-
Universal vaccine for the flu may be just around the corner
Lynn Hetzler Medical & Allied HealthcareInfluenza vaccines save lives over the years and prevent millions of additional people from getting sick from the flu. The CDC reported on Feb. 15 that the overall estimated effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine was 47 percent, which means the vaccine cuts the risk of the flu by nearly half. One of the main problems with low effectiveness is that current vaccines do not cover all influenza strains, and strains mutate quickly, so people must undergo vaccinations each year to cover strains not included in previous vaccines. The results of a new study published in the journal Nature Immunology may change all that — researchers have identified an immune cell that can protect the body from all types of influenza.
-
What do elder care, robots and Japan have in common?
Catherine Iste Medical & Allied HealthcareWhile there is no shortage of attempts to stop or reverse it, we are all still aging. This year, for the first time in our history, there will be more of us over 65 than under 5 years old. This demographic shift, combined with our increasing longevity, will continue to exacerbate the disparities between the elderly population and those available to care for them. Japan is at the forefront of this new world; providing lessons for us all to consider.
-
New research shows rural hospitals remain in dire straits
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationSince 2010, 95 rural hospitals have closed in 26 states as rural populations continue to crater compared to their urban counterparts. Rural hospitals are economic engines for the small communities they serve, and there are more than 60 million people who are cared for by these organizations. Thus, the loss of these hospitals is a crisis on two fronts: people are losing much-needed access to care and they are losing high-quality and high-paying jobs not likely found or replicated in the area. According to a new study, the economic effects of a lost hospital are immediate.
-
New opportunities for telehealth, mHealth reimbursement that providers…
Christina Thielst Healthcare AdministrationThere has been pressure on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to address telehealth and mHealth reimbursement for years. The fruits of that labor by policymakers, healthcare providers, telehealth networks and information technology professionals are continuing to materialize with new reimbursement for remote patient monitoring and virtual visits. In a recent article, Eric Wicklund, a longtime reimbursement proponent and editor at mHealthIntelligence, presents survey data that finds providers aren’t paying attention. This includes that out of "280 health systems, two-thirds of those surveyed don’t know about CMS’ expanded telemedicine reimbursement opportunities."
-
Schools, law enforcement team up to curb new trends in drug use
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityThe latest surge of drugs impacting teens is a matter of serious concern. While drug abuse has always been a problem, some of the newer ones are scary in the ways they are presented inconspicuously and innocently. This is why some law enforcement officials are teaming up with schools to warn parents of the latest teen drug trends as a part of their preventative efforts. These troubling new trends include prescription drugs, fentanyl, and heroin. Additionally, there's the risk of having entire generations addicted to nicotine. Federal, state, and local authorities want parents to be aware of all these so that they know the signs and act right away.
-
During flu season, facility managers should make extensive preparations
Scott E. Rupp Facilities & GroundsFor weeks now, the flu season has been upon us, with 41 influenza-associated pediatric deaths occurring during the 2018-19 season so far, as reported recently by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Despite these deaths, research seems to indicate that Americans are conscious of the flu's potential impact on their health and are taking preventive measures to combat it. As many as 75 percent of people say they are more vigilant about their hand hygiene in response to virus outbreaks. On this note, they wash their hands more frequently and even more thoroughly and longer, according to a national survey conducted by Bradley Corporation. However, despite the vigilance of employees, employers should prepare for the flu season, too.
-
Who to refer your young patient to if he or she has a lazy eye
Tammy Hinojos Medical & Allied HealthcarePrimary care physicians (and especially pediatricians) are often the first to see conditions in patients that ultimately need to be referred out to a specialist for treatment. If your patient has amblyopia (lazy eye), the specialist he or she will need is a pediatric ophthalmologist. And even though amblyopia affects about 2-4 percent of children in the U.S., it’s likely your young patient’s caregiver has never heard of this pediatric vision condition. If you are familiar at all with amblyopia, you probably know this eye condition by its more common name of lazy eye; not to be confused with crossed eyes (strabismus).
-
How to help improve your surgeons’ job performance
Lisa Mulcahy Healthcare AdministrationAs a hospital administrator, you want your surgeons to do a peerless job when it comes to the health and safety of every single patient. A great way to make this happen: improve their sense of job satisfaction. Research shows that the happier surgeons are in specific aspects of their work lives, the higher their rates of skill and patient safety can be. Try these science-tested tips to get a fresh start when it comes to helping your doctors do their very best.
-
Private patient advocates can help dentists, too
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareEvery dentist knows there are certain types of patients who tend to have trouble managing their oral healthcare. The largest group is aging seniors. As the aging population in America continues to grow, the term "senior orphans" has come to describe elderly patients without family. To meet this growing need, a segment of the healthcare population is growing as well. Private patient advocates exist to help patients navigate an increasingly complicated (and ever-changing) healthcare system by providing the extra support they need. But they also offer many benefits to dentists, too.
-
HHS proposes rule to improve interoperability of electronic health information
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced its proposed new rules during the first day of the annual Health Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference to "support seamless and secure access, exchange and use of electronic health information." According to the release supporting the announcements, the rules, issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), are designed to increase "choice and competition" while "fostering innovation that promotes patient access to and control over their health information."
All Pharmaceutical Articles