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Collaboration in healthcare: Beyond the silo
Keith Carlson Medical & Allied HealthcareSilos are a common sight in the farmlands of the world, but what about the silos we inhabit as healthcare clinicians, researchers, academicians, and administrators? What would happen if the silos disappeared? What kind of collaborations might result and how would the face of medicine and healthcare change? Historically, nurses have been at the beck and call of physicians, relegated to tasks previously identified as "non-professional." Recently, the separate silos of nurses and doctors have become less pronounced, allowing for increased trust, collaboration, and shared practice.
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CMS: ACOs are producing savings, physician-based models faring best
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationAccountable care organizations (ACOs) are paying off big time, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) said, with the programs generating more than $739 million in net savings in 2018. ACOs are designed to lower growth in expenditures and improve care quality. For its part, an ACO agrees to be held accountable for the quality, cost, and experience of care of an assigned Medicare beneficiary population. According to Health Affairs, ACOs that successfully meet quality and savings requirements share a percentage of the achieved savings with Medicare.
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Soulfully preparing for the end of life
Lisa Cole Medical & Allied HealthcareThese past seven months I’ve been on a mission. Throwing caution to the wind, I moved out of state temporarily to be near Mom to set her up to "age in place." Amidst the plethora of preparations, we’ve shared many soulful moments. What began as an odyssey is ending with an opus. Before launching into all her current and possible future arrangements, it was important for us to sit down and talk. Heartfully and honestly talk — as if our lives depended on it. Because, they did.
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Study looks at causes of homelessness among ED patients
Chelsea Adams Medical & Allied HealthcareHomelessness is a prevalent problem in American emergency departments, which serve as social safety nets for indigent and sick. A new qualitative study of newly homeless emergency department patients found multiple contributing factors to homelessness. Now that the factors have been identified, they can impact ED-based homelessness prevention intervention. The study was conducted at a New York City public hospital emergency department.
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Optimizing quality of life and communication for older adults living with…
Carina Oltmann Medical & Allied HealthcareMiriam is sitting up in bed when I enter her hospital room. She is neatly groomed with a lovely short gray bob and large eyes that greet me warmly. Before her lie several untouched containers of vanilla pudding. The television is tuned to CNN and she tells me that she watches the business show religiously every day. I like Miriam’s warmth and friendliness immediately. As an oncology social worker, I have the privilege of working with adults undergoing treatment for cancer, primarily gynecologic and hepatobiliary cancer.
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A curious case of ‘lost’ dentures after surgery
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareIf you’re scheduled to have surgery, there are lots of things you’re likely thinking about. From the seriousness of the procedure and recovery time to hospital bills and who will take care of your home and loved ones while you’re recovering, there is no shortage of things to plan for. But one thing you may not have put on your list of items to take care of? Taking out your dentures before going under anesthesia. According to a new report, one 72-year-old man who had abdominal surgery in England actually swallowed his dentures during a procedure.
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Podcast: How to use telehealth to create or grow a cash-pay physical therapy…
Jarod Carter Sports & FitnessIn 2005, Rob Vining developed and launched the world’s first digital practice for physical therapy. His telehealth model allowed him to accept and treat patients far and wide on a cash-pay basis, and it became clear those patients were getting great results. In time, Vining found himself focusing more on developing software tools that would enable medical professionals to easily enter the growing telehealth market. He and his students are proving the potential for PTs to become more efficient and profitable by making telehealth visits available for the convenience of existing patients.
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5 strategies for reducing medication errors
Lisa Mulcahy Medical & Allied HealthcareAs a healthcare professional, you constantly monitor your hospital to make sure patient safety is the ultimate priority. But improving your approach on a constant basis is also vital. What strategies should you be implementing to ensure your patients receive their medication properly, without hazard and in a timely manner? Use these science-driven pieces of advice to accomplish these essential goals.
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Healthcare groups: ONC should delay data-blocking rules, focus on security
Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied HealthcareFederal policymakers in healthcare IT are up against it. As many as seven healthcare industry groups are encouraging these rulemakers to begin dealing with data-blocking regulations now, including delaying the publication of a final rule. The groups are raising the flag toward the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) to issue another supplemental notice of rulemaking and clarify the language in the rules. The organizations cite confusion regarding ONC's definition and scope of electronic health information and health information networks.
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Research: Hospital faucets often increase spread of infection, bacteria
Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied HealthcareThere is perhaps no more important place for hand hygiene than in healthcare. In hospitals and healthcare facilities, cleanliness is critical for infection prevention. According to research from the University of Michigan Health System presented at a gathering of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), sinks and other handwashing stations can spread infection and bacteria.
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