Health Systems and Perioperative Care

Study Notes

Health systems aim at improving health through prevention, diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and cure of various physical and mental impairments.
Local health departments are crucial entities in public health, reporting to local or state governments.
Global health emphasizes health equity and improvement, focusing on populations' health worldwide.

Encompasses preoperative, intra-operative, and postoperative care, prioritizing patient-centered approaches.
Preoperative care starts with patient admission and prepares them for surgery, tailoring to individual needs and focuses on psychological readiness.
Intra-operative care involves management during surgery, extending from patient induction to anesthesia until transferring to recovery.
Post-operative care addresses recovery needs following surgery, including pain management and wound care.

General anesthesia induces a reversible unconscious state, ensuring loss of sensation throughout the body during surgical procedures.

Theatre preparation requires designated personnel to ensure a safe and efficient surgical environment.
Essential tasks include disinfecting operation sites, managing blood transfusions, and organizing surgical paperwork such as consent forms.

A cardiac condition requiring repair typically between ages 6-12 if not treated during early childhood.
Symptoms include:
- Hypertension in upper extremities versus lower extremities.
- Difference in pulses, with stronger arm pulses compared to weaker leg pulses.
- Claudication characterized by leg pain during physical activity due to inadequate blood flow.
- Headaches resulting from elevated blood pressure.

Medical management includes antibiotics to prevent infection, and digoxin with diuretics to address congestive heart failure and arrhythmias.
Surgical interventions may involve device closure, patching, or stitching the affected areas.

Characterized by fatty deposits in carotid arteries, leading to restricted cerebral blood flow and potential stroke risk.
Surgical procedure includes an incision near the sternocleidomastoid muscle, opening the carotid artery to remove atherosclerotic plaques.
Risks during surgery involve potential cerebral perfusion issues, with alternative treatments like carotid angioplasty and stenting also available.
Major complication associated with carotid artery disease treatment is the risk of stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs).