Reducing risk factors in the workplace

Frito-Lay Inc., winner of Risk & Insurance^® magazine’s 2006 Theodore Roosevelt National Workers’ Comp and Disability award in the private-sector category, has taken workers’ compensation risk management to the next level, with a laser-like focus on eliminating injuries for good. The most important change was not a policy or procedure — it was a mindset and a vision for Frito-Lay’s future. Risk & Insurance

Toyota applies CQI principles to contain rising healthcare costs

In response to a doubling of healthcare costs over the past five years to more than $11,000 per year per U.S. worker, Toyota Motor Corp. is building a health clinic at its newest plant in San Antonio, Texas. This move is consistent with Toyota’s bedrock principle of kaizen, or continuous improvement. “Typically, we reduce costs by improving quality,” a plant manager said. “That’s the same thing we’re doing here.” By offering better primary care and preventive medicine, Toyota expects to rein in its healthcare expenses. The clinic will offer broader care services than typically found at factory clinics, including eye and dental services, pediatric services, laboratory tests and physical therapy. The Detroit News

Small businesses worry about mandated insurance plans

Employer-mandated insurance plans, in which employers will be required to pay for at least a portion of their employees’ healthcare bills, are being considered in at least 17 states. Meanwhile, small businesses are looking to their state governments to protect them from high costs that could prevent them from competing with other businesses. Most proposed employer-mandated insurance plans would only affect larger companies, but some small businesses say they have concerns they could be affected soon. BusinessWeek

Medicare changes plans for cuts in wheelchair reimbursement

The government health program has changed its plans for proposed cuts in reimbursement rates for power wheelchairs and scooters, and reimbursement for some wheelchairs now will increase by hundreds of dollars. The cuts were proposed to combat fraud, but many said they went too far and would put some wheelchair suppliers out of business. Some say the suppliers still will face big cuts. Los Angeles Times/Associated Press

Study: Doctors often fail to discuss drug issues with patients

Physicians in the U.S. often do not discuss drug options, including a drug’s cost, the patient’s insurance coverage or other related issues, when they prescribe medicines for their patients, a study finds. “Physicians must have a high level of awareness about medication cost and issues impeding acquisition to medication, because these can be important barriers to patient medication adherence,” the study’s lead author says. HealthDay News

American Health Insurance Plan (AHIP) releases resources to reduce disparities in health

A promising approach to reducing racial and ethnic disparities is the use of clear and effective health communications. Health insurance plans, physicians and healthcare organizations can now access Communications Resources to Close the Gap —- a compendium of tools, Web sites and recommendations on how to incorporate culturally and linguistically appropriate messages into everyday communications with consumers. America’s Health Insurance Plans website

School nurses on “front lines” of healthcare

School nurses are seeing a wider variety of student illnesses than ever and have risen to the “front lines of healthcare,” says the director of school health services at Massachusetts’ Department of Public Health. The number of school nurses in that state has increased from 900 in 1990 to about 2,100 today. Boston Herald

Experts urge vaccinating all schoolchildren against flu

Some health experts are advising that all schoolchildren be vaccinated against the flu as a way to protect the overall population. One professor of biostatistics said inoculating 70 percent of children in elementary and high schools would drop the number of flu cases “to really low levels and we can protect virtually the whole population.” Los Angeles Times

Daily aspirin helps many women, more should talk to doctor

An aspirin a day can help prevent heart attacks and stroke in some women, but factors including age and high cholesterol or diabetes determine just who should and who shouldn’t take the daily medication. Meanwhile, only about half of women who should take a daily aspirin actually do, and health professionals say more women should talk to their doctors about whether they should take aspirin. HealthDay News