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On occasion, reports surface about physicians and other
health care practitioners who have slipped through the
cracks and been allowed to practice at multiple facilities
when known violations exist. The National
Practitioner Data Bank was enacted when
Congress determined that the increasing occurrence of
medical malpractice litigation was becoming a problem
too large to be managed by individual states.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and
other government organizations now are responsible for
managing the data bank, which is an alert—or flagging—system
that identifies practitioners’ licensure, professional
society memberships, medical malpractice payment history,
and record of clinical privileges. This information
is available only to entities that meet eligibility
requirements so that only the appropriate sources have
access to this confidential material.
Understanding Medicare
The Medicare
Rights Center is the largest independent
source of Medicare information and assistance in the
United States. It is designed to help older adults and
those with disabilities obtain high-quality, affordable
health care. The user-friendly website helps seniors
navigate the Medicare maze and understand their benefits.
A “Question of the Week” on the front page
lists common questions such as “Will Medicare
pay for a power-operated vehicle?” “Does
Medicare cover mammograms?” “Will Medicare
pay for glaucoma screenings?” The answers are
straightforward and easy to understand. The site also
features resources for discount prescriptions and a
reference guide called “Let’s Learn Medicare!”
Musculoskeletal injuries
The American
Nurses Association has developed a campaign
called Handle with Care in an effort to prevent back
and other musculoskeletal injuries through greater education
and training and increased use of assistive equipment
and patient-handling devices. The campaign also seeks
to reshape nursing education and federal and state ergonomics
policy.
Materials on the website include a position statement,
fact sheet, tip sheet, and statements on ergonomic safety
in the workplace. The tip sheet provides an outline
for how facilities should begin to implement changes
in the ergonomic policies of their facilities. An additional
link to information on ergonomic guidelines specific
to nursing homes is provided.
Stroke prevention
The National
Stroke Association, founded in 1984, is
the preeminent organization committed to fighting stroke
in the United States. The association is aggressively
taking steps to reduce the incidence and impact of stroke.
The website provides information for patients about
the risk factors, treatments, types of stroke, and prevention.
Resource materials include a reducing risk fact sheet,
stroke and high blood pressure fact sheet, and a transient
ischemic attack brochure. The professional resource
center offers continuing education, clinical trial programs,
publications, announcements, and prevention guidelines.
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