In a very general sense, telemedicine is the practice of diagnosing and treating patients through means of telecommunication. Recognizing the likely future growth of telemedicine, […]
Author Archives: Jacqueline Fritz RN, MSN, RN-BC
Blinded vs. Unblinded: The Roles of the Research Nurse
We are fortunate in our office to have the opportunity to take part in research of new biosimilar medications before they come to the market. […]
Like the Kidney, Medical Authorizations Require Us to Adapt | Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
A very long time ago in my nursing school days, I learned that each kidney has approximately 1 million nephrons comprised of convoluted tubules. Their […]
Opioids and Obesity: A Complicated Challenge | Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
It’s impossible to get through a day without hearing about or seeing an article focused on the current opioid crisis in the United States. The […]
All Hail the Negotiator | Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
I first met JY 2 weeks ago. A 35-year-old, tall, lanky male with a 2-year history of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA), JY initially presented to […]
The Intersection of Lupus and End-Stage Renal Disease | Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
It’s a question that I have considered from time to time in my nursing career—in a patient with severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who also […]
Just Say No | Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
Hopefully, you are familiar with the patient Bill of Rights that was drafted by the federal government’s Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in […]
My Initial Experience with Biosimilars | Biosimilar
Not long after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved its first biosimilar agent for use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), our office undertook […]
The Many Faces of Psoriatic Arthritis | Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
Two years ago, a 30-year-old woman (RB) came to our office for an initial consult. She was in a wheelchair, covered from head to toe […]
Going Beyond Numbers on the Page | Rheumatoid Arthritis
“How are my numbers?” It’s a question that I get daily from my patients, often on several occasions. Patients will call and ask for a […]
Getting at That “One Thing” That Makes a Difference | Rheumatoid Arthritis
We all have patients who are hard to connect with, stubborn beyond belief despite what we think is clear evidence that refutes their deep-seated obstinence. […]
Hoping for a Home Run, but Ending with a Strikeout | Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjögren’s
J.T. was a former professional baseball player who came to our practice after being diagnosed at age 45 with severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the […]
My Most Memorable Patient | Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
As rheumatology nurses, we are lucky to be able to touch so many lives in a memorable way. Consequently, when a patient appears in our […]
How I Learned About Biologic Therapies
Learning the science of rheumatology is, for me, an ongoing project. The immune cascade is amazing and yet daunting to comprehend. The exciting part is […]
What Quality Improvement Means To Me | Rheumatoid Arthritis
In rheumatology, we are challenged with the formidable task of simultaneously improving quality, enhancing equity, and ensuring value in the care we provide for our […]