Mystery Shopping Home Healthcare

Mystery shopping audits are an excellent way for home health care providers to gain insight into the level of customer service that prospective patients and their families experience during appointments. In fact, many professional medical organizations are actually encouraging the use of mystery shoppers.

In 2008, a report from a professional medical association endorsed mystery shopping as a way to improve patient care. The report said "physicians have an ethical responsibility to engage in activities that contribute to continual improvements in patient care. One method for promoting such quality improvement is through the use of secret shopper 'patients' who have been appropriately trained to provide feedback about physician performance in the clinical setting."

Because of the deep level of trust that patients and their families wish to establish, the home healthcare industry can benefit greatly from mystery shopping audits. During home healthcare visits, a licensed nurse will visit the patient's home and assist them with their daily needs -- bathing, meals, chores and ensuring patients are taking their prescribed medications. The patient and their family must be able to trust the home healthcare agency, and that trust will begin during the initial meeting.

When it comes to evaluating a home health care agency, mystery shopping audits provide invaluable third-party feedback.
 The mystery shopping auditor poses as a family member of a prospective patient and inquire about services and attending appointments. During these appointments, the mystery shopping auditor will not just evaluate the level customer service that the agency provides; rather, it will evaluate every client facing aspect of the business. Does the staff work to establish a solid level of trust? Are they informative and helpful? Is the base of the operations well-maintained?

In addition to the standard client facing aspects of the business, there are plenty of obstacles that can affect patient satisfaction with home health care agencies. This may include scheduling issues, pricing discrepancies, brusque staff, lack of communication and confusing paperwork. All of these aspects of the home healthcare agency should be streamlined in order to help develop a level of trust with prospective patients.

The success of a home health care agency is dependent on customer satisfaction; if patients are not happy with the level of service they receive, they will go elsewhere. Mystery shopping audits for health care services can also take into account the agency's handling and measurement of customer concerns. Additionally, a mystery shopping audit can provide insight that aids home healthcare services in identifying problem areas early, allowing them to respond appropriately to make sure small problems do not become large-scale compliance issues.

Because much of the business relies on trust, home healthcare agencies must continually re-evaluate their customer experience management plan through mystery shopping audits. Not only can these be extremely helpful in providing insight from the customer's perspective, but they can also help to identify potential compliance issues before they arise.

Measure CP is a global mystery shopping company working with businesses to make sure that good customer service and positive brand experiences are being delivered. Measure CP specializes in customer experience management, to assist clients in providing good customer relations and can be found at http://www.measurecp.com

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Cloud Computing Fuels Healthcare Exchange Transformation

The Cloud has been at the forefront of the information technology revolution that is a part of the healthcare reforms. The reason is simple-payers and other healthcare organizations are seeking ways to extract the maximum out of their dollar spent and the Cloud delivers instant profitability. It renders the issue of installing hardware or maintaining complex software redundant.

The user is left with just one aspect of working, i.e. to log into the system that is essentially a healthcare software system and then access data that has been made accessible in accordance with the organizational rules. Payers also understand the utility of online document management system that has been made available via medical insurance software systems that run on the Cloud.

The healthcare industry Cloud offers some enviable advantages such as Data Security. Cloud infrastructure is resilient and this fact has been realized by insurance software vendors who are retailing healthcare software solutions that promise durability in terms of long term security features.

 This takes care of a very important aspect of data integrity which is necessary for maintaining compliance with the HIPAA data mandates.
 None of the internal IT systems used within clinical settings across the medium or small hospitals can offer the kind of encrypted security that insurance company software solutions on the Cloud can offer. Those that might offer this kind of security don't offer the kind of cost advantage that the Cloud healthcare ecosystem does.

Data eradication is further proofed with some of the best data back-up technologies and data resiliency is ensured for better uptimes. Cloud storage is fast and easy and personnel within an organization can collaborate or share information without the worry of their data being hacked or being accessed by those outside their realm of functioning. The level of security is much higher than that of any IT department in a healthcare organization or on internal software solutions being developed by hospitals and payers.
 The reason lies in security existing in the form of application layers. Once the information is encrypted into bits, even the Cloud solution provider doesn't have access to it.

Cloud providers have been able to meet the benchmarks set by the latest of privacy data regulations like the PCI from the credit card industry, healthcare's HIPAA and the federal FISMA.
Adaptability

Apart from the reasons discussed above, there is a lot more to why more and more medical insurance software solutions are being offered on the Cloud. Adaptability of the Cloud is a major reason. Cloud-based services can be upgraded and improved upon rapidly and rather cheaply. This can be achieved with minimal or negligible interruption to the service with no chances of the system being rebooted or shut down. With the Cloud, there is no headache related to implementing user learning cycles or installing additional software. The entire package is handled by the Cloud solution-provider.

Pricing
Even when healthcare software solutions on the Cloud were introduced, prices very rather low as compared to creating and maintaining internally-developed insurance company software. However, the Cloud computing services are becoming increasingly cheaper. While the range of features is being expanded, the prices have been nose-diving.

Author is a well known authority on health insurance software in the US. She is currently looking to expand his expertise in healthcare Software sales and insurance broker software available.

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Can Cloud Computing Take On The Healthcare Industry?

How Cloud Computing Will Help Healthcare Industry
Implementing and utilizing technology will offer healthcare practices significant benefits, with Cloud computing offering better access to healthcare services and information that would subsequently result in improved outcomes and increased cost savings. Other advantage is that healthcare data has specific requirements such as security, confidentiality, availability to authorized users, traceability of access, reversibility of data, and long-term preservation.

A recent Healthcare IT News survey found 48 percent of respondents planning to incorporate cloud computing into their health IT endeavours; 33 percent had already taken the plunge. But 19 percent answered with a "no".

Cloud technology in healthcare market has different models; applications, deployment models, service models, pricing models, and components. Applications in healthcare are of two main types, namely,

• Clinical Information Systems (CIS)
• Non Clinical Information Systems (NCIS)

CIS includes EMR, CPOE, PACS, RIS, LIS, PIS, and others while NCIS includes revenue cycle management, Automatic Patient Billing, cost accounting, payroll management, and claims management.
The healthcare industry is slowly adopting public clouds due to its highly regulated nature whereas the private and hybrid cloud models have a higher affinity.

Cloud computing is a utility based or pay-per-use type of a service and the market can be categorized by two types of pricing models offered by the service vendors, the pay-as-you-go model and the subscription-based or spot pricing model, while keeping operating costs to a minimum, covering only the essentials. Additionally patient data stored in the Cloud, health professionals and hospitals will no longer need to invest in storage systems.

Today, many pharmacology vendors including Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer have started embracing cloud computing and major cloud vendors like Amazon, Oracle and IBM have developed pharma-specific clinical research cloud offerings with a goal of lowering the cost and development of new drug.

Cloud based solutions have their own pros and cons. A solution should be selected based on the features and needs of the organization; not based on whether it is cloud based or on-premise. Most of the cloud vendors like Microsoft, Amazon, Dell, etc provide Healthcare Cloud with custom settings and user specified options, which help increase productivity.

Ultimately, Cloud computing helps physicians to provide better patient care at a lower cost without sacrificing their quality of work and productivity.

Following are the Top Cloud Computing Providers which helps your business needs and to reduce your company costing.

• Amazon Web Services
• Rackspace
• CenturyLink/Savvis
• Salesforce.com
• Verizon
• Joyent
• Citrix
• Vmware
• Microsoft
• Bluelock

Mary is an experienced writer and covers topics related to Mobile Solutions and Cloud Computing. She is specialized in writing articles on Mobile Device Management, Mobile CRM, Mobile BI, Cloud Solutions.

[http://www.zslinc.com/SmartPrise-Cloud-Manager.html]

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Universal Health Care - Ethical Issues in Health Care Reform

Universal health care seems to be a hotly debated topic whenever health care reform in the United States is discussed.

Those who maintain that health is an individual responsibility do not want a system that requires them to contribute tax dollars to support fellow citizens who do not act responsibly in protecting or promoting their own health.
 They argue that they want the freedom to choose their own physicians and treatments, and suggest that government cannot know what is best for them.
  These people argue that preserving the current system with improvements to provide better insurance coverage for citizens who remain uninsured or under insured for their medical care needs is the only reform that is needed.

Those who believe health care is an individual right support a universal health care system with the argument that every citizen deserves to have access to the right care at the right time and that a government's responsibility is to protect its citizens, sometimes even from themselves.

Two opposing arguments arising from two opposing ideologies.  Both are good arguments but neither can be the supporting argument for implementing or denying universal health care.  The matter must be resolved through an ethical framework.

Examination of the ethical issues in health care reform would require consideration of much different arguments  than those already presented.   Ethical issues would center on the moral right.  Discussion would begin with not "What is best for me?" but rather  "How should we as a society be acting so that our actions are morally correct?"
Ethics refers to determining right and wrong in how humans relate to one another.  Ethical decision making for health care reform then would require human beings to act in consideration of our relationships to each other not our own individual interests.

Examination of some of the common ethical decision making theories can provide a foundation for a different perspective than one that is solely concerned  with individual rights and freedoms.

Ethical decision making requires that specific questions be answered in order to decide on whether intended actions are good or morally correct.  Here are some questions that could be used in ethical decision making for health care reform.

• What action will bring the most good to the most people?
• What action in and of itself is a good act and helps us to fulfill our duties, obligations, and responsibilities to each other?
• What action in and of itself shows caring and concern for all citizens?

As the answer to all  these questions, universal health care can always be considered the right thing to do.
The United States is in the most advantageous position there is when it comes to health care reform.
 They are the only developed country without a national health care system in place for all citizens.  They have the opportunity to learn from the mistakes that have been made by all the other countries that have already gone down the universal health care road.
They have an opportunity to design a system that can shine as a jewel in the crown of universal health care systems everywhere.

However, all ethical decision making is structured around values.  In order for universal health care to be embraced by all citizens in the United States, they will first have to agree to the collective value of equity and fairness and embrace the goal of meeting their collective responsibility to each other while maintaining individual rights and freedoms. That may prove to be the most difficult obstacle of all.

Beverly Hansen OMalley is a nurse with over 35 years experience in nursing education. She is health promotion specialist and is passionate about the necessity to address social determinants of health as part of overall health promotion strategies. She is the owner of http://www.registered-nurse-canada.com where she provides information on the Canadian health care system, the nursing profession in Canada, and the nursing entrance tests for the US and Canada.

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Short Term Health Insurance - Flexible And Affordable Coverage

Short term health insurance provides inexpensive and flexible coverage against all injuries and illnesses. The coverage in this plan ranges only from 30 to 120 days.
 There are also others who offer year long insurance coverage.
 The most common of people who would get this type of insurance are those who does not need any coverage for any pre-existing conditions.
 Typically, these are good for those who are waiting for their next job or waiting for another long term plan. They are also the best choice for students who have freshly graduated and are waiting in line for their first jobs. They also apply to people with non traditional jobs, temporary employees and any short term income workers. International students could also avail this kind of insurance coverage.

Among other health plans that are temporary are emergency care, prescription drugs, hospitalization, and preventive illness programs. Based on the plan, the insurer could acquire the healthcare or medical profits and benefits. These plans often cost just one time. 
They are flexible and enable the holders to pay on monthly basis. They may even have a one payment choice. They're affordable when compared with regular individual health insurance policy. The primary benefit is that you could easily drop this short-term insurance plan if you wish.

As their name implies, these plans have a very limited timetable. Normally, they cannot be renewed. Once the tenure of a plan has expired, the insurer has to locate health insurance coverage with a plan made for long term. If you require a long term plan, you can easily find it within the short term insurance providers.

Registering for Short term Health Insurance Policy
The application process is also easier than regular health insurance and can be easily obtained by anyone. Short term health coverage begins within 24 hours of your application entry. If you want to begin instantly, you just need to pay your first premium by furnishing a valid credit card number. Most of these insurance plans provide a 1 month minimum coverage. After your health insurance policy, the health insurance firms allows you to re-apply for another temporary plan, if you desire.

What you need to bear in mind is that this short term policy isn't intended for individuals who wish to have pre-existing medical coverage.

The Recipients
- This kind of plan is actually intended for healthy people. Since it is affordable and can provide high coverage, it's suitable for the following divisions:
- Part time and temporary workers who don't require coverage towards a pre-existing medical problem
- Fresh graduates seeking temporary health insurance policies.

- Youngsters over 18 years of age.
And so, if you are looking to have coverage for a short time, then there is no question that this plan can help you achieve your goals. It also offers the same benefits as with a standard health insurance. Get security and stability using your healthcare coverage with this plan now. What you need is to perform a quality study on the internet to find out which insurance policy could work good for you for the greatest coverage for unexpected health problems.

Are you looking for a suitable insurance in Pennsylvania? Life insurance quotes are easy to understand. All it takes is to find life insurance quotes on the internet to have all the right information that you should know about short term health insurance Pennsylvania.

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Healthcare and Cultural Diversity

More than ever before healthcare professionals are subjected to dealing with a number of vast and various cultural diversities. As cultures within the U.S. continue to grow the understanding of how to deal with them must also grow. If cultural differences are not communicated appropriately it can cause uncomfortable and confusing situations for both the healthcare provider and patient.
 This can cause the patient to suffer due to loss of trust and respect causing the patient to be less likely to follow a treatment plan. Culturally competent healthcare is considered a human right, and increasing numbers of culturally inappropriate lawsuits filed in court are being won.
 Some cultures, such as Ethiopian, Islam and Chinese have very different laws, views and beliefs about healthcare. Because there are so many differences there are many legal implications that could possibly arise from cultural ignorance in healthcare.

Ethiopian traditional belief is that health results from equilibrium between the body and the outside world and that illness arises from disequilibrium.
 Ethiopian culture also believes in the use of herbs and spices for medicinal purposes which can sometimes have adverse interactions with western medicine.
 For example, large amounts of garlic and ginger are used for the common cold which can act as an anti-coagulant in high doses.
 Cinnamon is also used for the common cold which increases stomach acid and may inhibit tetracycline (an antibiotic used for many bacterial infections).

 Basil is used for headaches and insect repellent which acts as an anti-coagulant and has hypoglycemic agents due to the oil extract increasing blood clotting time and synergistic interactions with insulin.
 Most studies show people of different cultures do not tell their physician about their traditional medicine use out of fear of being judged.

One legal implication that can arise while treating an Ethiopian may be a physician treating for a bacterial infection with tetracycline unknowing that he or she is taking large amounts of cinnamon for a suspected oncoming cold. If the cinnamon interacts with the tetracycline the bacterial infection can spread causing further harm even potentially fatal harm resulting in a legal dispute.

The Islamic culture considers an illness as a punishment for their sins.
 Abortion and assisted suicide is not permitted.
 Pork and alcohol is forbidden and Muslim women can't be touched by men who are not immediate family members.
 Muslims also fast from dusk to dawn for one month a year. Some legal issues that can arise may be a result of a physician prescribing insulin or heparin which contains pork ingredients to a practicing Muslim, or a cough syrup containing alcohol. A Muslim may not be aware that our western medicine contains these products. In addition, if a Muslim is fasting at a time of illness causing weakness and dehydration this can be seen as the physician not providing proper care, all possibly resulting in a legal dispute.

Some Chinese theories about health are based on the observed effects of Qi. They believe Qi defends the body from pathological factors, provides movement and supports growth and development. They believe things like poor diet, poor lifestyle or strenuous work can deplete one's Qi.
 Yin and Yang is probably the most significant theory followed, it is the balance between opposites like cold vs. hot or excess vs.

deficiency. The Chinese believe some bodily organs contain more Yin and others posses more Yang and will relate this to hot and cold with health complaints. For example one may complain of a "weak kidney" and insist their kidneys be tested when in reality they may be having back or knee pain or diarrhea. A "hot liver" is a common complaint which can refer to itchiness, skin eruptions or emotional stress.
 Medicine is also considered to have hot and cold effects.
 This makes it common for Chinese people to take less medication then prescribed to "balance" out the effects, and many would not tell their physician because they believe they are in the best position to judge their own health needs.
 So there could be a possibility of legal disputes if a liver complaint is made and the physician orders diagnostic tests and possible medication for the liver if in fact the complaint was made only due to emotional stress or itchiness. There can also be a possible legal dispute if the physician did not explain the importance of taking all of a prescription and the patient started taking less to balance their Yin and Yang and the medical issue persists or gets worse.

In conclusion, as one can see there are many different healthcare beliefs in different cultures. Some of these differences can cause confusion and misunderstandings for both the physician and patient. And although most western physicians will try to address an ailment of someone from a different culture in their best interest, it may conflict with their beliefs. Healthcare and cultural ignorance amongst all physicians is a subject that needs to be addressed. Proper training in cross-cultural healthcare will ultimately lead to a better understanding of the patient's needs and complaints, more respect for the physician and better adherence to treatment causing less legal disputes and a pleasurable, successful experience for the patient.

Here is a short video pertaining to health care and cultural diversity http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF8yZRgcSkg

Damion Alva is a medical student, musician, university advisor and gym enthusiast.
 He also has a small business providing high quality designer inspired purses, handbags, sunglasses, jewelry and more. If you are looking to treat yourself or someone else to a gift then please visit [http://www.designeraffordables.com]

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Pet Health Care Also Involves Complete Dental Care

Lack of oral hygiene in pets can result into oral disease, tooth decay and lots of pain. Hence, like their masters pets also need complete dental care. Pet dental care is an important part of dogs health care which everyone must know being a responsible pet owner.

Like humans, pet's breath also smells bad due to poor oral hygiene which most of the people fails to understand. Problem persists mainly because of lack in oral hygiene as pets cannot brush their teeth on their own. Being a responsible owner, one must take the pet to a good veterinarian and follow what they recommend. Regular teeth cleaning is key in maintaining complete pet oral hygiene. Clean your pet's teeth regularly using brush and pet toothpaste to avoid major problems like tooth decay and other oral diseases.

Before actually getting indulged in pet dental care, one must know the right methods and components used to clean the teeth. As it is already mentioned that special toothpaste and toothbrush are available in market for cleaning the teeth of dog. One must know why it is so. Human toothpaste is made using some chemicals which are highly toxic for dogs and hence, must not be used for dental care of dogs.
 Besides, the canine toothpastes are easily acceptable by the pets as these are available in flavors like chicken, beef etc. Similarly, toothbrushes designed for dogs have soft knobs, softer bristles, and break apart tarter as you rub the brush around the mouth of dog.

Oral diseases can often lead to development of infection in other parts of body and hence, it is never too early to start with oral cleaning.
 Cleaning is not only required for grownup dogs but puppies need care too.
 Puppies have deciduous or baby teeth which fall out at the age of six months and then erupt permanent teeth.
 Puppies will resist earlier but will get accustomed to see brush and paste allowing you to clean the teeth and inspect the mouth for other potential problems.

Dogs health care directly or indirectly depends on their dental care as it prevents numerous health disorders or infections which starts due to poor oral hygiene.
 Contact a trustworthy veterinarian if you find any of problems like loose teeth, bad breath, inflamed gums etc. By doing so you will not only improve the quality of life of your pet but will also provide your furry friend a long healthy life free from pain.

In spite of a good writer, the author of this article is a pet lover as well.
 She writes articles only for pets.
Her articles provide good advices such as how to make your pets healthy & happy and what food to be fed to your pets to the pet owner.
 She has written and published many articles on Pet Dental Care and Dogs Health Care.

 In this article, she has also drawn her attention on how to care your dogs.

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