Recent Articles
-
How a new study can help doctors identify COVID-19 infections faster
Lisa Mulcahy Medical & Allied HealthcareOutpatient presentations of COVID-19 remain a tricky management challenge for all healthcare professionals. When it comes to quickly triaging a patient, you need your evaluation to be as accurate as possible, especially when that patient's symptoms may or may not traditionally fit testing criteria — or if your organization has testing kit shortages. Good news: fresh research from Harvard Medical School may be able to help you determine which presenting patients need further COVID-19 workups and which patients may have another condition.
-
Homebound homeowners pursue remodeling projects
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsLike other sectors of the housing industry, remodeling services have experienced a substantial drop in demand as a result of health and safety concerns arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, being confined to home has given homeowners plenty of time to think about improvements they’d like to make. Now with parts of the country beginning to open up, remodelers in some areas are seeing an increase in inquiries and project scheduling, suggesting activity may resume fairly quickly once conditions allow.
-
Why experts are urging caution before opening schools in the fall
Bambi Majumdar EducationSchool's out for the summer in most places and districts are now focusing on how to prepare for classes in the fall. While the number of new nationwide COVID-19 cases is abating, and a large percentage of the afflicted have recovered, new cases are still happening daily. Psychologists agree that no amount of distance learning can replicate the benefits of in-person learning. However, we are talking about a deadly virus that has the potential to cause more havoc. Most experts agree that we need more research and information about the virus to guide decision-making for reopening U.S. schools.
-
How to fix a divided board
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementThe executive director warned, "You should know we have a divided board." The concept was foreign to me. A board is a governing body authorized by law to serve the membership, advance the mission and make best use of resources. Members expect results from the leadership team. When I hear of a divided board, I imagine disunity, disagreement, conflicting interests and highly emotional discussions. I asked him to explain, "What is a divided board?"
-
Dental offices lead healthcare’s job surge in May’s surprising…
Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied HealthcareThe U.S. economy witnessed unexpected job growth in May as state and local economies began to reopen from the pandemic shutdown. In particular, medical practices and dental offices were key drivers of this finding that surprised economists. According to the May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) economic report, healthcare — including dentists — added more than 310,000 jobs during the month. Dental offices experienced job rebounds at rates unlike any in the sector.
-
Pediatric mental health ED visits spike during recent years
Chelsea Adams Medical & Allied HealthcareWhile the number of overall pediatric emergency departments visits has remained stable over the past decade, the number of children who have presented with mental health disorders has increased by 60% and cases of self-harm have skyrocketed by 329%. "We're seeing more and more children presenting with mental health disorders," said Dr. Rachel Stanley, chief of emergency medicine at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Stanley authored a study published in the journal Pediatrics that sheds light on emergency department utilization for mental health symptoms among patients between the ages of 5 and 17.
-
3 unlikely but essential ways to communicate generosity
Mark MacDonald Religious CommunityGod often puts us in a crazy situation and demands trust. Perhaps you’re like Elijah and God's given you a vision of what He wants to accomplish through seemingly impossible giving. Maybe your audience is like the widow and has nothing but a small reserve. God wants us to trust. I’ve learned people won’t give to a God-sized vision if they’re not aware. Effective communication plays an important role in accomplishing God’s work. Here’s how to do it well.
-
Social distancing: Is 6 feet enough?
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) define social distancing as avoiding crowded places and mass gatherings and staying at least six feet, which is about two meters, from others in order to minimize the risk of contagion. However, recently published studies support the hypothesis that virus transmission may occur more than two meters from an infected person.
-
How to prepare for hunting season during the summer
John McAdams Recreation & LeisureWhile the current weather conditions make it feel like we’re about as far away from hunting season as we can get, fall is just around the corner. So, now is actually a great time to be preparing for the upcoming hunting season. This is especially true if you’ll be trying out a new rifle or scope this fall. Even if you haven’t made a big change to your equipment, though, it’s still important to spend some time at the range over the next few weeks to make sure you’re prepared to hit the woods when hunting season opens up.
-
What separates the best leaders from the rest? A call to rethink our thinking
Gary Heil and Ryan Heil, Ph.D. Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementLeadership is in crisis. From the capitals of government to the hallways of our educational institutions to the executive suites on Wall Street, effective leadership is in short supply. We know it. We can feel it. It seems clear that we’ve underestimated the challenge and looked for answers in the wrong places. To be effective in meeting the challenges posed by this crisis, we’ll have to move beyond debates about styles and tactics and help leaders challenge deeply held beliefs about how to influence people and gain commitment.