HRSA releases 27.8 million in grants for health IT

The Health Resources Services Administration awarded 27 grants worth $27.8 million to organizations for the implementation of electronic health records and other health IT projects. The grants were obtained under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Editor’s Note: To be prepared for the wave of new medical technology and how it affects your department and the safeguarding of patient information, gather your group  to listen to the 90-minute training session HITECH: How It Impacts Case Management.

New model of care adding mental health to primary care

A trend toward incorporating basic mental health services into primary care is catching on in the U.S. at federally funded health centers, Veterans Affairs medical centers, and venues like Kaiser Permanente. The programs are designed to detect and address behavioral issues, such as stress, that often go untreated.

Self-monitoring blood glucose levels beneficial for diabetics

Diabetics who self-monitor their blood glucose levels can modify their behavior, adjust their medicine, and understand their disease to better manage it, says a recent study.

16 world-changing innovations

Author Emily Pilloton searched the world for innovations that improve people’s lives. This slideshow based on her new book highlights some of her finds, including a dance floor that produces electric power and LEGO-like plastic blocks that help blind children learn to read Braille.

Health care adds jobs, signals boost to economy

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said one sign of an improving economy in August was the 28,000 jobs added in health care, including 7,000 in physician offices, 2,900 in outpatient care and 10,000 in residential facilities. The report said hospitals lost 700 jobs.

Editor’s Note: For the latest case management and related openings, visit Dorland Health’s brand new Case Management Job Board online.

States use grants to entice nurses to become teachers

Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire are offering grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 to increase the number of nurse faculty in their states in an effort to address a nationwide shortage of nurses.

Editor’s Note: This is a great opportunity for nurses and case managers to investigate. Let me know if you have taken advantage of this opportunity personally.

500k children suffer drug side effects

Researchers at Children’s Hospital of Boston said each year more than 500,000 U.S. children have adverse reactions to medicines, requiring medical care or hospitalization. Their study found that penicillin and prescription antibiotics are among the drugs causing the most trouble and that children under 5 are most affected.

Handling post-surgical complications key for hospitals

A study of post-surgery death rates at 186 U.S. hospitals found that they ranged from 3.5 to 6.9 percent, but complication rates were not significantly different. Researchers said the data suggest the way in which a hospital responds to complications may be more important than the frequency of complications.

Blood transfusions up 140% from 1997

The number of blood transfusions in the U.S. increased from 1.1 million to around 2.7 million in the period from 1997 to 2007, a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality said. Procedures contributing to the increase include knee surgeries and hemodialysis for kidney patients.

Some hospitals use ‘drive-thrus’ for H1N1 flu

Some U.S. hospitals are using drive-thrus and drive-up tent clinics to test and treat the growing number of patients with H1N1 flu symptoms in an effort to separate those patients from the very ill patients and to prevent overcrowding in emergency departments. The programs have been effective and have facilitated the quick identification of those who need to be admitted and those who can be sent home, said doctors participating in the initiative.

Editor’s Note: Is your hospital using this type of triage technique? Send me an email and let me know.