#patient monitoring platform

[bluestartelehealth1]

Maternal Care and the Role of Telehealth

Maternal care is an essential component of healthcare that ensures the well-being of both mother and child throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Traditionally, maternal care involves frequent in-person visits to healthcare providers, which can be challenging for many women due to various barriers. However, the advent of telehealth is transforming this landscape, providing innovative solutions to enhance maternal care.

The Importance of Maternal Care

Maternal care encompasses a range of services aimed at ensuring the health of pregnant women and their babies. It includes prenatal care, labor and delivery services, and postpartum care. Prenatal care involves regular check-ups, screenings, and education to monitor and promote a healthy pregnancy. Labor and delivery care ensure safe childbirth, and postpartum care supports recovery and addresses any complications following birth.

Quality maternal care is crucial for several reasons:

Monitoring and Managing Health Conditions: Conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and preeclampsia can pose significant risks during pregnancy. Early detection and management are vital to prevent complications.

Nutritional Guidance: Proper nutrition is essential for fetal development. Maternal care provides education and support for maintaining a healthy diet.

Mental Health Support: Pregnancy and the postpartum period can be emotionally challenging. Access to mental health services is a critical component of maternal care.

Birth Planning: Educating and preparing women for childbirth helps ensure a safer delivery process.

Newborn Care: Guidance on newborn care practices, including breastfeeding and immunization, promotes the health of the baby.

Despite its importance, access to maternal care can be limited by factors such as geographic location, socioeconomic status, and lack of healthcare resources. Telehealth is emerging as a powerful tool to bridge these gaps.

The Role of Telehealth in Maternal Care

Telehealth refers to the use of digital information and communication technologies, such as computers and mobile devices, to access healthcare services remotely. In the context of maternal care, telehealth offers several advantages:

Accessibility: Telehealth makes maternal care more accessible, especially for women in rural or underserved areas. It eliminates the need for travel, which can be a significant barrier for those living far from healthcare facilities.

Convenience: Virtual visits can be scheduled more flexibly, making it easier for pregnant women to attend appointments without disrupting their daily lives or work schedules.

Continuous Monitoring: Wearable devices and mobile health applications enable continuous monitoring of vital signs and other health indicators. This allows healthcare providers to track the health of both mother and baby more closely and intervene promptly if needed.

Education and Support: Telehealth platforms can provide educational resources and support groups for expecting and new mothers. These resources are crucial for sharing information on prenatal and postpartum care, breastfeeding, and mental health.

Mental Health Services: Telehealth facilitates access to mental health services, including counseling and therapy, which are essential for addressing prenatal and postpartum depression and anxiety.

Telehealth Applications in Maternal Care

Telehealth can be applied in various ways to enhance maternal care:

Virtual Prenatal Visits: Routine prenatal check-ups can be conducted virtually, allowing healthcare providers to assess the health of the mother and fetus through video calls. Women can discuss symptoms, receive guidance, and have their questions answered without leaving their homes.

Remote Monitoring: Devices such as blood pressure monitors, glucose meters, and fetal heart rate monitors can transmit data to healthcare providers in real-time. This continuous monitoring can help detect and manage potential complications early.

Telepsychiatry: Mental health support is critical during and after pregnancy. Telepsychiatry services can provide timely access to mental health professionals, helping to address issues like depression, anxiety, and stress.

Postpartum Care: After childbirth, telehealth can facilitate follow-up appointments and provide support for breastfeeding, newborn care, and postpartum recovery. This is particularly beneficial for new mothers who may find it difficult to leave the house with a newborn.

Educational Webinars and Support Groups: Online platforms can host webinars, workshops, and support groups where expecting and new mothers can learn from healthcare professionals and connect with peers.

Challenges and Considerations

While telehealth offers numerous benefits, there are challenges and considerations to address:

Digital Divide: Access to telehealth services requires internet connectivity and digital literacy. Efforts must be made to ensure that all women, regardless of their socioeconomic status, have access to the necessary technology and skills.

Quality of Care: Ensuring that telehealth services provide the same quality of care as in-person visits is crucial. This includes training healthcare providers in virtual care delivery and maintaining clear communication with patients.

Privacy and Security: Protecting patient data is paramount. Telehealth platforms must comply with regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to ensure the confidentiality and security of patient information.

Reimbursement and Policy: Reimbursement policies for telehealth services can vary. Advocacy for consistent and fair reimbursement practices is necessary to support the widespread adoption of telehealth in maternal care.

Conclusion

Telehealth is revolutionizing maternal care by making it more accessible, convenient, and comprehensive. By leveraging digital technologies, healthcare providers can offer continuous monitoring, timely interventions, and essential support to pregnant women and new mothers. While challenges remain, the potential benefits of telehealth in maternal care are substantial. As technology continues to evolve and healthcare systems adapt, telehealth is poised to play an increasingly vital role in ensuring the health and well-being of mothers and their babies. Contact us today to learn more about how we can improve maternal health outcomes together.

[customiotsolutions]

How to Create a Secure IoT Ecosystem for Remote Patient Monitoring with AI

The advent of IoT-driven Remote Patient Monitoring has truly reshaped the healthcare field. Patients can now enjoy continuous care within the confines of their homes, thanks to the utilization of interconnected devices that gather crucial health data and vital signs. However, this newfound convenience comes with a significant responsibility -- to ensure the establishment of a solid and secure IoT ecosystem. This is crucial for safeguarding the privacy and integrity of sensitive patient information.

AI: Enhancing Security in Patient Data Management

Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a critical role in securing this IoT ecosystem. Here’s how:

End-to-End Encryption: AI algorithms generate robust encryption keys, scrambling data in transit and storage (between devices and the cloud). This makes it nearly impossible for unauthorized access to patient information.

Anomaly Detection: AI analyzes real-time data streams to identify unusual patterns or deviations from a patient’s baseline vitals. This allows for early detection of potential health problems and timely intervention.

Threat Prevention: AI-powered security systems monitor network activity for suspicious behavior, like hacking attempts or malware infections. These systems can then automatically mitigate threats before compromising data security.

Building a Secure Foundation

Beyond AI, other security measures are essential:

Secure IoT Devices: Choosing IoT devices in healthcare with built-in security features (secure boot and firmware updates) is crucial.

Network Segmentation: Creating separate network segments for patient data and general traffic minimizes the risk of a breach on one network affecting the other.

Regular Security Audits: Proactive security audits help identify vulnerabilities in the system and ensure ongoing security improvement.

Bridgera: Your Partner in Secure Remote Patient Monitoring

Bridgera’s myHealth Platform offers a comprehensive solution for building a secure telehealth monitoring system. This cloud-based platform provides:

End-to-End Security: Encrypted data communication and secure storage with advanced authentication protocols.

Scalable Data Management: Seamless integration with various IoT devices and real-time data analysis capabilities.

AI-powered Insights: Leverage AI for anomaly detection, personalized care plans, and improved patient outcomes.

With Bridgera’s myHealth platform, healthcare providers can confidently leverage the power of IoT and AI for secure remote patient monitoring, ultimately delivering superior care while prioritizing patient data security.

Located in Raleigh, USA, Bridgera is a leading provider of IoT solutions, with a commitment to delivering state-of-the-art platforms that address the unique challenges of the healthcare industry. By partnering with Bridgera, healthcare providers can create a secure IoT ecosystem for remote patient monitoring, ensuring privacy, integrity, and exceptional care.

Ready to start with a secure remote patient monitoring system? Contact Bridgera today to learn more about their myHealth Platform and how it can revolutionize your healthcare services.In conclusion, the combination of IoT and AI has opened up new possibilities for remote patient monitoring in healthcare. However, ensuring the security of patient data is paramount. With the right AI-driven security measures and a trusted partner like Bridgera, healthcare providers can create a secure IoT ecosystem that not only improves patient outcomes but also safeguards sensitive information. Embrace the power of IoT, AI, and secure remote patient monitoring to provide exceptional care in the digital age.

[hari-100]

Transforming Healthcare with DrCloudEHR: The Future of Electronic Health Record Systems in Idaho

The independent healthcare professional of today needs efficient systems to manage patient information and deliver the best care. DrCloudEHR is one leading healthcare platform in Idaho that brought this revolution with a packaged set of services in line with professional needs at the grass root level.

Advanced Electronic Health Record Systems

It provides the latest EHR electronic health record systems across Idaho. These systems facilitate easy documentation and access to patients' information, making sure that healthcare providers have all necessary data at their fingertips for timely and accurate care, particularly in emergency situations.

Business Intelligence and Healthcare Reporting

Business intelligence and healthcare reporting in Idaho are some of its salient features. It gives meaningful insights into operations and patients' outcomes through its advanced analytics for healthcare providers. It facilitates making informed decisions about the optimization of resources and overall quality of care. 

Telehealth Solutions and Remote Patient Monitoring

Additionally, the provided remote patient monitoring telehealth in idaho top the ranks, making it very easy for patients to be treated without having to move from home. This telehealth platform is also going to support remote monitoring of the health status of patients in real time. This is of great value, especially to those with a chronic disease or who live in extreme remoteness, to ensure that they receive continuous effective care.

Health Information Management and Digital Signatures

Another critical service is effective health information management in Idaho. This service ensures safety and accessibility of patients' data, hence easing administration procedures. It also provides electronic signatures for healthcare in idaho. In the fields of mental health and other disciplines, such digital signature guarantees that any document becomes legally binding and secure. This makes documentation easier for both the patients and the providers.

Comprehensive Patient Document and Appointment Management

The statewide patient document management system in Idaho makes it easy to manage documents of patients. All their information is stored in an organized form in the system and is easily retrievable, thus reducing administrative duties. The patient appointment system eases appointments, reduces the no-show ratio, and increases patient satisfaction by managing appointments at ease.

EMR and Healthcare Document Handling

The EMR electronic medical record in idaho integrates well with other Health Information Systems. With this type of integration, there is a coherent updating of the patient's data in the different departments and centers. The capability is further enhanced by the EMR electronic medical record in idaho are manages all documents related to healthcare securely and efficiently.

Transforming Telehealthcare 

The platform is dedicated to transforming telehealth counseling services in Idaho through its innovative solutions. By focusing on electronic health records, telehealth, business intelligence, and efficient document management, it empowers healthcare providers to deliver high quality care while optimizing their operations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the comprehensive suite of services is revolutionizing healthcare platform in idaho. From advanced electronic health record systems and telehealth solutions to business intelligence and digital signatures, the platform is setting a new standard for healthcare information systems in Idaho. Experience the future of healthcare with this best  solution and witness the transformation of healthcare delivery in Idaho.

For more information please contact.www.drcloudehr.com

[apollotelehealth7]

4 Different Types of Telehealth Services in India | Apollo Telehealth

Apollo Telehealth, one of the prominent telehealth companies in India, offers a range of innovative telemedicine services. These 4 different types of telehealth services are transforming the healthcare landscape, providing convenient and accessible care to patients across the nation.Tele Healthcare

Live Video-Conferencing: Through this telehealth service, patients can connect with healthcare professionals in real-time, enabling virtual consultations, diagnoses, and treatment recommendations, all from the comfort of their homes.

Asynchronous Video (AKA Store-and-Forward): This service allows patients to record their medical history, symptoms, or images and securely share them with healthcare providers. Doctors can review the information at a convenient time, providing accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment plans.

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM): Apollo Telehealth employs advanced technologies to monitor patients' vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and glucose levels, remotely. This continuous monitoring enables timely interventions and proactive management of chronic conditions.

Mobile Health (mHealth): Leveraging the power of mobile devices, this service enables patients to access healthcare resources, receive reminders for medications, track their health parameters, and access educational materials through user-friendly applications.

Conclusion:

By embracing these diverse telehealth services, Apollo Telehealth is at the forefront of revolutionizing telemedicine in India. They empower patients with greater access to quality healthcare, irrespective of their geographical location, thereby enhancing the overall healthcare experience for all.

[reasonsforhope]

Humans are so cute. They think they can outsmart birds. They place nasty metal spikes on rooftops and ledges to prevent birds from nesting there.

It’s a classic human trick known in urban design as “evil architecture”: designing a place in a way that’s meant to deter others. Think of the city benches you see segmented by bars to stop homeless people sleeping there.

But birds are genius rebels. Not only are they undeterred by evil architecture, they actually use it to their advantage, according to a new Dutch study published in the journal Deinsea.

Crows and magpies, it turns out, are learning to rip strips of anti-bird spikes off of buildings and use them to build their nests. It’s an incredible addition to the growing body of evidence about the intelligence of birds, so wrongly maligned as stupid that “bird-brained” is still commonly used as an insult...

Magpies also use anti-bird spikes for their nests. In 2021, a hospital patient in Antwerp, Belgium, looked out the window and noticed a huge magpie’s nest in a tree in the courtyard. Biologist Auke-Florian Hiemstra of Leiden-based Naturalis Biodiversity Center, one of the study’s authors, went to collect the nest and found that it was made out of 50 meters of anti-bird strips, containing no fewer than 1,500 metal spikes.

Hiemstra describes the magpie nest as “an impregnable fortress.”

Pictured: A huge magpie nest made out of 1,500 metal spikes.

Magpies are known to build roofs over their nests to prevent other birds from stealing their eggs and young. Usually, they scrounge around in nature for thorny plants or spiky branches to form the roof. But city birds don’t need to search for the perfect branch — they can just use the anti-bird spikes that humans have so kindly put at their disposal.

“The magpies appear to be using the pins exactly the same way we do: to keep other birds away from their nest,” Hiemstra said.

Another urban magpie nest, this one from Scotland, really shows off the roof-building tactic:

Pictured: A nest from Scotland shows how urban magpies are using anti-bird spikes to construct a roof meant to protect their young and eggs from predators.

Birds had already been spotted using upward-pointing anti-bird spikes as foundations for nests. In 2016, the so-called Parkdale Pigeon became Twitter-famous for refusing to give up when humans removed her first nest and installed spikes on her chosen nesting site, the top of an LCD monitor on a subway platform in Melbourne. The avian architect rebelled and built an even better home there, using the spikes as a foundation to hold her nest more securely in place.

...Hiemstra’s study is the first to show that birds, adapting to city life, are learning to seek out and use our anti-bird spikes as their nesting material. Pretty badass, right?

The genius of birds — and other animals we underestimate

It’s a well-established fact that many bird species are highly intelligent. Members of the corvid family, which includes crows and magpies, are especially renowned for their smarts. Crows can solve complex puzzles, while magpies can pass the “mirror test” — the classic test that scientists use to determine if a species is self-aware.

Studies show that some birds have evolved cognitive skills similar to our own: They have amazing memories, remembering for months the thousands of different hiding places where they’ve stashed seeds, and they use their own experiences to predict the behavior of other birds, suggesting they’ve got some theory of mind.

And, as author Jennifer Ackerman details in The Genius of Birds, birds are brilliant at using tools. Black palm cockatoos use twigs as drumsticks, tapping out a beat on a tree trunk to get a female’s attention. Jays use sticks as spears to attack other birds...

Birds have also been known to use human tools to their advantage. When carrion crows want to crack a walnut, for example, they position the nut on a busy road, wait for a passing car to crush the shell, then swoop down to collect the nut and eat it. This behavior has been recorded several times in Japanese crows.

But what’s unique about Hiemstra’s study is that it shows birds using human tools, specifically designed to thwart birds’ plans, in order to thwart our plans instead. We humans try to keep birds away with spikes, and the birds — ingenious rebels that they are — retort: Thanks, humans!

-via Vox, July 26, 2023

[cherryredstars]

First off, I love you.

Second off, I love you A LOT.

Okay so I’m losing my mind over a brain vomit where younger reader’s been harboring and hiding feelings for Miguel for the sake of being appropriate and it’s starting to make her frustrated like “fuck I’m gonna get actually fucking sick and vomit” because how much she’s crushing on him is CRAZY, so reader basically goes up to Miguel like “I can’t take this anymore.” Like reject me so I can move on type of thing. “ Do me a favor, and break my nose or something. Tell me to fucking go away” or something like that. My brain is burning.

Pairing(s): Miguel O'Hara x fem!reader, John Price x civil!reader

Warnings: Fluff

A/N: For my baby, I LOVE YOUUUUUUU!!!

Edited (just for you boo)

| Miguel O'Hara

If you look at him, you will actually throw up.

Like projectile 'make yourself a laughing stock' throw up. It's just the way your body- your stomach- reacts when you see him. It gets twisted, fluttery with a fix of butterflies and disgust. It's down right disgusting, inappropriate at the least. He's almost a decade older than you, yet here you are pining after him as if you're some teenage girl. You feel physically sick when you think about it for too long: throat contracting and your stomach hurting. You aren't sure which of your delusions are the cause of such a horrendous crush, but you promise you'll strangle it when you find out. There is simply no way this could have ever worked out in your favor. It's simply impossible.

Miguel O'Hara would never go for someone like you. Young and naive, haven't even reached the appropriate age to have a mid-life crisis (but you're sure this is the closest fucking thing to it). You know this, hammer it into your thick skull every day before you have to face him. Yet, it all comes crumbling down when you lay eyes on him. It takes less than a second for you to skip after him, a stupid, lovesick look flickering across your face as you help him with whatever he needs. You simply can't stay away, even if you tried. You always fall back into his orbit, gravity pushing you towards him until you're practically glued to him.

You're sure he must find it annoying. Probably relates it to something like babysitting. It's well known Miguel doesn't like to be bothered when he's working. But there you are without fail, sitting around on his platform entertaining yourself by playing with LYLA when you aren't out saving universes. You don't miss the way his eyes flick to you every now and then with some emotion you can't quite place. But if you had to guess, it's probably something close to exasperation.

In all honesty, you're tired of it.

Tired of the false hope you delude yourself into believing after every minor interaction. Tired of trying to justify your affection for the older man. Tired of feeling a bit of resentment towards yourself. You're just... tired. He must sense it when you walk onto the platform, judging by the look he shoots you.

LYLA is muted mid-sentence as he angles his body slightly away from his monitors and towards you, watching as you plop yourself in your usual spot. He waits expectantly for your usual greeting, brows furrowing with confusion when you do nothing but play with the elastic quality of your suit. You haven't even looked at him since you got in.

"Everything alright?" His all so familiar voice asks, making your stomach ache and the urge to punch yourself stronger.

"Yeah," you respond simply, silence lapping over the two of you.

Miguel waits patiently, expecting something more. But, you don't continue. Miguel hesitates for a moment before turning back around. His eyes study the screens once more, his finger hovering over the button to unmute LYLA before you speak up again.

"Can you like... degrade me or something?"

Miguel almost chokes on his spit when he turns around, not expecting you to say...that. You're still playing with your suit and staring at the floor, face painted with frustration. You look up when he doesn't answer, brows furrowed when your eyes meet his shocked face. You quickly divert your attention to his muscular shoulder, not really having the courage to face him head-on.

"Not like the... sexy kind. More like the heart wrenching kind." You clarify, not that it's any better for Miguel.

He turns to full face you this time, arms crossed over his chest as he studies you. The request doesn't really make sense to him. Why would you want him to do that? Is it some universe-exclusive culture he isn't aware of?

"Why?" Miguel asks, trying to recall your past interactions to see if they have something to do with your strange request.

"I dunno, just thought it might make it easier?" You shrug, your eyes flicking to his again and then looking towards the ceiling.

"Make what easier, exactly?"

Miguel isn't a fan of cryptic answers, but he tries to be patient with you. He watches as your face twists, unsure how to word what you're feeling. You let out a heavy sigh eventually, actually meeting his eyes and holding his gaze for once.

"To get over you."

The words cause Miguel to freeze, his body going rigid. You groan, hiding your embarrassed face in your hands and scrubbing ferociously. This is absolutely embarrassing. You wished a random portal would just appear under you, throwing you into another universe and far away from this particular moment in time.

You're so caught up in your embarrassment that you don't realize Miguel is walking over to you until he's crouched down in front of you. He pries your hands gently from your face, giving you the softest smile you have ever seen on him. His thumbs caress your wrists absentmindedly, doing nothing to calm your raging heart. It practically explodes when he leans closer, pressing a soft kiss to the top of your head. Your eyes are wide and dazed as you look up at him, trying to commit the curve of his mouth to memory.

"Now, why would I want you to do that?"

_____________

| John Price

You aren't exactly sure when it started.

But the moment you realized you liked John, you've started hating yourself. It feels wrong. Almost disrespectful in a way. You aren't particularly sure why, it just does. John Price is a nice man, a good man. A man that could be easily mistaken as your father if someone didn't look close enough. The man you had happened to meet and befriended one day after he had been so kind and gentle with you.

Not the man you should be liking and forcing your feelings on.

You're someone John goes to for comfort, someone he seeks out after coming home from a battlefield. Someone that's supposed to help him distress. The idea of taking advantage of that gently placed trust, of expecting something from John just because he goes to you for help, makes you want to throw up until you're nothing but a useless husk. It's shameful, eating you up on the inside until you feel like your organs are on the verge of failure.

So your solution: Avoid Johnathan Price like the plague.

Does it hurt seeing his texts flash across your phone screen, asking you if you're free throughout the week so he can spend time with you before he deploys again? Hell fucking yes. It makes you feel guilty as hell. But you try to justify it to yourself, reassuring that it's only temporary. That everything will go back to normal once these stupid feelings leave you alone and John Price goes back to being the sweet man you grab lunch with every now and then when he's home so you can catch up.

But of course, your plans never go accordingly.

You startle on your couch when there is a firm knocking on your door, your hands rushing to pause the telly to see if it was just a hallucination. But sure enough, that same steady knocking sounds again. You get up hesitantly, brows furrowed as you try to remember if you ordered take away or something. You peak through the peep-hole, hand planted on the cool wood of the door as you squint.

The alertness in your body dies away when the familiar frame of John greets you, only to tense up again. John Price is at your door. The same John price you've been avoiding for a week. The same exact John fucking Price you're practically in love with. Your hand slides down to the knob, gulping nervously as you unlock it and yank your door open.

John is standing there with his hand raised again to knock, decked out in his military gear. His hands drop to grip the strap of his vest, his mutton chops quivering as his face lifts into his soft smile. You blink up at him, feeling the knob warm under your hand and your heart slamming against your chest. Why did he have to be so handsome, goddamnit?

You step out of the doorway, silently inviting him inside. He accepts it, stepping in and examining the area out of habit. You close the door quietly after him, turning to face him as he turns to face you.

"Missed ya, love? Been busy lately?" He asks in that comfortingly rough voice of his.

You don't trust yourself to not choke on your words, scared he'll see through your lies. Instead you nod, letting out a weak hum that he returns in a more confident note. Your eyes drop down to his military gear, a frown slipping onto your face. Is he being deployed again?

As if sensing the underlying question, John's hands let go of his military vest and he stuffs them into the pockets of his tactical pants.

"Heading out tonight, just wanted to say goodbye before I go since I didn't get to see you this time around."

You feel a stab to your chest at his words, resisting the urge to lift your hand and smooth the pain.

"John..." You start hesitantly, your mouth going dry when he hums again. "Can you tell me you hate me? Or... or that you think I'm stupid or something?"

John tilts his head in confusion, brows furrowing as his lips thin. There is a silent question in your eyes, an aura of demand wafting from him that orders you to explain further. Your hand comes to rub your arm, socked heel digging into your ankle as you debate how much to tell him.

"It's just... I like you and I don't..." You sigh in frustration, turning your head away to glare at the wall. "I don't want you to think I'm trying to take advantage of how nice you've been to me or that I expect you to reciprocate how I feel."

It's quiet for a moment before John's chuckling fills the room. Your head turns away from the wall, meeting the sparkling amusement in John's eyes as he looks at you. There is a fondness there that makes your knees feel weak, your breath getting trapped in your lungs. John takes steady, reassured steps towards you, stopping when he's centimeters away. Your heart is practically lurching in your chest as you look up at him, watching as he slowly takes off his boonie hat.

Your eyes are wide as he places it over your head, chuckling when it slips down over your face before he readjusts it. He admires the sight for a second before he leans down, his facial hair tickling your cheeks as his lips press against the corner of your mouth. Your heart officially stops, your body dangerously close to swaying as he pulls away. You're in a daze as he pinches your cheek lightly, trying to call your attention away from the sparks lingering across your skin.

"We'll take about this when I get back, silly girl." He rumbles, his heavy paw landing on the top of his hat before he slips past you, closing and locking the door behind him as he disappears out of your flat. You're left in a daze as your shaky hands reach up and grasp the rim of his hat, the smell of him instantly invading your senses.

And when John reaches base and the lads pester him about where his usual hat is, he just shakes his head and replies that he left it at home for safe keeping.

[cough-cpr-is-fake]

“Cough CPR” is misinformation

What is “cough CPR”?

“Cough CPR” is a myth which claims that rhythmic coughing can reduce the impact of a heart attack. It has been circulating for over two decades via email and on social media platforms (Wikipedia, 2023).

Why doesn’t it work?

A heart attack happens when the blood flow to the heart is restricted due to blockage. Cardiac arrest is when your heart stops pumping completely (British Heart Foundation, n.d.).

These definitions alone should demonstrate the problem with “cough CPR”. If you have a heart attack, your heart is still pumping, so you do not need CPR. If you experience cardiac arrest, you will fall unconscious within seconds (Resuscitation Council UK, 2021) and therefore won’t be able to perform “cough CPR”.

In many cases, “cough CPR” could even worsen the problem or prove fatal if coughing is undertaken to the wrong rhythm (Snopes, 2003).

Is “cough CPR” ever useful?

Coughing creates pressure that forces blood to flow to the brain (Cleveland Clinic, 2020).

It may therefore be possible for someone experiencing sudden arrhythmia to maintain consciousness for a few seconds by coughing. However, the patient would already need to be under constant monitoring for the arrhythmia to be detected. It should also only be done at the instruction of a doctor, as a medical professional will still be needed to treat the abnormal heart rhythm (American Heart Association, 2023).

Cases where “cough CPR” has been useful have all been isolated incidents performed in this kind of clinical setting (see Snopes, 2003; UChicago Medicine, 2019; American Heart Association, 2023).

Reference list

American Heart Association. (2023) Cough CPR. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20231204210831/https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cardiac-arrest/emergency-treatment-of-cardiac-arrest/cough-cpr (Accessed: 4 December 2023).

British Heart Foundation. (n.d.) Could something called ‘cough CPR’ save my life? Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20231204210457/https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/ask-the-experts/cough-cpr (Accessed: 4 December 2023).

Cleveland Clinic. (2020) The dangerous truth about cough CPR. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20231204205549/https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-you-cough-away-a-heart-attack (Accessed: 4 December 2023).

Resuscitation Council UK. (2021). Resuscitation Council UK’s statement on cough CPR. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20231204211021/https://www.resus.org.uk/about-us/news-and-events/resuscitation-council-uks-statement-cough-cpr (Accessed: 4 December 2023).

Snopes. (2003). How to survive a heart attack when alone. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20231204214909/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/cough-cpr/ (Accessed: 4 December 2023).

UChicago Medicine. (2019) Can coughing stop a heart attack? Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20231204213936/https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/heart-and-vascular-articles/can-coughing-stop-a-heart-attack (Accessed: 4 December 2023).

Wikipedia. (2023) Cough CPR. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20231204211113/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cough_CPR (Accessed: 4 December 2023).

[thedarkmistress16]

Stalker!Yandere!Tony Stark x Fem!Reader- To Steal and Dote On (Internet stalking, Collecting personal information without consent, Using personal information without consent, This billionaire has resources and he's going to use them, Breaking and entering, Theoretical threats of kidnapping and violence, Invading Reader's privacy without consent, Tony has Reader brainrot already)

Chapter 1 |

Chapter 2: Forget You (Not)

——————————————————————————————————

Only, Tony wasn’t able to shake off the thought of you at all. If anything, you took up his primary focus throughout his day.

A part of him did genuinely forget the party last night as he sat in mind-numbing meetings back-to-back, only attending them now due to his irate assistant chewing him out over it. She practically pushed the billionaire out of the kitchen before coffee even greeted his body, yapping his ear off over technicalities and investors he couldn't care less about. Even though Tony was itching to poke at her in this state, to mention his admiration for how her red hair looked like glowing fire spouting from a dragon when she got like this, he got the strong sense that she would quit if he missed another business meeting.

But he was incredibly bored and disinterested, and you kept plaguing his thoughts with more questions that got his brain desperately intrigued. He couldn’t even distract himself with anything else because none of it was as gear-turning as to the mystery of you.

Your confusion, your… disinterest? Never had he encountered someone who wasn’t there for him specifically, or seemed to have no interest in who he was.

And the fact you just… sat there. It was so out of place, like a nagging flaw in a blueprint he couldn't put his finger on.

Why were you there, if you didn’t care about Tony Stark?

Who were you?

That train of thought led to the male instructing his A.I. to scanning your facial profile from the security cameras of his tower right after he was finally free from the drudgery of business— contently settled into his lab with a fresh batch of coffee. Luckily, the feed from last night got a good look at you. It was a better view than the tipsy haze of his memory, he noted. The mostly-clear footage of your face allowed the system to swiftly correlate your likeness to other documented matches— a pool of candidates was completed in the time it took for him to take a long swig that burned his tongue and throat.

What came up was a compiled list of look-alikes that Tony had to manually rifle through in the hopes that one of them would be you and mentally grumbled to himself that you looked like too many people.

Tony grew more irked by the second up until the last result, which was your red carpet picture in front of his building. Tracking the source, he was led to a tabloids website and found that even the photographers had no idea who you were. Your picture was simply sourced as “guests attending a Stark party,” not counting the other woman with you in the image.

He realized that the whole thing was a waste of time. This is why he didn’t do the menial work himself: it was tedious and boring and he had nothing to show for it. Not even a name. You literally didn’t exist on any social media or content platform besides a useless picture just floating there on the internet.

Tony shot up from his chair to pace. He ran his hands through his hair, furiously muttering to himself.

“No social presence? No footprint— no… nothing?”

That’s…really smart, actually.

He hates it. And he hates to admit it, but…

But a small part of him respects you for it, too.

His head whipped back to the monitor glowing before him, patiently idling for a new order. Narrowing his eyes, the man marched back over to the console, furiously typing in a similar command. The process would take longer than he would like, but he was sure he would get his match.

“Who are you, sweetheart?” Tony mused distractedly to the image of your face on one of his monitors, hoping to find a sliver of treasure amidst a sea of coal.

——————————————————————————————————

Entering the lobby of your workplace was as it always is: white tile textured with marbling stains, wood paneling hugging the walls, a white and gray reception desk overlooking the room. Folks came and went from your line of vision, entering and disappearing into elevators and corridors, the leftover sounds of their jabbering following close behind them in the air. Many workers held various brews of caffeine or small breakfast items as they passed by, which had your stomach growling despite already filling it before you left your apartment.

It takes you a more than the typical few minutes to get to your work floor, the elevator being unusually popular for a Monday. You ponder over it to pass the time as you stand there, entertaining the thought of someone important stopping by. When the elevator dings for your stop, you step out and shuffling over to your desk, providing a couple “hellos” and “good mornings” to the associates that greet you along the way. Settling down into your office chair, you boot up your computer as you place and arrange the belongings you fish out from your purse.

You look around the drab space as you wait for the desktop to appear so you can clock in. Your friend and coworker doesn’t seem to be here yet. You contemplate what (Friend Name) got up into last night, if that is her reason for running late. Or rather, who she got with. You laugh to yourself as you drag your mouse over to bring up the company time clock, setting a mental reminder to ask her later when she shows up.

You click open the app used for business emails and you sigh softly at the unreads, sucking in a breath and sitting straighter.

Back to work as usual.

——————————————————————————————————

It was quite some time later before (Friend Name) bounded into the office with a pep in her step. And despite prodding her with your curiosity, she was determined to only reveal anything at lunchtime, which was a couple hours away. She also wanted to discuss it inside the building today instead of the cafe, which caused you to raise a brow. She waved you off and you had shrugged. You tried to focus back on your work, but the suspense of her answer kept eating at you until then, where you realized you didn’t get much done at all.

Now, you were both seated in one corner of the break room, had your meals and drinks pulled out, and were ready to dig in. Your brain, however, couldn’t help but bring up the topic the moment you uncapped your takeaway salad and raised your plastic fork.

“How’d your night go? Did you have fun?” You question good-naturedly before shoveling some greens into your mouth.

“Yeah,” She sighs, unwrapping a granola bar. “But I didn’t stay the night.”

You pause, utensil and speared salad pieces hovering in mid-air, as you turn your head to look at her properly. She munches on the bar of oats sprinkled with fruit and nuts for a moment, catching stray crumbs at the corners of her lips and licking them off before elaborating. “Something came up and he had to take care of it, so we called it a night.” She pauses, looking at her snack thoughtfully and clearly reminiscing. “He was sorry enough to drop me off, though.”

“Oh,” you breathe, resuming the bite of your food and chewing it on one side of your mouth. “That was nice of him.”

“Yeah, it was.” (Friend Name) trails off, releasing a dejected sigh. “So,” her mood shifts as she throws her hair over her shoulders and leans in toward you with vibrant green eyes sparkling of curiosity. “What did you get up to last night? Meet anyone interesting~?” You nervously smile at the sudden attention and shift in the topic, an awkward blush painting your face. You take a sip of your drink and clear your throat to gather your thoughts.

“No one special,” you shrug casually, collecting more lunch on your fork, “just some guy who was full of himself and calling me sweetheart.” There wasn't much to tell concerning the details, anyway.

Her nose wrinkles in distaste, responding with an “ew, gross.” You heartily laugh at her reaction as she shudders. She was never one for pet names like that— it reminds you of one person she dated, who never called her by her name and insisted on nicknames like that. Her features relax back into an easy smile, turning her attention back eating. “Well, I’m glad he didn’t get your number, then.”

As you look down at your lunch, a soft chuckle escapes you as you shake your head in agreement.

“Yeah, definitely not.”

——————————————————————————————————

Finally— finally— he struck gold.

Documented records of the institutions you attended in your life: really just schools and appointments, but it was something. Your yearbook photos helped, too. Only the newest information mattered, however, so he only took note of your most recent forms of contact to date.

It took a lot of outside the box thinking to get there, but that was what Tony Stark did best. He hopes you'll appreciate all the effort he took to go after you when you find yourself in his presence once more, enjoying his company and what his bed has to offer.

But first things first.

He rings up your number, already mouthing what he will say when he hears your voice. He’s more excited than he should be, but can’t find it in himself to care.

It keeps ringing.

He closes his eyes, imagining your expression when you find out it’s him— your lips curving into a smile as you start to say his name—

He gets the voicemail lady instead.

Confused, he sits there for a moment in silence before he tries again.

He’s greeted with a single ring before the same script plays. Did your phone die? Was it powered off? What was happening?

Furrowing his brows, Tony instructs his A.I. to deliver a message.

He compiles something short and flirty, just aiming to get your attention and to reel you in a bit. He sends it off, and almost immediately, the sophisticated, deadpan male voice of J.A.R.V.I.S. informs him that the message wasn't sent.

Okay.

You either blocked his number or your phone is off. Or it just sucks at texting for some reason.

The male purses his lips in thought. He needs to try a different approach, he supposed.

Going back to square one, Tony finds a piece of information that causes a playful smirk to slowly grow upon his face.

Well, he always did like a challenge.

——————————————————————————————————

“Something special just for you, (Name). —Your knight in rose-gold armor❤️💛”

That’s all the italicized note said.

The fancy slip of cardstock that was attached to the package on the floor wrapped in cellophane.

The gift sitting innocently in front of your apartment door when you arrived home from work.

Inspecting it as you bring it inside, the more confused and skeptical you get.

This…

You flipped the box over multiple times in the vain hope of finding a different answer or something new to go off of. It yielded nothing substantial, other than the fact that this was likely delivered to you from some kind of store that gift-wraps their products. Exactly who ordered this in the first place, however, is something you can’t determine. A sender’s address is nonexistent.

If this really was for you, then…

It was completely wrong.

Whoever sent this to you had no idea who you were because the assortment of chocolates had multiple flavors you didn’t care for, and would render the whole box a waste under your possession. There was only one specialty kind that you were willing to try, and even then it was filled with extra tastes that you didn’t really care for in your sweets.

You squinted at the packaging, trying to file through your memories, but you had never heard of this brand in your life.

Thankfully, the box did contain the reliable milk chocolate flavor, as well as darker coco and lighter milk and sugar versions as standalones. So, you figured, it would be a safe bet to sample that one first to see if their base for chocolate recipes were passable.

You hesitantly brought the confection to your lips and let it hover there, now wondering what kind of razor blades or poisonous concoctions were stuffed into this thing. But if someone wanted you dead, why would they make it this elaborate? Wouldn’t there have been some tell of any tampering before you opened it? Feeling ridiculous over your own thoughts, you bite the bullet. Pinching your eyes shut, you threw the piece of chocolate into your mouth.

You bit down, felt a more gooey substance ooze its way onto your tongue, and widened your eyes when the flavor hit you.

You immediately spat the thing out in the garbage can and raced over to your fridge for a palette cleanser. Snatching the first jug you saw, you drank directly from the container and realized too late that it was an acidic juice you picked out.

It paired worse than wine would, surely.

After most of the vile concoction was washed away from your taste buds, you smacked your lips and tried to process the lingering aftertaste.

Glaring at the offending box of chocolates, you took no time in propelling it towards the same bin where it belonged.

Forget figuring out where that came from.

You wouldn’t even give that to your worst enemy.

——————————————————————————————————

“You’ll thank me for this later, hun.” Tony mused to himself as he balanced the handle of a screwdriver in his mouth, putting the finishing touches on the camera in your studio-sized living room. As much as Tony wanted to cover the whole area of the unit itself, he knew not to overdo any more than he really needed to.

The man had no idea if the luxury chocolates he ordered went over well, and was itching to find out sooner rather than later. The very next day on a sunny mid-afternoon with a toolbox in tow, Tony visited your side of the city in his iron suit. He landed on the roof of your apartment, leaving the armor there as he climbed down the fire escape until he reached your level. He found an almost-closed window and had his A.I. scan for any lifeforms inside before he pushed the creaky wooden frame up and crawled through. And then Tony— after making sure you weren’t in another room and about to catch him— happened to glance down into your kitchen trash can. That hurt his feelings of course, but it fueled him to win your favor just the same. He only needed to get a sense of how you lived and what you liked, so he could woo you better when he revealed himself.

He hoped a woman like you enjoyed a mystery, because his work as Iron Man simply didn’t allow him to date you properly as he would’ve preferred— and he was too interested to simply forget about you. Even if he did manage to talk to you, a public relationship would be a no-go; the paparazzi alone would have you running for the hills. So, if you wouldn’t entertain digital communication with him, then virtually keeping tabs on you as your secret genius, billionaire, philanthropist, superhero admirer would have to do.

That was all.

Not because you were so elusive that it was driving him up the wall and he needed some reassurance grounding him that— yes, you did exist— and weren’t evading him on purpose or forgot him entirely.

No— he assured himself as he adjusted the device above him, not at all.

Besides, he got into your apartment too easily. The area you lived in was unruly, at best. And you needed protection. You could be snatched up out of thin air with no one the wiser as to your dissappearance. This way, even if he isn’t physically there for you or watching it happen back in his tower, he can at least use the footage from the cameras to gather the clues necessary to track you. Flying in as Iron Man, he’ll make the perpetrator sorry he even existed— break every bone of his that so much as touched you, and be your hero. And your relationship will blossom from there. Tony was doing you both a service by installing his tech in your apartment, if anything.

But what you didn’t know won’t hurt you.

While he was a genius, and was confident that his level of intelligence surpassed yours, he had no clue how perceptive you actually were. Installing too many surveillance cameras in your home would pose a risk to the subtlety of the operation he was trying to maintain, despite his desire to map every corner of your unit. Besides, more evidence of his work meant a higher probability of being discovered. Which meant a bigger chance for the devices to be knocked out of place and exposed to you later down the line. Even accidentally, Tony couldn’t have that.

Wiping his calloused hands on his jeans, the male assessed his additions to your apartment, triple-checking their installations and positioning. After making small adjustments here and there and test driving the feeds with his Stark phone, he was all set.

Tony’s troubleshooting finished with the last camera in your bedroom— and as he looked up, his eyes flitted over towards the ajar door leading out of the area he was standing in. Leaning forward with a squint to his eyes to peek through the crack yielded a wider expanse of the drab and cracked white tile, a mirror protruding from the wall, and various products cluttering the countertop of a sink directly under the hanging glass.

He sucked in a breath before spinning on his heel and marching right the fuck out of your bedroom.

No— he thought to himself. He would not be doing that.

It was one line he refused to cross.

——————————————————————————————————

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

Am I the asshole for how I dealt with this child ar my part time job?

After I left my college after one semester due to how much I hated the environment of it, I’ve come back home, applied to other colleges, and found a part time job at a trampoline park. It has all kinds of things, like a zip line, laser maze, the whole shebang. I work as a court monitor and make sure kids are safe and whatnot. We do rotations for every stations so one person isn’t super stressed, especially cause some sections are more high maintenance than others.

Anywho, I was managing the laser maze section and I notice this boy. He’s coming up and talking to me, I try and be patient cause kids are dumb. They come up and comment on stupid shit all the time. But then he tries to cut the line, go in during other people’s games, the whole thing. I tell him off, and I think that’s that.

Nope. During my next rotation I’m in the middle area of the platform, where we have dive trampolines and silks. And I know kids are notoriously greedy with silks, so I keep an eye out, make sure to tell kids to share and whatnot. Lo and behold, I see this kid. I can kinda tell already this kid is special needs, so I try and be nice. I ask him how long he’s been on there, then go ask a parent who’s been watching. Kid tells me he’s only been on there for two minutes, but the mom watching says he’s been on there for a while. I tell the kid he needs to get off (nicely btw) and that he needs to share but he throws a fuss. I tell the dad (trying to be nice) and dad gets him off.

Later on I have to warn the kid about going into the laser maze when others are in there. Dad seems pissed off, but honestly I’m just trying to keep this kid out of trouble because his dad is not doing shit about his behavior towards others and their surroundings, nor does he ever get off his phone.

The last straw was when I was looking over the super tramps. I made sure to tell everyone to stay off the black mats surrounding the trampolines and that only 1 person can be on a single tramp at a time. A mom asked me if her tiny kids can go on even if it’s twice at a time. I allowed it, since they’re small and the mom was watching. I talked to the mom a bit, making small talk and making sure she was ok with how I was dealing with things because I know I can be strict and parents are protective. And she mentions the kid coming onto the tramp and how dangerous it was. Like she didn’t even have to mention what he looked like, and when I asked she said yes.

Next thing I know, this kid legit runs onto the damn tramps where they’re at and starts to jump. Out of surprise and shock (because I was watching the tramps and didn’t know he was behind me) I yelled out. And his dad did not like it. Like, I tried to be patient with this kid, but he’s been causing a bunch of problems with other customers and it’s not been great. And his dad is just enabling his behavior.

I try to explain the rules and regulations and what I saw what his son was about to do, but he didn’t even let me explain. He’s complaining that his son knows the rules, and that he was just watching. I try and tell him that he was about to run into these kids on their turn on the super tramp, and the mom also tried to defend me. It got messy to the point he kept saying that it’s my bias against his son for being autistic, but no, it isn’t. And I have two moms to back me up, although one wasn’t there. I tried to reason with this guy, be he wasn’t having it.

I eventually got a manager to talk to him and idk how it ended up, but after I walked away? Man…I just felt so overwhelmed. I never knew what I was holding back until tears just began streaming down. Like man, kids are enough to deal with and I can handle that. But adults legit accusing me of shit like that? God I felt fucking defenseless.

Luckily the managers let me go home early to decompress, but also took my side and understood. Hell, I met the mom watching the silks in the bathroom and she understood.

I’m just trying to do my job man… I really wish I didn’t have to deal with that today.

But… am I the asshole for how I tried to deal with this kid? I am aware of how autism is so diverse and the basics, and I know I need to work on how I deal with kids. And even if I’m really bothered by how this dad deals with his kid and how…idk enabling it feels towards his behavior? I just don’t know. And if I need to I’ll take it if I’m the asshole for how I dealt with it.

What are these acronyms?

[bluestartelehealth1]

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[scarletskiesinthepaths]

Levi, Emotional Expression, and Social Interaction

I've seen different posts on Levi lately across different platforms that claim he is a cruel or mean person, which are fundamental misunderstandings of his character. I sort of see the problem as people mistaking Levi's emotional expressions (or lack thereof) as indicative of malicious intent or rude behavior. As such, I wanted to discuss how Levi's history and trauma have shaped how he expresses himself and relates to others. Once one has an understanding of that, it becomes evident that Levi's expressions should not be used to judge his intentions or feelings.

I wrote another post on how Levi fully meets the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on my main blog, and that diagnosis is important for understanding Levi as a character, as he's someone who's been largely affected by his trauma. To further expand on that post, we're going to discuss both Levi's affect and his ways of socially interacting with others, using concepts such as social modeling and self-monitoring.

What is Emotional Affect?

Affect, in psychology, refers to a patient's expression of emotion. Expression of emotion encompasses facial expressions, gestures, body language, tone of voice, etc. Mood, on the other hand, refers to the internal state of a patient's emotions sustained over a period of time. Affect helps us interpret a person's mood; however, there are such situations where affect can be considered inappropriate—that is, the person's affect is not entirely congruent (i.e., consistent) with the person's present mood and/or situation. A classic example of inappropriate affect would be laughing at a funeral, as that is incongruent with the context of the situation. Another example—a patient who is smiling and laughing after being involuntarily committed is considered to have an inappropriately euphoric affect.

Affect can be described across multiple dimensions, but the two most typically used are the quality of affect and the range of affect. Quality of affect is typically categorized as either euthymic (normal), dysthymic (depression, anxiety, guilt), or euphoric (an abnormally elevated sense of well-being, such as in mania). The range of affect can be labeled as labile, broad, restricted, blunted, or flat. Broad is considered the normal range of affect.

For the purposes of conciseness, we're going to focus on blunted and flat affects, as those are the range of affects that are best suited to describing Levi. Flat affect is when there is no variation in the patient's emotional expressions, regardless of their mood and situation. Blunted affect is similar, but it is a bit less severe—it means minimal variation. Practically, what do these mean?

Levi's Affect

When Kenny first finds Levi as a child, Levi is in a severe state of neglect; he is dying of starvation, he is wearing rags, his hair is unkempt, and he is sitting in the same room as his mother's decaying corpse. A typical child in this developmental range would be in extreme distress: crying, expressing fear, pleading for help, etc. However, Levi shows no such displays of emotions; he does not cry, he does not move, and he barely speaks. In fact, there is absolutely zero emotional expression, and there is no indicator he is upset about his situation (even as it is clear he must be). This is flat affect. Even in the short montage we see after Kenny has taken Levi under his "care", Levi never once shows variation in his emotional expression—no anger, no laugher, nothing.

Once Levi is an adult during the present timeline in the series, Levi exceedingly rarely displays his emotions. He often speaks in monotone, minimally varying the tone or volume of his voice—never yelling as well, even when angry. His smiles are so rare that it's a notable moment when he does smile (such as when Historia punched him at end of the "Royal Government" arc), and he never cries even after significant personal losses (except his one tear at the end of the series). His affect as an adult ranges from flat to blunted. This is significant too because we do know that his mood does vary, as it's clear from his verbal and body language the toll that different events take on him, and he does also display a sense of humor across the series. Again, though, his emotional expression does little to reflect how he's feeling.

What Causes Flat Affect?

To give a quick list of the most common causes:

Schizophrenia and other psychotic-spectrum disorders

Brain damage, such as from organic brain pathology or a traumatic brain injury

Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Severe psychological trauma, typically resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

I will say outright that there is no evidence Levi suffers from schizophrenia, and thus, that is unlikely to be the cause of his flat/blunted affect, especially given the onset of Levi's flat affect and the exceeding rarity of childhood-onset schizophrenia. Similar reasoning applies to brain damage, so both of those can be excluded from the differential.

I do believe Levi meets the criteria for MDD in adulthood; however, that would be more so a comorbidity of his existing PTSD. Levi looked to be around 4-6 years of age at the start of Kenny's flashbacks, and MDD in that age group is quite uncommon, even when accounting for childhood-onset and adolescent-onset depression.

This leaves us with both severe psychological trauma and ASD as the two most likely causes of Levi's flat affect as a child and through adulthood. ASD can be a valid interpretation of Levi's significantly reduced affect display during childhood, as well as his consistent social difficulties throughout all of canon. Based on criteria laid out by the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), Levi can be seen as having ASD (which I'll likely make a future post on). However, the presence of severe psychological trauma confounds this diagnosis. Despite this confounding diagnosis, it is still possible he has both PTSD and ASD.

Regardless, the most likely explanation for Levi's range of affect remains severe psychological trauma. In a child that young, something had to have gone extremely wrong in his early upbringing for his significantly reduced affect display. An entire separate post can be written on this topic, but Levi demonstrates clear signs of an insecure attachment style by the time he's discovered by Kenny; this indicates that Kuchel, despite having loved Levi, was simply unable to properly care for him, and this resulted in deep and ingrained psychological trauma that affected Levi's ability to socially relate and interact with others for the rest of his life. I intend on going into more detail in a separate post, but Levi's attachment style is likely insecure-avoidant or insecure-disorganized.

Observational Learning and Social Modeling

Albert Bandura's social learning theory posits that children learn through a combination of traditional behaviorist processes (classical and operant conditioning), cognitive processes, in addition to observation and modeling. In reference to Levi, observational learning is the most salient aspect of this theory.

In simple terms, observational learning refers to the way children observe the people around them. Individuals observed are referred to as models. Models can include, but are not limited to, parents/caregivers, TV characters, school teachers, and friends within a peer group. Basically, children pay attention to these models and encode their behavior into their memory. At a later time, this behavior is then imitated. This is referred to as "social modeling".

Who were Levi's models? Kuchel, Kuchel's patrons at the brothel she worked at, Kenny, and others who lived in or frequented the Underground City.

Given Kuchel's circumstances and the danger of human trafficking in the Underground, it is likely she taught Levi to avoid interacting with anyone in order to ensure his safety. Kuchel's patrons, in all likelihood, abused her and Levi was most assuredly witness to this abuse or the effects of it in some way. Then, Kenny—Levi's most significant parental figure—was a prominent serial killer who displayed and actively taught Levi violence.

All of this points to Levi never having had the opportunity to learn proper social interaction. In fact, he was actively taught inappropriate and unhealthy ways to socially interact. Not only was Levi's emotional development stunted and severely impacted as shown through his lack of affect, but his ability to socially interact and relate to others was inhibited due to both his insecure attachment and the absence of appropriate social models. How does this manifest in Levi?

Self-Monitoring

Self-monitoring is the degree to which people monitor and adjust their self-presentations when interacting with others and across different social contexts. Whether someone is a high or low self monitor can be affected by their natural personality, their experiences growing up, and/or their neuropsychobiology.

High self monitors tend to be actively aware of the social image they are projecting, and they will be adept at responding to social cues. They will also vary the image they project dependent upon who they are interacting with and what the social circumstances are. They have greater concern over situational appropriateness, and they are often perceived as more friendly and pleasant by others.

In contrast, low self monitors tend to exhibit emotional expressiveness and social responses more congruent with their internal states regardless of social context. That is, they do not adjust their beliefs, attitudes, and dispositions to be more socially acceptable. As such, they are often perceived as rude, socially awkward, and/or unaware of others' social needs.

Levi is a low self monitor. Regardless of who he is interacting with or what the situation is, he consistently maintains the same attitudes and beliefs; he is always honest and says what he's feeling. He never adjusts his social tone, even when it would make him more appeasing to others. Throughout the series, he's often referred to as rude, socially awkward, a lunatic, etc. for his inability to self-monitor. This is a likely a result of the aforementioned psychological trauma, his lack of appropriate social models, his innate introverted nature, and his potential ASD.

Summary

My goal with this post was to explain how Levi's trauma and experiences growing up have formed the way he expresses himself and interacts with others. Levi never sets out to be seen as rude, unkind, or cruel. In fact, I'd say he is by far the kindest and most compassionate character in all of Attack on Titan. However, because of his social disposition, he is consistently misperceived by both characters in the series, as well as readers/viewers. Levi, through a combination of his innate nature and the environment in which he grew up, simply lacks the social skills and affinity for social interaction to properly explain himself and come across as more palatable to others.

Note: I am a doctor of psychology student, so much of this information has been informed by my schooling.

[customiotsolutions]

Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring: A Synergistic Approach to Enhancing Healthcare Delivery

The landscape of healthcare has witnessed a transformative revolution propelled by the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the wake of these paradigm shifts, telehealth has emerged as a pivotal component, with a staggering 154% surge in telehealth visits observed in March 2020 compared to the previous year. This surge was not just a temporary anomaly; a recent HIMSS survey indicated that 9 out of 10 healthcare organizations are planning to sustain or expand their telehealth services, foreseeing a long-term demand increase of 53%.

Telehealth, which involves diagnosing and treating patients remotely using telecommunication technologies, holds immense potential to reshape the future of healthcare. However, to fully harness the benefits of telehealth and optimize patient care delivery in the digital age, it is essential to integrate remote patient monitoring (RPM) technologies into the telehealth framework.

Essential for secure and efficient remote care delivery, telehealth relies on preserving patient data confidentiality through secure, HIPAA-compliant communication channels. Leveraging video conferencing and other secure mediums between doctors and patients ensures the integrity and privacy of patient medical information.

While telehealth offers convenience, efficiency, and greater access to healthcare services, its reliance on self-reported patient data presents limitations, particularly in terms of comprehensive health monitoring during consultations. This is where remote patient monitoring (RPM) plays a critical role.

Remote patient monitoring utilizes medical devices to capture and transmit real-time patient data to healthcare professionals. By seamlessly integrating RPM devices and IoT remote monitoring solutions, healthcare providers are empowered to gain a comprehensive understanding of a patient's health, thereby making data-driven care decisions.

The benefits of remote patient monitoring extend to streamlined care coordination, enhanced patient engagement, and improved chronic disease management. By enabling continuous data collection, RPM enables healthcare providers to monitor chronic conditions effectively, leading to the identification of concerning trends or anomalies early on and facilitating timely interventions to prevent complications.

In the realm of RPM solutions, Bridgera MyHealth stands out as a comprehensive telehealth platform that facilitates remote patient monitoring, providing a robust foundation for healthcare organizations to scale their telehealth services. With features encompassing secure device integration, essential data collection, HIPAA-compliant communication, and streamlined recordkeeping, Bridgera MyHealth offers a holistic solution that benefits both providers and patients.

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In conclusion, the integration of telehealth and remote patient monitoring presents a strategic alliance that not only meets the evolving demands of modern healthcare but also promises to enhance patient outcomes and pave the way for a more streamlined, data-driven approach to delivering care.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved on our archive

A study reveals subtle, lasting cognitive impacts in healthy individuals following COVID-19 infection, highlighting the need for precise cognitive testing in future research.

A new analysis from Imperial College’s COVID-19 human challenge study has identified subtle changes in memory and cognition among healthy volunteers who were infected with SARS-CoV-2. These changes persisted for up to a year after infection.

Researchers noted that, despite the differences, all scores remained within the normal range for healthy individuals, and none of the participants reported lasting cognitive symptoms like brain fog.

Cognitive Impacts in Controlled Conditions The study, published in eClinical Medicine, found small but measurable differences in cognitive performance between 18 young, healthy participants who contracted the virus and those who did not, all monitored under carefully controlled conditions.

The team explains that incorporating such sensitive cognitive testing into future studies could help reveal more detailed insights into how infections may alter brain function and could help to find ways to reduce these processes when they cause symptoms.

Challenges and Methodologies Senior author Professor Adam Hampshire, from the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London and now based at King’s College London, explained: “We know that COVID-19 can have lasting impacts on our memory and ability to carry out common cognitive tasks. However, much of the scientific evidence we have comes from large studies based on self-testing and reporting, or where there’s a range of variables that could increase or reduce these effects.

“Our work shows that these cognitive effects are replicated even under carefully controlled conditions in healthy individuals – including infection with a comparable dose of virus – and further highlights how respiratory infections can impact specific aspects of brain function.

“We were only able the detect some of these effects because of the trial design, which used very sensitive tests and controlled conditions, with participant performance compared to their own pre-inoculation baselines. This enabled us to pick up on subtle changes of which the participants themselves appear not to have been aware.”

COVID-19 and Cognition Previous studies that included patients with a wide range of severities have shown COVID-19 can have a lasting impact on people’s brain function. One such study, led by Imperial and involving more than 140,000 people, found small deficits in the performance of cognitive and memory tasks in people who had recovered from COVID-19, with differences evident a year or more after infection.

In the latest study, researchers analyzed findings from a small group of healthy volunteers who were part of the world’s first human challenge study for COVID-19 in 2021. The findings reveal subtle differences in how they performed on the same tests, which lasted up to 12 months although later testing could have been affected by other and later factors.

Human Challenge Study Design and Results During the trial, 36 healthy, young participants with no previous immunity to the virus were infected with SARS-CoV-2 and monitored under controlled clinical conditions. They were carefully monitored and remained at the facility until they were no longer infectious. From the group, 18 participants became infected and developed mild illness, one without symptoms.

Participants also performed sets of tasks to measure multiple distinct aspects of their brain function, including memory, planning, language, and problem-solving, using the Cognitron platform. Participants took the tests before exposure to the virus, during the two weeks they spent in the clinical facility, and then at multiple points for up to a year.

Analysis showed that those who became infected with SARS-CoV-2 had statistically lower cognitive scores than uninfected volunteers – compared to baseline scores – during their infection as well as during the follow-up period. The main differences in scores were seen in memory and executive function tasks (including working memory, attention, and problem-solving).

Lasting Impacts and Future Research Directions Differences in scores between groups were seen up to one year after infection, with the uninfected group performing slightly better on tasks overall.

The researchers note that the observed differences were small and that none of the volunteers reported prolonged cognitive symptoms. They also highlight limitations of the study, including the small sample size and that the majority of participants were white males, and so caution is needed in extrapolating the findings to the general population.

They explain that future research could examine the biological links between respiratory infection and cognition in COVID-19, and even show how this impact compares with other conditions, such as Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or influenza.

Co-author Professor Christopher Chiu, from the Department of Infectious Disease at Imperial College London, who led the COVID-19 human challenge study, said: “These latest findings from our study add more fine detail to the picture we have of COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases.

“Challenge studies can offer a tool to help us better understand how infections disrupt a range of biological functions. Here, by showing biological effects that fall below what could be considered symptoms or disease, we were able to identify the smallest changes in these pathways. This could ultimately help us to develop new treatments to reduce or even block some of these effects, which we know in other settings can have lasting impacts on people’s lives.”

Reference: “Changes in memory and cognition during the SARS-CoV-2 human challenge study” by William Trender, Peter J. Hellyer, Ben Killingley, Mariya Kalinova, Alex J. Mann, Andrew P. Catchpole, David Menon, Edward Needham, Ryan Thwaites, Christopher Chiu, Gregory Scott and Adam Hampshire, 21 September 2024, eClinicalMedicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102842 www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(24)00421-8/fulltext

This study was funded through the UK Vaccine Taskforce of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

The work was supported by the NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre.

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