Technical Issues with the April 2, 2007 issue of Across My Desk
I was told that there were some technical issues last week that may have prevented Across My Desk from reaching some readers. If you are a subscriber to my e-newsletter and did not receive my e-letter of April 2, please click here to read the e-letter entitled “Creative Ways to Use the 2007 Case Management Resource Guide.”
Eunice Kennedy Shriver: U.S. Special Olympics
I have always had an interest in the Special Olympics. This week NPR aired a story on Eunice Kennedy and her role in forming the Special Olympics. If you have time, take a few minutes to listen to this incredible story. NPR (click “Listen” to hear the audio of the story)
Tai Chi boosts immunity to shingles virus in older adults
Shingles is a painful condition that affects many people. A recent study by The National Institutes of Health suggests that a behavioral intervention, alone or in combination with a vaccine, can help protect older adults from the VZV virus, which causes both chickenpox and shingles. NIH News
Introducing new members of the healthcare team: robots
Two articles caught my attention this week that explained how robots are being used to improve quality of care for patients in today’s hospitals. The first article appeared in the April 5 “Life Weekend Pull-Out Section” of the Wall Street Journal, and talked about how the Eddy Scurlock Stroke Center, part of Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, is one of the first hospitals to use wireless robotic technology as part of a larger patient safety and quality initiative within the Methodist Hospital System. Medical Technology Business Europe
Also, in the March 2007 issue of RN Magazine, there was an article entitled “Your Next Colleague May Be a ‘Nursebot.’” The article reported that European scientists are working on a “nursebot,” a robot which can be programmed to mop up spills, take messages and guide visitors to patients beds. They may also be able to distribute medicine and monitor patient’s vital signs remotely with laser instruments. The goal of is to program a device that will enable the nursing staff to spend more time with patients. The project, IWARD (Intelligent Robot Swarm for Attendance, Recognition, Cleaning and Delivery) is expected to be ready by 2010. IWARD Project
Retirement perks disappear
More than ever, baby boomers need to prepare themselves for retirement on their own. As many know, the biggest expense that retirees will face is paying for healthcare and dental coverage. As noted in an article in the March 26 edition of Workforce Management, Ted Nussbaum, Director of Healthcare consulting for Watson-Wyatt, said that only 18 percent of companies that provide retiree health benefits do so for new hires. It looks like the promise employers once made to new hires regarding retiree health benefits continues to disappear. That’s also confirmed by a new study published by Watson-Wyatt and the National Business Group on Health. What some employers are doing for retirees is offering them ways to gain access to cheaper premiums, while 37 percent of the 573 companies (representing 11 million employees) interviewed for the study said they plan to provide NO financial help to retirees.
Inequality continues for women in the form of high deductible health plans
A recent study by Harvard Medical School found that high deductible health insurance plans favored by many employers often wind up being an unfair burden to women. eMax Health
