RSS Feedhttps:// RSS Feeden{AC4515C9-7A94-45ED-B507-BB9B85354F85} is an illness not a weakness<p>If a friend came over one day and told you they&rsquo;d been diagnosed with cancer, would you ever think to say, &ldquo;just toughen up and get over it?&rdquo; Would you tell them it&rsquo;s all in their head, and if they&rsquo;d just stop thinking about it they&rsquo;d be fine? Of course not.</p> <p>Then why would we consider acting this way to a friend or loved one who tells us they&rsquo;re struggling with depression?</p> <p>When someone you care about is feeling hopeless, sad, apathetic, or restless, it can be hard to acknowledge they might be battling a clinical illness. Acceptance, however, is the first step in understanding depression and knowing how to help.</p> <p><strong>RELATED: <a href="">Recognizing Depression in Yourself and Your Loved Ones</a></strong></p> <p>The chances are pretty good that someone you know has depression. In fact, <a href="">19 million Americans struggle with the illness</a>. That&rsquo;s more than nine percent of the population. Educating yourself about depression means you can help eradicate negative stigmas about depression and become an advocate for those who suffer with mental illness.</p> <h2>3 Causes of Stigmas About Depression</h2> <p>While it&rsquo;s true that you probably know someone with depression, you may not know who it is. Many people with depression are hesitant to discuss their condition because of the stigma surrounding the illness. In a survey conducted by the National Mental Health Association, a whopping 43 percent of Americans still think depression is a result of weakness or a <a href="">deficit in one&rsquo;s character</a>.</p> <p>Why do so many Americans feel this way about depression? Depression is seen as a weakness or vulnerability. In a society that values strong men and women, any weakness is a negative. As a man, you might be mocked when you express your emotions because many people expect men to be &ldquo;manly.&rdquo; A woman may be told to &ldquo;hold it together&rdquo; when she just can&rsquo;t seem to handle her kids any more. Instead of seeing depression as an illness, we&rsquo;re taught to see it as a defect.</p> <p><strong>RELATED: <a href="">Talk Like a Man - The Language of Male Mental Health</a></strong></p> <h3>3 reasons we may stigmatize depression</h3> <h4>Depression usually has non-physical symptoms</h4> <p>It can be difficult to look at your friend and see any physical symptoms of depression. Mental illnesses don&rsquo;t give an easy visual for not feeling well. Because of this, your boss might assume you&rsquo;re faking your mental illness instead of helping you treat it like any other health concern.</p> <h4>Lack of awareness about depression</h4> <p>Do you really know what you need to do to treat depression? What are the outcomes of those treatments? This lack of awareness can lead many of us to stigmatize those with mental illness unless we take initiative to educate ourselves.</p> <h4>Negative media depictions about mental illness</h4> <p>Research shows <a href="">we often get information about mental illness from the mass media</a> &mdash; including movies, television, news stories, music, etc. When media creates a negative picture of depression, it can also affect our perspective of those who suffer from depression and could lead us to avoid, fear, or discriminate against those with mental illness.</p> <h4>Why Stigma Matters</h4> <p>If you have a loved one who suffers from depression, it can have a significant impact on their work, social life, personal relationships, and even their willingness to seek treatment. These struggles can be amplified and impacted by the way you and those around them view their mental illness.</p> <p>The stigma can also impact how people with depression view themselves. Your neighbor with depression might think they&rsquo;re incapable of recovery, are responsible for their condition, and don&rsquo;t deserve appropriate healthcare. This could lead to &ldquo;why try&rdquo; kind of thinking. They may start to believe that if they&rsquo;re incapable of recovery and can&rsquo;t live normal lives, then why would they try to seek and participate any mental healthcare?</p> <h2>3 ways you can fight depression stigma</h2> <p>Like many illnesses, depression carries with it a social stigma. You have the power to change the perceptions of yourself and others as you do the following:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Educate yourself. </strong>What does it feel like to have depression? Is depression easy to treat? Knowing the answers to these kinds of questions will allow you to avoid common misconceptions. Read about depression. Talk to a friend or doctor who knows about mental illness. Educating yourself will empower you and enlighten your conversations about depression.</li> <li><strong>Be compassionate. </strong>Just as you&rsquo;d take a bowl of soup to a friend with a cold, there are ways to help those around you who are struggling with depression. Listen, encourage, do things with them, and set your own realistic expectations for their treatment. Your loved one needs a compassionate friend &mdash; be that person.</li> <li><strong>Share awareness and advocate. </strong>Share what you&rsquo;ve learned about depression with others. Tell them about your experiences. While you may not change anyone&rsquo;s mindset, some people may welcome the chance to learn more about how the illness affects so many in our society. Participate in campaigns and awareness events that help fight against mental illness discrimination. You can also spread awareness by writing about your experience and the experiences of other people. Sometimes it takes stories from real people to start real change.</li> </ul> <p>Fighting the stigma surrounding depression is a journey in which we all must take an active role. We&rsquo;re making good progress, and if you&rsquo;ve read this far you&rsquo;re probably doing something extra to help the cause. Keep it up. Together we can make a difference &mdash; and help the millions of people who suffer from depression.</p>Fri, 24 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0700{268C8B1D-F919-44A7-BF6A-EB391177EA85} Bootcamp: Steps To Help First-time Dads<p>If you&rsquo;re a first time dad-to-be, you&rsquo;re on the edge of a life-changing mission called parenthood. Pregnant women experience many new emotions and life changes, but first-time dads have their own feelings and concerns to deal with, too.</p> <p>If you feel nervous, overwhelmed, or like you're just not ready, you're not alone. Like any big change, becoming a dad requires a major transition.</p> <p>You don't have to feel guilty or anxious about having mixed emotions &ndash; it's perfectly normal. There are concrete steps you can take to feel more comfortable with the idea of parenthood and preparations you can make to help it go as smoothly as possible.</p> <h2>Preparing to be a Dad</h2> <p>Here are a few things to do before the baby arrives that will help you be prepared.</p> <ol> <li><strong>Catch up on your sleep.</strong> You&rsquo;re going to need it! Once the baby is born, sleep will be limited for the first few months.</li> <li><strong>Help set up the baby&rsquo;s room.</strong> While women tend to have a natural nesting instinct, preparing a space for the baby is a priority for dad, too. Buy any furniture you need, paint and decorate the room.</li> <li><strong>Take parenting classes.</strong> If you&rsquo;re feeling nervous about the arrival of your baby, feeling unprepared to give baths, change diapers, swaddle, and soothe the baby, classes can help put your mind at ease.</li> <li><strong>Install the car seat properly.</strong> This sounds a lot easier than it is. To address installation questions, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website includes a state-by-state list of child safety-seat inspection stations. Technicians there will check your car seat at no cost to make sure it's properly installed.</li> <li><strong>Sing and talk to your baby before birth.</strong> The baby can hear you and these interactions provide familiarity and comfort. It can also help you begin forming a bond before the baby arrives.</li> <li><strong>Prepare for visitors.</strong> Some things to consider ahead of time: Will it be flu season? What rules for visitation do you and your partner want to set?</li> <li><strong>Talk about your feelings with your partner</strong>. Discuss your plans and expectations about the birth and make sure you&rsquo;re on the same page. You won&rsquo;t want to wait until the last minute to decide things like are you going to want to cut the umbilical cord, or how much do you want to participate in the birth process?</li> </ol> <p><strong>RELATED: <a href="" target="_self">5 Things You Should Do Before Delivery</a></strong></p> <h3>What to Pack in Your Survival Bag</h3> <p>We all know it&rsquo;s important for expecting moms to have their hospital bag packed and ready well in advance of their due date. But dads should also have a bag of their own that will make the first few days with a new baby more comfortable. Here are some things you may want to include:</p> <ol> <li>High-energy snacks/drinks.</li> <li>Things to do during the early stages of labor. This could include books to read, music to listen to, movies to watch, etc.</li> <li>Stopwatch or a watch with a second hand. This will help you keep track of the time between contractions.</li> <li>Small bills or coins for vending machines.</li> <li>Camera or recording device.</li> <li>Batteries and chargers.</li> <li>Cell phone.</li> <li>A change of clothing for you. This may also include something warm, night clothes, and clothes you can use when you&rsquo;re bathing your baby.</li> <li>Basic personal hygiene kit.</li> <li>List of phone numbers to call to announce baby&rsquo;s birth.</li> </ol> <h3>Be Ready!</h3> <p>As the due date approaches, here are a few last things to keep in mind that will help you be prepared.</p> <ul> <li>Have plenty of gas in the tank.</li> <li>Have your bag ready early just in case.</li> <li>Make sure your electronic devices are fully charged: camera, recording device, cell phone, etc.</li> <li>Have your important documents handy, like your birth plan and insurance information.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><strong>RELATED: <a href="" target="_self">17 Things to Include in Your Birthing Plan</a></strong></p>Fri, 24 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0700{201E1F74-C263-4686-B68A-A5C49235C39B} to Keep the Whole Family Healthy This Year<h3>Be a drill sergeant about washing hands</h3> <p>It gets so old telling kids to wash their hands, doesn&rsquo;t it? However, it is worth it when your whole family is staying healthy. I always <a href="" target="_blank">remind my kids to wash their hands</a>. It is what keeps the family healthy because we&rsquo;re not bouncing germs around. </p> <h3>Practice healthy habits all the time</h3> <p>When it comes to your whole family staying healthy, you have to practice healthy habits all the time. Washing hands here and there or eating healthy only once a week isn&rsquo;t going to do anything, you must be persistent. </p> <h3>Talk to your kids about staying healthy</h3> <p>A lot of times parents get sick from germs their kids pick up. I like talking to my kids about being healthy. They are starting to understand what life is like when mom and dad are out of commission. Plus, I&rsquo;m not so sure they like being sick either.</p> <h3>Make sure everyone is pitching in with cleaning</h3> <p>Another great way to keep the whole family healthy this year is by having a clean home. Disinfecting is a huge thing to keeping a sick free house. Wiping down countertops daily, sweeping, and not letting bacteria build up can all contribute to a healthy household. I like to get everyone involved in this process of cleaning and disinfecting. </p> <h3>Rest when you are sick</h3> <p>Almost everyone gets sick at some point or another. To not stay sick, you need to rest and get better. If you don&rsquo;t rest, your body won&rsquo;t heal, and you will be sicker even longer. The key to getting healthy is to rest up. </p> <div style="float: left; margin-bottom: 15px; background: #d5e3ee; width: 100%; font-weight: bold; border-top: 3px solid #31599e; border-bottom: 2px solid #9bb9e3; display: block; padding-left: 10px;"> <p> RELATED: <a href="">Talk to a Clinician</a></p> </div> <p><a href="" target="_blank">Intermountain Connect Care</a>&nbsp;is available 24/7/365 to provide medical evaluation and treatment services.&nbsp; Connect to or download our mobile app for Android or iOS through your app store.</p> <p>How do you keep the whole family healthy? Share your tips with us!</p>Thu, 23 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0700{CA40C902-4E10-4B2F-A28F-556EEF0B95E7} Ways to Improve Fertility<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The rate of pregnancy is only about 20-30% per month.&nbsp; That means that only about 50% of couples will get pregnant in their first 6 months of trying, then up to about 85% at a year, then 95% at 2 years.&nbsp;Every situation is different, but typically after about 12 months of trying it is time to see your local OB to see what they can do to help.&nbsp; However, there is a lot you can try on your own first.&nbsp; Please read these suggestions below on how to increase your fertility:</p> <p>1)&nbsp; <strong>Start a vitamin regimen!</strong> &ndash; It is recommended that you start taking a prenatal vitamin for about 2 months prior to getting pregnant.&nbsp; This helps you build healthy vitamin levels in your system, which helps your body be more ready to get pregnant.&nbsp; Another healthy supplement to start is fish oil or DHA.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <div style="float:left; margin-bottom:15px; width:100%; background:#efecd8; font-style:italic; border-top:3px solid #4a7235; border-bottom:2px solid #5f9d09; display:block; padding-left:10px;"><p> <strong>Tip:</strong> Freeze the fish oil and take it before bed to avoid fish burps!</p> </div> <p>2)&nbsp; <strong>Time to get healthy! </strong>&ndash; All those years you have told yourself that you are going to start eating more fruits and vegetables and exercise regularly, well now is the time.&nbsp; Your body is getting ready to support and grow another life.&nbsp; Making yourself as healthy as possible will increase your chances of healthy pregnancy and boost your fertility.&nbsp;&nbsp; One way to do this is substituting some of your protein with vegetable sources, such as beans and nuts, instead of animal sources.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <div style="float:left; margin-bottom:15px; width:100%; background:#efecd8; font-style:italic; border-top:3px solid #4a7235; border-bottom:2px solid #5f9d09; display:block; padding-left:10px;"><p> <strong>Tip:</strong> A handful of almonds makes a healthy snack that will keep you full longer!</p> </div> <p>3)&nbsp; <strong>Everything in moderation!</strong> &ndash; We all know that you can&rsquo;t drink alcohol while you are pregnant, but did you know that alcohol consumption can decrease your fertility?&nbsp; It has been show that drinking 2 standard alcoholic beverages a day can decrease your fertility by almost 60%.&nbsp; Drinking a more modest amount has not been show to affect it.&nbsp; High rates of caffeine consumption may also harm your fertility.&nbsp; During pregnancy we recommend limiting your caffeine intake to about 200 mg a day and while attempting pregnancy the same is true.&nbsp; This is typically 1-2 cups of coffee a day.&nbsp; If you are soda drinker read the label to see how much caffeine is in your drink of choice.&nbsp; </p> <div style="float:left; margin-bottom:15px; width:100%; background:#efecd8; font-style:italic; border-top:3px solid #4a7235; border-bottom:2px solid #5f9d09; display:block; padding-left:10px;"><p> <strong>Tip:</strong> If you drink a lot of caffeine wean yourself slowly or you may develop headaches from the withdrawal of caffeine.</p> </div> <p>4)&nbsp; <strong>It&rsquo;s time to quit!</strong> &ndash; Tobacco use in pregnancy is associated with multiple potential problems including low birth weight, preterm delivery, SIDS, and miscarriage, just to name a few.&nbsp; Smoking can also decrease female and male fertility.&nbsp; It can decrease sperm production and how well an egg can implant in the uterus. &nbsp;Quitting is not easy, but there is a lot we can do to help, talk with your primary care physician.&nbsp;&nbsp;Vaping is not well tested but likely just as unsafe. </p> <p>5)&nbsp; <strong>Lose weight!</strong> -&nbsp; This one is so much easier said than done, but even being mildly overweight can decrease fertility.&nbsp;&nbsp; Ideally, being a healthy weight is the best for getting pregnant, but even a modest weight loss can improve your chances of getting pregnant.&nbsp; &nbsp;Losing 10% of your current weight has been shown to boost your fertility.&nbsp; However, being underweight can actually be worse than being overweight so be careful when dieting and seek help if needed.</p> <p>6)&nbsp; <strong>See your doctor!</strong> -&nbsp; Many health problems can potentially cause problems in pregnancy.&nbsp; Uncontrolled common problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and thyroid disease can cause serious complications in pregnancy and/or miscarriage.&nbsp;&nbsp; Also many medications are potentially harmful in pregnancy and may need to be stopped or changed prior to pregnancy.&nbsp; Please discuss your medications with your doctor.</p> <div style="float:left; margin-bottom:15px; width:100%; background:#efecd8; font-style:italic; border-top:3px solid #4a7235; border-bottom:2px solid #5f9d09; display:block; padding-left:10px;"><p> <strong>Tip:</strong> Did you know poor dental hygiene can increase your risk of preterm delivery?&nbsp; See your dentist prior to pregnancy.</p> </div> <p>7)&nbsp; <strong>When do we have sex?</strong>&nbsp; &ndash;&nbsp; The optimal time to get pregnant is 14 days before the start of your next period.&nbsp; Try and keep track on your calendar or in an app on your phone, as to when your periods will typically start.&nbsp; Count 14 days back from the first day of your next period and that is when you should ovulate.&nbsp; We recommend trying to have sex every other day starting 3-4 days prior to ovulation and continuing for 3-4 days after your ovulate. </p> <p>8)&nbsp; <strong>Cool off!</strong> &ndash; Did you know that when a man&rsquo;s testicles get too hot it can decrease his sperm count?&nbsp; Encourage your partner to keep his computer off of his lap, switch from boxer to briefs, and avoid hot tubs.&nbsp; The effect of the heat is usually temporary and lasts for about 3 days until he can rebuild his supply of sperm.</p> <p>9)&nbsp; <strong>Just because it&rsquo;s natural doesn&rsquo;t make it safe!</strong>&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;There are many herbs that are potentially dangerous in pregnancy, some of which can lead to miscarriage.&nbsp; Most herbs are not well studied in pregnancy and their safety is questionable. &nbsp;Chamomile, licorice, sassafras, ginseng, <a href="">St. John's wort</a> and ephedra&mdash;should be avoided before and during pregnancy.&nbsp; Ginger is likely safe in early pregnancy to help with nausea, but may need to be avoided later in pregnancy.&nbsp; Red raspberry leaf may be helpful in the last month or so of pregnancy, but in early pregnancy may lead to miscarriage.&nbsp;&nbsp; Peppermint should be used sparingly during pregnancy. </p> <p>10)&nbsp; <strong>Hydrate!</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&ndash; &nbsp;Adequate hydration will ensure a healthy consistency to natural cervical mucous and male ejaculate.&nbsp; </p> <p>11)&nbsp; <strong>Check your lube!</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; &nbsp;If you can comfortably have sex without lubricant, that is ideal.&nbsp; If lubricant is needed:&nbsp; Ensure that your lubricant does not have any spermicide in it.&nbsp; Avoid use of soap as lubricant as it can work as a spermicide.&nbsp; Even normally safe water based lubricants such as KY or Astroglide can lead to problems.&nbsp; Some of the best lubricants may be in your kitchen- try canola or olive oil. </p> <p>12)&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Avoid dangerous chemicals!</strong>&nbsp;&ndash; Many jobs may lead to dangerous exposures when trying to get pregnant.&nbsp; Pesticides and chemicals used in dry cleaning for example, can both be potentially detrimental.&nbsp; Make sure you are using personal protective equipment when around these things and washing your hands regularly. </p>Thu, 23 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0700{513EEF6B-85E2-4863-84C2-0DCCF5E3A737} the Telemedicine Space Inform Interoperability?<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Jamey Edwards recently visited with Intermountain&rsquo;s Todd Dunn and discussed Cloudbreak&rsquo;s unique approach to providing an open source telehealth platform and services. One stunner from their conversation was how telemedicine platforms can inform interoperability in other areas of healthcare.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">&nbsp;</p> <iframe height="315" src="" frameborder="0" width="560"></iframe> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Consider this, most hospitals and health systems have already invested in some form of video capable communication. These platforms are largely able to connect to one another&mdash;something that EHR&rsquo;s are still wont to do; and health exchanges haven&rsquo;t filled the interoperability niche.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">If organizations using disparate video communications tools can be linked together to conduct telemedicine, what can we learn from that model to increase interoperability between EHRs? By incorporating Cloudbreak&rsquo;s ideas into other areas of healthcare, we&rsquo;re likely to do more breakdancing and less breaking.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">&nbsp;</p> <iframe height="315" src="" frameborder="0" width="560"></iframe> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">See the entire interview on <a href="">Intermountain Healthy Dialogues</a>.&nbsp; </p>Thu, 23 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0700{457D93E5-4666-40E6-A9CD-7209BEB4E5F0} New Utah Valley Hospital: &quot;It&#39;s for Us&quot;<p>Fraser&rsquo;s gift was inspired by a terrifying personal experience. In the spring of 2015, while driving to work in rush hour traffic, Fraser experienced a massive heart attack. Managing to pull out of traffic, he jumped out of his truck clutching his chest as a single car pulled up to help &ndash; miraculously, it was his son-in-law. Fraser was rushed to the waiting doctors and nurses at <a href="" target="_blank">Utah Valley Hospital</a>.</p> <p>Within minutes of arrival, Fraser was whisked into the hospital&rsquo;s Cardiac Cath Lab. Cardiologist <a href="" target="_blank">Dr. Charles Dahl</a> inserted a stent and cleared Fraser&rsquo;s blocked artery, saving his life. Today, after spending several days in the hospital and weeks in Cardiac Rehab, Fraser is back on the job, enjoying his family, and tearing down the ski slopes at max speeds of 67 MPH. </p> <p>In gratitude for his recovery, Fraser and his wife, Jennifer, directed a generous gift to help fund the new Cardiac Rehabilitation Center and to assure the project included spacious patient rooms to accommodate numerous visitors and large families. </p> <p>&ldquo;Our gift was not only a thank you for saving my life, but also a thank you to Utah Valley for having the foresight and courage to build the new facility,&rdquo; Fraser said. &ldquo;The new Utah Valley Hospital is for all of us. Sooner or later, each of us will experience the hospital as a patient or a visitor. So this is a gift to the community, to say this is for us.&rdquo;</p> <p><a href="" target="_blank">See more of Fraser&rsquo;s story</a>.</p>Thu, 23 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0700{C1083D94-6568-4B8D-BCA6-D9559E7B9161} Precision Medicine<p>Precision Medicine is a major talking point at HIMSS17. You can&rsquo;t go more than a few feet without seeing it on a placard, hearing it mentioned, or being drawn into a conversation about how it will revolutionize care. Dr. Brian Druker, MD, the touted &ldquo;Father of Precision Medicine&rdquo; (and inventor of the targeted therapy, Gleevec) presented an interesting phenomenon that is surfacing as precision medicine broadens its reach into healthcare in his presentation, &ldquo;A Lewis &amp; Clark Exploration of Precision Medicine.&rdquo;</p> <p>It&rsquo;s a fitting metaphor&mdash;Lewis and Clark. Two explorers entering strange new lands, not entirely clear what they will find, or how what they find might be utilized. That&rsquo;s entirely true of precision medicine.</p> <p>What starts as an entirely personal care practice&mdash;a patient &ldquo;fails&rdquo; chemo, his or her DNA is sequenced, and abnormalities point doctors to the best medicine to target their particular cancer tumor&mdash;precision medicine can have larger, population effects. According to Dr. Druker, these patients often feel left on a precipice; what happens when they no longer respond to the medicine? Are they really the only person with this problem? Are they truly the N of 1?</p> <p>According to Dr. Druker, this alienation will continue if we don&rsquo;t have a better way to exchange information between systems. If clinicians had access to a clearing house of genomic testing, and the outcomes patients have received from targeted therapies, then the effects of one precision medicine success could be applied to many others without additional costs.</p> <p>At Intermountain, our approach to precision medicine is a bench-to-bedside approach. That means that after sequencing, patients are followed through their therapies by clinicians and researchers. From sequencing samples in our BioRepository to categoric outcomes tracking, we&rsquo;re working toward the future that Dr. Druker envisions for helping other patients in the future.</p>Wed, 22 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0700{15C043B7-300F-4401-AB58-CA2920E31FE6} Interoperability Is a Team Sport<p>Interoperability &ndash; or the ability of computer systems or software to exchange and make use of information &ndash; is always a hot topic in the healthcare industry. When done right, interoperability makes healthcare more connected, and it achieves the universal objective to make better patient care easier to provide. The challenge is it requires cooperation and coordination between health systems, technology companies, caregivers, and patients. In this way tech and operational interoperability in healthcare can be viewed as a team sport &ndash; only when we understand our roles and work together can we &ldquo;win.&rdquo;</p> <h2>We each have our role</h2> <p>In a team sport, each player is tasked with a specific role to fulfill such as playing defense, offense, center, etc. The players work to develop their individual skills in that role in order to provide the most value to their team. This specialized system works the same in healthcare. Healthcare technology companies specialize in developing life-saving solutions for health systems. Providers perfect their knowledge and skills through intensive education programs and continuous training. Healthcare administrations work to further refine processes and build efficiencies. </p> <p>Patients are not passive fans watching from the sidelines either. They are active participants in their care, serving as subject matter experts for their own health. Their engagement spans more than just a one-time event. A dedicated sports fan comes early to tailgate, is focused during the game, and analyzes the plays long after he or she goes home. Likewise, patients can and should choose to engage before, during, and after their point-of-care. </p> <h3>We work together to make progress</h3> <p>Once skills are refined, athletes support their team members by working together; team work is what drives the team to a win. In healthcare, team work should be given the same priority level. Organizations (and the tech they develop or support) strive for interoperability, but at times competition overpowers the effort to work together. This challenge is one of the biggest deterrents for tech and operational interoperability in healthcare. </p> <p>The &ldquo;win&rdquo; we are all striving for in healthcare is improved patient care and outcomes. This common goal is a uniting force; when it&rsquo;s reinforced it can work to overcome the barriers blocking interoperability. We can take steps to break down barriers and promote team work in healthcare by: </p> <ul> <li>Reinforcing our common &ldquo;win&rdquo; &ndash; improved patient care</li> <li>Aligning priorities between healthcare tech developers and health systems</li> <li>Incorporating patients and caregivers in the design process</li> <li>Being willing to contribute the financial investment needed for better patient care</li> <li>Promoting transparency and building trust between all healthcare stakeholders</li> </ul> <p>Together, we depend on each other&rsquo;s expertise in order to achieve true tech and operational interoperability. In our uniqueness and through collaboration we provide the most value.&nbsp;</p>Wed, 22 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0700{D7404BB2-EBC0-4798-A157-5EAE49BE6151} Ways to Protect Your Skin During Cold Weather<p>Cold weather is tough on skin. Cold temperatures and low humidity levels result in dry air that draws moisture away from the skin. Harsh winter winds and dry indoor heat can make the problem worse and lead to cracked and even bleeding skin. Skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis may also flare up during these cold, dry months.</p> <p>While additional moisture helps, you can do more to treat your skin. Here are some tips to help reduce chapping and redness and keep your skin healthy and comfortable until spring arrives:</p> <ol> <li><strong>Avoid long, hot showers.</strong> While a hot bath or shower can feel great in the winter, it can strip your skin of important oils. When possible, use warm or lukewarm water instead, including when you wash your face or hands.</li> <li><strong>Choose the best winter moisturizer for your skin.</strong> The same old moisturizer you use the rest of the year may not cut it during cold and dry months. That said, thicker doesn&rsquo;t mean better when it comes to moisturizers. If you&rsquo;re prone to breakouts, you want to stay away from petroleum or oil-based formulas. Look for one that contains lipids instead. Alternatively, if your skin is severely dry, you might try adding an emollient moisturizer that seals in moisture, followed by another moisturizer on top.</li> <li><strong>Don&rsquo;t forget the sunscreen.</strong> Sunscreen isn&rsquo;t just for hot summer months. Winter sun, combined with glare from the snow, can seriously damage your skin. Apply sunscreen to your face and hands (if they're exposed) about 30 minutes before you go outside. Reapply frequently if you stay outside a long time.</li> <li><strong>Say no to tanning.</strong> Many people think a tanning bed can provide the vitamin D they&rsquo;re lacking during dark, short, cold days, but in fact, the damage a tanning bed can do to your skin far outweighs any temporary boost. Both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation cause cell damage that can lead to skin cancer. </li> <li><strong>Know your skin</strong>. Whether you&rsquo;re a sun worshipper or vigilant about sun safety, it&rsquo;s important to examine your skin regularly and take note of any new moles or growths, and any changes in existing growths. Lesions that change, itch, bleed, or don't heal are also alarm signals. Even if you&rsquo;ve carefully practiced sun safety all summer, it's important to continue being vigilant about your skin in fall, winter, and spring. Self-exams can help you identify potential skin cancers early.</li> <li><strong>Know when to call on an expert.</strong> Seeing a dermatologist even once is a good investment. They can analyze your skin type, troubleshoot your current skin care regimen, and give you advice on the skin care products&nbsp;you should be using. They can also provide medication to address specific skin concerns when over-the-counter products aren&rsquo;t working. And if you notice an concerning changes in your skin, it&rsquo;s very important to see a dermatologist right away.</li> </ol> <div style="float:left; margin-bottom:15px; background:#d5e3ee; width:100%; font-weight:bold; border-top:3px solid #31599e; border-bottom:2px solid #9bb9e3; display:block; padding-left:10px;"><p> RELATED: <a href="">Winter Warning: Dry Skin Ahead</a></p> </div>Wed, 22 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0700{E14DB08C-D6AC-4FC0-BA1D-C7684B51A7F3} and Drug Interactions: What You Should Know<p>Food-drug interactions come with serious effects including: </p> <ul> <li>Prevent medication from working correctly</li> <li>Cause certain side effects to worsen</li> <li>Cause a new side effects </li> </ul> <p>Additionally, some medications can change how your body uses certain foods, which can be harmful. To ensure you stay safe, when you take any kind of medication (prescribed or over-the-counter) carefully follow the information on the label and the dosage instructions from your doctor or pharmacist.</p> <h2>A Guide to How Common Medications Interact with Food</h2> <p>Below is a general guide of common medications that can cause side effects if their dosage is not properly followed and/or carry side effects with certain foods. Please note, the information within the &nbsp;guide should never take the place of the advice from your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional. Before starting a new medication, be sure to ask a healthcare professional if there are any problems you could have when you use your medication with other drugs, vitamins, herbal supplements/dietary supplements, food, caffeine, or alcohol.</p> <h3>Anticoagulants (example: Warfarin)</h3> <p>While you can take Warfarin on a full or empty stomach, Vitamin K in food can make medicine less effective (broccoli, cabbage, spinach, kale, and Brussel sprouts). Cranberry juice and cranberry products can change the effects of Warfarin. Avoiding garlic, ginger, glucosamine, ginseng, and gingko is important as they can increase the chance of bleeding.</p> <h3>Lipid-Altering Statins (example: Lipitor)</h3> <p>Statins are one of the most commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals. Large amounts of grapefruit juice can raise the levels of these drugs and greatly increase the chance of side effects. While some forms of statins don&rsquo;t interact with grapefruit juice, all statins are affected by alcohol and can increase the chance of liver damage. So it is wise to speak to a healthcare professional about alcohol use while on statins.</p> <h3>Narcotics (example: hydrocodone)</h3> <p>Commonly prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain, narcotics can be highly addictive and can cause extreme side effects. These side effects are increased when alcohol is consumed. When using narcotics, it is wise to speak to a pharmacist or provider about storing them safely so others do not have access to them.</p> <div style="float:left; margin-bottom:15px; background:#d5e3ee; width:100%; font-weight:bold; border-top:3px solid #31599e; border-bottom:2px solid #9bb9e3; display:block; padding-left:10px;"><p> RELATED: <a href="">The Signs and Causes of Prescription Drug Abuse</a></p> </div> <h3>ACE Inhibitors (example: Lisinopril)</h3> <p>ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure and can treat heart failure. These drugs can increase potassium in your body, so avoid eating large amounts of food high in potassium such as bananas, oranges, and green leafy vegetables.</p> <h3>Quinolone Antibiotics (example: Ciprofloxacin)</h3> <p>Used to treat infections caused by bacteria, all of the medication must be finished to kill the cause of the infection. Don&rsquo;t take quinolone antibiotics with dairy products or calcium-fortified juices alone, but you can take ciprofloxacin with meals that contain dairy products. Tell your doctor if you consume &nbsp;foods or drinks with caffeine, because these drugs can cause caffeine to build up in the body.</p> <p>When receiving a prescription for a new medication or if you take a new over-the-counter drug, please speak with your pharmacist or medical provider about what foods or other medications you should avoid or be concerned about while taking the medication.</p>Tue, 21 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0700