Archive for the ‘Healthcare Systems’ category

Human Health

October 7th, 2011

Constant Climatic changes pose a great challenge to Human Health. Even though toxins and disease pathogens are a threat to health, Climate change may cause health effects that are potentially harmful. These threats include impacts from heat waves, air pollution that causes ailments, severe storms and many infectious diseases.

Assessing the glaring effects of climate change to human health should realistically include setting up a capacity to manage the unpredictable climate conditions. Due to the health risks occasioned by the climatic change, there is needed to set up and run a vibrant public health infrastructure.

Since we live in a global village, increased of risks associated with diseases emanating from other countries should be considered. Climate change has made poor countries suffer greatly. Due to global trade that requires a lot of travelling between different countries, diseases are bound to flare-up in any part of the world. Extreme climatic conditions such as severe draught and storms also undermine the public health infrastructure that is in place.
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What Are Electronic Health Records?

October 7th, 2011

Electronic health records, also called electronic patient records or computerized patient records, are collections of patients’ medical history over a period of time within an institution. These histories have been recorded digitally and include complete information pertinent to a patient’s health: demographics, past medical records, vital signs, medications, immunizations, progress reports, health problems, laboratory and radiology data.

An EHR, as electronic health records are more commonly known, can be shared by various health care facilities through a connection of networks and EHR software. This means that a patient’s records in a New York City hospital can immediately be forwarded to a clinic in Los Angeles without anyone having to go to the trouble of mailing paper print-outs. The use of electronic health records is intended to make work in the health care industry easier by making information more accessible and streamlined. Electronic health records also document other care-related activities like quality management, evidence-based decision support and outcomes reporting. The electronic health record aims to strengthen ties between health care workers such as doctors, nurses and clinicians and their respective patients. This is because the quick and easy accessibility of data is seen to help health providers make reliable, more informed decisions regarding their patients, thus allowing them to give improved services.

An EHR makes medical situations better through several ways. One is that electronic health records reduce the chances for medical errors because they contain all information necessary, which in turn creates more accurate and clearer reports. For example, EHR software includes features such as Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE), which is a virtual list for doctors to follow upon prescribing drugs to their patients. This lessens the risks on a patient’s health and in the long run, saves a lot of money. Additionally, electronic health records minimize the need for duplicate tests, effectively cutting down on delays that may affect a patient’s treatment and medication.
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Top Three Bio Ethical Dilemmas Of Medical Assistants

October 7th, 2011

Hippocrates was a notable figure in the history of medicine. He was an ancient Greek physician born in 460BC. Hippocrates is also known as the Father of Western Medicine. According to this distinguished physician, “Nobody should willingly cause any preventable human suffering or harm”. This statement of Hippocrates is the actual core of medical ethics.

Over two thousand years ago, Hippocrates knew that there are no perfect people. He believes that man can do great things. However, he also knew what human beings are capable of. He greatly opposes those who harm and injure people because of personal gain. Having that said, many considered Hippocrates as the first bio ethicist.

Before one can talk about bio ethical dilemmas, one must understand its importance and purpose in health care. Thus, it is vital to know the difference of law and bioethics. To define simply, law comes from the government whereas bioethics can either come from personal or professional sources. Personal source is the morals and values of an individual. Professional ethics on the other hand is set by the professional organization board. They are accepted by the people practicing the profession. Without standards, anyone can practice medicine, administer drugs and perform medical interventions. Indeed, life is valuable. To protect man’s existence, health care professionals must know their roles and responsibilities and understand how important they are in people’s lives.
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