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 'healthcare access'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 03:01:54 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031240&cid=t_198901_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmedical-app-improves-healthcare-access-in-remote-areas%2F2010.10.05 A team of student and faculty researchers at MIT have developed an open source software system with the goal of improving healthcare access to patients in remote regions. The software is called Sana and runs on the Android platform. The app allows healthcare workers in remote clinics to send pictures and videos to a database where they can be reviewed by a physician who is then able to provide a preliminary diagnosis via texting. Sana is different than other collaborative electronic medical sharing efforts because it allows complex medical imaging, such as X-rays and ultrasound images to be uploaded and analyzed. Since Sana is open source, it can be customized to a specific regions needs and tailored to specific pathologies that need to be studied. Program developers hope this gives health... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031240 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:00:30 +0100 4031240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3208503&cid=t_198901_114_f&fid=34963&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsymtym.net%2F2010%2F01%2Faccess-standards-unintended-consequences%2F State adopts nation’s first health care access standards—Sacramento Business Journal The rules require health maintenance organizations to ensure they have enough doctors and other providers to meet the following time frames: Triage or screening by telephone 24/7 Wait times of no longer than 30 minutes for telephone triage A wait of no more than 10 minutes to speak to a HMO customer service representative during normal business hours 48 hours for urgent–care appointments that do not require prior authorization 96 hours for urgent–care appointments requiring prior authorization, including specialists 10 business days for non–urgent primary care appointments 15 business days for non–urgent appointments with specialists 10 business days for non–urge... symtym blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3208503 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:24:57 +0100 3208503 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2055830&cid=t_198901_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fsocial-justice-public-health-and.html The health department where I am currently employed is the recipient of a three-year social justice grant from a large national foundation. Despite a steep learning curve vis-a-vis emergency preparedness, the coordination of our local Medical Reserve Corps, and developing wellness programs for town employees, the social justice mission of our little health department is one of the most intriguing aspects of my new workplace.When one generally thinks of public health, one thinks of communicable and infectious diseases, vaccinations, disease surveillance, and epidemiology. But I am learning that access to health care, food insecurity, and access to adequate housing can all be seen under the umbrella of public health, especially when looking at these issues through a social justice lens.In ad... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2055830 Sun, 21 Dec 2008 13:30:00 +0100 2055830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2017550&cid=t_198901_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fyoung-adults-healthcare-and-economy.html A recent study by Medco Health Solutions reveals that the current economic downturn and increasing healthcare costs are having a severe effect on young adults.With an increasing number of young adults in their 20s and 30s living with chronic health conditions, health insurance and prescription drug coverage are no longer just issues for middle-aged and older adults. The survey further revealed that young adults are considerably less savvy when it comes to finding ways to save money on healthcare.Other recent reports show that the prevalance of mental illness among young adults is significantly high, but only a small percentage ever actually seek treatment. With potentially 50% of young college-age adults meeting criteria for substance abuse disorders, personality disorders or other conditi... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2017550 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:03:00 +0100 2017550 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1975022&cid=t_198901_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fobama-daschle-and-healthcare.html It is now confirmed that Barack Obama has asked former South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle to serve as the administration's Secretary of Health and Human Services. While the nominee has already undergone a rigorous vetting process by the Obama transition team, he will of course face a Senate confirmation hearing after the President-Elect is inaugurated on January 20th. I will venture a guess that Daschle will be handily confirmed by the Senate, and I imagine that he is already setting his sights on a broad plan of action. Whether that plan leads to successful change in the healthcare trenches remains to be seen.Meanwhile, a powerful bipartisan group of senators met in the offices of Edward Kennedy (D-MA) today, at the behest of Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), to begin shaping potential Democratic ... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1975022 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:35:00 +0100 1975022 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1963927&cid=t_198901_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fhospitals-and-consumers-on-edge.html Economically speaking, times are tough all over. People are losing their jobs, the unemployment rate is rising, and retailers and consumers alike seem to be facing a lean holiday season.On the healthcare front, a number of U.S. hospitals are now in the difficult position wherein they now must buy back debt incurred from "Variable Rate Demand Notes" (VRDNs) and other forms of loans that hospitals use to do many things, including making capital improvements to their facilities. According to some reports, U.S. hospitals may be forced to buy back up to $8 billion dollars of debt, not an easy task in these cash-strapped times.For hospitals, the economic times are indeed challenging. Patients with outstanding bills are less likely to be able to pay on time, if at all. Many employers are scaling ... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1963927 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:59:00 +0100 1963927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1723426&cid=t_198901_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fhispanics-and-us-healthcare-system.html (Note: This is my fourth post under the auspices of the nurse blogger scholarship which I recently received from Value Care, Value Nurses.)The Hispanic population of the United States is growing exponentially, and the Pew Hispanic Center chronicles and tracks the collective successes and challenges of this burgeoning American demographic.According to the Pew Center, the Hispanic population of the United States---currently the largest minority group in the country---will triple between 2005 and 2050, with non-Hispanic whites poised to themselves become a minority by 2050, certainly the largest projected demographic shift of the 21st century.Taking these statistics into consideration, it is disturbing to learn that a recent Pew Hispanic Center study reveals that 1 out of 4 Hispanic Americans... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1723426 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:01:00 +0100 1723426