TOPEKA, Kan. (PRWEB)
April 08, 2020

KONZA and The SSI Group announced today that during this unprecedented national emergency, the KONZA health information exchange platform is available at no cost for new members/participants to assist health care providers across the nation in combating COVID-19. KONZA is a nationwide health information network that electronically connects over 10,000 health care organizations to share critical patient medical records.

The KONZA health information exchange provides real-time patient data across facilities and is helpful for accessing patient health histories, including important COVID-19 diagnoses codes and lab data. SSI, which specializes in the aggregation and exchange of clinical data, and KONZA believe this access will assist providers with monitoring patient encounters and allow them to track COVID-19 details for their patients.

Laura McCrary Ed.D, President of KONZA noted that sharing patients’ medical records with their healthcare providers will save lives. “In this time of crisis, traditional physician and patient relationships may not exist. In many cases physicians are caring for patients they do not know, and patients may not be able to provide their full medical histories. KONZA’s longitudinal medical record helps to solve this problem. We are pleased to provide KONZA’s interoperability platform at no cost to healthcare workers fighting the battle to save lives each day.”

The KONZA network includes large health care systems, critical access hospitals, specialty clinics, public health departments, long-term care facilities, behavioral health providers and small rural practices. Many of these facilities are in the hardest hit areas of our country that are providing essential care to patients with COVID-19, including Yale New Haven Health in CT, Ochsner Health in LA, AdventHealth in FL, Ardent Health in NJ and TX, Grady Health in GA and many others through the nationwide eHealth Exchange.

“We are honored to partner with KONZA to provide valuable COVID-19 information to providers in the fight against the virus,” says Diana Allen, SSI CEO. “Healthcare providers are doing everything they can to save lives. Quick access to medical records is critical when time is of the essence, and we are pleased that we can provide our HIE platform to doctors at no cost during this crisis,” she said.

To view all of KONZA’s connections, visit http://www.konza.org. For more information on how to join the KONZA health information exchange network go to http://www.konza.org/contact and request an Emergency Participation Agreement and COVID 19 educational videos.

About KONZA: KONZA is a nationwide health information network created to allow connected physicians, health information exchanges, healthcare facilities, and other healthcare providers to share patient healthcare information. KONZA works directly with state medical societies to support their health information exchange efforts. These include, NJ, CT, GA, SC, LA, MO and KS. In additional to health information exchange KONZA participants have access to powerful analytics reports designed to help improve patient encounters and clinical outcomes while also empowering physicians as they transition to the new alternative payment models involving quality reporting, advancing care information, clinical practice improvements and resource use.

About The SSI Group: The SSI Group, a leader in financial performance solutions for providers and payers, is nationally recognized for excellence in healthcare revenue cycle management. SSI partners with health systems and health plans to optimize revenue, reduce costs and increase visibility into enterprise operations.

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Bright Side Artivity Logo

“The design of each Artivity™ kit is based the curriculum Arts For Life has developed for hands-on, teacher-led artmaking and creative experiences in our chapter locations for nearly 20 years,” said Rachel Zink, Executive Director of Arts For Life. “We are excited to extend our mission in this way.”

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (PRWEB)
April 08, 2020

Bright Side Arts, a division of nonprofit Arts For Life, launches its first product today. The Bright Side Artivity™ kit is a subscription-based art and creative expression kit created with the needs of pediatric patients in mind. The kits are designed specifically for use in children’s hospitals, clinics, camps, or any place where children and teenagers can benefit from creative expression to help process experiences and express feelings.

“Artivity™ kits are process-focused, rather than results-focused to facilitate innovation and creativity without regard to a defined finished product,” said David Harkins, Business and Operations Manager for Bright Side Arts. “This deliberate approach provides flexibility and adaptability, making Artivity™ kits appropriate and engaging for a wide range of ages, from a very young child to a teenager to a young adult.”

“The design of each Artivity™ kit is based the curriculum Arts For Life has developed for hands-on, teacher-led artmaking and creative experiences in our chapter locations for nearly 20 years,” said Rachel Zink, Executive Director of Arts For Life. “We are excited to be extending our mission of inspiring courage through creativity with the kits.”

Bright Side Artivity™ kits are available by subscription to hospitals, clinics, and similar organizations. Individual or consumer sales are not currently available.

For the 2020-2021 Artivity™ kits visit http://www.brightsidearts.com/artivity

ABOUT BRIGHT SIDE ARTS

Bright Side Arts designs and develops hands-on, creative experiences for children and their families. Launched in October 2019, its mission is to help children learn about themselves and to process their world through creative play, artistic expression, and imagination development activities.

Bright Side Arts is a division of Arts For Life. All profits from the sale of our products and services directly support Arts For Life and its mission.

For more information about Bright Side Arts, visit http://www.brightsidearts.com.

ABOUT ARTS FOR LIFE

Arts For Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting pediatric patients and families through arts education and engagement. By providing educational art programs, we enrich the patient’s lives, nurture their minds and spirits, and encourage positive healthcare experiences for children and their families. The organization currently helps children in four chapter communities across North Carolina.

For more information about Arts For Life, visit http://www.artsforlifenc.org.

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Dr. Alejandro Badia

Dr. Badia reports significant clinical success in performing minimally invasive, arthroscopic surgery, proving particularly beneficial for closing SLAP tears, namely injuries to the upper portion of the labrum, the fibrous cartilage that surrounds the rim of the shoulder socket or glenoid socket.

MIAMI (PRWEB)
April 08, 2020

How best to repair the labrum, a cartilage structure that deepens the socket of the shoulder joint, remains somewhat controversial, but technological advances, including knotless sutures and bioabsorbable tissue anchors, are greatly improving outcomes for patients who require surgery, says noted hand and upper limb orthopedic surgeon Alejandro Badia MD.

In fact, Dr. Badia reports significant clinical success in performing minimally invasive, arthroscopic surgery, proving particularly beneficial for closing SLAP tears, namely injuries to the upper portion of the labrum, the fibrous cartilage that surrounds the rim of the shoulder socket or glenoid socket.

The knotless sutures loaded onto bioabsorbable anchors are used to reattach the detached labral tissue at the right tension to return the shoulder joint to full movement. Dr. Badia, a specialist in treating musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limbs, including shoulder, says the knotless systems remove the risk of irritating the shoulder shoulder-joint and also allow for better control of the tension during the repair. “The repair of a labral tear/detachment is now done ALL arthroscopically: via 3 small portal incisions as seen HERE,” says Dr. Badia.

The labrum serves to helps stabilize the head of the humerus in the head of its socket, the glenoid, whereas the rotator cuff tendons primarily role is to maintain the head within that socket allowing shoulder motion. Tears in the labrum can be caused by trauma, such as sports-related injuries; repetitive use of the shoulder by athletes and workers for lifting, catching or the overhead throwing of heavy objects; and simple weakening due to aging, Dr. Badia says.

A common cause of a labral injury occurs when a person instinctively outstretches the arms in an effort to break a fall. Falling directly on the shoulder can also tear the labrum by causing a dislocation of the shoulder joint.

The shoulder is highly vulnerable to disease and injury because it is the most unstable joint in the body, explains Dr, Badia, who is founder and medical director of the Badia Hand to Shoulder Center and OrthoNOW®. “Yet, it is this very instability that provides the shoulder with such an extensive range of motion, allowing it to assume up to 1,000 different positions.”

Patients with labral tears may complain of non-specific pain and sensitivity in the front of the shoulder, shoulder popping and a general sense of instability in the joint – symptoms that oftentimes make diagnosis difficult. Labral tears are hard to prevent as they tend to be from sports related or traumatic injury events. “Shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints of patients but pinpointing the precise nature of the problem can be challenging and should be done by an orthopedic specialist experienced in treating disorders of the upper limbs,” Dr. Badia states.

Labral tears are a common cause of persistent shoulder pain and difficult to diagnose even by MRI. In fact, many times the diagnosis is made at the time of the arthroscopy, where a fiber optic instrument is inserted into the shoulder allowing diagnosis and definitive repair during that same out patient procedure. However occasional failed labral repairs can be due to ineffective or incorrect suture anchor placement and over-tensioning of the labrum tissue and biceps tendon. Patients are encouraged to seek out experienced shoulder specialist.

Dr. Badia concurs but points to a recent study, published in Arthroscopy Techniques, in which researchers stress how refinements in arthroscopic surgery, including use of “knotless suture anchor techniques” for labral tissue repairs of the shoulder have led to more favorable treatment outcomes, especially in instances of type II SLAP injuries.

The authors write: “Arthroscopic knotless techniques for treating labral tears of the shoulder have experienced a continual evolution. Like any innovation in the field of arthroscopy, acceptance takes time and attestation before becoming the gold standard for operative management.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Badia emphasizes conservative approaches can be initially used with small labral tears including cryotherapy, anti-inflammatory medications, rehabilitation and perhaps injection of certain orthobio agents, such as PRP.

“Surgery should only be performed if rest and rehabilitation are unsuccessful in healing the injury,” he adds. “Any operation should be performed not only to repair the labral tissue but address the injury that resulted in the tear in the first place.”

Of course, preserving the health of the shoulder joint is preferable to either “long rehabilitation” or surgery. That’s why Dr. Badia offers these injury-prevention tips:

• 
  Gently exercise and stretch shoulder muscles before exercising, engaging in sports or undertaking strenuous activity, especially overhead lifting, throwing or hitting.
• Take frequent breaks. If possible, discontinue an activity if a shoulder is becoming stiff or sore.
• Practice good posture while standing or sitting
• Follow the cautionary rules for lifting heavy objects safely
• Don’t overreach for objects, particularly overhead items that are high off the floor.
• Contact an orthopedic specialist who is well versed in the shoulder should unusual, long-lasting joint pain develop.

Alejandro Badia, MD, FACS, internationally renowned hand and upper-limb surgeon and founder of Badia Hand to Shoulder Center and OrthoNOW®, a walk-in orthopedic care clinic.    Dr. Badia specializes in treating all problems related to the hand and upper extremities, including trauma, sports injury, joint reconstruction, nerve injuries and arthroscopic surgeries. Go to OrthoNOWcare.com and drbadia.com.

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“Acuity Eye Group prides itself on being innovators within the healthcare and ophthalmology space,” said Dr. Tom S. Chang. “In these difficult times, the well-being of our patients and team members is paramount, and innovation will play a critical role as we weather this pandemic together.”

PASADENA, Calif. (PRWEB)
April 08, 2020

COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues to impact our lives in countless ways; at Acuity Eye Group, it’s also impacted the way they practice. In order to prevent spread of the virus and to “flatten the curve,” they are currently focused on treating urgent and emergency patients in their offices.

Additionally, Acuity Eye Group is now offering telehealth exams for eye care patients in need. Through this service they can minimize exposure while still offering care at the highest standards and uphold their commitment to protecting patients’ eye health and vision. Telehealth gives patients easy access to an Acuity Eye Group ophthalmologist through the convenience of a smartphone, computer, or tablet.

“Acuity Eye Group prides itself on being innovators within the healthcare and ophthalmology space,” said Dr. Tom S. Chang, co-CEO and founder of Acuity Eye Group. “In these difficult times, the well-being of our patients and team members is paramount, and innovation will play a critical role as we weather this pandemic together.”

A telehealth appointment could be a good option for you if:

• You are concerned about coming in due to risk from COVID-19
• You are too ill to come in
• You are uncertain if your eye condition requires a visit to the office
• You need a prescription refill

Acuity Eye Group has 48 clinics throughout southern and central California and is home to some of the nation’s top ophthalmologists who specialize not only in general ophthalmology, but also in pediatric ophthalmology, cataracts, glaucoma, and retina disease.

For more information about Acuity Eye Group or to schedule a telehealth exam, visit AcuityEyeGroup.com

About Acuity Eye Group:

At Acuity Eye Group, they are committed to helping ophthalmologists and optometrists realize their full potential while providing best-in-class patient care to all those in need. They are experts in the business of ophthalmology with years of experience in the industry. Acuity Eye Group has world-class doctors and surgeons on their founding team who are still in practice today including Tom S. Chang, Michael Samuel, and Michael Davis. Established as one of the largest, integrated eye care service groups in the country, Acuity Eye Group prides itself on its mission to improve patients’ quality of life through excellence in eye care and patient experience.

Headquartered in Pasadena, CA, the Company offers access to ophthalmology services from Visalia to San Diego. Patients interested in being seen at one of the many Acuity Eye Group clinics in California can schedule appointments through the 24/7 Call Center at 800.898.2020. Those interested can also request appointments directly on the Acuity Eye Group website at AcuityEyeGroup.com where they will find additional information on Acuity Eye Group’s doctors, locations, and the diseases they treat.

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