LG Business Solutions USA has launched a new line of “Patient Engagement Boards” that empower hospitals to outfit patient rooms with crisp high-definition screens for displaying patient information such as their name, schedule, a list of caregivers, native language and more. Available now, the 43-inch UHD model and 32-inch FHD model are UL-listed for Health Care and feature Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability, offering optimized solutions and simplified installation for diverse patient room needs.

“As hospitals continue to digitize more and more of their operations, in-room displays provide patients and caregivers with greater legibility and infinitely more flexibility than analog white boards,” said Tom Mottlau, LG Business Solutions USA Healthcare Director. “Our patient engagement development partners have utilized the powerful LG webOS 6.0 platform to develop intuitive applications that can allow hospitals to eliminate handwritten notes and the difficulties that can arise from illegible writing or unclear instructions. These enhancements can improve communications and patient trust, resulting in better overall experiences.”

The LG Patient Engagement Boards (ML5K-B Series) are designed to improve experiences for patients and caregivers while simplifying operations for administrators and IT staff. The 32-inch model can be rapidly deployed utilizing POE without the exhaustive approval process commonly associated with modifying a room’s electrical components. Convenience is further enhanced by each display’s automatic brightness sensor, which ensures viewing comfort by matching ambient light levels throughout the day.

Both models can be wall-mounted vertically or horizontally using 200×200 VESA mounts. And both displays feature LG IPS panels and offer up to 50,000 hours of life, making them ideal for 24/7 use. Integrated stereo speakers further simplify deployment and provide flexibility to host a variety of content.

The 43-inch 43ML5K-B offers a typical brightness of 500 nits and has a 25 percent haze treatment that reduces glare, while the 32-inch 32ML5K-B provides 400 nits through standard power, and 200 nits through PoE.

“From diagnostic displays and ultra-secure thin client computing solutions to these new Patient Engagement Boards, LG is dedicated to leveraging the latest display technologies to help hospitals and medical providers create enhanced spaces and deliver 21st century care,” Mottlau said. “As institutions look to design and build their hospital rooms of the future, LG will continue to innovate to meet their changing needs.”

MediQuant, LLC, a leading provider of enterprise data archive technology for the healthcare industry and creator of DataArk®,  announced the MediQuant Healthcare Data Lifecycle Platform has earned certified status by HITRUST for information security.

HITRUST Risk-based, 2-year (r2) Certified status demonstrates that the organization’s Healthcare Data Lifecycle Platform including the DataArk®, ApplicationArk™ and PatientArchive® technology solutions, has met demanding regulatory compliance and industry-defined requirements and is appropriately managing risk. This achievement places MediQuant in an elite group of organizations worldwide that have earned this certification. By including federal and state regulations, standards, and frameworks, and incorporating a risk-based approach, the HITRUST Assurance Program helps organizations address security and data protection challenges through a comprehensive and flexible framework of prescriptive and scalable security controls.

“Secure healthcare data archiving is essential to the protection of confidential patient information, which is why our team has gone the extra mile to ensure we meet complex compliance, information protection, and privacy requirements,” said Jim Jacobs, President and CEO of MediQuant. “We are pleased to demonstrate to our customers the highest standards for data protection and information security by achieving the rigorous HITRUST Risk-based, 2-year Certification.”

MediQuant’s capabilities traverse the continuum of an organization’s data lifecycle, including storage of non-discrete documents such as scanned PDFs, to discrete static data such as lab results, to active access to discrete data like financials. The company’s core platform solutions, which includes MediQuant’s flagship solution, DataArk®, offer access to a common data repository that is secure, intuitive, and scalable, providing an active view of patient records from within current systems. MediQuant solutions can be deployed by the full spectrum of healthcare entities from large hospitals to multi-facility health systems, ambulatory centers, physician practices, home health agencies, and more.

“The HITRUST Assurance Program is rigorous and reliable because of the comprehensiveness of control requirements, depth of review, and consistency of oversight,” said Bimal Sheth, Executive Vice President, Standards Development & Assurance Operations, HITRUST. “HITRUST Risk-based, 2-year (r2) Certification demonstrates MediQuant is taking the most proactive approach to cybersecurity, data protection, and risk management.”

Proper dental office design can significantly impact the patient and staff experience and the efficiency and productivity of the practice. An optimized layout, placement of fixtures and equipment, and attention to ergonomic details during dental office construction and design can improve patient comfort, reduce repetitive strain injuries for dentists and hygienists, and boost efficiency by streamlining workflows. A successfully designed dental office incorporates patient and staff needs from the start, with ergonomics and efficiency in mind. Paying close attention to dental office design factors like layout, flow, equipment choices, lighting, and aesthetics can set the stage for success.

Office Layout

The layout of a dental office significantly impacts patient experience and workflow efficiency. A logical, patient flow-oriented layout helps patients move smoothly through the various stages of their visit. The reception and waiting area should be the first thing patients see upon entering the office. This allows new arrivals to check in and wait comfortably and out of sight from areas where dental procedures take place. Treatment rooms should be arranged so the noisiest procedures, like drilling, are separated from labs and consult rooms. Sterilization and lab areas are best placed together away from public spaces to contain supplies and noise. The number, size, and locations of treatment rooms depend on the procedures performed and the size of your practice. In general, positioning rooms so your view extends to surrounding areas ensures you can monitor patients and assistants without disruptions. A well-conceived office design that places key functional areas in the proper flow maximizes space utilization, enhances patient comfort, and ensures the smooth functioning of your dental practice.

Treatment Room Design

The design of treatment rooms is fundamental in optimizing dental practice workflow and efficiency while minimizing strain on staff. Proper placement and selection of chairs, lights, and counters are essential. Adjustable chairs with customized settings for each practitioner allow dentists and hygienists to work in a neutral posture that reduces neck, back, and shoulder strain. Electric handpieces connected to automatic central suction systems lessen fatigue over manual tools. Treatment room lights should be positioned so that dentists do not have to bend or twist the neck to illuminate the oral cavity properly. Custom dental cabinets equipped with drawers and trays within easy arm’s reach of practitioners prevent unnecessary body movement when retrieving tools and supplies. Cabinets with anti-microbial finishes help maintain proper sanitary conditions. Counters at an ideal height lessen the need for dentists to lean over patients for prolonged periods. Features like touch-screen monitors instead of traditional switches, and soundproofing help create a calm and comfortable environment for both staff and patients. With proper arrangement of treatment room furniture, equipment, and supplies, custom dental cabinet manufacturers can help minimize repetitive motions and reduce physical and visual fatigue for staff, thereby improving the overall efficiency and quality of dental procedures.

Choosing Fixtures and Equipment 

When choosing dental fixtures and equipment, selecting options that promote ergonomic posture and reduce strain is crucial. This includes choosing dental cabinets with features like soft-close drawers to minimize repetitive motions and adjustable shelves that can be tailored to each practitioner. Dental chairs with many customizable settings allow dentists to work in a neutral position that alleviates neck, shoulder, and back pain over time. Adjustable-height counters and stools permit hygienists to find the perfect working height that minimizes forward bending. Opting for lightweight handpieces and electric tools rather than air-driven ones helps reduce physical fatigue.

Dental lights with flexible, adjustable arms and heads spare dentists from excessive neck-bending and twisting. Choosing countertops made of materials that don’t retain heat and bacteria, like quartz, helps promote a hygienic work environment. Equally important is selecting durable, easy-to-maintain equipment that minimizes downtime due to repairs. Reliable custom dental cabinet manufacturers focus on longevity when designing cabinets with features like full extension drawers, ball bearing slides, and stainless steel or epoxy-coated finishes for superior durability. Prioritizing ease of maintenance when choosing equipment ensures consistent, undisturbed dental care for patients over the long term. Overall, selecting ergonomic fixtures and dependable equipment from manufacturers focusing on the dental professional’s well-being promotes greater comfort, productivity, and care quality.

Designing for Patient Comfort

Many small details can come together to make patients truly comfortable during their dental visits. Features like ambient, non-glaring lighting that simulates natural light and soundproofing between treatment rooms reduce anxiety and create a peaceful environment. Textural wallpapers and warm, neutral colors create an inviting and calm aesthetic. Patients should have cushy, oversized dental chairs that minimize pressure points and discomfort during more prolonged procedures. In the waiting area, chairs with adjustable lumbar support, footrests, and side tables provide extra convenience. Music can be piped into public areas at low volumes to distract patients during anxiety-inducing treatments. Overall, incorporating design elements that result in maximum visual and auditory comfort allows patients to fully relax so they can undergo necessary procedures with minimum stress.

Prioritizing proper ergonomics and an efficient layout remains essential for any successful dental office business venture. A well-designed functional office can help reduce risks for both dental professionals and patients with the help of dental office construction Illinois. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Community Hospital Corporation (CHC) and North Texas Medical Center, a CHC-managed acute care hospital in Gainesville, proudly announced that NTMC has received the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) 5-Star Overall Rating and 5-Star Patient Survey Rating.

This ranks NTMC as one of only nine other hospitals in Texas to earn the highest mark in both categories in 2023. Zooming in for a closer comparison, NTMC is one of only two acute care, non-specialty hospitals that garnered 5-star ratings in both categories. The rating measured the community hospital’s performance on key metrics such as mortality, safety of care, readmission rates, patient experience and timely and effective care.

NTMC CEO Tom Sledge commented on CMS’ recognition of the hospital’s performance: “Achieving this overall 5-star rating signifies an amazing achievement for our hospital. This award validates that we are working together to meet our mission of providing excellent patient-centered care.”

CHC President and CEO Jim Kendrick added: “NTMC fosters a culture that openly discusses opportunities for improvement. This prestigious award serves as a real testament to the hospital’s commitment of offering the highest quality of care possible for its patients and total team effort to achieve desired results.”

Faced with strong population growth in the region, NTMC’s focus on continuous quality improvement has enabled it to meet residents’ current and future healthcare needs. “Even though we are considered rural, northern Dallas-Fort Worth’s growth is rapidly expanding our way,” Sledge said. “Our patient volumes have grown steadily over the past few years, resulting in the need to continue improving and adding services, in order to be fully prepared for the region’s growth.”              

How NTMC Attained Its Top-Ranked Rural Hospital Status

NTMC made it a top priority to work closely with its staff to drive improvement in the hospital’s operations. Some of the key steps that led to NTMC receiving the award included:

●        Applying a methodology to identify and prioritize areas for improvement. This allowed the hospital to concentrate its efforts on outliers that required the most attention.

●        Conducting hospital leadership visits to each of the hospital’s departments regularly to ensure employee needs are met.

●        Creating multidisciplinary teams to resolve issues and make sure day-to-day operations stay on track.

●        Fostering a culture that encourages front-line staff to discuss any issues before they become problematic. This requires constant evaluation and monitoring to ensure the desired outcome is achieved.

●        Relocating the primary care clinics to a larger and more attractive space on the hospital’s campus. As a result, NTMC expanded patient visits, averaging over 2,000 per month compared to less than 1,000 visits per month prior to the relocation.

●        Implementing new electronic medical record (EMR) systems in both the hospital and clinics in the past year to help meet the ever-increasing technological needs in healthcare.

●        Providing new services and hiring staff to meet the community’s healthcare needs. This included recruiting three new physicians this year, adding a rapidly growing wound care clinic and other vital medical services, and ongoing investment in technology such as plans to offer a new cardiac CT scanner this year.

In a world dominated by modern medicine and pharmaceuticals, alternative approaches to healthcare are gaining popularity. One such approach is homeopathy, a system of medicine that has been around for over two centuries. Homeopathy offers a unique perspective on healing, focusing on the body’s innate ability to heal itself. In this blog post, we will explore the principles behind homeopathy, the conditions it can treat, its benefits and criticisms, integration with conventional medicine, and its global landscape.

What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a form of medicine that was developed in the late 18th century by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician. It is based on the principle of “like cures like,” which suggests that a substance that can cause symptoms in a healthy person can be used to treat similar symptoms in a sick person. The remedies used in homeopathy are derived from natural substances such as plants, minerals, and animal products. These substances undergo a dilution and potentization process, where they are repeatedly diluted and shaken vigorously, believed to enhance their therapeutic properties.

How does homeopathy work?

According to homeopathic philosophy, health is not just the absence of disease but a state of balance and harmony within the body. Homeopathy stimulates the body’s vital force, the energy that maintains life and promotes self-healing. Homeopaths seek to address the underlying imbalances that contribute to illness by prescribing highly individualized remedies. The good thing is that DesBio and other companies specializing in homeopathic remedies offer a variety of products that align with the principles of homeopathy. These products are designed to support the body’s natural healing processes and promote overall well-being.

Conditions treated with homeopathy

Homeopathy is known for its effectiveness in treating a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. It can be used to alleviate common ailments such as colds, coughs, allergies, and digestive disorders. Moreover, homeopathy has shown promising results in chronic conditions like migraines, eczema, asthma, and hormonal imbalances. Many individuals have shared their success stories of finding relief from these conditions through homeopathic treatments.

Benefits of homeopathy

One of the key advantages of homeopathy is its gentle and non-invasive nature. Unlike conventional medicine, which often relies on strong medications and invasive procedures, homeopathy uses highly diluted remedies that are safe and free from side effects. This makes it suitable for individuals of all ages, including infants, pregnant women, and the elderly.

Another benefit of homeopathy is its individualized approach to healthcare. Homeopaths spend considerable time understanding a person’s unique symptoms, medical history, and emotional state. This holistic assessment allows for personalized treatment plans tailored to the individual’s specific needs, promoting overall well-being.

In addition to being safe and individualized, homeopathy aims to minimize side effects and drug interactions. Since the remedies are highly diluted, they are unlikely to cause adverse reactions or interfere with other medications. This makes homeopathy a viable option for individuals who may be sensitive to conventional drugs or have complex health conditions.

Criticisms and controversies surrounding homeopathy

Despite its long history and widespread use, homeopathy has faced criticism and skepticism within the medical community. One of the main criticisms is the lack of scientific evidence supporting its efficacy. Critics argue that the principles of homeopathy clash with established scientific knowledge, and the reported positive outcomes could be attributed to the placebo effect.

Furthermore, the dilution process in homeopathy raises questions about the presence of active ingredients in the remedies. Skeptics argue that the extreme dilutions render the remedies essentially water, questioning their therapeutic value. However, proponents of homeopathy argue that the energetic properties of the substances are retained even at high dilutions and that clinical experience and patient testimonials validate its effectiveness.

Integrating homeopathy with conventional medicine

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of integrative approaches to healthcare. Many practitioners and patients are exploring ways to combine the benefits of both conventional medicine and alternative therapies like homeopathy. Integrative healthcare models promote collaboration between different healthcare providers to ensure the best outcomes for patients.

Case studies have highlighted successful collaborations between homeopaths and conventional medical practitioners in treating complex conditions. By combining their expertise, these professionals can offer a comprehensive and holistic approach to patients’ healthcare needs. This integration allows for a more diverse range of treatment options and encourages open-mindedness among healthcare providers.

Homeopathy in the global landscape

Homeopathy has a significant presence worldwide, particularly in countries like India, Germany, and France. In India, homeopathy is an officially recognized system of medicine, with numerous clinics and hospitals dedicated to its practice. Similarly, Germany has a long-standing tradition of integrating homeopathy into its healthcare system, offering patients a choice between conventional and homeopathic treatments.

However, the practice of homeopathy is not without its challenges. Regulatory issues and concerns over quality control have led to debates about the appropriate standards and regulations for homeopathic products. Despite these challenges, many individuals continue to seek out homeopathy as a complementary or alternative approach to conventional medicine.

Homeopathy provides a unique perspective on healthcare, emphasizing the body’s innate ability to heal itself. With its individualized approach, gentle remedies, and minimal side effects, homeopathy offers a viable alternative for individuals seeking holistic and personalized healthcare. While it may face criticism and skepticism, the growing recognition of integrative approaches and the presence of homeopathy in global healthcare systems indicate its relevance and impact.

The company plans to commence drone delivery of medical goods to hospitals and patients in Ireland in a partnership with Apian, a drone start-up. Wing and Apian plan to begin working with hospitals and other care providers in Dublin with a view to expanding that service to the UK as well.

Wing’s autonomous drones will deliver medicines, laboratory samples, and medical supplies in parts of South Dublin and its suburbs. Apian, Wing’s partner in the initiative, is a British drone company, specializing in medical deliveries.

“This efficient network, leveraging Wing’s aircraft and automation, will serve to improve the patient experience while reducing traffic congestion and emissions in the community. We look forward to engaging with the local community and stakeholders as we develop the operations and begin flights,” Shannon Nash, chief financial officer, said.

The initiative marks an expansion of Wing’s operations in Europe. Late last year Wing began testing commercial drone delivery in a suburb north of Dublin following operations in Finland where it first tested its drones in Europe.

In Ireland, Wing competes with Irish start-up Manna, which has been operating in selected areas of the capital city in recent years.

“Together, Wing and Apian believe that healthcare should benefit from on-demand delivery much like consumers do in their personal lives,” Nash said.
Nash added that medical drone delivery could provide the same convenience for patients that consumers expect from commercial delivery services.
Drone delivery “can provide a faster, more reliable, lower-cost solution than ground-based alternatives,” she said.

“We aim to address speed, inefficiencies, and also environmental challenges by reducing vehicles on the road. Wing’s operations require very little infrastructure and can be set up in a range of spaces, making them suitable for a wide variety of healthcare facilities.”

Wing has gradually expanded its presence in Europe by working within a regulatory framework by the EU. Outside of that EU framework, Wing plans to expand its medical delivery service with Apian in the latter’s home market of the UK. Apian already has a partnership with the NHS, the UK’s health service, with trials ongoing in a number of locations.