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Part II of this two-part series focuses on facial nerve palsies and oropharyngeal infections. The authors present a systematic approach to differential diagnosis and identification of etiologic agents responsible for such conditions as peritonsillar abscess, epiglottitis, and pharyngeal infections. Radiographic and bacteriologic findings are emphasized, and appropriate antibiotic therapy is presented. The authors have provided treatment tables that direct emergency practitioners toward outcome-effective therapy.
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Home health agencies must choose at least 10 of the look-alike and sound-alike drug names to place on their watch list of medications that can be easily confused to meet the 2005 National Patient Safety Goal that focuses upon reducing medication errors.
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At Integrated Home Care, nurse case managers provide hands-on care as well as handling the traditional case management duties, such as evaluating patients, developing a customized plan of care, coordinating with other members of the health care team, and arranging services such as social work or dietitian services.
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Agencies generally are familiar with liability based upon substandard wound care. Based upon the possibility that terminally ill patients may develop a type of pressure ulcer called a Kennedy Terminal Ulcer, providers must take steps to minimize claims of substandard wound care.
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A study of inhalation drug therapy services provided to Medicare beneficiaries in their homes finds the new 2005 Medicare reimbursement formula paid on average sales price would underreimburse the actual cost of providing two key drug therapies by $68.10 per monthly supply.
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This is the first of a two-part series covering strategies home health agencies can use to successfully recruit and retain qualified employees. This month, we look at how a home health agency can establish itself as the employer of choice within its community. Next month, we will examine how hiring the right supervisor or manager can greatly help with successful retention of employees.
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There is no grace period for the new ICD-9 codes that go into effect Oct. 1, 2004, so home health managers and coders need to make sure they understand the effect of some of the new codes.
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Is your respiratory program ready for an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspection? As of July 2, an OSHA inspector can ask about your use of respirators to protect against tuberculosis and when you last fit-tested health care workers who are caring for TB patients.
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Chemotherapeutic agents are colorless, odorless, and hazardous. How do you know if your employees have been exposed as they prepare or administer the drugs or clean in contaminated areas?