Interventions Used for Reducing Readmissions for Surgical Site Infections.

This article examines what hospitals can do to reduce readmissions for surgical site infections (SSI). Realizing that CMS does not pay the hospital for readmissions due to SSI, strategies must be put into place to reduce the number of readmissions. The analysis here will examine what has been done in the hospital, then, ways to assess each patients risk for SSI upon leaving the hospital.

Supply Chains in Healthcare Organizations: Lessons Learned from Recent Shortages.

This paper examines the need for better management of supply chains in healthcare facilities. Recent shortages have highlighted the need for better supply chain systems. The reasons for the shortages are false scarcity, natural disasters, medical lawsuits, production process problems, and group purchasing organizations (GPO).

An Analysis of Accreditation and Its Impact on Receiving Funding in Mental Health Hospital.

This paper examines the accreditation of mental health facilities and sources of funding. The funding sources examined are Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Administration, private insurance, and client fees. Other factors included are the type of ownership of the facility.

Understanding Obesity Perceptions in America: An Exploratory Study of Public Perceptions of the Problem and Possible Actions for Health Product Marketers.

Many healthcare professionals have stated that obesity is a major problem in the United States. The rate of obesity in young people has been rising until just recently, when it was reported to have leveled off. The authors examine the problem in terms of people's perception of how great a problem it is, along with examining their perception of the causes and possible remedies for the problem.

Professionalism and social networking: can patients, physicians, nurses, and supervisors all be "friends?".

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of social networking (Facebook) among nurse anesthetists. We examined whether they would have concerns about their supervisor, patients, or physicians seeing their Facebook profile. We also examined their attitudes related to maintaining professional boundaries with regard to the initiation or receipt of Facebook "friend" requests from their supervisor, patients, or physicians they work with.

Physician offices marketing: assessing patients' views of office visits.

Physician offices often lack the sense of incorporating appropriate strategies to make their facilities as marketer of their services. The patient experience at a physician's office not only incorporates the care they receive from the physician but also the other non-healthcare related aspects, such as the behavior of non-health professionals as well as the appearance of the facility itself. This paper is based on a primary research conducted to assess what patients assess from a physician office visit.

Disparities in disability among non-Hispanic black elders: results from the National Interview Survey 2001-2003.

A drastically increasing elderly population and disparity among disability poses a concern for the U.S. health care industry.

Attitudes and behavior of african-americans regarding the consumption of herbal products--an exploratory study.

Herbal product consumption has gained increasing attention by consumers over the past several years. Many assume that herbal products are natural and hence cannot do any harm. However, there is no doubt that the consumption of herbal products has often been influenced by an individual's cultural and racial backgrounds.

Pharmacy layout: What are consumers' perceptions?

The physical layout of a retail pharmacy can play a significant role in the development of the customers' perceptions which can have a positive (or negative) impact on its sales potential. Compared to most general merchandise stores, pharmacies are more concerned about safety and security issues due to the nature of their products. This paper will discuss these aspects as well as the physical and professional environments of retail pharmacies that influence the perceptions of customers and how these vary whether chain, independent, or hospital pharmacies.

The utilization of activity-based cost accounting in hospitals.

Healthcare costs are being examined on all fronts. Healthcare accounts for 11% of the gross national product and will continue to rise as the "babyboomers" reach retirement age. While ascertaining costs is important, most research shows that costing methods have not been implemented in hospitals.

Consumer's perceptions of and experiences with automated health related information services: an exploratory study.

Almost all health care related organizations, including hospitals and pharmacies, have installed some sort of automated telephone system. Most of these organizations have installed this system to eliminate personnel, while at the same time promoting the fact that they will be helpful to the consumer. This study (comprising of 255 respondents) was designed to assess the consumer's perceptions and experiences with such automated systems.