MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'blue'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:57:01 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139874&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F19%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-august-19-2011%2F Ask me about a trip I took with my dad to Maui ten years ago and I can barely recall what we did. But ask me about my childhood toys and suddenly I remember every detail, every curve of a ball, color, texture and even the faint smell of a favorite toy. There is one toy I remember in particular. It was a half red, half blue sphere covered with different shaped holes and yellow plastic shapes (triangles, stars, circles, etc.) meant to fit through them. If you’re curious, this is what it looked like. What I remember is being very young and feeling frustrated because no matter how hard I pushed I could never get all of those puzzle pieces into the holes. It was only when I got older that I realized every piece had its place. I was wasting my energy trying to force pieces where they didn&... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139874 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:11:34 +0100 5139874 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096209&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Feven-with-insurance-childbirth-is-an-expensive-undertaking%2F2011.08.03 Childbirth hospital costs these days aren’t cheap. Some studies suggest the cost of raising a child exceeds $200,000, not including education expenses.   Most insurance companies charge women of childbearing age more for their insurance because the actuarial tables say so.  Mrs  Happy and I now have a 3 month old Zachary in our wings.  He is a cute little peanut.  His two brothers, Marty and Cooper adore him. Forty-two days after his April 21st, 2011 delivery, we still had not received our explanation of benefits from Blue Cross Blue Shield for the midwife charge.  I had previously received a statement from them saying the charge was under review.  Perhaps they believed that delivering Zachary was not medically necessary.  I can’t explain it. When I called to ask them w... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096209 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:00:00 +0100 5096209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069570&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=34637&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgaggio.blogspirit.com%2Farchive%2F2011%2F07%2F27%2Fa-robot-that-flies-like-a-bird.html The poetry of technology.. (Source: Positive Technology Journal) Positive Technology Journal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069570 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:07:00 +0100 5069570 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062290&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F25%2Fneed-mental-health-treatment-in-2-weeks-fat-chance%2F This study demonstrates quite the opposite. Read the full article: Medical News: Barriers High in Mental Health Care (Source: World of Psychology) World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062290 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 20:15:01 +0100 5062290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028463&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F09%2Fthoughts-on-memories-grief-and-loss%2F For the first few months after my dad’s passing, it was really hard to talk about him and even harder to recall memories, vivid, detailed descriptions of my father and poignant times past. Because with the memories came the obvious grasp that my dad is gone. It was the very definition of bittersweet. Sure, there might be laughter and the subtle shape of a smile, but inevitably there’d also be tears and the realization that this is where the memories ended. But as the months passed, remembering and recounting tidbits from my childhood, my dad’s sayings and jokes and other memories started doing the opposite: they started bringing me a sense of peace. Not an overwhelming wave of calm, but a small token of serenity. I also knew very well that talking about my dad meant honoring his memo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028463 Sat, 09 Jul 2011 15:45:05 +0100 5028463 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4976229&cid=t_154130_160_f&fid=36190&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skincareblog.org%2F Sonal Bahuguna: Blue eyesAlways select eye shadow that enhances depth of the eyes. The best makeup tips for any eye color is just to select a color that can enhance the depth of the eyes and make them vibrant and lively. Same goes for beautiful blue colored eyes.There are several shades of blue and selecting an eye shadow depends on the color your eyes are. 1. Light blue: It is the lightest shade of blue. For this kind of eye color it is preferred to use light shadows to make your eyes attractive. Dark liner can be used on the edges of the eyes to give that stunning look.2. Deep dark blue: Shades of golden and mauve go well with this eye color. You can use dark shades like royal blue eye shadow to highlight the eyes. All color eye shadow varying from light to dark compliment the e... Skin Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4976229 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:30:34 +0100 4976229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902515&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=34637&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgaggio.blogspirit.com%2Farchive%2F2011%2F05%2F21%2Fhuman-computer-confluence.html (HC-CO) is an ambitious initiative recently launched by the European Commission under the Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) program, which fosters projects that investigate and demonstrate new possibilities “emerging at the confluence between the human and technological realms” (source: HC-CO website, EU Commission).Such projects will examine new modalities for individual and group perception, actions and experience in augmented, virtual spaces. In particular, such virtual spaces would span the virtual reality continuum, also extending to purely synthetic but believable representation of massive, complex and dynamic data. HC-CO also fosters inter-disciplinary research (such as Presence, neuroscience, psychophysics, prosthetics, machine learning, computer science and engineering) ... Positive Technology Journal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902515 Sun, 05 Jun 2011 18:03:00 +0100 4902515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893542&cid=t_154130_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Flatest-spectroscopy-and-crystallography.html Electric microbes – X-ray diffraction has been used to reveal the structure of proteins attached to the surface of the microbe Shewanella oneidensis, a species found in deep-sea anaerobic habitats. These proteins can transfer electrons making this micro-organism potentially rather interesting as an electricity-generating system. The research could allow researchers to tether bacteria directly to electrodes creating efficient microbial fuel cells or bio-batteries powered by human or animal waste. Such an advance could also hasten the development of system based on microbial agents that can clean up oil spills or provide a new approach to remediating radioactive waste. Uranium and Raman – Scientists at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research in Tamil Nadu have carried out th... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893542 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 09:32:50 +0100 4893542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872476&cid=t_154130_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fl6OCIRjRzwE%2F And so another working week is about to come to an end, which means we can daydream about weekend plans. Our modest agenda includes hanging out with the short people and catching up on some reading. What about you? Maybe a dip in the pool? A walk in the park? Perhaps gazing into the future? This side of the pond has a three-day break, of course, so there will be more time to indulge. Whatever you do, have a great time and see you soon… Novartis Found Not Liable For Jaw Disease (Reuters) Medco Loses Blue Cross Blue Shield Contract (Reuters) Trimeris Gets $5M In Roche Settlement (Triangle Business Journal) Pharma Protests UK Pricing Plan (Bloomberg News) AstraZeneca Confirms Endings Payments For Docs To Attend Meetings (Reuters) CMS Proposes Looser E-Prescribing Rules (Internal Medicin... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872476 Fri, 27 May 2011 12:09:07 +0100 4872476 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4828986&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F15%2F10-great-moms-of-the-twentieth-century%2F Due to an error on our part, this article should’ve appeared a week ago… But hey, better late than never! – Ed. They are activists, humorists, Holocaust survivers, writers, first ladies, and missionaries. But first and foremost, they are moms. And, in my opinion, some of the best. As a relatively new mom, I could learn a lesson or two from the veterans. So here is a list of my blue-ribbon picks. 1. Erma Bombeck. She was the funniest mother in America, with an uncanny ability to bemuse fellow moms with hilarious twists on cleaning toilets and carpools of whinny kids. For more than 30 years her clippings occupied the most coveted real estate in middle-class homes — the refrigerator — where she’d offer invaluable insight and a dose of comedy amid lost sock... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4828986 Sun, 15 May 2011 10:28:28 +0100 4828986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4828987&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F05%2F14%2F8-reasons-why-twitter-can-make-you-happy%2F I’m a huge fan of Twitter, and I’ve tried to persuade several people to give it a try. (My greatest triumph: convincing my sister to use it. Seeing my sister in my Twitter feed — that makes me very happy.) We’ve all seen how Twitter can play an unprecedented role in world events and in news communication. But on a very personal, routine level, there are several (other) ways in which Twitter can boost your happiness. After all, is it just a coincidence that a blue bird is both the symbol for happiness and the symbol for Twitter? Probably yes, I know, but still, it’s a happy coincidence. 1. Twitter allows you to pursue your passion — even if only in your imagination. A key to a happier life is to have fun – people who regularly have fun are twenty times ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4828987 Sat, 14 May 2011 16:30:58 +0100 4828987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4820950&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNeilVerselsHealthcareItBlog%2F%7E3%2F-gmzgCD_78g%2F I’ve just finished my latest post for EMR and HIPAA, based on a session I moderated this week at the the Institute for Health Technology Transformation health IT summit in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Here’s a taste: The panelists did great job of articulating some of these conundrums and strategies to overcome them, but none better than Kevin Maher, director of clinical innovations for Horizon Healthcare Innovations, a new affiliate of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey tasked with testing new care models, and Victor Freeman, M.D., quality director in the Health Resources and Services Administration‘s Office of Health IT and Quality. The patient-centered medical home is a great idea for managing care, promoting prevention and, ultimately reducing costs. “We view the ba... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4820950 Thu, 12 May 2011 21:59:53 +0100 4820950 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4820952&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FD3BF4RAkszU%2F Healthcare and health IT are plagued by conundrums. Providers long have been the ones asked to make hefty investments in EMRs and other IT systems to help remove costs from the healthcare system, but payers and plan sponsors tend to enjoy most of the financial benefits. Clinicians wish their organizations would share data with others, but those in the executive suite have been reluctant to cooperate with competitors for fear of losing revenue. And, let’s face it, medical errors can be profitable if a routine procedure turns into an expensive inpatient admission. Portions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are intended to address these problems by providing financial incentives for “meaningful use” of EMRs (incl... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4820952 Thu, 12 May 2011 21:45:30 +0100 4820952 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4794927&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FK8wwkSlT1Zg%2F Neils’ article about Unrealistic Expectations about Clinical Decision Support made me think of how important the ability to know where to find the information can be in so many different situations. In fact, memorization of where to search might be more valuable and useful than strict memorization of everything. The core point is that with very rare exception, the human mind can only store and recall so much information. However, if you only have to remember where to find a certain piece of information, it’s much easier to remember. For example, many of my readers probably don’t realize that I have a network of TV blogs. I get a lot of credit on those websites for listing out the music for those shows. Funny thing is that I’m not all that good at identifying songs. ... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4794927 Fri, 06 May 2011 17:43:44 +0100 4794927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734697&cid=t_154130_165_f&fid=36770&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmetaot.com%2Fblog%2Fblue-badge-scheme-reform-%25E2%2580%2593-independent-mobility-assessors This year has seen the announcement of major disabled parking badge reforms which are all coming into force as we write – I’m sure your local authority will already be busy implementing some major structural changes in the way they assess for and provide their blue badges. But what are these reforms and how will they affect the way in which our blue badge services are run? read more (Source: meta-ot blogs) meta-ot blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734697 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:37:40 +0100 4734697 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4676899&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNeilVerselsHealthcareItBlog%2F%7E3%2FEcS5gp-MhXQ%2F Geisinger Health System, Group Health Cooperative, Intermountain Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente and the Mayo Clinic will join together to promote sharing of electronic health data as part of a new organization called the Care Connectivity Consortium. The formal launch is set for 9 a.m. EDT Wednesday at the National Press Club in Washington, and the event will be webcast here. According to a media advisory, the Care Connectivity Consortium is “a historic interoperability collaboration among five of the nation’s leading health systems to securely share electronic health information and best practices.” Executives from the organizations will be on hand to “will discuss the goals of the consortium, how sharing electronic health data supports high quality, patient-centered ca... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4676899 Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:06:21 +0100 4676899 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4610888&cid=t_154130_117_f&fid=37824&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.doctorkalitenko.com%2Fblog%2Fcarcinogens-gulf-water-small-sign-toxins-water%2F There doesn’t need to be a toxic oil spill in your backyard in order for your water to be poisoned. The truth is that much of our water is poisoned already. So, a recent article in the Huffington post that showed that there were high levels of carcinogens found in water in the Gulf, isn’t that surprising. The reasons for that are simple:…   There was a major oil spill that will affect water, wildlife and people for decades to come, And all water is toxic to levels that it shouldn’t be…everywhere!(1) We have people in the United States today dying of cancer at ages so much younger than ever before. 1500 people die every day in the United States from the disease. But did you know that another recent finding just taught scientists that cancer didn’t exist thousands of y... Doctor Kalitenko antiaging blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4610888 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:38:09 +0100 4610888 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4600581&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F03%2F16%2F3-ways-to-boost-your-mood-naturally%2F Imagine yourself outside. The sky is bright blue, the sun is sparkling and the air feels crisp and cool. Maybe you’re walking along the beach, feeling the warm sand on your bare feet. Perhaps you’re riding your bike in a park, surrounded by hundred-year-old trees and singing birds. Or maybe you’re pinching the dirt as you dig through the backyard to plant a few flowers. Being outdoors at a park, the beach or even just a few feet from our doorsteps can feel both relaxing and invigorating. In fact, research has shown that participating in physical activity in the great outdoors can do a world of good for your psyche. When analyzing ten studies with 1,252 participants, UK researchers found that outdoor activities like walking, gardening and bike riding helped boost the mood and self-es... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4600581 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:18:11 +0100 4600581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592326&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fsome-dare-call-it-corruption.html We have discussed many cases of health care organizations' leaders reaping rewards disproportionate to any concept of their performance, and especially to any concept of the effect of their conduct on patients' or the public's health.  Most of these cases have been pretty anechoic, but for some reason, the case of the huge golden parachute given to the outgoing CEO of Massachusetts Blue Cross Blue Shield despite a tenure  marked by financial losses and no particularly brilliant advances in patients' care or outcomes, (see this post) continues to generate responses.  One editorial suggested that should the non-profit health insurance company continue to pay so lavishly, it should lose its tax exemption.  Another noted that the company should start put... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592326 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 21:50:00 +0100 4592326 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4575025&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fmassachusetts-blue-cross-blue-shield.html We have frequently discussed the kind of compensation now frequently given to leaders of health care organizations.  Although often even the most disproportionately outrageous compensation only attracts transient interest, a recent regional story in this genre has really gotten legs.How Big the Golden Parachute?The story was about the severance package given to one Cleve L Killingsworth, the former CEO of not-for-profit health care insurance company Massachusetts Blue Cross Blue Shield.  While first reported as being worth $8.6 million,(1) the estimate of his total severance was soon raised to $11 million.(2)This is a Way to Control Costs?Immediately, that amount was contrasted with the supposed emphasis of the company on controlling costs, and its recent poor performance: K... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4575025 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 22:37:00 +0100 4575025 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4544970&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcdc-campaign-hasnt-slowed-inappropriate-antibiotic-use%2F2011.03.03 High rates of inappropriate antibiotic use continued despite a 15-year campaign by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) aimed at Michigan physicians and consumers on the dangers of antibiotic overuse. The Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation (CHRT) released an issue brief detailing overall antibiotic prescribing for adult Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) members. (The project is a non-profit partnership between the University of Michigan and BCBSM.) While antibiotic prescribing in adults decreased 9.3 percent from 2007 to 2009, it increased 4.5 percent for children during the same time period. The studies found significant differences in prescribing patterns between rural southeast Michigan and the rest of the state, particularly for children. Chi... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4544970 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:00:00 +0100 4544970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4540613&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FNeilVerselsHealthcareItBlog%2F%7E3%2FB_GaJoDmWgM%2F Since last summer, various government agencies, notably the Department of Veterans Affairs, have been touting the Blue Button Initiative as an easy way of  sharing electronic data with patients. Just click the blue button in the patient EHR portal and download data into a personal health record or a printout. Sounds simple enough. Late yesterday, my successor at a publication I was the primary writer of until late last year, cited the importance of the Blue Button, particularly when coupled with Microsoft’s HealthVault PHR platform. (If I turned in my story as late as 4:52 p.m. for that client, I would have been docked at least $150, but that’s neither here nor there.) The fact that HealthVault and other “untethered” PHRs are non-starters when it comes to the publi... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4540613 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:39:50 +0100 4540613 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4414572&cid=t_154130_117_f&fid=38856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timemastermd.com%2F%3Fp%3D1938 SAVE YOUR SKIN – SAVE YOUR ASS! Blue or Green Eyed Blonds be careful – you are at the highest risk for skin cancers – www.finest.se/asavesterlund , http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/article8464803.ab It’s the UVA and UVB rays that cause the problem, and a lot of sunscreens block only one of the two.  More importantly, the sunscreen must be applied often since sweat and water renders it ineffective as it leaves the surface of the skin.  Even “waterproof” blockers don’t stay on well. Chloe Sevigny and Marc Jacobs support melanoma research showing the biggest organ is indeed, your skin, and it needs to be protected!  Any volunteers to help protect Chloe protect her skin better? The Swedish Melanoma Study Group (SMSG) is a network of  Nordic... Timemaster MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4414572 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 13:49:26 +0100 4414572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4389242&cid=t_154130_117_f&fid=38856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timemastermd.com%2F%3Fp%3D1883 Watch out for SPERM RASH! There’s a mysterious phenomenon in which some men, immediately after having an orgasm, come down with a flu-like illness, or skin rash.  Scientists are saying these men may be allergic to their own semen.  The condition is known as post-orgasmic illness sydrome, or POIS.  I bet soon you will hear of another syndrome called pre-sex bullshit syndrome PSBS, where a man actually gets sick of his own lies told trying to convince a girl out of her panties.  You heard it here first! Semen is the cloudy white body fluid that is emitted from the urethra of the penis during orgasm. The average volume of semen produced in a single ejaculation is 5 ml, or a teaspoon. The semen is loaded with 600 million sperm, depending on the length of time since the last ejacula... Timemaster MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4389242 Sun, 23 Jan 2011 04:35:48 +0100 4389242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4318318&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F6mUrYebcNh0%2F By Tad DeHavenFederal taxpayers helping foot the tab for renovations to a local wine bar? It sounds crazy, but that’s par for the course with HUD’s Community Development Block Grant program. A Connecticut newspaper recently ran an article on CDBG money being used to spruce up storefronts in the town of Putnam: The Small Cities Community Development Block Grant money slated for Cohen’s building comes shortly after a similar grant project finished across the street, said Economic Development Director Delpha Very. Facade improvements to the Glimpse of Gaia florist, Pangaea Wine Bar and Panache consignment shop finished last month, said building owner Sean Marchionte, of Providence-based Blue Dog Investments. The building’s owner — go figure — thinks it’s just great: “I... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4318318 Thu, 06 Jan 2011 13:43:17 +0100 4318318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294786&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=34637&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgaggio.blogspirit.com%2Farchive%2F2010%2F12%2F27%2Fpost-apocalyptic-tokyo-scenery.html fantastic photo manipulations by Tokyogenso. See more here (Source: Positive Technology Journal) Positive Technology Journal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294786 Mon, 27 Dec 2010 16:30:34 +0100 4294786 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197319&cid=t_154130_136_f&fid=39212&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbahtocancer.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fblue-sky-tin%2F The last time I saw my dear friend Nathalie she gave me a gift. It’s a tin, and it’s all in French. (Nathalie is French.) ‘Pour voir la vie du bon cote’ roughly translates as ‘To see life on the good side’. Inside are 365 folded and sealed pieces of paper, one to open every day of the year. The idea is that by doing what’s on the paper you will improve your life. Well, I’m all up for that. As Nathalie said when she gave it to me, it goes with the whole Blue Sky Club and the Blue Sky Movement. I waited until the day after the second anniversary of my cancer surgery to crack open the first piece of paper. That way, I get to open the last one on the day that the third anniversary comes around. I think that will be good. Anyway. I am loving the ... Bah! to cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197319 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 06:25:18 +0100 4197319 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197287&cid=t_154130_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FRIJGBsQcMHk%2Froche-social-media-summit---skeptics.php Just a quick note today.  I'm a few minutes shy of heading out to play some lunchtime basketball, and I can't wait to get there!  I've got a short week of exercise this week because of the holidays, so I'm anxious to make the most of what I've got.For the past two years I have attended the Roche Social Media Summit.  I think it was well received, overall.  But there were also many skeptics who shared reservations about what it was all about.  Rightfully so, in my opinion.  Living with diabetes and dealing with a lot of crap out there definitely affects our opinions, and bravo to those who were brave enough to share how they felt.  That is important.I hope that most of you saw The BiG blue test video.  It is an amazing video, and each unique view (bef... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197287 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:53:11 +0100 4197287 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4179476&cid=t_154130_136_f&fid=39212&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbahtocancer.com%2F2010%2F11%2Ftwo-down-three-to-go%2F As Joy came in from walking Hope before school this morning, she asked me whether I knew what day it is. No, I said, my mothers’ finely honed instinct warning me that ‘Thursday’ wasn’t likely to be the right answer. “It’s two years since your surgery,” said Joy, “I always remember this date.” I’d completely forgotten…. diagnosis day seems to be the big day in my memory. Forgetting, I guess, is good? I certainly remembered, last year. (Joy remembering, and me forgetting, is a good way of reminding me that cancer hit all of us pretty hard and that we need to keep on looking after each other. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I think dancing with cancer has to be an easier job than watching someone you love... Bah! to cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4179476 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 09:09:27 +0100 4179476 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4164652&cid=t_154130_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FnWIxUoC3ZTY%2Fbig-blue-test---in-pictures.php If you are reading this, you probably know that today is World Diabetes Day. You also probably know about the Big Blue Test (whose video got over 100,000 views so $75,000 will be donated to children in need).Here is what the Big Blue Test looked like for me:First, while I tested and exercised, the cats did this.I got my WiiFit board set up and ready to go.At 2 pm, I checked my blood glucose.Then I hopped (not really, you aren't supposed to jump on it) on the WiiFit board and got to work.After 14 minutes, I checked my blood glucose again.There was an immediate reduction in my numbers - the power of exercise!If you want to see the longer term effects of exercise, check out the Dexcom almost a half an hour later.Check out this page to find out more about the Big Blue Test around the world.&nb... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4164652 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 20:36:47 +0100 4164652 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4142956&cid=t_154130_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F11%2F08%2Fdemocrats-regroup-rebrand-reboot%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Democrats: Regroup, Rebrand, Reboot. (And the lion will lay down with the rack of lamb…) Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: blue dog, conservative, democrat, humor, political cartoon (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4142956 Mon, 08 Nov 2010 05:04:26 +0100 4142956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4121853&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ffree-aneurysm-screening-just-another-kmart-blue-light-special%2F2010.10.30 Kmart, Medtronic, and a bunch of specialty medical groups are sponsoring a campaign called “Find the AAAnswers” — the “AAA” standing for abdominal aortic aneurysm. It’s clever marketing for Kmart’s pharmacy business, since the screenings are being offered throughout the Fall at more than 900 Kmart pharmacies. And it’s not bad business for the specialty medical groups, either, as Larry Husten wrote on his Cardiobrief blog: …the expenses of the program and the coalition are entirely underwritten by Medtronic, which sells abdominal stent grafts used to repair AAAs, and the members of the coalition include organizations like the Peripheral Vascular Surgical Society, the Society for Vascular Surgery, and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound, ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4121853 Sun, 31 Oct 2010 00:00:10 +0100 4121853 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4118892&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FCjXKzstA1Yk%2F By Michael F. CannonHere’s a poor, unsuccessful letter that impressed the relevant New York Times reporters, but not their editorial overlords: It may seem counter-intuitive that bleeding-heart anti-hunger groups and “Big Food and Big Beverage” would ally to oppose Mayor Bloomberg’s request to prevent New Yorkers from using food stamps to purchase sugary sodas [“Unlikely Allies in Food Stamp Debate,” October 16].  Yet the “bootleggers and Baptists” theory of regulation explains that this “strange bedfellows” phenomenon is actually the norm, rather than the exception. Most laws have two types of supporters: the true believers and those who benefit financially.  Baptists don’t want you drinking on the Lord ’s Day, for example, while bootleggers profit from the a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4118892 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 13:52:24 +0100 4118892 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082062&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F0L1HfBXgumw%2F By Michael F. CannonObamaCare has touched off a battle between Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield and Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. From the commissioner’s press release: Kreidler orders Regence BlueShield to cover children OLYMPIA, Wash. – Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler ordered Regence BlueShield this morning to stop illegally denying insurance to children, effective immediately. “Regence is in clear violation of state law that prohibits insurers from denying insurance to people on the basis of age,” said Kreidler. “I was shocked and deeply disappointed when Regence announced its decision last week to stop selling insurance to kids.” The Affordable Care Act requires all health plans to cover kids with pre-existing conditions&#8230... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082062 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:11:59 +0100 4082062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082065&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F81XNKefd6eU%2F Conclusion: “The gutting of Medicare claim goes too far…What this means for seniors is a bit murkier.”  True enough: even if ObamaCare’s implausible Medicare cuts take effect, they clearly would not “gut” Medicare.  (BTW, click here or here for a politically sustainable way to restrain Medicare spending.)  The authors also note that Medicare Advantage enrollees would lose some benefits.  But when the article claims that ObamaCare will not eliminate any “basic” Medicare benefits, it neglects to mention that Medicare’s chief actuary estimates that the law could cause 15 percent of hospitals, home health agencies, and other providers to stop accepting Medicare patients.  If your hospital no longer accepts your Medicare coverage, is th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082065 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 17:02:13 +0100 4082065 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4077471&cid=t_154130_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FWUQcK2qXcDI%2F November 14, 2010 is World Diabetes Day. I am excited but at the same time a little disappointed in the lack of WDD awareness here in the USA. Kelly Kunik (diabetes twin sister) wrote an excellent post, please go check it out. Kelly's post got me thinking-"How can WE (you and I) let the World know about World Diabetes Day?". Manny (DHF and Tudiabetes) has done search a great job with promoting WDD by creating the "Big Blue Test" and momenuments are turned blue-pretty cool! This year I would like to propose "Blue Fridays". Yes, World Diabetes Day is one day only but wouldn't it be awesome if WE represented the color Blue for World Diabetes Day every Friday in November!?! Who knows maybe the rest of the World would catch on! Are you interested? If you blog post a picture of you weari... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4077471 Sat, 16 Oct 2010 14:12:39 +0100 4077471 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074027&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F5FSTETcit7Y%2F By David BoazOn NPR stations this morning, the “Power Breakfast” segment from Capitol News Connection profiled Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO), who is fighting hard to keep her seat this year. The reporter noted: She’s a Blue Dog, one of those fiscally conservative Democrats who frequently complicate things for Party leaders by insisting on spending offsets and the like. A claim slightly complicated by the reporter’s earlier noting that Markey voted for the $787 billion stimulus bill, the health care overhaul, and cap-and-trade. How exactly does that make her a Blue Dog fiscal conservative? Oh, and in her first year she got a score of 19 percent on tax and spending issues from the National Taxpayers Union. The search for an actual Blue Dog goes on. But I was really struck by t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074027 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:37:02 +0100 4074027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4036628&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FER3SAYAz_MI%2F By Michael F. CannonIn this morning’s Charlotte Observer, I explain how ObamaCare is destroying consumer protections.  Exhibit A is Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina’s decision to refund $156 million to its policyholders: BCBSNC’s refunds show that ObamaCare is leaving seriously ill patients with less protection, not more. Health insurance was hardly perfect before ObamaCare, but BCBSNC’s policyholders had insurance that had pre-funded many of their future medical bills. Now, ObamaCare has effectively transferred those reserves from the sick to the healthy. Seriously ill policyholders now have less protection against BCBSNC reneging on its commitments to them. Competition used to discourage skimping; ObamaCare rewards it. Due to space considerations, the edi... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4036628 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 14:22:23 +0100 4036628 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4036904&cid=t_154130_136_f&fid=39212&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbahtocancer.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fwhat-have-you-survived%2F It’s all very well me banging on about survivorship, but I’m well aware that cancer is not the only thing to survive, and I am not the only person to have survived cancer – I’m guessing I would be a Dame of the British Empire at least, if I had, or locked up in a lab while scientists tried to work out what made me such a freak of nature, or both. Bereavements, divorces, long-term and chronic illnesses, job losses all must be survived and coped with, just as cancer must. So, I’m wondering….. would you like to share your adventures in survivorship here? One thing that I am constantly learning is how much there is to be learned, and how much we can gain from each others’ experience. I’m not suggesting we have a big ‘I’m so glad my ... Bah! to cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4036904 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 08:22:59 +0100 4036904 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4002888&cid=t_154130_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2Fx2tpiZ0EOIc%2F My recent talk on marine envenoming is now alive in blog-post form thanks to the MicroGnome. It gives a brief overview of the clinical aspects of marine envenoming from an Australian perspective. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4002888 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 11:52:06 +0100 4002888 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3998959&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FmP4je9Jwvv4%2F By Michael F. CannonFrom the Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Two of Minnesota’s biggest health plans said Thursday they have temporarily suspended sales of individual health insurance policies because of uncertainty related to the new federal health reform law. The moves by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and HealthPartners came on the same day some of the federal government’s most-heralded consumer protections came into effect… The insurers that have suspended individual sales say they are awaiting guidance on new rules, including those around coverage of kids with pre-existing conditions… Pam Lux, a spokeswoman for Eagan-based Blue Cross, said she expects the suspension of individual sales to be brief but could not say if it would be days or weeks. (Source: Cato... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3998959 Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:09:13 +0100 3998959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3987137&cid=t_154130_117_f&fid=38856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timemastermd.com%2F%3Fp%3D1057    Nice Wonder Melons Watermelon can have the same effect as Viagra, scientists discovered recently – but apparently Spencer Pratt wasn’t eating enough fleshy fruit and Heidi Montag has put him to the curb.  Divorce went through this May and now she is back on the dating scene.   Indeed, this red love nector can really mend erectile dysfunction (ED)  like natural testosterone and make him sex ready, but does nothing for personality or brains unfortunately. Watermelon is an amazing treat, and  is packed with citrulline, a compound that relaxes blood vessels – just like the famous blue pills – researchers at the North Carolina State University have found.  Who knew spitting seeds could be more than just a redneck contest, but actually excellent forep... Timemaster MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3987137 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:11:54 +0100 3987137 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3980817&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F7wLnv6a_8s4%2F By Michael F. CannonDuring the (initial) congressional debate over ObamaCare, President Obama vilified Anthem Blue Cross of California for a 39 percent rate increase.  On Wednesday, the Hartford Courant reported that ObamaCare itself may increase premiums by similar amounts: Health insurers are asking for immediate rate hikes of more than 20 percent in Connecticut for some plans, citing rising medical costs and federal health reform laws as reasons… In what might appear to be an oddity, companies are citing a huge range of effects that the health care reform mandates will have on plan prices — from near zero to well over 20 percent. The reason is that among all the plans, some already deliver the provisions required by health reform, while others do not… Anthem Blue Cross an... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3980817 Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:43:45 +0100 3980817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3929304&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=34637&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgaggio.blogspirit.com%2Farchive%2F2010%2F09%2F02%2Fthe-blue-brain-project.html As computing power continues to increase, it may ultimately be possible to simulate the functioning of the most complex system of the known universe: the brain. This is the ambitious goal of the Blue Brain Project, the first attempt to reverse-engineer the mammalian brain. The project is expected to provide answers to a number of fundamental questions, ranging from the emergence of biological intelligence to the evolution of consciousness. Lead by neuroscientist Henry Markram, Blue Brain was launched in 2005 as a joint research initiative between the Brain Mind Institute at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the information technology giant IBM. Using the impressive processing power of IBM’s Blue Gene/L supercomputer, the project reached its first milestone in Dec... Positive Technology Journal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3929304 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:55:00 +0100 3929304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3929234&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ffda-actively-monitoring-medical-and-healthcare-apps%2F2010.09.02 Bradley Merrill Thompson, an attorney with expertise in the FDA approval process for medical devices, is stating that the FDA is actively monitoring app stores on various platforms. Regulating medical devices and health care-related applications falls under the FDA’s jurisdiction. James Kendrick from JkOnTheRun spoke with Thompson, where he stated the following: The FDA is actively engaged in surveillance of various app stores to see if apps should trigger their involvement. Applications where a smartphone is connected in any way to imaging are under scrutiny, in particular. Any app that is used to transmit images to a medical facility requires FDA approval. By “various app stores,” Thompson is likely referring to the App store [Apple], Palm App Catalog [Web OS], App World [BlackBe... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3929234 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:00:10 +0100 3929234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3925083&cid=t_154130_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Funtil-all-of-us-have-this-blue-button.html Today I will listen to the BlogTalkRadio show "E-patients, Cyberchondriacs, and Why We Should Stop Calling Names," which promises to be an "open, honest and stimulating discussion" about the "potential implications of the use of the term e-Patient and why some argue that it should be reconsidered." As background to that discussion, see this blog post by Susannah Fox (@SusannahFox) who leads the Pew Internet & American Life Project's health research. Susannah will be a guest on the BlogTalkRadio show today and will be speaking at the e-Patient Connections 2010 conference next month in Philadelphia, PA.In her post, Susannah says: "In short, the data -- Pew Internet's and others' -- are quite clear that the online health revolution is over and that use of digital tools in tackling health ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3925083 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:34:00 +0100 3925083 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3957965&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Ficd10-qa Y2K threatened power outages, food and water shortages, bank failures – all of which would render folks around the globe cold, hungry, thirsty, and without any way to get money to quell those. That catastrophe never happened, but ICD-10 has since been compared to Y2K, warranted or not. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3957965 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:02:06 +0100 3957965 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3880862&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcan-novel-approaches-fill-primary-care-needs%2F2010.08.18 New primary care arrangements show how primary care is evolving — or splitting apart, depending upon one’s perspective. Retainer fees let one practice handle more patients by phone or email. But, points out Richard Baron, FACP, affluent communities can take advantage of such arrangements, and not every community is. And Sam Fink, FACP, of southern California says tele-visits are no substitute for hands-on care. In another model, nurse-led facilities service the poor in north Philadelphia, and more states are expanding the power of the pen to cover shortages.  Another trend is the shared medical appointment. Led by physicians and conducted by “behaviorists,” the sessions cover a half-dozen or more patients at a time for both primary and specialty care. Even pharmaci... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3880862 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3880862 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3880944&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2F1OYcnjqulm8%2F The HITECH Law Blog had a post recently titled “Commercial Payors Implementing EHR Meaningful Use Criteria in P4P Programs.” Here’s a short excerpt: On August 5, 2010, four major commercial health insurance payors participated in the Health Industry Forum in Washington, D.C., to discuss private industry collaboration with the United States Health & Human Services Department (HHS) to support providers in the adoption of certified electronic health records (EHRs). Leading the Forum’s panel discussion was David Blumenthal, M.D., Chief of the Office of National Coordinator of HIT. All four payors will include the Meaningful Use criteria in their pay for performance (P4P) programs. The 4 insurance groups identified are Aetna, Inc and its subsidiary, ActiveHealth Managen... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3880944 Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:29:56 +0100 3880944 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3831431&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fthree-more-understated-aspects-icd-10-part-two ICD-10 is a multi-headed beast. As such, there are many faces to the new code sets; some are well known while others, often just as important, are not so understood. In our first installment, ICD10Watch reported the facets that readers likely do not, but really ought to, know more about. That triptych has since proven to be something of a beginning. And so the list of understated ICD-10 aspects continues: (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3831431 Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:54:35 +0100 3831431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816462&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F08%2F03%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-august-3-2010%2F What happened to the simple things? Things like staring off in space, hearing nothing but the sounds of the leaves whistling in the trees and sipping a hot cup of black tea. While I definitely can’t complain about all the conveniences technology has brought (including the new Kindle my husband’s bought), I do feel out of sorts when I’m too connected to the outside world and disconnected from simplicity. And it seems that the more time I spend plugging into the online world, the harder it is for me relax when I am away. Yesterday, for example, I spent the day biking. I was surrounded in nature. There was nothing but the ground below me, trees around me and the deep blue sky above me. Yet, I couldn’t shake away my thoughts. My brain seemed to be downloading new inform... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816462 Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:27:22 +0100 3816462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3776380&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdo-insurance-companies-help-kill-primary-care%2F2010.07.21 Most doctors have a love/hate (and mainly hate) relationship with health insurance companies. We struggle with their confusing and complex coding rules in an effort to be reimbursed for our care of patients. When patients leave the office, they may think that a bill is sent to their insurance company and payment follows. More often than not it rarely happens that way. I am staring at an explanation of benefits (EOB) from Blue Shield of California for a patient I saw for a physical exam and Pap test. This patient had recently been hospitalized with a life threatening throat infection and abscess and saw me for needed follow up. I spent about 45 minutes with the patient, reviewing the events leading to hospitalization, coordinating the medications, as well as addressing the routine screening... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3776380 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:00:00 +0100 3776380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3671977&cid=t_154130_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2010%2F06%2F17%2Fblanche-lincoln-as-scarlett-ohara-blue-you-good-dog-you%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. Blanche Lincoln as Scarlett O’Hara: Blue, You Good Dog You. Filed under: Politics Daily Tagged: blanche lincoln, blue dog, chaos theory, deep south, democrat, political cartoon, scarlett o'hara, southern belle (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3671977 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:06:20 +0100 3671977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3652387&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fblue-suede-stilettos-meet-a-female-elvis-impersonator%2F photo via Salon Jaqueline Feilich is an Elvis tribute artist (a.k.a. impersonator). Yes, she’s a woman. No, she’s not a crossdresser. And yes, we mean that Elvis. She’s doing it all for the love of The King, even though she knows she won’t win any contests in the near future. Regardless, Feilich is about to compete in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest in Australia, even though some male competitors have a problem with her act. We love it. It’s kind of a perfect metaphor for women’s liberation, and it’s great to see a woman doing what she’s passionate about without even thinking about men. Well, she’s thinking about one man. And we’re pretty sure he’d give Feilich a big hip swivel of approval. via Salon Post from: BlissTree... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3652387 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 20:45:42 +0100 3652387 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3644726&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fkind-of-blackmail-not-for-profit-health.html Here is another case in the annals of over-paid executives of not-for-profit health care organizations, this time from the Burlington (VT) Free-Press,Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont overpaid its former chief executive officer by $3 million over an eight-year period and has been ordered to pay the money back to its subscribers by 2012 in the form of reduced premiums, a top state regulator said Wednesday.The action by the state Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration Department follows last year’s disclosure that William Milnes, the nonprofit firm’s former CEO, received a $7.2 million payout when he stepped down in 2008.Furthermore, note that [Commissioner of the Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration Department Paulette] Thabault said h... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3644726 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 21:49:00 +0100 3644726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3618029&cid=t_154130_133_f&fid=35095&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAutismsEdges%2F%7E3%2FOEKtq4_yJWw%2Fblue-angels.html (Source: Autism's Edges) Autism's Edges blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3618029 Mon, 31 May 2010 15:08:00 +0100 3618029 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3610370&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F29%2F8-ways-to-overcome-jealousy-and-envy-2%2F I know that the fastest way to despair is by comparing one’s insides with another’s outsides, and that Max Ehrmann, the author of the classic poem “Desiderata,” was absolutely correct when he said that if you compare yourself with others you become either vain or bitter. Or, as Helen Keller put it: “Instead of comparing our lot with that of those who are more fortunate than we are, we should compare it with the lot of the great majority of our fellow men. It then appears that we are among the privileged.” But Helen and Max don’t keep me from going to the land of comparisons and envy. Before long, I’m salivating over someone else’s book contract, or blog traffic numbers, or “Today Show” appearance. Then I have to pull out my ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3610370 Sat, 29 May 2010 13:18:01 +0100 3610370 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581571&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fpaying-ceos-of-health-care-not-for.html Million dollar plus executives of not-for-profit health care insurance companies seem to be becoming a dime a dozen.  Late in April, Buffalo Business First reported the pay of executives of some western New York health insurance companies:The top local executives at the region’s three major nonprofit health plans received nearly $23 million in salaries and bonuses last year.More than 70 people received total compensation of $160,000 or more. That’s the level at which insurers are required to report in annual reports to the state Department of Insurance.When you include executives who work for those three health plans but are located outside Western New York, the total compensation for top-paid execs totaled $46.4 million last year.Among the local executives in the Western New York... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581571 Wed, 19 May 2010 21:32:00 +0100 3581571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3566699&cid=t_154130_117_f&fid=38158&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.twitter.com%2Famacupuncturehttp%3A%2F%2Famericanacupuncture.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fblue-and-green-lights-disturb-your.html CONCLUSIONSKnowing this, researchers wonder if the full spectrum of light affects your body clock. If you protect yourself from blue light, you may still have  green lights resetting your clock. Perhaps we need to have smarter lighting systems that can stimulate our non-visual systems as well as our visual systems. At night, avoid bright lights and go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.   Soon after waking, try to get as much bright lights as possible. To work and live at your best, you must keep your internal circadian rhythm in harmony and synchronized with the environmental cues (i.e., light and dark, temperature etc). A bedroom in complete darkness will ensure a good night sleep.  Ever wonder why you oversleep in a hotel room with its heave drape... Dr. Needles Medical Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3566699 Sat, 15 May 2010 02:37:00 +0100 3566699 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3560174&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fmore-fat-bigots-in-leader-of.html I am amplifying a post by Roy Poses entitled "Why Pretend An Advertising Executive and Chamber of Commerce Leader Are Public Health Experts?".In that post, Dr. Poses noted a lack of relevant professional credentials in executives making profoundly misinformed and indeed cruel statements about the obese:Obesity as a public health problem has been the subject of considerable discussion. So that luminaries from the prestigious Partners Healthcare system and Massachusetts Blue Cross Blue Shield would weigh in on the issue at a public meeting should surprise no one. But see this report by the Boston Herald:When asked about rising health-care costs, Jack Connors - chairman of the Partners chain, which includes Mass. General and Brigham and Women’s hospitals - said yesterday, 'Taking care of yo... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3560174 Wed, 12 May 2010 11:54:00 +0100 3560174 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3556036&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fmore-fat-bigots-in-leader-of.html I am amplifying a post by Roy Poses entitled "Why Pretend An Advertising Executive and Chamber of Commerce Leader Are Public Health Experts?".In that post, Dr. Poses noted a lack of relevant professional credentials in executives making profoundly misinformed and indeed cruel statements about the obese:Obesity as a public health problem has been the subject of considerable discussion. So that luminaries from the prestigious Partners Healthcare system and Massachusetts Blue Cross Blue Shield would weigh in on the issue at a public meeting should surprise no one. But see this report by the Boston Herald:When asked about rising health-care costs, Jack Connors - chairman of the Partners chain, which includes Mass. General and Brigham and Women’s hospitals - said yesterday, 'Taking care of yo... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3556036 Wed, 12 May 2010 11:54:00 +0100 3556036 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3549275&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fwhy-pretend-advertising-executive-and.html Obesity as a public health problem has been the subject of considerable discussion.  So that luminaries from the prestigious Partners Healthcare system and Massachusetts Blue Cross Blue Shield would weigh in on the issue at a public meeting should surprise no one.  But see this report by the Boston Herald:When asked about rising health-care costs, Jack Connors - chairman of the Partners chain, which includes Mass. General and Brigham and Women’s hospitals - said yesterday, 'Taking care of yourself starts at home.''What happened to individual responsibility?' Connors said at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce breakfast at the Westin Boston Waterfront. 'Why is obesity such an epidemic (when) we all know that a big part of being healthy is exercising and eating the right fo... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3549275 Mon, 10 May 2010 16:07:00 +0100 3549275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3546885&cid=t_154130_107_f&fid=36698&url=http%3A%2F%2Fminingdrugs.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fmolecular-design-and-molecular-modeling.html After a recent question on Blue Obelisk Exchange and ChemPedia Lab about molecular drug design (see also cross-post) and a recent book about molecular modeling basics I thought it is time highlighting more information on that topic.Drug design principles, molecular modeling, and use in medicinal chemistry:C. Bissantz, B. Kuhn, and M. Stahl, A Medicinal Chemist’s Guide to Molecular Interactions, J. Med. Chem., 2010, Article ASAP. DOI 10.1021/jm100112jBioisosterism and bioisosteric design principle articles.J. H. Jensen, Molecular modeling basics, 2010.Summary slides about molecular modeling (quantum chemistry) of Noel O'Boyle: (Source: Mining Drug Space) Mining Drug Space blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3546885 Sat, 08 May 2010 19:21:00 +0100 3546885 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3546915&cid=t_154130_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FA4e6duGuPRM%2F           Raynaud’s syndrome (RS), also called Raynaud’s phenomenon, is a disorder of small blood vessels that respond excessively to stimuli which causes poor blood flow, usually in the fingers.  It can also occur in the toes, ears and nose.  When this condition occurs by itself, it is called Raynaud’s syndrome or Raynaud’s disease, or primary Raynaud’s phenomenon.  When it occurs along with other diseases, such as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, Sjogren’s syndrome or mixed connective tissue disease, it is called secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon.  Although estimates vary, recent surveys show that Raynaud’s syndrome may affect 5 to 10 percent of the general population in the United States... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3546915 Sat, 08 May 2010 16:51:42 +0100 3546915 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3538056&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fblue-skies-photo-of-the-day%2F Whether at the beach or driving through a cornfield, we hope our summer is filled with blue skies like this one, from Flickr user antaean: Post from: BlissTree Blue Skies: Photo of the Day (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3538056 Thu, 06 May 2010 13:30:29 +0100 3538056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3538245&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Ficd-9-icd-10-crosswalks-theres-got-be-better-way At a time when industry bodies and consultancies are trying to figure out how providers and payers can best transform existing ICD-9 data into the imminent ICD-10 code schemes, and the word “crosswalk” keeps being batted around, Dennis Winkler at Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan is the curious case of an ICD-10 crosswalk contrarian, believing he's found a better path. Winkler, it seems, just might be onto something that appears revolutionary but in practice is not. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3538245 Thu, 06 May 2010 12:21:54 +0100 3538245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3420632&cid=t_154130_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fnovantrone-one-last-dose%2F Well, today ends an era for my MS treatment. Today I max out my lifetime allowable dosage of Novantrone. Much has changed since I began taking the drug. Most notable, my symptoms have changed dramatically for the better. Of course it should be noted that things had gotten pretty bad by the time we made the decision to use that drug. I was about a year and a half post Dx and had experienced 6 additional attacks. I was walker-dependant for most things outside of the house and fighting every indication that I should purchase a scooter. My disease had gotten aggressive so, my medical team and I decided we had to respond in kind; we got aggressive! At the time, Novantrone was the only drug available for a “breakthrough disease”, meaning MS that was not responding to one of the (at that time... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3420632 Tue, 30 Mar 2010 03:28:36 +0100 3420632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3390722&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Feffort-to-make-health-insurance.html We previously discussed a legal settlement of charges that UnitedHealth's Ingenix subsidiary manipulated its database of payments to physicians so as to reduce its and other insurers' payments to "out-of-network" physicians.  One aspect of the settlement was a new initiative to better determine such payments.  Now that effort has been caught up in the web of conflicts of interests that has ensnared health care.  As reported by the Syracuse (NY) Post-Standard, [New York state Attorney General Andrew] Cuomo obtained $100 million in settlements from 13 insurers, including Excellus, that used the defective reimbursement data supplied by Ingenix, a subsidiary of United Health, the nation’s second biggest insurer. Cuomo’s investigation showed... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3390722 Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:50:00 +0100 3390722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3385334&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fwomen-who-rule%2F Blue Marble Ice Cream shop co-owners Jennie Dundas and Alexis Miesen (photo: bluemarbleicecream.com) Check out these three super-cool charitable non-profits run by smart women who help empower other smart women: The Tia Foundation: Dedicated to providing health care strategies (not relief) for residents of rural Mexico. What makes Tia (“aunt” in Spanish) different from other NGOs is that it’s more of a support system. Its founder, Laura Libman, doesn’t believe in creating dependency on an outside source. She practices the “teach a woman to fish” rather than the “give a woman a fish” model. Tia trains women to be medical workers, and promotes sustainable health care. Bueno. Safe Passage: Guatemala City’s landfill is one of Central Americ... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3385334 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:47:44 +0100 3385334 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3283625&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34786&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrmichelletempest.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fnewsflash.html Today an article I wrote about Labour's lamentable NHS legacy is featured on the Blue Blog. (Source: The Psychiatrist Blog) The Psychiatrist Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3283625 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:47:00 +0100 3283625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3175938&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F01%2F15%2Ftwitter-falsehoods-fly-after-haiti-tragedy%2F Demonstrating the intrinsic nature of twitter as a stream of group consciousness more than anything else, the Haiti tragedy has brought out the rumor mill. And with it, it demonstrates one of the underlying weaknesses of relying on a group stream of consciousness — it’s not always the most accurate thing in the world. The rumors were, thankfully, limited to things that didn’t cause any real harm or damage. Except to the companies who were the subject of the rumors. Their reputations were inadvertently tarnished by being included in the rumors, which they then had to publicly deny. The denial makes them seem a little heartless, so they followup with a public declaration of what they are doing to support the Haitians in their time of need (usually generous monetary donation... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3175938 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:52:56 +0100 3175938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3156544&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=34637&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgaggio.blogspirit.com%2Farchive%2F2010%2F01%2F09%2Fsimon-s-cat-fly-guy.html A hungry cat resorts to increasingly desperate measures to catch a housefly.   (Source: Positive Technology Journal) Positive Technology Journal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3156544 Sat, 09 Jan 2010 12:21:21 +0100 3156544 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3108521&cid=t_154130_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F20%2Fbeing-at-ease%2F Random twists and tight turns of the “roller-emotion-coaster” that presents itself each December can leave us feeling nauseous, invisible, sad, angry and just plain ol’ dazed and confused. Expectations is the word of the day … But we don’t have to ride. We can walk away. How does one practice Ease? There are times when we simply feel as though we are stuck in line waiting to take the next crazy ride. Not moving. Merely enduring. Reacting out of a twisted habit. When I get there — and I was just there a couple of days ago — this is what I do: Being at Ease Accept my situation — whatever it is, whatever it isn’t. Remind myself that difficult situations happen and that being a victim is optional. Forgive. Forgiveness doesn’t condone another perso... The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3108521 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:57:45 +0100 3108521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3108430&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=34637&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgaggio.blogspirit.com%2Farchive%2F2009%2F12%2F20%2Ffamous-thoughts-on-manuscript-reviews.html from Edward Ross (Division of Nephrology, Hypertension & Transplantation, UFla) in The Lancet today … To die while awaiting the review… alone. Ernest Hemingway It is the nature of reviews to be late. Aristotle I invented slow manuscript reviews. Al Gore There is more to life than simply increasing the speed of manuscript reviews. Gandhi I deny reviewing any author. What is your definition of reviewing? Bill Clinton Am I late, did I miss the date? It is so sad, this work is bad. Dr Seuss Imagine all the reviews in the world being returned, on time, in peace. John Lennon Hasten the review slowly. Augustus Caesar All things come round to the author who will but wait. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow The review isn’t over until it’s over. Yogi Berra Never in the field of manuscript confl... Positive Technology Journal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3108430 Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:33:00 +0100 3108430 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3105044&cid=t_154130_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Frule-of-twenties.html Heard from a local independent gerontologist tonight who does not accept Medicare or other insurance payments in our state: "When it comes to geriatrics, it's the rule of twenties: 20 problems20 medications20-minute phone calls20 minutes to take their clothes off20 minutes to put their clothes back on.With the initial physical exam, three follow-up visits, and one EKG that Medicare pays for, I would receive only $360 in total. I pay $40,000 per year in malpractice, yet have never had a judgement against me. Think how may patients I'd have to see to cover just that expense. (editor's answer: 111)You wonder why I am not a Medicare provider? I'd never survive at that their payment rate. And Blue Cross? They're no better and often pay less. Funny thing is, Medicare was only too happy to have m... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3105044 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:54:00 +0100 3105044 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3084856&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=34637&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgaggio.blogspirit.com%2Farchive%2F2009%2F12%2F14%2Fget-relief-from-stress.html Stressed by technology? Let out your office anger and smash up your computer! (Source: Positive Technology Journal) Positive Technology Journal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3084856 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:09:56 +0100 3084856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3084827&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2F14%2F5-ways-to-show-you-care%2F Wondering how you can show someone in your life that you care about them? Here’s a few suggestions that may help you do just that. 1. Do It, Don’t Say It. You know that old common wisdom, “Actions speak louder than words”? Well, it’s true. While you can apologize for not doing something until you’re blue in the face, you’ll gain so much more appreciation by another in your life by simply doing it in the first place. Yes, it means you have to work harder to keep on top of things to begin with, even with simple things like taking out the trash or running that errand you said you would. But the reward is that your loved one will know you care because you just did it without being asked or reminded to do so. 2. Refuse to Argue and Pick Your Battles. Ar... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3084827 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:35:31 +0100 3084827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3082463&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=34637&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgaggio.blogspirit.com%2Farchive%2F2009%2F12%2F12%2Fespecially-when-the-october-wind.html by Dylan Thomas Especially when the October wind With frosty fingers punishes my hair, Caught by the crabbing sun I walk on fire And cast a shadow crab upon the land, By the sea's side, hearing the noise of birds, Hearing the raven cough in winter sticks, My busy heart who shudders as she talks Sheds the syllabic blood and drains her words. Shut, too, in a tower of words, I mark On the horizon walking like the trees The wordy shapes of women, and the rows Of the star-gestured children in the park. Some let me make you of the vowelled beeches, Some of the oaken voices, from the roots Of many a thorny shire tell you notes, Some let me make you of the water's speeches. Behind a post of ferns the wagging clock Tells me the hour's word, the neural meaning Flies on the shafted disk, declaims the... Positive Technology Journal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3082463 Sat, 12 Dec 2009 11:46:51 +0100 3082463 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048314&cid=t_154130_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F01%2Fblue-christmas%2F Blue Christmas Regardless of what people label what they are celebrating during the month of December, the common themes are hope, peace and, well, celebration. ♥ And every year about this time, memories begin to float by the mind’s eye. Moments we choose to remember, that bring us comfort and joy … A-n-d, there are moments we would rather forget.  Are you “haunted” by the ghosts of Christmases past and cold realities regarding “Christmas present”? Or maybe you are simply game for doing something a little different this year? What about beginning a new practice? Let’s go Blue! That’s right! Let’s adopt the color (and calm) of Blue to be our theme-color as we determine (read: uncover/make happen!) reasons to celebrate this month... The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048314 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:43:22 +0100 3048314 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3026868&cid=t_154130_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fwayback-wednesday-are-you-holiday-ready.html Tomorrow is Thanksgiving: do you have D-plan in place?  On this note, and in keeping with this year’s Holiday Survival Stories Contest announced this week, I’m revisiting this little tongue-in-cheek pre-feast post from 2006 (still timely!) today: Are You Holiday-Ready? No, really.  Are you ready for the season of making merry by way of overeating and [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3026868 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:00:08 +0100 3026868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3023147&cid=t_154130_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fwhen-insurers-dominate-market-share.html Prices rise:One factor that could be driving larger increases locally: Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois, which historically has used its dominant 50%-plus marketshare to undercut competitors' prices, has been more aggressive with rates this enrollment season, brokers say."Blue Cross is the one company that is consistently coming in with higher renewal increases," says Rob Wilson, an insurance broker and president of Westmont-based Employco Group.A Blue Cross spokeswoman declines to comment.Funny that when hospital systems coalesce and raise prices to remain "competetive," the FTC cries foul, but when the insurance industry does the same thing, the FTC can't be bothered.But then, the government knows what's best for patients, right?-WesMusings of a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysio... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3023147 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:19:00 +0100 3023147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993717&cid=t_154130_85_f&fid=34924&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.baggas.com%2Fposts%2F2009%2F11%2F15%2Finvest-in-experiences%2F “Don’t invest in things; invest in experiences” This quote, or something similar, was mentioned by Mark in his message this morning. And what a great piece of advice! In fact I would say this principle is one of the key ideas in how I try and live my life and bring up my kids. I’m currently reading a great book by Donald Miller, the author of Blue Like Jazz. That book is one of my all time favourites – a book that presents Christianity in a real, down-to-earth, imperfect, not knowing all the answers kind of way. Don has written a few other books since then, but non have come close to catching the vibe of Blue Like Jazz until his newest, called A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. A major premise of this book is that we should lives our lives as a story, not ju... Baggas' Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993717 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:30:04 +0100 2993717 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2958816&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FwjQRYX3dyZs%2F This morning, Politico’s Arena asks: “Election 09: What’s the message?” My response: A note on NY 23, then to the larger message in yesterday’s returns. Already this morning we’re seeing an effort to spin the NY 23 outcome as a warning to Republicans and a hopeful sign for Democrats. Yet the striking thing about that outcome is how close a third-party candidate came in the face of opposition from the Republican establishment. And the ultimate outcome can doubtless be explained simply by absentee ballots, plus voters unaware of the last-minute developments in the race. Thus, given those factors, the NY 23 outcome is perfectly consistent with returns in the rest of the country. (In fact, Conservative and Republican votes in that race total more than 50 per... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2958816 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:18:12 +0100 2958816 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2950938&cid=t_154130_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fcountdown-to-world-diabetes-day-get-ready-for-the-big-blue-test.html Hope you all had a fun Halloween weekend. Somehow the conclusion of that sugar-fest seems a great segue into National Diabetes Awareness Month, no? And the countdown begins to World Diabetes Day on Nov. 14, 2009. Where to begin describing all the activities planned around the web and around the world to “bring diabetes [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2950938 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:22:23 +0100 2950938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2950951&cid=t_154130_134_f&fid=35187&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDiabetesDaily%2F%7E3%2FNZmPw0TYPy8%2F Today I was on Twitter; tweeting about World Diabetes Day.  I tweeted paint your face or wear blue for World Diabetes Day.  OurWisdomShared--- "You could paint your nails blue." Me--"GREAT Ideal!" Painting my nails blue for World Diabetes Day wasn't my ideal.   Niya and I jumped in the car, went to lunch and stopped by the nail salon to get a mani and pedi for my wedding anniversary.  I decided to go with this:Now, I am asking for anyone who will be painting their finger nails blue or toe nails to send me a picture.  I am going to put a slide slow together for World Diabetes Day.  I also need to have a few questions answered.  1. Name2. When were you diagnosed with Diabetes?3. What Type of Diabetes do you have?I've received a few nail picture's alrea... Diabetes Daily blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2950951 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:08:26 +0100 2950951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2924945&cid=t_154130_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2Fo6lU6RU0lCA%2Frember.html The Alzheimer's Reading Room receives visitors to this site every day from people that are searching the Google key word -- Rember. What is Rember? Bob DeMarco Alzheimer's Reading Room Editor Rember is supposedly a new version of an existing chemical substance, methylene blue, but modified to be used as a drug for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s. The news on Rember was released at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD) in 2008. It created a tidal wave of press and news on television when the company made this claim: Research findings point to a new treatment that appears to slow the progress of Alzheimer's by 81% over a year. The product - Rember - is the first drug to act to arrest the progression of Alzheimer's disease by targeting the tangles whi... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2924945 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:38:40 +0100 2924945 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2894723&cid=t_154130_136_f&fid=35302&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FWhitePebble%2F%7E3%2F4-VjIqSkf58%2F I have found myself, in the past few summer months, strung up in between operating systems. Early in the summer, my MacBook Pro’s motherboard gave up the ghost, qhite suddenly, during an otherwise peaceful lunchtime. I eventually got a new one, and rebuilt the system easily with my fine external backup disk. But in the meantime, that is, between the time of the motherboard’s death and the advent of the new MacBook Pro, which was a few days since the Apple store was closed for remodeling, I did a radical, reckless crazy thing. I got a netbook. After all, I can’t be without my keyboard and Intertubes for very long. It is a cheap little machine that runs XP very slowly. It and its friend, the fancier netbook, which is sitting on the radiator down the hall, which runs Vista H... white pebble blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2894723 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:11:07 +0100 2894723 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2715660&cid=t_154130_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F08%2Fbook-review-cyanobacteria-blue-green.html The Cyanobacteria"There is not much that isn't covered in this book, and the editors and authors have managed to produce a survey that is comprehensive and readable. It manages the difficult feat of having enough up-to-date and in depth information for the specialist yet covering the basics in way comprehensible to the beginner and those from other fields of study." from The Biochemist (2009).Further reading: The Cyanobacteria: Molecular Biology, Genomics and EvolutionFull range of books on microbiology at Microbiology Books (Source: Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists.) Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2715660 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:33:00 +0100 2715660 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2653664&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FbuIpFzOeoP0%2F We’ve written more than once about the Democratic “Blue Dogs” and the lack of any actual evidence for their supposed fiscal conservatism. Now Merrill Mathews in The Wall Street Journal tells the sad story of the Blue Dogs in the Obama era. They call in the journalists, and they moan and complain about their concerns over the deficit and rising federal spending. And when the rubber meets the road, what happens? • The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). One of the first things the Democratic leadership wanted the newly inaugurated President Obama to sign was a huge expansion of SCHIP. Democrats have been trying to pass the expansion for over a year, with some bipartisan support. President George W. Bush vetoed the legislation twice, and Congress sustain... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2653664 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:37:11 +0100 2653664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2649075&cid=t_154130_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fj3sTjGAJ9Xg%2F This is some of the most exciting news I’ve heard recently, and at first glance it sounds too fantastic to be true. But it is. Researchers have experimented with rats suffering spinal cord injuries and have found a way to have them walk again with a limp. The “cure” for these rats came in the form of blue dye. Brilliant Blue G (BBG), a compound that gives blue M&Ms and Gatorade its color, was used to “thwart the function of P2X7.” P2X7 is a molecule in the spinal cord that allows Adenosine triphosphate access to the spinal cord after an injury occurs. Motor neurons in the spinal cord then die, causing the patient paralysis. While this research has allowed rats the ability to walk again, researchers stress that it may not do the same for humans. However, ... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2649075 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:59:29 +0100 2649075 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2645266&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fi7W1qQskV3k%2F According to Don Johnson of The Health Care Blog: Speculators seem to be betting that a watered down health insurance reform bill won’t hurt health insurers, hospitals, drug makers or medical device and supply manufacturers. Stocks for almost all of these health sectors and for exchange trade funds that track health stock indexes turned higher last week. In other words, those with real money at stake don’t believe that health reform will hurt the firms that make a living off of America’s highly inefficient health sector — President Obama’s assurances notwithstanding. Johnson provides seven possible explanations for this development, including: 3. If the very liberal Coastal Democrats who lead Congress and most of the five committees drafting health insurance l... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2645266 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:14:36 +0100 2645266 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2641339&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2F27%2Fgive-me-the-gun-when-suicidal-ideations-take-over%2F I have been thinking about this question ever since I read it on a discussion thread in Group Beyond Blue. Meg writes: So, my husband has shown interest in getting a handgun permit. It’s the South, and lots of people have them. I don’t have an issue with the concept of it. He wants to take the class and is really responsible about it. He doesn’t hunt and isn’t a “war games” kind of guy or a gun fanatic. Then I told him that a stipulation would be that when we had children, the way the gun was stored would need to be open to discussion. We would need to agree on a safe way to handle it based on the relative risks involved. He’s fine with that. I next suggested that he look up some gun stores or ranges to call about lessons. I think it was the phrase... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2641339 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:35:34 +0100 2641339 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2634529&cid=t_154130_122_f&fid=34755&url=http%3A%2F%2Fneuropsychological.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fupdate-on-blue-brain-project.html Swiss scientists aim to build a synthetic brain within a decadeThe brain would provide insights into how our perceptions of the world are interpreted and stored, and how consciousness arisesIan Sample, science correspondentguardian.co.uk Thursday 23 July 2009 15.16 BST[snippet]The world's first synthetic brain could be built within 10 years, giving us an unprecedented insight into the nature of consciousness and our perception of reality.Scientists working on the Blue Brain Project in Switzerland are the first to attempt to "reverse-engineer" the mammalian brain by recreating the behaviour of billions of neurons in a computer.Professor Henry Markham, director of the project at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, has already simulated parts of the neocortex, the most 'modern' re... BrainBlog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2634529 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:12:00 +0100 2634529 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2593128&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2F11%2F5-steps-to-find-the-real-you-an-interview-with-david-borchard-edd-ncc%2F My interview today is with David Borchard, Ed.D. NCC, a licensed professional counselor career management consultant with 30 years of experience helping adults identify their passions and develop a vision for the next phase of their lives. He specializes in career management coaching and life/work transition counseling and has helped thousands of adults regenerate their careers. Dr. Borchard is also the author of three books: “Your Career Planner”, “Will The Real You Please Stand UP?” (He’s not talking about multiple personalities here), and “The Joy of Retirement.” Oh, and he’s also my father-in-law! Sometimes I forget I have such an accomplished relative, but interestingly enough our worlds are starting to collide a bit, as a few readers ha... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2593128 Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:29:43 +0100 2593128 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452345&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FJJDJtmODxi0%2F The following guest post comes from L. Fabry of the X-Ray Technician Schools blog. There are five zones around the world where people tend to live the longest, healthiest lives. These are called the Blue Zones. They include Sardinia, Italy; Northern Costa Rica; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, CA; and a remote Greek island. World renowned explorer and National Geographic writer, Dan Buettner believes that “we know there’s a recipe for longevity and that 75 percent is related to lifestyle, and we’re figuring it out.” Below is a list of 25 amazing health discoveries, lifestyles, and simple changes that have come from this region and can be easily done in your own home. 1. Have a purpose. By figuring out what gets you out of bed, you can achieve one of the most important keys to longevity.... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452345 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:27:39 +0100 2452345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2448001&cid=t_154130_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fnotable-quote.html – things you never expect to hearThis comment was neither coerced nor prompted. I swear this is something never before heard from any child on the planet.“Oh my gosh! The carpet looks beautiful!”I defy anyone to challenge that one. I think it was because I’d just vacuumed and the fibres of the carpet seemed mown like grass.On a side note. A request for information from all dog lovers. Thatcher's tail is still blue from the sidewalk chalk. If anyone has any hints as to how we may return him to his pre-rainbow days, we should be most grateful.Today I am also over "here" at "5 Minutes for Special Needs Moms."If you like what you read, send it to someone in 'need.' (Source: Whitterer on Autism) Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2448001 Sun, 31 May 2009 06:59:00 +0100 2448001 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441241&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7055 The world would be a better place if more people honour each other rather than condemn each other. (via an email from Prof Raymond Ali, and yes, pass it on) from the Malaysian Medical Resources Who you are does make a difference (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441241 Wed, 27 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2441241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405868&cid=t_154130_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fmoluscs-with-slime-on-side.html This also tied in with "Works for Me Wednesdays" the "Frugal" Edition.I actually stole this from "Scribbit" who borrowed it from "Plum Pudding."Because I am forced to try these things out in advance to iron out any kinks, I can tell you that it works better with thicker skinned hot dogs and thinner pasta, [the link does specify thin pasta but I rarely read labels] anything that cooks more quickly. Whilst normally you would keep pasta a a rolling boil, for this a simmer and then a dunk in iced water works much better.Now if that isn't the cheapest frugal children's meal around the bazaars at the moment I'll eat my hat, just please don't ask me to eat either the pasta or the hot dogs.To finish it off a quick Bechamel or cheese sauce would be ideal, especially with a splash of blue food colou... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405868 Wed, 13 May 2009 06:59:00 +0100 2405868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405417&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F05%2F12%2F8-ways-to-overcome-jealousy-and-envy%2F I know that the fastest way to despair is by comparing one’s insides with another’s outsides, and that Max Ehrmann, the author of the classic poem “Desiderata,” was absolutely correct when he said that if you compare yourself with others you become either vain or bitter, or, as Helen Keller put it: “Instead of comparing our lot with that of those who are more fortunate than we are, we should compare it with the lot of the great majority of our fellow men. It then appears that we are among the privileged.” But Helen and Max don’t keep me from going to the land of comparisons and envy. Before long, I’m salivating over someone else’s book contract, or blog traffic numbers, or “Today Show” appearance. Then I have to pull out my ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405417 Tue, 12 May 2009 20:00:44 +0100 2405417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405573&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Fclinicalit.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fbreaking-news-private-sector-health.html There's some fairly significant news coming out of Washington tonight: A CNN Money report via Yahoo! says that six key private-sector health industry groups have agreed to participate in the Obama administration's effort to reform healthcare by pledging to take $2 trillion in costs out of the system over the next 10 years. "Six trade associations representing unions, hospitals, insurers and the drug industry have signed on to the commitment," the story says. An Associated Press story says doctors are participating as well. Based on these stories, we can safely assume that coalition includes the AMA, AHA, AHIP, PhRMA and probably the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and the Service Employees International Union. We'll know for sure Monday when representatives from the six participatin... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405573 Mon, 11 May 2009 04:52:00 +0100 2405573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2389972&cid=t_154130_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FllrpUsWi3c0%2F We’ve all done it. Some of us try to hold it back, others do it so loudly that it can be heard down the hall. Some are delicate about it, others sound like Canada geese migrating in the fall. Some people even describe it as being something close to having an orgasm. Seriously. What is it? Sneezing. Why do we sneeze? It’s a physiological (biological) response to the nose’s lining getting irritated. Regardless of what causes the irritation (allergies, irritation from a powder, etc), the nerve endings are stimulated and this causes an impulse that travels along the nerves responsible for the sensation (the sensory nerves), as well as the muscles that control the head and neck. While this is happening, your vocal cords have closed and there’s pressure building up inside... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2389972 Wed, 06 May 2009 00:05:07 +0100 2389972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376557&cid=t_154130_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fwhat-exactly-is-that-anyway.html What's your best guess?I'll give you a hint=woo blue and sun valley rutile.Answers tomorrow!"Trish" the supremely well "organised one" pointed out that my sidebar had gone all screwy, although she used proper words to describe my most unfortunate mistake with Wordpress so I whizzed of to "Van" to throw myself at his technical feet, the maker of the favicon "favicon" who has saved my bacon again "Furiousball" so he may be able to help you out too with your web needs for his reasonable prices, fully "qualified" and tech savvy approach is sure to leave all "customers" thoroughly satisfied, again. You can find his "resume" and "contact" details on this post "here."And you still have just enough time to sneak into the Mother's Day Giveaways of at "5 Minutes for Mum."If you enjoy caption competi... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376557 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 06:59:00 +0100 2376557 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376558&cid=t_154130_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Ftale-of-two-pots.html [or why I hate glaze]Once upon a time there was a potter who threw two pots on the wheel, one straight after the other, with the same type of clay, in the same manner. Many moons later after they were both high fired, the potter glazed them with Sun Valley Rutile and Woo Blue. One came out like the poo pot that it really was, rough dark brown and hideously vile:-The other came out as a stunning gem:-A camera just can't do it justice,but with a 50% failure rate there better be a jolly big market for poo pots.Cheers dearsIf you like what you read, send it to someone in 'need.' (Source: Whitterer on Autism) Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376558 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 06:56:00 +0100 2376558 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2375786&cid=t_154130_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F26%2Fblue-ribbon-blog-rally-for-free-speech-online-een-blauw-lint-voor-vrijheid-van-meningsuiting%2F I have never been a person who would stoop to self-censoring and I never will be. I’d rather not write at all if I have to stop being frank and honest in my words. -Omid-Reza Mir-Sayafi Thanks to T at Notes of an Anesthesioboist for getting this going, a group of bloggers is holding a blog [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2375786 Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:49:00 +0100 2375786 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2376497&cid=t_154130_130_f&fid=34938&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEvidenceInMotion%2F%7E3%2FXYZ4e4AYj6k%2Fa-physical-therapist-in-new-york-goes-public.html About 1 year ago, I attended the Michigan Physical Therapy Association spring meeting and brought up a very valid concern about Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.  Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is a non-profit insurance company that continually increases premiums, continually pays its administrators high annual salaries and by switching most of its insurance plans to PPO plans continues to pay less to providers.  Of course, I haven't heard a darn thing with regard to what the MPTA has done in researching how BCBSM can elevate premiums yet concurrently maintain or decrease the fee schedule.  Providing insurance coverage should be a risk... subscribers pay to reduce their financial medical bill risk and insurance companies should be somewhat gambling in determining their premium amo... MyPhysicalTherapySpace.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2376497 Sun, 26 Apr 2009 13:38:15 +0100 2376497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2324215&cid=t_154130_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fmeet-aqua.html Spring has sprung and we out hunting down new pets for free.If you enjoy caption competitions and photographs, you may wish to nip along to"DJ Kirkby" over at "Chez Aspie" and test your brain power.Don't forget to add your name to the "list."p.s. someone with a jolly big brain pointed out to me that "Etsy" has an RSS feed, so if you’re really interested in the pi bowls you may wish to consider subscribing to that feed because I rarely write in real time which means if / when the pi bowls are ever ready they’ll be posted to the "Etsy site" way before I get around to mentioning it here.If you like what you read, send it to someone in 'need.' (Source: Whitterer on Autism) Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2324215 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 06:59:00 +0100 2324215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2307458&cid=t_154130_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsandnsurf.medbrains.net%2F2009%2F04%2Ftoxicology-conundrum-011%2F A 21 year-old sailor placed a small blue and yellow octopus on his shoulder while wading back to shore after spear-fishing with a friend. As he reached the beach he threw the little octopus into the sea. The friend noticed a tiny trickle of blood from the sailor’s shoulder. The sailor was unaware of having [...] (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2307458 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:00:56 +0100 2307458 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2272035&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F03%2F16%2F12-depression-busters%2F The following piece is the most popular Beyond Blue post I have written. Click here for the gallery version. My therapist helped me to build a personalized “toolbox”: a list of a dozen depression busters to direct me toward mental health, and an emergency lifeline in case I get lost along the way. I consult these 12 techniques when I panic, when I get pulled into addictive behaviors, and as armor in my ongoing war against negative thoughts. Here they are: twelve strategies to take us all to the promised land of recovery from depression. 1. Get Some Buddies It works for Girl Scouts, depressives, and addicts of all kinds. I remember having to wake up my buddy to go pee in the middle of the night at Girl Scout camp. That was right before she rolled off her cot, out of the tent and... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2272035 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:02:10 +0100 2272035 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2263911&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fhealth-care-ceo-who-didnt-put-his-own.html We recently posted about executives at two different not-for-profit health care insurance companies/ managed care organizations whose pay seemed to keep levitating, despite organizational financial losses, and commented on how the compensation of top executives of health care organizations seems always to go up, regardless of the financial fortunes, or quality of the products or services provided by their organizations. (Posts here and here.)Today's Boston Globe, however, provided a contrast. The background is that the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), a renowned Harvard teaching institution, is facing a budget shortfall.Paul Levy, the guy who runs Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, was standing in Sherman Auditorium the other day, before some of the very people to whom he m... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2263911 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:17:00 +0100 2263911 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2232511&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2F43-million-dollar-ceo-for-not-for.html The US stock markets are at lows unseen for more than 10 years, unemployment is rising, around the world national deficits are increasing, and times are tough for ostensibly not-for-profit Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the state's largest health care insurer/ managed care organization. Per the Boston Globe:Blue Cross-Blue Shield's business was affected by the stock market decline, the recession, and the increasing cost of medical care.Membership at the state's largest health plan declined about 40,000 to just over 3 million.'The decline in membership had an impact on results,' said chief financial officer Allen Maltz. 'In addition, many of our customers changed their benefits plans to products that have much lower margins.'Blue Cross-Blue Shield insures employees of national... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2232511 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:12:00 +0100 2232511 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2170628&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fwhy-clinical-groupware-may-be-next-big-thing-health-it What would you call health care software that: (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2170628 Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:44:46 +0100 2170628 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2100910&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F01%2F13%2Fvideo-unload-your-guilt%2F This article was originally published on Beyond Blue at Beliefnet.com and is reproduced here with permission. (Source: World of Psychology) World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2100910 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:11:26 +0100 2100910 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2094804&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F01%2F10%2F9-ways-to-stop-obsessing%2F This article was originally published on Beyond Blue at Beliefnet.com and is reproduced here with permission. (Source: World of Psychology) World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2094804 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:30:49 +0100 2094804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2086898&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fto-whom-did-scorpions-in-bottle-owe.html In 2000, an important meeting took place between two men.The first was a member of the board of directors of Merck Inc, the global pharmaceutical company, and of the board of Charles River Laboratories, which helps "our global partners accelerate drug discovery and development by providing them with tailored research models and preclinical, clinical, support services." The second was a member of the board of IMH Health, which advertises that it provides "global information, analytics and consulting" to support "the life cycle of medicines," from "the earliest stages of research and development through product launch, product maturation and patent expiration," and on the board of BankBoston Corporation, a national and international bank holding company. What might they have talked about?It ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2086898 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:49:00 +0100 2086898 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2083984&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F01%2F06%2Fvideo-the-most-crappiest-time-of-year%2F I’ve been singing this song for three weeks now: “It’s the most, crappiest time of the year.” La la la la la (I won’t go on and sing the rest of the lyrics, as that might come across as WHINING.) Here are my thoughts on January and February Click through to view the video… Therese J. Borchard writes the daily Beliefnet.com blog Beyond Blue (voted by Psych Central as one of the Top 10 Depression Blogs) and moderates Group Beyond Blue, the Beliefnet Community online support group for depression. Her memoir “Beyond Blue: Surviving Depression & Anxiety and Making the Most of Bad Genes” will be released in May of 2009. Subscribe to Beyond Blue here or visit her at www.ThereseBorchard.com. This video was originally published on Beyond... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2083984 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:06:36 +0100 2083984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2079107&cid=t_154130_88_f&fid=38203&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprecordialthump.medbrains.net%2F2009%2F01%2F04%2Fproblems-in-toxicology-011%2F A 21 year-old sailor placed a small blue and yellow octopus on his shoulder while wading back to shore after spear-fishing with a friend. As he reached the beach he threw the little octopus into the sea. The friend noticed a tiny trickle of blood from the sailor’s shoulder. The sailor was unaware of having been bitten, but soon complained of a dry mouth and difficulty breathing and was taken to hospital. On arrival at the hospital, the sailor was cyanosed and not breathing, but still had a pulse. The distraught friend said the sailor’s last words were, “It was the little octopus. It was the little octopus”. Case based on the only known Darwin fatality: Flecker H, Cotton BC (1955). Fatal bite from an octopus. Med J Aust 2:329-331. Questions 1. Are you kidding? A ven... AEQUANIMITAS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2079107 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:57:10 +0100 2079107 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2079027&cid=t_154130_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F495728856%2F This article provides is a very good market overview. The reporter and I also discussed in depth the need for better consumer education and professional development, so people can make informed decisions, and for cognitive assessments to serve as independent baseline, help identify priorities and measure results. Please note that our market estimates do include revenues of computerized cognitive assessments, today mostly used in clinical trials, and wthin the military and sports teams. 2) Navigating the brain fitness landscape: do's and don'ts (McKnight's Long Term Care News) Comment: "Choosing the right cognitive fitness product or program for senior living residents is harder than it sounds. But understanding residents' needs, identifying your objectives and considering the total c... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2079027 Fri, 26 Dec 2008 18:03:07 +0100 2079027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2035588&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F12%2F13%2Fcan-blue-colored-light-prevent-suicide%2F An intriguing, anecdotal finding was recently reported by some news outlets that the implementation of blue-colored streetlights has reduced both crime and suicides: Glasgow, Scotland, introduced blue street lighting to improve the city’s landscape in 2000. Afterward, the number of crimes in areas illuminated in blue noticeably decreased. The Nara, Japan, prefectural police set up blue street lights in the prefecture in 2005, and found the number of crimes decreased by about 9 percent in blue-illuminated neighborhoods. Many other areas nationwide have followed suit. Keihin Electric Express Railway Co. changed the color of eight lights on the ends of platforms at Gumyoji Station in Yokohama, Japan, in February. Since the railway company introduced the new blue lights, they&#8217... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2035588 Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:00:30 +0100 2035588 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2033849&cid=t_154130_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fchronic-pain%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fdont-have-a-blue-christmas-without-your-health%2F Do you remember an old country western song, “I’ll Have A Blue Christmas Without You?”  While we’re thinking about interesting titles, one of my favorites is “I Have Tears in My Ears from Lying on My Back Crying Over You.”  I don’t know if that’s for real or just an old joke that’s been generated for years. My own version of that would have to be “I Have Pain in My Tush from Going Out to Christmas Dinner with You.” Do you think it would sell?  Okay, so I’m not a song writer.  The point I’m making today is the importance of finding joy in spite of poor health, especially during the holidays, but also, every day of the year.  My mother always suffered from depression during the holidays.  I believe it&#8217... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2033849 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:18:41 +0100 2033849 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2026945&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F12%2F10%2Ftodays-my-one-year-anniversary-at-healthbolt%2F Looking at the calendar this morning, I suddenly realized that it was one year ago today that I started blogging at Healthbolt. Wow, how time flies when you’re having fun. I know it’s a cliche, but it only seems like yesterday. So in celebration of the day, I thought I’d share some of my favorite posts with you… Nine Christmas Gifts for the Hypochondriac in Your Life was the second post I wrote for Healthbolt and it was probably the most fun. Exploring all the interesting and fun gifts you could buy for the ‘hypochondriac’ was a blast. After all, how could a person resist fluffy giant microbes and internal organs. And then there was Doing the Hasselhoff and Pumpkin Positive, an examination of entertaining and information medical slang. On a more serious note, I wrote about how ... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2026945 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:00:00 +0100 2026945 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1947960&cid=t_154130_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F447995271%2F My apologies for not writing in a few days...the Global Agenda Summit in Dubai has required all my attention - I will summarize the great experience when I land back in San Francisco tomorrow night. The concepts of night and day do become challenging when working for a few days in a place with a 12-hour time difference with one's home base. Sleep is indeed very important to maintain top cognitive shape...which leads me to a fascinating news announcement: Health insurance firms offering online cognitive therapy for insomnia (Los Angeles Times) - "helping consumers get a good night's sleep has become a priority for most of the top-tier U.S. health insurance companies, including WellPoint, Aetna, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente and several Blue Cross plans. Their new programs don't involve slee... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1947960 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:52:44 +0100 1947960 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1906399&cid=t_154130_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F430063963%2F If you are a blogger or read blogs often, you know that there are a good number of excellent blog carnivals focused on specific themes. If you are interested in medicine, you know what carnival to visit. Education, the same. Biology, neuroscience, nursing, birds, aging, philosophy...a variety of topics are very well covered in the blogosphere. What you probably haven't come across is a high-quality "metacarnival" or "carnival of carnivals", where you can read the best blog posts ACROSS topics, subjects, disciplines. This is why a few blog carnival "organizers" are launching next Monday a monthly rotating "MetaCarnival" to feature the most interesting posts from a variety of high-quality blog carnivals. Participating blog carnivals so far, alphabetica... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1906399 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 22:08:52 +0100 1906399 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1769364&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F06%2Fthe-situation-of-the-palin-familys-success%2F Adriaan Lanni and Wesley Kelman wrote an interesting piece in Slate this week, “Working-Class Hero: How the Palins’ enviable blue-collar lifestyle could help the McCain campaign.” Here are a few excerpts. * * * Most of the initial reaction to Sarah Palin’s selection . . . threatens to obscure a seductive and misleading subtext in Palin’s biography that may play a key role in the election: the way she embodies the hope of a blue-collar life without economic insecurity. Palin’s background reminded us of an Alaskan we met several years ago. We had just moved to Anchorage for a temporary job in the state court system and struck up an illuminating conversation with a bricklayer while on a hike outside town. He made a surprising amount of money—he had moved ... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1769364 Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:10:38 +0100 1769364 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1726323&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fmerger-mania-redux-combination-would.html The Philadelphia Inquirer published a story about what seems to drive merger mania in health care. In Pennsylvania, the two largest health insurance companies in the state, both not-for-profit, Highmark and Independence Blue Cross, have been pushing to mergeHighmark Inc. and Independence Blue Cross would pay their top executives as much as $4.2 million more if they were allowed to merge.Kenneth Melani, the chief executive of Highmark, who is expected to have the same job at the combined companies, would get a 31 percent raise, to $3.9 million from $2.97 million, including incentives, according to documents filed with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.Independence Blue Cross' CEO, Joseph Frick, who is slated for the role of chief operating office after the merger, would earn $2.94 milli... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1726323 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:32:00 +0100 1726323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1640246&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F07%2F21%2Fdepressions-many-treatments%2F Therese Borchard over at Beyond Blue wrote about the disconcerting “either/or” artificial dichotomy that some researchers and doctors set up about treatments for mental conditions such as depression. Medications for depression are either evil and the root cause of all of society’s problems, or they are saviors and rescue people from a lifetime of suffering. Depression is either a problem with living and one’s life, or it’s a biological disease we simply don’t yet understand. Psychiatrist James Gordon is the subject of the ire, because he’s promoting his new book over in a Newsweek interview suggesting that alternative treatment methods are the preferred treatment approach for mild to moderate (e.g., most people’s) depression. And that antide... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1640246 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:30:31 +0100 1640246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1622230&cid=t_154130_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Findigo-child-england-is-evil-9.html “I am liking the English wimmins.”“Yes indeed. I remember that you told me that.”“Why?”“Why did I remember?”“No.”“No?”“Why you are not one?”“Why am I not one what? A woman? I am a woman.”“No.”"English?""No!"“No? Lets start again.”“Why you are not being an English punk?”“Er……I’m probably too old to be a punk.” Has he never seen an American punk?“No.”“Ah thank you dear.” Sweet child of mine. I think?“No.”“No what?”“You are maybe not er.....um.....nevermind!”“Nevermind! Really. Thank you luvvie.” Ahh. Bless his little cotton socks. Tolerance personified.“I am liking the English wimmins punks.”“Oh good. I don’t remember seeing any actually.”“Look.”“Look where?”“There.” He points! Ooo a lovely po... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1622230 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:21:00 +0100 1622230 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1616176&cid=t_154130_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F333339036%2F Today’s Scientific American reviews the new study about autism genes in 88 Middle Eastern families and emphasizes that the genes found are “linked to a heightened risk of autism” and, too, that these genes are crucial to a child’s ability to learn.” Noting that marrying second and third, and even first, cousins is not unusual in the Middle East, Scientific American points out that studying such families enables researchers to track recessive genetic traits (caused by mutations that only affect individuals with two copies of the flawed genes). Such traits occur far more frequently in inbred families than in others. Six mutations were found in the form of deletions, and all of these genes (which had not been previously linked to autism) play a role in “cre... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1616176 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:01:11 +0100 1616176 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1537804&cid=t_154130_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Fclinicalit.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Ffiercehealthit.html Just a quick note: I'm the guest host, as it were, of FierceHealthIT this week. I wasn't sure until it was too late if I was supposed to write a commentary, so I didn't, but four of the top five story summaries this week carry my byline:"Study: Physician adoption of EHRs continues to lag""MI, WI advance health information exchange""PHRs make inroads with health plans""WellPoint says e-prescribing could be a Trojan horse for HIE"The one I didn't write, "Top P4P hospitals to score $7m in bonuses from CMS," ran in the daily FierceHealthcare last Thursday. (Source: Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog) Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1537804 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:10:00 +0100 1537804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1419287&cid=t_154130_115_f&fid=34680&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcoolmristuff.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fthoracic-aorta-disection.html Aortic dissection is the most common catastrophe affecting the aorta. The aorta is the largest artery of the body through which blood leaves the heart to deliver oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. It occurs in about 24 people per million each year in the U.S. It is caused when the inner layer of the aortic wall tears and then peels or separates away from the next layer of the aorta. This creates two channels; the original aortic channel for blood flow (the true lumen) is still present while the peeling away of the outer layer in the dissection creates a new additional flow channel (the false lumen).Symptoms of Aortic DissectionLocation of Pain:Chest painBack painFlank painAbdominal painLeg painQuality of PainPain that is tearing or sharpAbrupt onset of painPain that migrates or radi... MRI LINKS AND OTHER COOL THINGS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1419287 Sun, 04 May 2008 13:54:00 +0100 1419287 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1419288&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F05%2F04%2Fdid-you-take-healtbolts-vitality-compass-challenge%2F Earlier this week Liberty and I took the Vitality Compass quiz to see where we sit in the longevity stakes. But then we asked ’why should we have all the fun’. So we issued a Healthbolt Vitality Compass Challenge. Here’s the brave souls who took up the challenge and not only completed the Vitality Compass quiz but also shared their results with us… Lisa from Best Health Magazine found that she is 6 years younger that her real age. A’Lyn is 4.4 years younger. Alicia from Mental Health Notes is 4 years older…but she explains, with good reason. ME, with a life expectancy of 97, will outlive all of us. Steph declared she was in the blue but thinks she could definitely do better. (BTW: love the blog title - waiting for my real life to begin) Gabrielle from F... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1419288 Sun, 04 May 2008 11:39:55 +0100 1419288 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1405335&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F04%2F28%2Fvitality-compass-challenge-part-two%2F So it’s my turn to report my results from the Vitality Compass Quiz, and let me tell you, I was not anxious to take that thing at first. I figured you’d have to be the next Arnold Schwarzenegger or Jessica Alba to score even decently on it, but after reading Liz’s results, I was encouraged. A real person who does not spend the bulk of her day in a gym and who probably noshes on a carb or two once in a while? If Liz could score well, so could I, right? Well, turns out Liz is on track to last a bit longer than I’m predicted to, but I’ll still live a long life it seems. Naturally, by kicking up my fruit and veggie consumption and actually removing my rear form this chair to sneak in some exercise, I can add more years to my life. Hmm. I can do that. I need to do ... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1405335 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:22:41 +0100 1405335 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1404053&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F04%2F28%2Ftesting-the-vitality-compass%2F I’m not one for questionaires and surveys but this Vitality Compass, an online longevity calculator, had me intrigued. I wanted to know…was I in the Blue Zone? What was my life expectancy? And were my current life habits going to lead the way to a grand old age of 100 plus? So I headed on over and took the Vitality Compass quiz. Thirty five questions later, I got my answer. I exist in the Blue Zone. I’m 6.5 years younger biologically than my real age. Of course I’d rather it was 10 or 15 years younger but still any number less that the real one works for me. My life expectancy is 95.8. But my healthy life expectancy is only 84. Looks like I’m not on track to reach 100 but maybe that’s just as well given the last decade or two might not be that healthy. S... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1404053 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:26:23 +0100 1404053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1325153&cid=t_154130_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fmon-indoor-fireworks.html All children squabble, it’s perfectly normal.I chop onions in the kitchen, frenetic supper production during 30 minutes electronics but I’m only six steps away from them in the family room. The children lined up on the sofa, devices in hands.“Static electricity!” he squalks.“Stop buggin me!"“Static electricity!” He rolls round and around on the couch wrapped in the new fake fur blanket.“It’s impossible to beat those bats! It’s soooo annoying!” she moans at her Gameboy.“How much wood can a wood chuck chuck,” he guffaws.“Stop it with the baby talk you guys! Ow! What was that?”“Not baby talk…..tongue twister time! Dat is be dah spark.” Good grief! Answering to questions one right after another without missing a beat?“Spark? Be quiet! Stop making the baby ... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1325153 Mon, 24 Mar 2008 20:47:00 +0100 1325153 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1322338&cid=t_154130_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2008%2F3%2F24%2Fthe-anatomy-of-an-exotic-epidemic-when-science-and-politics.html By Dov Michaeli MD, Ph.D In October of 2007 Julie Volberding, chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was supposed to testify before a senate panel on the health consequences of global warming. At the last minute (literally the day before) White House political hacks prevented her from telling the story she intended to tell. This is not unusual: this administration has waged an undeclared war on Science, especially when the facts are inconvenient. So, in the interest of telling the unvarnished truth, here are a couple of examples of the effect of globalization and global warming on health. The case of Bluetongue Disease From the British New Scientist magazine: Bluetongue is an animal virus, spread by tiny flies called midges – also called biting gnats, or no-see... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1322338 Mon, 24 Mar 2008 03:53:08 +0100 1322338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1231811&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fblue-cross-of-california-wellpoint-to.html I commented on the "irrational exuberance" over healthcare IT here. Health IT is a double-edged sword. It can be used, and it can be misused. In the hands of the wrong people, it will "revolutionize healthcare" all right ... but not in the direction health informaticists and clinicians would desire.The title of this post seems the logical outcome based on the self-initiated debacle of Blue Cross of California, as posted at Wellpoint Halts Attempts to Have Doctors "Rat Out Patients":Blue Cross of California is sending physicians copies of health insurance applications filled out by new patients, along with a letter advising them that the company has a right to drop members who fail to disclose 'material medical history,' including 'pre-existing pregnancies.''Any condition not listed on the ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1231811 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:35:00 +0100 1231811 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1215697&cid=t_154130_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F231123917%2F Not a day goes by without a significant depression-related announcement. Yesterday, one could read that Older Women More Likely to Suffer Depression (than Older Men; in the Washington Post). Today, we see that St. Jude Starting Trial On Brain Stimulation For Depression (CNN). A few days ago, Blue Cross of California Launched Maternity Depression Program (press release). Time to step back and ask ourselves questions such as, "What is going On", "What is Depression", "What Treatments Work, and What is the Latest Research". Fortunately, thanks to our collaboration with Greater Good Magazine, Jill Suttie offers a fascinating answers to those questions-and more. Enjoy. --------------------------- Closing the Circuit Helen Mayberg's research could revolutionize ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1215697 Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:10:34 +0100 1215697 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1196710&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F02%2F02%2Fthink-social-networks-are-harmless-think-again%2F We’ve been beating the patient privacy drum here for years, and will continue to do so because we don’t think the message is being fully understood. When you share and disclose aspects of your personal health with the world, it is something very different than when you share and disclose your favorite books or hobbies or musical groups. They are not the same thing. Books, music and your favorite movie star can’t be used against you (well, at least not until Big Brother takes hold). But your personal health information can. Think we’re overstating things? Well, the New Jersey Law Journal published a story yesterday that might make you think again: Litigation over an insurer’s refusal to pay health benefits for anorexia or bulimia may turn on what is reveal... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1196710 Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:20:38 +0100 1196710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1182766&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fmore-managed-care-management-mumbo.html A number of news items about managed care organizations/ health insurers published last week make for an interesting juxtaposition.Innovative Physician Reimbursement?First were articles about managed care proposals for innovative physician reimbursement. First, from the Boston Globe, an article about a proposal to resurrect capitation.Massachusetts' dominant health insurer is proposing to overhaul the way it pays doctors and hospitals, in what company officials said is an attempt to slow runaway healthcare costs and improve the quality of care.Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts wants to stop paying doctors and hospitals for each patient visit or treatment, a common arrangement that most experts agree has led to unnecessary, inefficient, and fragmented care that is sometimes harmfu... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1182766 Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:34:00 +0100 1182766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1147253&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F01%2F13%2Ftoo-much-stress-to-sleep%2F Anyone who has ever said that working full time and going to school is easy, must be as close to super-human as it gets. For the past two and a half years I’ve been doing it and every single day I ask myself why. Well, once I made it through the first semester I figured – “I might as well go ahead because I already paid for a semester”. Four semesters later when I took ‘internal uses of accounting’, I found out that after you pay for something it’s considered a ‘sunk cost’, so you shouldn’t base your decisions on what you’ve already paid for. But by then it was really too late; I put myself through so much misery already I just had to finish my masters for posterity sake. Well, I’m barreling down on my last semester here and also recovering from a serious medical... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1147253 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 21:13:30 +0100 1147253 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1147279&cid=t_154130_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F216014395%2F Charlie has been taking piano lessons from the same wonderful teacher (at Innovative Piano) since July of 2006. We’ve been working our way through “Frosty the Snowman” and “Auld Lang Syne” over the holidays, and just added “The Blue Danube” to Charlie’s repertoire. Charlie’s teacher used to teach at an ABA school here in New Jersey and he incorporates ABA into his piano teaching, especially when he first taught Charlie to learn the notes on the piano (using letters velcored to the keys) and also to read music (by slowly introducing Charlie to the notes, to the treble and bass clefs; by including only one line of music at a time per page and gradually adding more lines to a page; by carefully and minimally prompting Charlie). The teacher... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1147279 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:30:10 +0100 1147279 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1093040&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fanother-day-another-deferred.html As I mentioned earlier, a major impetus for setting up this blog was finding out that most physicians knew local examples of badly or corruptly run local health care organizations, and felt that their core values were threatened by the actions of these organizations. However, the doctors all felt they were peculiarly unlucky to practice in such a uniquely sleazy environment. They did not realize that things were likely just as bad in the next town, and thus, that the problems were systemic. When I have taken my Health Care Renewal talk on the road, only a few people in the audiences have ever heard of some of the most vivid examples of bad health care organizational governance, e.g., the collapse of the Allegheny Health Education and Research Foundation (see post here).So it may be easy to... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1093040 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:32:00 +0100 1093040 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1070205&cid=t_154130_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F12%2F04%2Fthe-five-symptoms-of-depression%2F You’ve probably heard of depression if you’ve listened to a radio or watched a TV in the past 25 years. You can’t miss the commercials for medications that treat it (”Depression hurts”). Depression is the common cold of mental disorders, because it affects so many people over the course of a lifetime. If you don’t end up having at least a mild case of it in your life, I bet you know a loved one who has. And while some minor depressive feelings may be a normal part of modern life, major depression (also known as clinical depression) is a more serious and debilitating condition. The problem arises when depression overtakes your life and becomes your life’s focus. Nobody wants that, and it feels like a black hole that there’s no way you can cli... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1070205 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:14:23 +0100 1070205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1455520&cid=t_154130_134_f&fid=36985&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fsugarstats%2F%7E3%2F184735503%2F Thats right, its Nov 14th and that means its world diabetes day. A day that we all unite, across the world, to bring attention and awareness to diabetes. Last year we wrote about it too, there were some great events they had lined up. This year they got some even cooler things going [...] (Source: SugarStats.com - Simple, Online Blood Sugar Tracking for Diabetes Management) SugarStats.com - Simple, Online Blood Sugar Tracking for Diabetes Management blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1455520 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:13:59 +0100 1455520 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1147429&cid=t_154130_107_f&fid=36698&url=http%3A%2F%2Fminingdrugs.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fopen-data-closed-data-or-question-about.html Now, this poses quite a challenge: different licenses, different copyright holders, requirements to provide access to the source (for the Open data), etc, all in one system. Quite a challenge indeed, because ChemSpider is now required to track copyright and license information for each bit of information. [chem-bla-ics]... these techniques have traditionally been considered the realms of scientists from different disciplines, differences in computer systems and terminology provide a barrier to effective communication. This is probably the single most challenging problem that chemoinformatics must solve. [Hann/Green]Do you know Open Data, Open Source, and Open Standards (ODOSOS)? I am one of the blue obelisk co-founders, but I think I have to take a slightly distant position now. I am not a... Mining Drug Space blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1147429 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 18:24:00 +0100 1147429 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=944519&cid=t_154130_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fhealth-care-policy-found-to-be-holding.html This is a local Rhode Island tale, but one with some ramifications. Mike Stanton, the Providence Journal's well-known investigative reporter, just broke the story of yet another legislative leader pleading guilty to selling his office. In this case, he sold his office to prominent local and national health care organizations, for the purposes of influencing health policy.Gerard M. Martineau was the bag man of Blue Cross [and Blue Shield of Rhode Island] and CVS — but he was 8 million bags short.Now, the former Rhode Island House majority leader is the second ex-legislator, after John Celona, to admit to selling his office in the federal State House corruption probe known as Operation Dollar Bill.As part of a $900,000 corruption scheme that the longtime Woonsocket Democrat has admitted to... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=944519 Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:33:00 +0100 944519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1147432&cid=t_154130_107_f&fid=36698&url=http%3A%2F%2Fminingdrugs.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fquotes-from-neighbors-october-2007.html ==Taverna Workshop, Day 1 Update (chem-bla-ics)==The second part of the morning session featured a presentation by Sirisha Gollapudi which spoke about mining biological graphs, such as protein-protein interaction networks and metabolic pathways. Patterns detection for nodes with only one edge, and cycles etc, using Taverna. An example data she worked on is the Palsson human metabolism (doi:10.1073/pnas.0610772104); she mentioned that this metabolite data set contains cocaine :) Neil Chue Hong finished with an introduction on the OMII-UK which is co-host of this meeting.After lunch Mark Wilkinson introduced BioMoby, which we actually use in Wageningen already. I have tried to use jMoby to set up services based on the CDK, but failed sofar. Will talk with Mark on that. Next was my presentati... Mining Drug Space blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1147432 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:39:00 +0100 1147432 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=865546&cid=t_154130_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fgerm-free-thoroughbred.html Cleanliness may be next to something or other, but around this particular household, we aim to keep the germ count as low as possible. To achieve this goal, it is my habit to use ‘Clorox loo blocks.’ In America, I am given to understand that they also go by the unfortunate term ‘toilet cakes.’ I pop them cistern to help provide a sanitary conditions for those with bathroom challenges. Today I use blue sanitary blocks because they were cheaper, and my Scottish ancestry refuses to die. Life in the modern age is full of conveniences to make this goal easier to achieve, sanitary conditions rather than penny pinching, that is to say. Disposable wipes are now commonplace and flushable ones are available to clog up the environment at an ever faster pace. Whilst my boys require far less a... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=865546 Wed, 12 Sep 2007 02:57:00 +0100 865546