Government Focus On Acute Stroke May Compromise Other Areas Of Stroke Care

The focus on acute stroke in the UK government’s national stroke strategy may distract attention and resources from other important elements of stroke care, warn experts in a paper published on bmj.com today.

In 2005, the National Audit Office (NAO) report on stroke services outlined improvements for reducing death, disability and recurrent stroke, along with costs. Its recommendations led to the publication of the national stroke strategy in 2007.

Rite Aid And The Skin Cancer Foundation Help Customers Have Safe Fun In The Sun With Free Skin Care Guide, Online Info And Free Skin Cancer Screenings

To help customers have a safe and fun summer in the sun, Rite Aid and The Skin Cancer Foundation are partnering to raise awareness and offer free information on the importance of smart skin care practices. A free skin care guide aimed to encourage customers to protect their skin this summer will be available at nearly 4,900 Rite Aid stores nationwide and online at http://www.riteaid.com starting May 31.

The 12-page skin care guide contains information from The Skin Cancer Foundation on being proactive in preventing skin cancer, guidelines on how to use and choose sunscreen, and tips to avoid burning. There’s a section on how to protect the eyes with the proper sunglasses, as well as information on how different kinds of recreation call for different kinds of sun protection, such as sweat-resistant or water-resistant sunscreens and a lip balm of at least SPF 15.

Rite Aid And The Skin Cancer Foundation Help Customers Have Safe Fun In The Sun With Free Skin Care Guide, Online Info And Free Skin Cancer Screenings

To help customers have a safe and fun summer in the sun, Rite Aid and The Skin Cancer Foundation are partnering to raise awareness and offer free information on the importance of smart skin care practices. A free skin care guide aimed to encourage customers to protect their skin this summer will be available at nearly 4,900 Rite Aid stores nationwide and online at http://www.riteaid.com starting May 31.

The 12-page skin care guide contains information from The Skin Cancer Foundation on being proactive in preventing skin cancer, guidelines on how to use and choose sunscreen, and tips to avoid burning. There’s a section on how to protect the eyes with the proper sunglasses, as well as information on how different kinds of recreation call for different kinds of sun protection, such as sweat-resistant or water-resistant sunscreens and a lip balm of at least SPF 15.

Under-Use Of Hospice Care By Many Terminally Ill Patients: Study

Hospice, a well-established approach to palliative care, has enabled countless people worldwide to die with dignity. Through focusing on the patient rather than the disease, individuals can spend the last weeks of their lives in an environment where hospice caregivers minimize their pain, maximize their comfort, and provide bereavement services for loved ones and family members.

A new study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School, however, found that only about half the patients diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer discuss hospice with their physician within 4 to 7 months of their diagnosis.

Yolo County, Calif., Approves Proposal To Cut Funding For Health Care Services To Undocumented Immigrants

Yolo County, Calif., Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a proposal to cut county funding for health care services for undocumented immigrants in an effort to save the county more than $1 million, the Sacramento Bee reports (Sangree, Sacramento Bee, 5/20).

California counties have been taking such action amid the economic recession to reduce their budgets. In February, Sacramento County voted to prohibit undocumented immigrants from receiving care at county clinics to save an estimated $2.4 million. Contra Costa County last month cut services for undocumented adults, seeking to save an estimated $6 million. Yolo County is facing a $24 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2009-2010 (Kaiser Health Disparities Report, 5/7).

Yolo County, Calif., Approves Proposal To Cut Funding For Health Care Services To Undocumented Immigrants

Yolo County, Calif., Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a proposal to cut county funding for health care services for undocumented immigrants in an effort to save the county more than $1 million, the Sacramento Bee reports (Sangree, Sacramento Bee, 5/20).

California counties have been taking such action amid the economic recession to reduce their budgets. In February, Sacramento County voted to prohibit undocumented immigrants from receiving care at county clinics to save an estimated $2.4 million. Contra Costa County last month cut services for undocumented adults, seeking to save an estimated $6 million. Yolo County is facing a $24 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2009-2010 (Kaiser Health Disparities Report, 5/7).

Chicago Tribune Examines Use Of Urgent Care Centers

More people have begun using urgent care centers as a means of avoiding waiting for care in emergency departments or for a doctor’s appointment, the Chicago Tribune reports. Urgent care centers provide medical services with no appointment and offer extended hours to customers seeking care for a wide range of non-life-threatening issues. Staff physicians, assisted by nurses, administer the care and generally have access to X-ray and laboratory services. Most services provided at the centers are covered by insurance, the Tribune reports.

Alzheimer’s Society Comment – Care Quality Commission Survey Reveals Malnutrition In Hospitals

Around one in five hospital patients who have trouble feeding themselves do not get help with meals, according to the survey released by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

‘It’s appalling that thousands of vulnerable people who rely on the help of others to eat are being denied vital support. One quarter of all hospital beds are occupied by people with dementia, who may have difficulty swallowing; forget how to eat or stop being able to recognise food.

Primer Examines Health Care Delivery Payment Incentives; Statehealthfacts.org Updates Data

“Health Quality, Delivery Improvements Will Lower Spiraling Costs,” U.S. Federation of State Public Interest Research Groups: The brief argues that skewed payment incentives, which increase costs and diminish the quality of care, are the core problem in the U.S. health care delivery system. The document also finds more than $299 billion in health care spending that could be saved each year if the coordinated approach used by Utah’s Intermountain Health System were implemented nationwide. The primer also includes a detailed list of policy recommendations for health care delivery problems (U.S. PIRG release, 4/16).

Colorado House Kills Legislation To Build Single-Payer Health Care System

The Colorado House has abandoned legislation that would have laid the groundwork for a statewide single-payer health care system, the AP/Denver Post reports. State Rep. John Kefalas (D) said on Wednesday the bill was introduced to aid the estimated 800,000 uninsured state residents, as well as those who are underinsured. The bill would have established a central health care authority, headed by a 23-member board of directors, to create the single-payer system.