Health Tip: Keep Stress at Bay

Title: Health Tip: Keep Stress at Bay
Category: Health News
Created: 9/16/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/16/2008

Explicitly address the culture

People should gradually learn new skills, at least in small steps. This will enable them to learn more about using computers, including hardware, applications, and more advanced systems such as EPM practice-management software, finally leading up to EMR. Unless you're able to get the more resistant doctors involved, they could pose problems or delays.

Below find some important factors in change management which are adaptable for EMR system implementation:

Executive search firm Korn/Ferry International states that one of the biggest mistakes made is when execs join a company to implement changes, they fail to recognize the existing culture in the corporation or office. For example, a controlling manager enters a company which utilizes a more collaborative system, which leads to struggles and resistance.

Planning is Key

Ownership

Group leaders have ownership over different elements of the projects. These members have better cred with their subordinates, in comparison to the doctors. These core individuals should be first trained, then taught to train others in the practice.

Formally present your case

A need for change will be questioned by the status quo. You'll need a written statement of the vision, explained so that the how, who, what and why of the change to EMR is fully explained. Include proof that the move to a paperless system is a clearly better alternative. Otherwise, people won't use it.

Managing and having a positive influence on the staff is one of the most important elements in the implementation of an EMR (Electronic Medical Records) system.

Assess

Identify the top values, perceptions, beliefs and potential sources of resistance when assessing the cultural landscape. At times people are set in their ways; for example, the physician who is unable to check email, or the assistant who doesn't like to use a computer mouse.

Communication

Keep the dialogue channels open, encouraging feedback at every step. Keep a plan with sequence of actions. Make sure the staff has the necessary information and is involved in the implementation process.

In cases of EMR systems failing, often this has much to do with improper planning, inadequacies in implementation, or software deficiencies. The changes which will be occurring on the humanistic side will show this to be especially true. Planning the integration into a particular practice before doing the actual program install will be planning time well spent. This will have an ultimate effect on the bottom line.

Be clear in speaking to every individual

What's expected from everyone must be clearly understood. Confidence is good, if not to the point of being unrealistic. When problems do arise it's helpful to be able to counter the fears of the staff members.

Acknowledge the human aspect

There will be change and this could cause anxiety. Without 'buy-in' from employees, a new system will probably become a failure.

It is preferable to find ways to adapt into the pre-existing culture of the office, to assist with the staff's acceptance of the shift from paper-based record-keeping to EMR.

Proper planning and the ability to make minor adjustments is a great way to evade the necessity of completely pulling the plug on an EMR project. A great tool to make use of during a transitional phase of significance is the "change management" concept, undergoing change in a pre-planned and systematical way.

Begin at the top

It's particularly important for top staff members, including doctors and administrators, to get on board. Among the physicians, a 'champion' is required; that is, a doctor who is committed to realize this project through to completion, hopefully someone savvy with technology but not over-optimistic.

Every layer needs to become involved

Set up an employee committee which will develop proposals to be delivered to the physicians. These committee members should be the people who will be utilizing the EMR system, such as admin, business office, and assistants.

Prepare Your Staff Members For a New Electronic Medical Records System

Expect the unexpected

Problems will surely crop up. Events may cause a delay in the 'live' date of conversion onto the updated system. These delays will cause ripple effects which can be better managed with the right flexibility in planning by the committee.

acute sinusitis Infection
treatment methods for allergic sinusitis
Blood Pressure Headache May Be Sinus
treatment methods for allergic sinusitis
allergic sinusitis methods

Health Tip: Helping a Loved One Heal

Title: Health Tip: Helping a Loved One Heal
Category: Health News
Created: 9/16/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/16/2008

Three guiding principles that can bolster your nasal health are:

Now, one recommendation that all sinus sufferers would do well to heed: a key concept to remember in treating your nose is that you are in charge of taking control of your health. No one else will do that for you. In fact, I learned that even though my nasal problems seem rather severe, as I suffer from empty nose syndrome, I actually came down with fewer sinus infections than others around me because I learned more about my nose and followed treatment strategies that worked well for me. Many of the treatment principles are universal.

2) The Hydro Pulse allows you to irrigate both your nose and throat. It is important to irrigate both, particularly since what is in the nose travels down to the throat. Irrigating the throat can bring circulation to the throat, thereby thinning mucus and reducing postnasal drip.

Principle 1: Keep the nose moist while keeping mucus moving.


Principle 2: Maintain good blood supply to the nose.


Principle 3: Relax.

Three Effective Treatment Principles For Sinus Sufferers

1) The Hydro Pulse pulsates at a rate to stimulate your nasal cilia to their best rhythm, restoring the functioning of the cilia.

Before reading further, please note I am a school psychologist and nasal sufferer with the above conditions as well as empty nose syndrome, but not a healthcare professional. While these treatments have generally been effective for me, everyone responds differently to them so what helped me might not benefit someone else. I strongly recommend you discuss treatment ideas in this article with your doctor before attempting them. The best course of action with any health-related problem is consultation with a medical professional, and I take no responsibility for decisions made by people who read this article.

A key strategy for Principle 1, keep the nose moist while keeping mucus moving, is nasal irrigation. This is a natural remedy I believe every sinus sufferer must understand and should do. In brief, it consists of rinsing out your nose and sinuses with salt and water. I feel so strongly about nasal irrigation that I believe it must be tried first before considering nose or sinus surgery (unless your situation demands it).

Are you among the 1 in 5 Americans who suffer from sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, acid reflux or asthma? Did you know that by effectively treating the nose, you might be able to treat or prevent other problems as well? Did you know that many of the strategies for treating the nose and sinuses also apply to other conditions, such as even acid reflux and asthma? Yes, they do! And it is so important to treat the nose effectively because these are all interconnected.

Another key strategy as part of Principle 1 and that I believe everyone should keep in mind before considering nasal or sinus surgery, except in emergency situations, is to get proper treatment for your allergies. Allergies can lead to enlarged turbinate tissue that can block nasal breathing, so effective treatment for allergies can actually reduce the size of the turbinates, an effect that can be very beneficial. (Please note: the turbinates are very complex structures in the nose with the primary turbinates the size of a finger and they play key roles in heating, humidifying, and filtering air, directing and detecting airflow, and providing 50% of resistance in overall airflow to the lungs.) This treatment might consist of allergy medicine and injections. Allergy injections, for example, have been demonstrated in medical literature to improve the immune system and mucociliary clearance functioning. These are generally administered for 3-5 years for optimal benefit.

If you are among the 1 in 5 Americans who suffer from sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, acid reflux, asthma, and/or if you have empty nose syndrome, then I encourage you to consider using the treatment strategies discussed in this article, which might just be a starting point for you to take control of your nasal health. Remember, it is you, no one else, who will take control of your health.

Principle 2 is maintain good blood supply to the nose. Exercise is a strategy that most people are familiar with and can help improve nasal functioning. Exercise increases blood flow throughout the body, while increasing serotonin reuptake inhibitors that will physically decrease the likelihood someone will develop depression. When I run outside (or walk or do any physical activity), I notice that I can breathe better through my nose. Empty nose sufferers tend to particularly benefit from good blood supply to their nose, sometimes finding inversion techniques to be helpful. An inversion technique consists of having the head lower than the rest of the body to increase blood supply to the head and remaining nose tissue (the turbinates). You can purchase an inversion table to do this technique.

Nasal irrigation has become popularized in 2007 by Oprah Winfrey, as she had Dr. Mehmet Oz introduce the neti pot to viewers. Dr. Oz suggests water used for irrigation should be warm and it must include salt; without salt in the mixture that mimics the natural concentration of salt in the body, the water would irritate delicate nasal membranes. He also points out how many ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists recognize the value in doing irrigation, which can be more effective than drugs for treating nasal congestion, stuffiness, or allergies, for example, as it involves directly cleaning out the nose and sinuses. Have you noticed the proliferation of irrigation products in your local drugstore compared to even just 10 years ago? The number of products has increased significantly, because there is much value in cleaning out your nose with salt water. I wish nasal irrigation would be tantamount to and as well understood as washing dirty hands!

allergic sinusitis infection
allergic sinus
Blood Pressure Headache May Be Sinus
allergic sinus
Blood Pressure Headache May Be Sinus