Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Health Navigator
A Kaiser Health News article noted: “Two major safety shortcomings in America’s hospitals—the frequency with which patients get hurt during their stays and the large number who are readmitted—have decreased as government penalties and other programs targeting them kick in.”
“The Obama administration credited the new quality initiatives created by the federal health law. But some of the improvements in patient safety preceded that law. Even with the improvements, one out of eight patients is injured during their time in the hospital.” (more…)
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Inside, Your Health
A volunteer team of 20 individuals that included residents, a nurse, and paramedics from Mount Sinai St. Luke’s and Mount Sinai Roosevelt’s emergency departments was on hand at the New York City Marathon’s Finish Line Medical Tent, Sunday, November 2, to treat runners who required medical attention. “We saw a number of runners with exercise-associated collapse, and we also treated patients with chest pain, head injuries, muscle injuries and cramps, scrapes, and bruises,” says Michael Redlener, MD, Medical Director for Prehospital Care and Medical Captain for the team. “Thanks to a strong team, the runners we treated all received excellent care.” The hospitals have been providing clinical care to New York City Marathon runners since 1993.
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Health Navigator
The Kaiser Health News article noted: “The recent economic downturn and the increasing use of high-deductible insurance plans ‘has driven patients to want to put off paying their bills…,’ Whether it’s for a hip replacement or a broken bone, he frequently sees patients on the hook for a $3,000 to $5,000 deductible.”
“Between 2008 and 2012, multispecialty practices saw their bad debt go up 14 percent, according to a survey by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), a trade organization for doctor practices. That’s money that practices were owed but couldn’t collect. Some of them have begun to change their billing strategies to combat those debts…” (more…)
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Health Navigator
A Boston Globe article noted: “This patient could be a time bomb, Dr. Neel Shah thought. A blood test suggested that she might have an ectopic pregnancy, in which a fertilized egg remains outside the uterus. Left untreated, the condition can cause fatal hemorrhaging. But when Shah, a medical resident at the time, told the woman she needed an ultrasound to confirm the result, she refused. An earlier visit to the emergency room for a bout of stomach trouble had left her with an exorbitant bill. Until Shah could tell her how much an ultrasound would cost, she wasn’t budging.” (more…)
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Health Navigator
A Cancer Today article noted: “Originating from the Latin word pallium, meaning ‘a cloak,’ palliative care offers relief from the symptoms and stresses of cancer. It’s not a replacement for therapies like chemotherapy, radiation or surgery that treat the illness. Instead, it’s a companion therapy.”
“For someone with a serious condition that affects quality of life, ‘if you want the best care possible and you’re getting cancer care without palliative care, then you’re not getting the best care,’ says Diane Meier, a geriatrician and palliative care specialist who directs the Center to Advance Palliative Care.” (more…)
A Kaiser Health News article noted: “Two major safety shortcomings in America’s hospitals—the frequency with which patients get hurt during their stays and the large number who are readmitted—have decreased as government penalties and other programs targeting them kick in.”
