January 5th, 2012  Posted at   Womens Issues
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Fracture risk motivates people to seek strong bones. Looking for better bone health options turns up the standard medical approach- prescription drugs that affect bone cells directly. Here is another approach – one free of toxic chemical substances. Actually, if your bone mineral density test score is low, the standard of practice requires licensed health professionals with ‘prescriptive powers’ (those whose licenses give them the legal right to write prescriptions) to order certain drugs.

The standard of practice formula works like this: ‘If A exists, then B is required.” In other words, if

(A): bone mineral density tests are below minus 2.0… then
(B): prescribing a particular drug is required.

If they fail to do so, the legal enforcement mechanisms of the standard put them under threat of losing their license to practice, as well as facing that of being successfully sued because they failed to adhere to the ‘standard of practice.’

That means, in the case of bones, since the standard is a bisphosphonate prescription, patients who have a bone mineral density test result at minus 2.0 or greater, will be given a bisphosphonate such as Fosamex or one of the newer generation from the same chemical class such as Alendronate, Aclasta, Actonel, Aredia, Bondronat, Boniva, Didronel, Fosavance, Reclast, Skelid, and Zometa.

Bisphonsphonates are the class of chemical used in scouring powder to clean the skin cell scum off the bathtub ring. They have long been used in various industries – among them the fertilizer, textile and oil industries since the 19th century to prevent corrosion. The fact that they dissolve human skin cells is why the pill when taken orally can burn a hole in the esophagus or stomach.

Governmental approval for bisphosphonates was based on studies that demonstrated ‘decreased spinal fractures’. The fractures that the studies investigated to make this case were the tiny, hairline micro fractures of spinal bones that are normal in everyone and do not cause problems. They did not investigate the fractures of the thigh bone (head of the femur) that are so debilitating. Read more… »

January 5th, 2012  Posted at   Womens Issues
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Although it is the most commonly performed gynecological procedure at over 600,000 performed every year in the United States, a hysterectomy is still a serious procedure deserving of your careful consideration. Fortunately, you will have the time to weigh all of your options since most hysterectomies, or surgeries for removing the uterus are not considered emergency procedures.

What is a Hysterectomy?

A hysterectomy is surgical procedure for removing the uterus to treat certain gynecological conditions including in some cases, uterine cancer. There are several different types of hysterectomies, including:

  •  Total hysterectomy – Also called a complete hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterine body (called the corpus), the fundus (dome of the uterus), and the cervix (neck of the cervix).
  • Partial hysterectomy – Also known as a Supracervical Hysterectomy which leaves all or a portion of the cervix and only removes the fundus and the uterine body.
  • Radical hysterectomy – Removes all parts of the uterus as well as other tissues near the pelvis. This typically done in cases involving cervical cancer.

Hysterectomies may be performed two ways. The first is called a vaginal hysterectomy and the other is called an abdominal hysterectomy which is performed by placing an incision in the abdomen.

Benefits of a Hysterectomy

If your doctor is suggesting you consider a hysterectomy, there is medical reason why it would be beneficial. These may include:

  • Chronic pelvic pain- A hysterectomy may be considered as an option if you are experiencing severe pain in the uterus and all other treatments have failed.
  • Persistent heavy bleeding- When periods are prolonged, irregular, or heavy a hysterectomy may correct the problem and bring relief.
  • Fibroids- Some women who have fibroids experience no discomfort or pain, others suffer bleeding, bladder pressure, anemia and pain. In these cases, a physician may suggest a hysterectomy after exhausting other possibilities.
  • Uterine prolapse- When the uterus descends into the vagina, it is caused by the weakening of the tissues supporting the uterus. This causes incontinence, pelvic pressure and difficult bowel movements. The only option to correct this problem may be a hysterectomy.
  • Gynecologic cancer- A hysterectomy may be the best option in some cases of cancer of the cervix or the uterus. Read more… »
December 7th, 2011  Posted at   Healthcare Systems
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HIPAA is an issue that has brought up many debates and sources of confusion. Made even more complicated by regulations concerning aspects such as proper use of sign in sheets, HIPAA, while extremely useful, can sometimes be difficult to navigate. Understanding not only why these regulations exist, but how they can be properly implemented, can ensure that patients, and practices, will be protected.

HIPAA

HIPAA is a part of the series of information privacy laws that were created in order to protect the privacy and security of certain types of information. HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It, specifically, was introduced in 1996. Though it covers many things, such as guaranteeing health insurance coverage for workers who have lost their jobs and implementing national standards for the development of health insurance issues and the transmission of information regarding such issues, it is best known for protecting the privacy of health data. These privacy regulations include the strict protection of patient names and conditions, as well as measures that are meant to keep all forms of information regarding conditions, treatments and patient personal information. Even such aspects of information such as name, birth date or doctor performing care are kept strictly confidential. One aspect of patient care that is strictly regulated is the use of sign in sheets.

HIPAA Sign In Sheets

Patient sign in sheets are a common tool in most medical practices. These sheets allow patients, whether appointment or walk-in, to offer certain information to the registration staff to streamline the functions of the medical office. Previously these sheets were detailed and openly displayed. HIPAA laws, however, put limitations on these patient sign in sheets as well as the doctor sign in sheets that are used to call patients in to the actual office. Laws regulate not only the display of the information, but the actual information that is permitted to be gathered on such sheets. Read more… »

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