By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA A Candid Interview with Bernard Tyson “It’s something our members wanted, they have it and they love it,” said Kaiser Permanente’s President and CEO Bernard J. Tyson, in a recent telephone interview. The “it” Mr. Tyson is referring to is the digital technology that allows Kaiser Permanente members to email their physicians. To date, there are “14 million e-visits,” he said, and members gain access via a free Smartphone…
Read More...8 Ways to Avoid Ethical Pitfalls in Social Media – Part One
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Do the ethical rules of law apply to medicine? Ethical issues in social media are a concern for attorneys, and health care professionals can learn from attorneys on how to avoid ethical blowups. In a recent article in the New York State Bar Association State Bar News, it states that attorneys face a minefield of potential ethical problems when it comes to using social media to boost business…
Read More...Event: TEDMED 2013 – Future of Health and Medicine
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA I’m truly honored to be invited to attend and participate in TEDMED 2013 at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, April 16-19, 2013. TEDMED, a multi-disciplinary community of innovators and thought leaders will gather together to share ideas about the future in health and medicine. I will be participating in a special event, the Great Challenges Day, which rounds off TEDMED 2013. Great Challenges Day is dedicated to the…
Read More...Speaking Event: Social Media in Health Care – HIMSS Southern California
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA I am delighted to participate in the HIMSS Southern California Annual Health Care Conference. I will be moderating a panel titled: “Social Media in Healthcare: Promoting Patient Empowerment and Engagement, Healthcare Value, and Patient Centered Care.” Panelists include: Joseph Kim, MD, MPH, Christina Thielst, MHA, FACHE, FHIMSS, and Wandia Chiuri. Healthcare is becoming increasingly oriented to consumers. Patients and their families are true partners with the other key stakeholders…
Read More...Delirium? Now what?
By Derek S. Mongold, MD My father is in the hospital and they say that he has delirium. What exactly is delirium? Delirium is a state of severe confusion that is usually brought on by a medical condition. It’s thought to be due to the brain producing too much dopamine and to little acetylcholine. Dopamine and acetylcholine are neurotransmitters (chemicals) that neurons (the main cells of the brain) use to communicate with each other. Nobody…
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