By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA A Go-To Health Care System for Innovation and Digital Technology “It’s something our members wanted, they have it and they love it,” said Kaiser Permanente’s Incoming Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 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…
Read More...Mobile Health-The Kaiser Way-An Interview with Bernard Tyson
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...Technology: Robot Power Suit – Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) to Help Nurses and Patients
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA “A robot suit that can help the elderly or disabled get around was given its global safety certificate in Japan on Wednesday, paving the way for its worldwide roll-out,” according to Discovery News. The Hybrid Assistive Limb®, or HAL, is a power-assisted pair of legs developed by Japanese robot maker, Yoshiyuki Sankai, CEO Cyberdyne Inc. The following text is an excerpt from the YouTube video below. …
Read More...Searching Online for Health Information
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Internet activities go beyond using it to check your email, making online purchases, managing your online banking, playing games or updating your status in the social networking circles. 80% of internet users search online for health information. According to Pew Internet and American Life Project: [Source] 85% of U.S. adults use the internet. 85% of U.S. adults own a cell phone, 53% of whom own Smartphones. 80% of internet…
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