Facing the Emergency Department crisis in Italy

Since a few years ago health systems in the western countries have a new problem to face: being a Medical Doctor (MD), especially a hospital or a general practice physician, is less and less appealing for the young generations. [...]

Implementation of HbA1c Point of Care Testing in 3 German Medical Practices: Impact on Workflow and Physician, Staff, and Patient Satisfaction

Background: Medical practices face challenges of time and cost pressures with scarce resources. Point-of-care testing (POCT) has the potential to accelerate processes compared to central laboratory testing and can increase satisfaction of physicians, staff members, and patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of introducing HbA1c POCT in practices specialized in diabetes. Method: Three German practices that manage 400, 550, and 950 diabetes patients per year participated in this evaluation. The workflow and required time before and after POCT implementation (device: Alere Afinion AS100 Analyzer) was evaluated in each practice. Physician (n = 5), staff (n = 9), and patient (n = 298) satisfaction was assessed with questionnaires and interviews. Results: After POCT implementation the number of required visits scheduled was reduced by 80% (88% vs 17.6%, P < .0001), the number of venous blood collections by 75% (91% vs 23%, P < .0001). Of patients, 82% (vs 13% prior to POCT implementation) were able to discuss their HbA1c values with treating physicians immediately during their first visit ( P < .0001). In two of the practices the POCT process resulted in significant time savings of approximately 20 and 22 working days per 1000 patients per year (95% CI 2-46; 95% CI 10-44). All physicians indicated that POCT HbA1c implementation improved the practice workflow and all experienced a relief of burden for the office and the patients. All staff members indicated that they found the POCT measurement easy to perform and experienced a relief of burden. The majority (61.3%) of patients found the capillary blood collection more pleasant and 83% saw an advantage in the immediate availability of HbA1c results. Conclusions: The implementation of HbA1c POCT leads to an improved practice workflow and increases satisfaction of physicians, staff members and patients.

Vaccinations of Children Against Chickenpox and Pneumococcal Infection on the Example of Several Family Practice Physicians' Settings

Introduction. Vaccinations against varicella and pneumococcal infection are an important form of prevention of infectious diseases and their possible complications. Aim. Assessment of the vaccination control of children against varicella, and pneumococcal infection based on selected institutions of family practice physician. Material and methods. There were verified 807 immunization cards of children from three vaccination offices, selected at random from the area of the southeastern Poland, i.e. the provinces of Lubelskie, Podkarpackie and Świêtokrzyskie. Based on the results of quantitative analysis of medical records of vaccination carried out in these institutions through 2007-2012, the number of children vaccinated against varicella, and pneumococcal infection was assessed. Results. The largest number of vaccinated children (against pneumococcal infection - 148 children and 84 against varicella among 335 subjects reporting in the facility) was confirmed in health care unit in Lublin. In health care unit in Podkarpackie the number of vaccinated children against pneumococcal infection was 84 and against chicken pox - 52 among 256 children using the medical services. In health care unit in Świêtokrzyskie, 65 children were vaccinated against pneumococcal infection and 34 against varicella among 216 subjects reporting at the institution. The vast majority of these vaccines (431 - including three centers) was paid by parents. Conclusions. 1. In all of the centers, a higher proportion of children was vaccinated against pneumococcal infection than chickenpox. 2. There was not a marked increase in the number of children vaccinated against varicella and pneumococcal infection during the analyzed period.

IMPROVING EFFI CIENCY MANUFACTURING PRACTICE «ASSISTANT DENTIST »

<p>Industrial practice – an integral and very important part of the preparation of a dentist. Optimization of production practices among students is an actual problem of modern educational process. The paper presents an analysis of the organization and results of the manufacturing practice «physician assistant dental surgeon» at the faculty of the Ural State Medical University, highlighted the main directions of improving its effectiveness. </p>

SJSN HEALTH REVIEW WITH FAMILY DOCTOR SERVICES

National Social Assurance System (NSAS) has been valid from January 1, 2014 , with PT.ASKES as the Health Social Assurance Agency. The Preparation to welcome the validity of the National Social Assurance System (NSAS) has been doing. Until now the regulation of laws has not come yet to the procedures and technical guidelines. The health services on NSAS primary physician that is comprehensive became a choice by applying the pattern of health care family physician. Based on the regulation of laws, reference books, seminar materials and especially experience as a general practice physician who served patients with pre-paid system for almost 15 years, providing input like problems that can arise and the alternative solutions in order to support NSAS work better, maintained the quality and continuity, seeking the least possible service problems especially on the family physician service