Royal Philips, a global leader in health technology, and US-based openDoctor announced a partnership to deliver an integrated radiology patient engagement platform that leverages openDoctor’s real-time online appointment scheduling services as part of Philips’ newly launched Patient Management Solution.

With the combined offering, Philips Patient Management Solution and openDoctor enable a transformation in patient radiology scheduling, contactless registration and automated communications and education, all from the convenience of any connected mobile device. The easy-to-use scheduling platform allows patients to select appointment slots that fit their busy schedules, while optimizing staff and location availability at the same time. Patients have the ability to complete intake questionnaires in advance and take advantage of last-minute reminders and wayfinding, relieving hospital staff of burdensome manual outreach tasks, and giving radiology staff more time to personalize care to individual patients.

Philips Patient Management Solution has already proved invaluable for healthcare institutions across a multitude of service lines. It has helped partners improve referral conversion efficiency by 30% [1], reduce no-shows by up to 45% [2], and improve patients’ knowledge of their medical conditions [3]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the solution has been instrumental in screening patients for COVID-19 symptoms and helping practices institute contactless check-in processes to keep patients and staff as safe as possible during the restart of elective procedures.

With patients becoming more active in their healthcare than ever before, openDoctor has built an impressive suite of access-to-care applications for radiology departments and imaging centers to help further enhance our Patient Management Solution, enabling us to bring fully integrated solutions to our customers and patients alike.

“We are excited to partner with Philips in their commitment to redefine and revolutionize the radiology patient journey,” said Joe Marino, CEO of openDoctor. “For years, health systems have been impeded by archaic, manual processes such as phone calls and paper-based systems that plague administration departments. Now more than ever, digital transformation and automation have been thrust forward to meet the needs of operating in the COVID environment. Our combined solution will provide a comprehensive patient engagement platform that meshes together the needs of patients and the needs of health systems in a seamless workflow.”

The Philips Patient Management Solution is an integral component of Philips Radiology Workflow Suite designed to optimize radiology workflows to help improve patient and staff experience while enhancing clinical efficiency and operational excellence. The cloud-based solution enables modern communication between care providers and patients and serves as a digital liaison to prepare patients for their appointments, help them show up on time, and continue to follow care plan instructions long after their visit or procedure. The solution interoperates with the EMR and can send automated messages through SMS, e-mail, voice, and paper mailings, complementing existing IT and clinical workflows.

Philips is committed to integrating solutions from innovative partners into its open and interoperable platform. Patient management engagement is a key area for partner integration, building on Philips’ previous collaborations with leading organizations integrating data, AI, and analytics solutions to support Philips growing ecosystem approach to benefit customers and the patients they serve.

About Royal Philips

InsiteOne LLC, a provider of offsite enterprise imaging archiving solutions, announced a return to the market with a comprehensive set of state of the art private and public cloud offerings and supplementary services. Through the agreement, InsiteOne will service NTT DATA’s Unified Clinical Architecture (UCA) solutions and NTT DATA clients can continue to archive their mission critical imaging data under InsiteOne.

“We are delighted to work with NTT DATA as both our organizations are clearly focused on providing a premium service for protecting and empowering healthcare information,” said Dave Cook, CEO, InsiteOne. “NTT DATA has a broad client base in the healthcare and life sciences industry that will be able to take advantage of our technology while InsiteOne clients will benefit from NTT DATA’s enterprise-scale services and AI expertise.”

InsiteOne’s business model for 20+ years ensures that the transition through iterations of storage media, computer infrastructure, networking and cloud environments is provided as part of the service.

InsiteOne brings to the partnership its pioneering technology that enables healthcare organizations to protect their critical clinical information while retaining strong data security. NTT DATA will provide its expertise in enterprise-scale domain consulting, application implementation and integration services through the company’s healthcare and life sciences business and will provide AI expertise as well.

“‘Clients First’ is a core NTT DATA value and was a critical factor in our decision to partner with InsiteOne. We are implementing an enhanced delivery model for our UCA business and InsiteOne will enable us to scale our capabilities in this area and bring more value to our clients,” said Mary Edwards, President, Healthcare, NTT DATA Services.

About InsiteOne
InsiteOne is a team of business professionals passionate about solving the challenges facing the health care and life sciences industries. The team consists of individuals with extensive industry experience in medical imaging, business management, data center operations, and healthcare technologies.

Carestream Health has launched its first cesium glass-free medical detector to the market. The CARESTREAM Lux 35 Detector is a lightweight, glass-free wireless detector ergonomically designed with the comfort of patients and radiographers in mind. The cesium detector offers superb resolution, better detail and a reduced exposure dose as compared to gadolinium detectors. The introduction of the Lux 35 Detector is an illustration of Carestream’s commitment to innovation, building on the success of its glass-free detector in the rugged non-destructive testing market.

Weighing just around 5 pounds, the sleek 14” x 17” (35 cm x 43 cm) Lux 35 Detector, with its glass-free sensor, is Carestream’s lightest detector to date. A lighter detector makes it easier for radiographers to transport while making rounds and performing bedside exams.

“The lightweight Lux 35 Detector helps ease stress on radiographers, especially when doing mobile imaging as they are constantly moving the detector from machine to patient,” said Jill Hamman, Worldwide Marketing Manager of Global X-ray Solutions at Carestream. “The lighter weight and ergonomic finger grips result in less stress and fatigue on radiographers.”

The Lux 35’s ergonomic design enables easier handling and minimizes accidental drops and slips, allowing for easier positioning, especially with bedridden patients. Rounded and beveled edges provide more patient comfort when the detector needs to be placed behind or under a patient. Specially designed and strategically placed finger grips help position the detector effortlessly.

“Easier positioning of the detector can help speed up the time it takes to conduct mobile imaging rounds as well,” Ms. Hamman added.

The Lux 35 uses Carestream’s ImageView Software powered by Eclipse for high image quality and consistent presentation. This detector also features the X-Factor, which means it can be shared with other compatible Carestream DRX equipment. LED lights on the detector provide immediate information on its status. “The lighting tells the radiographer that the detector is connected and in ready status, and alerts them when the battery is low and needs to be swapped out,” Ms. Hamman said. “There is also a graphical user interface on the back that can display status information. In the event of an error, it provides additional details that help to minimize downtime by delivering a quick assessment of any issues.”

Additionally, the Lux 35 Detector battery is backwards compatible—it works with DRX Plus Detectors and uses the same battery charger.

The Lux 35 supports a variety of image-processing options to assist radiologists, including Tube and Line Visualization, Pneumothorax Visualization, EVP Plus, Bone Suppression and many more.

Vaccination is an essential part of primary health care. It’s also one of the most cost-effective health investments available. Vaccines are crucial for preventing and controlling the outbreak of infectious diseases.

However, most people are apprehensive about taking the shot due to the discomfort attributed to the prick of the needle. There are cases where the healthcare professional who administered the vaccine inserted the needle in the wrong spot, and this idea can be scary for many people. But there’s nothing to worry about it because there are vaccine injury compensation programs that would handle those kinds of mishaps.

So, if you’ve decided to take the shot, here are some tips to help you prepare for your vaccination appointment.

1. Educate Yourself

Don’t let the pain of vaccination consume your thoughts. Instead, consider the long-term advantages it might have. Educate yourself on the benefits of taking that shot so that you’d feel ready for it. Keep in mind that the pain from vaccination is only temporary and the immunity that it can provide can last for a year or even longer.

2. Consult Your Doctor

You should talk to your doctor for appropriate medical advice as part of your preparation. They might mention the Vaccine Injury Program, which allows you to file a claim if the vaccine causes you harm.

They could even discuss the advantages of being vaccinated. This could help you understand why you need to get immunized against different diseases. On medical issues, a doctor’s professional opinion is often valuable. It’s best to pay attention to them.

Don’t be afraid to tell your physician how you’re doing. Disclose to them if you have certain allergies. They’re experts who have been trained to deal with situations like this. They know what to do to help you prepare for vaccination.

3. Drink Water

Staying hydrated before getting the vaccine could help you feel better. Drinking water is good for your overall well-being. It could also help you can help you avoid dehydration. Here are some adverse effects of dehydration that could affect you during vaccination:

• Distracted thoughts
• Mood swings
• Overheating of the body
• Constipation

4. Limit the consumption of alcohol

Overindulging in alcoholic beverages could cause dehydration and a hangover. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you’ll have to deal with both a hangover and the potential ache from the vaccine shot.

5. Boost Your Immune System

Improving your immune system is crucial before vaccination. It could help your body react positively to the vaccine. Taking nutritious food paired with the right amounts of vitamin supplements may help boost your immune system.

6. Sleep Well

Getting enough sleep before your appointment could help your immune system respond better to the vaccine. Sleep at least eight hours during the night. This would be beneficial for your overall health, as well.

7. Eat Before Vaccination

If you have a history of fainting or low blood sugar, you should consider eating before your vaccine shot. This could give you strength during vaccination. It could also help you prevent hypoglycemia.

8. Do Breathing Exercises

Inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Doing breathing exercises before vaccination could help you feel at ease. It could also help you release the stress in your body so your mind can think more clearly.

9. Relax

To relax your muscles, sway your arm to the side. Take a few deep breaths while sitting up in your chair. Ease your arm that’s going to receive the shot. Divert your attention from the injection by doing something else. You could try some of these activities to help you relax:

• Listening to music
• Watching videos
• Reading
• Talking to someone else

You should also avoid doing strenuous activities before your appointment. Your goal is for your body to relax and not be tense during the vaccination. Refraining from rigorous activities could help your body feel comfortable.

10. Seek Moral Support

Ask a friend or family member to go with you to your appointment. It’s easier to go with someone than to go alone.  Having someone with you could help you relax and concentrate on something other than the impending vaccine.

Get Ready

Vaccines are essential for guarding against dangerous diseases. Though vaccinations could be unpleasant, it’s still up to you to overcome the discomfort and prepare for the procedure.

Always seek medical advice from your physician. They’re certified experts who could assist you in preparing for your vaccination appointment. If you come prepared, you’ll be able to release yourself from the fear that comes with taking the shot.

Most people sustain injuries at one point in their life. These injuries can result from another person’s intentional misdeed or an accident caused by defective products and equipment. It can occur at home, on the street, on building premises, and even in workplaces.

There are times, however, when these injuries result from the carelessness of another person or entity. For instance, accidents occur when doctors fail to meet care standards or when business owners neglect their duty to keep premises safe and secure. Negligence is also applicable when companies don’t put sufficient markings on their products to warn of adverse effects or hazards from improper use. Workplaces are also liable for injuries when workers encounter mishaps while doing their tasks. The same holds when a driver’s recklessness results in other people’s injuries.

Injuries caused by the negligence of others can have far-reaching effects on individuals and their families. They can suffer from loss of income or employment, require particular adaptations to pursue everyday activities, or even lead a lifetime of disability.

Individuals who believe that they’re victims of another’s negligence can seek advice from legal experts. Personal injury lawyers can pursue a case on their behalf and provide them with knowledge and support to receive compensation for their injuries.

Personal Catastrophic Injuries

Personal catastrophic injuries refer to severe injuries that limit a person’s ability to carry out daily functions. These can be so severe that they can result in a permanent disability or a disfigurement. Injuries also require consistent medical treatment or reconstructive surgery. Catastrophic injuries can also cause emotional trauma to the person and may cause financial distress to a family.

The following are types of catastrophic personal injuries and require legal advice:

1. Brain Injury

Car accidents, slip and falls, and workplace incidents can cause traumatic brain injury (TBI), which definitely requires a lawyer to assist you in getting compensation. An injury to the head from an external force can result in internal bleeding, causing brain tissues to burst. This injury may also cause loss of memory, speech, or motor control.

Brain injury may not easily manifest after an accident. Still, it may develop over time so it’s essential to pay attention to recurring headaches and changes in behavior.

2. Birth Injuries

Birth injuries occur during labor and delivery. Doctors and nurses can cause injuries when they improperly rotate, pull, or stretch the baby during delivery. Such negligence can cause bleeding in between the regions of the baby’s brain, cause bone fractures, and damage internal organs.

A lack of oxygen and blood to the baby’s brain can lead to mental impairments, while spinal cord injury can result in facial or arm paralysis.

3. Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord plays a vital role in sending instructions from the brain to various parts of the body.

Damage to the spinal cord, from a car accident, a slip or fall in a commercial establishment, or a ladder used in the workplace, can lead to partial or total paralysis of arms, hands, trunk, and legs. It can also result in bowel and bladder incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and complications in respiratory functions.

4. Whiplash

Rear-end collisions can cause Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD). It occurs when the head is jolted forward to the back or side to side. It may take hours or days after the crash for whiplash to manifest. Symptoms of the disorder include pain and stiffness in the jaw, neck, and shoulders, along with headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

Doctors may order several tests to determine the extent of your neck, bone, and soft tissue damage. Depending on its severity, doctors may prescribe medications to alleviate pain, recommend foam collars or physical therapy.

5. Shoulder Injuries

Slip and falls, car accidents, and workplace hazards can cause several types of shoulder injuries. Extending, twisting the arm, or experiencing a sudden impact can cause the shoulder to get dislocated, tear ligaments, or fractured bones. You can also injure the cartilage or tear the muscles and tendons.

These injuries can cause pain and discomfort and may impede your ability to perform tasks such as driving, cooking, typing, etc., which is why you need legal assistance when you’re suffering from this type of injury.

Treatment for shoulder injuries requires medication, physical therapy, and surgery.

6. Internal Injuries

Internal injuries refer to damage sustained by the lungs, heart, kidney, liver, spleen, and stomach. They can come as a result of car accidents, slip and falls, and defective products. Some of these injuries aren’t easily recognized and are only known when it’s already in an advanced stage.

While most states prescribe a two-year limit on filing for such damages, late-onset illness claims can adjust the time to when the person knew of the illness. This helps advance a personal injury claim caused by an employer or a company’s negligence for an incident that occurred in previous years.

Conclusion

Personal injuries caused by the negligence of another person or entity require the intervention of injury lawyers. They’re most qualified to determine negligence as the basis of your lawsuit. Their advice and representation are vital in ensuring that you get fair compensation for your catastrophic injuries.

Caring for a family member who’s suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases can be a big challenge. This is especially true if they need a full spectrum of attention and care to satisfy their medical needs.

While you may want to take care of your senior loved one’s personal and medical needs, there may be instances wherein you need to entrust their care to professionals who can help them with their health conditions. This is where the whole concept of memory care comes into play.

If you’re new to this concept, keep reading this article to learn more about memory care and how it can help your senior loved one.

Memory Care: What Is It And How It Can Help Your Senior Loved One?

Primarily, memory care refers to a form of senior living that’s specifically designed to satisfy the needs of residents who have Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. It’s also intended to provide specialized and intensive care for people with memory issues for the sole purpose of enhancing their quality of life, minimizing confusion, and avoiding possible wandering.

Moreover, getting a senior family member admitted to a memory care facility comes with plenty of benefits. These can include:

• Offers a secure environment to senior residents with memory loss, helping avoid wandering and getting lost or hurt in the long run;
• Provides supportive dementia therapies;
• Comes with experienced, trained staff in dementia care;
• Coordinates care with other health care providers, especially if the residents have other underlying medical conditions.

As you can see, your senior loved one can benefit from memory care in several ways. The memory care facilities and communities are designed with comfort to ensure the residents are happy, well cared for, and safe.

However, to better understand how this form of senior living can work best, there are 6 things you need to know about memory care. This can help you make a sound decision for your senior family member with memory loss.

Memory Care: What Makes It Different From Other Forms Of Assisted Living?

Now that you know what memory care is and how it’s beneficial to your senior loved one, it’s time to familiarize yourself with its difference from other forms of assisted living.

Generally, memory care provides a comfortable and safe environment with programs intended to reduce the stress of people with neurodegenerative diseases. For instance, the employees working in the facilities are trained at providing meals and helping residents with their personal care needs. Not only that, but staff also frequently check in with them and offer extra support in navigating their day-to-day tasks, avoiding instances of aged care negligence for the residents.

On the other hand, in other forms of assisted living, the staff isn’t required to check in on them and the senior residents are expected to navigate their time and handle their own tasks. Unlike in memory care, other facilities may not be required to have enclosed outdoor spaces, alarmed doors, and tracking bracelets for the residents.

The Bottom Line

Realistically speaking, sending a senior family loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease to a facility, like memory care, can be a difficult decision. But if you think caring and helping them on your own isn’t sufficient to provide them with a fulfilling life, using memory care as your primary form of senior care can be an excellent idea.

Thus, consider the information presented above so you’ll become more confident about providing your senior family member with an improved quality of life in the long run.

The human body is a complex, mysterious and impressive thing. We rarely stop and take a second to celebrate ourselves and be thankful for how many different actions our bodies perform on a daily basis without us even realising. There’s many reasons as to why human beings need to sleep every night and that’s due to how hard our body is working during the day.

Especially in today’s world and working climate, our bodies are put through serious amounts of stress and work as we try to navigate through the pressures and demands of life in 2021. This last year has seen stress levels increase worldwide and the way we all operate has changed.

Given how many different aspects of human life we have to nurture and manage, it’s no surprise people fall ill left right and centre. Sometimes things get too much and it’s hard to handle. These days we are judged by our work performance, physical appearance, the relationships we have in our lives and more. Our bodies need to intake the right amount of nutrients in order to keep up with the hustle and bustle of today.

The goal with finding balance through supplying our bodies with the right stuff is homeostasis, the condition of optimal function and state of steady internal physical and chemical operations. Many of us don’t realise it, but what it actually takes just to feel happy and healthy within ourselves is a monumental task and one that our bodies work tirelessly to achieve.

Mindfulness and self awareness have increased for the vast majority of people in recent years and for good measure. Knowing what your body needs in order to succeed across the board and allow you to hit your personal goals, is a sure-fire way to ensure you get the fuel you need and don’t fall behind in the ongoing rat race.

If you are currently feeling like things have gotten away from you and want to take back control of your health and goals, don’t worry too much. With the right education and inspiration, you can do anything you want and catapult yourself and your goals forward. Understanding what https://omvits.com/ can offer you might be the first step in the right direction. All you need is a little bit of insight into what might work for you, then implement the bits you feel comfortable with.

So What Are The Important Nutrients I Need To Maintain A Healthy Body?

Let’s go through the key nutrients that you need for your body to create that homeostasis we’re looking for and whilst reading this, you could maybe take notes and then think about how you can implement enough of these things into your everyday life.

Protein

The way that protein has become such a core part of so many people’s lives and something that is discussed so widely is amazing. Chances are you or someone you know takes a protein supplement on a regular basis or focuses their eating on foods which are high in protein. The reason for this is it’s power to help muscle recovery after workouts and exercise. Millions of people aim to build muscle every single day and any shortcut or fast track it welcomed with open arms.

Not just this, but every cell from bone to skin and hair, contains protein. Protein provides the building blocks for almost everything.

Carbohydrates

This is another word which is thrown around and used by so many people constantly, and for obvious reasons. Carbohydrates are essentially fuel for your body and are found in everyday items such as bread, milk, popcorn, spaghetti and many other different foods.

These sources of carbs are then broken down by the body into glucose which is used to produce a fuel molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Our cells then use ATP for various metabolic tasks.

Fats

For years fats have gained a bad reputation as something that if we eat, will help us put on weight, become ‘fat’ and eventually unhealthy. However, research has shown that supplying our bodies with some fats can help support many of our key bodily functions such as vitamin and mineral absorption, blood clotting, building cells and muscle movement. These sound like good things which we want to support right?

Water

This may be an obvious one but a lot of people aren’t actually drinking enough water on a daily basis, which can be especially bad for health as we approach the summer months. Water is essential for every system in your body and something that allows your brain function and mood to prosper at the highest level. Make sure you’re drinking enough water!

Vitamins

In terms of staying healthy and fighting off illnesses, vitamins are the ones you want in your corner. There are 13 main vitamins that are essential for optimum wellness and not getting enough of them can lead to disease and suffering. Many people turn to supplements to ensure their intake is meeting the standards their body needs to continue performing.

Minerals

As is the same with vitamins, minerals play a big part in supporting and building a healthy body. They allow many functions to happen smoothly such as building strong bones and teeth, regulating metabolism and staying hydrated. If you want to become well-rounded and give yourself the best possible chance of feeling great, minerals are a must.

The question you need to ask yourself is how much you really want a healthy body, then create a real action plan to achieve it. We all need roadmaps in our lives and by understanding what we need, we can build out those plans and seek advice where necessary. It’s a strange thing the human body in the sense that all these key functions we rely on so badly are performed without us seeing them, like some form of invisible force. However that force is incredibly powerful and if you really want to get everything that life has to offer, you need to take care of yourself first and foremost.

The current pandemic has compelled millions of people to embrace digital technology and start connecting remotely. While for some, the shift is effortless, many healthcare workers are dealing with a lot of challenges.

For one, medical staff will need to comply with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) security requirements when working from home. Since most of these individuals typically work in the field, shifting to a remote technology may be daunting.

If you’re a healthcare provider and unsure of how to make the change, continue reading this article and learn about the ways you can introduce remote work to your organization.

1. Supply the Right Equipment & Technology

While it’s practical to allow healthcare staff to use their personal devices at home, this option also comes with many obstacles. For one, it’ll be challenging for the IT department to assess if the personnel-owned pieces of equipment satisfy company security configuration criteria. This scenario is equally challenging for IT since healthcare workers aren’t in the same vicinity as them to check the device.

For companies to ensure their remote healthcare workers are HIPAA compliant, supplying preconfigured equipment at their practitioner’s home guarantees the tools staff use complies with the necessary security policies. This step likewise will make it simpler for the IT department to manage whatever support employees need.

Furthermore, the equipment that must be HIPAA compliant includes devices and technologies such as video, messaging applications, laptops, smartphones, local hard drives, and document scanners for healthcare. Since these tools access ePHI, they must always have the current security software. Also, family members and friends shouldn’t have access to these pieces of equipment.

2. Implement a Work-from-Home Guideline

To start with, it’s vital for healthcare companies to implement a work-from-home (WFH) guideline. Understand that employees, especially individuals who spent most of their careers in the field, may not be aware of WFH rules, protocols, and best practices.

For instance, some staff members may not be aware that it’s not safe to access electronic personal health information (ePHI) data using public Wi-Fi. Or some may not know that it’s essential to shred documents containing PHI at home.

When adopting a WFH arrangement, healthcare organizations must provide clear guidelines for remote workers. Companies must clearly state what they need employees to do, which may possibly differ from what they typically perform in the office.

Additionally, it’s crucial to explain to their staff what specific devices and technology they can use at home that won’t endanger both their jobs and patient data. To guarantee that everyone understands the rules and guidelines, see to it remote healthcare workers sign a document that enumerates all the policies required and reiterate that violators will face penalties.

3. Set Encryption Algorithms to Safeguard Data

And lastly, virtual private networks (VPN) enable organizations to provide secure communication between an employee’s device and the company’s network. Recognize that a VPN connection offers firewall protection, content screening, and other necessary safeguarding to remote workers, similar to how it works in a hospital or office environment.

Despite this fact, note that VPNs mostly rely on encryption to shield confidential healthcare data and other information that requires transmission and storing. Often, the solution available is customizable, which permits IT staff to choose the particular encryption algorithm and key range to secure data.

Thus, healthcare providers must remind their IT department to assess their online servers and VPNs’ security settings. They should see to it that all their encryption-enabled technologies only utilize sufficient key lengths and powerful encryption algorithms.

Takeaway

Overall, keep in mind that every healthcare setting is distinct. One program may be suitable for one provider, but it’s possible it may not work in another facility. Today with everyone adjusting to the transformation, there’s a lot of areas for improvements. However, facilities can still work and fine-tune these details and adopt the right strategy for their workers.