Sunday, September 28, 2008
Commenting on Nettie's blog
I really enjoyed reading Nettie's blog about how sunlight can reduce the risk of breast cancer. I knew that you get vitamin D from sunlight, but I didn't know that it did this. This just goes to prove that anything in moderation.....
Friday, September 26, 2008
Blog 5
Door-to-Doc Patient Safety Toolkit
The Quality tool I chose this week is “Door-to-Doc Patient Safety Toolkit”. This article focused on improving the Emergency Department’s patient flow process while focusing on improving patient safety.
Anyone who has gone to the Emergency Department knows what to expect. It will most probably be very crowded and you can expect a long wait. Depending on the hospital, it can be an hour or so, or it can be many hours.
Banner Mesa Hospital decided to change this. They recognized the need for strong technological solutions. The two important aspects involved were—“Process: analyzing the process for adaption to unique patient acuities and volumes,” and “People: facilitating acceptance of the changes among the individuals affected.” Just by separating the “less sick” from the “sicker”, they were able to reduce wait time.
What I learned is that a facility can make small changes that will increase their workflow without reducing the quality of care given.
http://www.bannerhealthinnovations.org/DoortoDoc/About+D2D.htm
Effective Hospital Governance: Compliance Risk Areas
This week the article I read is about the areas of compliance risk.
According to JCAHO, each hospital should have “governance with ultimate responsibility and legal authority for the safety and quality of care, treatment, and services. Governance establishes policy, promotes performance improvement, and provides for organization management and planning.” While this sounds good in principle and I would hope that all hospitals would comply fully, in reality it is a challenge.
Because the board is ultimately responsible for ensuring the hospital takes responsibility for its safety, reports should be sent to them periodically. Some key risk areas listed are: The Antikickback/Stark Law, Billing/Reimbursement, and Other Risk Areas.
I really think that if hospitals would take responsibility for the mistakes made by their clinicians and use those incidents to find safer practices, it would make a tremendous difference.
http://www.trusteemag.com/trusteemag_app/jsp/articledisplay.jsp?dcrpath=TRUSTEEMAG/PubsNewsArticleGen/data/2005/0503TRU_DEPT_Governance&domain=TRUSTEEMAG
The Quality tool I chose this week is “Door-to-Doc Patient Safety Toolkit”. This article focused on improving the Emergency Department’s patient flow process while focusing on improving patient safety.
Anyone who has gone to the Emergency Department knows what to expect. It will most probably be very crowded and you can expect a long wait. Depending on the hospital, it can be an hour or so, or it can be many hours.
Banner Mesa Hospital decided to change this. They recognized the need for strong technological solutions. The two important aspects involved were—“Process: analyzing the process for adaption to unique patient acuities and volumes,” and “People: facilitating acceptance of the changes among the individuals affected.” Just by separating the “less sick” from the “sicker”, they were able to reduce wait time.
What I learned is that a facility can make small changes that will increase their workflow without reducing the quality of care given.
http://www.bannerhealthinnovations.org/DoortoDoc/About+D2D.htm
Effective Hospital Governance: Compliance Risk Areas
This week the article I read is about the areas of compliance risk.
According to JCAHO, each hospital should have “governance with ultimate responsibility and legal authority for the safety and quality of care, treatment, and services. Governance establishes policy, promotes performance improvement, and provides for organization management and planning.” While this sounds good in principle and I would hope that all hospitals would comply fully, in reality it is a challenge.
Because the board is ultimately responsible for ensuring the hospital takes responsibility for its safety, reports should be sent to them periodically. Some key risk areas listed are: The Antikickback/Stark Law, Billing/Reimbursement, and Other Risk Areas.
I really think that if hospitals would take responsibility for the mistakes made by their clinicians and use those incidents to find safer practices, it would make a tremendous difference.
http://www.trusteemag.com/trusteemag_app/jsp/articledisplay.jsp?dcrpath=TRUSTEEMAG/PubsNewsArticleGen/data/2005/0503TRU_DEPT_Governance&domain=TRUSTEEMAG
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Commenting on Amanda's Blog
Amanda’s blog about interview tips was of real interest to me. Because it’s been more than 20 years since I’ve interviewed for a job, I really need all of the tips I can get. But, even someone who may have had several jobs can benefit from this. You can never be too prepared for an interview.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Blog 4
Quick Tips—When Getting a Prescription
My quality tool provides tips when getting a prescription.
One thing that caught my attention in this article is that the most important thing you can do for your health is to tack responsibility for your health care. You really need to be an active part of your health care team. Anytime you begin taking a new medicine, you should ask questions about that medication.
Communicating the medications you take is a very important part of your health care. Because medications can contradict, your physician needs to know everything you take—including over the counter drugs and herbal supplements. When I visit the doctor, I tell the triage nurse everything I take. If the doctor wants to prescribe a medication, I remind him of the medications I take and ask if they contraindicate.
Another tip is to check your medication after the pharmacist gives it to you. Recently I filled a prescription and when I got home I noticed it was the wrong strength. If I had checked it at the pharmacy I could have had the error corrected right then.
What’s most important is to remember that you are ultimately responsible for your health care.
http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/quicktips/tipprescrip.pdf
Accreditation Process
Tips for Communicating Your Survey Results
Surveys can be an excellent tool for collecting data. This article is about a survey that collects information about you.
There are times when we have a problem that we don’t think is bad enough to go to the doctor to have checked out, but it is still a problem. This concerned Dr. John Wassan, a practicing physician, researcher and professor at Dartmouth Medical School and IHI faculty member. So, about 20 years ago he designed a survey to help patients take better care of themselves. The survey has evolved to keep up with healthcare and technology. Today anyone can take this survey on the internet at http://www.ihi.org/ihi/gateway.aspx?target=http://www.howsyourhealth.org.
Patients who take this survey can bring the results with them when they see the doctor. This helps the patient communicate health problems and helps the physician treat the patient.
I know that the surveys we are studying this week aren’t exactly this type of survey, I believe is a very beneficial tool in taking an active role in our health care.
I actually took this survey and am posting my results.
HowsYourHealth Completed http://www.howsyourhealth.org/end
Thank you for completing the Improve Your Medical Care questionnaire.
Age: 18-49
Gender: Female
BMI: 23.1
ASSETS
Provider:______________________ Date:___________ Signature:
© 1997-2008 FNX Corporation and Trustees of Dartmouth CollegeA// Rights Reserved.
1 of 1 9/18/2008 7:16PM
FUNCTION HABITS KNOWLEDGE PREVENTION
Has enough
money
Does not smoke
.
Does not drink excessively Birth control
.
Sexual diseases
Mammography/Cholesterol Had pap test Had breast cancer exam
Does breast
self-exam
NEEDS
CLINICIAN ASSESSMENTS REFERRALS/ACTIONS READINGS/EDUCATION
FUNCTION Dfficulty with pain
D/ficulty with physical fitness • Exercise and Eating Well
• Health Habits and Health
SYMPTOMS/BOTHERS Decisions
Dizziness/Tiredness • Common Medical
Back pain Conditions
• Daily Activities and
CONCERNS OR FAMILY Managing Limitations
HISTORY • Pain
Exercise/nutrition needs • Tiredness and Sleep
Preventing cancer/heart disease Problems
Ear/eye/mouth care • Women’s Health
Heart trouble/arteries
HABITS
Generally not good health habits
PREVENTION
RISK-RELATED CONSIDERATIONS
High blood pressure Major
ftinctional limit or more than three
OTHER bothersome problems
Italics Clinician Unaware
My quality tool provides tips when getting a prescription.
One thing that caught my attention in this article is that the most important thing you can do for your health is to tack responsibility for your health care. You really need to be an active part of your health care team. Anytime you begin taking a new medicine, you should ask questions about that medication.
Communicating the medications you take is a very important part of your health care. Because medications can contradict, your physician needs to know everything you take—including over the counter drugs and herbal supplements. When I visit the doctor, I tell the triage nurse everything I take. If the doctor wants to prescribe a medication, I remind him of the medications I take and ask if they contraindicate.
Another tip is to check your medication after the pharmacist gives it to you. Recently I filled a prescription and when I got home I noticed it was the wrong strength. If I had checked it at the pharmacy I could have had the error corrected right then.
What’s most important is to remember that you are ultimately responsible for your health care.
http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/quicktips/tipprescrip.pdf
Accreditation Process
Tips for Communicating Your Survey Results
Surveys can be an excellent tool for collecting data. This article is about a survey that collects information about you.
There are times when we have a problem that we don’t think is bad enough to go to the doctor to have checked out, but it is still a problem. This concerned Dr. John Wassan, a practicing physician, researcher and professor at Dartmouth Medical School and IHI faculty member. So, about 20 years ago he designed a survey to help patients take better care of themselves. The survey has evolved to keep up with healthcare and technology. Today anyone can take this survey on the internet at http://www.ihi.org/ihi/gateway.aspx?target=http://www.howsyourhealth.org.
Patients who take this survey can bring the results with them when they see the doctor. This helps the patient communicate health problems and helps the physician treat the patient.
I know that the surveys we are studying this week aren’t exactly this type of survey, I believe is a very beneficial tool in taking an active role in our health care.
I actually took this survey and am posting my results.
HowsYourHealth Completed http://www.howsyourhealth.org/end
Thank you for completing the Improve Your Medical Care questionnaire.
Age: 18-49
Gender: Female
BMI: 23.1
ASSETS
Provider:______________________ Date:___________ Signature:
© 1997-2008 FNX Corporation and Trustees of Dartmouth CollegeA// Rights Reserved.
1 of 1 9/18/2008 7:16PM
FUNCTION HABITS KNOWLEDGE PREVENTION
Has enough
money
Does not smoke
.
Does not drink excessively Birth control
.
Sexual diseases
Mammography/Cholesterol Had pap test Had breast cancer exam
Does breast
self-exam
NEEDS
CLINICIAN ASSESSMENTS REFERRALS/ACTIONS READINGS/EDUCATION
FUNCTION Dfficulty with pain
D/ficulty with physical fitness • Exercise and Eating Well
• Health Habits and Health
SYMPTOMS/BOTHERS Decisions
Dizziness/Tiredness • Common Medical
Back pain Conditions
• Daily Activities and
CONCERNS OR FAMILY Managing Limitations
HISTORY • Pain
Exercise/nutrition needs • Tiredness and Sleep
Preventing cancer/heart disease Problems
Ear/eye/mouth care • Women’s Health
Heart trouble/arteries
HABITS
Generally not good health habits
PREVENTION
RISK-RELATED CONSIDERATIONS
High blood pressure Major
ftinctional limit or more than three
OTHER bothersome problems
Italics Clinician Unaware
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Allison's blog
I want to comment on Allison’s blog concerning medical errors. I can relate to this because my mother was a victim of a medical error. She began to have terrible stomach pains and every time she saw the doctor, he told her it was her nerves. He visited her in the hospital after she had her gallbladder removed. When he asked her how she was, she replied, “fine, now that I’ve had my nerves removed.” She endured weeks of unnecessary pain because her physician did not take her complaints seriously.
While I know that some errors are unavoidable, most aren’t. When a clinician treats a person, that patient trusts them with his/her life. That is an awesome responsibility and should be treated as such. Care should be taken that no errors occur and any steps necessary to have that should be taken.
While I know that some errors are unavoidable, most aren’t. When a clinician treats a person, that patient trusts them with his/her life. That is an awesome responsibility and should be treated as such. Care should be taken that no errors occur and any steps necessary to have that should be taken.
Week 3
Collaboration: The Power of Data Aggregation
This article is about the incredible challenges in healthcare that are also changing the way health information is collected, exchanged and applied. With the advances in technology, comes challenges that make protecting information even more difficult than ever. Since this subject is so entwined with the career path I have chosen, I am intensely interested in it.
The subject of aggregating and sharing data will be debated for many years to come. There are wonderful benefits and frightening risks when our personal information is transmitted electronically. The controversies surrounding these new ideas are causing delays in technological advances. Aggregating data (which will create the first comprehensive and consistent source of data) will, I believe, improve health care enormously. Once the general population is convinced that their personal information is secure, I believe they will feel the same way.
http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/209949/topic/WS_HLM2_TEC/Collaboration-The-Power-of-Data-Aggregation.html
Buying Prescription Medicine Online:
A Consumer Safety Guide
The tool I’m using this week is about buying prescription medicine online. The internet has opened many doors for us that 10 or 15 years ago we never would have imagined. One of these is the opportunity to buy our prescription medication online. This has been wonderful for many people. While some may prefer to buy their medication online because of their busy schedules, some need to have theirs delivered to them. The latter may be elderly, invalid, or very chronically ill.
While buying medication online is very convenient, there are some concerns. You need to make sure you buy from a U.S. state-licensed pharmacy. Some companies won’t protect your personal information. Some sell fake medication, medication that is not developed uniformly, is expired, not FDA approved, is contraindicative with other medication, or not labeled correctly. Some websites to use as to make sure you are using an acceptable pharmacy are:
www.nabp.net - has a list of state boards of pharmacy.
www.vipps.info - where you can find a list of Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites Seal.
If you stick to these, you should be safe.
If there is a problem, you can report it at www.fda.gov/buyonline and click on “Notify FDA about problem websites.”
The reason I chose this is my dad buys his medication online. He takes a lot and it is much less expensive that way.
http://www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide/
This article is about the incredible challenges in healthcare that are also changing the way health information is collected, exchanged and applied. With the advances in technology, comes challenges that make protecting information even more difficult than ever. Since this subject is so entwined with the career path I have chosen, I am intensely interested in it.
The subject of aggregating and sharing data will be debated for many years to come. There are wonderful benefits and frightening risks when our personal information is transmitted electronically. The controversies surrounding these new ideas are causing delays in technological advances. Aggregating data (which will create the first comprehensive and consistent source of data) will, I believe, improve health care enormously. Once the general population is convinced that their personal information is secure, I believe they will feel the same way.
http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/209949/topic/WS_HLM2_TEC/Collaboration-The-Power-of-Data-Aggregation.html
Buying Prescription Medicine Online:
A Consumer Safety Guide
The tool I’m using this week is about buying prescription medicine online. The internet has opened many doors for us that 10 or 15 years ago we never would have imagined. One of these is the opportunity to buy our prescription medication online. This has been wonderful for many people. While some may prefer to buy their medication online because of their busy schedules, some need to have theirs delivered to them. The latter may be elderly, invalid, or very chronically ill.
While buying medication online is very convenient, there are some concerns. You need to make sure you buy from a U.S. state-licensed pharmacy. Some companies won’t protect your personal information. Some sell fake medication, medication that is not developed uniformly, is expired, not FDA approved, is contraindicative with other medication, or not labeled correctly. Some websites to use as to make sure you are using an acceptable pharmacy are:
www.nabp.net - has a list of state boards of pharmacy.
www.vipps.info - where you can find a list of Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites Seal.
If you stick to these, you should be safe.
If there is a problem, you can report it at www.fda.gov/buyonline and click on “Notify FDA about problem websites.”
The reason I chose this is my dad buys his medication online. He takes a lot and it is much less expensive that way.
http://www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide/
Friday, September 5, 2008
Week 2 blog
Training of Hospital Staff To Respond to a Mass Casualty Incident
I chose this week’s tool because of the exposure I’ve had at work to disaster preparedness. This article talks about needing to train hospital staff to respond to a mass casualty. I think this is a very important subject in the world we live in today. While right now we’re all focused on hurricanes, the day could come when there is another terrorist attack. Maybe the next one won’t be as huge as 9/11, but even a chemical or biological attack on a small scale could throw hospitals into chaos. I think it’s very appropriate that JCAHO requires disaster drills twice a year. While nothing can completely prepare hospitals for a disaster, the more the drill is practiced, the smoother things would run if it did happen. Something that really surprised me is that conference calls are an inefficient way to manage disaster response. I would have thought that it would have made things more organized to have everyone needed on the phone at the same time. Something that didn’t surprise me is that computer simulation and video demonstrations are both effective (and economical) was to improve disaster preparedness. While a community can never be prepared for a disaster, preparation and training can make the management of emergency staff much more controlled.
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/hospmcisum.htm
Brainstorming Do's and Don'ts
This article gives great guidance to brainstorming. One really good piece of advice is to not be critical or judgmental. There’s nothing that can stifle creativity like criticism. After all, the purpose is to generate as many ideas as possible – quantity is more important than quality. Some of the best ideas can seem like the most farfetched at first.
Also, you should build off of others’ ideas. Sometimes one person’s idea may cause another idea to pop into your mind. Also, one idea alone might not be great. But, add it to others and the compilation could be wonderful.
I think one of the most important things necessary for a successful brainstorming session is for everyone to be comfortable—physically and mentally. When people feel like they are contributing, they put more effort and attention into this process.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Brainstorming-Dos-and-Donts&id=593051
I chose this week’s tool because of the exposure I’ve had at work to disaster preparedness. This article talks about needing to train hospital staff to respond to a mass casualty. I think this is a very important subject in the world we live in today. While right now we’re all focused on hurricanes, the day could come when there is another terrorist attack. Maybe the next one won’t be as huge as 9/11, but even a chemical or biological attack on a small scale could throw hospitals into chaos. I think it’s very appropriate that JCAHO requires disaster drills twice a year. While nothing can completely prepare hospitals for a disaster, the more the drill is practiced, the smoother things would run if it did happen. Something that really surprised me is that conference calls are an inefficient way to manage disaster response. I would have thought that it would have made things more organized to have everyone needed on the phone at the same time. Something that didn’t surprise me is that computer simulation and video demonstrations are both effective (and economical) was to improve disaster preparedness. While a community can never be prepared for a disaster, preparation and training can make the management of emergency staff much more controlled.
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/hospmcisum.htm
Brainstorming Do's and Don'ts
This article gives great guidance to brainstorming. One really good piece of advice is to not be critical or judgmental. There’s nothing that can stifle creativity like criticism. After all, the purpose is to generate as many ideas as possible – quantity is more important than quality. Some of the best ideas can seem like the most farfetched at first.
Also, you should build off of others’ ideas. Sometimes one person’s idea may cause another idea to pop into your mind. Also, one idea alone might not be great. But, add it to others and the compilation could be wonderful.
I think one of the most important things necessary for a successful brainstorming session is for everyone to be comfortable—physically and mentally. When people feel like they are contributing, they put more effort and attention into this process.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Brainstorming-Dos-and-Donts&id=593051
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