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Google Wave – For Scientists

September 3rd, 2009 by Berci in Announcements, Better Health Network, Video
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*This blog post was originally published at ScienceRoll*

Employer Programs Are Reducing Healthcare Costs

September 3rd, 2009 by EvanFalchukJD in Better Health Network, Health Policy
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Bad news in the paper today: health care costs are expected to rise another 10.5% next year. It’s a serious problem that affects businesses and families across the country.

But the headlines miss something important: the rate of increase has been steadily slowing.

Are we already bending the health care cost curve?

Here is a chart of the rate of increase in health premiums for a PPO plan beneficiary from 2002-2009 (all data are from today’s Aon press release):

The data for other plan types are similar.  What’s happening?

Aon’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Berger says it’s because of the variety of measures employers have taken over the last several years to implement programs to improve their employees’ health.  He emphasizes there is still much more to be done.

He has a point. It’s something we have seen in our survey of major employers, and in the work that leading employers like EMC and Genzyme are doing.  It’s what my company does, too.  Employers are getting increasingly sophisticated at understanding what drives their health care expenses and are developing increasingly effective ways at addressing them.

So, yes, of course, we need reform of our health care system, and of course rising health care costs are a serious concern.  But American employers are doing something about these problems all on their own.

*This blog post was originally published at See First Blog*

Medicare & Private Health Insurance: Monkey See, Monkey Do

September 3rd, 2009 by Shadowfax in Better Health Network, Health Policy, True Stories, Uncategorized
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File this under utterly predictable:

Aetna tightens payment policies on hospital errors – Modern Healthcare (sub req)

Aetna has established new, tighter policies dictating when it will and will not reimburse for medical care related to errors made by providers.

Under the policies, Aetna has broken errors into two categories: “never events”—three events involving surgery: wrong patient, wrong site and wrong procedure—and 25 serious reportable events as defined by the National Quality Forum. Providers will not be reimbursed for a case involving one of the three never events, under the new payment policy. Of the 25 events, eight will be reviewed by Aetna to determine whether reimbursement should be withheld. The rest of the events will also be reviewed under Aetna’s new policy, but they will not be considered eligible for adjustments to reimbursement, the spokeswoman said.

This of course follows on the heels of Medicare’s decision not to pay for such events. The good news is that, as far as I can tell, Aetna has not extended the policy as far as Medicare has. Medicare, you may recall, also decided not to pay for certain (arguably) preventable conditions, such as foley-catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and surgical wound infections. Aetna, at least for the moment, is limiting its policy to the more black-and-white “never events” as defined by the National Quality Forum: items such as wrong-patient surgery or death due to contaminated medications.

I mention this not to rail against these standards or against the notion of incentivizing hospitals financially to avoid errors, but to highlight how rapidly and directly Medicare policies are aped by private insurers to the point that they become industry standards.

*This blog post was originally published at Movin' Meat*

The Role of Adult Mentors: If You See Something, Say Something

September 2nd, 2009 by Nancy Brown, Ph.D. in Uncategorized
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I recently had the opportunity to spend five days with seven amazing teen women doing community service at the Howling Acres Wolf Sanctuary in Oregon. My eldest daughter has arranged this annual camping trip since she was in middle school and I tag along to drive, cook, provide first aid, reminders about bug spray and sunscreen, and do a lot of dishes.

This year I also gave some feedback to a couple of new teens that was not well-received and the experience set me to thinking about the role of adult mentors in the lives of teens. I think as adults, it is easier to just watch teens, make our own judgments about their behavior, but unless they are our own, refrain from helping them reflect on those behaviors.

Sadly, I think this lack of feedback from adults does not benefit youth. I am of the mind that teachers, doctors, counselors, and actually all adults spending time with teens are ethically responsible for giving them feedback about their behavior – to provide an opportunity for them to reflect on a person’s perception of their behavior and his or her response to it.

The flip side of this is hearing the feedback given back, so yes, I heard when I was “snippy” and did have to apologize several times for losing patience – but it is all good and we are never too old to “engage” in relationships.

Teens really are blessed if they spend time with adult who will talk with them honestly and give them feedback, but the teen has to make the decision to hear the feedback and not just feel criticized and withdraw – which is the hard part of honest relationships. This group of girls was a new group, with four new members, and a wide age range – 12 to 17 – so there were several mini-lectures about judgment and being self-centered, which of course were translated into “she does not like me.”

I have to say it is hard to have conversations with teens who do not want to hear, but if they can hear that the feedback is about being perceived as the type of person they want to be, then there is hope. For example, if a teen says something negative about a person we pass or interact with in the community, I am likely to say, “whoa, that is really judgmental – are you sure you want to judge her without knowing more about her?” Or, maybe, “I hope you do not judge me solely on my appearance,” and if focused, I might add that people tend to shy away from people who are negative or judgmental, which is usually not what we want, which is to attract people.

Reactions range from silent sullen and angry to a brief nod and maybe “I am sorry,” but I think the process is the important part. Teens are going to be adults soon, and then feedback gets really rare except from friends, family, and bosses (which have consequences attached), so it is important to give the feedback and help teens hear it.

This post, The Role of Adult Mentors: If You See Something, Say Something, was originally published on Healthine.com by Nancy Brown, Ph.D..

What You Can Do in 15 to 20 Seconds That Will Keep You Healthy

September 2nd, 2009 by BarbaraFicarraRN in Better Health Network, Health Tips
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Have you ever been in a public bathroom and noticed the number of people that don’t wash their hands?

It doesn’t matter where you are.

You can be in a mall, an airport, a hospital, a restaurant, a school, a concert, work, a sporting event and the list can go on and on.

People are not washing their hands.

Hand Washing Isn’t Sexy

Okay so this topic isn’t so sexy.  Not like FOX NEWS Health’s Featured Story:  “Catwalk Confidence” that highlights a fitness class to teach women to “strut their stuff” in stilettos or FOX NEWS “FOXsexpert” who lets you know that size does matter.

It’s Not Sexy but It Does Matter

It matters because simple hand washing can stop the spread of germs, and can prevent infections including the Swine Flu.

In a recent story on CBS news, it’s reported that in a new survey it found that “87 percent of respondents wash their hands after using public bathrooms, but one percent of those only rinsed with water.”

It also reports that “people haven’t changed their hand washing habits in light of the swine flu outbreak.”

Whether the study is accurate or not who knows, the fact is that there are some people who are not washing their hands, and some people only rinse with water?  What’s up with that?

Are You Doing It Right?

If people are washing their hands, are they doing it right?  Are they lathering up long enough?  Do they sing “Happy Birthday” twice?  Turn off the faucet with a paper towel?

Take Notice Next Time You Use A Public Bathroom

You’ll be shocked by the number of people who do it wrong or worse, don’t do it at all.

Why Are People Not Doing It?

Why do people not wash their hands?  Why aren’t they changing their hand washing habits in light of the swine flu?  Hand washing is so simple.  If it can keep nasty germs away and prevent the swine flu and other viruses, why aren’t people doing it?  Why?

CDC Offers Great Info

It’s no secret that hand washing is the single most effective way to stop the spread of infection.  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) offers helpful information.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

1. Wet your hands with warm running water
2. Apply soap.
3. Rub hands together vigorously to make a soapy lather.
4. Rub all surfaces including your wrists, between your fingers, back of your hands and under your fingernails and cuticles, and around any rings.
5. Rub your hands for 15-20 seconds.
6. No timer is needed; just imagine singing “Happy Birthday” x 2.
7. Rinse your hands well.
8. Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer.
9. Use your paper towel to turn off the faucet if possible.
10. Always use soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.

Love the Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizers

If soap and water are not available use alcohol based hand sanitizers.  They work great, and they are easy to carry with you.

With the start of school fast approaching, moms and dads encourage your kids to wash their hands after using the bathroom and before eating.

What’s Your Experience?

Do you wash your hands?  Do you notice people washing their hands in public bathrooms or not?  We would like to hear from you.  Any suggestions to help spread the word?

*This blog post was originally published at Health in 30*