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Innovative programs help pharmacists prepare for cold and flu season

Sheilamary Koch Pharmaceutical

As temperatures cool, days shorten and store aisles fill with holiday displays, pharmacists in the Northern Hemisphere know cold and flu season is imminent. Pharmacies are perhaps best known for their key role in preventing infections and reducing transmission of influenza by dispensing flu immunizations. Pharmacists can also make a positive impact in other methods of infection prevention, symptom management, patient self-care, and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS).

A new way to improve your health: Move to a wellness community

Victoria Fann Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Given that the average person spends 90% of their time indoors and loneliness has become epidemic, it makes sense that real estate is responding by changing the way it builds. In addition, the attention given to wellness is growing, so health-conscious homebuyers want to live in a place that supports their values. Also known as wellness lifestyle real estate and wellness communities, this new trend will be a $180 billion industry worldwide in 2022, according to a report by the Global Wellness Institute.

Study: Financial waste in healthcare remains significant

Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied Healthcare

Despite its reputation for saving things, healthcare can be a pretty wasteful environment. In fact, there’s so much excess that nearly a quarter or more of all the money in the sector gets wasted, a new study suggests. The sum of all waste is estimated to range from $760 billion to $935 billion, according to a recent report in JAMA. There’s a small sliver of good news: Things could be worse. The study authors suggest that the amount of waste was worse, by as much as 5%, in 2011.

Groupthink: A danger to healthcare innovation

Keith Carlson Medical & Allied Healthcare

In the healthcare universe, we follow orders and policies and procedures because that is part and parcel of our clinical world’s rules. However, doing what you’re told can come at a price if you violate your own moral code and personal values or the orders have potential to cause harm to a patient. It can also feel the antithesis of evidence-based practice when you’re told to do something a certain way because "that’s the way we’ve always done it."

Enamel: The body part that lasts a lifetime and doesn’t wear out

Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental Healthcare

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. But, until recently, no one knew how it managed to last an entire lifetime. The authors of a recent study concluded that enamel's secret lies in the imperfect alignment of crystals. With help from researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Pittsburgh, the research team, led by Dr. Pupa Gilbert, took a close and detailed look at the structure of tooth enamel. The team of scientists published the results of their study in the journal Nature Communications. Here’s the gist of what they found.

Infographic: Understanding marijuana laws, state-by-state

Brian Wallace Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

Marijuana laws are changing across the country. On an almost daily basis, more states are discussing the legalization of marijuana, especially related to drug testing in the workplace. Some states have fully legalized marijuana while other states have only legalized it medicinally. Do you know if your state allows employers to drug test for marijuana? This infographic includes more information on the most lenient and strictest marijuana laws, state by state.

Podcast: The economics of starting a practice

Jarod Carter Healthcare Administration

Considering starting a cash-based practice or online business? Here’s my advice on the top things to consider in your decision-making process that will ensure you are geared toward success. These include: setting realistic expectations for profit margins, overhead costs, and overall time commitment; the importance of leveraging experts instead of doing it all yourself; and approaches for hiring online contractors to make sure you get what you need.

5 conditioning exercises safe for young athletes

Damon Sayles Sports & Fitness

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), strength training is recommended and marked as safe for children 8 years old and up. However, "strength training" should not be used interchangeably with "weight training." For young athletes, leave the weights alone. But...do not leave the conditioning alone. Injuries in sports happen at times, but a lot of injuries can be avoided with proper conditioning. Here are five exercises for young athletes to help them improve their conditioning — and all five are safe.

Report: Patients want more billing transparency, digital payment options

Scott E. Rupp Healthcare Administration

A new report, the 2019 Healthcare Consumer Study, was commissioned by Cedar to identify trends in the financial experience for patients. Results show one-third (34%) of U.S. healthcare consumers say they have experienced a medical bill going into collections. However, most of these outstanding bills were not the result of astronomical statement amounts. For the most part, Cedar found, these bills in collection were the result of poor billing practices on the part of the practice or healthcare organization — or so patients thought.

How to boost pain management satisfaction scores at your hospital

Lisa Mulcahy Healthcare Administration

As a hospital administrator, analyzing patient comments regarding pain management is something you probably have to do. Yet, it's easy to overlook common issues that cause or increase pain for your patients. These could be issues your patients don’t even realize are causing them problems. Root out these problematic areas and implement solutions to make your patients more comfortable by utilizing this advice.

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