Have you been out in the sun lately? Have you gotten your first sunburn? If you are a person with diabetes, did the sunburn make you blood glucose levels go up? Most people with diabetes have this problem of managing their blood glucose levels when they get sunburned. I did not say tanned. Tanning it totally another way of living, but becoming sunburned should not happen if you wish to manage diabetes effectively.
This brings us to the question of how best to prevent sunburns. Each year the sunscreen and sunblock creams and lotions are improving. The sun protection factor (SPF) is better and more effective. A couple of years ago, a SPF rating of 15 was considered a good product. Today the better sunscreens require a SPF rating of 30 and some are as high as SPF 100.
I do not follow the rules recommended by most dermatologists. They recommend staying out of the sun as much as possible. They worry about skin cancer and other skin problems that can happen with exposure to the sun. They want you to cover up as much as possible by wearing long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and stay in the shade if possible.
There are several common sense rules that need to be used to prevent sunburn. Use a good sunscreen – with a SPF of 15 and preferably higher. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out in the sun. Apply the sunscreen liberally as most sunscreens now recommend. Reapply sunscreen frequently – at least every hour if you remain exposed to the sun. Reapply more frequently if you are swimming or perspiring a lot. If you have a skin type that burns easily, then consider using the recommendations of the dermatologists.
The SPF rating does not consider the damage caused the UVA (ultraviolet A) rays which is responsible for aging. It is therefore advised to look for and purchase a sunscreen that has a broad spectrum protection for UVA and UVB (ultraviolet B) rays.
UVB rays are the ones that cause the burning that many people suffer from.
Skin types normally are listed as six types. They range from type 1 to type 6. This means that a person with type 1 skin always burns easily, never tans, and is extremely sun-sensitive. Type 6 means a person that never burns, deeply pigmented, and has sun-insensitive skin. Read about the six different types here.
If you are planning on being outdoors and not in the shade for long periods of time, be sure to liberally apply sunscreen. Do not forget your lips. Find a good lip gloss with a SPF of at least 15 or higher and apply regularly.
One point to remember is that the sunscreens do not require FDA approval and thus may not be the best for us. Europe has the best sunscreens available. In the US manufacturers can make any health claims they desire and do not have to provide proof to any regulatory agency. CORRECTION: As of June 14, 2011, the FDA has issued rules for sunscreens, and please read about it on my blog here.
Here are some additional sources to read. Article 1, Article 2, and my blog from May 2010.
May 27, 2011
May 25, 2011
SMBG Can Reduce A1c's For Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is a term quite well understood by many patients, but it is surprising to see researchers use it in the way this study did. And the report of the study by one of Big Pharma's own. This is a surprise and a pleasant one. Alan at loraldiabetes has been writing about the lack of respect and understanding SMBG has been receiving since at least 2006 and he has not missed much in the lack of understanding by researchers and the medical community.
So it is with respect that I need to report this study which I think for the first time does partially what Alan has been challenging researchers and patients to do. I think this study could have been taken many steps farther, but it is a start in the right direction, and for once it gives patients some insight into what may be accomplished as well as their physicians.
As it is reported by Roche, “an innovative diabetes management concept including structured self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), data visualization, pattern analysis and derived therapy adjustments can significantly reduce HbA1c values, improve glycemic control and enhance patients' quality of life. These are the key findings of the 12-month data from the Structured Testing Protocol (STeP) Study, newly published in Diabetes Care and presented at an exclusive event on effective and structured diabetes management held in London in March”.
“SMBG is a well-established element of therapy management for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes on insulin therapy. However, there have been controversial views on the question of whether regular SMBG is similarly beneficial for non-insulin treated people with type 2 diabetes. To gain new insights on this subject, the STeP Study was performed: A prospective, cluster-randomised, multi-centre clinical trial, which examined the impact of structured SMBG upon glycemic control in 483 non-insulin treated people with type 2 diabetes who evidenced poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥ 7.5%) at baseline. The results provide new and significant evidence on its effectiveness”.
The study was designed to analyze the differences between the usual diabetes care and structured diabetes management. Those in the active control group (ACG) and the structured testing group (STG) were in the study for 12 months and all received a baseline evaluation. Then they had scheduled visits at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. The difference between the two groups was the STG received the SMBG-focused structured diabetes management concept. Free BG monitors and test strips were given to both groups.
The STG used the 7 BG testing profiles (fasting, preprandial, and 2-hour postprandial at each meal, and bedtime) for the three days prior to scheduled healthcare visits. They were to document blood glucose values, meal sizes, plus energy levels, and comment on their SMBG experiences. The STG patients all used the the Roche 360 3-day profile tool and discussed the obtained profiles with their caregivers. The good part was both the patients and caregivers received standardized training in SMBG and pattern analysis. In addition the doctors were equipped with an algorithm suggesting appropriate medication strategies.
The study concluded with finding significant improvement in glycemic control and reduced HbA1c values in the non-insulin treated Type 2 diabetes patients in the STG using the SMBG diabetes management.
Read the article about the study here. You may read Alan's blogs Dec 2, 2006, July 1, 2007, Feb 16, 2010, and Mar 14, 2010. The full study can be read here.
So it is with respect that I need to report this study which I think for the first time does partially what Alan has been challenging researchers and patients to do. I think this study could have been taken many steps farther, but it is a start in the right direction, and for once it gives patients some insight into what may be accomplished as well as their physicians.
As it is reported by Roche, “an innovative diabetes management concept including structured self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), data visualization, pattern analysis and derived therapy adjustments can significantly reduce HbA1c values, improve glycemic control and enhance patients' quality of life. These are the key findings of the 12-month data from the Structured Testing Protocol (STeP) Study, newly published in Diabetes Care and presented at an exclusive event on effective and structured diabetes management held in London in March”.
“SMBG is a well-established element of therapy management for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes on insulin therapy. However, there have been controversial views on the question of whether regular SMBG is similarly beneficial for non-insulin treated people with type 2 diabetes. To gain new insights on this subject, the STeP Study was performed: A prospective, cluster-randomised, multi-centre clinical trial, which examined the impact of structured SMBG upon glycemic control in 483 non-insulin treated people with type 2 diabetes who evidenced poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥ 7.5%) at baseline. The results provide new and significant evidence on its effectiveness”.
The study was designed to analyze the differences between the usual diabetes care and structured diabetes management. Those in the active control group (ACG) and the structured testing group (STG) were in the study for 12 months and all received a baseline evaluation. Then they had scheduled visits at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. The difference between the two groups was the STG received the SMBG-focused structured diabetes management concept. Free BG monitors and test strips were given to both groups.
The STG used the 7 BG testing profiles (fasting, preprandial, and 2-hour postprandial at each meal, and bedtime) for the three days prior to scheduled healthcare visits. They were to document blood glucose values, meal sizes, plus energy levels, and comment on their SMBG experiences. The STG patients all used the the Roche 360 3-day profile tool and discussed the obtained profiles with their caregivers. The good part was both the patients and caregivers received standardized training in SMBG and pattern analysis. In addition the doctors were equipped with an algorithm suggesting appropriate medication strategies.
The study concluded with finding significant improvement in glycemic control and reduced HbA1c values in the non-insulin treated Type 2 diabetes patients in the STG using the SMBG diabetes management.
Read the article about the study here. You may read Alan's blogs Dec 2, 2006, July 1, 2007, Feb 16, 2010, and Mar 14, 2010. The full study can be read here.
May 23, 2011
Communication About Alternative Medications Lacking
This subject just won't go away. And I can understand why. Too many people feel that the doctors and other medical occupations, including pharmacists have no reason to know about what natural remedies they use. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is prevalent in most countries and under reported by patients.
This is dangerous because some can have deadly effects when taken with prescribed medications. While this was a survey, it still indicates the people over the age of 50 often do not inform their healthcare providers of the CAM supplements they are taking. One question apparently not asked is whether they are doing this on their own or from recommendation of homeopaths. Either way, many are putting themselves at risk of fatal combinations of medications.
CAM is a diverse group of medical and healthcare interventions, practices, products, plus disciplines that are not generally part of conventional medicine. While older Americans wish to lead healthy and active lives, the CAM, which includes herbal supplements, manual therapies, and mind/body practices such as chiropractic care, massage, acupuncture, and meditation are sometimes counter productive with medical interventions.
Mainly it is the herbal supplements, but any of them can cause problems depending on the medical treatment a patient is receiving. I do use chiropractic care, but there have been times the chiropractic doctor has wisely refused treatments as they would have interfered with the medical treatment I was receiving. So communication is important with all concerned, not only to prevent problems, but for your own medical safety.
CAM can be an important factor in staying healthy, but care needs to be taken as some CAM products will make certain conventional medications less effective and lead to potentially deadly interactions. Patients need to communicate with their doctors and vice versa.
The AARP/NCCAM survey also found that it was the patients that brought up the topic of CAM most frequently. The two main reasons respondents gave for not discussing it was that the doctor never asked (42 percent) and the patients did not know they should bring it up (30 percent).
AARP is the American Association of Retired Persons which I do not belong to for personal reasons, and NCCAM is the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
The article about the study can be read here.
This is dangerous because some can have deadly effects when taken with prescribed medications. While this was a survey, it still indicates the people over the age of 50 often do not inform their healthcare providers of the CAM supplements they are taking. One question apparently not asked is whether they are doing this on their own or from recommendation of homeopaths. Either way, many are putting themselves at risk of fatal combinations of medications.
CAM is a diverse group of medical and healthcare interventions, practices, products, plus disciplines that are not generally part of conventional medicine. While older Americans wish to lead healthy and active lives, the CAM, which includes herbal supplements, manual therapies, and mind/body practices such as chiropractic care, massage, acupuncture, and meditation are sometimes counter productive with medical interventions.
Mainly it is the herbal supplements, but any of them can cause problems depending on the medical treatment a patient is receiving. I do use chiropractic care, but there have been times the chiropractic doctor has wisely refused treatments as they would have interfered with the medical treatment I was receiving. So communication is important with all concerned, not only to prevent problems, but for your own medical safety.
CAM can be an important factor in staying healthy, but care needs to be taken as some CAM products will make certain conventional medications less effective and lead to potentially deadly interactions. Patients need to communicate with their doctors and vice versa.
The AARP/NCCAM survey also found that it was the patients that brought up the topic of CAM most frequently. The two main reasons respondents gave for not discussing it was that the doctor never asked (42 percent) and the patients did not know they should bring it up (30 percent).
AARP is the American Association of Retired Persons which I do not belong to for personal reasons, and NCCAM is the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
The article about the study can be read here.
May 21, 2011
Impact of NPs on Diabetes Primary Care
With the growing shortage of primary care physicians in the US, expect to see more NPs (nurse practitioners) and PAs (physician assistants) in the years ahead if you are not already seeing them. Those NPs that have specialized in diabetes and become proficient are having good success in this area.
The study uses the term “mid-level providers” which the NPs find demeaning. This term is used because they are not doctors, but the successes NPs are achieving shows that once they have the training, they are more effective than the PCPs. The study data was mainly from the hospital-affiliated and free-standing Veterans Administration primary care programs. It involved 198 care programs and more than 88,000 diabetes patients.
The significant data points out that NPs helped patients reduce their A1c's and this translated into a seven percent reduction in diabetes complications and deaths in VA patients with diabetes. This is consistent with previous studies and this study having been done be a groups of epidemiologists, medical sociologists, and physicians supports previous findings of nurse researchers that had been discounted by other healthcare professionals.
The fact that NPs are getting better results than PAs is the result of the training program they had to submit to to become eligible to work as NPs in the VA system. There should have been more data, but even with the data explanation given in this study says a lot about the care veterans with diabetes are receiving under the direction of NPs.
Read the article here.
The study uses the term “mid-level providers” which the NPs find demeaning. This term is used because they are not doctors, but the successes NPs are achieving shows that once they have the training, they are more effective than the PCPs. The study data was mainly from the hospital-affiliated and free-standing Veterans Administration primary care programs. It involved 198 care programs and more than 88,000 diabetes patients.
The significant data points out that NPs helped patients reduce their A1c's and this translated into a seven percent reduction in diabetes complications and deaths in VA patients with diabetes. This is consistent with previous studies and this study having been done be a groups of epidemiologists, medical sociologists, and physicians supports previous findings of nurse researchers that had been discounted by other healthcare professionals.
The fact that NPs are getting better results than PAs is the result of the training program they had to submit to to become eligible to work as NPs in the VA system. There should have been more data, but even with the data explanation given in this study says a lot about the care veterans with diabetes are receiving under the direction of NPs.
Read the article here.
May 19, 2011
'Natural' Doesn't Always Mean Safe
Another kick in the pants for homeopathic medicine, but is it good enough? With some added regulations was put into place on May 1, 2011, the European Union took a step in the right direction in regulating herbal products, but fell far short of the regulations needed to reign in the misuse and abuse of herbal products. The spokesperson said that it was a step in the right direction.
Whether a step in the right direction is sufficient remains to be seen. For the time being herbal remedies will now have to contain the correct ingredients, the right dose, and cannot be adulterated with other pharmaceutical products or heavy metals. The new Traditional Herbal Medicine Registration Scheme (THR) became effective on May 1, 2011. Unregistered products will continue to be available to the public as food supplements.
It is important for consumers in the EU to understand that manufacturers of products registered through the THR will not have to prove that they work for a particular condition. Consumers will have to rely on the concept of “traditional use”. Unregistered products will continue to be available to the public as food supplements. So it seems that the situation really has not gotten easier for people to discern whether a product is good for their health.
The spokesperson for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society added that herbal medicines should only be used for minor health conditions and those remedies claiming to cure serious illnesses should be avoided at all costs.
Anyone wanting to use herbal remedies should speak to a health professional first in order to receive the right information about a product. Never stop taking a prescribed medicine to replace it with an herbal remedy.
Does this sound like something we hear in the US? It certainly does and the outcomes will probably be very similar. Prescription medicines will be deferred to herbal remedies if the homeopaths have their way. Read the article here.
Whether a step in the right direction is sufficient remains to be seen. For the time being herbal remedies will now have to contain the correct ingredients, the right dose, and cannot be adulterated with other pharmaceutical products or heavy metals. The new Traditional Herbal Medicine Registration Scheme (THR) became effective on May 1, 2011. Unregistered products will continue to be available to the public as food supplements.
It is important for consumers in the EU to understand that manufacturers of products registered through the THR will not have to prove that they work for a particular condition. Consumers will have to rely on the concept of “traditional use”. Unregistered products will continue to be available to the public as food supplements. So it seems that the situation really has not gotten easier for people to discern whether a product is good for their health.
The spokesperson for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society added that herbal medicines should only be used for minor health conditions and those remedies claiming to cure serious illnesses should be avoided at all costs.
Anyone wanting to use herbal remedies should speak to a health professional first in order to receive the right information about a product. Never stop taking a prescribed medicine to replace it with an herbal remedy.
Does this sound like something we hear in the US? It certainly does and the outcomes will probably be very similar. Prescription medicines will be deferred to herbal remedies if the homeopaths have their way. Read the article here.
May 13, 2011
Are You Ready for An Emergency?
In an email I received this week, the American Diabetes Association had a short list (too short for me) of diabetes supplies that you should have available in case of an emergency. Yes, those of us especially in the US, with the problems across the south with tornadoes and along the flooding Mississippi and other rivers need to take heed and be prepared. Other disasters can happen as well.
On August 27, 2010, I wrote about disaster preparedness and it is always good to review your plan. What bothers me about most plans, is the lack of cautions when they say to have the supplies where they can be gotten to in an emergency. For those of us on insulin, no caution or warning is made to make sure to keep the insulin refrigerated, or if not, that the insulin vials be rotated out and used before they can go bad. Insulin vials can be kept unrefrigerated for up to 28 days. Even if they are kept in the refrigerator, once the plastic cap is removed, the shelf life is 28 days.
This means that you must be able to use the vial before the end of 28 days. I normally use a vial in 7 to 10 days of one type and about 14 days of the other type. You will have to know your own usage rate to be able to rotate and use before they expire. The same would apply for other medications you inject. Normally 28 days is the unrefrigerated life for these unless clearly stated otherwise on the package. If not stated, ask your pharmacist about the unrefrigerated shelf life.
The ADA advice is still good for emergency preparedness. They suggest that a three day supply of diabetes supplies be kept in a clearly marked, and convenient, container to be carried with you when going to a shelter or evacuation. The ADA list which, depending on how you take care of your diabetes, could include oral medication, insulin, insulin delivery supplies, lancets, test strips, extra batteries for your meter, and a quick-acting source of glucose. Just don't forget to take the container with you and your meter.
The ADA did suggest something that a lot of others forget. They suggest putting a list of emergency contacts in the container and to wear a medical identification that will enable emergency medical personnel to identify and address your medical needs. They went on to say that while you are thinking about this to notify those around you about your diabetes as it could make a difference in a time of need, and how you might be treated for maintaining your good health.
To this, I would add a supply of other medications that you take, a list of each, and the purpose for taking them. Have this list in the container also. Also include a list of phone numbers for the pharmacy, doctors, and anyone else that could know where to get your supplies if the emergency extends for more than three days. A list of prescription numbers should also be considered and alternative pharmacies in the chain where you obtain your medications. Ask your pharmacist if there are other pharmacies that have access to your prescriptions within the chain of stores.
I would suggest reading my prior blog, ADA's PDF file and heeding the instructions that fit your needs. Some items can easily be overlooked, but I hope between this and my prior blog that you can put an effective and doable plan in place.
I have tried to post this the last two days, but this site has been read-only for a few days. Apparently their maintenance took longer or did not work as planned.
On August 27, 2010, I wrote about disaster preparedness and it is always good to review your plan. What bothers me about most plans, is the lack of cautions when they say to have the supplies where they can be gotten to in an emergency. For those of us on insulin, no caution or warning is made to make sure to keep the insulin refrigerated, or if not, that the insulin vials be rotated out and used before they can go bad. Insulin vials can be kept unrefrigerated for up to 28 days. Even if they are kept in the refrigerator, once the plastic cap is removed, the shelf life is 28 days.
This means that you must be able to use the vial before the end of 28 days. I normally use a vial in 7 to 10 days of one type and about 14 days of the other type. You will have to know your own usage rate to be able to rotate and use before they expire. The same would apply for other medications you inject. Normally 28 days is the unrefrigerated life for these unless clearly stated otherwise on the package. If not stated, ask your pharmacist about the unrefrigerated shelf life.
The ADA advice is still good for emergency preparedness. They suggest that a three day supply of diabetes supplies be kept in a clearly marked, and convenient, container to be carried with you when going to a shelter or evacuation. The ADA list which, depending on how you take care of your diabetes, could include oral medication, insulin, insulin delivery supplies, lancets, test strips, extra batteries for your meter, and a quick-acting source of glucose. Just don't forget to take the container with you and your meter.
The ADA did suggest something that a lot of others forget. They suggest putting a list of emergency contacts in the container and to wear a medical identification that will enable emergency medical personnel to identify and address your medical needs. They went on to say that while you are thinking about this to notify those around you about your diabetes as it could make a difference in a time of need, and how you might be treated for maintaining your good health.
To this, I would add a supply of other medications that you take, a list of each, and the purpose for taking them. Have this list in the container also. Also include a list of phone numbers for the pharmacy, doctors, and anyone else that could know where to get your supplies if the emergency extends for more than three days. A list of prescription numbers should also be considered and alternative pharmacies in the chain where you obtain your medications. Ask your pharmacist if there are other pharmacies that have access to your prescriptions within the chain of stores.
I would suggest reading my prior blog, ADA's PDF file and heeding the instructions that fit your needs. Some items can easily be overlooked, but I hope between this and my prior blog that you can put an effective and doable plan in place.
I have tried to post this the last two days, but this site has been read-only for a few days. Apparently their maintenance took longer or did not work as planned.
May 10, 2011
Who Is Responsible for Patients' Health Literacy?
Patients health literacy is a common theme lately in releases from the various medical associations. All are directed at the patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals and attempting to provide more information of value to all concerned. What is generating this largess of information? Has all the poor web sites, studies showing lack of reliable information in the internet, or just good public relations finally driving the different medical professional organizations to get active.
Let's hope all of the above is true. Our medical insurance industry is doing almost nothing to help doctors in educating the new patients with diabetes or other chronic diseases. This would take too much from their profits. In many of the new websites and other information, it is the big pharmaceutical companies that are stepping forward to provide assistance as cosponsors or just financial support.
Our medical insurance companies may one day come to regret their greed and refusal to help. Federal and state regulations are already under analysis to determine if the medical insurance industry is violating moral as well as legal obligations in their rejection of patients' needs. I am not sure big pharmaceutical companies are innocent of charges either, considering the Vermont case awaiting a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court later this summer.
Yes, if patients are in cities that have diabetes educators and dietitians, medical insurance will cover a few classes, and then no continuing education for a period of years. Medicare is even less helpful.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) now states that physicians, nurses, social workers — everyone in the health care field — must make sure that our patients fully understand their health condition and their treatment. They also emphasize the importance of patients taking their medications exactly as directed. We simply can't assume that a patient understands because she/he nods their head or because we think they seem educated.
One important point shows that that they are taking this obligation seriously. They state that asking our patients to repeat back to us what they understand is enormously helpful in making sure they really do comprehend. This can help avoid the stereotype of noncompliant being applied. They also advise using technical translators to assist when there is a language difference.
Read their article on committee opinions here.
Let's hope all of the above is true. Our medical insurance industry is doing almost nothing to help doctors in educating the new patients with diabetes or other chronic diseases. This would take too much from their profits. In many of the new websites and other information, it is the big pharmaceutical companies that are stepping forward to provide assistance as cosponsors or just financial support.
Our medical insurance companies may one day come to regret their greed and refusal to help. Federal and state regulations are already under analysis to determine if the medical insurance industry is violating moral as well as legal obligations in their rejection of patients' needs. I am not sure big pharmaceutical companies are innocent of charges either, considering the Vermont case awaiting a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court later this summer.
Yes, if patients are in cities that have diabetes educators and dietitians, medical insurance will cover a few classes, and then no continuing education for a period of years. Medicare is even less helpful.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) now states that physicians, nurses, social workers — everyone in the health care field — must make sure that our patients fully understand their health condition and their treatment. They also emphasize the importance of patients taking their medications exactly as directed. We simply can't assume that a patient understands because she/he nods their head or because we think they seem educated.
One important point shows that that they are taking this obligation seriously. They state that asking our patients to repeat back to us what they understand is enormously helpful in making sure they really do comprehend. This can help avoid the stereotype of noncompliant being applied. They also advise using technical translators to assist when there is a language difference.
Read their article on committee opinions here.
May 8, 2011
Telemedicine Coming of Age?
This is not about diabetes, but may affect treatment of diabetes in the future. Telemedicine has been around for a few years, but with many of the advances in recent years, there is now cause to feel more confident about its use and the good that it can do to help areas without large medical centers and specifically rural areas.
Telemedicine is finally getting the light it seems to deserve. In three articles appearing on May 3, 2011, advances in telemedicine are moving forward. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has open the door to make it easier for smaller hospitals to take advantage of doctors with specialties they can not afford. Prior to the new rules, they were required to perform medical checks on all doctors they used as if they were employing them.
Now they are required to do this only for doctors not employed by hospitals elsewhere. If the doctor is already on a hospital staff, they are deemed eligible to operate via electronic means in any hospital that needs their services and Medicare and Medicaid will cover the costs when there is a proven need. The full article covering this is here.
The more important one for me is that our veterans will now get the attention they deserve for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). This will allow veterans to avoid long travel times to centers distant from where they live to get the care they need in dealing with PTSD. Previously the veteran was required to travel to major medical centers for the care they needed.
This was not conducive to many veterans because of cost, and for many the fear of traveling and going into places that may be crowded. The studies have shown that costs are less, patients are happier, and the long-term benefits have increased. Not measured is the improvement in the quality of life for the veterans receiving treatment via telemedicine. Read this article here.
The third article is from Florida and also showed improvement in patient care for trauma patients and those needing medical attention immediately. Instead of automatically transporting the patient to the local hospital to have them forward the patient on the the trauma center at a cost of approximately $10,000, telemedicine can determine with the medical personnel on the scene where to send the patient.
This saves time and some monies as if the trip to the trauma center is necessary assistance can be provided en route to the emergency personnel. The center can also assemble the team necessary to treat the patient more effectively upon arrival.
These three articles emphasize the importance and possible cost savings of telemedicine for the advantage of the patients. Expect to hear more about telemedicine during the coming year. Read the last article here.
Telemedicine is finally getting the light it seems to deserve. In three articles appearing on May 3, 2011, advances in telemedicine are moving forward. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has open the door to make it easier for smaller hospitals to take advantage of doctors with specialties they can not afford. Prior to the new rules, they were required to perform medical checks on all doctors they used as if they were employing them.
Now they are required to do this only for doctors not employed by hospitals elsewhere. If the doctor is already on a hospital staff, they are deemed eligible to operate via electronic means in any hospital that needs their services and Medicare and Medicaid will cover the costs when there is a proven need. The full article covering this is here.
The more important one for me is that our veterans will now get the attention they deserve for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). This will allow veterans to avoid long travel times to centers distant from where they live to get the care they need in dealing with PTSD. Previously the veteran was required to travel to major medical centers for the care they needed.
This was not conducive to many veterans because of cost, and for many the fear of traveling and going into places that may be crowded. The studies have shown that costs are less, patients are happier, and the long-term benefits have increased. Not measured is the improvement in the quality of life for the veterans receiving treatment via telemedicine. Read this article here.
The third article is from Florida and also showed improvement in patient care for trauma patients and those needing medical attention immediately. Instead of automatically transporting the patient to the local hospital to have them forward the patient on the the trauma center at a cost of approximately $10,000, telemedicine can determine with the medical personnel on the scene where to send the patient.
This saves time and some monies as if the trip to the trauma center is necessary assistance can be provided en route to the emergency personnel. The center can also assemble the team necessary to treat the patient more effectively upon arrival.
These three articles emphasize the importance and possible cost savings of telemedicine for the advantage of the patients. Expect to hear more about telemedicine during the coming year. Read the last article here.
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