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94 percent of nursing homes violate health and safety standards
Among for-profit nursing homes, 94 percent were cited for health and safety standard violations last year. The majority, two-thirds of nursing homes, are owned by for-profit companies.
And 17 percent had deficiencies that caused “actual harm or immediate jeopardy” to patients.
Problems include infected bedsores, medication errors, poor food, and abuse and neglect of patients. About 20 percent of the more than 37,000 complaints inspectors received last year concerned abuse or neglect of patients.
Non-profit owned homes, about 27 percent included in this survey, did not fare much better. 88 percent were cited for violations, and 91 percent of government operated homes were cited.
The best care can be found in homes that have a high ratio of nursing staff to patients.
Rhode Island had some of the fewest violations at 2.5 deficiencies per nursing home. Delaware was at the other end of the spectrum with 13.3 per home.
More than 1.5 million Americans live in nursing homes and as a condition of housing Medicaid and Medicare patients, the nation’s nursing homes must meet federal standards. The federal program costs taxpayers more than $75 billion a year. Among for-profit nursing homes, 94 percent were cited for health and safety standard violations last year. The majority, two-thirds o... more -
Breast Ironing // Comment Picked for TV
Thanks to ebarnett09 for uploading her comments on the pod, "Breast Ironing." After you hear what ebarnett09 has to say, check out the pod yourself by clicking on the link below. Then, let us know what you think by uploading your own comments to current.com.
http://current.com/items/88852332_breast_ironing Thanks to ebarnett09 for uploading her comments on the pod, "Breast Ironing." After you hear what ebarnett09 has to say, che... more -
Patient care to end over insurance impasse
You could be denied medical service at the facility of your choice based on the insurance plan your family can afford....
This is a case where the hospital and the insurance company were unable to reach a payment agreement. The hospital and insurance companies have mutually agreed not to do business with each other.
The patients in the hospital who are receiving treatment will have to leave before the deadline set in the agreement, although a clause has been left saying that those with the insurance can still receive emergency room services such as trauma or child birth. I think it's outrageous that you could be denied medical service at the facility of your choice based on the insurance plan your family can afford. This makes room for patient discrimination. Here's the article:
Temple University Health System's doctors are notifying patients that they've reached an impasse in contract negotiations with Keystone Mercy Health Plan.
The contract expires Aug. 31. "Based on the expiration of these contracts, [Temple University Physicians] can no longer provide primary care, specialty care or hospital outpatient testing at Temple University Health System facilities for patients covered by Keystone Mercy," the university said in a written release this week.
Keystone Mercy is a Medicaid-managed care plan operated by Mercy Health System and Keystone First, a subsidiary of Independence Blue Cross.
Keystone Mercy subscribers will still be able to receive emergency care and treatment for ongoing health conditions, such as pregnancy or chronic illness.
The contract dispute involves about 350 physicians and the health plan. The contract expired on Dec. 31, 2007 and it has been extended four times.
Temple estimates that nearly 12,000 patients are affected by the contract problems. It says the doctors receive $8 million a year from Keystone Mercy - $12 million less than it costs to provide care to the company's subscribers.
The health system itself has extended its contract with Keystone Mercy until Nov. 30, according to Rick Buck, a Keystone spokesman.
"It is Keystone Mercy's intention to maintain its business relationship with Temple University Physicians and Temple University Health System," Buck said.
What are your thoughts on this issue? Let others know and join the conversation by commenting below. You could be denied medical service at the facility of your choice based on the insurance plan your family can afford.... ... more -
The Ski Patrol Life
Cameron Millard, a patroller for the Copper Mountain Ski Patrol, shows us that the job is a mix of passion and duty on and off the slopes. Cameron Millard, a patroller for the Copper Mountain Ski Patrol, shows us that the job is a mix of passion and duty on and off the slo... more
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Augusta civil rights leader explains Kellogg project to reduce violence, improve l...
Several black-colleges in Georgia - including Paine College in Augusta - are partners in a new project to lower violence, reduce the influence of gangs and drugs, increase quality of life, proviide HIV/AIDS information and provide access to healthcare facilities for low-income and underserved residents
The three-year project is funded by a $255,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation,
"We have identified violence as a public health issue," said Rev. Terence A. Dicks, chairman of New Tools New Vision Augusta in an interview with the United Methodist News Service.
New Tools, New Vision is teaming the resources of the Southeast Community Research Center, the Research Center on Health Disparities at Morehouse College in Atlanta and four communities surrounding historically black colleges and universities in Georgia.
In addition to Paine (a United Methodist school), other colleges participating include Morehouse College in Atlanta, Savannah State University, Albany State University and Fort Valley State University.
The Kellogg grant will build problem-solving partnerships in several cities including Augusta where Paine College faculty will work with inner city communities residents are victims of violence, plagued by youth gangs and are witnesses to a dramatic rise in gun crimes (30901, 30906 zip codes).
Augusta is home to the prestigious and exclusive Masters Golf Tournament at the famous Augusta National Golf Club - that's a rich enclave located near some of Augusta's poorest communities.
The excellent story is written by UMNS Reporter Linda Green
Rev. Dicks is well known for his civil rights work in Georgia and recently served as chair of the Augusta Human Relations Commission and is chair of the Georgia Clients Council.
He co-organized the original 1986 James Brown Appreciation day in Augusta, the first time the town had honored the late Godfather of Soul. Several black-colleges in Georgia - including Paine College in Augusta - are partners in a new project to lower violence, reduce the i... more -
American thoughts on healthcare for Iraq
A survey was conducted to find out how Americans felt about medical care that Iraq veterans receive and the medical care that soldiers in the front lines receive. Many think that those in the front lines receive better care than those who have come home to U.S.A.
Are veterans being neglected just because they're not fighting anymore and they might not be as important as those in the middle of the action? Those who fought and those who fight deserve the same treatment. A survey was conducted to find out how Americans felt about medical care that Iraq veterans receive and the medical care that soldiers... more -
Landmark disability treaty set by the UN
All disabled people now reserve the right to say No to being placed in an institution and decline medical or psychological treatment.
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Breast Ironing
The UN says that 3.8 million West and Central African girls are at risk of a painful form of body mutilation know as 'breast ironing'.
In Cameroon where the practice is most widespread, 50% of adolescent girls in cities and a quarter of all girls nationwide have their breasts 'ironed,' often by their mothers.
The 'ritual' is performed by massaging the girls' chests with heated objects like stones, in order to reverse their pubescent development. The mums say it's driven by fear of unwanted male attention, rape and pre-marital pregnancies.
According to UNFPA, breast ironing exposes girls to numerous health problems such as abscesses, infections, dissymmetry of the breasts, cysts, and even the complete disappearance of one or both breasts.
Nevertheless breast ironing is widespread and interestingly, the high prevalence in cities attributed to the effects of urbanization.
In Cameroon, the Network of Aunties Association, RENATA, made up of members who have undergone the practice, is trying to stop breast ironing by drawing public attention to its dangers in radio and television spots and by disseminating leaflets. The UN says that 3.8 million West and Central African girls are at risk of a painful form of body mutilation know as 'breast iron... more -
Mom wins fight for autism insurance
All children should have health insurance, even for illnesses that we know little about.
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Autism's mysteries remain as numbers grow - CNN.com
What is Autism?
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Insurance Company May Be Charged With Murder
The family of a California teenager plan to sue her health insurer which refused to pay for a liver transplant until hours before she died on Thursday night.
Her family's lawyer, Mark Geragos, will ask the Los Angeles district attorney to press murder or manslaughter charges against Cigna HealthCare, arguing that the firm "maliciously killed" Nataline Sarkisyan by its reluctance to pay for her treatment. The company reversed its stance after protesters called for a rethink, but the decision came too late. The family of a California teenager plan to sue her health insurer which refused to pay for a liver transplant until hours before she ... more -
When the Patient Is a Googler
Dr. Scott Haig, an assistant clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons writes is not sure how he feels about being Googled by his patients Dr. Scott Haig, an assistant clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons writes... more
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My Dentist is in Tijuana and My Gynecologist is in Moscow
Considering the rising costs of US healthcare and the inadequacies of our current medical system in handling them, the international outsourcing of medical care is a very real prospect....for those who can afford to get there. Considering the rising costs of US healthcare and the inadequacies of our current medical system in handling them, the international o... more
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