Category Archives: Health

What is new in the field of Health. Trending topics, and cutting edge research in the are of Health. Press Releases that give us updates on Health.

Industry: Healthcare

ReferralMD and ConferMED Offer First-of-Its-Kind Telehealth Partnership to Increase Access to Specialty Care

Leave a comment


referral management

With our EHR-integrated eConsult solution, we are excited to offer our clients the option of leveraging their own network specialty care providers or connecting with ConferMED’s specialists via our platform.


CHARLESTON, S.C. (PRWEB)

ReferralMD, a leader in referral management and patient access technology, and ConferMED, a premier eConsult platform developed by primary care providers, are joining forces to improve access to specialty care for patients without ready access to highly-sought specialties, including Endocrinology, Cardiology and Dermatology and more than forty others.

This partnership combines the benefits of rapid specialist response, minimal workflow disruption, and enhanced patient experience with an intelligent platform featuring robust referral management tools that can be used both as a standalone or electronic health record (EHR) integrated solution.

With ConferMED’s national network of board-certified specialists in adult and pediatric fields and ReferralMD’s referral management platform and EHR integration experience, the partnership brings a seamless integrated solution to primary care providers looking to confer with specialists prior to referring patients for face-to-face visits.

Daren Anderson MD, Director of ConferMED, states, “our data consistently show that upwards of 85 percent of patients referred to common specialties, do not require a face-to-face visit with a specialist. These data, coupled with a shortage of specialty providers, indicate an urgent need for a telehealth solution such as ConferMED. Our partnership with ReferralMD will help us address the need and substantially improve access to specialty services.”

“With our EHR-integrated eConsult solution, we are excited to offer our clients the option of leveraging their own network specialty care providers or connecting with ConferMED’s specialists via our platform,” said Rick Hammer, Chief Product Officer at ReferralMD. “The seamless solution eliminates unnecessary face-to-face specialty care visits, reduces costs and improves the patient’s experience.”

About ReferralMD

ReferralMD delivers proven consult and referral management, patient access and CRM marketing solutions that help hospitals, health systems, networks, and payers streamline the referral process, decrease patient leakage and improve communication between providers and patients. With powerful clinical decision support tools and real-time analytics, ReferralMD helps healthcare providers increase revenue, drive operational efficiencies and improve customer service. To learn more about ReferralMD, please visit http://www.getreferralmd.com.

About ConferMED

ConferMED allows primary care providers to quickly and easily communicate with a national network of specialists in all major adult and pediatric medical and behavioral health disciplines via a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. Questions requiring a specialty consult frequently can be resolved for the PCP without requiring the patient to incur the cost and inconvenience of a specialist visit. ConferMED is currently providing eConsults to primary care providers and practices in 15 states. To learn more, visit http://www.ConferMED.com.

Share article on social media or email:

Health: Mental Health

Mental Health Does Not Discriminate By GPA, According to Joint Survey By The National Society of Collegiate Scholars And Active Minds

Leave a comment


News Image

“Our data validates that high-achieving students struggle, too. It is important for faculty and advisors to keep overachievers on their radar throughout the academic year.”


WASHINGTON (PRWEB)

Key findings from a recent survey by Active Minds and The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) of 9,319 academically high-achieving college students nationwide illustrate the unique needs of these students, and how their universities can better support their mental health while on campus. This comes at a time when depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts are on the rise among college students, according to the national Healthy Minds Study and National College Health Assessment (NCHA).

The vast majority (91%) of students surveyed, all of whom maintain grade point averages of 3.4 or above at U.S. colleges and universities, felt overwhelmed by all they had to do in the last year – higher than the national average at 87%, according to the NCHA. Despite achieving a high grade point average, two out of three respondents experienced a need for mental health services in the last year.

While dealing with significant challenges, high-achieving students also have positive attitudes about mental health services and are likely to seek help. In fact, 73% of respondents have sought help from someone in the last 12 months.

However, hurdles still remain: 46% of respondents believe that most people think less of a person who has received mental health treatment and more than 50% reported that either they do not have enough time or financial resources or that they prefer to deal with issues on their own.

Next to the counseling center and close friends, students reported a preference for seeking help from an academic advisor or professor. Unfortunately, more than two-thirds of students surveyed do not feel comfortable doing so.

Recommendations for University Administrations, Faculty, and Academic Advisors

1. Validate, Appreciate, and Refer

“Faculty are not experts and do not need to be. They can help a struggling student just by being there for them”, says Active Minds’ Chief Program Officer, Laura Horne. Active Minds recommends a critical and yet simple means of providing help through V-A-R (http://www.activeminds.org/var), their ‘Validate, Appreciate, and Refer’ process, as well as by keeping handy a quick reference sheet with contact information of the campus counseling center and other resources.

2. Normalize the need for help.

Faculty can validate that mental health issues are common, especially among college students, and verbalize to students that they can ask for help. Says Stephen Loflin, NSCS Founder and CEO, “the number one thing students report valuing most in a professor is approachability”.

3. Keep overachievers on your radar.

Loflin adds, “Our data validates that high-achieving students struggle, too. It is important for faculty and advisors to keep overachievers on their radar throughout the academic year.”

4. Embed wellbeing into your curriculum.

Research shows that skill-building is important. Faculty can showcase well-being resources and services in the first week of classes. Horne suggests, “Add wellness resources to your course syllabi. Start class with a mindful moment or meditation. Assign self-care as homework. Set deadlines for assignments at a time of day that encourages students to get enough sleep — avoid midnight or late night deadlines.”

5. Advocate for more support.

Faculty can lead the charge in transforming their campus culture around mental health. “Ask your administration for more training and resources to foster a culture of well-being,” says Horne. “Mental health issues are the number one reason students drop out.” An institution can examine if and how it prioritizes mental health, using Active Minds’ Healthy Campus Award Key Finding Reports(https://www.activeminds.org/programs/healthy-campus-award/).

6. Remember to practice your own self-care.

As much as anything, it’s important for faculty to exemplify well-being practices. “You can’t pour from an empty cup, ” reminds Horne. Faculty feeling down or stressed can investigate benefits and services available through their campus’ Employee Assistance Program.

To learn more about this research and what you can do for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, go to activeminds.org.

About Active Minds

Active Minds is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for young adults. Through our presence on more than 800 high school and college campuses, in the workplace, and through a wide-reaching public audience, Active Minds is creating communities of support and saving lives. Together we can change the conversation about mental health. Join us at activeminds.org.

About the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS)

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) is an honors organization that recognizes and elevates high-achieving first-and-second year college students. With its three pillars of scholarship, leadership and service, NSCS is proud to provide career and graduate school connections, leadership and service opportunities and gives out more than a million dollars in scholarships (often with multiple recipients per award), awards and chapter funds annually. NSCS has 320+ chapters nation-wide and nearly two million lifetime members globally. NSCS is a 501c3 registered nonprofit, certified member of the Association of College Honor Societies, member of the National Collegiate Honors Council, American Association of Community Colleges, and 100 percent FERPA compliant, per an independent review by AACRAO. Learn more at nscs.org.

Share article on social media or email:

Health: Addiction

Rising Substance Abuse across America

Leave a comment


https://www.prweb.com/

PRC Logo

Substance abuse and chemical dependency are not only dangerous because of the risk of overdose, but also due to their severe impact on other health and societal issues, such as mental health, injury, high-risk sexual behavior, and crime.


OMAHA, Neb. (PRWEB)

Addiction, like any disease, pays no mind to race, class, or education. As substance abuse grows across every region of the United States, understanding its prevalence has become a critical element of community health. To equip those fighting addiction on the front lines and to better inform the public of its impact, PRC’s community health experts have gathered new data about alcohol and drug use.

“With the onset of the opioid crisis, substance abuse, as a health issue, has captured America’s attention and is finally getting the attention it deserves,” Bruce Lockwood, Vice President of Community Health at PRC, said. “Substance abuse impacts not only the ‘users’ or ‘abusers,’ but so many others, including the person’s family, friends, and community members.”

In addition to the direct health impact on individuals, substance abuse contributes to negative health outcomes in a number of ways, including, but not limited to community and family violence; sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy; motor vehicle crashes and other accidental injury; and suicide.

The Impact of Substance Abuse

Each population segment faces the effects of substance abuse. “While different parts of our country—and different parts of society—are impacted more than others, certainly no segment of the population is immune to the effects of substance abuse,” Lockwood said.

According to PRC’s National Health Survey, just 3% of US adults have sought professional help for an alcohol or drug problem at some point in their lives. However, a much higher 37% report being personally, directly, and negatively impacted by substance abuse (whether their own substance abuse or that of someone they are close to).

While substance abuse clearly affects Americans of all demographic characteristics, the impact appears particularly high in women, young adults, low-income populations, Whites, and African-Americans.

Alcohol Use

PRC national survey data reveal that just over half (55%) of US adults consume alcohol, having had at least one drink of alcohol during the month preceding the interview.

In terms of risky alcohol behaviors, 10% of US adults are “heavy drinkers,” averaging two or more drinks per day for men, or one or more drinks per day for women. Separately, 20% are “binge drinkers,” having had a high number of drinks (five for men, four for women) on a single occasion during the month preceding the survey.

In all, nearly one in four of US adults are considered to be “excessive drinkers” (reporting heavy drinking and/or episodes of binge drinking). This is notably higher in younger adults, particularly young men. Whites and those with higher incomes are also more often characterized as excessive drinkers. By geography, researchers found little statistical variation among broad US regions (South, West, Northeast, and the Midwest).

Drug Use

Despite growing evidence to the contrary, just 3% of US adults acknowledge using an illicit drug in the past month (including use of illegal substances or of someone else’s prescription medication). This is significantly lower than the 5% recorded in 2001, but as a self-reported measure—and because this indicator reflects potentially illegal behavior—it is reasonable to expect this to be underreported and that actual illicit drug use across the nation is higher.

Interestingly, and perhaps due to recent legalization of marijuana in many states, a much higher prevalence of adults responding to the PRC National Health Survey (12%) report using marijuana at least once in the past month, especially among adults under 40 and those in lower-income households.

Overdose Deaths

According to CDC data, drug overdose deaths in the US have tripled since 2000. Heroin (12,989 deaths) and prescription opioid pain relievers (22,598 deaths) are major contributors, with five- to seven-fold increases in deaths since 2000. As a percent of all overdose deaths in 2015, 63% were opioid class drugs, 57% were prescription drugs, and 42% were illicit drugs.

Furthering the clear evidence for an opioid crisis, researchers found that among the more than 64,000 drug overdose deaths estimated in 2016, the sharpest increase was related to fentanyl and fentanyl analogs (synthetic opioids), with over 20,000 overdose deaths (National Institute on Drug Abuse).

“Substance abuse and chemical dependency are not only dangerous because of the risk of overdose, but also due to their severe impact on other health and societal issues, such as mental health, injury, high-risk sexual behavior, and crime,” Jana Distefano, Director of Community Health at PRC said. “The opioid epidemic continues to impact communities of all types across the United States. As programs evolve and work to impact this issue, it is even more important to monitor and track progress regularly, so we not only overcome this threat to our health, but also strengthen the overall ability of our communities to thrive.”

PRC, a healthcare market research and consulting firm based in Omaha, NE, has performed community health needs assessments in over 500 distinct communities for over 25 years and has touched the lives of over 100 million Americans.

Professional Research Consultants, Inc., (PRC)

Since its inception in 1980, PRC has helped more than 2,200 healthcare organizations achieve their research objectives by collecting and analyzing timely, accurate, and reliable feedback from patients, employees, physicians, and the community at large. We are proud to be at the forefront of innovation in the healthcare market research industry. PRC helps healthcare organizations achieve excellence by collecting and analyzing timely, accurate, and reliable feedback through five research divisions: Patient Experience, Employee Engagement, Physician Partnership Solutions, Consumer and Brand, and Community Health Needs Assessments. PRC offers its clients real-time feedback through Esurveys, Star Ratings for both providers and practice locations, and a mobile app to track PX progress from any device. Further, PRC’s Excellence Accelerator team provides world class consulting, coaching, assessments, and speaking services.

###

Health

Understanding the Latest in Treating Scars

Leave a comment


https://www.prweb.com/

Jie Chen, RPA-C

Scars can be barriers to optimal health, bringing distress and discomfort. Especially if the scar is large or prominent or inhibits movement.


EAST SETAUKET and WEST ISLIP, NY (PRWEB)

In the annals of human development, the body’s ability to form scars was an evolutionary breakthrough – its means of surviving life-threatening skin wounds. “But in the modern world,” observes Jie Chen, a certified registered physician’s assistant specializing in dermatology with Advanced Dermatology PC, “scars can be barriers to optimal health, bringing distress and discomfort. Especially if the scar is large or prominent or inhibits movement.”

The process may appear simple: Following a serious wound – due to accident, surgery, acne, or disease – our skin goes through a healing process that gradually reveals a new surface: sometimes raised, sometimes pitted, often redder than the surrounding area. “Scars are patches that our body creates as quickly as possible for protection,” notes Chen. “But our system’s focus on a fast fix means that the rebuild lacks our skin’s original structures and appearance. The result can be distressing. And large scars – especially in the case of burns – can interfere with movement, in particular if the scarred area affects joints.”

On its surface, scar formation may seem straightforward, but researchers today are uncovering complex processes that cooperate to allow our skin to repair itself. “The body orchestrates a cascade of interrelated cellular responders that coordinate to avoid infection and rebuild,” explains Chen. “Recent research is giving us a more nuanced understanding of the processes in play – which offers exciting possibilities for treating scars.”    

With that in mind, Chen makes the following suggestions:

5 Tips on Scar Breakthroughs

1. Wound “tension” plays an even bigger role: “We’ve known that relaxing tension across a wound is essential to minimizing scarring,” says Chen. “But we’re getting a better understanding of just how significant tension-reducing dressings and surgical techniques can be. New research shows that tension triggers biochemical responses that cause additional scar tissue to form. New ways of dressing wounds – like the embrace device which continuously reduces strain on the tissue – and specialized surgical techniques for scar removal can encourage healthy skin renewal and lessen scar formation.”

2. For laser repair, get on the right wavelength: “Lasers offer a dual means of minimizing scars,” explains Chen. “They can redesign the scar’s ‘fast fix’ by re-organizing collagen to improve the surface. They also can reduce the inflammation and blood vessels that give some scars a red appearance. We know that using the correct wavelength – whether via a CO2 laser, Nd-YAG, or Fraxel – is key to the desired outcome, whether it’s evening the surface or the pigment.”

3. New treatments can help our skin help itself: “For large scars, especially due to burns, we’re seeing breakthroughs that can reduce extensive skin grafts,” states Chen. “Skin cell research has resulted in treatments such as the recently FDA-approved ‘ReCell,’ where doctors take a small section of the patient’s healthy skin and break it down into its component cells: fibroblasts, keratinocytes, melanocytes. Those cells are then used to formulate a spray-on skin treatment that can repopulate a much, much larger surface area.”

4. Re-tuning the body’s responses may build new skin:

“Today’s research offers a entryway to healthy skin regeneration,” observes Chen. “We have an understanding of the cellular processes involved in the body’s response to wounds: some cellular responses trigger scarring; others increase healthy skin renewal, with normal structures such as hair follicles and glands. If we can ‘turn off’ the scarring stimuli and ‘turn on’ regeneration processes, we can take a major step forward in scarless healing. We offer patients advanced Microneedling Treatments including the collagen pin and Intensif, which with these techniques help tremendously with scars and anti-aging.”

5. Specialized superhealers come to the rescue: In certain cases,” notes Chen, “serious wounds heal with no scars: Fetal surgeries show scarless healing. Likewise wounds inside our mouths. Certain animals also offer models: the covering on a reindeer’s antlers – remarkably similar to human skin – can rebuild itself. Identifying the unique cellular characteristics involved in these examples provides clues to promoting new skin rather than scarring.”

“The research happening now,” concludes Chen, “offers the possibility of building on evolution’s solution to skin damage, replacing scarring with actual renewal.”

Bio: Jie Chen, RPA-C is a Certified Physician Assistant through the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants.

Advanced Dermatology P.C. and the Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery (New York & New Jersey) is one of the leading dermatology centers in the nation, offering highly experienced physicians in the fields of cosmetic and laser dermatology as well as plastic surgery and state-of-the-art medical technologies. http://www.advanceddermatologypc.com.

Share article on social media or email:

health and fitness

Isagenix Expands AMPED Line to Best Support Healthy, Active Lifestyles

Leave a comment


https://www.prweb.com/

The AMPED Next-Level Pack gives customers everything they need before, during, and after their workouts so they can take their goals to the next level.

Whether you’re just starting your weight loss and exercise journey or are working to tone and sculpt your physique, the AMPED line is a powerful tool for transforming your body. – Travis Ogden, Isagenix CEO


GILBERT, Ariz. (PRWEB)

Those looking to make a healthy change through premium nutrition and exercise can get better results faster with Isagenix International’s expanded AMPED™ product line. The global health and wellness company has debuted:


  • The AMPED Next-Level Pack, which gives customers everything they need before, during, and after their workouts so they can take their goals to the next level. The pack features four products: the new AMPED Tri-Release Protein, the new AMPED Repair, AMPED Nitro, and AMPED BCAA Plus.

  • The AMPED Core Bundle, which serves as a starter set for customers seeking enhanced exercise results. The bundle features two products: Tri-Release Protein and Nitro.

The products in the pack and bundle, which can be purchased individually if desired, were designed to help customers with both nutrition and fitness:

  • AMPED Tri-Release Protein, available in Chocolate Milk Flavor or Vanilla Custard Flavor, is an anytime 25-gram three-protein blend that helps develop lean muscle and enhance strength.†

  • AMPED Nitro, available in Watermelon Flavor, is a pre-workout supplement that kick-starts workouts to sustain energy and elevate intensity.† It includes naturally sourced caffeine.

  • AMPED BCAA Plus, available in Raspberry Lemonade Flavor, is an intra-workout drink that fuels muscles with key branched-chain amino acids.†

  • AMPED Repair, available in Tropical Punch Flavor, is a post-workout drink that helps reduce joint soreness and rebuild muscles to improve recovery.† It includes functional ingredients such as tart cherry, turmeric, and collagen.

“Whether you’re just starting your weight loss and exercise journey or are working to tone and sculpt your physique, the AMPED line is a powerful tool for transforming your body,” said Isagenix Chief Executive Officer Travis Ogden. “The products are terrific on their own and even better together, which is why we created the Next-Level Pack and Core Bundle. We’ve already received amazing feedback from customers who tested these systems as part of their fitness routine. AMPED is truly helping people achieve, maintain, and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.”

The pack, bundle, and individual products are available in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. While customers can purchase AMPED products directly from Isagenix, the company recommends ordering through independent distributors. Preferred customer pricing is as follows:

  • Next-Level Pack: A pack including a 28-serving canister of Tri-Release Protein, a 20-serving canister of Nitro, a 20-serving canister of BCAA Plus, and a 20-serving canister of Repair is US$146.70 in the United States and Puerto Rico and CA$163.35 in Canada.

  • Core Bundle: A bundle including a 28-serving canister of Tri-Release Protein and a 20-serving canister of Nitro is US$89.99 in the United States and Puerto Rico and CA$100.75 in Canada.

  • Tri-Release Protein: A 28-serving canister is US$59.99 in the United States and Puerto Rico and CA$66.95 in Canada.

  • Nitro: A 20-serving canister is US$39.99 in the United States and Puerto Rico and CA$44.99 in Canada.

  • BCAA Plus: A 20-serving canister is US$27 in the United States and Puerto Rico and CA$30 in Canada.

  • Repair: A 20-serving canister is US$27 in the United States and Puerto Rico and CA$30 in Canada.

To learn more about Isagenix, visit the Newsroom, like the company on Facebook, and follow it on Twitter and Instagram.

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About Isagenix International

Established in 2002, Isagenix provides systems for weight loss, performance, vitality and well-being, personal care and beauty, and financial wellness. With half a million customers worldwide and more than 100 products, packs, and systems globally, the company is committed to supporting healthy change in its customers’ and independent distributors’ lives. Isagenix shares its products and solutions through a network of independent distributors in 14 markets: the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and South Korea. Isagenix is a privately owned company with headquarters in Gilbert, Arizona. For more information, visit Isagenix.com.

Share article on social media or email:



Industry: Healthcare

Connex Releases Multi-site Facilities Management 2020 Trends Report

Leave a comment


https://www.prweb.com/

The 2020 Trends Report Infographic provides a high-level overview of the Connex 2020 Trends Report.

Multi-site facilities management changes daily, and the Connex 2020 Trends Report helps our members understand new trends. It also provides insights into the: entertainment, and financial FM markets as well as other critical issues.


DALLAS (PRWEB)

Connex (previously the Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association), the authority on multi-site facilities management, released its annual review of the state of multi-site facilities management and key trends impacting the nation’s leading retailers, multi-site healthcare facilities, entertainment facilities, banks and suppliers.

The industry-leading report identifies six major trends driving the multi-site facilities management (FM) industry. They include changing demographics, the rise of multi-site entertainment facilities, FM in the financial services industry, microgrids and energy resilience, new FM technology, and small-concept stores. These trends are driving change across the industry and will require facilities executives adapt new strategies and tactics to succeed.

“Multi-site facilities management changes daily, and the Connex 2020 Trends Report helps our members understand new trends. It also provides insights into the entertainment and financial FM markets, as well as other critical issues,” said Myriah Kingen, Director, Facilities Management at DaVita Kidney Care and Board Chair of Connex.

A breakdown of the major trends includes:


  • Stronger Together: In multi-site facilities management (FM), an industry so reliant upon bringing many people to the table, attracting and building a diverse workforce with widely varied perspectives and skill sets is crucial. Facilities management faces a critical labor shortage, and now is the time to create the workforce of tomorrow.

  • Action-packed Entertainment: People want entertainment experiences—and businesses are listening. Adapting to this market trend, multi-site entertainment venues are expanding at a rapid rate. They provide customers the opportunity to create memories, as opposed to simply exchanging money for goods.

  • Moving Money in the New Frontier: In recent years, several large regional and national banks have closed branches, opting for more technology-based customer service portals to reduce costs and streamline customer interactions. But as it turns out, the physical presence of customers is still needed and desired, and facilities of varying stripes are still required.

  • Powering Up: To avert power loss, businesses are investing in technology that promises energy resilience and sustainability – the ability to keep the lights on or recover quickly, while maximizing renewable energy. Among these technologies, microgrids can keep the power on the longest and boost sustainability.

  • Expanding Tech Options: Facility managers continually strive to make facilities’ operations more efficient, reduce costs and adhere to increasingly stringent environmental expectations. While there are no one-size-fits-all solutions, FM technology being introduced today can help FMs make progress toward these goals.

  • Small Stores, Big Concepts: Small-format stores are popping up everywhere. Retail giants hope smaller, more conveniently located stores make it easier for customers to return products — and to buy online and pick up in-store. But will these new formats create unique challenges for FMs?

Download the Connex 2020 Trends Report and 2020 Trends Report Infographic to learn more about how changes in the multi-site facility industry are impacting retail facilities management today.

The 2020 Trends Report will be a topic of discussion during the Connex Mid-Year Connexion events in the U.S. and Canada. Held each fall, these events provide strategic direction and tactical guidance for multi-site facilities management professionals. April 20 – 22, 2020, the Connex2020 National Conference will be held in Orlando, FL, and will host the largest annual gathering of multi-site facilities management professionals in the nation.

About Connex

Connex, the authority on Retail and Multi-site Facilities Management, is the leading membership organization for multi-site facilities and supplier professionals. Connex empowers facilities management professionals with best practices, benchmarking, education, discussion forums and trusted partnerships. Chartered in 1995, and with approximately 950 member companies, Connex community values are founded on a spirit of innovation, resourcefulness, the quest for knowledge and ethical business relationships. Members depend upon Connex to help them achieve greater success and a competitive advantage through quality programs and resources.

Visit connexfm.com for more information.

Share article on social media or email:

Health: Mental Health

New White Paper from Gaggle Shares Research and Strategic Approaches for Addressing Increase in Students’ Mental Health Crises

Leave a comment


News Image

Day in and day out, we work with districts that are using Gaggle as part of a more holistic program to identify students who need interventions or require additional support services.


BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (PRWEB)

Research shows that more than two-thirds of students ages 13 to 18 require some level of professional help for a mental health condition. Yet, a majority of students with a mental health disorder do not receive the treatment they need. To help educators understand and respond to this deepening crisis, Gaggle has published a new white paper that examines research on adolescent mental health and identifies ways in which school districts can effectively identify and support students in need. In addition, during a free webinar on Oct. 10 from 6 to 7 p.m. (EDT), a panel of experts will provide K-12 district leaders with insights into the causes of this crisis and resources districts are using to address the wellbeing of the “whole child.”

The white paper, titled “What Research Says About Students’ Increased Mental Health Crises and How Gaggle Can Be the First Line of Defense for Districts,” reveals research documenting student mental health issues, social trends, and risky student behaviors. It then explores causes of rising mental health concerns, including academic pressure, social media, and childhood trauma.

“Anxiety and depression are on the rise, suicides are increasing, and students are engaging in an alarming number of high-risk behaviors such as substance abuse, sex, violence, and self-harm,” said Jeff Patterson, Gaggle CEO. “The crises in student mental health, particularly in middle and high school, are forcing school districts to become more proactive in the ways they identify and provide services to support students in need.”

To help school administrators and educators take the next step, the white paper outlines solutions that are successfully being implemented in schools, including student support services, school-wide interventions, social-emotional learning programs, and community partnerships. In addition, the paper describes how districts are using tools such as Gaggle to provide visibility into students’ online activity on school-issued devices so they can step in and take appropriate action to protect students from harming themselves and others.

During the Oct. 10th webinar, “Addressing the Crisis in Adolescent Mental Health: How Districts Can Identify and Support Struggling Students,” a panel of education experts will discuss current research and what two districts — one in Texas and one in Idaho — are doing to address these problems. They will discuss topics such as funding additional student services, introducing social-emotional learning, conducting schoolwide interventions, and creating a community-based action plan, among others. The free webinar will be held at edWeb.net and hosted by the School Safety community on edWeb. To register for the webinar, visit https://home.edweb.net/webinar/schoolsafety20191010/.

“Districts understand that improving students’ mental health is as important as keeping students physically safe on campus. As outlined in this white paper and the upcoming webinar, there are a number of ways in which schools are effectively supporting the well-being of the ‘whole child’ and creating a safe physical and emotional learning environment for all students,” said Patterson. “Day in and day out, we work with districts that are using Gaggle as part of a more holistic program to identify students who need interventions or require additional support services. Whether they call Gaggle their first alarm system or their safety net, it provides reassurance that they are doing everything possible to enhance their students’ safety and well-being.”

For a free copy of the white paper, visit https://news.gaggle.net/student-mental-health-report.

About Gaggle | http://www.gaggle.net

Since 1999, Gaggle has been the leader in helping K-12 districts manage student safety on school-provided technology. Using a robust combination of both artificial intelligence and trained safety experts, the safety solution proactively assists districts 24/7/365 in the prevention of student suicide, bullying, inappropriate behaviors, school violence, and other harmful situations. Most importantly, Gaggle continues to help hundreds of districts avoid tragedies and save lives, while also protecting their liability. In the 2018-19 academic year, Gaggle has helped districts save the lives of more than 700 students who were planning or actually attempting suicide. For more information, visit http://www.gaggle.net and follow Gaggle on Twitter at @Gaggle_K12.

Share article on social media or email:

Health: Addiction

How Physical Therapy Can Help Manage Pain and Reduce Opioid Use

Leave a comment



NEW YORK (PRWEB)

No one wants to live in pain. But no one should put their health at risk in an effort to be pain free. Recently, physical therapist Sarah Wenger teamed with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and YourUpdateTV, to discuss the dangers of prescription opioid use for most non–cancer-related pain treatment and safer alternatives, including physical therapy, for managing pain.

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/4NmgVA59n0g.

Doctor-prescribed opioids are appropriate in some cases, but they just mask the pain. Opioid risks include depression, overdose, and addiction, plus withdrawal symptoms when stopping use. More than 20% of Americans live with chronic pain. Prescribing rates continue to remain very high in certain areas across the country – in 16% of U.S. counties, enough opioid prescriptions were dispensed for every person to have one.

Physical therapists treat pain through movement, hands-on care, and patient education—and by increasing physical activity you can also reduce your risk of other chronic diseases. Physical therapists treat people of all ages and abilities and empower them to actively take part in their own care. To ensure the best possible care, physical therapists often work with other members of a health care team.

For more information on how to get involved, visit ChoosePT.com.

About Sarah Wenger:

Sarah Wenger, PT, DPT, is an associate clinical professor at Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions. She received her master of physical therapy degree from Arcadia University in 1997 and her doctor of physical therapy degree from Temple University in 2002. She also is a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopaedic physical therapy. She has published and presented on a range of topics related to her areas of expertise in chronic pain, underserved populations, and clinical reasoning, and she provides pro bono services in a community-based clinic. With an interdisciplinary team, Wenger developed a chronic pain clinical reasoning model and psycho-education program called Power Over Pain.

About APTA:

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is an individual membership professional organization representing more than 100,000 member physical therapists (PTs), physical therapist assistants (PTAs), and students of physical therapy.

About YourUpdateTV:

YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content, produced by award-winning video communications firm, D S Simon Media (http://www.dssimon.com). It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology.

Share article on social media or email:

Health

Proscia® Issued U.S. Patent Covering System and Method of Processing Medical Images for Inspection or Analysis

Leave a comment



PHILADELPHIA (PRWEB)

Proscia, a leading provider of digital pathology software, has been granted U.S. Patent No. 10,346,980 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The patent applies to techniques for processing and analyzing medical images.

For more than 150 years, the standard of care for diagnosing tissue biopsies has been based on a pathologist’s interpretation of patterns using a microscope. This interpretation determines the presence of cancer as well as the aggressiveness of malignancies. Unfortunately, because this human assessment is inherently subjective, it can compromise the accuracy of diagnosis and ultimately, the success of patient outcomes.

Today, specialized scanners capture images of tissue samples prepared on glass slides, giving rise to digital pathology. These whole slide images offer resolution and clarity equivalent to that provided by a microscope and can be viewed on a computer workstation. Significantly, computational models leveraging artificial intelligence can also analyze this image data, generating new insights into how we understand cancer; however, technical limitations pose a barrier to performing this analysis in practice. Specifically, the sizes of whole slide image files, ranging from hundreds of megabytes to dozens of gigabytes, present difficulties for computer systems attempting to manipulate, read, and analyze them.

The computer processing of whole slide images, as well as the retrieval and visualization of image analysis results, in acceptable time frames remains a long-standing problem. U.S. Patent No. 10,346,980 covers broad techniques for delivering much-needed efficiencies for overcoming these challenges and making whole slide imaging a viable component of the traditional pathology workflow.

These techniques allow for the efficient parallelized analysis of whole slide images, as well as the rapid delivery of rich quantitative and spatial information, in a digital pathology viewing environment. Integrating image viewing and analysis visualization supports high-throughput tissue research, helping to drive breakthrough advancements in the fight against cancer. It also enables computational pathology workflows for diagnosis, allowing pathologists to read and analyze cases more rapidly and with higher levels of accuracy.

The newly granted patent reflects Proscia’s commitment to transforming the practice of pathology with intelligent software. Concentriq™, the company’s flagship digital pathology platform, incorporates the proprietary techniques covered in the patent to improve laboratory speed and quality, support personalized medicine, and address the growing demand for pathology services.*

More information on Concentriq by Proscia can be found here.

About Proscia

Proscia is a software company that is changing the way the world practices pathology to transform cancer research and diagnosis. With the company’s Concentriq digital pathology platform and pipeline of AI algorithms, laboratories are leveraging new kinds of data to improve patient outcomes and accelerate discoveries. Proscia’s team of technologists, scientists, and pathologists is bringing a fresh approach to an outdated industry, helping the world to keep pace with the increasing demand for pathology services and fulfill the promise of precision care. For more information, visit proscia.com.

*Proscia’s products are for research use only.

Share article on social media or email:

health and fitness

New Hanover Regional Medical Center Goes Live with Gozio Health’s Mobile Wayfinding Platform

Leave a comment


News Image

Gozio is pleased to partner with the largest healthcare provider in southeastern North Carolina and assist them with leading their community to outstanding health. Joshua Titus, CEO and Founder Gozio Health.


WILMINGTON, N.C. (PRWEB)

New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) announced the launch of their mobile wayfinding platform developed by Atlanta-based Gozio Health. The hospital-branded mobile platform provides system-wide navigation guiding patients from their home to the correct parking location and within four feet of their appointment destination inside the hospital.

The platform also gives patients and visitors immediate access to physician directories, medical records via MyChart, Urgent Care wait times, and locations of cafes, pharmacies and the closest restrooms on their smartphones. The platform provides turn-by-turn navigation inside six New Hanover hospital and healthcare facilities. New Hanover is also including access to 58 off-site clinics.

“Gozio is pleased to partner with the largest healthcare provider in southeastern North Carolina and assist them with fulfilling their mission of leading their community to outstanding health,” said Joshua Titus, CEO and Founder Gozio Health. “Hospitals that prioritize a patient-centric approach to care recognize how Gozio’s customizable platform directly improves in network retention, attracts new patients, and positively impacts the healthcare system’s bottom line.”

Gozio Health hospital partners see significant rates of patient engagement from their mobile wayfinding platforms. Statistics based on adult, university and children’s hospital systems show that once the app is installed to navigate to a destination within the hospital system, over 85 percent of users return to schedule appointments, access medical records, search physician directories; access urgent care wait times and view hospital amenities.

Gozio Health

Gozio Health transforms indoor navigation and significantly improves patient experience with an experiential wayfinding platform specifically designed for hospitals and healthcare systems. Gozio’s feature-rich, mobile platform revolutionizes patient engagement and not only puts patients and visitors on the best path to their destination, it gives the provider organization an important pathway to the patient. Gozio’s platform optimizes the patient journey beyond wayfinding with API integrations of EHR, urgent care and emergency department wait times, Save My Spot scheduling for urgent care, virtual visits, and more. In addition to numerous industry awards, the wayfinding solution from Gozio has earned the exclusive endorsement of the American Hospital Association. For more information, visit http://www.goziohealth.com or find Gozio Health on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Share article on social media or email: