HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Healthcare

How To Avoid Hospital Germs

Medical Care

Florence Nightingale once said, “The first requirement of a hospital is that it should do no harm.”

Unfortunately, that goal has still not been totally achieved. There is a good deal of research that shows spending time in a hospital can make you sick-for several reasons.

* There are a number of viruses and bacteria brought into hospitals by patients, employees, and visitors.

* The hospital rounds made by the staff can transmit viruses and bacteria from one patient to another.

* Hospital procedures, such as injections and I.V. therapy, penetrate the skin, bypassing the body’s first line of defense against disease.

Nosocomial (hospital-linked) infections are on the rise due to hospital cutbacks, carelessness and violations of infection-control standards. Here’s what you can do to protect yourself.

* Try to be as well-rested and as well-nourished as possible before you’re admitted to the hospital.

* Ask that hospital personnel wash their hands before providing care to you.

* If a hospital roommate becomes infected with pneumonia, ask to have your room changed.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
The Ins And Outs Of Ambulatory Surgery

Medical Care

Ambulatory surgery is surgery done on an outpatient basis. This can be done in a hospital. It can also be done at a freestanding center. One reason ambulatory surgeries are more common now than in the past is advanced medical practices. This includes the use of anesthesias that wear off quicker and have fewer side effects. Common ambulatory surgeries include:

* Endoscopy procedures.

* Hernia repair.

* Some plastic surgeries.

* Tubal ligation.

* Dilation and curettage (D & C).

* Breast biopsy.

* Tonsillectomy.

* Cataract and glaucoma procedures.

* Orthopedic procedures (such as arthroscopy of a knee).

* Benign and cancerous tumor procedures.

Ambulatory or outpatient surgery has many advantages:

* Hospitalization poses the risk of exposure to infections and may also keep patients bedridden longer than is necessary.

* Ambulatory surgery gets you in and out quickly.

* The patient has a good deal of choice as to when the surgery will occur. The surgery is scheduled by appointment for patient convenience.

* Most people prefer healing at home in their own beds to staying in a hospital. The home can be a more comfortable place in which to heal than a hospital with its hectic schedules.

* Medical bills are much lower if you don’t have to stay in a hospital overnight.

Things to consider:

* Many procedures need special preparation ahead of time. Follow your doctor’s orders exactly.

* You may need someone to drive you home and stay with you as you recover.

* Do not bring valuables with you when you have outpatient surgery.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Rate Your Doctor

Medical Care

In order to feel good about your medical care, you should feel good about your doctor, too. Use this checklist when evaluating your physician.

* Is your doctor ‘board certified” or ‘board eligible?” To check, contact the American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS) at 1.866.ASK.ABMS (275.2267) or accesswww.abms.org. Board certified means that he or she has two or more years of training in a specialty after medical school graduation and has passed a national examination certifying competence in the specialty. Board eligible means that the training has been completed, but not the exam. Please note, however, that credentials do not guarantee competency.

* Does your doctor listen to you and answer all your questions about the causes and treatment of your medical problems, or is he or she vague, impatient, or unwilling to answer?

* Are you comfortable with your doctor? Can you openly discuss your feelings and talk about personal concerns, including sexual and emotional problems?

* Does your doctor take a thorough history, asking about past physical and emotional problems, family medical history, drugs you are taking, and other matters affecting your health?

* Does your doctor address the root causes of your medical problems or simply prescribe drugs to treat the symptoms?

* Does your doctor have an associate to whom you can turn should he or she be unavailable?

* Do you feel at ease asking your doctor questions that may sound

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
The Healing Touch

Alternative Medicine

Balance your energy field

Healing touch therapy is based on the belief that people have fields of energy that connect and react to the environment around them. It proposes that imbalances or blockages in those energy fields cause illness and pain. Common forms include Reiki, Qigong, and Therapeutic Touch.

How healing touch works is not known. It is theorized that it affects patients through the connection of energy fields within and outside of the body. There is some evidence that it can reduce pain and improve joint mobility, reduce stress, and trigger a sense of well-being.

Rubdown not included

Healing touch is not a massage. In fact, it may not involve practitioner to patient contact at all. During this energy therapy, the practitioner’s hands hover above the body, moving slowly from head to toe, pausing in specific energy centers to clear blocks and energize and balance the energy flow surrounding the body. A session can last from 10 to 40 minutes. Expect to fall into a relaxed state. You may even fall asleep.

Reported benefits of healing touch therapy

* Reduces stress

* Increases energy

* Calms anxiety and depression

* Enhances recovery from surgery

* Hastens wound healing

* Relieves side-effects of chemotherapy

* Strengthens the immune system

* Supports grief management

* Deepens spiritual connection

* Eases acute and chronic conditions

* Creates a sense of well-being

Action Step

If you are considering healing touch therapy, talk with your medical doctor first. It is generally considered safe, but some patients have reported side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, restlessness, and irritability.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Be Wise, Stretch Your Health Care Dollars

Medical Care

Use discounts and coupons for services and supplies that you need.* Examples are:

* Membership discounts on prescriptions, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, eyeglasses, and contact lenses. You can get these if you are a member of wholesale clubs, such as Costco, Sam’s Club, AAA, and AARP.

* Advertised specials, such as buy-one-get-one free prescription eyeglasses

* Coupons from local drug stores for OTC medications and supplies, such as a home blood pressure monitor

* Get treatment for a condition before it becomes more serious and more expensive to manage.

* Ask your doctor if you could benefit from taking part in a clinical trial for a condition you have. Clinical trials provide free expert medical care for persons who qualify. You can also get information for them fromclinicaltrials.gov.

* Follow your doctor’s advice for which products to buy.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Key Questions Checklist

Medical Care

Diagnosis

* What is my diagnosis?

* Is my condition chronic or acute?

* Is there anything I can do to cure, treat, and/or prevent it from getting worse?

* Is my condition contagious or genetic?

* How certain are you about this diagnosis?

Treatment

* What is the recommended treatment?

* Is there a support group for my condition?

If you are discussing medications:

* What will the medicine do for my particular problem?

* When, how often, and for how long should I take the medicine?

* How long before the medicine starts working?

* Will there be side effects?

* Will there be interactions with other medications I am taking?

If you are discussing a test:

* What is the test called and how will it help identify the problem? Will it give specific or general information?

* Will more tests be necessary?

* How accurate and reliable is the test?

* How should I prepare for the test?

* Where do I go for the test?

* How and when will I get the test’s results?

If you are discussing surgery:

* What are my options for surgery? Which one do you advise?

* How many of these surgeries have you done and what were the results?

* Can I get a step-by-step account of the procedure, including anesthesia and recovery?

Benefits vs. Risks

* What are the benefits if I go ahead with the treatment?

* What are the possible risks and complications?

* Do the benefits outweigh the risks?

Success

* What is the success rate for the treatment?

* Are there any personal factors that will affect my odds either way?

* How long will the results of treatment last?

Timing

* When is the best time to begin the treatment?

* When can I expect to see results?

Alternatives

* What will happen if I decide to do nothing?

* What are my other options?

Cost

* What is the cost for the treatment?

* What related costs should I consider (e.g., time off work, travel, etc.).

Decision

* You can now make an informed decision.

* You have the right to choose or refuse treatment.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Reducing Presurgery Jitters

Medical Care

Knowing what to expect prior to surgery can reduce pre-operation stress and make you feel more comfortable.

* The hospital will have you sign a surgical consent form. Take the time to read it over. Ask your doctor any questions you may have.

* Expect a visit from the anesthesiologist or the surgeon (or both). They will review the surgical plans with you. This includes the time and length of surgery, estimated recovery room time, and the type of anesthesia being used. The anesthesiologist will need to know about any previous surgeries, any medical conditions, and any allergies to medications. Ask him or her what time you can expect to return to your room.

* Eating in the hours prior to surgery can cause life-threatening vomiting during the operation, so there are usually a prescribed number of hours prior to surgery when no food should be eaten. If a meal is brought to you, don’t eat it until you’ve double-checked with a nurse. It may be a mistake that could cause your surgery to be canceled. Your patient chart should read NPO or non per os (nothing by mouth).

* Depending on the nature of the operation, some surgical “preps” may be ordered. This may include a special liquids-only diet, cleaning and shaving of the surgical area, placing a catheter into the bladder, giving an enema, or putting drops into the eyes.

* A sleeping pill may be offered the night prior to surgery. Most people will feel anxious about the surgery and find the medication helpful. You are not required to accept it, however, and your patient chart should indicate your preference.

* Before surgery, give all valuables or possessions to a friend or relative. These would include jewelry, watches, and eyeglasses. If you wear contact lenses, remove them.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
The Id Card That Can Save Your Life

Medical Care

Heart attacks, car accidents, and other emergencies that leave you unconscious or in a state of shock make it impossible to communicate with health professionals. This is why carrying some sort of medical identification is so important. Three options to consider:

* Medic Alert tags. These medical tags alert others to the fact that you have a medical condition that might deserve immediate attention. The tags are given for such conditions as epilepsy or diabetes. To obtain one, contact the MedicAlert Foundation International, 2323 Colorado Ave., Turlock, CA 95382, 1.888.633.4298 orwww.medicalert.org.

* Microfilm ID cards. Many hospitals give their patients special cards that contain a small piece of film called microfiche. The film contains extensive medical history information that you provide when the card is issued. During an emergency, the card is read with the use of a microfilm machine.

* Nonmedical ID cards. Medical information can be written on a card that is provided by a variety of health organizations or one that is “homemade.” Because there is no official record of this information, health professionals may be reluctant to use some of it.

Medical ID cards should include the following information.

* Name.

* Address.

* Phone number.

* Person to call in an emergency.

* Physician’s name and phone number.

* Blood type.

* Allergies.

* Medical conditions.

* Required medication.

* Pharmacy name and phone number.

* Poison control phone number (1.800.222.1222).

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Choose Benefit Options With Both Cost And Care In Mind

Medical Care

* Signing up for the same plan as the one you have is easy, but spending time to find out about all options could be worth it. Ask your employer for written materials for your options or how to access the information online.

* Estimate what your costs for the coming year will be using each option. Your company’s or insurance company’s website may have tools to help you do this.

* Consider a flexible spending account (FSA) to help pay for health care expenses. It also offers tax advantages. To determine how much to put into an FSA, add up out-of-pocket costs you expect to pay for the coming year. These include co-pays, deductibles, cost for eyeglasses, contact lenses, etc.

* The best deal may not be the cheapest plan, but the one that gives the best price for the benefits you are most likely to use.

* Find out if you can lower your health care premium costs by taking part in certain wellness and disease management programs offered through work.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Long-Term Care Insurance

Medical Care

Long-term care insurance is meant to cover the cost of nursing home care and long-term home health care. Medicare and private health insurances do not cover these costs. This kind of insurance is not government regulated. You may want to purchase this for yourself. Your children may want to purchase it for you to protect themselves from having to pay for your long-term care or to protect their future inheritance.

Find out more about long-term care insurance from:

* LongTermCare.gov athttp://longtermcare.gov. Learn the basics of long-term care and ways to pay for it. Use the LTC PathFinder tool to get information on long-term care insurance that is most relevant and useful to you now.

* National Advisory Center for Long-Term Care Insurance atwww.longtermcareinsurance.org. Get help from an unbiased long-term care insurance advisor. Ask for multi-company comparative quotes for long-term care insurance.

* Consider a policy that starts paying on the 90th day instead of day 1. The difference in price can be 30%. Do this only if you can afford the long-term care center’s cost for the first 3 months on your own.

* Check Moody’s and Standard & Poors at your local library. Look for insurers rated “A” or better.

* Read the complete policy coverage. Consult an attorney or knowledgeable person to review it with you.

* Pay premiums, by check, directly to the insurance company. Never pay in cash.

* Fill out the policy application yourself or with a friend or relative. Don’t allow someone to do it for you.

* Be cautious of companies advertised by celebrities.

* Insist on coverage that does not require a hospital stay before going to a nursing home.

* Resist high pressure insurance agents or claims that their long-term care insurance is endorsed by the government.

Be cautious before you purchase a policy. Ask the following questions:

* Will the policy cover home health care? Does this include “aides” or housekeeping coverage or just “skilled” care?

* Does the policy cover Alzheimer’s disease, specifically?

* Must you be medically ill to receive benefits? What about custodial care?

* Does the coverage include nursing home custodial care, adult day care, or other community-based services?

* Does the policy require a prior hospital stay before entering a nursing home?

* Are there exclusions for “pre-existing” illnesses? Are there waiting periods?

* How long is a stay in a nursing home covered? (The average stay is just under 4 years.)

* How much will the nursing home be paid on a daily basis from this policy? What is the daily charge of the nursing home? You will have to pay the difference between the insurance coverage and what the nursing home charges.

* If premiums are being paid, is there a guarantee that the policy can be renewed?

* Is the policy one that can’t be canceled?

* Will your coverage keep up with inflation?

* Are premiums waived while getting benefits?

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026