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Olympic Museum to Offer Free Entry to All Visitors

Medicalread Staff — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:21:02 +0000

Olympic Museum to Offer Free Entry to All Visitors

To mark its closure pending a complete renovation and modernisation, The Olympic Museum will be offering free entry to all visitors until the end of January next year.

(PRWEB) December 01, 2011

To mark its closure pending a complete renovation and modernisation, The Olympic Museum will be offering free entry to all visitors until the end of January next year.

As of today, tourists and Olympic fans will have the opportunity to visit The Olympic Museum, home to myriad Olympic memorabilia as well as the renowned torches from all editions of the Olympic Games, without the need to pay an admission fee. Free entry is available for a period of eight weeks during which visitors will discover a special exhibition called ‘Best of’ 1992-2011 – 20 years of Olympism’ highlighting the greatest moments of the Olympic Games and Olympism. A programme dedicated to children is also planned over this popular end-of-year holiday season.

Opened in 1993 and partially updated in 2001, The Olympic Museum has welcomed more than 3.3 million visitors, making it the most popular museum in French-speaking Switzerland. It will close on 29 January 2012, after the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria.

The 20-month closure will allow for the major renovation, modernisation and expansion work which is needed to ensure that the museum remains attractive to visitors from around the world for the next 20 years. An ambitious museographical, architectural and landscaping programme will enable the museum to offer visitors a new experience by incorporating the latest technological innovations. The museum park will also be redeveloped and will allow a more harmonious link to be created with the neighbouring Elysée Museum.

From April until October 2013, The Olympic Museum will have a temporary presence on the MS Helvétie, a boat belonging to the Compagnie générale de navigation (General Navigation Company, CGN) moored in front of the museum. This Belle Époque boat, one of the largest in the CGN fleet, has not been used for the last nine years, after being retired following 75 years’ service on Lake Geneva. Its 600m2 of exhibition space will display a significant portion of the museum’s Olympic contents.

Entry to the boat will be free and will enable visitors unaware of the closure of the museum still to review some Olympic memorabilia. Between 100,000 and 200,000 visitors are expected during the renovation period, according to the museum’s estimates.

For more information, please contact the IOC Media Relations Team:
Tel: +41 21 621 6000 or visit our web site at http://www.olympic.org/.

Insurance Bad Faith Lawyer Offers Free Seminar to Educate Insurance…

Medicalread Staff — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:21:02 +0000

Insurance Bad Faith Lawyer Offers Free Seminar to Educate Insurance Brokers about Filing Disability Insurance Claims

Thursday, July 28, from 4:00pm to 5:30pm, Eric Ratinoff will host the free class titled, “Helping your client put her best foot forward when filing a disability insurance claim,” which is eligible for one hour of continuing education credit.

Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) July 13, 2011

Eric Ratinoff, an insurance lawyer and partner at Sacramento personal injury firm Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff, LLP, will host a free seminar for insurance brokers and their clients this month. The class aims to equip insurance brokers and policyholders with information that will help them prepare claims in the event of a career ending disability.

“The last thing a person needs to hear when facing a life altering illness is that their insurance claim was denied,” states Eric Ratinoff, “and the first person they will turn to is the one who sold them the policy.”

While insurance brokers may see insurance from the front end sales perspective, Ratinoff takes a behind the scenes look. His one-hour class will discuss the documents needed to file a successful claim, what total disability means in terms of “own occupation” vs. “any occupation,” the insurance company’s legal obligations, as well as their defenses to coverage, and what to do if the insurance company refuses to pay the claim in whole or in part.

“All too often insurance companies enhance the bottom line by charging policyholders large premiums while rejecting valid claims,” he adds. “But the insurance company absolutely is not allowed to put profits over people. It’s people over profits – and it’s too bad that they need to be reminded of this time and time again.”

The class is eligible for one hour of continuing education credit from the California Department of Insurance. It is free, but space is limited. Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP by calling Taryn Smith at 916.448.9800, or emailing tsmith(at)kcrlegal(dot)com.

Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff represents injured plaintiffs in automobile and motorcycle accidents, traumatic brain injuries, defective products, dangerous drugs & medical devices, as well as insurance bad faith matters. Founding partner Eric Ratinoff has successfully tried and settled numerous cases on behalf of his clients, earning large recoveries in cases involving disability, health, auto, property, long term care, business, fire & casualty, commercial and life insurance policies. Mr. Ratinoff is AV Rated through Martindale Hubbell (its highest rating). He has also been named a Northern California Super Lawyer for 2010 and 2011.

Delaware Fertility Center Tackles Failed IVF and Unnecessary IVF With…

Medicalread Staff — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:21:02 +0000

Delaware Fertility Center Tackles Failed IVF and Unnecessary IVF With Program Targeting Unexplained and Unexplored Infertility

Reproductive Associates of Delaware (RAD) physicians are addressing problems of infertility, failed IVF, and unnecessary IVF through a new program called FITS — Failed IVF, Trial of Surgery. They assert that many IVF treatments in the U.S. may be unsuccessful or unnecessary because thorough diagnosis and treatment may not have been carried out initially to correct underlying causes of infertility.

Newark, DE (PRWEB) December 19, 2011

Fertility doctors at Reproductive Associates of Delaware (RAD) are alarmed about the rising tide of unsuccessful in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments occurring throughout the United States and the world, and are recommending closer diagnostic scrutiny of patients who have failed IVF or are pursuing IVF unnecessarily. They have initiated a new pilot program called FITS — Failed IVF, Trial of Surgery.

“IVF is an important and successful treatment for those who truly require it,” stated Ronald F. Feinberg MD, PhD, a reproductive endocrinologist who has directed RAD’s IVF Program since 1997. “But many women are failing IVF, or possibly don’t even need IVF, because their underlying disease was not diagnosed or treated thoroughly.”

Several common diseases can block embryo implantation and hurt pregnancy chances, including endometriosis, uterine polyps, fibroids, and diseased fallopian tubes. Pelvic adhesions can also restrict blood flow to the ovaries and interfere with normal egg development. Prior cesarean sections and other major surgeries can often cause adhesions, leading to infertility. Numerous published studies have shown that minimally invasive, outpatient treatment by highly experienced surgeons performing hysteroscopy and laparoscopy will often enhance fertility or eliminate infertility.

“Most women have infertility because of these problems, but many IVF centers tend to minimize this information,” stated Barbara A. McGuirk, MD, also a reproductive endocrinologist and director of RAD’s reproductive surgery program since 1995. “When we perform detailed and thorough evaluation of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic structures we frequently identify and treat diseases causing infertility. Our approach includes an expert 2-physician team, excellent anesthesia, and surgery performed through tiny openings in the skin that don’t require stitches.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), many female infertility cases are ‘unexplained’. “Unexplained infertility in women is often really unexplored infertility,” noted Dr. McGuirk, “and we find that many women and babies are being shortchanged and harmed by premature pursuit of IVF treatments. Many of our patients who might have been pushed into IVF elsewhere are actually able to become pregnant at our center without IVF.”

The RAD team anticipates that their FITS pilot program will help estimate the scope of the problem related to unsuccessful and unnecessary IVF treatments. Their goal is to identify patients who have been unsuccessful with IVF outside of RAD and have not had underlying diseases evaluated or thoroughly treated. The RAD team is particularly interested in evaluating women before or after IVF who have been labeled with ‘unexplained infertility’.

As part of the FITS program, prior treatment records will be carefully reviewed and those patients interested in FITS will be thoroughly informed about their options for enhanced diagnosis and treatments. Results from the program will be compiled in an ongoing fashion. One future goal is to perform a prospective study evaluating the impact of FITS on fertility outcomes.

IVF outcomes are submitted and published by most U.S. clinics in conjunction with the CDC for the public to read. “Some of the CDC data is misleading,” noted Dr. Feinberg, “because it is very difficult to know which patients truly needed IVF versus those who could have benefitted from non-IVF treatments. Patients who achieve pregnancy following hysteroscopy and/or laparoscopy are not included in the CDC data.”

Of all IVF pregnancies achieved in Delaware, 85% were conceived at RAD’s center based on analysis of published CDC data. Many of these successful and lower risk singleton pregnancies encompassed the FITS care model, since RAD’s results included many patients who had previously failed IVF elsewhere. As additional evidence for enhanced embryo implantation, RAD’s single embryo blastocyst transfer approach has consistently yielded many pregnancies and one of the lowest multiple gestation rates in the U.S.

The RAD group is also actively evaluating chromosome abnormalities in blastocysts that appear normal, but likely lead to failed implantation or miscarriage. Their success and outcomes with preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) have been presented at national meetings in 2010 and 2011 of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

The RAD physician team has two other reproductive endocrinologists — Dr. Adrienne Neithardt and Dr. George Kovalevsky — and the four doctors consult with patients daily at three different locations in Delaware — Wilmington, Dover, and within their main offices and IVF center in Newark on the campus of Christiana Care Health System. The doctors are also attending physicians and active educators for Christiana Care obstetrics/gynecology residents and Jefferson medical students.

Nation’s Top Hospital Organ Transplant Centers Identified by…

Medicalread Staff — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:21:02 +0000

Nation’s Top Hospital Organ Transplant Centers Identified by HealthGrades

263 Hospitals Evaluated on HealthGrades.com; Hospitals with Best Outcomes in Kidney, Lung, Heart and Liver Transplants Receive Transplant Excellence Award™

Denver, CO (PRWEB) November 14, 2011

HealthGrades, the leading provider of information to help consumers make an informed decision about a physician or hospital, today made available to organ transplant patients a list of those hospitals with the best track record for survival and chances of receiving a donor organ. HealthGrades annual evaluation of the nation’s top-performing hospitals in organ transplantation includes clinical quality data, based on patient outcomes, for each of the 263 adult and pediatric acute care hospitals that perform transplants. This information is available, free to the public, at HealthGrades.comand is intended to help patients in need of kidney, lung, heart or liver transplants.

“More than 112,000 patients are on a waiting list for an organ transplant in the U.S and it is imperative that patients have a resource to compare patient outcomes and other criteria at programs across the country,” said HealthGrades’ Vice President of Hospital Ratings Kristin Reed. “HealthGrades’ hospital ratings are based on objective patient outcomes, empowering patients to choose a program that gives them the best chance at survival.”

The following data is displayed on HealthGrades.com and was calculated by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) for all adult and pediatric acute care hospitals in the U.S. with transplant programs:
One and three-year risk-adjusted patient survival; One and three-year risk-adjusted graft survival; The rate at which waitlisted patients receive transplants; and Waitlist mortality.

Hospitals with adult acute care transplant programs received HealthGrades Transplant Excellence Awards if they had a statistically significantly higher three-year survival rate. Award recipients were also required to have waitlist mortality that was either not significantly different than expected or was significantly lower than expected based on SRTR calculations. Of the 230 adult acute care hospitals evaluated, 20 hospitals received this award. Pediatric Hospitals were not evaluated to receive this award.

The recipients are as follows:

HealthGrades Kidney Transplant Excellence Award recognized 8 recipients out of 221 hospitals evaluated:

California Pacific Medical Center – Pacific; San Francisco, CA
Saint Joseph Hospital; Orange, CA
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center; Los Angeles, CA
UC Davis Medical Center; Sacramento, CA
Barnes – Jewish Hospital; Saint Louis, MO
New York – Presbyterian/Weill Cornell; New York, NY
Virginia Commonwealth University Health System; Richmond, VA
University of Washington Medical Center; Seattle, WA

HealthGrades Lung Transplant Excellence Award recognized 2 recipients out of 62 hospitals evaluated:

Shands Hospital at the University of Florida; Gainesville, FL
University of Minnesota Medical Center – Riverside; Minneapolis, MN

HealthGrades Heart Transplant Excellence Award recognized 3 recipients out of 116 hospitals evaluated:

Jackson Health System; Miami, FL
Temple University Hospital; Philadelphia, PA
Sacred Heart Medical Center; Spokane, WA

HealthGrades Liver Transplant Excellence Award recognized 9 recipients out of 111 hospitals evaluated:

UAMS Medical Center; Little Rock AR
California Pacific Medical Center – Pacific; San Francisco, CA
UCSF Medical Center: San Francisco, CA
Mayo Clinic; Jacksonville, FL
Ochsner Clinic Foundation; New Orleans, LA
Cleveland Clinic; Cleveland OH
Saint Lukes Episcopal Hospital; Houston, TX
Shands Hospital at the University of Florida; Gainesville, FL
University of Minnesota Medical Center – Riverside; Minneapolis, MN

The ratings of individual hospitals, as well as the full methodology of the analysis, can be found at HealthGrades.com. For additional information about each of these transplant programs, or about the methods used for computing the measures above, please visit the SRTR website at http://www.ustransplant.org. The SRTR is not in any way involved in determining award status.

HealthGrades
HealthGrades, headquartered in Denver, Colorado is a leading provider of comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. More than 200 million consumers use the HealthGrades websites, including HealthGrades.com and BetterMedicine.com, to research, select, and connect with a physician or hospital, and use its comprehensive information about clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, patient safety and health conditions to make more informed healthcare decisions and take action. Find more information about our products and services at HealthGrades.com. Follow us on Twitter (@HealthGrades) and Facebook for news and updates.

WIREC Reaches 100% of its Healthcare Provider Enrollment Goals in…

Medicalread Staff — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:21:02 +0000

WIREC Reaches 100% of its Healthcare Provider Enrollment Goals in Effort to Advance Electronic Health Records

The Washington & Idaho Regional Extension Center for Health Information Technology (WIREC) achieves enrollment goal of 2,369 primary care providers.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) November 01, 2011

Today the Washington & Idaho Regional Extension Center (WIREC), a division of Qualis Health, announced that it has met its enrollment goal of 2,369 healthcare providers in Washington and Idaho as part of the national effort to accelerate the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs). Practitioners across both states sought WIREC out for assistance with EHR implementation and utilization in order to attain “meaningful use” of their systems.

“Washington and Idaho have both made great strides towards an electronically-enabled healthcare system, and WIREC has played an important role by supporting clinicians as they more effectively use health IT,” said Jonathan Sugarman, MD, MPH Chief Executive Officer of Qualis Health. “Today’s announcement is a testament to the dedication of practitioners and the Regional Extension Center staff to improve the quality and delivery of healthcare through EHRs.”

John Fisher, IT Manager for the Doctors Clinic of Spokane (one of the first WIREC practices to successfully attest to meaningful use) said, “I would like to thank WIREC for all of their assistance in helping our office achieve Stage 1 of Meaningful Use. The REC’s expertise and consistent status checks made all the difference in our being prepared. I truly believe that without the REC’s assistance and willingness to help that we would not have been able to accomplish meeting meaningful use as painlessly as we did.”

EHRs enable healthcare providers to have ready access to vital information about a patient’s medical history in order to diagnose health problems earlier, provide proactive treatments, and improve patient outcomes. These technologies can help lower healthcare system costs by eliminating unnecessary or duplicative tests, reducing errors and improving clinical decision-making. EHRs can also improve communication between healthcare providers, including referrals between primary care providers and specialists.

WIREC was designated by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) as one of 62 national Regional Extension Centers (RECs). The REC program was established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical (HITECH) Act to help healthcare providers transition to electronic health records and achieve federal meaningful use guidelines to maximize the functionality and benefits of an EHR system. Though WIREC has met its initial program enrollment goal, they continue to offer technical support to healthcare providers throughout both states to advance the adoption of EHRs and offer guidance and information on best practices.

On January 3, 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the ONC announced the availability of registration for the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Programs as established by the HITECH Act and funded by ARRA. Through these programs, eligible healthcare providers who demonstrate meaningful use of EHRs can receive as much as $44,000 over a five-year period through Medicare or $63,750 over six years through Medicaid. WIREC is working with providers to attest for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program, which started issuing payments in May 2011, as well as the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program.

About WIREC
Led by Qualis Health, WIREC provides technical assistance, guidance, vendor-neutral EHR adoption services, and information to eligible healthcare professionals to help them achieve meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs) and quality for CMS incentive payments. WIREC was selected and awarded through an objective review process by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC). WIREC serves as a direct pipeline to the national Regional Extension Center program, leveraging our connection to a national collaborative of RECs while bringing local expertise to support providers across the region with technical assistance for successful EHR adoption.

For more information about WIREC, visit http://www.wirecQH.org.

About Qualis Health
Qualis Health is one of the nation’s leading healthcare quality improvement organizations. We bring value through a full spectrum of powerful, evidence-based healthcare assessment and improvement services. Drawing on our unique blend of healthcare information technology and clinical expertise, our public and private partnerships advance healthcare and improve health. Qualis Health is an independent, nonprofit organization, which enables us to deliver the greatest possible value to our clients and communities.

Qualis Health is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Additional Resources
HHS Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT
Health IT Journey: Stories from the Road
Stories from the Front Lines: Clinicians Describe their Journeys toward Meaningful Use

H4H Initiative Pilots iPhone App in the UK to Promote Healthy…

Medicalread Staff — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:21:02 +0000

H4H Initiative Pilots iPhone App in the UK to Promote Healthy Hydration

‘Thirsty Pete’ app in the UK launched to engage, educate and entertain as part of a pilot programme – The Hydration for Health Initiative sponsored by Danone Waters has launched ‘Thirsty Pete’ the first iPhone app created to promote healthy hydration as a pilot programme in the UK.

London (UK) (PRWEB) June 17, 2011

‘THIRSTY PETE’ iPHONE APP

Developed as an engaging soft learning tool, ‘Thirsty Pete’ represents an innovative solution to promote public awareness of the importance of healthy hydration, and encourage behavioural change through game dynamics that demonstrate the physical and mental benefits of adequate hydration. The character, ‘Thirsty Pete’, is an interactive water droplet and a font of knowledge on water and healthy hydration. After downloading ‘Thirsty Pete’ to their iPhones, users must care for him by correctly answering quiz questions to obtain virtual glasses of water. If he isn’t adequately hydrated, he becomes increasingly unhappy and ultimately ‘evaporates’. Users are rewarded for keeping Pete healthy and are given advice to help ensure they also stay well hydrated.

As well as quizzes and other features, there is also a ‘Wee Checker’ where users can monitor Pete’s hydration status – the darker the colour, the more concentrated the wee and the more dehydrated he is. This element is based upon the Hydration Color Chart developed by Professor Lawrence E. Armstrong.

ENCOURAGING HEALTHY HYDRATION IN CHILDREN AND TEENS

Despite the known benefits of adequate hydration and that it’s essential for normal bodily function, many people still may not drink enough fluids[1,2]. Recent surveys suggest that many people, including children, do not drink enough[3]. A UK survey demonstrated that 40% of 11- to 18-year-old children drink less than 1.2 litres per day[4], compared with EFSA guidance on adequate intakes of 2.1 litres and 1.9 litres per day for 9- to 13-year-old boys and girls, respectively[5]. In fact, it’s not uncommon for school children to go for 6 or 7 hours without a single drink[1].

Short-term consequences of dehydration include impaired physical and cognitive performance, headaches, raised heart rate and blood pressure. In the long term, it is associated with a range of serious conditions, including urinary tract infections, kidney stones and periodontal disease.

More positively, a recently published study showed that a relatively simple but comprehensive educational intervention programme proved successful for enhancing hydration status in just two days that resulted in improved physical endurance in exercising children[6].

With its mission of establishing healthy hydration as an integral part of public health nutritional guidelines and routine patient counselling, so that people can make informed choices, the H4H Initiative aims to encourage more widespread advocacy of healthy hydration to the general public.

With the UK pilot of the ‘Thirsty Pete’ iPhone app it is hoped that, by making learning about healthy hydration entertaining and fun, this innovative approach to healthy hydration advice and can help to address the potential long-term health risks associated with poor hydration choices.

For more information, visit http://www.h4hinitiative.com

‘Thirsty Pete’ is currently only available in the UK. Further information on the success and key learnings of the UK pilot programme will follow. To view a demonstration video, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNa-acYJlKk

UK residents can download ‘Thirsty Pete’ at http://www.apple.com/iphone/apps-for-iphone

REFERENCES
1.             Petraccia L, et al. Water, mineral waters and health. Clin Nutr 2006;25:377-85.
2.    Bennett J, et al. Unrecognized chronic dehydration in older adults: examining prevalence rate and risk factors. J Gerontol Nurs. 2004;30:22-8.
3.    Brander N. Drinking water in schools. Nurs Times 2003;99:50-1.
4.    Gregory J, Lowe S. National Diet and Nutrition Survey: young people aged 4 to 18 years. Vol 1. Report of the diet and nutrition survey 2000, Office of the Population Censuses and Surveys. Social Survey Division, HMSO, London.
5.    European Food Safety Authority, Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition, and Allergies. Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for water. EFSA Journal 8(3):1459-1507, 2010.
6.    Kavouras SA, et al. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2011.

ABOUT THE HYDRATION FOR HEALTH INITIATIVE
The H4H Initiative mission is to establish healthy hydration as an integral part of public health nutritional guidelines and routine patient counselling so people can make informed choices. A primary challenge of the H4H Initiative is to communicate the fundamental need for healthcare policymakers and practitioners to proactively provide healthy hydration advice.

THE H4H INITIATIVE WEBSITE AND THE HYDRATION FOR HEALTH HUB
Hydration for Health Hub blogs are hosted on the official H4H Initiative website, http://www.h4hinitiative.com, which is for healthcare professionals only. Launched in July 2010, the website is an online resource with practical tools and extensive coverage of the science behind healthy hydration. As well as important insights into the role of healthy hydration in combating obesity and associated cardiometabolic diseases, it also includes information on the benefits of increased water intake on performance, reducing the risk of kidney stones and intake guidance for different patient groups.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE H4H INITIATIVE, PLEASE CONTACT
H4H Initiative Secretariat
Email to: secretariat@h4hinitiative.com

ABOUT DANONE WATERS
Danone Waters is the water division of Group Danone. Major worldwide brands include Evian, Badoit and Volvic. Danone is convinced that diet is the prime vehicle for building and preserving the body’s health resources. All of Danone’s R&D efforts rely on the ability of the scientific teams to ensure that each product starts with high-quality ingredients and has a unique benefit in terms of health, nutrition or enjoyment. R&D competencies are united under DANONE RESEARCH, a worldwide organization present in around 15 countries. This organization is comprised of 1,160 employees and has engaged in close to 200 global scientific partnerships. Danone has activities in four core business areas including: Fresh Dairy Products (#1 worldwide), waters (#2 worldwide in bottled waters), Baby Foods (#2 worldwide) and Medical Nutrition. 2007 sales reached a record 12.7 billion Euros.

ABOUT DANONE
Danone is a Fortune 500 company and one of the most successful healthy food companies in the world. Its mission is to bring health through tasty, nutritious and affordable food and beverage products to as many people as possible. Fulfilling this mission is a major contributor to the Group’s continuous fast growth. Danone, with 160 plants and around 80,000 employees, has a presence in all five continents and over 120 countries. In 2008, Danone recorded €15.2 billion sales. Danone enjoys leading positions in healthy food in four businesses: fresh dairy products (no.1 worldwide), waters (no. 2 in the packaged water market), baby nutrition (no. 2 worldwide) and medical nutrition. Listed on Euronext Paris, Danone is also ranked among the main index of social responsibility: Dow Jones Sustainability Index Stoxx and World, ASPI Eurozone and Ethibel Sustainability index.

Pathways Hospice Grief Workshop Offers Holiday Coping Skills Managing…

Medicalread Staff — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:21:03 +0000

Pathways Hospice Grief Workshop Offers Holiday Coping Skills Managing Loss When Surrounded by Celebration

Managing grief when surrounded by celebration can be overwhelming. Pathways Home Health & Hospice is offering a workshop, Pathways Through the Holidays, that was created to help grieving families, spouses, children and friends, prepare for the holiday season. The workshop provides tips on how to manage the mixed emotions grief can bring, especially during the holiday season. Attendees will receive handouts and worksheets that will help them prepare to navigate the holidays.

Sunnyvale, CA (PRWEB) October 17, 2011

Managing grief when surrounded by celebration can be overwhelming. Suffering the loss of a loved one is difficult at any time of the year but the holiday season can intensify the feeling of loss and loneliness.

Pathways Hospice is offering a workshop, Pathways Through the Holidays, in Sunnyvale and South San Francisco that was created to help families, spouses, children and friends, who are grieving the death of a loved one.

The Sunnyvale Pathways Through the Holidays workshop will be held on Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 6:30-8:30 pm in their Sunnyvale offices at 585 N. Mary Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA.

The South San Francisco Pathways Through the Holidays workshop will be held on Wednesday, October 26, 2011, 6:30-8:30 pm in their South San Francisco offices at 395 Oyster Point Blvd, Suite 128, South San Francisco, CA.

The workshop encourages discussion in a safe environment. It will provide tips on how to manage the mixed emotions grief can bring, especially during the holiday season. Attendees will receive materials and worksheets that will help them navigate the holiday expectations of family, friends, and society in general. Attendees will receive detailed tips and strategies on how individuals can manage holiday festivities including personal and family rituals, anticipating changes in traditions due to personal loss, how to handle holiday greetings, and how to pace themselves during get-togethers.

The workshop is open to the general public, is non-denominational and free of charge. Advanced registration is encouraged to 1 (888) 905-2800, ext. 4241, bereavement(at)pathwayshealth(dot)org Light refreshments and conversation will follow the workshop.

About Pathways Home Health & Hospice
http://www.pathwayshealth.org/
Pathways Home Health & Hospice is a non-profit community based organization. Founded in 1977, Pathways now serves over 5000 families annually in San Francisco, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo and Contra Costa Counties.

We care for patients in their place of residence, whether it be their home, hospital, nursing home or assisted living facility. Affiliated with El Camino Hospital and Sequoia Hospital since 1986, Pathways is accredited by The Joint Commission and is a member of the Visiting Nurses Association of America, California Hospice & Palliative Care Association, and the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization.

Donations received from the community by Pathways Home Health & Hospice provide services that would otherwise not be available, including 24/7 access to a specialized team of care providers, family bereavement counseling and support, integrative therapies, caregiver support, comfort care, and funding for under- and uninsured patients.

Omaha Imaging Expands Sub-specialty Expertise for Improved Patient…

Medicalread Staff — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:21:03 +0000

Omaha Imaging Expands Sub-specialty Expertise for Improved Patient Quality of Care

Omaha Imaging's on-site radiologists now encompass new sub-specialties, including neuro-radiology, which correlates to better patient care and quality of interpretations for referring physicians.

Omaha, Nebraska (PRWEB) December 07, 2011

Omaha Imaging, the first diagnostic imaging facility to bring an Open MRI to Omaha, is proud to announce that they can now be considered a comprehensive radiology group. With sub-specialties in all areas of diagnostic imaging, now including neuro-radiology, Omaha Imaging solidifies their ranking as a premiere option for radiology services in the Omaha area.

As an independently owned diagnostic imaging facility, Omaha Imaging places a heavy focus on the patient experience, which requires the best level of care possible. The onsite radiologists at Omaha Imaging are experienced in a number of sub-specialties including Musculoskeletal, Neurological, Body Imaging and Interventional radiology to ensure the highest quality of care. The collaboration of the radiology team allows each radiologist to consult with other physicians within the specific type of radiology, ensuring high quality interpretations and reports. Having such an extensive collection of radiologists means that patients will be receiving specified care from the radiologist within that sub-specialty whenever possible.

Since the radiologists are located on-site, patients and referring physicians are able to facilitate the transfer of timely reports and maintain easy access to the scans and radiologists themselves. This means that the referring physicians receive the best reports possible, quickly and easily, so that they can be confident in the interpretations the radiologists provide. Also, patients are able to contact the radiologists directly through Omaha Imaging, without the hassle that is typical of other diagnostic imaging facilities and hospital systems.

About Omaha Imaging
Omaha Imaging is a diagnostic imaging facility that provides superior service. It is home to the first state-of-the-art, high field, Open MRI unit in Omaha. The facility also provides CT, Ultrasound and Fluoroscopy services. Omaha Imaging has on-site radiologists reviewing each exam that are always available for consultations with patients, physicians and/or physician offices. This unique service conveniently allows the patient to be notified of any results requiring immediate attention, reduces the possibility of repeat exams and decreases the cost to both patients and providers. Omaha Imaging uses voice recognition software that guarantees faster turnaround times on reports.

Children’s National Surgeons Collaborate with NIH Researchers to…

Medicalread Staff — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:21:02 +0000

Children’s National Surgeons Collaborate with NIH Researchers to Identify Gene Variant in Proteus Syndrome

New England Journal of Medicine study suggests linkage between gene variant and the much-documented syndrome of the ‘Elephant Man’

Washington, DC (PRWEB) August 10, 2011

Orthopaedic surgeons from Children’s National Medical Center are part of a team of researchers that has identified the genetic mutation causing Proteus syndrome, a rare disorder in which tissue and bone grow massively out of proportion. The discovery appears in the July 27, 2011, online edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. The study, led by researchers at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), may have larger implications in both the identification and treatment of Proteus syndrome, as well as for certain types of cancer.
The NIH-based research team found that a point mutation — a single-letter misspelling in the DNA of the genetic code — in the AKT1 gene activates the sporadic tissue growth associated with Proteus syndrome. This particular genetic mutation in AKT1 is almost always undetectable in simple blood samples, making it necessary for surgical teams to collect and contribute deep tissues, including bone, cartilage, and growth plates, while patients with Proteus syndrome are undergoing necessary surgical procedures as part of their standard care.
“Proteus syndrome is an extremely rare disorder, making tissue sample collection especially challenging,” said Laura L. Tosi, MD, of the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at Children’s National. “Given the importance of this research, we stepped up to the plate and, over the last decade, Children’s National surgeons have collected more than one third of the study’s tissue samples while Proteus syndrome patients underwent necessary procedures here at Children’s National and at NIH.”
Dr. Tosi, as well as the Chief of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Laurel Blakemore, MD, and Kurt D. Newman, MD, Senior Vice President of the Joseph E. Robert, Jr., Center for Surgical Care, contributed tissue samples from Proteus patients treated at Children’s National to help fuel the NIH-based genetic research.
“Proteus syndrome can be a complex disease to treat, as it manifests differently in every patient,” said Dr. Blakemore. “It is our job to treat the needs of our patients with complex spine and bone disorders, and also contribute our knowledge and expertise in caring for these children to studies, like this one, that aim to identify the causes, and hopefully, one day, find a cure.”
The gene variant that triggers Proteus occurs spontaneously in affected individuals during embryonic development, but symptoms only appear in the child’s first two years. This mutation in AKT1 alters the ability of affected cells to regulate their own growth, leading some parts of the patient’s body to grow to abnormal sizes, while other parts of the body remain normal.
Clinical diagnosis is typically based on the observation of patient features, which include limb overgrowth, a variety of skin lesions, and thickening of the soles of the feet. A well known unconfirmed case of Proteus syndrome gained attention in 1980 through the movie “The Elephant Man,” about a 19th century Londoner, Joseph Merrick, whom experts believe may have suffered from the disease.
“Children’s National has a vision that surgery might be less painful and more precise for pediatric patients, especially those who require multiple surgeries and lifelong support, as in the case of Proteus syndrome,” said Dr. Newman, who was recently named the incoming president and CEO of Children’s National. “This study and similar studies underway in systems biology programs around the world, including our own Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, all share one common goal: identifying these disorders and their causes as early as possible and finding better treatments.”

Pathways Hospice Memorial Event Lights the Darkness of Grief,…

Medicalread Staff — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:21:02 +0000

Pathways Hospice Memorial Event Lights the Darkness of Grief, Celebration of Light Event Provides Comfort and Safety

With the upcoming holiday season and dark winter nights, a grieving person may feel that there is no place to find comfort or light. People who are grieving often encounter deep loneliness, loss and sadness. Pathways Hospice provides a safe place at this memorial event. This event is free of charge, non-denominational, and open to the public.

Sunnyvale, California (PRWEB) November 16, 2011

People who are grieving often encounter deep loneliness and sadness. With the upcoming holiday season and dark winter nights, a grieving person may feel that there is no place to find comfort or light. This event is free of charge, non-denominational, and open to the public.

Pathways Hospice’s Celebration of Light Memorial will provide a place of light and hope, where participants can light a candle and find comfort in a safe place. The Celebration of Light Memorial will be held in San Mateo on Sunday, December 4, 2011, 2 pm – 3:30 pm at the Skylawn Memorial Park, off of Highway 92 at Skyline Boulevard, San Mateo, California.

Attendees at the Celebration of Light Memorial will:
Light a candle of remembrance. Hear inspirational readings from various faith traditions. Join others who are grieving in a place of quiet and warmth. A memory table will provide the opportunity for attendees to place a favorite picture or memory object to further honor their loved ones.

“I attended my first Celebration of Light a few months after my wife died. To be with others who had suffered the loss of a loved one reminded me that I was not alone in my grief,” said Tom Hodges, past Celebration of Light participant. “To light a candle and say aloud my wife’s name was painful, but I realize now that it was an important step in my healing journey.”

Pathways bereavement services are made possible through generous donations from the community to Pathways Home Health & Hospice. Services are available to anyone in the community and include: information and referrals, loss support groups, remembrance events, grief workshops, individual counseling, educational material, and community presentations.

RSVP’s are encouraged to 1(888) 905-2800, ext. 4241 or bereavement(at)pathwayshealth(dot)org or visit http://www.pathwayshealth.org/grief-support/celebration-of-light.html. However, if you have not formally notified us, please feel welcome to attend.

Light refreshments hosted by Skylawn Memorial Park will be served following the program.

Directions to Celebration of Light at Skylawn Memorial Park, off of Highway 92 at Skyline Boulevard, San Mateo, CA.

AboutPathways Home Health & Hospice

Pathways Home Health & Hospice is a non-profit community based organization. Founded in 1977, Pathways now serves over 5000 families annually in San Francisco, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo and Contra Costa Counties.