The warning today by the Health and Safety Executive that firms in the North Sea oil and gas industry must improve their safety records is timely.

Although it was not in the North Sea, the disaster on the Deepwater Horizon platform in the Gulf of Mexico in which 11 workers died was a stark reminder of the need for constant vigilance over rig safety. Hazards are ever present offshore and workers on even the safest offshore rigs are susceptible to injuries and high rates of respiratory and cardiovascular disease.

Remote specialist advice via videoconferencing improves the quality of offshore healthcare and reduces avoidable medical evacuations. A 50-mile medevac by helicopter can cost 5,000-10,000, so telemedicine with remote monitoring and diagnostic equipment is becoming the preferred option now that drilling rigs and oil platforms are equipped with Internet and satellite connections.

Modern collaboration technology brings the specialist to the patient without the need to be transported onshore. With the help of video consultation and integration with medical diagnosis equipment, medical specialists can conduct remote consultations using state-of-the-art video communications. This allows them to make an accurate diagnosis with the aid of the nurse or emergency medical technician based offshore.

On-the-spot diagnosis, not a replacement for healthcare professionals

Transmission of crystal-clear images and perfect sound gives the doctor the sense of being in the same room as the patient – but only just. Technology cannot transmit sensory perceptions and cannot therefore replace healthcare professionals who physically attends to the patient; however, what it can do is extend the physicians judgement to the remote location and bring doctors and other medical specialists ‘into the room’ when required.

Remote monitoring aid aboard offshore oil rigs

The relentless pursuit for high safety standards is paramount; the challenge to improve safety will be even greater as HSE decision makers are looking to create a healthier and more productive workforce. Timely access to quality patient healthcare is becoming more logistically challenging and expensive, but visual collaboration and the integration with remote medical diagnosis equipment makes sense…. it’s as simple as that!

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed HR3962: the Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009. The legislation is thousands of pages long, making it difficult for regular taxpayers to understand how the bill will affect them.

Tax Penalties

The new legislation is very expensive, and Congress has come up with a number of ways to pay for it. First of all, there will be a shared responsibility provision that basically forces taxpayers who cannot establish acceptable health care coverage to pay an additional 2.5% tax. There will be a hardship exception though, for taxpayers who cannot afford to pay the tax.

Payroll Penalty

In addition to a penalty on taxpayers who cannot afford coverage, the government will also assess an 8% payroll tax on businesses that do not offer health insurance to their employees. However, it is widely expected that the penalty will be reduced to 5% when the Senate revises the bill.

Millionaire Surtax

One of the largest sources of funding for the reform bill is a new surtax on individuals making more than $500,000 per year, of couples making over $1 million. In the House’s bill, beginning in 2010 all taxpayers making a qualifying amount will be subject to a massive 5.4% tax increase.

Inflation Increases

In addition to adding heft tax increases, the bill also partially repeals tax indexing for inflation. This will result in more money for the Federal government as the years go by. According to the Joint Tax Committee the surcharge is only expected to generate $30.9 billion in 2011, but nearly $70 billion in 2019.

Passage into Law?

The present version of this bill is not likely to get passed into law. Despite President Obama’s optimistic stance, some Senators are already pronouncing the bill dead on arrival. Although there has been a lot of discussion about this health care reform bill, it could be months before even a highly amended version of it becomes law. The Senate is not going to vote on the bill until at least 2010, and since they are expected to make numerous modifications it will likely need to return to the House for another vote. It could be six months from now before a health care bill goes to President Obama’s desk for a signature.

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Most of us are not home for lunch on most work days, and it becomes a challenge to find healthy lunch recipes which are easy to prepare, nutritious to eat, and yet do not spoil while away from home until lunch time.

If you have a refrigerator at work, where you can store food, make full use of this facility. This will allow you more options as to what to prepare, as it will remain fresher for longer.

Toss a few lettuce leaves, salad tomatoes and pieces of cucumbers in a bowl. Keep a few chicken strips in a separate bowl. At lunch time, add the chicken strips, a low fat salad dressing, and serve with fresh pita bread.

A tuna salad can be versatile and refreshing, yet healthy and filling too. Tuna salad can be made ahead of time, using fresh lettuce, chopped tomato, sliced onion and tuna. Mix in a little vinaigrette, low-fat salad dressing or mayonnaise. Store in the refrigerator, and serve with a fresh roll, rye bread or crackers.

Another simple lunch to make in the office kitchen is cream cheese and crackers. Sliced sweet pepper pickles, sliced cucumber pickles or any other pickles you enjoy can be prepared ahead. Place a spoon of fresh cream cheese on a cracker. Top with pickles and enjoy.

Fruit salad makes a delicious light but healthy lunch. Fruit salad can be made ahead of time easily, and stored in the fridge. Dice your chosen fruits. Sprinkle with a little lemon juice, and cover tightly with cling film, making sure no air can get to the fruit. Seal tightly. Serve your fruit salad with yoghurt.

If the office kitchen has a microwave available, you might want to try a couple of these ideas.

Fry an onion until golden. Add a little ground beef and salt and pepper too taste. Once at the office, heat the beef in the microwave. Place a little lettuce, sliced tomato and the warm beef on a buttered roll.

Make your favourite soup ahead of time. Freeze the soup in portions. Take a portion out of the freezer the night before work, and keep in the fridge. Microwave the soup at lunch time for a quick and healthy meal.

When making pies and casseroles, smaller portions can be set aside for a meal at the office, easily heated quickly.

Whatever you prefer eating for a healthy lunch, remember to always keep the staples handy: tuna, boiled eggs, crackers, cream cheese and fresh fruit. If you stick to making healthy lunch recipes, even while at the office, you will find your need to nibble in-between meals will drop sharply.

Helping someone deal with the anxiety and stress that accompany a prognosis of cancer of the prostate can be difficult. This is exactly why you will find some kinds of alternative cancer of the prostate treatment made to assist the patient learn how to do activities that will help him cope.

You will find a number of treatments that will help using the coping mechanism including techniques of relaxation including muscle relaxation, movement treatments including art, music and dance, exercise, meditation and spirituality.

These processes for cancer of the prostate alternative healthcare will vary than remedies in the physician. The choice treatment treatments work with many and also have been highly suggested for use before therapy/treatment begins in the physician. Unwanted effects from the doctor’s treatment may also be assisted by these alternative approaches

To know this cancer and also the diagnosis, you have to realize that the prostate is located only in males and is one of the size a walnut. It’s situated underneath the bladder and while watching rectum. Within the renal system, urine passes towards the bladder with the urethra, which goes through the center of the prostate. When area of the prostate grows, it may infringe around the passage of urine.

When the condition isn’t cancerous, or benign, it’s known as BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Another major condition is prostatitis, that is an optimistic diagnosis with this cancer. Based on the American Cancer Society, it’s the second leading killer of males, only behind cancer of the lung.

When identifying whether a guy has cancer, the physician will look into the patient carrying out an electronic rectal exam. Having a gloved finger, the physician inspections within the rectum to sense of some form of hard nodule. The outcomes of the prostate exam can be very devastating.

Cancer of the prostate alternative healthcare may also include careful waiting. When the cancer of the prostate diagnosis is created early, along with a biopsy is performed instead of a surgical procedure or exterior radiation, the individual will be monitored for progress. Another alternative cancer of the prostate treatment could be based on a cancer support group or PAACT. PAACT brings people together that have a similar condition and train this cancer sufferers to possess hope when confronted with darkness.

Additional factors of cancer of the prostate alternative healthcare may also include changes to diet, dietary supplements taken orally, hormonal balancing, intravenous mineral and vitamin drainage, programs created for working out, contact with sunlight, outdoors, detoxing, stress management training along with other immune improving activities.

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Risk management in the healthcare industry is essential to ensure the safety of the patients and reduce liability for the institution. Research shows that even now, administrative mistakes and medical negligence still causes many grievances and disputes leading to legal battles.
Devising a good risk management programme and implementing a more strategic approach can save the company a lot of money. When a company is unable to put into practice methods to manage risk, valuable resources may be lost. To achieve and benefit from risk managements procedures, healthcare institutions must fully inform and support their leading managers to be completely aware and proactive in integrating risk thinking into all aspects of their work whether it is in operations, development or performance management.
There are minimum standards for healthcare institutions that have been agreed upon by government bodies to ensure the safety of the patient. However, there are still many cases of malpractice and medical negligence. A strategic and comprehensive risk management programme will aid in greatly reducing these unfortunate occurrences and protect all who work within the institution. It will also improve the standard of the care that is received by the patient and enhance the organisation as a whole helping towards creating a self sufficient business.
For those who already work in healthcare or are interested in a career in this field, there are many sources for you to gain a better understanding of benefits of risk management. There are courses offered by universities that cover extensively topics including standards of healthcare, governance of the Health Care Organisation, general risk management, federal and state laws and ways to integrate patient care with enterprise risk management. All these various aspects need to be taken into account to create a comprehensive healthcare risk management programme.
Various online courses may also be taken advantage of to develop your skills if you already in the healthcare sector. Most of the time, these courses are affiliated with a university and offer recognised certification in risk management. Students who are interested in a career within the healthcare industry can also use this to explore their opportunities in this lucrative segment of the healthcare industry.

We are in the middle of 2010 gearing up for fireworks; waiting for the new health care reform law to take effect. Eleven state attorneys general said they wanted to challenge the law as being unconstitutional and the Democrats are still talking about passing amendments. Moreover, there are many questions that remain unanswered; the biggest of which is, Will it make health care more effective? The obvious answer is no. This entire scenario is one big shell game. There are thousands of pages of new law and most of the law makers are clueless.

The reality check is that the Congress has passed this bill with a three year delay in implementation, so it was designed to change nothing for the immediate future with the hope that after three years, with no one paying attention anymore, the administration can sneak a few changes in to implement its socialist agenda. Meanwhile, we as a society still have the same health issues in a system that continues to thrive on treatment rather than prevention. One prime example is depression and anxiety. People naturally become depressed in the kind of severe economic downturn that we are experiencing with increased anxiety about a future that looks bleak. Medical insurance, health insurance or some type of managed care health plan seems irrelevant when facing unemployment. In a depressed economy, with massive anxiety and depression plaguing the population there is a serious public health problem. This kind of insidious upheaval leads to other chronic diseases like, diabete3s, high blood pressure, heart attack and the like.

The generally accepted treatment however, is for the pharmaceutical companies to make billions of dollars selling anti-depressants and tranquilizers. Moreover, aside from monetizing human responses to stressful stimuli, there is a political benefit to having massive numbers of citizens living in chemically induced altered realities. People on Prozac are less likely to protest against nefarious political agendas. Therefore, what motivation does the government have to reform health care to the extent that people will have better access to professional counseling for coping with and resolving their struggles?

In conclusion, as we throw a few slabs of meat on the barbecue grill and sip some beer on this 4th of July we need to realize that there are a few avenues toward seizing power and control that the founding fathers could not anticipate. The constitution is a wonderful document and has saved our republic from despotism enumerable times in our 214 year history. However, it is subject to interpretation and we know from experience that Supreme Court justices take opposite views of what is or is not constitutional depending upon whether they are liberal or conservative. Therefore, we need to be diligent in letting our political leaders know that we are not as stupid as they think. We need to consistently remind them that they work for us. That is why freedom of speech is still the most important constitutional amendment.

When people age, their needs for nutrition change. It is important for elderly to eat healthy foods that are full of nutrients. Some medications, as well as illness, can affect the appetite of older people. To maintain health and independence longer, elderly people should make sure that when they do eat, that the food is good for them and will help maintain health. Healthy food choices can be made at home, in restaurants, and at the grocery store.

The types of foods that should be included in an elderly persons diet should include foods that promote the following:

Circulation (soy products, fruits, seeds)
Strong bones (cheese, milk, salmon, legumes, beet greens)
Resistance to illness (apples, citrus, broccoli)
Mental alertness (high protein foods, complete carbohydrates, omega-3 fats)

Foods that are high in antioxidants are also recommended for elderly people.

Healthy food choices for elderly in restaurants may include eating low fat meats, salads, vegetables, and grilled foods. For the elderly that has trouble maintaining weight, fresh whole grain breads can be chosen at restaurants. Going to restaurants that serve fresh, healthy, and homemade dishes will

Italian food is made with tomatoes, which are high in antioxidants. Cooked tomatoes, like what is found Italian tomato sauce for pasta contains the antioxidant, Lycopene, which gives tomatoes their deep red color. Tomatoes are also high in vitamin C.

Cheese is high in calcium, which helps build strong bones. Lasagna and other Italian dishes with cheese are good choices for elderly because they are at risk for fractures and broken bones.

Many studies have proved that for some, a glass of wine with a meal is very healthy, especially red wines.

When mental alertness in the elderly seems to be diminishing, before concluding that they need additional care or are suffering from Alzheimers, check the persons diet. The diet may cause low blood sugar. Drops in blood sugar can cause mental confusion. Changes in hormones for women can also cause mental confusion. When healthy food choices are being made and there still seems to be diminished mental alertness, ask the pharmacist about the medications being prescribed and if they may be the cause. If yes, make an appointment with the doctor to discuss alternatives and any new medications that might be available.

Going to a relaxing restaurant that offers healthy food choices, like Mama Jennies in Miami, Florida, can keep healthy eating from becoming boring.

Food is very essential and loved part of our life. Until now, food has undergone drastic variance as technology as well as science has great advancement. Various novel aspects of food have immerged out. There is great change in vision of people, towards eating food for living. People are becoming more conscious about their healthy food and eating habits.

Healthy eating is not concerned about staying unrealistically slim, prohibiting intake of food you love or following severe nutrition philosophies. Perhaps, it is all about eating good food, feeling more energetic and enthusiastic, and keeping fit. It is a way, which will show you path of a prosperous healthy life. Anyone can find this path by having a proper knowledge about balanced diet and good health. Not only understanding but also incorporating these nutrition basics in our day-to-day life is very important.

You need to select right kind of healthy food, which will render you wealth of health. However, avoiding the food that can further lead to illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer is also crucial. One has to expand the range of healthy food options for including a great diversity of delicious and tempting foods.

There are six main nutrition groups. They are proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, water and vitamins. Every one has a distinct role in rendering a good health to our body. Nutritious meals contain right proportion of all above-mentioned categories. If taken in proper way, it will surely provide you a good health. Each food category of food pyramid has its individual influence on an overall diet. For avoiding ulcers, stomach disorders and indigestion, one should prefer a balanced meal. Balanced meal should include right proportion of all food groups. This will show the way of a good health with all food digested. It is nutritious, which can be used by the body with no any wastage.

One has to restrict intake of spicy, salty, starchy and fatty food items. Moreover, excess of sugar and salt can be harmful. Every food item you eat has influence on overall nutrition and your health. Everything in too much or too little quantity can disturb the overall balance of your body.

A good and balanced diet insist on limited intake of sugar and salt, saturated fats, meats and cholesterol while eating enough vegetables, wholegrain, low fat dairy products, fruits, fresh meats, poultry items, fish, nuts etc. Intake of lots of vegetables and fruits provides a great source of fibers, vitamins and minerals. This will help you to retain a disease free, healthy body. Quality food will bring a great revolution in your health and life. It is advisable to have a check on calorie count of your meal. Following a proper diet with nutritious meals can keep you fit.

In parts of the U.S., conscience clauses exist within medical care laws that permit medical care workers to decline performing procedures that violate their religious values. Experts are quick to point out that pursuing one’s conscience can very easily run afoul of the Hippocratic Oath to serve all patients in a fair manner. Based upon the Obama administration’s recent changes to the conscience terms, it appears that idea is shared. Obama’s changes to the conscience terms supersede provisions written in during the final days of the Pres. George W. Bush administration. People take out quick short term loans for health care, and do not expect their doctor’s religious beliefs to get in the way of their health care.
Started by George W. Bush was the conscience terms
During President Bush’s final days in office, a conscience clause was inserted into laws pertaining to health care workers. Concerns over providing emergency contraception, treating homosexual patients and prescribing birth control to single women were cited as reasons for the conscience terms by the Bush administration.
The rules are “unclear and potentially over-broad in scope.” This is what the Obama administration thinks of it all. The new exception in the conscience laws only states for conscience/religious grounds instead of all of the stated above. This will go into impact in 30 days. The process through which health care workers can file complaints was also retained.
The rules of federal funds dispersed
If organizations wouldn’t accommodate medical care workers that have religious and conscience problems with procedures, then the federal funds to state and local governments, hospitals, health plans and clinics would be cut off with the Bush regulation.
You will find clearer definitions of the conscience law with Obama though. Procedurally, matters of women’s health have received greater attention. Under the new rules, roadblocks to obtaining abortion, contraceptive and fertility treatments can be lessened substantially.
A statement by the United States Department of Health and Human Services speaks to the balance the Obama compromise has struck:
“The administration strongly supports provider conscience laws that protect and support the rights of health care providers, and also recognizes and supports the rights of patients. … The rule being issued today builds on these laws by providing a clear enforcement process.”
Citations
OFR
ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2011-03993_PI.pdf
Washington Post
washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/18/AR2011021803251.html?wpisrc=nl_natlalert
Wikimedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscience_clause_%28medical%29
Lou Dobbs’ story on the conscience clause
youtube.com/watch?v=Ge4k6IjERkQ

Let me explain what healthy skin in simple words. Healthy skin is smooth, soft, evenly tonedin short, beautiful! How is this logical? Let us use an analogy. Youll know when youre sick when you dont feel well, you look pale and your skin feels clammy, right? Well, just like any other form of illness, it manifests itself in irregularities in your feeling and physical appearancejust like someone with Hepatatis has a yellowish complexion. And so, unhealthy skin can be defined by its rough texture, abnormal coloration (I say abnormal because each persons tone of complexion varies), dryness and oiliness, and skin that is inappropriate for your age. For instance, youre just in your twenties and yet you have wrinkles like youre in your fourties.

So, in contrast to what an unhealthy skin is, a healthy skin is smooth, soft, evenly toned and appropriate for natural aging. It makes sense, right? And whats most important is that these external factors symbolize that your skin is functioning properly in that it protects your body from the sometimes unkind effects of the environment, prevents harmful germs and bacteria from penetrating your body, and preserves the skins natural waterproof property.

So, knowing that a beautiful skin equals a healthy skin, let me give you just one very important word of advice that is essential in keeping your skin healthy and beautiful. Regulate your skins exposure to the sun. as you all know, sunlight contains harmful, and sometimes even fatal, UV rays that causes premature skin aging and skin cancer. It is your skins number one enemy. It not only makes you sweat, which bleeds your skin of the water it needs to function normally, but too much exposure also causes the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, and skin cancer.

So, if you want to maintain your healthy skin, use precautions when you know youre going to be exposed to the suns hot rays for a long period of time. Make it a habit to apply sunscreen before going out. And since the US is home to Caucasians who love to tan, I recommend that you use sunless tanning lotions and indoor tanningthe spray-on ones and not the ones that use tanning beds and lamps as the World Health Organization (WHO) has already labeled these tanning equipment as carcinogenic.