Internet Chatroom Brings Alzheimer's Community Together
For individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other debilitating dementias, day-to-day life can be isolating and confusing. Sufferers, their families, and caretakers can feel trapped in their homes, losing touch with the outside world. The Alzheimer's Information Site (http://www.alzinfo.org) has launched alzchat, a chatroom where patients, families, friends, caregivers, and healthcare professionals can discuss emotional concerns, problems, and exchange experiences with others living with the disease.
PLAC Test Can Detect CHD Risk
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted clearance to diaDexus, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) for a blood test that can aid in the prediction of an individual's risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). In conjunction with a clinical evaluation and patient risk assessment, the PLAC Test helps identify individuals who do not exhibit traditional risk factors associated with CHD (e.g., hypertension, elevated cholesterol, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity).
Up to 50% of all individuals who experience a heart attack have normal LDL cholesterol levels. Patients with normal LDL but elevated Lp-PLA2 levels where twice as likely to experience a coronary event. The results of this test can support preventative measures to avoid a coronary event.
Source: http://www.plactest.com.
Don't Use Cruise Control in the Rain
A home care nurse recently had an accident while driving in a moderate rain. Although not seriously injured, her car was totaled, leaving her stunned at the sudden occurrence! When she explained to the state police what had happened he told her something that every driver should know:
Never drive with the vehicle's cruise control on during rainy or icy conditions.
She had thought she was being cautious by setting the cruise control and maintaining a safe, consistent speed in the rain. She learned that if the cruise control is on and the vehicle begins to hydroplane, the tires lose contact with the pavement and the vehicle accelerates to a higher rate of speed resulting in it taking off like an airplane and the driver losing control. The police estimate her car was traveling above the road surface at 10 to 15 miles per hour faster than the speed set on the cruise control.
Annual Hospice Assembly in January
The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) is joining with The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) for the first Annual Assembly to be held January 22-25, 2004, at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix, AZ. The program will highlight national presenters discussing various clinical subjects. A preconference will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2004. Registration can be made through HPNA's national office at (412) 787-9301 and on their Web site (http://www.hpna.org).
CMS Launches New Web Site
Can't find your copy of the Conditions of Participation or OASIS regulations? The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services launched a new comprehensive Web site that integrates all home care-specific information in one place. The site has 13 general topics ranging from Medicare regulation to OASIS, billing, and PPS information. CMS intends to keep the site updated and upgraded as necessary, making information fundamental to agency operations only a mouse click away. Try http://www.cms.gov/providers/hha/
Financing Vaccines in the 21st Century
The social and economic benefits of children and adult immunization programs are well documented. However, public and private support for these programs is slowly eroding. In addition to the expense associated with administration of wide-spread immunization programs, factors such as an increase in the number of required vaccines, increased costs of vaccine production, and supply shortages have contributed to the problem.
On August 4, 2003, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report recommending a new national vaccine program that would be supported by both the private and public sectors. The IOM recommends that the federal government require all health plans to provide coverage for both adult and childhood vaccine programs. In addition, the report recognizes that millions of Americans are underinsured or have no insurance coverage and recommends that the federal government provide immunization vouchers for both children and adults to be used at their provider of choice.
To view the report visit http://www.iom.edu/report.asp?id=14451
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