9/11/09

Today on my way to work, I saw an accident. As I sat there in a long line of traffic, I thought about how fortunate we are to have individuals that come to help us in our time of need. Often they are putting their own lives at risk and yet do it anyway. In healthcare we have many people that put other’s needs before their own. In this time of so many shouting that we have a broken system and nothing works, sometimes it does. I know that if I had been in that accident I would have been thankful that the paramedics, firefighters and police officers had been there. Once they took my injured body to the nearest hospital, I would have been thankful that the ER cared for me and if I needed immediate surgery that they would have been there for me.
Today on this day when we remember the fallen; I am personal thankful for all of those that are there caring for the sick and injured.

Thank you to all in the medical and emergency services for the job that you do everyday!

New Year Resolutions in September

The Jewish New Year is fast approaching and to all of our Jewish friends, we wish you shana tova umetukah for "a good and sweet year." The upcoming holiday for some, got us to thinking about traditional New Year Resolutions. Most Americans will reflect upon the past year and makes New Year Resolutions in December. This has been and continues to be a year of change. In light of all of the discussion of reform, why not consider reflecting and making resolutions now instead of waiting until December? Now is a good time for all of us to reflect upon what has happened and what is happening in healthcare and in our practices.

Just as you normally do in December, ask yourself a few questions. For example, what have you done what have you done to others, what can you do better? By taking the time now, you can develop a baseline for change of where you are and where you want to be. What can you accomplish by December? What will take the next year to accomplish and how can you build steps or little goals to reach the big goal?

Then in December, use this guide as a measurement of how you are doing and look at your goals. In change management, it helps to begin with the end in mind.

Consider the following:
What are your goals?
Then where are you at now?
What steps will you need to take to reach your goal?

By starting now, you will be well on your way to your goals by the time you sit down to do your New Year Resolution’s in December!

Funny Swine Flu Videos

Due to all of the discussion on how to avoid the swine flu, we decided to look at the more humorous approaches some have taken. Last week we covered a list of videos featuring how to wash your hands. This week we cover a more global approach, by hitting sneezing, coughing and the swine flu in general. These are just a few of the videos out there, but it gives you an idea of what you can find on the topic.

Cover your sneeze game
http://www.routesgame.com/games/?challengeId=2
Cute sneeze
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzRH3iTQPrk
Slow motion sneeze
http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=43224
Cover your cough
http://www.sfcdcp.org/sneeze.html
Swine Flu Fighters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQcMB--VWSI
Cover Your Mouth
http://www.evtv1.com/player.aspx?itemnum=2013
Musical Swine Flu video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiXmw5a9kiM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iIwNX792dE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbt_PuVAVTU&feature=related
Training video for staff and patients
http://dennysblogfeeds.blogspot.com/2009/09/funny-video-rapping-swine-flu-doc.html
http://www.coughsafe.com/media.html
More videos
http://hubpages.com/hub/10-Amusing-Videos-About-Swine-Flu

Mentioned last week, but still our favorite:
Cough into Your Sleeve - The Somali Parrots
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfNGq96-ruE

Disclaimer: PMSA does not have financial interest in any of the videos and does not support or endorse in any fashion. The list was compiled by members and suggestions sent to PMSA. All rights and property of the videos belong to the owners. PMSA only lists the videos as a service.

Wash Your Hands!

These days it seems that everyone is getting into the act of creating videos on hand washing. From our President to our cartoon characters we are being told to wash our hands and tips on swine flu prevention. While we do take hand washing and swine flu prevent seriously, we can still have fun!

PMSA has always worked to bring practices information and we have collected some of the resources that we have found or others have shared with us. Some of the clips we have seen have been great and this week we are highlighting a few of the many hand washing clips (Some may not be on swine flu prevention, but great hand washing videos) and next week we will share “cover your mouth” clips. If you would like us to list a video to share with others, let us know by contacting jz@thepmsa.org

Elmo and his “Wash Your Hands” Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7u4zUQh1GE
The Wiggles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDe3wmOLvk0
Wash Your Hands Too Mr BrownShow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lViRlo1_b1o
and a different version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUu-UuNcU-k
Food Parody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtlcS77LaB0
Sesame Street - Wash Your Hands Before You Eat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCO5RpTIU1Y&feature=PlayList&p=DD1C802E005EDF6C&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=14
Bill Nye the Science Guy - "Just Wash Your Hands"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ELm7VjrFg4&feature=PlayList&p=DD1C802E005EDF6C&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=15
Wash Your Hands
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDvOszLSYzg&translated=1
Wash Your Hands (Jasongs)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjenyvKsnvk
Soap In the City
http://www.coughsafe.com/soapincity/quick.html
Wash your hands!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM-iGBM3OfA&feature=related
Hand Washing with Soapy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNhS2uyC6xI&feature=related
Hand Washing for Kids - Crawford the Cat – Educational
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_yR-oGNMaA&feature=related
SafetyTV: Scrowford Washes Hands -Cartoon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjlCoY7B9WM&feature=related
Kandoo Wash hands
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJrtiJEZIPI&feature=related

For staff training:
Clean Hands Help Prevent the Flu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHISh559oho
Prevent flu, wash your hands!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdw-W2MF6ow
Washing Hands - Six Steps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrNJt73BG_8&feature=related
Washing Your Hands the Right Way
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brrf2inGs7E&feature=related
CNA Skill Hand Washing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVUsUIVgmcQ
The Importance of Hand Washing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE_y-UHmlWI

Preview of next week’s list
Cough into Your Sleeve - The Somali Parrots
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfNGq96-ruE

Disclaimer: PMSA does not have financial interest in any of the videos and does not support or endorse in any fashion. The list was compiled by members and suggestions sent to PMSA. All rights and property of the videos belong to the owners. PMSA only lists the videos as a service.

Are You Looking For Methods To Cut Costs and Receive Free Products and Services?

A large part of what makes a practice successful is the products and services used. Making wise and educated investments now, is vital in strategically aligning the practice for future success and minimizing risk. Times of economic uncertainties are forcing consumers to be more reluctant or reserved when making purchases and they demand quality, flexibility, and affordabilty. Here at PMSA we understand the struggle of practices trying to fit vendors into an already overstressed appointment log. Often managers feel bombarded with resources and have difficulty making sound business decisions on products and services. Medical staff is often the gatekeeper and deal with both the patient and the vendors on a regular basis. They depend on vendors to provide a reliable and trusted product, at a competitive rate that will bring maximum results. With so many choices, it is easy to become overwhelmed and lost in the masses of meaningless advertisements.

At PMSA, as a free value added service, we serve as a liaison between the medical practice and vendors, bridging the gap. We believe that a strong relationship between the vendor and medical practice will translate into a win-win solution for everyone involved, including the patient. By acting as a liaison, we save the practice valuable time and money in their search, provide fact-based options that are relevant to their individual practice needs. Although we do not endorse products, companies, or services, we do understand and value the importance and benefits of establishing a cooperative client-vendor relationship, built on mutual trust and respect. Quality care begins with quality products and services! For more information go to http://www.thepmsa.org/becomeatestsite.html to find the resources you need.

Dealing with Petty Cash

Many front desk individuals are responsible for handling the petty cash and handling payments from the patients. This is something that you will have to discuss with the manager on the policy. It should be checked out in the morning and returned at the end of the day. If possible at least two people should verify the amount each time. Many offices will have a logbook for everyone that counts or handles the cash to initial and put the amount in the log. Anytime that you are handling money, it is a good idea to share the responsibility, in other words have one or two people that count the money and another person that verifies (usually a manager) and puts the money away. At the beginning of a shift, the manager would check the money and then those taking the money would verify the amount. A good example of a petty cash policy and how the cash is handled can be found at http://www.toolkit.com/small_business_guide/sbg.aspx?nid=P06_1428

Being responsible for someone else’s money is a huge responsibility. Many employees are tempted by handling cash and often do not see a problem in taking small amounts or “borrowing” the money until payday. The problem is that once you are tempted and give in to the temptation it is always easy to justify doing it repeatedly until you are caught or it has become a large amount that you could never pay back.

Why have morals, everybody cheats, tells a white lie or take a little something, right? Well maybe everyone is doing something dishonest in your practice, but that doesn’t mean you should. Not being moral can wear on you and affect other areas of your life. Most criminals did not start out thinking about the “big job”; they usually started out small and the moved on to bigger crimes. Even a little theft or a small white lie can have consequences. Small lies can lead to another lie, and another one, etc. Sometimes it is harder to tell you the truth, but being a person always has its rewards, even if it is just the satisfaction of knowing you did the right thing.

It may seem like taking a few items from work will not matter and they sure can afford it more than you can, but does that make it right? Theft adds up, a few items from everyone can reduce how much the company makes and eventually can lead to bigger problems. Why should you care, after all they make lots of money? You should care because if the company has a reduction in profits and an increase in loss, bonuses, pay raises, and even the company itself can be at risk. It may seem like something small, but what if it was yours? Would you like it? Treat others (including the company), as you would want them to treat you.

What if you know that the company is billing incorrectly or engaging in illegal activity? You should try approaching your supervisor with this issue. This can become very difficult if they are part of the problem. If you have a hotline for compliance issues, you should consider using it. You can refuse to engage in illegal activities and be a person of integrity or become part of the problem. If things are bad enough, you may have to consider changing practices. If you do, be sure to leave on good terms and give a notice. When you apply elsewhere, do not say it was due to illegal activities (unless it receives wide media coverage and is well known) since it could backfire on you. Who wants to hire someone who works at a place that had illegal activity? As a manager I would always wonder what bad habits you had picked up. Use your discretion in these circumstances.

Borrowing something, especially on a permanent basis, is never good. We have all learned from childhood not to take things that do not belong to us, yet it happens everyday in business. It is bad enough when employees steal from their own employer, but is unthinkable when they steal from their coworkers or boss.

Own up to your mistakes, we all make them. When dealing with cash or numbers, it mistakes can happen. Admit what happened as soon as possible and handle the problem. Hiding it will only make it worse and be harder to fix later on. The longer you wait to be truthful or be honest about something the bigger the problem it will become ( a molehill can turn into a mountain if not watched) it will become down the road, in addition you begin to lose track of what you’ve told certain people and what you haven’t, thus losing your credibility

Now maybe you personally have not taking anything, but have witnessed a friend or coworker in the act or you suspect they did. If you knew about it and did nothing, you are just as responsible as they are. If you or your friend just “borrowed” the item without asking, this should be considered stealing as well. Never take anything unless you have previously asked permission and that includes money!