(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.

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WAKE COUNTY, N.C.
Coastal Federal Credit Union has offered a unique challenge to Habitat for Humanity of Wake County via a 1,000 Fans Campaign. The local credit union will donated a $1,000 grant to Habitat Wake’s affordable housing mission if the organization can reach 1,000 Fans on their Facebook page by the end of the year. Both organizations will promote the campaign using social media tools—status updates, e-mail newsletters, and Facebook messages asking their contacts to spread the word to their Facebook connections.

“We’re trying to share information about the need for affordable housing in every way that we can,” said Habitat Wake’s Executive Director Kevin Campbell. “Facebook gives us access to a unique and diverse audience and helps us talk to people who may not be otherwise involved in the Habitat mission.” 630 people have become “Fans” of the Habitat Wake Facebook page to date. These fans receive updates about affordable housing, home dedications, and Habitat Wake events on their own Facebook pages.

“The real hope,” said Coastal’s Joe Mecca, “is that the mission of Habitat becomes viral online, and that then translates into affordable houses for families and healthy neighborhoods in our community.”
Source:MyNC.com

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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.

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A NEW APPROACH TO EFFICIENT A New Approach To Efficient Tractor Engines Experts say new tractor engine technologies can keep emissions in check while also delivering outstanding performance and fuel efficiency.

(NAPSI)-There’s good news for farmers concerned that they won’t be able to find a tractor that can meet federal emissions standards and get the job done-all while saving money on diesel fuel. A new line of tractor engines may be able to help them meet all three objectives. According to Dennis Bartz, a corn and soybean farmer from Grafton, Iowa, he had concerns regarding fuel efficiency when investigating the purchase of a new tractor for his north-central Iowa farm. “Buying a tractor that is fuel efficient makes good business sense. It’s like buying a car that offers better gas mileage. It’s going to put more money in your pocket at the end of the year. I was concerned that many of the newer tractors with engines that comply with these emission standards might lose fuel efficiency.” Instead, Bartz is just one of an increasing number of growers who have found that new engine technologies can keep emissions in check while also delivering outstanding performance and fuel efficiency. One example of this trend is the AGCO SISU Power 8.4 L engine with e3 selective catalytic reduction (SCR) clean-air technology, which is found in both Challenger and Massey Ferguson high-horsepower row-crop tractors. SCR is a post-combustion process that doesn’t interfere with the engine’s ability to provide power. More efficient engine function leads to better fuel economy, which can mean lower operating costs. “Right now, I can tell you that for the horsepower my [Challenger] MT645C is putting out, it’s running much cheaper than the previous tractors we’ve owned. When it comes to horsepower and fuel consumption, it’s better-by far,” says Bartz. “AGCO has looked at all of the angles. They have the emissions compliance down cold, and there’s no question about the fuel efficiency. All the way around, it’s an ideal tractor for agriculture.” Test results released by the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory support Bartz’s assertion. The Challenger MT600C and Massey Ferguson 8600 Series of 205- to 275-PTO horsepower row-crop tractors delivered from 4 percent to 20 percent better fuel efficiency than competitive tractors in this category. For farmers looking to keep input costs down, this kind of fuel efficiency can be significant to their operation-and to their bottom line. To learn more, visit www.righttractor.com/challenger.

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MANAGING YOUR MONEY Is It The Right Time To Buy A Home?

(NAPSI)-If you’re thinking about buying a home, now might be the right time. Mortgage rates remain at historically low levels, and housing prices have yet to rebound from their recent declines. As those conditions aren’t expected to last, smart homebuyers need to consider their options, especially if they are making low down payments. There are two main options for first-time buyers and others putting less than 20 percent down: loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and loans insured by private mortgage insurance (PMI). Premiums are tax deductible, and the insurance may be cancelable when equity in the home reaches 20 percent. Both programs have changed in the past year, and more changes may be ahead. While FHA pricing has often been more favorable compared to PMI, rates are going up. Earlier this year, the up-front premium required on FHA loans jumped from 1.75 percent to 2.25 percent of the base loan amount, adding $1,000 to a $200,000 mortgage. Now the FHA wants to raise its maximum mortgage insurance premium, a change that could take the monthly premium on a $200,000 mortgage from $92 to $125. PMI offers many premium plan structures that now make pricing very competitive. In general, PMI pricing is more affordable than FHA’s for borrowers putting down 10?15 percent and can match FHA on loans with 5 percent down. The minimum required FHA down payment is 3.5 percent, but new credit guidelines require a credit score of 580 to qualify for the 3.5 percent program. Borrowers with less than a 580 credit score must put at least 10 percent down. PMI mortgages with 5 percent down are available nationwide, with 3 percent down for some loans that meet Affordable Housing Guidelines. PMI can also offer extra benefits at no extra cost to the borrower. Genworth Financial, for example, purchases job loss protection that helps make a borrower’s mortgage payment (principal, interest, taxes and insurance) in the event of involuntary unemployment up to $2,000 a month for up to six months during the benefit period, with a maximum of three monthly payments per job loss occurrence. Genworth also provides free homeowner assistance to borrowers in financial difficulty as long as they have mortgage insurance with the company. In 2009, it completed nearly 20,000 mortgage workouts, saving over $2.6 billion of mortgages from foreclosure. More information is available at www.SmarterMI.com/MI-vs-FHA.aspx. Understanding your mortgage financing options can save you money and could even save your home.

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BUSINESS NEWS How To Get Help Growing Your Business

(NAPSI)-When it comes to expanding your business globally, minority-owned firms have a natural competitive advantage-and a new initiative may further improve their chances at success. The minority business community has a great advantage in the global market-due in large part to language capabilities, cultural compatibility, ancestral ties and business agility. President Obama’s National Export Initiative (or NEI) calls for doubling U.S. exports within five years. Under the NEI, there will be more credit available for exporters, more government trade promotion and a sharper focus on knocking down the barriers that prevent U.S. companies from getting free and open access to foreign markets. The goal of the NEI is to increase the number of small, medium-sized and minority-owned firms exporting to more than one market by 50 percent over the next five years. The initiative also hopes to focus attention on exporting to emerging markets, and identifying market opportunities in fast-growing sectors such as environmental goods and services, renewable energy, health care and biotechnology. More than 95 percent of the world’s consumers live outside the U.S. and one of the easiest ways to grow American minority-owned businesses is to sell products and services to people outside the border of the United States. To assist minority-owned firms in breaking into global markets, MBDA Business Centers work with a variety of partners to help create strategies for growth. To help grow your export business, MBDA recommends you: • Look at industry trends and know your position within the domestic market prior to establishing an international business strategy. • Research the global market for your products and services. • Determine the effects of exporting on your current operations. • Outline what resources you will need to successfully execute your export strategy. • Familiarize yourself with various global distribution channels. • Contact an MBDA Business Center to assist you. There are more than 45 Centers nationwide. Visit www.mbda.gov to locate a Center near you. One of the easiest ways to grow American minority-owned businesses is to sell products and services to people outside the U.S.

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(NAPSI)-When buying a car, there’s more to consider than the make and model. Price, size, gas mileage–even the way it feels behind the wheel–affect your decision. You should also weigh your options when buying auto insurance. With many brands and features and price ranges out there, it pays to do your homework.

Here are some common questions people ask Progressive when they shop for insurance:

What type of auto insurance can I choose from? There are two types of auto insurance: Liability coverage pays for damage to other vehicles or injuries to other people that you cause. Physical Damage coverage pays for damage to your vehicle. These two coverages are the foundation of your policy.

How much coverage should I buy? The state defines the minimum amount of coverage required, but after that, the amount of coverage you buy is up to you. You choose based on your comfort level, budget and lifestyle.

Some people want as much coverage as possible for all of life’s “what ifs.” Others are satisfied with bare-minimum coverage. If you have a newer vehicle, you may want more coverage to protect your investment. If you can afford higher deductibles (the amount you’ll pay out of pocket in the event of an accident), you can raise them and pay less premium.

How is my rate determined? Rates are based on a combination of pieces of information about you, your driving record and your car. It’s important for you to provide accurate information to your agent or to the insurance company. It helps determine the best options and rates for you.

Can I get a lower rate? Many insurance companies offer discounts that can help lower your rate. For example, Progressive offers discounts for good student drivers, paying your premium electronically and having more than one policy.

Some companies offer rewards for renewing your policies with them. At Progressive, the longer you stay a customer, the more benefits you gain, such as lower deductibles and accident forgiveness. Ask your agent or customer service representative about available discounts and programs.

Where should I shop for insurance? If you prefer to look on your own, begin your search online. If you want to talk to someone about insurance, contact an agent. To find an agent, visit www.progressiveagent.com.

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Plastics Create Oil With Energy to Spare (380) (NewsUSA) – America’s quest to reduce its fuel consumption and dependence on foreign oil may lead it to look for energy sources in new places — like the bottom of a trash barrel. JBI, Inc. (OTCBB:JBII), a global technology company, has developed a process, called Plastic2Oil (P2O), that converts raw, unwashed, unsorted plastic waste into a fuel similar to biofuel. In April 2010, an independent laboratory, Islechem, validated the P2O process through extensive chemical, analytical and process engineering testing. Islechem tested the process over 40 times using multicolored, mixed plastics. The laboratory determined that the P20 process is repeatable and can be done on a large scale. Approximately 85 to 90 percent of the hydrocarbon composition in the feedstock is converted into a “near diesel” fuel, while about 8 percent is converted to a usable off gas much like natural gas. In addition, only 1 percent of the plastic becomes residue, and that residue does not contain any highly toxic elements and is safe for landfill disposal. Even better, more energy is produced than consumed by the process. Early data suggest that the process creates twice as much energy as it uses. “It takes energy to produce energy. The key is to get more energy from the final product than it takes to make it,” said JBI, Inc. CEO John Bordynuik. “Our process has a high positive energy balance of 2.0, while gasoline from crude has a negative energy balance of 0.81.” The fuel produced by the P20 process has another major advantage over gasoline from crude oil — its production, including labor, costs only about $10 a barrel. Gasoline from crude oil uses more energy than it produces and currently costs between $75 and $85 a barrel — and yet gasoline companies yield high profits. A process like P20 could revolutionize the market by creating high-quality fuel at much lower costs, while also helping to reduce the amount of plastic that becomes pollution or ends up in landfills. JBI, Inc. is currently in talks to create P20 processing facilities in Europe, Florida, New York, California, Colorado, Wisconsin, Georgia and Ohio. The company is also looking for waste disposal or recycling companies, and people with under-utilized facilities to convert into P2O factories. For more information, visit www.plastic2oil.com or www.jbiglobal.com.

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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.

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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

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