Digital Apps for Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics

Emergency medicine and pediatrics are two areas where an array of apps help physicians do their jobs.

from HealthcareDive

Doctors across the hospital spectrum are using digital tools to support clinical decision-making, increase patient engagement and improve quality of care. More than half (51%) of recently interviewed healthcare professionals are using an app at the point of care, according to a new KLAS Research report.

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Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant Salary Grew in 2016

Nurse practitioner and physician assistant salary and job satisfaction rates increased in 2016, a new survey found.

from RevCycle Intelligence

As nurse practitioner and physician assistant salary rates continue to rise, a recent PracticeMatch survey found that more advanced practitioners are also increasingly enjoying their jobs. The survey of over 1,000 nurse practitioners and physician assistants found that about half of the clinicians experienced a boost in income between 2016 and 2015, with 12 percent reporting an increase in compensation of 8 percent or higher.

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Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Scientists Hack a Human Cell and Reprogram It Like a Computer

In the last couple of decades, biologists have been working to hack the cells’ algorithm in an effort to control their processes.

from Wired

Cells are basically tiny computers: They send and receive inputs and output accordingly. If you chug a Frappuccino, your blood sugar spikes, and your pancreatic cells get the message. Output: more insulin. But cellular computing is more than just a convenient metaphor.

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Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Compassionate Use Access to Experimental Drugs and The Misguided Mission of Right-To-Try Laws

How can one possibly deny a dying patient even the slightest chance of prolonged life or recovery? Is there a side effect worse than certain death?

from Health Affairs Blog

Some patients facing death take drastic, or even desperate measures in order to prolong their lives. Such actions often include taking unapproved, investigational drugs. In the U.S., a program known as Compassionate Use, or Expanded Access, allows terminally ill patients who meet certain medical criteria to apply (through their physicians) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the drug manufacturers for access to drugs that are undergoing FDA clinical trials. At first blush, it may appear that there should be no legal, political, or ethical controversies surrounding the concept of expanded access. How can one possibly deny a dying patient even the slightest chance of prolonged life or recovery? Is there a side effect worse than certain death?

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Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

The Nuts and Bolts of Preparing for Audiology Telepractice

A telepractice expert shares what you need to know before—and how to prepare for—providing online services.

from ASHA

Audiologists may be able to use telepractice to expand their client base and better provide access to care. And although audiology telepractice regulations vary by state, there are a few universal components that all audiologists need to consider before they sit down for their first session in front of the computer.

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Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Knee Patients Spending Millions on Wasted Treatments, Study Finds

According to researchers, wasted treatments for knee pain have racked up millions of dollars in medical bills.

from NBC News

Patients who had knee replacements went through treatments such as injections that did not help, that are not recommended, and that accounted for a third of their total medical bills, the researchers found.

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Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Study Shows Patients Like Remote Monitoring Via Mobile App for Follow-Up Care

Out of 32 women in the study who had access to the app, 30 (97%) agreed or strongly agreed that their follow-up care was convenient.

from HealthcareDive

One obstacle that has hindered adoption of technology in healthcare has been doubt over its ability to replace in-person care. However, results such as these are slowly helping to break down barriers holding technology back, especially as patients increasingly indicate their preference for more consumer-friendly services.

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Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Ideas for Creating a More Engaged Workforce

Successful companies genuinely care about their employees and look for ways to engage them on all levels.

by Eileen O’Shanassy

Most business owners and managers know that the people working for them are the most essential resource for the success of their organization. Successful companies genuinely care about their employees and look for ways to engage them on all levels. Employers can forge a deeper connection with their workers by really understanding their needs and seizing opportunities to invest in their quality of life in the workplace. Having a happy and loyal workforce can mean more productivity and innovation for your business.

Creature Comforts

While most offices wouldn’t function well if the entire staff were lounging in reclining chairs, there is a lot to be gained by providing workers with enjoyable perks. For example, hiring a service like EpicVue to install TVs for semi-truck drivers to use during off-hours is a nice bonus for vehicle operators. Some companies also offer food or coffee to employees throughout the day, or maintain other facilities for their convenience. Make the working environment comfortable and more like somewhere you’d want to be.

Incentivize Performance

Motivated employees are a much more valuable asset than workers who don’t really care about the company’s objectives. Successful companies look for ways to align their employees’ motivation with their own, so that both parties can succeed at the same time. Rewarding workers for putting in extra effort through bonuses or other perks can greatly increase performance and loyalty of the staff.

Listen

Most companies operate through top-down management, at least most of the time. While it’s essential to create an environment where employees follow key instructions, it’s also important to stop and listen to their concerns. Owners and managers should regularly hold group discussions with their staff and make themselves available for private conversations. This gives the company a chance to address employee concerns or grievances before they become a big problem. 

Communicate Clearly

Confusion or uncertainty among workers can have a profound impact on their confidence in their employer, which can affect their performance, motivation, and engagement. The decision makers in any organization are responsible for clearing communicating their objectives. It’s also their responsibility to ensure that everyone involved completely understands their roles and duties in the project before they begin.

Every Company Needs Strong Culture

While the term “culture” is often thrown around casually in conversation regarding business management, it is actually an extremely important element of any company. Engaging the workforce requires the company’s decision makers to have a clear vision for the company and communicate those ideas to their employees. Creating culture takes time and effort, but the rewards are well worth it.

Having an engaged and motivated staff can benefit your company in more ways than one. Make sure you do everything you can to work with employees and make their life at work a little more like home.


Eileen O’Shanassy is a freelance writer and blogger based out of Flagstaff, AZ. She writes on a variety of topics and loves to research and write. She enjoys baking, biking, and kayaking. Check out her Twitter, @eileenoshanassy.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Substance Abuse in Nursing: What Are the Signs and What to Do About It?

Do you suspect that a co-worker is abusing drugs or alcohol and impaired while at work? What are the signs? What should you do about it?

from NurseLabs

The American Nurses Association suggests that up to 10% of nurses may have a substance abuse problem, and some studies have suggested that this might be as high as 1 in 5. Many of these nurses are addicted to prescription drugs and part of what the CDC describes as the opioid addiction epidemic. Numerous addicted nurses have not been long-term abusers but get caught in the trap of tolerance and dependence after having the drugs prescribed or having self-medicated after emotional trauma.

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Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.