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How to help your ER doctors make faster, more accurate diagnoses

Lisa Mulcahy Medical & Allied Healthcare

Time is of the absolute essence when it comes to making critical calls in the emergency room. Your hospital's doctors are no doubt experienced in fast evaluation — but could they be making diagnostic decisions even more effectively? Researchers have come up with cutting-edge methods doctors can use to do their jobs better. Consider giving the following advice to your emergency department physicians.

The future of fast food includes more vegan options

Bambi Majumdar Food & Beverage

McDonald's introduction of vegan McNuggets in Norway makes for an interesting choice for fast-food diners in the country. It seems U.S. locations may see the same on their restaurants' menus in coming years. The healthier options in some markets show that new-age McDonald's customers want better choices, even in their fast food. The new vegan "chicken" nuggets contain potatoes, onion, carrots, chickpeas, and corn inside a fried, breaded coating. A recent report published by Global Data shows food trends shifting towards veganism and meat-free substitutes. Clearly, the fast-food giant has been paying attention.

3 reasons healthcare leaders should consider an executive coach

Catherine Iste Healthcare Administration

The healthcare industry is in a state of flux at all levels. Staffing shortages continue, and while the number of students in the pipeline is improving, care organizations of all types are finding it difficult to develop a strong bench. This increases the pressure on leaders at all levels within every type of healthcare institution to creatively lead, inspire, and balance resources with care and business management. Here are three ways leadership coaching can help.

Is paid parental leave worth it for your business?

Mashaal Ryan Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Most Americans would agree that both women and men should have paid parental leave after the birth of a child. About 8 in 10 (82 percent) say mothers should have paid maternity leave, and 69 percent agree about paid paternity leave. But businesses, especially small ones, struggle with the costs of it. Of course, it's all dependent on you and your resources. How would it work? What's the best way that your company can offer this for employees without it cutting into your profit margin?

Growing the muscles of communication in healthcare

Keith Carlson Medical & Allied Healthcare

In most every aspect of healthcare, communication is key to positive patient outcomes, stellar teamwork, and the seamless operation of organizations and facilities of every size and type. A Tower of Babel scenario in a healthcare-related circumstance is never acceptable. How, why, and when we grow our individual and collective muscles of discourse and conversation are of utmost importance. If you, your colleagues, your leaders, or your employing institution itself are lacking in this regard, it's not too late to change that calculus for the better.

Ghosting patients: Is that effective healthcare leadership?

Christina Thielst Healthcare Administration

Administrators of hospitals, clinics and medical groups know there is competitiveness in their ranks just as there is in the rest of the business world. However, some actions to protect business interests may interfere with the quality and safety of patient care. This brings us to "ghosting;" when a physician disappears…or is evacuated away from their patients as a result of the breakdown in a professional relationship. A recent Kaiser Health News article shines a bright light on the potential risk to patient health and the unintended consequences caused by these business decisions.

Dementia risk linked to severe gum disease

Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental Healthcare

Could taking great care of your teeth and gums throughout your lifetime also help protect your brain as you age? A new study published in The American Geriatrics Society seems to think so. The extensive study performed by investigators from Seoul National University in South Korea has added to growing evidence of a link between severe gum disease, or periodontitis, and a raised risk of dementia.

Dialysis, kidney transplant recipients at higher risk for cancer death

Lynn Hetzler Medical & Allied Healthcare

Dialysis and transplant patients face nearly three times the risk of dying from cancer as compared with the general population, according to new research. Previous research has shown that patients on dialysis or have received a kidney transplant are at higher risk of developing cancer, but there have been few studies to assess cancer mortality rates among these patients. To investigate, Eric H. Au, M.B.B.S., of the University of Sydney and colleagues compared the cancer-related mortality rates in kidney transplant recipients and dialysis patients with those of the general population.

Trauma training is imperative for K-12 students, employees

Bambi Majumdar Education

A report released by the Lastinger Center for Learning at the University of Florida shows glaring disparities in trauma training for K-12 students and school employees across various districts in Florida. In-depth analysis and mapping patterns of adolescent trauma show how the lack of trauma support can be detrimental for students, families, and districts as a whole. In the 29 districts surveyed, the researchers found that there was no uniform curriculum or training method for district personnel to help children who have experienced trauma.

Healthcare groups: Payers are lagging with prior authorization reform

Scott E. Rupp Healthcare Administration

Prior authorization requirements over the past half-decade have increased and an overwhelming number of physicians say that the practice of seeking them interferes with continuity of care. In fact, more than 85 percent of the physicians asked said the practice impacts them, according to a new survey from the American Medical Association. The survey connected with 1,000 physicians, which found that more than "two-thirds said it's difficult for them to determine whether a prescription or service needs prior authorization."

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