Yhtomit only
laiara
week_3_discussion_reply.docxTopic 1 Anna,
The state that I chose was the state of Iowa. I actually found a lot of informational information on this site pertaining to insurance and didn’t even know it existed prior to this class. (National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), May 2015) Under the complaints link I found out that you can actually file complaint directly on the site if you are experiencing an issue with your insurance provider. Under the order of Order and Action links you can view anything related to insurance whether it be a settlement or an insurance license being revoked for example. And under the news and media link there is information about current minutes/press releases to updates to insurance. I also found there is a part if you are looking to start selling insurance you can obtain information for classes to get your licensing.
But one current event that happened recently was information about Veterans filing for Medicare Part B and Part D. Even before starting this current term, I always thought of Medicare for the elderly or disabled, but after reading this fact sheet, they are encouraging Veterans to file for Medicare to help with their Veterans benefits. Why I thought this was interesting is, because both my brother and sister-n-law are veterans, and by reading this information I can pass this along and, maybe they could be eligible for some of this care. (Iowa Insurance Division, May 2015)
Topic 2 Jolene,
Hello classmates and Professor JJ, I chose Nebraska because you said to choose the state where you live. I chose Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIPP). This is a program in Nebraska that helps educate older Nebraskans about their health insurance. Also people with disabilities. SHIPP doesn't sell any products or policies, isn't related to any insurance companies, and does not conduct market research. SHIPP will consult with people on a one on one basis if people need assistance understanding their insurance. SHIPP helps people by helping them understand their options, so that people can make better decisions. Private counseling is avaailable to discuss Medicare benefits, Medicare Advantage products, Medicare Part D, or Long Term Insurance. All SHIPP's counseling and presentations are free. All counseling sessions are completely confidential.
Topic 3 Khaliah,
What is the common cold?
a. The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. The upper respiratory tract includes your nose and throat.
2) Should antibiotics be taken to treat a cold? Why, or why not?
a. As someone who use to be involved in the nursing field, antibiotics should not be taken to treat a cold. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. Not only will the antibiotics not work for a cold but your body can build a resistant to antibiotics which will make it more difficult for bacterial infections harder to be treated in the future if you were to come in contact with a bacterial infection.
3) Why do humans not build immunity to the common cold?
a. Humans don’t build immunity because we lack certain vitamins in our body to fight a cold. We don’t necessarily need meds or immunization to fight a cold. The key factor to fighting a cold is Vitamin C and if our body lacks it then our immune system has nothing to fight against virus. Being stressed can cause the immune system to not fight against the common cold (stress levels play a big part in how our body responds to infections, virus, etc.). Some people just have sinuses real bad and misdiagnosed themselves as having the common cold. There are people out here who have other illnesses going on that effects the immune system to prevent it from fighting against viruses and instead attack the good viruses in the body.
4) Would it be reasonable to expect that science will develop an immunization for the common cold in your lifetime? Why, or why not?
a. I do not think that an immunization for the common cold will be invented in my life. Don’t get me wrong anything is possible because they an immunization for the flu. But the common cold in my opinion is not of a big deal as the flu. Everybody bodies are different they respond to certain illnesses different from everyone else. In my point of view and the way body is when I get a cold I can’t really tell if it’s a cold or my sinuses acting up and I wouldn’t want to get a shot for a cold when it’s my sinuses. I have a lot people say a lot that they don’t know if they have cold or sinuses are acting up. So until they actually come up with a way to test people to see if they actually have a cold I don’t think an immunization will be created in my lifetime.
5) You all have your own strategies for preventing or recovering from a cold. Please share your favorite strategy for fighting the common cold. Find and cite a source (reputable if possible) that either supports or disputes your favorite strategy.
a.The last time I had a cold I always made freshly squeeze orange juice or eat foods that have vitamin C because I know that vitamin C is the key factor to fighting colds. I am not the type to take cough medicines or anything unless I really have to. I usually use home remedies before trying medication.
Topic 4 Brian,
What is the common cold? ‘The common cold is a viral infection of your upper respiratory tract — your nose and throat. A common cold is usually harmless, although it may not feel that way at the time. If it's not a runny nose, sore throat and cough, it's the watery eyes, sneezing and congestion — or maybe all of the above. In fact, because any one of more than 100 viruses can cause a common cold, signs and symptoms tend to vary greatly” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2013)
2. Should antibiotics be taken to treat a cold? Why, or why not? . According to my Doctor she says that you should not take antibiotics for the cold. Your body will build up immunity just like the information states from the Mayo Clinic. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2013)
3. Why do humans not build immunity to the common cold? “Although more than 100 viruses can cause a common cold, the rhinovirus is the most common culprit, and it's highly contagious. A cold virus enters your body through your mouth, eyes or nose. The virus can spread through droplets in the air when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks. But it also spreads by hand-to-hand contact with someone who has a cold or by sharing contaminated objects, such as utensils, towels, toys or telephones. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth after such contact or exposure, you're likely to catch a cold”. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2013) Because there are so many variations of the virus there really is no way to build up immunity to the virus as there are far too many strains. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2013)
4. Would it be reasonable to expect that science will develop an immunization for the common cold in your lifetime? Why, or why not? “As you age, you develop immunity to many of the viruses that cause common colds. You'll have colds less frequently than you did as a child. However, you can still come down with a cold when you are exposed to cold viruses or have a weakened immune system. All of these factors increase your risk of a cold”. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2013) Knowing the facts about this virus, I think it will be very difficult to create an immunization as there are far too many strains.
5. You all have your own strategies for preventing or recovering from a cold. Please share your favorite strategy for fighting the common cold. Find and cite a source (reputable if possible) that either supports or disputes your favorite strategy. I typically drink green tea and honey when I have a cold. A lot of rest and lots of fluids as well as chicken soup. The Mayo clinic actually encourages chicken soup. I was suprised and it acts an an anti-inflamatory. “There's no cure for the common cold. Antibiotics are of no use against cold viruses. Over-the-counter (OTC) cold preparations won't cure a common cold or make it go away any sooner” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2013) Here is a link to the pros and cons for remedies for the common cold http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/basics/lifestyle-home-remedies/con-20019062
Topic 5 Alicia,
We have all heard of variation and more than likely link it to the general definition of a variety but we have learned more in depth now and are able to use it in a way to analyze too. CQI was an evolution due to the help of analytical variation and its purpose of always finding an improvement. The use of statistics were important because they were then used to find links and adding to the success. The first key is to look into a specific topic that you want to find information and data on, and then it is analyzed and put into various layouts to show the found information, like a chart. After this minds work together to find the best changes and solutions for improvement in the area, CQI strives for always bettering itself so this is more times than not ever changing.
Topic 6 Chastina,
Variation is measured first by deciding on the data to report. I think it is a good idea to know the reason for the reporting as well. For example, will the results be used to make improvements for one specific department or will it be used across an organization. Once you have established the needs behind the data, you then set up the recording process. So for instance, the Patient Access Center wants to report how many patients called with legitimate coding discrepancies over the span of 1 month and the department where services were rendered. The reason for 1 month is that it may not be a common reason for calls, but it has a huge impact on claims and a month would offer an appropriate amount of time to gather proper data. After all of the data has been received, the leaders will need to analyze and decide how they want to display the data for ease of understanding. Once the data has been organized and reviewed, the leaders will then outline action plans for improvement based on the report. While the number of calls may vary from month to month, the reason behind the calls (incorrect coding) will not offer any variation. However, if part of the data collection process included the length of each call, there would be variation. Collecting this data also enables the ability to track improvement in the future. After 6 months, another data gathering project can be performed to reflect any improvement.
