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In case of emergency: Survey reveals that most dental practices are prepared
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareI love it when a survey confirms good news, don’t you? It’s so much better than the opposite. According to a survey conducted by the ADA Council on Dental Practice earlier this year, nearly 97 percent of American dental practices reported that they had a plan for responding to medical emergencies in the office. Great job, dentists! Dr. Craig Ratner serves as chairman of the Council on Dental Practice for the ADA, and said of the results, "According to the survey, dental practices report that they are largely prepared for medical emergencies that might happen in an office."
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Research documents surprising benefits of prenatal supplements
Sheilamary Koch PharmaceuticalRecently published findings from two international follow-up studies show that offspring development may be greatly affected by the vitamin supplements their mothers took when pregnant. This research is likely to open the door to further studies in the area of prenatal supplementation and could eventually influence the vitamins prescribed to pregnant women. In one of the studies, adolescents whose mothers received multiple micronutrient supplements during pregnancy showed notably higher intellectual development than the offspring of women who took folic acid, according to Chinese researchers.
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Detecting kidney cancer with a blood test
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareOne of every four deaths in the United States is due to cancer. Kidney cancer is among the 10 most common cancers in both men and women. It is commonly a disease of older people, as the average age of diagnosis is 64 years. Importantly, kidney cancer has the potential for cure with surgery when diagnosed at an early stage. Recently, scientists have discovered a marker in the blood that could help predict a person’s risk of kidney cancer.
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Federal policy challenges continue with opioid epidemic
Joan Spitrey Medical & Allied HealthcareOn Aug. 16, a mass overdose taxed the EMS services of New Haven, Connecticut. Within 24 hours, 70 people had overdosed on synthetic marijuana, also known as K2 or spice, which was suspected to be laced with the potent opioid fentanyl. Again, this highlighted the continued opioid crisis that continues to plague the United States. However, federal and local authorities, despite their best efforts, continue to make little headway in this new war on drugs.
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How to cut the stress at your practice
Lisa Mulcahy Medical & Allied HealthcareAs a physician, do you find yourself feeling depleted, exhausted, and isolated? You're not alone. A new Stanford University School of Medicine study found that at physicians' practices worldwide, the emotional and physical impact of managing daily workload is causing doctors more stress than ever. Out of 6,695 doctors surveyed by the researchers, 55 percent reported feeling burnt out. The good news: there are positive and concrete steps you can take to alleviate your stress, forge stronger bonds with your staff, colleagues and patients, and physically recover so you're refreshed to do your best work.
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Electronic transactions may save Medicaid $4.8 billion annually
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationA new Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH CORE) report states that Medicaid could save more than $4.8 billion annually if they moved to fully electronic transactions. The California-based nonprofit also said more than half of Medicaid enrollees are in plans without electronic prior authorization. Only 44 percent of Medicaid recipients are in plans with automated claims processes. State agencies and health plans covering these enrollees have achieved some level of CORE Certification compared to 78 percent for commercial health plans and 75 percent for Medicare Advantage plans.
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Opt-in or opt-out organ donation: Which is a better indicator of ‘true…
Lynn Hetzler Healthcare AdministrationWhich inferred preference for organ donation is stronger: when the decision is made by mandate or under automatic default? The question is important because families can — and frequently do — veto the organ donation decisions made by their deceased relatives. The results of a new study provide fresh insight into the answer. Currently, there is a large gap between the number of people needing organ donation and the number of donated organs.
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Are happiness and a healthcare career mutually exclusive?
Keith Carlson Medical & Allied HealthcareThose who have a good understanding of healthcare know that it is a stressful industry for doctors, nurses, and allied staff. From the rigors of education and loan repayment to the challenges of the 21st-century workplace, those who choose healthcare careers are at risk of losing their sense of balance and happiness. Must healthcare careers and personal happiness be mutually exclusive?
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Even with insurance, many female consumers shocked by the costs of their…
Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied HealthcareWomen are feeling significantly worse than men about several key healthcare issues, according to a new Bankrate.com report. For example, in a new study issued by the website, 25 percent of women said they or a family member living in their household avoided going to the doctor over the past year — even though they needed medical attention — because they thought it would be too expensive. Only 18 percent of men said the same. Additionally, between the two sexes, 47 percent of women who paid a medical bill in the past year said "it was more expensive than they expected." Thirty-five percent of men echoed that sentiment.
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Dentists working longer before retiring
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareThe dental industry is trending right alongside the rest of America where retirement ages are concerned. In a nutshell, we’re working longer and longer before formally exiting the workforce. According to the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute, the average dentist currently retires just before they turn 69, although back in 2001 their average retirement age was about 65. Across the board, Americans are working longer. Why?
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