Surgery Gives Way to Scalpel-Free Procedures
By Dr Sean Lanigan

In an attempt to stay young and beautiful, people will often go to extraordinary lengths to preserve their looks. Whilst the popularity of cosmetic surgery is on the rise, there are ’scalpel-free’ alternatives to going under the surgeon’s knife and offer a relatively painless answer to facial hair removal, smoothing out wrinkles and other forms of skin treatment.

The new kids on the ‘no-cedure’ block The development of ‘no-cedures’ (cosmetic treatments that do not require surgical procedures) has made skin treatments available for the masses. Cheaper than cosmetic surgery, these methods are quick, relatively painless and much cheaper than going under the knife.

Skin resurfacing The first of these treatments is skin resurfacing. This uses a laser to target the surface of the skin, treats sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles and enlarged pores – all common signs of skin aging. The laser uses micro beams and only targets a small area of the skin during a session. A local anaesthetic is administered before treatment. The laser is then directed onto the skin, which causes a rapid tightening and stimulating collagen production. It is suitable for most skin types and is used as a skin treatment for acne. However, it is strongly advised to check that your skin type is suitable for laser treatment beforehand, as laser treatment may damage the pigmentation in darker skins.

Botox Botox is probably the best known of all ‘non-cedures’ and its popularity amongst celebrities has brought with it a mass appeal to the public. A series of carefully placed injections are placed under local anaesthetic into the forehead to give the sensation of a ‘brow lift’. It is also used to tighten pores by being injected into the fine muscles that control the skin pores, resulting in a smoother and tighter appearance to the skin. Botox can help slow the aging process, but only last from three to five months and cannot rejuvenate or lift sagging skin.

Radiage Radiage uses microwaves to penetrate the tissue below the surface of the skin. The absorption of radiowaves causes tissue to heat up, stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin around the eyes, smoothing out fine lines and ‘crow’s feet’. Suitable for most skin types, this is one of the more effective anti-aging techniques and is completely non-invasive. The radiowaves encourage the skin’s fibroblasts to produce more collagen, which will tighten and tone the skin.

Lipsonix The newest of the ‘non-cedures’, Lipsonix uses ultrasound technology on the stomach area, using high-intensity and high frequency energy to target and destroy unwanted fat. The body then metabolises this fat over the following months. The most expensive of the new treatments, there have been studies that have shown that clients experience an average loss of approximately 2cm in waist circumference after one treatment. Lipsonix is hot news in Hollywood, where practitioners often see a rush of clients before a big awards ceremony!

In the hunt for eternal youth, we are now employing the very latest technology to help us fight off the signs of the relentless march of time. But it’s not just for vanity’s sake that we’re turning to lasers and radiowaves – these methods can be very effective in the treatment of skin conditions, laser hair removal and other treatments. If the tech’s there, why not use it?

Dr Sean Lanigan – sk:n was established in 1990 and is the UK’s leading provider of skincare conditions treatment and products including: laser hair removal, tattoo removal & acne treatments.

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Painless Liver Biopsy: Actual liver biopsy procedure from REAL HIV-HCV Treatment, a nine-module, CME-accredited, case-study series following the step-by-step process of hepatitis C treatment in an HIV/HCV coinfected female.

Collateral Ligament Tears and Sprains – Knee Braces That Help

By Daniel P. Sims

1.) Collateral Ligaments

The collateral ligaments stabilize your knee when you are making a side to side movement. When they have suffered a tear, it is usually because you have been struck from the side. For instance, football players, who get tackled from the side, are at a high risk of suffering from collateral ligament damage. The pain usually originates from the side of your knee, and will be tender to the touch. Swelling, pain and a weakness in the knee joint are common symptoms of collateral ligament damage.

There are three grades of collateral ligament damage. They are:

Grade 1

Grade 1 is a minor stretching of the ligament, and can be classified as a sprain.

Grade 2

The ligament is partially torn

Grade 3

The ligament has been completely torn

2.) Mechanism of Injury

Stepping in a hole, being hit while your foot is firmly planted on the ground or twisting your foot sharply to the side can all lead to collateral ligament damage. There are a number of things you can do to treat collateral ligament damage, and in some cases, you can help treat it yourself (speak with your physician about definitive treatment methods).

The first thing you must do is rest the knee. Do not engage in any activity that aggravates or strains your knee. Elevate it when possible, and apply ice to the area frequently. Ice will hasten the healing process, and bring down the swelling and inflammation that are the root of the problem.

3.) Knee Braces For Support

Bracing is also an effective means of helping to treat collateral ligament damage. A knee brace helps provide stability to the knee, which will help promote healing. It also can provide gentle compression to the area, and this has been know to stimulate nerve fibres, which makes the area feel better. It is similar to when you stub your finger. When you stub your finger, your first reaction is to grab hold of it, which makes you feel better. A knee brace will do this for your knee.

Often times people will refer to these knee braces as a football knee brace, basketball knee brace, or a running knee brace. Yes, you can use a knee brace for these sports, but it is wise to help concentrate on the injury level first and then the sport.

You can prevent collateral ligament damage by warming up before you do anything strenuous. You should also stretch properly. If the pain persists, you should consult a physician to make sure that there is not something else wrong with your knee.

4.) The Knee Brace Store

If you would like to take your knee stability to the next level (affordably) then visit us online today at http://www.drbraceco.com Dr. Brace Co. is an education based site, created by true brace specialists, that can provide helpful information and meaningful support for your knee. If you have questions come to our site and let us know, or call toll free 1-888-564-4888. We will respond.

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Becoming an Obstetrician Gynecologist (OB GYN)
By Avinash Kabra

Like an OB GYN nurse, the first step in creating a career as an Ob Gyn doctor is completing a bachelor’s degree. Most of those who intend to enter or go into the medical school take science related course as their pre medical requirements. Such science related courses may include anatomy, physics, chemistry, biology, humanities or even nursing. By having these courses completed by someone who aspires for ob gyn jobs, he/she may already be eligible to go the medical school but that is of course after being able to pass the qualifying admission examination. The qualifying examination is called as the Medical College Admission Test. The result of this exam together with the General weighted Average is given greater consideration in being accepted in a medical school. Individuals who aspire to enter to a medical school are also advised to have their application as early as their senior year in college due to the competitiveness present in the admission to the said school. The first two years in the medical school mostly comprise of lectures and discussions while the last two years are focus on the hospital or clinical settings including practical skills and demonstration.

After completing and passing the needed grade requirement in the medical school, an aspirant should then pass the licensure examination given by the National Board of Medical Examiners. After which and one has passed the examination, he/she must do internships which usually last a year. But in the case of those who want to specialize in a specific area or field like in the case OB gyn doctor. They must complete a residency in a hospital institution that usually lasts for three years. After having completed the three year residency, the doctor may decide to undergo subspecialty training programs in their field or area of specialization. In the case of OB GYN, subspecialty in oncology, maternal fetal and reproductive endocrinology is some of the choices available.

And the last step of course is being licensed and certified by the state you want to practice what you have finished which is medicine. In the United States of America, a doctor specializing in the Obstetrics and Gynecology field of medicine may be certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). Being certified by this American Board is not actually mandatory but is highly recommended for ob gyn careers advancement and recognition. For those doctors who aspire of being promoted and having higher positions, they may join career advancement programs. Through this advancement, they have greater chances of being promoted as head of the OB Gyn department or its director.

Author: Avinash Kabra
Email: avinash@hi-techwebmaster.co.cc
Mobile: +91-09929981828

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Medical Transcription – Code of Ethics
By Renee Kelly

Healthcare is an essential service along with the other basic necessities like air, water, food, clothing and housing. Therefore the practice of healthcare requires that healthcare professionals and other entities associated with healthcare come under a strict code of ethics.

Medical transcription is a profession closely associated with the healthcare industry in both the commercial and operational aspects by documenting the patient-healthcare professional encounter.

The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) has come up with the guidelines for code of conduct for healthcare documentation professionals. The code of ethics for medical transcription professionals are as follows:

1. Maintain confidentiality of all patient information including but not limited to peer reviews, quality improvement and risk management protocols with special effort to maintain data security in electronic communications.
2. Implement and maintain standards of professional transcription practice. Respect the rights and dignity of all individuals.
3. Continue professional growth enhancing knowledge and skills, including continuing education, networking with colleagues, professional reading and certification.
4. Strive to provide accurate and timely information
5. Exercise integrity in professional practices including work or professional experience, credentials, affiliations, productivity reporting, billing charges and payment practices.
6. Comply with all laws, regulations and standards governing the practice of patient documentation.
7. Foster environments of employment that facilitate integrity, professionalism and protection of patient information.
8. Strive to advance the goals and purposes of the Association and work for the advancement and good of the profession.

These are code of ethics laid by the AHDI for the members of the association as guidelines. But these code of ethics can be used as guidelines by all entities who are in the business of medical transcription.

Based on the code of ethics a medical transcription service provider has to run its operations:

• Maintaining confidentiality of patient information: Confidentiality of patient information should be maintained at all levels. The confidentiality of the data needs to be maintained at all the stages, during transmission, during usage and during storage using appropriate measures
• Implementing and maintaining professional standards of transcription: The service provider should maintain and implement professional standards of transcription by training the transcriptionists rigorously in one or two specialities enabling them to meet standards of accuracy and turnaround time.
• Continuously enhancing the skills of medical transcriptionists through education: The service provider should educate their team of medical transcriptionists by constantly updating their knowledge base on the latest developments in the field of medicine.
• Provide timely information: Timely information should be provided by the service provider whenever required.
• Exercising integrity in billing practices: The method of billing should fulfill all the billing method principles of being verifiable, measurable, definable, consistent and fair & honest.
• Complying with the laws of patient documentation: The service provider needs to be aware of and comply with all the laws that apply to patient documentation
• Foster the right atmosphere for professionalism and ethics: The service provider needs to create an atmosphere which enables an atmosphere of professionalism.

While outsourcing medical transcription care should be taken to source a service provider who can not only provide accurate transcription services, in a timely manner, using the right technology, through secure means and at reasonable prices, but also follows the code of ethics as recommended by AHDI.

TransDyne, a leader in the outsourced medical transcription industry offers customized medical transcription solutions tailored to suit the needs of healthcare facilities. Visit http://www.transdyne.com for more details. Click http://www.transdyne.com/html/contactus.aspx to avail medical transcription services from TransDyne.

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Health Reform Bill – Impact on Medical Device Industry
By Gregory Piche

There were not any easy choices in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (”PPACA”)as amended by the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act (”HCEAR”), except perhaps the opportunity to stick it to the perpetually tanned Rep. John Boehner (R.Ohio), by imposing a 10 percent excise tax on tanning salons using ultraviolet lamps. The Congress did impose a 2.9 percent excise tax on the sales of medical devices which is expected to raise $2OB in revenues to fund the expanded coverage of health care reform. (The original proposal was for $40B.) (See section 9009 of the PPACA and section 1405 of the HCEAR) In addition new rules on proof of safety first and the implementation of “effective research” requirements are expected to further raise the cost of doing business in the Medical Device field.

One of the hallmarks of American health care has been the speed at which innovation in medicine reach the market. Americans are early adaptors of new technology. The hunger for new cures and new technology has been a significant driver of health care costs as well as a spur to faster, better and safer interventional products. The Edwards Laboratory heart valve replacement through catheterization being tested by the FDA is such a transforming device.

The imposition of greater regulatory oversight and the imposition of an excise tax that is expected to reduce manufacturer profits by a sixth could substantially restrict start up medical device company access to capital and substantially consolidate and compress the industry, not to mention limit public access to medical innovation. The tax will go into effect in 2013 and will be imposed on everything from defibrillators to bed pans. Fortunately some medical products have been spared. Condoms, eyeglasses, contact lenses, tampons and hearing aids are spared, but stents, valves, insulin pumps and the like will be impacted. The industry will reap the benefit of greater coverage and therefore greater sales, but it is staring at its own looming excise tax “donut hole” in its profits as American health care undergoes its overhaul. Expect a lot of lobbying to kill off this tax before 2013.

http://dpc.senate.gov/dpcdoc-sen_health_care_bill.cfm

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Medical students are reportedly choosing not to specialize in gynecology due to the high cost of malpractice insurance. Litigation has caused the insurance premiums to rise, which has led to many leaving their ObGyn job. In the meantime, the number of positions is expected to grow faster than average between now and 2014 due to population growth. This had led to fewer health care options in many states for women. As a result, the average salary for practicing gynecologists is expected to raise considerably and the job outlook is expected to be be strong.

The American Medical Association reported in 1995 that about 5.5% of people held jobs as obstetricians and gynecologists that worked in hospitals and clinics in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment opportunities for physicians that specialize in obstetrics or gynecology are expected to grow by about 14% through 2016. OBGYNs will find more job openings in rural or underserved urban areas. OBGYNs earned an average annual salary of $195,580 to $284,000 in 2008, according to Salary.com.

As our population ages and the need for health care grows the current physician shortage in the US is expected to intensify. Several factors are impacting this problem, the shrinking economy, the aging population and finally the impending health care “reform”.

Physician Shortage:

American Academy of Family Physicians suggests there will be a shortage of 40,000 primary care doctors (Family Practice jobs, Internal Medicine jobs, Gynecology job and Obstetric job) by 2020. Added to this shortage is the fact that the number of medical students choosing primary care as a profession has already dropped by 51.8% since 1997, and that currently only 2% of medical school graduates choose primary care as a career.

Aging Population:

The US population is aging. From 2010 and 2035, all age groups 70 and above will increase over 95%. Although for most other specialties this means there will be a greater demand for all health care services, this would be less so the case for that care of pregnancy and birth were it not for the mini baby boom. Further, it is estimated that as many as one-third of today’s older practicing physicians will retire by 2020.

Stock Market Decline:

The recent stock market decline has impacted older physicians’ decisions. Some physicians are postponing retirement because of the economy’s impact on their retirement savings. But even a three- to five-year delay won’t address the impending loss of experienced physicians.

Health Insurance Reform:

The final uncertainty is the outcome of national health reform. If the reform actually works in increasing the enrollment into health care insurance programs then when combined with the long term the aging population and these increased numbers should push demand for services and therefore cost higher. However, no one yet knows what will happen to reimbursement rates from Medicare and this new program. The question is will there be rate a cut of reimbursement rates for different procedures by Medicare and this new program that may ultimately decrease the income of all specialties.

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The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a privacy Act mandating that medical records of individuals are confidential and must be transported via secure channels. Penalties can be imposed if the rules are not followed by individuals in the medical field, or anyone handling patient information. A doctor answering service protects the privacy of patients during the communications process, and they are able to comply with the mandatory HIPAA regulations. Doctor answering services have highly trained and certified agents who use professional scripting to gather the appropriate information and to handle it suitably. It is also a highly technological telecommunications field which has disaster recovery plans to protect patient information; the proper storage and recovery of which is also a requirement of HIPAA.

Doctor answering service agents are trained to use information only for the purposes for which it is intended from patients and doctors. An answering service is a professional and accurate means to meet patient needs, and they avoid long hold times or busy signals for patients. They provide coverage for overflow calls in a doctor’s office, and after hours and emergency call handling. In addition to answering calls, agents have the capability to triage to the correct medical professional, schedule appointments, and obtain referral information.

An answering service staff has ongoing HIPAA training to assure secure voice communications, and safe storage of information. Reasonable precautions are taken for the security of electronic information transfers such as pagers, email, fax and internet. HIPAA assures that a patient’s information is protected, while allowing the flow of information needed for the patient’s care. Answering service agents work with great accuracy and care to meet patient needs, and always comply with HIPAA regulations

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Original Source: The Los Angeles Times

Figueredo, one of the first women to practice surgical oncology, was friends with Mother Theresa and created the Friends of the Poor charity to aid people in Baja California.

At 19, Figueredo, born in Costa Rica, was one of only four women in her class at Long Island Medical College.

By Thomas H. Maugh II

March 8, 2010

Dr. Anita Figueredo, the first female surgeon in San Diego and a well-known philanthropist who was close friends with Mother Teresa for four decades, died Feb. 19 at her home in La Jolla. She was 93 and had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage two weeks earlier.

One of the first women to practice surgical oncology, Figueredo established the Friends of the Poor charity to feed, clothe and provide medical care for people in Baja California. The charity operates on three continents.

Figueredo was born in 1916 in Costa Rica where her father, Roberto Figueredo, was a noted soccer player who abandoned the family. Family lore said she proclaimed a desire to be a doctor at age 5. Since there were no female doctors — and, indeed, no medical school — in Costa Rica, her mother moved with her to New York, settling in a Spanish Harlem tenement where she worked two jobs as a seamstress to support her daughter’s ambitions.

At 15, Anita was offered a full scholarship to study pre-med at Barnard, but she rejected it when the admissions officer made a disparaging remark about her high school, which Figueredo thought had been very generous to her. She instead accepted a scholarship to Manhattanville College, which created a pre-med program exclusively for her.

At 19, she enrolled at Long Island Medical College, one of only four women in a class of 94. Medical authorities were reluctant to educate women as doctors because they feared the money spent on training would be lost when the women married. Many also thought women lacked the drive and ability to win confidence required of a physician. She graduated with honors.

World War II gave her career a boost. By the end of 1942, about 35,000 of the nation’s 160,000 male physicians had been called into the service, and many institutions that would have once flatly rejected women now saw them as an acceptable alternative. She became one of the first two female residents in surgery at Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases, now Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

While in medical school, Figueredo met a lanky fellow student named William Doyle. A devout Catholic, she later said that God spoke to her in the hallway when she first saw Doyle, saying “That’s the one.” They married in 1942 and had a brief honeymoon during a three-day leave the military granted to Doyle and were together for 57 years before he died.

The couple later settled in La Jolla, where she maintained a demanding practice in oncologic surgery at Scripps Memorial Hospital while raising nine children. Her son-in-law, Dr. Brent Eastman of Scripps Health, recalled that she once walked from the operating room to the maternity ward to give birth. She made rounds on her patients the next day.

Only 4 feet 11, Figueredo often had to stand on a stool during surgery. Nonetheless, “technically, Anita was an exceptional surgeon,” Eastman said. “I know because I was once fortunate enough to share a practice with her.”

Eager to return the benefits she had received, Figueredo was a founding member of the board of the San Diego College for Women, now the University of San Diego, and served in that position for four decades.

In the late 1950s, she read an article about Mother Teresa and sent her a letter and donation. To her surprise, the nun wrote back and they began exchanging letters. They met in San Diego in 1960 and later worked on several charitable projects together.

Two of her sons died in accidents and a third from brain cancer. She is survived by three daughters, Sarita Eastman of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., and Anita and Teresa Doyle, both of La Jolla; three sons, William of Santa Rosa, Calif., John of San Diego and Charles of La Jolla; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held March 19 at the Immaculata on the UC San Diego campus.

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