Medical Records and Health Information Technicians - Career Opportunities

Medical records and health information technicians handle and organize patient records, and evaluate these records for completeness and accuracy.

They may specialize in coding patients' medical information for insurance purposes. They will tabulate and analyze data to improve patient care, control costs, provide documentation for use in legal actions and respond to surveys for use in research studies. They conduct annual follow-ups on all patients to track their treatment, survival, and recovery. They may supervise health information clerks and transcriptionists.

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In 2004 there were about 159,000 technicians in the U.S. About 40% worked in hospitals. The rest were mostly in physician's offices, nursing care facilities, outpatient care centers, and home health care services. Some worked in insurance firms that deal in health matters. In public health departments technicians supervise data collection.

Medical records and health information technicians usually have an associate degree from a community or junior college. Besides a general education, coursework should include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, legal aspects of health information, coding and abstraction of data, statistics, database management, quality improvement methods and computer science.

Many job openings require Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT). They pass a written exam from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). To take the exam, one must graduate from a 2-year associate degree program. This should be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). In 2005, there were 184 CAHIIM-accredited programs.

Medical records and health information technicians must be able to:

o organize and evaluate patient records for completeness and accuracy, using modern record keeping procedures and computer programs,

o make sure that patients' initial medical charts are complete,

o communicate clearly with physicians and other health care professionals,

o manage a department, if they have the training and experience,

o work a 40-hour week with some overtime,

o be prepared to work day, evening, and night shifts if working in hospitals,

o pay close attention to detail.

Job Growth for Medical Records and Health Information Technicians:

Job opportunities for medical records and health information technicians will grow much faster than average for all occupations. Most new jobs are expected to be in physician's offices because of increasing demand for detailed records. Rapid growth also is expected in home health care services, outpatient care centers, and nursing and residential care facilities.

How much do medical records and health information technicians earn?
In 2004 median annual earnings were ,590. Fifty percent earned between ,650 and ,990. The lowest salaries were less than ,720, and the highest more than ,760.

A Day in a Medical Records Technician's Life:

On a typical day a medical records technician will:

o organize and evaluate patient records for completeness and accuracy,

o make sure that patients' initial medical charts are complete and entered in the computer,

o communicate with physicians to clarify diagnoses or to obtain additional information,

o assign a code to each diagnosis and procedure,

o consult classification manuals concerning disease processes,

o use computer software to assign the patient to one of several hundred "diagnosis-related groups," or DRGs,

o tabulate and analyze data,

o review patient records and pathology reports,

o conduct annual follow-ups on all patients in the registry.

I hope this article gives you a good idea of what is involved in the career of a Medical Records Technician. Health care is the largest industry in the world. In the U.S. about 14 million people work in the health care field. More new wage and salary jobs are in health care than in any other industry. (Some figures from Bureau of Labor Statistics.)

Medical Records and Health Information Technicians - Career Opportunities

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Choosing Organic Lawn Care Products

Do you long for having your property enhanced by a splendid lawn? Sure you do but do you know that green lawns treated by using chemicals can put under risk not only the environment but put your health at risk when the waste material produced by chemicals are washed into underground streams, polluting water that you drink, beside destroying entire ecological systems? Learn here how to avoid all these risk switching to organic lawn care.

Knowing Your Soil For Organic Lawn Care

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Each soil requires a different food according to their composition, needs and its pH. Like the skin of a human being, the soil has a pH measurement, test your soil to know it: that determines its acidity or alkalinity. Where is rich in limestone or chalk, is said to be alkaline. Conversely, it is an acid soil. Generally, a pH above 7.0 indicates an alkaline soil, while a pH below 6.5 is acidic.

Once you have tested it, you can use the suitable organic fertilizer.

The problem with organic fertilizer is the bad smell. That makes that many people reject to use but there are products, like granular fertilizer made of treated sewage waste that are safe and comply the regulations needed. They odorless and can provide the elements your soil needs.

Some Organic Fertilizers

Coconut Fiber is a good fertilizer. It is used with plants that like acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.3) and is available in gardening stores.

Earthworms fertilizer is one of the most common nutrients.Put a small layer on the land to fertilize and plants grow strong and healthy. Can be found in a specialized center or in any nursery Pesticides.

Pesticides in organic lawn care are not harmful like chemicals pairs. Use diatomic earth, lawn care sand, vinegar, oatmeal, cinnamon powder and other substances which help to reduce and control pests in your lawn.

Weeds

Weeds are the most common factor of worry for lawn care fan. Perennials or not, they are always ready to make themselves comfortable in any place they find available.Control weeds by pulling out by hand, sprinkle them vinegar, corn gluten

Your Switch To Organic Lawn Care

You are ready to make your switch to organic lawn care and if you pay attention, was not that way of caring for lawn and garden the way used by our grandparents? And were their lawns and gardens wonderful and beautiful? Yes, they were and now you can discover again the power of Nature by doing an simple but effective complete lawn care.

Choosing Organic Lawn Care Products

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Safety Measures for Children Playing on Driveways!

There has been a continuous increase in the number of driveway accidents involving children. Thus, child safety has become a major concern for parents. For child safety, one needs to consider certain important points.

These days, children are seen spending most of their time on the driveways playing games such as skating, basket ball, riding bikes, hide and seek and many others. Young children are naturally very curious and love to move here and there to find out what is going on around them. In most of the cases, they run into the path of a moving vehicle after a ball or any other toy without any danger of getting hurt. Most of these children are prone to accidents because of any vehicle passing over an unseen child. Children under the age of six are major victims of such accidents.

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It has been stated by a number of child safety organizations that driveway accidents are the second most cause of death of young children playing around their homes. The organizations further stated that the number of deaths occurring in these accidents is much more than the number of injuries. Thus, child safety has become one of the key concerns for the parents these days. Parents are seen worried about their child playing on driveways.

Parents need to take care of certain important points to prevent their children from being hurt while playing outside the homes. Some of the best ways to prevent this situation have been discussed below:

Properly educating child in this regard

This is one of the best possible ways of reducing accidents. By educating your children regarding the driveway safety, you can prevent them from being hurt in any accident. Driveway safety programs are organized by various institutions to help children know about the dangers of running out on the road. Educating your child in this regard is very important, no matter how young he or she may be.

Installing safety gates

Installation of security gates is another important step in this direction. It not only keeps children safe but at the same time offers complete peace of mind to the parents. Being composed of sturdy materials, the security gates are extremely durable and strong. The gates can be used for both residential as well as commercial sectors.

Blocking your driveway

Blocking the driveway can also prevent accidents. You should block it to prevent any kind of child injury.

These are some of the important ways of keeping your children safe while they are playing on the driveway. By doing so, you can prevent your child from being hurt by any vehicle.

Safety Measures for Children Playing on Driveways!

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Blackheads and Whiteheads - Skin Care and Treatment - The Key to a Clear Face

Acne is a skin disease that almost affects everybody. A number of adolescents and young adults usually experience it. This type of skin disease is not caused by the food intake, which means that even if you go on a diet to treat it, it will not eventually work. It is not also always brought about by dirt, that is why severe and often scrubbing the face will not solve it. Acne must be treated with care.

Acne can be identified into two groups; one is the red bump and the other are those made up of blackheads and the whiteheads. It is important to know which acne you have since each type is treated differently. Blackheads are open comedones and whiteheads are closed comedones.

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Acne is not treated overnight. It is usually treated regularly and consistently. When treating these types it requires time before you can actually see an improvement.

There are several treatments for blackheads and whiteheads. One treatment is the Benzoyl Peroxide, which is good in reducing the clogs in the follicles that brings about acne. Another treatment is the Tretinoin (Retin A) which is a regular treatment for acne. It works by expelling the dirt or clogs in the pores so that it will eventually return to normal.

Antibiotics in the form or topical or oral may be also be used. However, this is only helpful if the blackheads or whiteheads are infected. Antibiotics are not helpful for those without infection. For severe cystic acne, Isotretinoin (Accutane) may be used, but this is not advised for those who have only mild acne. Lastly, extraction may be resorted. This is a process where a comedone extractor is used to expel the plug from the comedone.

Now, you do not have to worry about your acne. There are various ways to deal with it. You just need to find the treatment that suits you best.

Blackheads and Whiteheads - Skin Care and Treatment - The Key to a Clear Face

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Tiki Care - How to Take Care of Your Tiki Statues, Totems, and Masks

The best quality tiki statues, tiki totems and tiki masks are hand-carved from Acacia wood, otherwise known by its Hawaiian name, Monkey Pod. Monkey pod became popular in the United States after the second world war when soldiers returned carrying souvenirs of tiki totems back to their families. To this day, many people say "I have a bowl just like that which my mother passed down to me years ago and we still use it today!"

Acacia is a dense, naturally resinous hardwood which (by it's very nature) resists penetration by water and will not stain. It also naturally repels insects. It is not necessary to oil the wood but if for some reason it appears to be drying out, you can use a non-toxic mineral oil like Tung Oil to restore the wood grain to its original beauty. Care is simple and easy: just hand wash with warm soapy water and air dry.

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After carving most makers of tiki products coat them with Thompson's® Water Seal® clear coat which has a matt (not shiny) finish. This protects all of the items and can be reapplied annually if you want to maintain the perfect finish...

..but most tiki lovers prefer their Tiki art to remain outdoors and develop some character as it ages!

Coco wood and Pine is also used, but are lesser quality woods less suitable for use outdoors. As a guide, Acacia will last a lifetime (40+ years), Coco will last many years (15+ years) and Pine will last 5+ years before showing any adverse signs of aging if left untreated. Insects are a problem in Coco and Pine, so location and insect-proofing is worth considering for the pine tiki masks for example.

Regardless of the materials used, fading from the sun's UV rays is to be expected, both the wood color and to the paint finishes if present. Pine in particular will last longer if out of direct rain because the repeating cycle of getting wet and then drying will eventually cause deep cracks.

To summarize then, Acacia is the wood of choice, then Coco and lastly Pine. We recommend annual application of Tung Oil or Thompson's® Water Seal® on tiki masks and any totems not made from Acacia.

Tiki Care - How to Take Care of Your Tiki Statues, Totems, and Masks

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Cleaning Up Household Acts With a Cleaning Service

If you are one of those people that really cares about the cleanliness of their homes, then you probably understand the need to hire a household cleaning services company to assist you in your effort to keep your home clean. Cleaning your house has many benefits, with the most important being that it improves living conditions within your home, as well as ensuring the health of the occupants in your home. Some people do not see the need to hire an external cleaning service provider to assist and these people argue that hiring such companies is just a waste of money, which could be used for other important family needs.

This is a great misconception, as if the health and well-being of you family is not the most important need, then what is? It would be pointless to try and save money by not hiring a cleaning services company, so that you can use that money to go on vacation, for instance.

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It is also important to understand the kinds of cleaning services that these commercial service providers offer, in order to appreciate their necessity. Some people may view commercial cleaners as intruders in their homes or, even worse, may feel that hiring external help to do the cleaning is a sign that they are unable to take care of their homes. This is not true, as a household cleaning company will only focus on the household cleaning tasks that you assign them to do. As such, you may choose to clean the areas in your household you consider private and hire outside cleaners to occasionally work on the areas that you often neglect. However, in the event that someone in the household were to fall sick as a result of the dirt that is in the house, the cost of seeking medical treatment becomes more expensive than what would have been spent on a household cleaning services provider.

The advantages of having a commercial cleaning service provider do your household cleaning include the fact that their staff is professionally trained in cleaning techniques, which may be useful especially if you are faced with hard to clean tasks. A good example is the cleaning of delicate material without damaging it. Another advantage is that these cleaning companies have invested heavily in the required cleaning machines such as vacuuming equipment, which comes in handy when it comes to cleaning carpets, floors and other hard to clean surfaces.

Cleaning Up Household Acts With a Cleaning Service

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Medical Billing

Now, when you go to a doctor, you would expect the physician to concentrate on what you are telling him (i.e. - your complaint) and give you the best possible solution (the treatment) to solve that. You don't want the doc to be distracted with other responsibilities that he might have (e.g. - billing you for his services offered, liaising with your insurance company, etc). Here's where medical billing comes into play.

Americans believe in division of labour, and expecting a physician to perform multiple tasks (some of which are unrelated to medicine itself!) goes against this belief. They came up with the concept of Medical billing which is nothing but introducing a third person who will get patient treatment data from the doctor, make the bills, speak to the insurance company and reimburse the physician for his services.

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Why can't the patient deal with these themselves? Well, we know that the person is already ill and really don't want to add to their burden. Wouldn't life be simpler if someone were to deal with all the annoying paperwork of filling out forms and going through bills to make sure that they're not incorrect? And that's not mentioning the countless hours on the phone, negotiating with the insurance companies!

Medical Billing doesn't really stop at that. Billers also are involved in analyzing records and pointing out areas which can be improved in the entire process. These analyses are extremely beneficial when it comes to renewal of contracts. Most of the medical billers would also undertake medical transcription services. Apart from this, they also advise physicians and health care providers of changes in the fee structure and new coding practices.

Though the law does not mandate you to be certified to become a Medical Biller, there is always the added advantage of holding a piece of paper which says that a recognized organization approves of you! The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) conducts various exams such as the Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist Exam (CMRS Exam) which you can take up. The internet also provides a lot of practice tests for these exams.

In a nutshell, yes - it is a rather complex process which you can obviously be trained on, but at the end of the day medical billing simplifies the work of a physician thereby helping him to concentrate on the more important role of treating a patient. It also eases the concerns of a patient by taking care of all communication between the insurance company and the physician.

Medical Billing

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Care and Maintenance of Refrigerators

A refrigerator is an expensive investment. Keeping it in good working order will allow it to be used for many years. This means the investment will become less expensive as the cost is expanded over more time. Generally speaking every refrigerator has a similar care and maintenance plan.

The care and maintenance of a refrigerator can be costly. It doesn't have to be expensive to maintain though. Routine care can prevent costly maintenance and repairs. If proper and routine care is done not only will the refrigerator run longer and better it will also help save money as well as saving energy. If a refrigerator has an Energy Star label it is the most energy efficient choice and will save money to use.

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It is important to check a refrigerator at least two times monthly. Look at the seals to see if there is any damage or cracks. If the seals have issues then it is important to purchase new seals and to replace them. Next, check the condenser coils yearly by looking for frost. Make sure there is no more than an inch of frost on the condenser coil so the refrigerator operates properly. Defrost it if there is too much frost.

Make sure to keep a refrigerator up to four inches from walls and anything else. The sides and the back need to be free to help the refrigerator perform properly. It is also important for the care and maintenance of refrigerators to set the temperature to 42 degrees. This will save energy as well as keep all the food at a safe temperature. One way to keep a refrigerator working properly is to not let it get empty and not to have the door open for too long. When storing food in drawers don't stuff them full. It is best to leave an inch of free space. Furthermore, it is best to leave some free space in the freezer.

Another part of caring for a refrigerator means not to neglect the surface. Try to wash the outside with warm soapy water and use a rag or sponge. It will help keep it clean and only takes a few minutes a week. Try to clean out old food and other items at least once a week as well. Check expiration dates and remove any leftovers that have been in the refrigerator for a few days or haven't been covered properly. This will include wiping down the inside with soapy water at least once a month. If it is done frequently then the job won't last very long. Keep baking soda in the refrigerator to help keep the inside smell fresh. One way to help keep the refrigerator clean is to place all the supplies needed in a basket or bucket in a location that is easy to find.

When a refrigerator is properly cared for and maintained it will last for many years. An added bonus is a decrease in the money needed to have a refrigerator.

Care and Maintenance of Refrigerators

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Continuous Carpet Care

Carpet Cleaning - How do you keep carpet looking new? Does your carpet look crushed? Does it look worn? Here are a couple things from an expert to help you take care of your investment.

Keeping Carpet Clean is a never-ending battle with life. Life happens and spills come. They are simply unavoidable. So what are you supposed to do? What can you do to keep your carpets clean?

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Carpet Cleaning starts with consistent vacuuming. Vacuuming once a year for the holidays is not going to protect your investment. Even if you are renting you certainly want to get that deposit back. So just start with a consistent habit of vacuuming. Maybe even begin with once a month and then step up to twice a month. Hopefully after a couple months you will be ready to vacuum at least once a week. (This includes the stairs) Stairs get skipped way to often. Yes, I know that it is difficult some times to haul the vacuum up the stairs but it is a must. All that stomping on the stairs leaves a lot of soil to wear down you carpet fibers. You could also go buy a new vacuum. Sometimes when we spend money on something we are more likely to use it. There has to be something psychological about getting your money back on they investment. At least for me if I spend money I use it.

Carpet cleaning starts with vacuuming regularly.

Professional Cleaning processes also maintain carpet's life and look. To protect your investment you should have your carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year. Most carpet manufacturers recommend this time frame. They also recommend the hot water extraction method used by professional carpet cleaners. It is this method alone that will provide the deep cleaning necessary for improved carpet life and look.

A truckmount machine best provides professional carpet cleaning. These machines provide the pressure to penetrate and pulverize the dirt and contaminates found deep within the carpet. They also provide the heat necessary to melt away unwanted stains. Their vacuum power is unmatched by any portable or rental machine.

Professional carpet cleaning is necessary to maintain the life and look of your investment.

It also doesn't hurt to take your shoes off as much as possible.

So in order to maintain your investment:

Vacuum your carpet regularly Have your carpet professionally cleaned annually Take your shoes off before you walk on the carpet

Continuous Carpet Care

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How to Practice Proper Care For Your Refrigerator

In our busy world, we do not have time! We do not have time to go to the market everyday, no time to buy food, no time to cook everyday either!

But we all need the routine level of nutrition and taste and freshness in the food to keep our taste buds working.

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And what can be a better solution than a refrigerator? The modern kitchen is unthinkable without a refrigerator!

Compact Refrigerators:

With the size of our homes decreasing everyday, we need to arrange for smaller kitchens and smaller kitchen aid products.

Compact refrigerators come in very useful for this purpose. As per your requirements, you can have refrigerators that contain small freezers, ice trays, adjustable shelves, bottle holders on the door and doors adjustable to the left or right as per your convenience.

Cleaning:

The refrigerator basically ensures the fresh goodliness of your food. So, you should maintain it clean. When you are in doubt that the food is spoilt, then throw out the food to help your fridge breathe.

The shelves and the body should be cleaned with a bit of grease so that you feel like walking in and out of your refrigerator every time you open it. Try grouping similar foodstuff together so that one might not interfere with another.

Check that the height of the jars and bottles in the fridge are not exceedingly high. Place taller ones at the back of the fridge. Besides the refrigerator, keep the containers you keep in the fridge clean if you want to consume hygienic food.

Efficiency:

While choosing their refrigerators, most people tend to forget the electric consumption details.

So, if you want to save up money from your electricity bill, check that your refrigerator is working efficiently. An old model can well be replaced with an Energy Star model.

Work on your refrigerator and don't worry about your food!

How to Practice Proper Care For Your Refrigerator

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Say Yes to PQRS: 5 Things You Need to Know for Successful Reporting

Four years after its introduction, the PQRS program (Physician Quality Reporting System) continues to frustrate providers and office staffs. Complaints about a lack of timely feedback and confusion about how to sort through the endless maze of information on the CMS website are just some of the challenges facing practices. An understanding of the background and benefits of the program is the first step towards successful reporting. So let's review some program basics.

1. PQRS is here to stay

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The PQRS program, formerly PQRI (Physician Quality Reporting Initiative), was created in 2006 as part of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act. This act required the creation of a voluntary program where eligible providers could receive an incentive for reporting on quality health measures with the goal that clinical data would help drive improvement in health care and reduce costs. Currently, the PQRS program is focused on data collection. Success is defined as whether providers satisfactorily report the measures; however, it is anticipated that PQRS will transition from a pay-for-reporting system to a pay-for-performance system in the future.

2. Many are eligible to participate

The PQRS program is open to many different professionals including Doctors of Medicine, Osteopathy, Podiatry, Optometry, Oral Surgery, Chiropractic, and Dental Medicine. Practitioners including Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists and Clinical Social Workers are also eligible as are Physical and Occupational Therapists. One in five eligible professionals currently participate in PQRS with participation increasing 50% each year since 2007. For a complete list of eligible professionals visit our website.

3. Measures and more measures

For 2011 there are 190 individual measures and 14 measures groups that you can report. Since 2007, participation has steadily increased as the program has expanded to include measures which appeal to a broader range of providers. You have the option to either report on individual measures or measures groups. A measures group is a collection of related individual measures such as diabetes, back pain, and heart failure. How many measures and patients you must report on to be considered a successful PQRS reporter depends upon the reporting mechanism and reporting period you select as well as whether you report as an individual provider or as part of a group. For a complete list of PQRS measures click on:

http://www.cms.gov/PQRS/15_MeasuresCodes.asp#TopOfPage

4. No excuse not to participate

Just as there are a variety of measures, there are several reporting mechanisms, reporting periods, and participation options you may select.

You can choose from three different reporting mechanisms:

Claims Qualified registry Qualified electronic health record

and two different reporting periods:

12 month period from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011 6 month reporting period from July 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011

and finally, three participation options:

Individual Group of 200 or more eligible professionals Group of 2 to 199 eligible professionals

Just as with measure selection, you must carefully consider which reporting mechanism and reporting period is the right solution for your practice.

5. Successful reporting = Incentive!

An eligible provider who successfully reports PQRS measures will receive an incentive equal to a percentage of their total estimated Medicare Part B Physician Fee Schedule allowed charges for covered professional services furnished during the reporting period. Currently, the PQRS program is voluntary; however, beginning in 2015 failure to successfully report will result in a payment adjustment of your Part B Physician Fee Schedule amounts for covered professional services. The table below summarizes the incentive and adjustment schedule.

Year, Incentive Payment, Payment Adjustment

2011 1% N/A

2012 0.5% N/A

2013 0.5% N/A

2014 0.5% N/A

2015 0% -1.5%

2016 and subsequent years 0% -2.0%

In this age of declining reimbursement your practice cannot afford to pass up on payer incentive programs such as PQRS. Start reporting today so you can claim your share of the incentive.

© 2011 Efficiency in Practice

Say Yes to PQRS: 5 Things You Need to Know for Successful Reporting

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The Six Functions of Electronic Medical Records

Electronic Medical Records are going to be needed in the future. It is important to learn the functions of EMR and how it fits into an office work flow.

1. Patient Charting

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Patient visit information is put into templates or forms; to contain information such as vitals, complaints, medical histories, review of systems, physical exams, etc. Most EMR systems have pick lists, drop-down boxes, handwriting recognition, or voice recognition to accomplish patient charting.

2. Order Communication Systems

This is often referred to as a Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE). This allows the Electronic Medical Records system to communicate information with external systems such as laboratories, imaging centers, hospitals, and pharmacies via Health Level 7 Interfaces. This allows providers to send out lab requests, imaging requests, prescriptions, submit visit charges, and diagnosis codes to the office/billing system.

3. Clinical Decision-Making Support Systems

Alerts, reminders, and recommendations are built into the system allowing automatic clinical decision making with information in the database. It also helps doctors with coding and diagnosis. Many EMR systems provide physicians with a recommended CPT code based off of Evaluation and Management (EM) rules. This allows physicians to bill payers at the highest possible rate for the services performed.

4. Document/ Image Management

It is important for offices to manage the enormous flow of paper entering their office. Offices are constantly flooded with patient intake forms, referring physician letters, lab reports, and faxes. EMRs allow doctors to access these documents on a intuitive user interface. EMRs provide physicians a way to manage images such as x-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds.

5. Patient Portal

Personal health records allow patients to access their health record from any computer with a secure internet connection. These programs include features such as appointment scheduling, refill requests, electronic intake forms, record access, outcome assessments and patient education. The patient can also grant other providers access to this information which allows provider-to-provider communication.

6. Statistics and Reporting

Providers can create reports from databases for statistical purposes. This becomes especially useful in the case of drug recalls, health maintenance reminders and disease management.

The Six Functions of Electronic Medical Records

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Home Reversion Schemes Offer Certainty for Beneficiaries

When researching whether equity release is a suitable option, you may be finding most of the information available in the press or on the internet focuses on the main types of plan available - which are Lifetime Mortgages.

However, there is in fact another type of plan which is less commonly understood and these are called Home Reversion plans.

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I think it's important to consider these plans in more depth. Increasingly home reversions are become more appropriate for those considering taking an equity release plan, particularly if those looking for a simple plan giving a high degree of certainty.

Home reversion plans involve transferring ownership of all or part of your property to the provider in exchange for a tax free cash lump sum (or you can choose regular payments). Your property is independently valued and from this the provider will work out how much they will pay you for the percentage of the property being sold. The amount you're paid won't be as much as the market value of the property. This is simply because you will be living there rent free for the rest of your life (or until moving out permanently into long term care).

As a "rule of thumb" the older you are the more the provider will pay you for the share sold, that's because your life expectancy is less. You are still responsible for paying all your bills, insurance and maintaining the property. At the end of the plan the property is sold and if you've retained part of it, your share of the proceeds will be paid to your estate.

When considering a home reversion provider it's important to choose a company who is a member of the trade body Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP). SHIP members offer a guarantee to their customers, the main benefits of this are that you are allowed to remain in your property for life (provided the property remains your main residence) and you have the right to move plan to another suitable property without any financial penalty. Plus of course you have the safeguard of independent legal advice. The current providers of home reversion schemes include Bridgewater, Hodge Lifetime, Aviva & Crown equity release.

Home reversions are also regulated by the Financial Services Authority which oversees how providers and advisers must deal with you. And finally, because reversions involve the sale of property a third level of extra consumer protection is given by UK property law, which governs the relationship with the provider and their obligations towards you.

So what type of people are home reversions most suitable for?

Well it really boils down to your thoughts and concerns. As a guide, a reversion might be more appropriate for someone who falls into some or all of the following categories:

· Customers who want to specifically avoid debt - a home reversion plan is not a mortgage & therefore cannot be repossessed

· Those concerned house prices won't keep going up - the risk of falling house prices is passed to the provider

· People in good health and confident that they may live for many more years to come (for example there may be a history of longevity in the family) - generally the longer you live the better value a reversion becomes

· Anyone wanting to the peace of mind of knowing that if they need to in the future, they can access the maximum cash from their remaining equity - some providers will guarantee to always release further funds until 100% of the property is sold

· Clients wanting to guarantee an inheritance for their estate - for example if only 25% of the property is sold, the estate will inherit 75% of its value after costs

· Those wanting to release more cash from their property than they can by using a lifetime mortgage

Naturally home reversion plans are not for everyone. Generally you will only be eligible to take a reversion plan if you are 65 or older.

As reversions are a long term commitment they should not be considered if you intend to repay the money released at some stage in the future (for example if you're expecting an inheritance).

If you are in poor health or expect to have below average life expectancy then you may not get full value from a reversion either. Nevertheless, there are relevant equity release schemes that take poor health into account & can thereby provide a greater lump sum.

For those unfamiliar with how a reversion works there is understandably a little concern about giving up all or part ownership of your property.

The reality is that the terms and conditions of a reversion (ie the "small print") are similar to that of a lifetime mortgage and your right to privacy and freedom to live in your own home are not affected.

Usually with a home reversion you are granted a lease for life to live in the property for as long as you wish to. And this important legal arrangement is recorded by HM Land Registry much the same as a leasehold flat or house is. So although you may have sold all or part of the property to the provider it still very much remains your home.

The decision to release equity from your home using a home reversion plan or a lifetime mortgage is an important one and you will need specialist advice from an Independent Financial Adviser in order to do so. They can talk to you about whether equity release is right for you and if it is what sort of product best suits your particular needs.

Home Reversion Schemes Offer Certainty for Beneficiaries

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Improving Your Healthcare Practice: Finding Out Your Patients Needs

One of the most common tools used to measure quality improvement wherever
services are offered is the survey. It has many good applications if it is well designed
and can provide a lot of information if it is properly analyzed.

When and why should you use surveys? Of course one of the most frequent uses is
with patients and clients. In fact, Medicare is beginning the H-CAHPS survey of
hospitals to find patients' views on many different facets of their service. The survey
is voluntary and results will be posted online in 2007. It is becoming a necessity for
physicians and healthcare professionals to find out what their patients think as
more and more information about care from insurance providers and other sources
is being posted online.

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The employees of any healthcare facility should be surveyed too. They should, after
all, be considered clients. Since they provide many different services and are the
front line connection to patients, their input about their work environment and
satisfaction with it are to be taken seriously. You should not just be surveying
doctors and nurses, but also maintenance, administrative, and all other groups at
your site.

What are some of the basic ideas you should keep in mind when designing a survey?

1. The best questions are the anchored endpoint type. One end would be "very
satisfied" and the other "very dissatisfied" or something similar, with a 7 or 10 point
scale from one end to the other. The five point scale is too short. It doesn't provide
enough variance.

2. You may ask a few yes and no or gather demographic data, as age.

3. Limit yourself to one open-ended question. They are too hard to provide
statistically significant data.

4. When writing the questions, work with a team of representatives of the people
who will be surveyed. This helps avoid bias and makes sure you have good
questions.

5. Be sure to choose a random sample to survey. It is better to survey 30 or 40
randomly chosen patients or clients whom you interview or have fill out a survey
while in the office rather than getting more surveys by subjects who return mailed
surveys or volunteer in some other fashion. Voluntary surveys are basically
worthless from a statistical point of view.

Once you have collected your surveys, it is time for analysis. For simple analysis, I
suggest using Microsoft's Excel. It has some dynamite graphics. Too, you need to
get the mean and standard deviation of each question where appropriate.
Remember, you want your mean to be as good as possible with low standard
deviation. If you want some more insight and powers of prediction of what action
you should take based upon the survey, I suggest you employ someone who is
trained in statistical analysis or a statistician. The return on the investment of a
professional analyst should easily exceed the expense.

Summarily, surveys are a valuable instrument in finding out the opinions of your
patients and employees. Care should be taken in designing the instrument to insure
there is no bias and that there is randomness in conducting the survey. Investment
in professional analysis is well worth it. The result will be healthier patients who are
more loyal, a definite financial plus.

Improving Your Healthcare Practice: Finding Out Your Patients Needs

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Durable Nanocomposite Filling Improvements May Better Prevent Decay For Long-Term Cheap Dental Care

Although dentists hope that their work will last a lifetime, in reality, restorative appliances such as crowns, bridges, dentures, and fillings will often require additional repairs or replacements over time. Amidst the chewing, grinding, biting, prying, and just plain accidents that involve many people's teeth, it is very difficult for most to keep restorative dentistry work in place over the course of a lifetime.

This need for expensive filling, bridge, and crown replacements makes cheap dental care much more difficult to find. Do you know that Americans spend over billion each year to repair failed or worn down restorative dentistry? Given this large expense, cheaper repair of failed fillings and other restorative work is a necessity for most patients. A developing nanocomposite technology, however, may be a help.

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Traditional Filling Methods

One restorative procedure which commonly has to be reworked is a filling. Fillings are designed to not only fill cavities, but to prevent them from spreading - resin-based composite ones are typically equipped with an anti-decay agent.

Resin-based composites contain a delicate balance of this agent and the material which keeps the filling solid. If too large a proportion of the agent is used, your filling will not be as rigid, and may end up falling out overtime. However, if not enough of the agent is used, decay can may continue spreading behind the cavity, further into your tooth. If this decay continues to grow, it will eventually spread outside the size of your filling, which will also cause it to fall out. For the longest-lasting, most cost-effective treatment possible, there needs to be a way to make a natural-looking filling more secure, while keeping it resistant to decay.

(Amalgams, the silver-colored fillings dentists traditionally used until recent years, are becoming less and less popular due to their unnatural appearance and concerns about possible Mercury poisoning. However, their two key advantages are increased durability and cheaper cost compared to resin-based composites.)

New Nanocomposite Technology

In order to cut down the cost of having fillings reworked, there is an emerging technology which may present a happy medium between the strength of amalgam fillings and the appeal of resin-composite ones. This technology involves a way to create anti-decay particles much smaller than originally possible in resin-composite fillings. Since these "nanocomposite" particles can be a fraction of the size of traditional anti-decay particles, less material is needed to create the same amount of cavity coverage.

If these nanocomposites are used to enhance or replace resin-based composites, the use of more concentrated and powerful anti-decay material will mean stronger, longer lasting fillings. If this technology is placed on the market, patients may be able to receive good looking, strong composite fillings with a protective level of anti-decay agent. Due to more durable fillings, patients may be able to visit the dentist less to repair failed ones. Less visits to your dentist office may allow you cheap dental bills long-term. Although this new technology is not yet widely available, be on the lookout. If you have questions about the availability of nanocomposite fillings, you may want to check with your local dentists see when this new technology will be introduced to their offices.

Durable Nanocomposite Filling Improvements May Better Prevent Decay For Long-Term Cheap Dental Care

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B2C E-Commerce - 2 Strategies to Rebuild Customer Trust and Loyalty in B2C E-Commerce

If you are confused with your business in online transactions and desperate to recall your customer after the violation or inconvenient things happened between you and your customer, and confused how to make them back? Don't be so confused, I have some idea to solve this problem properly without spending much money to recall them back. Nowadays, online transactions have become part of people's life, especially e-commerce. Many people interested to go shopping trough the internet. Many people who I had ever asked, mostly their reason to go shopping trough internet is because it's simple and easy, even though there are many violation and fraud happens in this kind of transactions. In spite of there are a lot of violation things has happened between the customer and the provider, some customer still expecting the efforts from the provider to rebuild their trust back. This idea becomes the main problems for the provider, sometimes they are confused how to recall and maintain their customer without spending any cost. Don't be worry that much; maybe my idea can help you to solve your problem and you can win back your customer trust. Here are some suggestion for you pal if you are a businessman who working in online transaction.

1. Improve Your Communication Quality

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A lot of people are accessing the internet not only for shopping but also to get some information that they need. This is become something important for provider, to provide not only the products information, but also other information which are related to their products. It's because most of the people in the world doing browsing first, before they bought or using the service in internet. The main purpose by increasing communication quality is to uphold the customer's and provider/vendor's interest. This kind of communication can be created by making suggestions and criticism wall upon their portal/website. This wall has a lot of advantages, such as publishing improvement of the company, complain and the handling, etc. So this is one of alternatives to enrich your communication between you as provider and your customer. This solution also serves to maintain the customer loyalty, because by always improving your communication quality between you as provider and your customer, then indirectly the trust and their comfort would be more strongly tied.

2. Increase the Contract Quality and Assurance

This is the 2nd idea that I had analyze from the conflict which are happened between the customer and the vendor, recently. Most of conflict between these two parties is about contract violation and there isn't any assurance from the vendor if something happened which is harming the customer side. This solution will be done by adding some details information in the contract and creating relation to the 3rd party which has capability to give some assurance toward the customer and the provider itself. So, if there is something happened all of the consequences will be handled by the contract and the 3rd party.

So, if you curious with those suggestions, why you don't want to try it pal? Just try to implement this in your business. I hope those suggestion will help you to rebuild your relationship, between you and whole of your customer.

B2C E-Commerce - 2 Strategies to Rebuild Customer Trust and Loyalty in B2C E-Commerce

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Nature of the Nursing Tasks

Registered nurses work to help patients deal with illness, promote health and prevent disease. They are health educators and advocates for communities, families and patients. When rendering direct patient care they examine, access and record the reactions, symptoms and progress. They help physicians during examinations and treatments, handle medications and aid in rehabilitation and convalescence. RNs also administer nursing care plans, guide patients and their families in right care and help groups and individuals to take steps to maintain or improve their health.

Hospital nurses: They are the major group of nurses. Majority are staff nurses who perform medical regiments and offer bedside nursing care. They may also administer licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants. Hospital nurses generally are allocated to one area like maternity, emergency room, surgery, pediatrics, treatment of cancer patients or intensive care.

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Office nurses: They take care for outpatients in clinics, emergency medical centers and physicians' offices. They prepare patients and aid them with examinations, dress wounds, administer medications and injections, maintain records and assist with minor surgery. Some may carry out routine office and laboratory work.

Home health nurses: They render periodic services to the patients at home. They take care for a wider range of patients like those recovering from childbirth and cancer, accidents and illness. After considering patient's home environment, they instruct and care for patients and their families.

Public health nurses: They usually work in private and government agencies, retirement communities, schools, clinics and other community settings. They work for the improvement of the overall health of the communities. As partners they work with communities to implement and plan programs. Public health nurses instruct people regarding disease prevention, health issues, childcare and nutrition. They make arrangements for blood pressure testing, immunizations and other health screening. They also work with teachers, community leaders, physicians and parents in community health education.

Industrial nurses: They offer nursing care at worksites to customers, employees and others with illness and slight injuries. They render emergency care and prepare accident reports if necessary. They also assist with health examinations, offer health counseling and access work environments to spot safety problems.

Head nurses: They are nurse supervisors who direct nursing activities. They prepare work schedules and allocate duties to nurses and assistants, provide for training and visit patients to make sure the proper delivery of care.

Nature of the Nursing Tasks

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8 Reminders You Need To Know Before Hiring a Tree Expert

When there is a tree limb knocking on your window every time the wind comes rushing about, maybe it's time to consider hiring a tree expert - especially if the sound wakes you up in the middle of the night.

A tree expert, who is also called an arborist, is a trained individual who can provide proper care, pruning, or removal of trees. For example, when it comes to the situation of cutting a certain maple tree that already becomes a nuisance to you and your neighbors, the proper person to call to cut down that huge maple tree trunk that is upon the telephone lines is an experienced tree-cutting company.

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But how do you make sure that you are getting the right person or company for the job? Here are some reminders for you to check out determine which tree expert can finish the job.

Check for testimonials from other people as much as possible. If you can get references from reliable sources like your own family, friends, or relatives, the better. You can also check the internet for sites or companies that are known to offer good service. Do not just hire someone who gives a cheap offer. Always ask for the credentials of the tree cutting expert that you are transacting with so that you can make sure that the job will be done safely and accordingly. Be cautious of those people who go from house to house asking for work to be done. It is safer to get one from a reputable company than picking a person on the streets. Most legal tree specialists usually let you sign a contract. But before getting your ink on that paper read the fine print. Also, asks questions if you have any article on that contract that you don't fully understand. Find information about the professional background of the tree specialist. If the arborist is a member of organizations like the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA), and the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), then you can be sure that you and your neighborhood is in safe hands, whether you are having a tree removed, grown, or pruned. Membership to these organizations shows a great interest on the arborist's part to learn about updates on professional tree care. See if the tree expert had an ISA arborist certification. If he has, then that means that he has passed intensive examinations in tree care. Also check for the insurance company of the arborist. This is to avoid paying for huge expenses in cases of accidents. Take note that uninsured tree experts might become a liability. Let the tree master present the appropriate licenses and permits. Licensed workers usually show certification that the person has complied with any local or national laws that are enforced in the place regarding that job.

If you are hiring a tree expert, make sure that you consider following the above reminders. The simplest thing you can do in finding the right arborist is reading about the basic principles of tree care issued by the ISA. Knowledge is almost always better than ignorance.

8 Reminders You Need To Know Before Hiring a Tree Expert

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How to Tell If He Truly Cares About You - Indications to Prove That He Truly Cares About You

Love and care are the two most important things on a woman's mind when in a relationship. The point is how to tell if he truly cares about you. Some very clear indications that will prove his care for you.

He shows you off
If your guy truly cares for you then he will show you off to friends and family. He will introduce you with pride and dignity. If he avoids places where known people are likely to be then you know he does not really care.

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He makes time to meet you
When a man makes the time to meet you and spend time with you, then you know that he cares for you. But if he does not care for you then his meeting up with you will be scarce and far apart and not as frequent as you would like.

Don't be carried away by the expensive gifts
Don't judge a man's feelings by the gifts he brings for you. The gifts compensate when the depth of the feelings is missing. He has no serious intentions to commit to this relationship with you beyond having sex.

Does he show concern and care
If your guy shows concern and care for you when with and also when away from you then you can tell that he truly cares. But if it is a case of "out of sight, out of mind" then you should guess the genuineness is missing. He cares little for you.

Has he said it in that many words
The point is, has your guy said it in that many words that he loves you? Has he said it before you have said it to him or asked him if he loves you? Or does he say it only to take you into bed? Well in either of these cases he does not truly care.

Has he talked of meeting your folks
Has he mentioned that he would like to meet up with your folks as also take you to meet his folks? When this happens then you'll know that his intentions are more serious and that he truly cares and hence wants to his and your folks to know.

Has he talked of a future
Lastly, you'll know when he talks of a future together. He will discuss various things like his professional standing, his finances and where he intends buying a house and such related subjects. This will assure you that he does care for you with an intention of committing himself to you.

How to Tell If He Truly Cares About You - Indications to Prove That He Truly Cares About You

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How to Maintain Granite Countertops

Granite is a unique and beautiful stone that comes in a wide variety of shades and hues. It has been prized for centuries as a building material, due to its Granite countertops are a magnificent addition to any home, beautiful to behold, adding a touch of class and elegance to any room.

Granite countertops are also an important investment, adding to the beauty and resale value of your home. It is essential to provide proper care and maintenance for your countertops so that they can continue to look as good as they did when you just had them installed.

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Here are some tips to ensure you keep your granite countertops in top-notch condition:

Sealing: An effective seal helps reduce the chance of staining by creating a barrier between the granite and any compounds. The seal also keeps your countertops hygienic by preventing moisture from seeping into granite's naturally porous surface. Historically, resealing your granite countertops was recommended as frequently as every year. The sealers used were water-based or solvent-based and would break down over time and with the use of everyday household cleaners. It was recommended that countertops be cleaned with warm soapy water only. In the recent years, a lifetime sealer, often with a 15 year stain-warranty, has been introduced to the market, completely changing the traditional rules of how to care for granite countertops. These new sealers are more like treatments, which molecularly bond to the stone and don't need to be reapplied. They are strong enough to stand up to common household cleaners in many circumstances as well. Ask your countertop provider what type of sealers they offer.

Stains: Even if you've protected your granite with sealants, it's always a good idea to be proactive and prevent stains from setting. You should always clean up spills immediately, using a blotting technique rather than wiping to avoid spreading the spilled substance. Most stains can generally be removed by cleaning the surface with dish soap and water. You should never clean your countertops with acidic cleaners, as these can cause scratching. Afterwards, be sure to always dry the surface with a clean cloth.

Cleaning: For fantastic looking granite countertops, make sure you clean them regularly. Small particles of food or residue buildup can cause your countertops to feel "gritty" or lose its shine. With certain stones, you can even use a razor blade to strip away any stubborn grit - but make sure you ask your expert countertop provider first.

If you encounter any problems that you are unable to fix with the above suggestions, you should contact the dealer who sold you the countertops for additional assistance. However, granite is a very durable stone, and with the right amount of care, your granite countertops will look stunning and flawless for years to come.

How to Maintain Granite Countertops

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Grief and Self Care

Many of us are dealing with health issues and/or aging issues nowadays - our own, our family members' and our friends. It's tough to take care of ourselves when we have to take care of others, when we feel scared and anxious. The first things to go are our routines.

I've prepared a list of basics I hope will be helpful:

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A good place to start is at the most basic level of food, water and sleep. Keep things very simple and nourishing with food. If you're not able to sleep consider natural remedies or even medication.

Get outside in nature even if its only for 5 minutes to refresh yourself and change your energy. Move your body while you're out there. The more you do this, the more your body-mind-spirit will crave it.

Get the support of others - friends and family members if they aren't too caught up in their own feelings. Call a crisis line if necessary; that's what they're in the phone book for!

Spend a few minutes every day alone quietly. This will help you release your burdens and the burdens of others you may be carrying. In the stillness you will receive guidance.

And finally, BREATHE!...the first line of defence. Take a deep breath in through your nose, hold it as long as it is comfortable, then push as much air as possible out through your mouth. Repeat this up to 5 breaths. Put post-its up or set timers for 15 minutes as a reminder.

If you are in crisis or going through a lot right now, just begin to use these basics. They certainly won't hurt you, and will likely help.

Grief and Self Care

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Business Coaching Tips - Customer Satisfaction Improvement Plan

Pro-active Strategies

Actively look at implementing some of these proactive strategies
Supplying better quality goods or over-servicing Ensuring speedy delivery. If a customer orders today by direct mail, they are always impressed if the goods are there the next day. This sets the tone for the entire organization Offering after sales discounts Realigning product development to customer needs. This could take the form of a pro-active questionnaire that asks the customer what they liked and did not like. And then setting a product development plan from this feedback Access to additional services or goods as a reward for being a good customer Follow up with a simple customer service call - "we care about our customer" Supply a bonus gift with the sale
People Strategies

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A set of guidelines should be developed for anyone that comes in contact with a customer. These guidelines should be backed by detailed training. The types of people that typically come in contact with a customer include

Receptionist Sales people Technical people Delivery and warehouse people Secretary Telemarketers Accounts

Review what type of customers that you have, the types of issues that these people deal with and look to develop a series of quality guidelines

Systems - Implement and monitor the following systems
Customer service systems Customer feedback systems Regular training of staff Automated survey Mystery shopper Employee incentive to reward high customer service Automated CRM and access by all staff
Areas of Performance you should review
Product quality Delivery Courtesy Professionalism Product knowledge Complaint resolution Ease of doing business Invoicing/Accounts accuracy Responsiveness to enquiries Stock availability After sales service Service versus expected service
Indicators (lagged)

Lost customers (churn rate) Average value sale Referrals Average life time value Product returns Complaints Customer re-order frequency

Business Coaching Tips - Customer Satisfaction Improvement Plan

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How to Take Care of Your Rosewood Furniture

Rosewood is one of the finest wooden type available in the market. It is also very precious, so it is also important to know how you should take care of the wooden furniture so as to avoid them from shrinking, cracking or losing its color. Here are some of the tips which will help you in taking utmost care of your priced possession!

Reasons for wooden furniture losing its sheen
Though Rosewood is hardwood it is sensitive to changing climatic conditions, exposure to direct sunlight, contact with silicon-based cleaners and water.

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Protecting Rosewood Furniture
Rosewood is sensitive to structural damage if it is not cared for properly. To maintain its durability and also to keep its color intact it is important to take due care of these wooden assets that graces your house with its presence. When you buy any wooden furniture, please note that it would take some time to settle in its new environment. You should avoid exposing it to direct sunlight, avoid moisture accumulation or washing with water. Also avoid contact with rubber and plastic material.

Chemicals in the plastic and some rubber may soften and thus injure the finish if left in contact with the furniture for a long period of time. To avoid these markings, place a strip of felt, leather, or cork under tray accessories. You are advised to regularly dust and clean the Rosewood furniture with damp cloth. Also polish it with non-silicon polish to retain its shine and beauty. Small mars and scratches may be touched up or covered with a mar or scratch remover or touch-up stick. Caring for your assets - your Rosewood furniture

Rosewood furniture's are used to make your sofa, your wall cabinets, drawers, dining tables and so on. For example Chitra handicrafts manufactures rosewood dining table, double bed, rosewood statues and much more. This furniture is also your lifestyle statement. If you care for them, not only will they last long without any embarrassing cracks it would also retain its beautiful appearance as if you just bought them.

Rosewood furniture can be very beautiful and fits many styles of home and office décor. You can use them in your dining room, drawing room, and bedroom or in the sit out. But quality rosewood furniture often comes with a high price tag due to intensive labor and high material costs. However, good rosewood furniture will last a very long time if cared for properly.

How to Take Care of Your Rosewood Furniture

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Using Professionals to Make Lawn Care Contracts

If you run your own lawn care business then you will know that you will have to deal with lawn care contracts, as this is what you will have to issue to your clients when you provide them with your services. With the contract it is a law binding agreement that will ensure that you get paid for the work that you have done. It also lets the client know exactly what services you will provide for them.

What should you put in the Lawn Care Contracts?

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One of the most important things about the lawn care contract is what is actually put into the contract as this is legally binding and so it needs to contain everything within it. Each contract will be customized for each client, so you will need to read it over thoroughly before issuing it to your client in order to make sure that everything in it is acceptable.

In the contract you will want to make certain things clear such as:-

o The price of your services for the individual project

o What you will be offering

o Whether you will be charging any more for the use of extra materials, services or products

o How long the project will take to complete

As well as the things mentioned above, you may also want to state whether the customer will have to renew the contract yearly or not. You will also want to state any costs for the renewal of contracts if needed.

The job of the contract is to make sure that the agreement between the provider and the client is completely understood and that both sides know what is going on. The customer should completely understand about what services they will be getting, how much it will cost and whether there will be any other costs. If the client is happy with the contract and your services, then the chances are that the client may use your services again and that is why it is important to have a proper contract.

You can either get a professional writer to make a contract for you, or if you know what you want in the contract you may decide to do it yourself. If you do it yourself then you can type it up onto a contract and you can even print it off from the comfort of your own home. If you use a professional writing service, you will give them the information that you require for the contract and they will then create an attractive and informative contract that will be extremely impressive. This is a good option to consider if you are not sure how to make a contract or how to make it sound professional.

Overall a contract does come in extremely useful when you run a lawn care business. So do think about it seriously and if you do use one, make sure that it is professional.

Using Professionals to Make Lawn Care Contracts

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Healthcare - Health Insurance Providers Review - Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company

Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company is a name brand within healthcare. This review of health insurance providers will highlight the changing directions in healthcare that Mutual of Omaha has taken.

Established in 1909 in Nebraska, Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company has remained one of the larger providers of healthcare. There are three associated subsidiary providers in this carrier group. Since its inception in 1970, United of Omaha has carried the main thrust of the life insurance products sold. Other business comes from Companion Life Insurance Co in New York, along with United World Life Insurance Company, formerly known as United World Insurance Co. While health and life insurance is the primarily focus, the parent company is also involved in banking, real estate development, and the sale of Mutual Funds.

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Now Mutual of Omaha has sprouted into a sort of a three-headed creature, with each of these head snipping at the other's business. Formerly there was only one many focus on where to obtain health insurance business. Having over 150 offices, the company had exclusive training facilities at its home office facility. When you think of healthcare, you tend to think of medical insurance. Disability insurance is a form of healthcare, and this is where for many years the company tried to make its mark. Agents were trained to sell disability coverage first, hospitalization and health supplement next, and then life insurance through United of Omaha last.

Their website mentions that when you have a sales career at Mutual of Omaha you have more than just a job. My analysis shows that the retention of healthcare representatives is not much higher now then when I was a unit sales manager with them. However, there are way fewer career sales offices available today. The company is licensed to sell in 50 states, with few restrictions. Their life and annuity sales have remained consistent the last few years. Meanwhile, rapid growth is show in accident and health insurance premiums being collected.

The reason for tremendous growth in this area can be pinpointed opening up the distribution of its healthcare products to independent non-company affiliated brokers. Along with this, they are known for generous commission payouts and one to the top rated Medicare Supplement policies. This has caused a problem for a lot of 100 year old companies, that Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company has handled better than almost all the rest. This is where you have in house affiliated representatives competing with outside brokers for the same product selling with different commission rates.

I am appalled however at Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company to throw its hat in the ring of trying to straightforwardly entice consumers to buy direct from the insurer. This takes business away from its agents, and from the independent brokers. They tell an online prospective client that buying insurance online has never been more affordable or easier. Nevertheless, the insurer is extremely savvy and profit orientated. There are only four policies offered direct. They are whole life, children's life insurance, accidental death, and cancer insurance. The last three are some of the most profitable policies that they sell.

Looking at their asset to liability ratio for paying life and health claims, the current situation looks steady, with only minor variation range. There are companies that may be financially rated slightly higher. In this review, I would rate Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company, even above many of them. The reason is strong company management, along with a smooth melding of captive representative offices and brokerage operations.

They should just quit being a direct internet provider of insurance directly to consumers. Plus there is no reason for them to not put up individual websites for United of Omaha, Companion Life Insurance Company, and World Life Insurance Company. This is a cheap, beneficial way to help policyholders locate these other companies.. Hope someone in Omaha is listening.

Healthcare - Health Insurance Providers Review - Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company

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5 Quick Fall Porch Decorating Tips

Who could not use a few quick fall decorating tips when the kids go back to school, football becomes a water cooler topic, and the daylight fades earlier in the evening? When your schedule is full and there is little time to relax, some helpful tips may be just what you need. Try these ideas to create some festive fall curb appeal on your porch.

Outdoor doormat - this is an easy way to add fall colors and dress up your front door area at the same time. Choose a doormat that is durable and will collect leaves and dirt easily. If you have trouble color coordinating your porch, use the colors in the door mat as a guide. Pick one or two colors and use them when selecting an outdoor rug, pillows, or amenities. Outdoor rug - an outdoor rug can be enjoyed almost year round. They are made especially for exterior use and add both beauty and functionality. It will warm a seating area or place in front of your porch swing. Wreath - dress up your front door with a colorful autumn wreath. Wreaths come in all price ranges so there is sure to be on to fit any budget. Have kids or grand kids? Help them make a wreath for your front door. You can use natural materials like twigs, corn stalks, and even colorful corn. Use ribbons in fall colors to tie it all together. Chrysanthemums (or mums)- nothing says fall quite like mums. Create curb appeal by choosing all of the same color or mix two or three together. Adorn your porch steps but take care not to cause a tripping hazard. For an added touch paint the pots autumn colors also. Again, you can paint them all the same color or mix and match. Traditional pumpkins - they are always a welcome sight in the fall. This year group them together in strategic locations on your porch for a coordinated look. Not good at carving them? Use stencils to paint decorative faces or scenes on the pumpkins. Kids of all ages have fun doing that and it is safer than carving for the little ones.

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These five quick decorating ideas should get you started this year in creating a welcoming and colorful fall porch. Remember, it is all about the color. Choose a main color and add one or two more to create your own unique look.

5 Quick Fall Porch Decorating Tips

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Create a Self Improvement Contract - Self Help Technique # 44

Many folks use different techniques to help them win in life and accomplish goals and whereas, the technique of drawing up a contract with yourself is not for everyone, it may be something that works for you. Thus, I'd like to briefly explain this self help technique and allow you to be the judge. It does not work for everyone, but most of the folks that have used, do recommend it.

So, how does one create a self improvement contract? Well, it is like a legal agreement or you might think of it as a documented affirmation. In fact, it's best to set it up just like a business agreement or contract with a preamble and everything.

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So how might you draw up a contract that you will sign that is between yourself and yourself? First of all, find a simple contract online and put your name on both sides of the contract at the bottom. Next, in your preamble you might write something like;

Whereas, I wish to become a stronger and better person Whereas, I wish to become a better student Whereas, I wish to do the best I can add everything I do

And under that in the contract, you might state; I hereby a agree to;

Honor all my promises A stand for integrity Stay on pace with my study goals

And mind you, your self improvement contract with yourself can be anything that you wish to be and it is between yourself and yourself. If you will sign and date this contract and even attach a schedule of your goals both long and interim to the contract, you may find yourself honoring your personal commitment to follow through. So, please think on this.

Create a Self Improvement Contract - Self Help Technique # 44

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The Role of CDIP in Providing Quality Health Care Services

Medical institutions have the ongoing challenge of ensuring organized and systematic daily operations as medical staff and personnel are required to adapt to modern methodologies and practices in clinical documentation. Medical records contain delicate information that is needed to be secured for future or immediate reference especially when it comes to the identification of an effective medical plan. Documents are supposed to serve as evidences to describe something that actually happened. In the field of health care, documents are expected to be patient centric as they are designed to describe all details related to the conditions of the patients. Clinical documents serve as forms of communications among medical personnel and through various clinical documentation improvement programs or CDIP, they are enhanced to provide reliable, accurate, and accessible information.

Management of clinical documentation involves the use of modern technology and IT solutions. Different types of media, software, and application can be used to provide both convenience and accuracy in the practices involved. Medical professionals are able to resolve different problems through effective documentation. A lot of existing medical concerns are easily identified and resolved because previous cases were properly documented. CDIP ensures that medical records are properly documented and they resulted from the regularly conducted audits. Since audits aim to identify rooms for improvements, vital aspects such as documentation are given much attention. Medical institutions are able to manage daily workflow through proper documentation. At the same time they are able to maintain good reputation by avoiding legal issues and non compliance. It is very important for clinical documents to be complete and legal according to agreed standards and regulations.

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A medical institution is considered efficient if daily operations are smooth, organize and systematic. This can only be possible through effective documentation. CDIP ensures that your current system of documentation is up to date to support the medical demands of the modern society. It is therefore important to be up to date to the latest trends. This will involve new terminologies and applications that are based on products of Information Technology. But there is nothing to worry about because part of CDIP is the careful review of existing documentation practices and find the appropriate modern methods that fit. This way, medical personnel will not have problems adjusting and the proposed changes will not affect or slow down daily operations. CDIP will then be a part of the major improvements in a certain medical institution.

The Role of CDIP in Providing Quality Health Care Services

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How to Start an Adult Day Care Business - It's Philosophies and Models

Starting an adult day care business is a smart investment for the business entrepreneur as well as for the senior citizens and the community it will serve. This article will explain the philosophy behind adult day care the three models of adult day care client description and 10 steps towards the development of your own adult day care business.

Adult Day Care Philosophy - Adult Day Care a part of the long-term continuum of care for the elderly, is guided by a specific philosophy of service: that philosophy views the individual client and the caregivers, whether family, friends, a spouse, or others, as a systemic unit sharing in the total care of the client. The provider of adult day care becomes part of that systemic unit of care offering aid and support to the individual client and caregivers.

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Caregivers are able to rely on the staff of the adult day care center to provide experienced and respectful care for their parent, friend, or spouse. The adult day care provider joins with the family or other caregivers to provide care for the client that is consistent with the care provided at home. Because the care is consistent and regularly scheduled, primary caregivers are better able to plan for events in their own lives, and staff members are able to recognize and consult with primary caregivers concerning client progress in specific areas of activity and functioning. Staff may also offer consultation, information and referral programs to the caregiver to further the three guiding principles of an adult day care center: Maintenance, Restoration and Improvement.

Models of Adult Day Care -

Historically, there have been a number of models and mixes of models for adult day care services. The following three are pure type models.

1. The Medical Model - The staff will include at least one full-time registered nurse who is trained in geriatric care and will have available the services of a physician who is board certified in geriatric medicine. The services of the attached health care facility are available to the client as well as charting and records of client care will follow a medical format. Not all medical ADC's are attached to a health care facility.

2. The Mental Health Model - Individual counseling is emphasized, as well as therapeutic group activities. There may also be a strong family therapy or family support group component in such programs. There are currently many Alzheimer's ( Memory Care) focused adult day care centers.

3. The Social Model - Primary emphasis is placed on the socializing benefit of group activities. Staff may be especially alert to group dynamics from a perspective of encouraging client socialization and interaction and discouraging withdrawal and isolation.

10 Developmental Steps To Starting an AdultDayCareCenter

1. Educate yourself about Adult Day Care and get your state regulations. Visit a few adult day care centers to get an overall picture of a center. 2. Choose a location where you won't compete with other centers and there is a need for your service. 3. Decide on the size of your center. How many people will you serve? 4. Decide which model of adult day care is best for your area. 5. Decide what services your center will provide. 6. Look at your finances, funding sources, potential partners, and overall costs of starting a new business. Crunch the numbers. 7. Realize that depending on your financials, you may not have a steady income for a while. 8. Know yourself are you an entrepreneur, can you multi task, do you have business experience or medical experience? 9. There can be many ups and downs when beginning a new project. Friends and family are helpful but may be your biggest critics and they know which of your buttons to push. You will need to be your biggest supporter.

How to Start an Adult Day Care Business - It's Philosophies and Models

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Nurse Staffing - A Problem That is Getting Out of Hand With No Solution in Sight

Nurse staffing has turned out to be a major problem in many hospitals. Research carried out has shown that hospitals with a low turnout of nurses are more likely to have a higher rate of poor patient outcome. Most of the reasons for this shortage, it is said is due to higher acuity patients needing more care and the difference between the number of nurses available to fill the vacancies that have fallen short. There also seems to be a shortage of registered nurses who are qualified and ready to fill these vacancies.

Many health care officials are of the view that the only solution to this problem would be to increase the number of nurses recruited and provide them with better facilities while at the same time optimizing the quality of care afforded to patients. While nursing staff laws are different from state to state, the shortage of nurses in comparison to the increased health care demands across the country has compounded the problem with no real solution to be seen in the near future.

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Given below is a brief summary of what the different states have to say about the shortage of nurse staffing: A new law that has been adopted by some states requires all hospitals to form a committee to create nurse staffing plans which are supposed to look into the patient's requirements as well as an acceptable ratio of nurses to patients. This law also requires that at least 50 percent of the members of this committee be from the nursing profession. Another similar law enacted by some states want to address the nurse/patient ratio from the perspective of the patient's need for hospital care in relevance to his medical condition. The Oregon nurses union on the other hand is opposing this plan because, in their opinion, it is not possible to adapt the same staffing laws for all hospitals. According to them, a nurse in the ICU for instance will be assigned only 1 or 2 patients while her counterparts in another floor may be assigned 4 to 6 patients. It is believed that dissatisfaction with one's job is also responsible for a lower standard in nurse staffing as well as being overloaded with work which makes a nurse unhappy with the job situation. This results in the poor quality of care given to the patients or if the situation turns unbearable the nurse is more likely to leave her employment. This creates a vicious circle where once again nurse staffing positions fall vacant and the ones remaining have to take over the burden of those who have left.

With stories of medical negligence on the rise, it's up to hospital administrations to sit up and take notice and get to the root causes. When nurse staffing is not properly monitored, too much workloads and too few nurses can put the lives of patients at a huge risk. With things going from bad to worse, it's high time health care officials got down to brass tacks and come up with viable solutions to put an end or at least minimize nurse staffing problems without delay.

Nurse Staffing - A Problem That is Getting Out of Hand With No Solution in Sight

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Choosing the Best Lawn Care Companies

There are some great benefits to having a great looking lawn, both visually and environmentally at the same time. Applying the proper care to your lawn can ensure that everything around it is protected against harmful pesticides and insecticides, as well as adding appeal and value to your home.

Many people do not have the time to look after their lawns or they do not have the right amount of knowledge, so that is when they hire lawn care companies to do their lawns for them. If you are someone who needs to hire the services of a lawn care company, there will be a little work involved in the search for the best one to go for. There will be quite a few different companies that offer lawn care services, but you will want one that will customize a plan to best suit your lawn.

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When it comes to looking for a lawn care company, you will need to have in mind what kind of results you are after and how you want your lawn to turn out. As well as this, you need to consider your budget and how much you're willing to spend on making your lawn look as good as possible. You will need to keep in mind that if you want high quality lawns, this can cost more, as the lawn care company will have to spend more time and effort to achieve this.

What Should you Look for with Lawn Care Companies?

When it comes to looking for lawn care companies, you will need to know what kind of services you require to ensure that you get the best possible service. By knowing what you need, it will help to make it easier to explain your requirements to the company and to be able to get a more accurate quote as well. You will need to make sure that the lawn care company you are choosing listens to any of your problems, as well as being able to provide all of the services that you need to make your lawn look great. The company should take on board everything that you say and use it to customize a plan that will suit you the most; rather than just doing what they like and risk the chance of you not liking what they have done.

You may also want to find out about their experience and qualifications to ensure that the company you are hiring will be a good service to use. So if you want to seek the help of lawn care services, make sure that you do your research in order to get the best possible service.

Choosing the Best Lawn Care Companies

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A Performance Improvement Plan Template Can Help Your Employees Improve Themselves

As a manager it falls to you to handle the performance reviews of your employees, most companies require that each employee receives a review at least once a year. In most cases these reviews are positive and very little in the way of corrective actions need to be taken. However, there always seems to be at least one employee that is not performing up to par and needs a little encouragement. If you want to put your suggestions down in writing you can use a performance improvement plan template to help.

The concept behind this type of plan is to provide a written checklist that the employee can then follow as he attempts to bring his level of performance up to par. In most cases this form is provided as a way to help the employee avoid losing his job. In most cases this list of suggestions is arrived at by a conversation between you and your employee as you work together to find out what he needs to do to reach acceptable levels of performance. It should not be set down like an order from the boss to an employee; this has been found to be a far more effective method than laying down the law.

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As the employer it is your job to identify the problem and the use the template to write it down in detail for the employee to review. This way there can be no mistakes and also provides a good time for a conversation including trying to get to the root cause of the problem. You can use this form to then write out some guidelines for your employee to follow, these should be arrived at jointly and be easy to follow, if you make them too complicated or demanding your employee may not be able to follow them and will only end up back in your office for further disciplinary action.

If you have never had to create one of these plans you can look online where you will find many different web sites that will allow you to download a performance review template that you can use to help you create the right type of form for your plan. Since there are dozens of different designs you might want to consider downloading several different styles so that you can choose the most appropriate one for your needs. Taking care of your employees and helping them to succeed in their career is your job and a performance improvement plan can go a long way to help them do well.

A Performance Improvement Plan Template Can Help Your Employees Improve Themselves

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Toilet Tissue Dispensers

Any washing area or bathroom cannot be said to be complete without a roll of toilet tissue. As it has become an indispensable part of toiletries for daily use, toilet-tissue-dispensers are very essential for its safe storage.

Add More Convenience to Your Settings Using Tissue Dispensers

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Nowadays, people always look for products that add more convenience to their household and commercial settings. Toilet tissue dispensers not only help in safe storage of tissue rolls, but dispense tissues as per the requirement of the user. When the tissue rolls are inside dispensers, there is no need to fear that they will tear off or get wet.

Toilet Paper Dispensers in Varied Models and Designs

Toilet tissue dispensers come in a range of different models, makes and sizes. You can buy these dispensers in styles matching your settings. Wall mounted models are excellent choices as they offer added convenience in tissue dispensing. There are also models available with tension springs which keep the tissues from free rolling and those with anti-theft locks which protect the tissues from pilferage and wastage.

Double roll tissue dispensers and versatile stainless steel dispensers are other options you can buy. Compared to other models, dual tissue dispensers need very less frequent refills; these types of dispensers come in a range of attractive colors and designs.

Choose the right kind of toilet-tissue-dispenser that complements your settings; care should be taken to see that it can be installed in the space available. Reliable retailers can provide you with brand name products in the field. San Jamar, Georgia Pacific, Kimberly Clark manufacture the best selling models of toilet tissue dispensers.

Toilet Tissue Dispensers

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Creating Nursing Care Plans

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there is a current need for approximately 2 million full time registered nurses in the country to provide adequate patient care. This need is anticipated to grow to 2.8 million by the year 2020 with an estimated shortage of 1 million nurses by that time. Therefore this supports the need to invest in nursing professional education, but also this highlights the importance of enhancing nursing care through innovative means of technology.

Nursing care plans are a means by which nurses continually assess, diagnose, implement and evaluate overall care and progress of a patient. In the past, documentation of the nursing care plan had been time consuming, but with the advent of computerized data systems, this process has been streamlined for nurses providing greater efficiency. This efficiency has alleviated some of the pains felt by nursing shortages, but much broader areas of potential exist as these systems become more creative.

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In a study where 20 nurses were formally interviewed, various questions were posed regarding the benefits in using a computerized nursing care plan system. In addition to the expected response of streamlined care, nurses added several areas of benefit. These benefits included a reference for their memory for patient details, a learning tool for patient care, and a vehicle to easily modify care plan content. These responses highlight the creative potential for nursing care plans as IT solutions are developed.

Information included in a nursing care plan routinely involves the anticipated care that a nurse will provide for a patient, specifically identified patient problems, and a guide in assessing and evaluating the success of that care. In other words, the nursing care plan exists in an intermediary stage of the nursing process between initial evaluation and final outcome. Given its central position in patient care, it would appear obvious that a computerized nursing care plan offers great potential in many areas other than just making care more efficient.

For example, the increase in patient to nursing ratio has not only reduced the amount of time a nurse has per patient, but also increased the volume of information overall that the nurse must remember. Computerized care plans allow comprehensive storage of this information. If creative technological developments allow mobile and fluid access to this data, quality of patient care will be improved.

Additionally, a large part of quality patient care depends on preventative measures. Nursing care plans that include educational tools to teach patients preventative measures results in better long term health outcomes. Developing and adopting methods that automate these educational tools through computerized means saves nurses time, but also can be more comprehensive and thorough. Interactive tools even allow care plan documentation that patients received and understood content.

In the past, changes in the nursing care plan were more difficult to track. A change may be noted, but documentation for the change may be vague or located in other areas of the plan. This hindered continuity among nurses on different shifts or in different patient care areas. Computerized solutions could allow an improvement in this continuity of information throughout a patient's care experience. This would include information from hospital to care facilities to even outpatient centers.

Nursing care plans provide a wealth of information about the care of a patient, and these also serve as guides to ensure optimal patient care. As greater demands on nurses evolve, it will be imperative to assist their abilities to maintain care plans accurately. Computerized solutions assist in this need through making documentation and care plan creation more efficient. In addition, however, technological solutions also provide a means to improve quality of care by making information readily accessible and by providing preventative educational tools for patients and nurses. These aspects make these creative solutions even more attractive as health care resources continue to shrink in relation to health care demand.

References:

Anderson, Beth. (2007) Care Plans: Worthwhile or Worthless? Retrieved from http://agedcareact.wordpress.com on June 10th, 2008.

Edmunds, Linda. (1982) Computer-assisted Nursing Care. Vol 82 (7): 1076-79.

Lee, Tin-ting. (2006). Nurses' Perception of Their Documentation Experiences in a Computerized Nursing Care Plan System. Journal of Clinical Nursing. Vol 15: 1376-82.

Creating Nursing Care Plans

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