produces electric current which is used to stimulate the vagus nerve. It mentions that in this various brain areas are stimulated which help to prevent electrical irregularities which can cause seizure. It highlights that to get best seizure control one should have follow-up office visits with a neurologist.

The article focuses on the cost research and coding for the life care plan. It states that the prices for care plan items were gathered by speaking with individual providers and facilities on the charges of a specific procedure or service. It says that cooperative outpatient facilities and physician offices are also seeking for codes to offer pricing information.

The article focuses on the costing and pricing of life care plan. It discusses the difference between the three terms used when developing charges associated with billing, codes, and reimbursement including billed charge, cost, and reimbursement amount. It mentions the three questions that often raised when pricing out the life care plan including the percentile which represents the provider billed charges, use of private pay discount, and Medicare pricing.

The article focuses on Life Care Planning (LCP) for cancer patients. It says that plans for cancer survivors should consider the disease's stage which says the severity of the illness. It adds that treatment options are also considered by planners such as chemotherapy, biological response modifiers (BRMs), and targeted therapies. It mentions that long-term survival of cancer patients should be the goal of life care planners.

The article offers the author's insights on the tools provided by the American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) that could facilitate communication between pain patients and health care professionals (HCPs). The author says that the Quality of Life Scale of ACPA measures the function of people with pain. She adds that proper medication and things to be avoided while in the treatment process were provided in the Compassionate Accurate Responsive Educational (CARE) card.