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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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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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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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A healthcare facility’s magic wand
Keith Carlson Healthcare AdministrationFor 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.
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Successful strategies to cut patient readmissions
Lisa Mulcahy Healthcare AdministrationAs 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.
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New law makes it easier for veterans to access healthcare
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareOur 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.
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