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WHO lists ‘gaming disorder’ as mental health condition

Joan Spitrey Mental Healthcare

In 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.

New report: Some Medicare money won’t last past next decade

Scott E. Rupp Healthcare Administration

Medicare 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."

How extending hours can benefit your practice and patients

Lisa Mulcahy Healthcare Administration

As 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.

A healthcare facility’s magic wand

Keith Carlson Healthcare Administration

For healthcare facilities — hospitals, nursing homes, surgical centers, etc. — there are plenty of issues that impact the financial bottom line and an organization’s overall well-being. If you were a healthcare executive with a magic wand, what are the things you would want to pull out of the proverbial magic hat in order to ensure your organization’s survival and success? Here are some ideas to consider.

Looking both ways at the significant dangers to pedestrians in wheelchairs

Dr. Denise A. Valenti Transportation Technology & Automotive

A recent report from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) estimated that close to 6,000 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2017. The report discusses factors contributing to the increasing numbers of fatal pedestrian injuries, including the legalization of marijuana and growth in the use of smartphones as contributors. Those pedestrians using wheelchairs suffer fatal injury when hit by a vehicle at a rate that is close to 40 percent greater than the general population. More than half of fatal injuries to wheelchair users occur in intersections.

Older mothers and the risk of heart disease in their children

Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied Healthcare

The average age of first-time mothers is increasing because more women are waiting until their 30s and 40s to start having children, and fewer women are having their first child during their teens and 20s. The vast majority of all births are still to women under 35 (about 85 percent). However, rates for all births, not just of a first child, to women over 35 have been rising over the past 20 years, while birth rates for younger women are stable or declining, especially in developed countries. However, waiting until one’s 30s to have children may pose health risks to both mother and child.

Is the sky falling for pharmacist salaries?

Jason Poquette Pharmaceutical

They say what goes up must come down. But for a long time, that hasn’t been true when it comes to pharmacist salaries. Median hourly wages have continued to increase for pharmacists over the past couple decades. But the 2018 Pharmacy Compensation Survey, a few details of which are available for free on the PharmacyWeek blog, shows at least some evidence that pharmacist salaries have hit a ceiling and might be heading downward in the days to come.

Successful strategies to cut patient readmissions

Lisa Mulcahy Healthcare Administration

As a hospital administrator, there's no doubt that you're seeking to avoid readmissions in any way you can. You want your patients to do well health-wise after discharge, first and foremost, and you also want to avoid any financial penalty from Medicare for especially high readmission rates at your institution. This can be hard to accomplish, however. The good news? There are concrete steps you can take to reduce this issue, improve your patients' outcomes and strengthen your staff members' collaborative efforts as they work to make the post-care transition as safe and seamless as possible.

New law makes it easier for veterans to access healthcare

Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental Healthcare

Our nation’s veterans certainly deserve the spotlight all the time. But in the month of July, the spotlight shines a little brighter as, collectively, we recognize and honor our nation’s veterans as we celebrate the birth of the United States of America. Just in time for this year’s Fourth of July festivities, a new law has passed that will make it easier for all veterans to receive needed health care and will also benefit the dentists and physicians who work for Veterans Affairs facilities.

Is entering all information needed if it isn’t critical? Absolutely

Frank R. Myers Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

If you have a job task that requires you to fill out and process forms, do you really need to complete all fields? If you want to be thorough and eliminate continued questions or follow-ups due to lack of information, the answer is "yes." Recouping service funds also can be expedited in some circumstances! Besides filling in "all the boxes," it is important to be as detailed as possible to provide a clear picture. The report or form needs to explain the necessary information clearly in lieu of face-to-face communication for the next person down the line.

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