Innovative Approach By HHS in Solving Nation's Health

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/06/20120622a.html

 I was reading these new approaches to solving healthcare challenges and what struck me is the part where it mentioned building health resilience technology to withstand natural disasters. It's very important especially that the hurricane season has begun for chronically ill to continue to use their DME's even with prolonged  power outages for example. We could save thousands of lives if we have a way of knowing who needs access to DME's at the time of natural disasters.

A Different Approach to Dementia Care

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Geriatrics/Dementia/33112

Check out this new CMS initiative “Partnership to Improve Dementia Care”. I like the fact that CMS will have each nursing home’s antipsychotic use available on Nursing Home Compare. I use this tool a lot of times and refer families to check the site for better decision making strategy.  It’s about time someone looks into a different approach to Dementia care!

Healthcare options for the Young Adult

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/06/08/investopedia83231.DTL

It's that time of the year when we have young adults graduate and leave home to start on their own. Somehow, they would need to decide what kind of healthcare insurance they would need. This article explains 3 different options to choose from based on their need. I hope you find it helpful!

Breast Density Notification Bill

http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_20737411/breast-density-notification-bill-its-way-state-assembly

This is an FYI that in California, Senate Bill 1538 which requires health care providers to notify women of dense breast tissue as detected by mammogram is now headed to the  State Assembly and if passed into a law, other states might follow. This could save lives as it will prompt women to go for additional screenings. Does anyone know of similar Bill being filed in New York?

Accountable Care Initiative in New Hampshire

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/granite-healthcare-network-and-cigna-launch-largest-accountable-care-program-in-new-hampshire-linking-doctors-hospitals-and-health-plan-2012-05-29

We can all learn from this new initiative in New Hampshire to improve care coordination and patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs. We, as case managers, continue to be a critical element in these initiatives. Healthcare had come along way, transforming it from provider centered to now patient centered. We also moved from fragmented care to now continuing patient care. In my opinion, today’s providers are more attuned in ensuring that their patients have the right follow up care.

Innovation Programs That Would Help Save Money

http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2012/May/17/innovation-grant-projects.aspx

CMS Innovation Center has awarded grants to different health care organizations for implementing their innovative ideas of saving health care dollars and at the same time improve patient care. One of the grants mentioned here was bringing telemedicine in the remote areas of Rocky Mountains, Colorado. I'm excited to hear all about what  telemedicine has to offer.

Booming Home Care Agencies

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/home-healthcare-contributes-to-americas-job-creation-as-need-for-patient-preferred-home-based-care-increases-2012-05-11

It's good to know that despite our down economy, the home care industry is booming and expected to grow by 1.6 million caregiving jobs by 2020. I wish Suffolk county would have more home care agencies that would widen catchment area to include Fire Island, Amagansett and other Suffolk towns that are hard to reach areas. My colleague just had a hard time looking for an agency in Fire Island the other day. She must have called at least a dozen agencies and none of them can accept. Unfortunately, it isn't the first time.

Senior Bridge Offers Free CEU

http://seniorbridge.com/Resources/WebinarSeries.aspx

Hello Everyone! Senior Bridge is offering a free webinar with 1.0 CEU! Act fast, it's only available until May 31st. Just follow the link to register. It's a very interesting topic on Advanced Care Planning. So go to the link now!

Elder Care Goes Hi-Tech!

http://www.ajc.com/business/elder-care-enters-the-1427924.html

I find it always fascinating to read articles on innovation involving healthcare and our elderly population. This article provides different kinds of technology that is out there and is being tested to be effective. I love the GlowCap idea (sends alert to family/doctors everytime it's opened), what a way to monitor patient compliance. I also liked SimpleC ( a device to help improve memory for patient's with memory loss). I think we are going to see a lot more innovations as this generation embraces the changes that are evolving. I hope you enjoyed the article as much as I did.

"Permanent Patients"

http://rockcenter.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/24/11371569-health-care-laws-leave-hospitals-overwhelmed-by-permanent-patients?lite

I thought i would share this story about "permanent patients" in the hospital setting. These are patients who are "stuck" in the hospital because they don't have a safe discharge plan. According to data from AHRQ this type of patients are on the rise... at least by 20% since 2005 to 2009. Scary number if you think about it. I'm sure we all have our own stories to add to this.