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Use easy technology to improve your patients’ treatment
Lisa Mulcahy Healthcare AdministrationOnline patient portals and automated visit reminders are standard components of care for most hospitals and practices today. But did you know that there are other simple uses of technology that can raise the quality of care you provide — and contribute to better outcomes across the board for your patients? Research shows that implementing the following technological strategies can lead to excellent results.
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Feds to dish out more money to fight opioid abuse
Scott E. Rupp Civil & GovernmentFederal health officials are preparing to allocate nearly $1 billion to support states in their efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) said it is accepting applications from states and territories to secure a portion of an allotted $930 million in state opioid response grants for opioid prevention and treatment initiatives. SAMHSA will award up to 59 grants. States and the District of Columbia can receive a minimum of $4 million.
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Replacing opioids with medical marijuana in older adults with chronic pain
Dorothy L. Tengler PharmaceuticalWhile often effective and appropriate, opioid painkillers have contributed to the worst drug epidemic in history. Health experts have worked diligently to determine when dependency on these powerful prescription drugs starts, as well as how to prevent addiction. Although young adults may be the first to be tagged as prescription drug abusers, seniors may have unwittingly become involved in using opioid pain relievers. Now, physicians are considering treating older men and women who have chronic pain with medical marijuana to reduce their opioid use.
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Negotiating commercial leases: Keep success quiet
Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield RetailFor many commercial tenants, negotiating a good lease or lease renewal against an experienced agent or landlord can be a challenge. While an entrepreneur focuses on marketing and managing, savvy real estate agents and brokers are specialized salespeople. Their job is to sell tenants on leasing their location at the highest possible rental rate. Whether you are leasing a new location for the first time or negotiating a lease renewal for your business, here are two money-saving tips.
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Assessing pain with a new tool
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareAlthough estimates of the prevalence of chronic pain vary, the number of persons experiencing chronic pain in the U.S. is substantial. According to a new study prepared by the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 11.2 percent of adults experience chronic pain. To address this issue, clinicians and researchers at the University of Washington's Center for Pain Relief found the use of an in-depth questionnaire tremendously helpful. The "Pain Tracker" can be filled out online from any digital device or completed on paper.
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Pediatric dentist’s ‘magical’ video garners national attention
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareIt’s not unusual for young children to fear going to the dentist, but Dr. Eyal Simchi of Riverfront Pediatric Dentistry in New Jersey works hard every day to change that. Dr. Simchi and his team regularly post endearing videos on Facebook of fun interactions with his young patients. So when he and his office manager, who is also his wife, Rachel, posted a video in late May and then returned to the office three days later, they were in for an astonishing surprise.
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New research shows further connection between Alzheimer’s, retinal nerve…
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Medical & Allied HealthcareResearchers recently reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association that nerve fibers in the eye are an early indication of Alzheimer’s disease. The eye, and particularly the retina as an extension of neurologic tissue, can provide information about disease status in the brain. The concept is not new, but the means to capture images with enough optical resolution to visualize the axons and ganglion cells has been evolving over the last two decades.
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WHO lists ‘gaming disorder’ as mental health condition
Joan Spitrey Mental HealthcareIn response to international pressure, the World Health Organization (WHO) has now listed "gaming disorder" in the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Released on June 25, the new ICD-11 listing hopes to create awareness and potential treatment options for those who may be suffering from this often-mocked condition. The main characteristics are very similar to substance-use or gambling disorders in that the patient’s life choices become severely impaired.
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New report: Some Medicare money won’t last past next decade
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationMedicare spending was 15 percent of total federal spending in 2017, and is projected to rise to 18 percent by 2028. Based on the latest projections, the Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A) trust fund is projected to be depleted in 2026, three years earlier than the 2017 projection, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) points out in its new report, "The Facts on Medicare Spending and Financing."
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How extending hours can benefit your practice and patients
Lisa Mulcahy Healthcare AdministrationAs a busy primary care provider, you're no doubt always looking for ways to maximize the care options you can provide your patients. Yet there never seem to be enough hours in the day to do so. The simplest solution? Make more hours and extend your practice's daily appointment times. There are multiple upsides to adding additional office availability each week, as research has shown that patients, physicians and staff can all benefit from a practically planned expansion.
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