(NAPSI)-One of the most frustrating experiences people have when they visit the doctor or are hospitalized is being asked to repeat their medical history over and over again every time a new person examines them. It’s a common experience but not life threatening. But what if your name was similar to another patient’s name and your charts got mixed up? What if someone simply couldn’t read your doctor’s notes?

Electronic health records (EHRs) are a promising solution for reducing medical errors and costs and improving patient safety, say health care experts.

For example, a health center called Urban Health Plan (UHP), Inc. provides much-needed health care to the underserved South Bronx neighborhood it has called home for 36 years. The clinic serves more than 37,000 patients who depend on the quality and consistency of care provided at this federally qualified health center.

“The implementation of our EHR system helped transform how we treat patients and track their outcomes,” said Paloma Hernandez, president and CEO of Urban Health Plan, Inc. “EHRs help us work toward improving the health of the communities we serve and will go a long way in aiding the elimination of health care disparities.”

Looking Into the Future

Hernandez explains that the health center has 105 patients with similar surnames. Using state-of-the-art iris recognition technology helps avoid confusion. UHP patients simply look into a lens and the correct health record is pulled up on a screen.

Financial Savings

UHP saved money by:

• Eliminating the search for misplaced paper records that could take up to 75 hours of staff time each month;

• Converting storage space for paper records to a Health and Wellness Center for use by patients and staff;

• Reducing expenses for supplies, staff and storage and related items; and

• Expanding time spent with patients and seeing 35 percent more patients.

UHP’s adoption of electronic health records in its network of clinics earned it the prestigious HIMSS Nicholas E. Davies Award of Excellence, in the community health organization category, for leadership in the implementation of electronic health record systems.

“The HIMSS Davies Award honors health care organizations that are leading the way in and improving patient care with the use of the electronic health record,” said David Collins, HIMSS Director, Healthcare Information Systems.

For more information on the HIMSS Davies Awards of Excellence, go to www.himss.org/davies or call (804) 310-0615.

Add your business to City5nc Business Directory

NACo Prescription Discount Card: Easy, Valuable and Free (361) (NewsUSA) – When Samantha White’s health insurance premiums became too high, she, like many Americans in these tough times, sacrificed her health coverage. Unfortunately, White, a resident of a rural North Carolina, Scotland County, also fell ill. White’s sister, Nancy Bostick stepped in to help her sister with food, bills and medications. But Bostick’s salary was not enough to cover all of White’s bills, so Bostick started seeking programs that could alleviate costs. “We were lucky enough to get on a lot of charity programs with the hospitals and doctor offices,” says Bostick. “Even with that, we still paid about $1,000 per month for her prescriptions.” Because none of White’s medications was available in generic formulations, the sisters needed to find discounts on expensive, brand-name prescriptions. Bostick, who works for Scotland County, N.C., eventually learned of a free prescription discount card program, the National Association of Counties (NACo) Prescription Discount Card Program. She immediately picked up a card for her sister. “I cannot tell you how much money we saved using the NACo Prescription Discount Card, but it was tremendous savings,” Bostick said. “I firmly support the card and urge anyone who needs it to get the card.” The NACo Prescription Discount Card Program, administered through its partner CVS Caremark, is a free member benefit program for counties who belong to NACo, the only national organization that represents the interests of county governments in the United States. The NACo Prescription Discount Card does not have an application process or attach fees to the card’s use. County residents do not have to meet income or age requirements to use the program. The cards save an average of 22 percent off the full retail cost of prescription medications and can be used any time a prescription is not covered by insurance. A national network of more than 60,000 retail pharmacies honor the card. “My sister had a good job but not one with health insurance benefits,” said Bostick. “All her money went to prescriptions and health premiums. This card is one of the things that I am grateful that came along.” For more information, or to print a card for immediate use, visit www.caremark.com/naco.

Ads By CbproAds

Helpful Links

Patty Duke Family Reunites for Dinner: Medicare on the Menu (285) (NewsUSA) – Patty Duke is back -; and this time she’s brought the entire family. The cast of the Patty Duke Show reunited for dinner and to create a series of public service announcements to promote Social Security’s new online Medicare application. You can view the television spots at www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly. Patty Duke and her television family entertained American households on the Patty Duke Show in the 1960s. Now, they want to serve families again -; by telling them just how easy and fast it is to apply online for Medicare -; even if they are not ready to retire. The application takes less than 10 minutes. Even if you decide to wait until after you’re age 65 to apply for retirement benefits, most people should start getting Medicare at age 65. If you’d like to begin your Medicare coverage, you should apply within four months of reaching age 65. It’s important to note that people who already receive Social Security retirement or disability benefits do not need to apply; they will be automatically enrolled in Medicare. Why apply online? Because it’s fast, easy and convenient. You don’t need an appointment, and you can avoid waiting in traffic or in line. You don’t even have to do it all at once. Our secure technology ensures your information will be kept private. If you’re within four months of turning age 65 or older, what are you waiting for? As Patty Duke and her television family will tell you, it takes less than 10 minutes! Just visit www.socialsecurity.gov and select the “Retirement/Medicare” link in the middle of the page. And be sure to catch TV’s most famous identical cousins and the whole family for dinner at www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly.

Ads By CbproAds

Free Business Listing City5nc Local Wake County Business Directory

See an Expert to Maintain Good Circulation (315) (NewsUSA) – If you are an average adult, you have enough blood vessels, arteries, veins and associated capillaries in your body to circle the earth four times. Placed end-to-end, these vessels stretch to almost 100,000 miles. Your remarkable circulatory (vascular) system is vital to keeping your body healthy and active. The blood flowing through it provides oxygen and nutrients your entire body needs. With age, your vascular system may become blocked with cholesterol and plaque, and your blood flow may become impaired. In severe cases, the loss of blood flow may contribute to stroke, aneurysm and peripheral arterial disease, which may cause pain while walking or limb-threatening foot ulcers. Common sense about eating a healthy diet, exercising and not smoking all contribute to feeling good and keeping your vascular system healthy. Like any health condition, if you experience problems with your vascular system, it makes sense to see the most qualified specialist to manage your symptoms. While most vascular conditions do not require surgery, you will receive the most expert and comprehensive care if you see a vascular surgeon. Most often, vascular surgeons manage conditions with medication. Some conditions can be corrected with non-invasive procedures that offer good results and quick recovery. Only in the most severe cases is open surgery required. Today’s vascular surgeons are the only specialists who are skilled in all vascular therapies. They are comprehensively trained in medicinal, endovascular (minimally invasive) and surgical therapies. Vascular surgeons are the experts who provide the best diagnosis and treatment for vascular conditions. Pay close attention to your circulation, and if you experience problems, see your primary care physician. If your doctor diagnoses a vascular condition, ask them to refer you to a vascular surgeon. To learn more about your vascular health and to find a vascular surgeon, visit the Society for Vascular Surgery’s Web site at www.VascularWeb.org.

Ads By CbproAds

Add your business to Wake County Local Business Directory Free!

Light eating for families: Experts suggest seafood

(ARA) – Health experts recommend young families, especially expecting moms, should aim to eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods — those that are bursting with vitamins and minerals in every bite. A serving of seafood, for instance, packs nutrients like protein and omega-3s into only about 100 calories.  For this reason, eating fish and shellfish two to three times a week is linked to healthy hearts among adults and a brain boost in babies.

Warm weather is the perfect time to learn light, delicious ways to make fish your family’s new favorite.

Healthy eating made simple with seafood

Instead of deli meat sandwiches, try a tuna, crab or salmon salad with one of these creative mix-in combinations to help get to your weekly recommended servings of seafood:
* Plain yogurt, slivered almonds, diced apples and dried cranberries.
* Olive oil, capers, diced red onion and basil.
* Cottage cheese, diced celery and a splash of lemon juice.

Place on a whole wheat roll or eat as a dip with crackers for a simple and nutritious picnic lunch.

As an alternative to traditional summer barbecue items like hot dogs and brats, which are higher in calories and fat, fire up the barbecue for one of these fish dishes:

* Kebabs with shrimp, scallops, peppers and pineapple.
* Fillets of salmon or cod grilled on a wood plank.
* Grilled pizza with mozzarella, tomatoes and canned tuna (full recipe below).

Seafood matters most for moms-to-be

Fish and seafood is packed with nutrients that are especially important for the health of pregnant women and growing babies, yet 80 percent of women don’t eat the recommended amount. During your pregnancy, official guidelines from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration say:

* Eat seafood two to three times each week.
* Eat a variety of fish.
* As much as half (6 ounces) of fish each week can be albacore tuna.
* The only fish to avoid completely are shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish.

“Seafood contains a package of powerhouse nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy – omega-3s, calcium, vitamin D and iron,” says Dr. Ashley Roman, an obstetrician and mother of two. “Most expecting moms don’t get enough nutrient-rich fish in their diet and are missing out on a brain development boost for their babies.”

More expert information and recipes

A new guide created with registered dietitians and doctors is now available to help expecting and new moms eat plenty of fish. “A Seafood Lover’s Guide to Eating During Pregnancy,” explains why eating seafood is important, how much to eat, and how to eat it with delicious and nutritious recipes and snack ideas. Download a free copy of “A Seafood Lover’s Guide to Eating During Pregnancy” at www.healthytuna.com.

Grilled Tuna Italiano Pizza

During the hot summer months, skip the oven and go for the grill. This easy and delicious pizza is a great way to enjoy a variety of nutritious foods with your whole family without heating up the whole house.

Serves two.

Ingredients
1 (6-ounce) pre-baked individual whole-wheat pizza crust
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup diced roma tomatoes
1 teaspoon minced shallots
1/2 teaspoon red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons fresh-chopped basil
1/4 teaspoon fresh-crushed garlic
1 (5-ounce) can tonno tuna in olive oil

Directions
1. Preheat grill to 350 F.
2. Place pizza crust on pizza pan or directly on grill rack.
3. Sprinkle cheese over crust; grill with lid closed until cheese is melted (about seven minutes).
4. Meanwhile, in bowl, combine tomatoes, shallots, red wine vinegar and garlic; set aside.
5. Flake tonno tuna evenly over pizza.
6. Spoon tomato mixture over tuna; sprinkle basil over pizza.
7. Grill five minutes longer. Serve immediately.

Source: ChickenoftheSea.com

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Ads By CbproAds

New! Add Your Business & Website Free! For Wake County NC Businesses Only!

Surprising facts about staying hydrated in summer’s heat

(ARA) – Record temperatures bring disturbing news reports of heat related deaths and the familiar calls to seek shade, limit outside work and drink large quantities of water. But experts caution water alone may not be sufficient and could actually increase your risk of severe heat related injuries.

According to Dr. David McCarron, adjunct professor at University of California Davis, “You must also replace the sodium and potassium along with the water. This is why athletes drink sports drinks like Gatorade, rather than just water. Replacing water without sufficient sodium can quickly produce hyponatremia, a potentially fatal condition,” says McCarron.

When the body loses electrolytes, typically from perspiration, over-rehydration with only water will produce hyponatremia which is a true medical emergency. Hyponatremia symptoms are similar to those of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and can often be overlooked. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can include nausea, muscle cramps, disorientation, confusion, seizures, coma and death.

To avoid this condition, medical authorities advise marathon runners to consume extra salt and this advice should also be considered by those exposed to excessive heat. Salt is critical in maintaining hydration.

The proper balance of electrolytes in the human body is essential for normal function of the cells and organs. Electrolytes help to regulate cardiovascular and neurological functions, fluid balance and oxygen delivery.

In 2007, a 28-year-old mother of three died from hyponatremia hours after competing in a Sacramento radio station contest to see which contestant could drink the most water without urinating.

A few years ago, a 21-year-old student died of water intoxication during a hazing incident. He had been forced to drink from a five-gallon jug of water that was repeatedly refilled. He soon collapsed and had a seizure. Fraternity members didn’t initially call an ambulance. By the time they did, it was too late. He was pronounced dead a few hours later.

Water intoxication is more commonly seen among athletes, usually extreme athletes, but older individuals are also at high risk for several reasons. Their kidneys are less efficient at conserving salt when the body is stressed and common medications such as diuretics greatly increase that risk. That is why during severe high temperatures, news accounts most often refer to elderly victims of the heat.

Although most hyponatremia victims may not have obvious symptoms, severe hyponatremia is a medical emergency that calls for immediate treatment. The low sodium level is restored to a normal level by gradually and steadily giving sodium and water intravenously. Milder cases can be handled by administering of salt and fluid replacers by mouth.

The next time the local meteorologist recommends cranking up the air conditioner and drinking a lot of water to beat the heat, remember that doctors recommend also cranking up your intake of electrolytes, particularly sodium and potassium.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Ads By CbproAds

br>
Wooden Birdhouses Raleigh NC

by George Atkins

(NAPSI)-Even in tough economic times, Americans donate generously to charity. In fact, recent years saw the two highest levels of public support for nonprofits ever, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

In addition, a recent American Red Cross survey found that 90 percent of Americans planned to donate to charity this year. It’s always important for nonprofits to make the most of every dollar, but as more people come to depend on charities during hard times, it becomes even more crucial.

How can people learn which organizations will make the best use of their hard-earned donations? Many watchdog groups publish annual rankings of charities to help donors understand how their money is used. While this information can be helpful, it is important to understand that all ranking processes are not created equal–they can vary greatly in the kind of snapshot they provide. Some ranking reports offer a complete picture of each organization, while others offer a simple ratio of overhead to program expenses; some look deeply at several performance scores, while others are less comprehensive.

The American Cancer Society has historically believed that the charities most deserving of public support and trust are those that show they are making measurable progress toward their stated mission goals.

Recently, a group of five national charity watchdog organizations confirmed this position by announcing jointly that donors should pay more attention to results and less attention to expense ratios. One of these organizations, Charity Navigator, also announced that it is changing its methods for rating charities to ensure that both expense ratios and proven results would be among the factors it considers. This sentiment was echoed by the best-known charity watchdog, the Better Business Bureau, and its Wise Giving Alliance.

The American Cancer Society meets or exceeds the standards established by the Better Business Bureau and other watchdog organizations and regularly reports progress and management performance to supporters, the media and the public.

In addition to the traditional Annual Report for donors, it publishes a yearly Strategic Plan Progress Report, which provides a deeper look at and assesses stated measures of success against the bottom line: lives saved from cancer. All of these reports are available online at www.cancer.org and at the National Cancer Information Center, (800) 227-2345.

The society believes this sort of transparency is necessary to maintain public trust and is proud to be a leader in this area. Its approach to managing the funds entrusted to its lifesaving work is to be as tough on itself as it is on cancer.

• Mr. Atkins is a retired bank executive and National Board Chair of the American Cancer Society.

There are more than 1.2 million charities in this country. You can make sure your donations go to one that spends efficiently and also operates effectively, delivering on its mission.

Ads By CbproAds

Add Your Charity Event To Garner NC City Guide

(NAPSI)-There is comforting news for the approximately 18 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes.

The Situation

Although diabetes is a serious disease, its complications–including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, and amputation–can be delayed or even prevented with proper diabetes management, which includes regular blood glucose testing.

Unfortunately, though, for many people, the pain of lancing, which involves piercing the skin to draw a small blood sample for testing, can be a deterrent. In fact, of those people who quit testing their blood glucose each year, nearly one in six cite the pain of lancing as the reason for doing so.¹

A Solution

New tools, such as the OneTouch Delica Lancing System from LifeScan, may help patients lessen the pain of testing.

The device features a new, proprietary 33 gauge lancet that is 40 percent thinner than current industry standard 28 gauge lancets. In addition, the system’s Advanced Glide Control System precisely guides the lancet in a swift, straight motion that reduces vibration for a smoother lancing experience. It also features seven adjustable depth settings to allow for shallower punctures that may be less painful.

In a clinical study of nearly 200 people with diabetes, four out of five reported the new system was virtually painless and the most comfortable lancing device they had ever used.

“It’s important for people with diabetes to regularly test their blood glucose, particularly those using insulin, who typically need to test several times a day,” said Dr. Marc Steinberg, a diabetes specialist who himself has type 1 diabetes.

“A device like the OneTouch Delica System can significantly reduce the pain of lancing for many people. This can help them feel more comfortable about testing and can make it easier to get valuable information that can improve their day-to-day diabetes self-management.”

General Diabetes Management Tips

Changing lifestyle choices and habits to live with diabetes can be a real challenge. But taking care of yourself and your disease can pay off in the long run. According to the International Diabetes Federation, it’s important to:

• Eat a balanced diet: Healthy eating is important to help control blood glucose and cholesterol levels, maintain body weight, and reduce high blood pressure.

• Get regular physical exercise: Exercise helps to lower blood glucose levels in people with diabetes and control weight. And, it’s not just about going to the gym. Activities like gardening, vacuuming and walking can all count.

• Reduce stress: Although the exact relationship between stress and diabetes is unclear, it seems that stress has a negative impact on blood glucose levels. Relaxing with family and friends helps people with diabetes manage their glucose.

• Stop smoking: By stopping smoking, you can improve your chances of preventing major complications associated with diabetes.

It’s important to talk to your healthcare professional to develop a diabetes management regimen that works for you.

Learn More

For more information on diabetes care, products and services, visit www.OneTouchDiabetes.com or call (800) 227-8862.

Join Our Affiliate

Ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, AAA Carolinas will begin to broadcast a graphic anti-texting video on cable television.

In a press release sent out by AAA, the video will begin airing June 30 in hopes of educating Carolinians the possible consequences of texting while driving.

“This video may shock some viewers and that is the intent: to create a lasting impression that texting while driving is deadly,” said Thomas Crosby, president of the AAA Carolinas Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Read More:MYNC.COM

Ads By CbproAds

Garner NC Business Directory Free & affordable business listings”>

(NewsUSA) – During these tough economic times, as America continues to look at cost cutting options, many people will be shopping for a health insurance plan. It’s important to know that there are health plans that are affordable and are a fit for you and your family while still offering the coverage you need to protect your family.

Know your needs. What types of coverage are most important to you? Do you or a family member take a prescription regularly? Knowing how much coverage you need is important when deciding which health care plan is best.

Learn the lingo. Some insurers are working to use more consumer-friendly language. Learning how a high-deductible plan tied to a health savings account (HSA) that offers choice among physicians and hospitals and how it works best with your needs, is important.

Availability when you need it most. Many insurers are working hard to ensure customers have health-related information when they need it, such as:

* Use of understandable consumer-friendly language

* Access to customer call centers and nurse hotlines 24/7, 365 days a year, giving constant access to a nurse or person to help solve a claims issue

* Online tools to search for claims information and check for benefit qualifications, co-pays, and deductibles

* Tools to compare prices on the drugs you need, helping find the best prices available

Schedule that yearly appointment. Regular checkups can help prevent potential problems or catch conditions early, saving money.

Note to editors: The following states may find this story useful: CA, CO, AZ, TX, TN, FL, GA, NC, CT, SC

Look for “extras.” Many insurers offer discounts for programs such as smoking cessation, weight loss, fitness club memberships and other services already being used by an individual.

Quality matters. Feel confident about choosing the right individual plan for you. Check out report cards for different plans on the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s Web site, available at http://reportcard.ncqa.org/plan/external/plansearch.aspx.

For information about individual health products from CIGNA, visit www.cignaforyou.com/hctips.
City5nc Business Directory Wake County NC

Ads By CbproAds