Marissa's Picks

Healthcare in the United States

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:01:27 +0000

Jeannette L Bryant asked:

At least 1/3 of Americans is currently uninsured. This figure is affected by the lack of access to quality healthcare. It is verified that

The Importance Of Fitness

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:46:32 +0000

asked:

Did you know that if you are physically inactive that you increase your risk of heart disease by the same amount as if you smoked ?

In the UK it is estimated that 70% of the adult population can be classed as physically inactive. In the US 60% of adults do not participate in the recommended level of physical activity & 25% are not active at all.

In Australia 33% of the population are said to be so inactive that they gain no health benefits at all & the risk to the community from their physical inactivity, and therefore lack of fitness, is great.

For thousands of years physical activity and your level of fitness have been linked to good health. Due to the advance of science in this day & age this link can be proven, with overwhelming evidence that people who lead active lifestyles are less likely to die early or to experience major illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes & colon cancer.

Fitness is therefore a major, if not the major, factor in the type of health you are likely to enjoy. Regular

exercise will improve your level of fitness and improve the way you look and feel. In conjunction with a balanced

A Brief History of Nursing Education

admin — Sat, 05 May 2012 10:02:41 +0000

Natalie Aranda asked:

When people think of the history of nursing education many immediately think of Florence Nightingale. However, nursing goes back even further than that. In fact, during the 18th century a slave named James Derham was able to buy his own freedom from the money he earned as a nurse. Nobody knew back then that a nursing education could be obtained in any other way than simply hands on through an apprenticeship. But, today there are many ways to study and learn more about nursing. Great examples of these are online nursing education and nursing continuing education.

But, it took a long time for these nursing programs to develop. And, they are descendents of the first nursing program that was established in the 1850s in London. Japan’s first nursing institute was established in 1885 and the first nursing institute for blacks in the United States followed the next year. The field of nursing was growing rapidly with the influences of individuals like Florence Nightingale and Claray Barton who established the Red Cross.

In the late 1800s the idea of visiting nursing was established by Lillian Wald and she began teaching a home nursing class. The American Nurses Association held its first meeting and the topics discussed helped further nursing education. Nurses began to be regulated on a national basis by New Zealand in 1901 and then other countries around the world began to follow suit.

The first nursing education that was established in the United States on the basis of education rather than the needs of hospitals was at Yale University in 1923. The Yale School of Nursing had its own curriculum and students were required to meet the educational standards of the university in order to graduate. This really set the stage for the future of education and since then universities across the nation have developed nursing programs of their own. Then, in the 1950s Colombia University offered a master’s in nursing and was the first university to do so. This really changed the nursing environment and allowed for nursing continuing education and nurses to grow in their chosen profession.

Now, more than 80 years later, a nursing education is available at college campuses, via online courses, and even through nursing continuing education. Men and women who want to become nurses can do so around their schedule and take advantage of all the study options for this amazing profession. There are many choices when it comes to an online nursing education and prospective nurses should really compare all of the programs to ensure they are studying from the best online university and are learning as much about nursing as possible.

Nursing – The Options Available For Those Pursuing A Career In Nursing

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:51:13 +0000

John Maxted asked:

One part of the economy that continues to grow is the health care industry. This is welcome news for anyone wanting to become a nurse. To achieve this goal you must map out your objectives, and continue your education. How to become a nurse the smart way is the plan you need to achieve success as a nurse.

There are numerous ways to become a nurse. Many become an assistant to a nurse. This entry level position allows you to continue working while gaining real world experience. Other people go right to nursing school once they have graduated high school. This path allows you to earn your nursing degree and start your career as a Registered Nurse right from the start.

Many start their career by becoming a Certified Nurse’s Aide. To become certified in this position a 6 to 12 week program is mandatory. You learn the basics of medicine in this certificate program. Certified aides can become an in the home nurse’s aide. The need for competent nurse assistants is ongoing.

The LPN or Licensed Practical Nurse is the next logical step up. Successful completion of a certified one year program is required to become a LPN. The LPN program offers traditional classroom instruction and in the hospital training. To become a certified LPN you need to complete successfully a test issued by your state.

Many Licensed Practical Nurses want to continue their education and become Registered Nurses. There are a couple of paths you can follow to accomplish this. One way is to shoot for an associates degree or AND. The second choice is to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree. Some will want to continue working as a LPN while they earn their diplomas. Many online programs offer the means to earn a degree in 12 to 18 months. You continue you to work full time and work toward your degree as time permits. The benefit of this training method is you will receive the in the field training where you already work.

Naturally some people would rather learn in a classroom setting. Keep in mind that this method of learning may put your nursing career on hold until you graduate. Most nurses work different shift schedules from one week to the next. You should discuss with you current supervisor all options that might be available to you.

The opportunities offered to nurses are unlimited. Some nurses continue as anaesthesiologists. Still others become midwives. Becoming specialized offers Registered Nurses a wide variety of exciting career paths.

There is an acute shortage of qualified nurses. Never before has the demand for nurses been so great. This allows nurses to pursue rewarding careers. The average life span of people continues to increase. This fact alone means a lack of nurses in the immediate future. Hospitals actively seek out excellent nurses, and they are well rewarded for their talents. All LPNs should consider the benefits that online education has to offer. Earning your degree and becoming a full fledged RN is indeed a worth while career goal.

How Will Baby Boomers Affect Healthcare?

admin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 05:56:32 +0000

asked:

One of the issues affecting the US Health Care crisis is the aging of the baby boomers, with the baby boomers being the generation of children born out in the 40s and 50s (from The Greatest Generation, World War II GIs and ilk). The baby boomers were the largest and most financially successful generation that the world has ever known. Their existence plays a huge role in health care demand and availability going forward and must be taken into account for any viable mass solutions to be found.

Perhaps the greatest issue feeding our current health care problems is the demand for it. You can come up with fifty other problems revolving around the current system, but I would argue that – at some level – they all derive from over-demand. We simply do not have the resources to meet the overall current need for health services. Anybody who has ever taken an economics course knows that the most basic tenant of capitalism is that price is determined by where supply meets demand. When you have a limited and static supply level and an ever-increasing demand, prices will increase – it is a fundamental fact. In our current system, this leads to health care being available to those who can afford it, while others either relying on government-based payments (which still fall back on consumer base via tax dollars) or going without altogether.

50+ Fitness – Cardio Vs Strength Training

admin — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 19:28:13 +0000

Robert Merz asked:

With all of the fitness and workout advice coming from virtually everywhere in our world, Bob and Ron tackle a common question, “Is cardio or strength training best?” The answer might surprise you but, read on as they make sense of this situation.

Bob’s Experience:

Many people are confused or at least undecided about what mix of cardio and strength training they should practice, particularly now that they’re 50 plus. In my particular case I’ve generally leaned more toward some form of strength or resistance training – driven initially by my desire to look better. You see, I was told at the time that strength training was THE primary form of exercise for changing the shape of your body – and it worked.

After lifting weights under the guidance of a personal trainer for 18 months, I had to have all my suits altered, taking in the pant waist and seat, taking in the coat at the waist and letting out the coat at the back seam and under the arm. I had effectively changed the shape of my body to somewhat more of the “V” admired and desired by some. And this was at the age of 49. Wow, was I proud of my accomplishment.

Yes, I also did cardio, primarily treadmill walking and rowing machine to help burn more fat and help my heart, but to change the shape of your body I’d recommend weight training.

However, beyond the esthetic side, and more importantly for us over 50, I truly believe that we really need to keep all areas of our body strong as we age. We don’t want to end up as one of those folks with a relatively strong heart and lungs who can’t get up from a chair by themselves. If you want to live a full 50+/+Fit Quality of LifeStyle you have to keep your entire body strong, not just your legs, but all muscle groups.

But the question remains, how much of each for a good balanced workout? And is it “one size fits all?” Or does the ideal mix of the two forms of exercise depend on your individual goals and needs? I assume it’s an individual case-by-case decision, so for thing for those wise words, I have to turn to Ron.

Ron’s Expertise:

True words! In fact, some fitness experts suggest that if your goal is to add muscle mass, you might even abstain from cardio training until you are close to reaching your muscle-building goal. This is assuming that you have little or no fat to lose before adding muscle.

For most of us 50+, the multiple benefits of a good cardio routine can’t be ignored. Stamina – that is the ability to continue to do whatever you’d like without “wearing out” quickly is a key benefit to a consistent cardio workout. Additionally, cardiovascular health – or a “healthy heart” is a benefit derived from a cardio workout that is possibly the most powerful reason to hit the treadmill. And, like any form of working out – strength or cardio – the residual calorie burn for hours after finishing your workout will help burn excess calories, if weight loss is your goal.

Cardio workouts should be aggressive enough that while working out you can only speak in short sentences – this is referred to as the “talk test.” If you can carry on a lively conversation, step up your workout. If you are gasping for air, slow it down just a little.

Of course, as you add muscle mass, you’re adding to your calorie burn – even at rest. So, for most of us 50+, a good combination of both is the ideal approach. Current industry trends suggest cardiovascular training 30-60 minutes, 4-6 times per week plus a full-body resistance/strength training session 4-5 days per week.

Oh, the old “skip a day” rule doesn’t apply anymore. Unless you’re lifting your body weight in chest presses, leg pressing 600 pounds or something else extreme, you can workout every day. I do – and miss it seriously when I have to skip a day!

So, to become or maintain 50+/+Fit, you will need to make cardio and strength workout goals a part of your exercise routine to keep your heart healthy, add stamina, energy and enjoy an active and able LifeStyle!

Patient Scheduling – Benefits for the Healthcare Industry

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:55:51 +0000

Bob Kruse asked:

Patient scheduling service plays a key role in helping to manage the daily administrative functions of medical professionals. It enables the healthcare industry to become more efficient and productive and at the same time provide quality care to both inpatients and outpatients, thus improving service to patients.

Hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, clinics, group practitioners, acute care facilities, long term care facilities, individual physicians, nursing homes, multi-specialty hospitals, rehab clinics and other entities in the healthcare industry can benefit from effective and efficient patient appointment scheduling services.

Advantages of Patient Scheduling Services

The major benefits of a well-managed patient appointment scheduling service include:

• Track all patient schedule information
• Automated workflow improves patient services
• Patient appointments can be made rapidly and accurately
• Organize all aspects of doctor and patient schedules
• Enables booking of recurring visits
• Identify and reduce the impact of overtime and cancellations
• Track no-shows and cancellations
• Evens out workflow
• Improved efficiency and productivity
• Referring doctors, authorized visits, resources, sales, and insurance coverage can be followed
• Patient information can be quickly and easily updated
• Existing patients can easily be sorted using initial/last name, date of birth, and/or patient ID
• Customizable schedule for each healthcare provider
• Facilitates group scheduling
• Simplifies appointment rescheduling and cross-scheduling, and the directing of patients to other offices
• Orderly callbacks and appointment reminders
• Reduces financial overhead
• Multi-user and 24/7 accessibility

Quick and Easy to Manage Patient Scheduling System

Compared to paper-based scheduling system, an effective online patient scheduling system is quicker and easier to manage. It is a convenient option for clients to make, alter and update appointments, round the clock. In addition, it allows you to maintain large databases of patient information electronically. Whatever changes you make in the database will be updated in real time and the current schedule will be broadcast to the entire hospital at once.

For offices with multiple medical facilities, it is quite challenging for the healthcare personnel to keep track of recalls, find open times, remind patients of outstanding amounts, and more. With so many beneficial features, this service helps the healthcare industry to provide quality healthcare in a customer-oriented manner.

Today, there are several outsourcing companies that offer customized services that meet the budget and functionality needs of all types of healthcare facilities. They have a team of professionals who have the expertise to handle the multifaceted scheduling services. Using state-of-the-art software and infrastructure, the team provides quality and timely patient scheduling solutions. With patient scheduling system, there is no need to worry about entering patient information, computer maintenance, software upgrades and other IT hassles.

Nursing – Licensed Practical Nursing

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:22:08 +0000

Winston P. McDonald asked:

Licensed Practical Nursing is a career choice many people make for financial reasons. They are usually people with a genuine desire to enter the medical field and most, given the financial means and optimal circumstance, would opt for the more lucrative pay grade of the RN. The cost of the Licensed Practical Nursing diploma is within the financial reach of a greater cross-section of individuals seeking a career in the medical field.

Training as an LPN gets you into the workforce and earning a paycheck much more quickly. The course of study for an LPN is 1 year. It is not a degreed course. You earn a certificate or diploma. You may have seen the term LVN, which is Licensed Vocational Nurse. This designation is gaining traction in some states and is the equivalent of the LPN designation.

It isn’t unusual for RN’s to start their careers as licensed practical nurses, as nursing aides or as medical assistants, and then go back to school to receive their RN degree when they are in a more favorable financial position.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is optimistic about the job opportunities for nurses of all stripes. They predict that the demand will continue through 2016 particularly for RN’s. An aging population, growing numbers of disabled persons, and increased emphasis on home health care are contributing factors. The strongest job market for LPN’s will be in nursing care facilities but not to the exclusion of other opportunities. They also anticipate openings in the job market due to retirement and career changes. The future looks bright!

Pay scales for LPN’s vary by state and by region but range from $15/hr to $21/hr in the United States. There is ample opportunity to augment earnings with overtime and/or shift differentials. Another perk, especially so in today’s strained economy, is job security. This profession can’t be outsourced and with demand for qualified talent on the rise, the chances of being laid-off are almost zero.

An LPN’s duties will vary with the medical facility they work in. Their duties are different in a hospice care facility, than in a clinic. So, take the litany that follows with that in mind. Basic duties include caring for sick, injured, disabled and terminally ill patients. The care they provide is under the close supervision of registered nurses and physicians.

Licenses Practical Nurses are trained to administer IV’s (drips), perform clerical duties, clean and dress wounds, administer first aid, bath patients, monitor patients, take blood pressure and temperature, ensure medications are taken and taken on time, and assist the medical staff in the maintaining the patient’s general welfare. LPN’s may be responsible for select patients or entire wards.

Licenses Practical Nurses are the marines of the medical profession. They are front-line caregivers, in the trenches, doing the tough work. They fight for their patients’ recovery, fight for their patients’ very survival. It is rewarding work and it is respected work.

Whether a stepping-stone to a more advanced degree or a career choice in itself, the field of Licenses Practical Nursing offers a challenging, rewarding and respected career to the person with “the right stuff”.

Enrolling for Travel Nursing Jobs

admin — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 08:01:31 +0000

asked:

Travel nursing jobs are fast creating exciting employment opportunities in many parts of the world. As healthcare services continue to proliferate and the world continues to find itself in need of better and expert caring, the need for trained medical personnel keeps getting more acute.

Of all these traveling nurses occupy a position of supreme importance. They are among the most sought-after class of medical personnel and are in high demand in many parts of the world. If you are a qualified nurse yourself and do not mind the occasional traveling if the pay is good, you will find working as a travel nurse truly rewarding.

One of the best ways to find suitable employment opportunities as a traveling nurse is to get enlisted with one of the many travel nursing agencies that specialize in helping interested applicants in finding good travel nurse positions around the world. In the US, you can offer your candidature on a nationwide basis and can receive offers from healthcare organizations and clinics from all over the land.

Healthcare – Don’t Wait for Them – Take Control Now

admin — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 01:39:57 +0000

Clark DesSoye asked:

Several trends running through American business, society and politics in the last few years are converging around the undeniable conclusion that the way we dispense and pay for healthcare needs fixing. Company sponsored group health insurance plans no longer endure with the same carrier year after year and are providing fewer benefits while their costs increase. The middle class no longer works at the same company their entire career (as baby boomers’ fathers did) and they have been forced to change coverage as they move to new jobs or (finding themselves starting their own business in the face of persistent unemployment) buy coverage for themselves and their families. Government sponsored health insurance plans like Medicare and Medicaid are running up huge deficits with decreasing contributions to them while medical costs rise at double digit rates each year.

Each of these trends runs contrary to the principles of sound insurance underwriting:

Group insurance products are designed to serve the needs of a clearly defined pool of individuals that can be tracked from year-to-year, establishing real claims histories that should drive premium costs down. But with companies continually switching carriers (in search of lower premiums), they can do nothing to take control of their costs, through weight-loss, quit-smoking, exercise and other wellness programs. Sure they may get a reduced initial rate, used to engage new accounts, but come renewal time those rates will jump up to reflect actual claims and new medical cost projections. And the cycle of changing carriers begins again. With no persistence (year after year), establishing a claims history, there is no hope of ever seeing stabilized premiums. More and more small business and self-employed entrepreneurs are facing the challenge of selecting and buying their own health insurance coverage each year. With no real experience beyond the one-hour presentation in HR during open enrollment time in their previous jobs, they are overwhelmed by the choices, options, exclusions… and costs! Thinking that since their previous group plan carrier was (say) Blue Cross/Blue Shield, they sign up for individual coverage with their local BC/BS. They have no idea that these entities differ substantially from state to state and that their individual plans are entirely different from their group plans. Instead of being rated in a large pool of employees from a clearly defined group, they are suddenly thrown into small pools of low, medium and high risk individuals. Their premium rates go up while their coverage goes down. And, as they need to minimize their financial exposure to protect their new business, these expensive policies actually open them up to more exposure. Like their former employers, these new entrepreneurs will probably be shopping around for new carriers each renewal period in a futile search for more affordable coverage. Unlike private insurance, government sponsored plans like Social Security and the medical programs are not underwritten based on actual or projected claims experience. They are simply funded by payroll taxes on the current workforce, paying claims directly out of these funds. These plans were put into law at times when the size and earnings of the American workforce was projected to increase far into the future. But with the maturation of the post WWII generation (people born in 1946 become eligible for Medicare this year), average salaries trending down and the continuing outsourcing of jobs of all types overseas, workforce revenue projects now point lower. These dramatic changes in the nature of work, the size of the workforce and the types of new jobs being created suggests that all of these “entitlement” programs need to be evaluated and redesigned to work with today’s reality.

In other words, health insurance costs will continue to escalate into the foreseeable future. In other businesses responsible executives would have already begun to find ways to drive down costs. But no such responsible response has come out of the healthcare industry or the federal government. Neither the providers of services nor the carriers of healthcare insurance have made any progress in containing the costs of their services. In fact, the one small step taken toward that end, the 2010 Health Care Reform Bill so far has instead accelerated the pace of premium increases.

With no job security, portable coverage is not just a good thought, it’s a necessity. Even should you land that next great job with the organization of your dreams, there’s no guarantee that it — or its group health benefits — will continue. Here in Arizona, it’s believed that one in three small businesses currently providing group health insurance for their employees will be dropping it this year. And, let’s face it, if a large organization like GM can no longer afford such benefits for its employees, how much longer can smaller companies carry these types of costs on their books.

The only certainty is that we, as individuals, will need to take more control of our own situation. Don’t wait for them (employers, government, insurance companies) to figure it out and give you a solution. Remember, whatever they come up with be designed to attract the most “buyers” possible. It will be so generic and broad ranging that it will probably not meet your needs.

Their intentions will be good, but each of us consume healthcare differently:

Some of us go to doctors regularly week after week, take maintenance drugs or treatments on an ongoing basis and need continuous monitoring through blood screenings and other medical tests. Some of us just see our doctors when we can’t shake that cold we’ve been suffering from for a week or we twist an ankle or throw out our back trying to make that 30-foot jump shot we used to nail every time (when we were 30 years younger). Some play loose and fast with their health: eat whatever we want, smoke, or drink all weekend as we watch the ballgames. Some watch every calorie and do our workouts every week without fail.

Each of these different types of consumer needs a different type of health insurance. But the most important need every one of them has is to protect their assets against potential loss in the face of unexpected medical expenses. And as more and more of us become business owners, these potential losses could have an even more substantial impact. In addition to losing our savings, we could lose our very livelihoods. You may have gotten 14 (plus) sick days a year in your old job, but when you work for yourself you need to work to earn your income and even two weeks in traction could put us out of business.

There are many types of affordable health insurance plans available to individuals, but you need to do your homework. You need to figure out your goals and your budget. You need to anticipate future budget requirements (based on the program you start today, there are some that will not see the same types of increases every year). Then you need to shop around. And if it’s all too much to understand, like it was for me when I bought my first individual health insurance policy, talk to a professional. Let them help you gain an understanding of the terms and conditions and the many options available to you.

We can be responsible consumers when it comes to buying a car or an appliance, let’s be better consumers of healthcare. You’re no longer limited to the three cookie-cutter plans that HR presented to you each fall. Now you can create a customized plan to match your needs and budget.

No matter where you work, what becomes of entitlements in the next round of budget cuts or where premiums for traditional plans head, you’ll be covered because you’ve taken charge of your own healthcare.