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Many therapeutic options now are available to prevent and treat osteoporosis, and consist of non-drug and drug or hormonal therapy. In just one decade, osteoporosis has been transformed from a disorder considered to be an inevitable and irreversible consequence of aging to a disorder in which there now is true therapeutic optimism. This article discusses the definition, epidemiology, and different causes of osteoporosis. Diagnostic studies, including bone densitometry, are reviewed as well as the various therapies.
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The 2004 fixed performance areas that will be addressed in random unannounced surveys conducted by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Organizations will be organized by critical focus areas instead of performance categories as in the past.
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In this second part of our two-part series, the SCMARTI (Selection of Cephalosporins, Macrolides, and AFQs for Respiratory Tract Infections) Consensus Panel presents recommendations for antimicrobial therapy in acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, along with a comprehensive treatment table to guide therapy in the emergency department and outpatient setting.
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The Medicare Reform Act passed in 2003 contains a number of new demonstration projects and administrative requirements that affect home health agencies, but the good news is that the myriad new fraud targets the new legislation identifies dont have as much impact on home health as other areas of health care, say experts interviewed by Hospital Home Health.
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Question: If a covered entity is purchasing new computers to replace hardware that has been used to store and create electronic protected health information (EPHI), what actions must the organization take before disposing of the old computers?
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As many providers already know, the Stark law prohibits physicians from making referrals to providers who render designated health services (DHS) if the referring physicians have an ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, the provider.
Exceptions to these general rules were published in the form of final regulations on Jan. 4, 2001, and are known as Phase I Stark rules. On March 26, 2004, Phase II Stark regulations were published as interim final rules in the Federal Register.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has been criticized for not being more directive and aggressive on preventing needlestick injuries, has posted an impressive, interactive workbook on the issue.
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Medication errors associated with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps most often are caused by inadequate patient and staff education, misuse by well-intentioned family members, and improper patient selection, according to results of a recent survey by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices in Huntingdon Valley, PA.
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Health care delivery has grown more sophisticated and complex in response to changing patient needs and emerging technologies. Regardless of length and breadth of the patient care continuum, the goal should be to deliver seamless, patient-centered care. However, with few exceptions, that goal has not been realized.
