Hospitals on cutting edge of wireless technology

The healthcare industry, where instant communication can make the difference between life and death, has placed itself on the cutting edge in the use of mobile and wireless technology. Providers have been upgrading to PDA smartphones with cellular integration and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless capabilities that allow them to be reached anywhere.

Editors Note: Keeping up with the latest technology is an essential skill for case managers. Hospital CM may have the edge due to recent advances. To learn more, read this article in Health-IT World.

Long-term aspirin use cuts head and neck cancer risk

Long-term use of aspirin appears to reduce the risk of head and neck cancers. Researchers found that taking aspirin for fewer than 10 years did not have a significant effect, but there was a 30-percent reduction in such cancer cases among people who took aspirin daily for more than 10 years.

Editors Note: More good support for the notion that an aspirin a day is important to prevention of disease. To learn more, read this article in HealthDay News.

Research: Hospital practices more to blame for infections than illness

Hospital practices play a greater role in causing infections acquired in the hospital than does illness in a patient, according to two new studies. A third study combats the idea that hospitals profit from such infections by indicating that hospitals in fact lost thousands of dollars for each patient with an infection.

Editors Note: Hospital case managers many times are asked about the impact from hospital acquired infections. To learn more about this study, read this article from Reuters.

Studies show demented patients, caregivers benefit from interventions

Patients with dementia (as well as their caregivers) can benefit from guideline-based disease management programs and a structured, multi-component intervention, according to two new studies. In one study, researchers tested interventions on 408 demented patients and their caregivers and found patients had significantly higher quality of life, quality of care, caregiving quality and social support. Another study found caregivers benefited from intervention that included counseling for depression and other problems.

Editors Note: To learn how case managers can make a difference in improving quality of life for patients and their families, read this article from Reuters.

Poll: Cancer patients struggle to coordinate care

A poll of 930 households in which one member had cancer found that many were confused about prescriptions; had problems with duplicate testing and conflicting information; and faced challenges in coordinating care. Some suggest that accessible or portable electronic medical records could ease the problems in communication and care.

Editors Note: Whether you are a case manager in the hospital or in managed care, this article is a wake up call for all to do a better job! Read the article in USA Today.

Employers add benefits for workers who need to care for parents

U.S. employers increasingly are stepping up to help workers who need to take time off or switch jobs in order to care for their aging parents. A recent survey found that U.S. businesses lose $33.6 billion a year in absenteeism and other work interruptions caused by workers who need to care for their parents, and about a quarter of employers have added “eldercare benefits” to their compensation packages.

Editors Note: Business-minded case managers can capitalize as employers see the benefit of care coordination as an employee benefit. To learn more, read the article in U.S. News & World Report.

Health coach popularity keeps growing

Getting regular calls from a nurse on how to handle your diabetes or heart condition might sound like a hassle. But for many patients, it’s turning out to be a helpful and reassuring adjunct to their existing care routine. Employers like UPS are hiring health professionals, particularly registered nurses, to touch base regularly with employees and coach them on how to manage chronic illnesses, address health concerns like weight loss or even answer insurance coverage question. Some plans wait for members to call in, while others ask the “health coach” to check in at a regular interval. Many of these programs also offer workbooks, exercise tools and Web sites useful for recording and monitoring exercise and diet. Early evidence suggests that these programs are reducing complications from chronic conditions and cutting back on hospital admissions substantially. Consulting firm Watson Wyatt projects that 54 percent of the largest US employers will offer health coaching to employees by 2007.

Editors Note: Another opportunity for case managers who are alert to opportunities. To learn more about health coaching read this article in the Los Angeles Times.