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.

Infection Process and Infection Control
By David A Crawford

Throughout history man has faced the spread of infection, pondering its causes and how to treat it or prevent it. Infections have been known to affect major segments of the population, as did the plague in the Middle Ages. Although important advances have been made in understanding and treating infection, the threat of infection looms as large as it ever has. Newer enemies in the battle of infection emerge such as HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Once-conquered enemies become resistant to treatment, as it the case of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Healthcare personnel typically encounter numerous patients on a daily basis, many of whom may be harboring these or other agents of infection. Measures to prevent the spread of infection must be taken in the course of treating all patients.

Below we explain the infection process and describe infection control measures needed to protect healthcare patients, staff, visitors, and those who do business with healthcare facilities.

What Is Infection?

Our environment is full of microorganisms (microscopic organisms) referred to as microbes. Microbes include bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. The majority of microbes are nonpathogenic, meaning they do not cause disease under normal conditions. Microbes that are capable of causing disease (ie., pathogenic) are called pathogens. If a pathogen invades the body and the conditions are favorable for it to multiply and cause injurious effects or disease, the resulting condition is called an infection. The pathogen responsible for causing the infection is referred to as the infectious or causative agent. Infection can be local (restricted to a small area of the, body) or systemic, in which the entire body is affected.

Communicable Infections

Some pathogenic microbes cause infections that can be spread from person to person. These infections are called communicable infections and the diseases that result are called communicable diseases. A division of the U.S. Public Health Service called the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is charged with the investigation and control of various diseases, especially those that are communicable and have epidemic potential. The CDC recommends safety precautions to protect healthcare workers and others from infection.

Nosocomial Infections

Approximately 5 % of patients in the United States are exposed to and contract some sort of infection after admission to a hospital or other healthcare facility. These hospital or healthcare facility-acquired infections are called nosocomial infections. Nosocomial infections can result from contact with infected personnel, other patients, and visitors, or contaminated equipment. The most common nosocomial infection in the United States is urinary tract infection. The Hospital Infection Control Practice Advisory Committee (HICPAC), established in 1991, advises the CDC on updating guidelines regarding prevention of nosocomial infection.

Source Of Infection

The source is the origin of infectious microorganisms, also called the reservoir. Sources of infectious microbes include infected humans or anima1s and contaminated articles and equipment. In a healthcare setting, human sources of infectious microbes can be patients, personnel, or visitors, and can include those with active disease, those whose disease is in the incubation period, and those who are chronic carriers of a dis- ease. Another potential source of infectious microbes is a person’s own normal flora (microorganisms that normally live on the skin and other areas of the human body).

Inanimate objects such as contaminated equipment can be a major source of infection in a healthcare setting. Whether or not an inanimate source is capable of transmitting infection depends upon the amount of contamination, the viability or ability of the organism to survive on the source, the virulence or degree to which an organism is capable of causing disease, and the amount of time elapsed between when the source was contaminated and when it was contacted.

For example, the virus that causes hepatitis B is much more virulent, or capable of causing disease from a small amount of infective material, than HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. It is also more viable, meaning it is capable of surviving longer on surfaces than is HIV. However, if a long enough time elapses from the time of contamination until contact by a susceptible host, the microbe is no longer alive and is not capable of transmitting disease.

Modes Of Transmission

There are five basic modes or routes of infection transmission: contact, droplet, airborne, vehicle, and vector. The same microbe can be transmitted by more than one route.

Contact transmission

Contact transmission is the most frequent mode of infection transmission. There are two types of contact transmission, direct transmission and indirect transmission.

Direct contact transmission involves direct, physical transfer of a pathogenic microbe to a susceptible host through close or intimate contact such as touching or kissing.

Indirect contact transmission involves personal contact by a susceptible host with contaminated inanimate objects such as patient bed linens, clothing, dressings, and eating utensils. It includes contact with phlebotomy equipment such as gloves, needles, specimen tubes, and phlebotomy carts and trays. It also includes less obvious contaminated objects such as doorknobs and faucet handles. The transfer of infectious microbes from contaminated hands to a susceptible host is also considered indirect contact transmission.

Droplet transmission

Droplet transmission involves the transfer of the infective microbe to the mucous membranes of the nose or mouth or the conjunctiva (mucous membranes) of the eyes of a susceptible individual through sneezing, coughing, or talking by an infected per- son. Droplet transmission can also occur during procedures such as suctioning and throat swab collection. It differs from airborne transmission in that droplets do not travel more than 3 feet, and do not remain suspended in air.

Airborne transmission

Airborne transmission involves dissemination of droplet nuclei. Droplet nuclei are the residue of evaporated droplets generated by sneezing, coughing, or talking. Infectious microbes within droplet nuclei can remain viable even though suspended in the air or in dust particles for long periods. Microbes carried in this manner can become widely dispersed before being inhaled by or deposited on a susceptible host. For this reason, special air handling and ventilation are required for rooms of patients having infections with airborne transmission. Persons entering the room must wear a snug-fitting mask with a special filter. M. tuberculosis, rubeola virus, and varicella virus are the most common microorganisms transmitted by the airborne route.

Vector transmission

Vector transmission involves the transfer of the microbe by an insect, arthropod, or animal. An example of vector transmission is the transmission of malaria by a mosquito or the plague by rodent fleas.

Vehicle transmission

Vehicle transmission involves the transmission of the infective microbe through contaminated food, water, or drugs. Examples of vehicle transmission are salmonella infection from handling contaminated chicken and shigella infection from drinking contaminated water. The transmission of hepatitis and HIV through blood transfusion is also considered vehicle transmission.

Susceptible Host

A susceptible host is someone who has decreased ability to resist infection. Susceptibility is affected by age, health, and the immune status of the individual. For example, newborns whose immune systems are not yet developed and old people whose immune systems are no longer functioning properly are more susceptible to infections. In addition, disease, antibiotic treatment, and immunosuppressive drugs may compromise a person’s resistance to infection. Procedures such as surgery, anesthesia, and insertion of catheters can also leave a patient more susceptible to infection. Recovery from a particular virus or vaccination against a virus also affects susceptibility. A healthy person who has received a vaccination against a disease-causing virus, or who has recovered from infection with a particular virus, has developed antibodies against that virus and is considered to be immune, or unlikely to develop the disease.

Breaking The Chain Of Infection

Breaking the chain of infection means stopping infections at the source, eliminating means of transmission, and reducing or eliminating the susceptibility of potential hosts. Ways to prevent transmission of infectious microbes are proper hand washing; use of gloves, gowns, masks, and other protective equipment when indicated; proper waste disposal; isolation procedures; insect and rodent control; and decontamination of surfaces and instruments. Susceptibility of potential hosts can be reduced through proper nutrition, reduction of stress, and immunization against common pathogens.

About The Author
David Crawford is the CEO and owner of a Male Enhancement Products company known as Male Enhancement Group which is dedicated to researching and comparing male enhancement products in order to determine which male enhancement product is safer and more effective than other products on the market. Copyright 2009 David Crawford of http://www.maleenhancementgroup.com/. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

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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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By Patton Andres

Unhealthy habits and lack of exercise continues to progress in our society. We are more seeing health issues in people who are of an age thought to be “young and healthy”, and this includes circulation issues. Problems with circulation often plague the legs and other lower extremities. It is commonly though that only older individuals suffer from this, however this is not the case. With the increase in obesity in children and teens, circulation problems are on the rise in youth as well. If you or someone you know has this issue, there are tips you can follow to help get it under control and avoid expensive surgery or serious illness.

Here’s the number one tip- exercise. I know that one word can conjure up feelings of doubt and apprehensiveness, but it is really much easier than you think. A simple walk or jog during your favorite time of day can help a lot with circulation and get the blood flowing. Walk with your pet or family member to make it more enjoyable. Or, if you have a workout regimen of your own, that’s great too. Exercising the body parts that have issues will stimulate blood flow to that area, bringing helpful oxygen and nutrients to the area for rejuvenation.

If you are a smoker with circulation issues, it is advised that you either quit or reduce use. Over time, smoking can harden the arteries which can further the negative effects of poor circulation and increase blood pressure.

When laying down for the night, or sitting in a chair, put your legs up on an elevated surface. Your legs lie at a low elevation in your body, which means that blood can have a hard time being pumped out. Elevating the legs helps ease the load and prevents blood from pooling. Pooling of the blood can cause pain, aching and deterioration of tissue, which should be avoided.

Frequently eating foods high in fat or sugar can have noticeable changes in your chemical makeup. The most significant effect is the thickening of the blood. Thickened blood is obviously harder to pump around the body, and can reduce circulation. Take charge of your diet and eat foods high in fiber to thin the blood to healthy, manageable levels.

Another healthy addition to any regimen is taking herbal supplements. With the wide variety of supplements out there, it can be confusing. There are a few key supplements that have proven to be effective in reducing poor circulation. These include pycnogenol and hose chestnut.

A great way to help with circulation with minimal work is to wear compression socks. These socks are specially designed to lightly “massage” the feet and calves to move blood around. They can be worn at any time and are an easy way to do something healthy for your legs.

Patton writes articles about circulation issues that plague adults and youth alike. One of his favorite ways to prevent tissue damage is the use of compression socks. You can find out more information at his compression socks guide which offers helpful tips and information.

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Physical Therapy For Herniated Disc – Invigorate Spine Wellness
By Adam Webster

It is not uncommon to hear anything like a slipped disc or a ruptured disc. In fact, most have the misconception of back pains associated to this illness. A ruptured nucleus pulposus is more common among middle-aged people. It rarely happens in children. Degenerative changes of the spine are one of the contributing factors that cause a herniated disc. It is when the insides of the disc bulges out or stick through its outing covering.

Discs get ruptured after some pressure that is too much to handle, like bending, sitting down or standing up and other spine related injuries. If a strong force is exerted in the spine area or back, a vertebra may break or a disc can rupture. A damaged disc will not be made known by the condition alone, but the irritating effect it has on the nearby nerves will generate the symptoms. The protruding disc can irritate the sciatic nerve and its nerve roots sending through a shooting pain down to the leg area, and then foot. Other symptoms include weakness, numbness and loss control of bladder and bowel.

Because of the painful effects of a herniated disc, comforting methods and techniques were formulated to ease the pain and for an individual to breeze through the ordeal. Medications and treatments come in two forms: surgical and non-surgical. There are also several ways in which the treatments were conducted, either conservative or aggressive. Treatments and pain relievers include prescribed drugs, massage, chiropractic care and physical therapies or inversion therapies. Each of this is applied depending on the person, and his or her condition and the degree of the herniated disc.

Physical therapy for herniated disc is mostly recommended on most patients. A rehabilitation program is prepared to serve persons with the condition. The program helps in calming the pain and the inflammation, therefore, improving strength and mobility. This way, you may return to your normal function and physical activities in no time.

Physical therapy for herniated disc aims to guide in enabling you to resume to your normal activities, and helps in controlling the symptoms. Exercises work on improving coordination and strength of the abdominal and low back muscles. The goal there is to abide you in taking care of your back by practicing safe exercises and knowing how to manage symptoms when they arise. Physical therapy for herniated disc sessions may be done twice or thrice every week for approximately six weeks.

The objectives of physical therapy for herniated disc are: maximize energy and stamina; learn proper posture and bodily movements to put off any back strain; begin again normal activities; and learn how to handle the condition and its symptoms.

Spine injuries or any back-related conditions and problems might be improved by muscle strengthening exercises and therapies. A licensed physical therapist can guide you and teach you the correct techniques to minimize, if not eliminate, your anguish. Your full cooperation is then vital and of great importance. In a physical therapy for herniated disc session, you tell your therapist or doctor anything related to your condition, where you hurt, how long have you been into the pain or thing like, when did the pain start?

A careful consideration of the condition will be made. To undergo physical therapy for herniated disc, expect to be asked about your overall health condition. After some thorough evaluation, the doctor may order some series of tests to ensure your condition and what other exams you need to take. You may be asked for posture check, range of motion (ROM), nerve tests, palpation, ergonomics, manual exam, and nerve tests.

A physical therapy for herniated disc is one good way to deal with spine problems, in the present or even in the future. You will be carefully guided how to handle yourself should the pain persists, and in the long run, you will be greatly benefited from the good causes and effects that physical therapies offer. Your pain will be alleviated and comfort will be more dominant. Continuous therapy treatments may be advised for more added benefits.

Adam Webster is the author of numerous health related articles and books. His latest back related Inversion therapies articles can be found here: http://www.squidoo.com/InversionTables

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Using Technology to Manage High Blood Pressure Health
By Aurther Shoko

A growing number of western households today posses a home blood pressure monitoring kit of some sort. This was hardly the case in the last twenty years even though digital blood pressure technology had been pioneered. Just as technology is taking center stage in different aspects of our lives so has bp health related technology.

By all means this is a very welcome development. Most importantly it has significantly and positively impacted blood pressure health especially mortality related to hypertension. Digital home bp monitors for example can stand in the way of imminent danger such as heart attacks, heart failure and other related organ damage.

Today’s technologically advanced bp monitors can detect irregular heartbeat and morning hypertension. Irregular heartbeat is a sign of imminent or forthcoming cardiovascular problems. This is detected by digital blood pressure monitors by analyzing a person’s pulse rate. This information provided by advanced technology will help doctors diagnose and cardiovascular diseases picked up by the irregular pulse.

It is no small matter that modern day bp equipment can also detected morning hypertension. Morning high bp as it is also known is extremely difficult to detect f one is to rely on the doctor’s office measurements. This is because it occurs pretty much in the early hours of the morning when the doctor is still asleep at home. Home bp monitoring makes it possible for home individual users to gather data via advanced monitors which doctors can download into a computer for analysis.

There are other technological developments related to blood pressure monitoring. Recently, the American Heart Association (AHA) commissioned a successful project which involved about 350 subjects who submitted their home blood pressure readings via the internet. The readings were interpreted by professionals on the other side who then prescribed certain changes to bp medications being taken by participating patients.

The subjects never had to leave their homes. BP readings taken from home were analyzed remotely and experts managed hypertension in these patients via the internet. This role of technology is fighting high bp is promising especially in the developing countries where it’s most needed. In Africa and other parts of the world that are poorer, mobile phones are more prevalent than electricity.

Using technology it will be possible to reach these remote communities to access and promote bp health. BP readings can be submitted to doctors via SMS from remote locations to which doctors can prescribe the correct medications. The future is not only bright for bp health with the continuing development of advanced technologies, it is certainly possible to lower the high mortality rates for bp using technology in developing countries.

You may read more on different home blood pressure equipment by going to Omron blood pressure monitors

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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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Heart Valve Surgery to Repair the Mitral Valve
By Lawrence Reaves

Blood flows to your heart in order to pick up more oxygen from your lungs. It comes into your right atrium before moving into your right ventricle. It then flows to your lungs before returning to the left atrium. From there, it moves into the left ventricle before leaving your heart and flowing into the aorta on its way to your other organs.

This blood flow between the four chambers of your heart and your lungs is made possible by a series of valves. One of them is called the mitral valve (MV). It controls the passage of blood between your left atrium and left ventricle. Below, we’ll describe two disorders that can prevent the MV from working properly. We’ll also explain the most effective mitral valve repair techniques in use today.

Stenosis And Prolapse

Stenosis is defined as a narrowing of the diseased valve. The MV’s two leaflets harden or stiffen, and fail to open wide enough to allow a sufficient amount of blood to flow from the atrium to the ventricle. The root cause of this disorder is usually rheumatic fever experienced by the patient as a child. Infection triggers the body’s immune system, which attacks the leaflets. Due to widespread use of medications, few people in the U.S. suffer from rheumatic fever today. As a result, mitral stenosis is rare when compared to prolapse.

Prolapse is defined as an inability to close effectively. In cases where it affects the mitral valve, one or both of the leaflets flap back into the left atrium when the left ventricle contracts. This causes blood to flow back into the atrium, a condition known as regurgitation. It can lead to infection, arrhythmias, clotting, and other complications.

Mitral Valve Repair Techniques

A stenotic MV is usually repaired through a procedure called balloon valvuloplasty. A balloon is placed on the tip of a catheter and guided to the stenotic valve. It is positioned between the stiffened leaflets and expanded to widen the opening.

Prolapse is treated based on which of the two leaflets is affected: posterior or anterior. The posterior leaflet can be repaired with a procedure called triangular resection. The surgeon will remove abnormal sections by cutting a small triangular area into the leaflet. Once the sections have been removed, the edges of the leaflet are sewn together.

Mitral valve repair performed on the anterior leaflet is more complicated. It requires the surgeon to either transfer supporting chords from another piece of the MV or to create new chords using a synthetic material. In the latter case, there are rarely complications.

What To Expect After Surgery

Mitral valve repair was once performed exclusively through open heart surgery. A long incision was made into the patient’s chest and the breastbone was separated to give the surgeon access to the heart. It was an invasive operation that required a long recovery period.

Today, surgery to repair stenosis and prolapse is performed with minimally invasive methods. These techniques can be done without opening the patient’s chest. This introduces several key benefits.

First, the recovery period following surgery is much shorter than in the past. Second, the likelihood of infection, bleeding, and other complications is much lower. Third, doctors used to replace the MV rather than attempt to repair it. This usually required the patient to take anticoagulant drugs for the remainder of his or her life. With mitral valve repair, anticoagulants are no longer necessary. Lastly, these minimally invasive techniques preserve more of the heart’s natural ability to circulate blood throughout the body.

If you suffer from symptoms stemming from stenosis or prolapse, mitral valve repair surgery may be a viable solution. Ask your physician whether the procedure makes sense given your condition and circumstances.

Finding the right doctor for cardiac surgery or vascular surgery is crucial. Visit a specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment

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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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