Employing Hospital Compliance Software to Manage JCAHO Accreditation Requirements

Accreditation is very important for organizations nowadays. Rewards and recognition are afforded to those able to reach accreditation requirements; apart from the innate benefit of making effective working systems in the organization making more clients satisfied and in turn, driving more profit for the company.

JCAHO Requirements and Benefits

The most sought after accreditation for hospitals is the JCAHO or Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. JCAHO evaluations mainly check on the level of compliance of the hospitals on the quality of care and safety they provide their patients. It aims to increase the quality of care given to patients as well as ensure that patient rights are adhered to.

All hospitals vie for this type of accreditation because it is one of the requirements of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to achieve Medicaid/Medicare certification and be authorized for reimbursement. And once a hospital is JCAHO accredited, it ensures its clients with the best care and safety while the hospital who violates it receives citation for non - compliance. The noncompliance is to be rectified within the specified period of rectification to avoid revocation of the accreditation of the hospital. Hospitals are strictly evaluated on their adherence to the set standards of the commission for accreditation. The said standards are discussed in depth in The Comprehensive Accreditation Manual for Hospitals (CAMH).

JCAHO Accreditation Process

However, achieving JCAHO accreditation is not easy. Most hospital administrators panic at the thought of a JCAHO evaluation especially these days that evaluations are unannounced. It also affects the medical and the rest of the staff because of the details that they would have to take into consideration.

The accreditation process involves an on-site, unannounced survey to be conducted by a survey team from the Joint Commission. It is done every after 18 to 39 months of the previous conduct of survey. The survey evaluates the actual care processes of the hospital from care, treatment and services rendered to the patients. While doing so, the staff are also informed and guided on how to initiate and establish hospital performance improvements. With all these processes, several documentation are necessary to check on the compliance of the hospital.

Managing the Accreditation Process

Documentation of hospital processes and improvements usually take a toll on the hospital staff. Without the appropriate system of doing so, the staff will either end up exhausted or the other care and safety processes will be left undocumented. To avoid such circumstance, hospitals should employ hospital compliance software to streamline and manage patient care and operational performance. The good thing is the availability of hospital accreditation software that manages not only JCAHO accreditation but as well as other accreditation agencies.

Hospital accreditation is highly beneficial not only for the organization but most specially for its clientele. Qualtrax, Inc. is the first Intranet product made available to support and maintain regulatory requirements for document and data control which has now grown into a true compliance software package.

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Hospital Tips For the Elderly

Let's face it; going to the hospital for any kind of procedure is daunting, even for the young and relatively healthy individual. But, for the older American, a hospital visit can be quite frightening and even dangerous. Older people are more susceptible to hospital borne infections and can often be a bit neglected by busy nurses and other caregivers. The following hospital tips have been compiled specifically for the older individual who is facing a hospital stay.

1. If you know you are going to be admitted to a hospital in the near future, ask a relative or close friend to visit you as much as possible, while you are in the hospital. Ask that person to be prepared to watch over you and make sure that your needs are met, should you not be able to do so, yourself.

2. Whenever possible, try to do most of the pre-admission process over the phone before the day of your surgery/treatment. That way, you can be sure that the information you are giving is correct and you will not be as nervous as you will be on the day of your admission. Be sure and tell the admissions coordinator about ALL medications you are taking (including non-prescription pills and supplements). You should also plan to bring these medications with you on the day of your surgery/treatment in their original containers. Expect that they will be taken from you and then reissued by the hospital pharmacist in conjunction with your physician. Hospitals do not allow patients to take medications on their own while under their care.

3. Make sure you bring your favorite nightclothes, a robe, slippers and some comfortable clothes to wear home after discharge. You should also bring your own toothbrush, toothpaste, brush, shampoo, deodorant, shaving cream and razor, etc. Hospitals will not provide these items to patients. Should you forget to bring any of these items, the hospital gift shop should have these items in stock at all times.

4. Do NOT bring valuable jewelry, including your watch and wedding rings. Leave these at home or with a trusted friend but don't wear them to the hospital! It is also best not to bring electric hair dryers as they may not be grounded to the hospital's standards and pose a safety issue.

5. A geriatric assessment may be done by the hospital care team for some elderly patients. There may be complex problems that could threaten their ability to live alone after certain surgeries or procedures. Usually, the physician assigned to the case will request the assessment by another physician, nurse, social worker and physical therapist. This assessment can help older patients receive all of the care they may need after they are discharged from the hospital.

6. Older patients can take much longer to recover from the effects of anesthesia than younger individuals. It is important that the patient get plenty of rest and a lot of fluids to help offset these effects. Report to a nurse or the physician if excessive dizziness, nausea or forgetfulness continues to be a problem more than 24 hours after the surgery. Also, the older patient should not be allowed to get up on their own after anesthesia without someone else to assist and evaluate their ability to get around without tripping over wires and tubes (always a hazard in the hospital),

7. Older patients can also experience more problems with IV's because their skin is much thinner and their veins tend to collapse. Any arm pain, sudden coldness, a huge bubble forming under the skin or stinging should be reported to the nurse right away as the vein may have collapsed and the fluid could be leaking under the skin.

In short, the elderly need special attention and care when admitted to the hospital. It is the responsibility of the hospital staff to make sure that the outcome is the best it can possibly be, but the reality is that the elderly need an advocate (or several) in the form of family and friends to make sure their needs are truly properly met.

Author CL Davison is a former hospital administrator with a national hospital chain and is now a business owner and writer. Please visit [http://www.med-tips.com]

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Hospital Bed Buying Guide

Purchasing a hospital bed for yourself or a loved one, can lead to a lot of confusion. And mistakes can cut a costly chunk out of your wallet. But once you know the basics, you'll be able to purchase your next hospital bed or home care bed with confidence!

First, here are the bare bones basics:


The standard size for a hospital bed mattress is 35 x 80. Be sure to purchase Twin XL sheets because standard twin sheets won't fit.
If you need extra length, an extension is available on several models.
The mattress may or may not be included...be sure to find out when you are ordering.
Bed rails may be included or they may be an add-on. Make sure to ask about them when making your purchase.
If you need to buy a mattress, there are lots of choices depending on your needs. There are standard coil springs, foam and air mattresses. Okay, so now you need to decide what type of hospital bed you need. There are 5 types to choose from:

Manual Hospital Bed:

This is a great choice if you're working on a tight budget and don't mind extra work. The extra work comes from having to manually crank the bed to make any adjustments. So if you want the manual type...be sure that the person who needs to operate the bed is physically capable.

Semi-Electric Hospital Bed:

Again, this is a good choice if your budget is tight. You can adjust the head and foot of the bed with the push of a button. And that's a nice convenience. But the height is still adjusted by a manual crank. The great part is that these beds are typically covered by Medicare for home use.

Electric Hospital Bed:

Now we're into the Cadillac of hospital beds! A fully electric hospital bed allows the patient to not only adjust her head and feet with the push of a button, but the height of the bed is just as easily controlled. The benefit here is that it makes it so much easier for patients to get in and out of the bed on their own.

Adjustable Beds:

These beds are designed to "look" more like real beds. They come in twin, full, queen and king sizes to accommodate your preference.

Specialty Hospital Beds:

These are the fancy beds you'll find in most hospitals. You'll know them when you see them, too because the price tag will be pretty hefty. But if you're purchasing for a hospital then you just have to bite the bullet!

I know, I know...it's still hard to decide isn't it? I mean, each type of hospital bed has several different manufacturers who then sell several different models of each type.

If you still have questions, your best bet it to talk to a medical equipment expert who can help you decide which type, make and model will be best for you. Whatever you do, don't spend thousands of dollars on a guess. Be sure you're getting the bed you need.

Why waste your time looking for the perfect hospital bed or home care bed? We can find the perfect one for your needs...saving you time, money and frustration!

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It Takes a Village - Hospital Staff Works Together Towards Better Health

As the average patient enters the hospital for a routine medical exam or open-heart surgery, they do not always get to meet the dozens of hospital staff working behind the scenes to make sure that they are given the best care possible in a comfortable setting.

When most people think of a hospital like Manteno hospital, they first think of doctors and nurses whom are certainly a critical part of the hospital. But what about the sheets on the bed or the well-balanced tray of food cooked and delivered to your bedside three times a day. These tasks are performed by housekeeping and kitchen staff and often go unseen during a hospital stay.

It is easy to imagine the hundreds of man hours that go into doing the laundry for an Illinois hospital on any given day, but what about the lights that illuminate the surgical suites during important surgeries or the clean white-tiled floors that allow patients to be safely moved from room to room as needed. Largely operations and maintenance staff, many of whom work late hours to ensure that everything in the hospitality is running efficiently, oversee these tasks.

If you were to look at staff at the Kankakee Illinois hospital, you would find a wide range of job positions. The hospital administration and management is always working to ensure that insurers are paid and that doctors and nurses have the necessary support and technology to give the best care possible to all.

Doctors and nurses have the closest interaction with patients, but all of the facets of a working, thriving hospital make it possible for you to receive the best of care at all times. If one person were to not complete their job then it would be nearly impossible for other workers to complete their daily duties. This is why many hospitals make every effort to acknowledge the diversity of their staff and the various ways that their hard work positively impacts the patient sitting in the waiting room ready to be admitted.

Rounding out the diverse roles and responsibilities of paid staff are the hospital volunteers. These men, women and children often come from varied backgrounds and support patients and other staff alike. Whether it is bringing some much needed humor and cheer to a post-op patient or reading to children in the hospital, these individuals recognize the fulfillment that comes from giving back within your own community.

So whether or not you are a doctor at Manteno hospital or a nurse at the Kankakee Illinois hospital [http://www.riversidehealthcare.org/locations/kankakee.html] or play a role in the administration of an Illinois hospital, Riverside Healthcare has a team of dedicated individuals working towards better health for everyone who walks through the door. At Riverside, patients can learn more about these caring individuals and the programs and services available at the Riverside hospitals across Illinois.

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Having Surgery - 7 Things You Don't Want to Take to the Hospital When You Go in For Surgery

There are some things that you are required to take to the hospital when you are having surgery, such as a photo id and your usual medications. And there are some things, such as your favorite books that you must have to make your stay while recovering after surgery a little more comfortable, and that's okay. There are some things, however, that you should never take to the hospital even if you think you can't live without them. After all... you are going to the hospital, and I promise; your doctors and nurses will not let you die from email deprivation.

Here is at list of some important "don't bring items" and why you should not take them with you to the hospital.

1. Food and Drink

Chances are good that you will be on some doctor-ordered diet for a few days after surgery. And all of your food will come from the hospital cafeteria. It's not exactly savory, but you have to eat that and that alone. Don't bother with gathering up and keeping up with your favorite foods and drinks in the hospital. Besides, you won't have a refrigerator, microwave, or can opener in your recovery room anyway.

2. Clothing

When you feel sick at home it always helps to put on your comfy flannel pajamas, wrap up in your silk robe, and walk around in your fuzzy slippers. And you know that at the hospital you will be wearing a flimsy gown that is too big and flashes your rear when you walk. You may be tempted to pack your go-to lounging around garb. But, in the hospital, you risk losing or even ruining those coveted comfort clothes. Leave them at home and look forward to wearing them when you get back.

3. Nice Linens

Let's face it, hospitals do not exactly brag about their high-thread count sheets or plush pillows. And unless the sheets on your bed are 500-thread count and the pillow under your head is made of memory foam, you just don't sleep well. You think that you would get more and better rest if you just take in some of your own linens. But don't do it. Like clothing, linens are likely to get lost or ruined while you are recovering in the hospital. If you absolutely cannot fall asleep on the hospital linens, the nurse will give you a pill for that.

4. Scented Candles or Air Freshener

Aromatherapy is effective at easing you into the right mood and frame of mind to accelerate healing. The flickering flames of candles alone can create an atmosphere of peace and relaxation. And, anything would improve the sanitary yet unsettling smell of hospital rooms. However, lighting candles and fogging the room with Febreeze is not a good idea for two reasons. For one, the aroma that pleases one person may sicken another. You don't want to occupy that room that other patrons of the hospital smell from down the hall. For two, certain products that alter the air may cause complications for other recovering patients, especially ones with conditions such as asthma. You don't want to be the one responsible for contaminating their air.

5. Jewelry

Jewelry should never be taken to the hospital, and this includes your wedding set. Before surgery, you will be required to take it off, all of it. This is the time when jewelry can get lost or even stolen. If you don't believe it, read the newspaper. It's sad, but all to often jewelry gets stolen while in the hospital. Furthermore, when you are lying in a hospital bed, you do not need to nor are you expected to wear jewelry. Just save yourself the hassle of taking it off and trusting a friend to keep up with it and prevent the risk of losing it. Leave all of your jewelry at home, safe and sound.

6. Credit Cards or Cash

There is not one thing that you need to buy in the hospital. Your food, room, and maid services are included in that huge bill that they send you. Like jewelry, cash and cards are easily stolen or lost in the hospital. You don't want to leave the hospital with less cash or a stolen identity. Leave the pocketbook or wallet at home.

7. Work-Related Items

Cell phones, laptops, briefcases, and anything else related to work should be left at, well, work. At the hospital, focus on recovery. You can focus on your work at work. Stressing over work will only interfere with your rest and serenity and hinder your healing. Save the work for when you are back in tip-top shape and can really concentrate on getting those reports finished. Beleive it or not, if they are really that important, let someone else from the office do it.

So... try to leave the above items at home when you have to stay in the hospital. You really won't miss them while recuperating after your surgery, and they will be waiting for you just the same as you left them when you get home.

If you are having surgery and would like more information about how to prepare for surgery, reduce stress and heal quicker then download my free guide at http://www.PrepareForSurgeryNow.com

Mary Edison is also a health enthusiast, writer and entrepreneur. Through her websites and articles, she offers products and services that nurture and support the quality of life for all living things.

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Where Do Hospitals Get the Money in Order to Purchase Hospital Equipment?

There are several sources in which hospitals have in order to purchase the hospital equipment that they need in order to run their hospital and give their patients the most efficient and up-to-date care. Hospitals make their money and stay open due to federal and state government allocations, legislatures, insurance companies, individuals who make donations, and other employers. All of these entities contribute to the funding of the hospital and is taken care of by the hospital administrators who try to make the best and most efficient choices for the hospital itself.

Hospitals get their main source of income from the contributions and donations from companies and individual resources. They either get these monies in the form of checks or in hospital equipment or in other types of transactions. Most of these processes are very complicated in order to explain but there are several websites on the internet that explains the processes more in depth in order to get the understanding about how the whole process works. Their other main source of income is through the patients that they treat but this also can be very complicated due to the fact that there has to be a balance between the insured patients and the uninsured patients.

The more procedures that a hospital will incur will get them more money from the insurance companies while different procedures will be more lucrative than other procedures. It also even depends on the types of insurance plans that the patients have because some insurance companies pay more than others do. All of these factors have to watched and calculated in order for the hospital to have the money in their accounts in order to purchase needed hospital equipment and supplies for the hospital. Hospitals can go out of business if there are too many patients that come through their door without insurance or without a way to pay.

The general public needs to understand that the reason hospital costs are usually so high is due to the simple fact of the cost that it takes in order to run the hospital and the cost that it takes to get the patients the best and most up-to-date hospital equipment on the market today. They could be making a lot of money from their donations, insurance money and the government, but if the uninsured services and non-payment services rise about the money that they are getting, it could force the hospital into closing their doors.

Simon Harris writers about Hospital Equipment at http://www.hospital-equipment.org/

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What Does the Internet Have to Offer When it Comes to Hospital Equipment?

Many hospitals purchase their hospital equipment from local medical supply companies within their area but there are times when their staff will research and find other outlets in order to purchase from that will be more cost efficient for their hospital. There are many online retailers that the hospitals are able to take advantage of in order to purchase many of their supplies and equipment. Hospitals usually go through a purchasing process of discussions, research, and proposals before they actually put their signature on the dotted line and they have to make sure that they are getting the most up-to-date equipment as well.

The benefit that online retailers give to the medical industry when it comes to hospitals purchasing hospital equipment are the options and array of supplies that it gives. There is new technology coming out for the medical field every single day and hospitals have to be on top of this technology in order to stay with the competition that is in the business. You may think that there is no competition between hospitals and they are just there to take care of the number of people in that area but this is just not the case.

There are people who will travel far distances in order to visit a hospital that has more technology because they feel that they will get better results and their health situation will turn out a lot better. Hospitals that research the internet for better and more efficient types of hospital equipment will not only save themselves money in the long run, but will be able to acquire a new piece of equipment that their state may not have acquired yet within the local medical equipment supply companies. Every purchase that is made has to be the most advanced piece otherwise they would have to replace it soon costing them more money.

The internet allows them to view the hospital equipment that they are thinking about purchasing along with getting all of the information that they need about that specific piece of equipment. They will be able to contact the supply company so that they can discuss the purchase and the delivery of the item along with how the payment is to be made. The hospital administrators can do all of this within their own offices sitting at their desks. It saves the hospitals on hiring staff to go out and find the new technologies that are available.

Simon Harris writers about Hospital Equipment at http://www.hospital-equipment.org/

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St Johns Hospital Diet

However unbelievable this may sound, I did manage to successfully lose 9 pounds in 3 days with the help of St Johns Hospital 3 day diet. Looking and feeling much better and healthier was an instant result because of the amazing 3 day diet I experienced in St Johns Hospital. If you are a little unsure about this particular diet,

I am here to tell you not to worry as it is very safe and efficient. Amazing things can be done by going through a diet like this and to be honest with you, unlike most diets it does not even taste bad.

Hospital have a bad reputation when it comes to their food as most people tend to think that all the food served in hospital are always bland and boring with little or no taste. However, this is becoming a thing of the past. as hospital foods are becoming more and more delicious and tasty to go along with the healthy nutrition in their food as well. Overall, The food preparation and medical care in hospitals such as St Johns Hospital are improving day by day.

The St Johns 3 days hospital diet is pretty decent tasting and even though its menu does include the typical hospital food you would normally get, it does not necessarily mean it is going to taste bad.

The chemicals contained in the food are the main factor involved in St Johns 3 day hospital diet and that is the main reason why you cannot replace the food any way you like as no food substitution is allowed for this diet to be effective. The different food components mix together to form a combination to help in your weight loss. Once you are done with the St Johns 3 day hospital diet it is recommended that you do not continue the diet after day 3 and just stop because the sole purpose is to provide a motivation for you for that push you need to enhance your weight loss program. However, If you wish to go back to the St Johns 3 Day hospital diet then it is not a problem just do not do it continuously and give it a 4 day interval between each time you do the 3 day diet. Always keep in mind as well during those 4 interval break days between the hospital diets do not eat fatty and unhealthy food but just eat reasonably and healthy.

The following is the list of food items that you should consume in the St Johns 3 day hospital diet:

1st Day:

Breakfast - A cup of plain black coffee or tea, 1/2 of a grapefruit, 1 slice of toast with nothing on it, and a tablespoonful of peanut butter.

Lunch - A cup of plain black coffee or tea, 1 ounce of cheddar or 1 slice of toast with nothing on it, and 1/2 cup of tuna (plain, packed in water)

Dinner - 3 ounces of lean meat (chicken), 1 cup green beans, 1 cup of carrots, 1 small apple, and - get this now - 1 cup of vanilla ice cream (Delicious!)

2nd Day:

Breakfast - A cup of plain black coffee or tea, 1 egg, 1 slice of toast with nothing on it, and 1/2 a banana

Lunch - A cup of plain black coffee or tea, 1/2 cup of tuna or 1 cup of low fat cottage cheese, and 5 regular saltines.

Dinner - beef hot dogs (sans buns), 1 cup of broccoli, 1/2 cup of carrots or turnip greens, 1/2 banana, and 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

3rd Day:

Breakfast - A cup of plain black coffee or tea, a small apple, 1 ounce of cheddar cheese (sharp or mild does not matter), and 5 regular saltine crackers with nothing on them

Lunch - A cup of plain black coffee or tea, 1 hard-boiled egg, and 1 slice of toast with nothing on it

Dinner - 1 cup plain tuna again, 1 cup cauliflower or 1 cup kidney beans, 1 cup carrots or beets, 1 cup of watermelon or cantaloupe, and 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream.

For those that have been to basically any hospital the food menu looks familiar doesn't it? Think of it this way, if the hospital is serving it then it must be good for you as they will not serve food to make you even more unhealthy or sick and that is why I am a fan of St Johns 3 day hospital diet and feel safe in taking up such a diet. Trust me it works as I have gone through it. It felt amazing losing 9 pounds in just those 3 days and now with this information hopefully you can feel amazing too. It takes just 3 days! Thanks St Johns hospital diet!

* Highly Recommended Book: If you wish to learn more on the St Johns Hospital Diet and other diet plans, then download the Ultimate Free E-Book On Weight Loss Today.

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Hospital Pricing Specialists Will Help Keep You Competitive

There is no question that health care costs are rising rapidly. To keep in line with other hospitals, your pricing must be in line with the local market and other hospitals around your area. By comparing your prices, or hospital benchmarking, you are ensuring that your institutions pricing is accurate and up to date with area hospitals.

If you are too busy to keep track of expenses, or simply don't have the proper staff to execute hospital price comparisons, you should contact a hospital pricing specialist. You do not want to hold your institution back by not having the correct pricing for your services. It is imperative that you have side by side comparisons, and hospital pricing specialists can provide this for you.

Hospital Pricing Specialists will provide you with accurate, real time data such as inpatient hospital pricing comparisons by average hospital charges and room rates. They also provide outpatient prices by unit of service of each individual hospital. Along with inpatient and outpatient hospital prices, you are also given access to financial data that will provide you with hospital price comparisons.

Do not let your hospital be overlooked because of your pricing. Consumers are informed and will research your pricing if necessary. Consumers are looking for great services at a good price, it will not settle for less. Your institution must be able to predict the trends and forecast your pricing based on your local market. Let the professionals handle your hospital pricing reports so you can focus on your faculty and patients.

In addition to your hospital pricing reports, there is legislation pending that will affect hospitals. Now is the time to get your pricing on the mark. Hospitals need to stay in tune with their local market and surrounding areas if they want to be full fledged competitors in their fields of service.

http://www.HospitalPricingSpecialists.com

Mary M Dillio is President of LuxVine Consulting, an Administrative Consulting Company located in New York City. LuxVine provides back-end office support as well as web content, writing & design services. http://www.luxvine.com

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Hospital Stays Made Better and Healthier

Three people I know will be staying in the hospital for a few days next week. These appointments were made a couple of months in advance so there is none of those awful trips to the Emergency Room.

Interestingly, however, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published a report which stated that about 2.3 million people who entered the hospital over a year's time, were re-entering after being discharged within 7 days. About one in ten of thee cases stemmed from medical or surgical complications from their stay in the hospital.

Here are two steps you can take to make your hospital stay healthier.

First, find a hospital that suits your needs.

I interviewed an obstetrician this week for an article I'm writing for a weekly paper, and he said there are good doctors in every major hospital. If a woman is pregnant it's more important for her to find a hospital where she is comfortable and is close to her family.

The hospital is where key decisions are made so it pays to take time to study the one you want to attend. You can compare hospitals at this link. This web site can give you data on the outcomes for specific medical surgeries and conditions. You can see how other patients recovered and what you can expect when the unexpected takes place.

Is your hospital accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations?
Are 70 percent of the doctors board certified physicians?
Are 60 percent of the nursing staff registered nurses?
Your second step is to investigate costs before you go to the hospital.

Contact the hospital billing department and find out what expenses you can expect for your condition. What is the room charge? What other costs are covered by the room fee and which are not? For example, if it is for an over the counter drug, bring it from home.

To save costs, stay within your network of providers and check with your insurance provider. Some plans don't cover your stay unless you clear this with them in advance. Inquire about your deductible.

When you receive your billing look for:

Miscellaneous fees
Calculation errors
Duplicate billings
Fees relating to routine care that was not performed
Question and ask
Speak with the hospital administrator if you run into problems with the billing department.
Your third step is to prepare for your hospital stay.

A month or so before your hospital stay ask your doctor if you should stop taking certain medications or nutritional supplements. Make sure you understand what the doctor's explanation is about exercise and alcohol after your stay.

If you're having surgery, meet or at least talk to your anesthesiologist before your surgery. Make sure your anesthesiologist knows about these conditions to avoid complications:

High or low blood pressure
Diabetes and Heart disease
Reflux and Hiatal hernia
Sleep apnea
Past anesthesia reactions

A few days before your surgery, pack a suitcase. Here is what you will want to

Include:

A sleep mask and ear plugs so you can rest and not be distracted.
A notebook to log in hospital activity such as treatments, medications and supplies. This will come in handy when you receive your bill and you can compare you notes.
A copy of important forms: durable power of attorney, medical power of attorney, mental health power of attorney, and HIPAA medical records release forms.
Your medical information such as conditions, allergies, medications, health insurance, emergency contacts.
A portable music player: cassette, MP3, IPod.
Reading materials, games cards.
Cell phone to avoid paying hospital phone fees. Bring the charger.
Something comfortable from home such as your pillow or a robe.

When you pack, pretend you are sending you child to camp and put your name on everything.

Finally, partner with someone who can help you throughout your hospitalization. This person is your advocate. Many hospitals have cut their nursing staff and may need them to help you. Chose a person who is able to speak up for you when issues require action. If you do not have a member of your family or a friend to do this some home health care companies do have paid companions who can stay with you.

You do not have to enjoy your hospital stay but you can make sure it does not cause extra problems. 

And I invite you to find more information on successful approaches for a healthy lifestyle at http://www.upsideofaging.com Claim your free report on a specific health issues.

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6 Top Tips to Ensure That Your Hospital Has a Clean Bill of Health

Is it possible to leave a hospital with worse health than when it admitted you? Unfortunately, it can happen. In theory, hospitals should be clean as a bean. However, that is not always the case. Thus, it is important to follow some basic guidelines, in order to find the cleanest (and perhaps safest) hospital available:

1. Secure a copy of the hospital area's cleaning instructions, where you will stay.

Regardless of which part of the hospital in which you will stay, these instructions should include detailed descriptions about how personnel keep the area sparkling clean. While this may seem like overkill, remember that bacteria can kill. You are a paying customer, so you have the right to learn how the hospital cleans a certain area.

2. Determine if hospitals are certified and have retained certification

Learn if the hospital has received Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) certification. This is an industry standard. Receiving and maintaining this certification ensures that the hospital has been meticulous in keeping the institution sufficiently clean-for at least the past two years. This ensures that personnel are wearing hygienic clothing, such as cheap urbane scrubs, and are properly sanitizing all medical tools.

3. Ensure that the staff adheres to policies after the hospital admits you

The medical personnel should follow several cleanliness procedures. They must wash their hands with a sanitizer, prior to touching you. Stethoscopes must also undergo this process. Are personnel sanitizing instruments properly and washing their hands frequently? Observe whether the personnel are wearing hygienic clothing, such as scrubs.

Many types of bacteria in hospitals, referred to as "superbugs," have become resistant to various types of antibiotics. Thus, taking certain precautions can help to reduce the rate at which people transmit bacteria between people.

4. Learn about Medicare/Medicaid's HCAHPS results

Since March of 2008, hospitals acquiring financial refunds from Medicaid and Medicare, have been conducting HCAHPS surveys through their customers. HCAHPS refers to the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems. This survey includes clients' assessments in various areas, including "Cleanliness and Quietness of the Physical Environment." You can obtain results of a hospital's surveys, via the Internet.

5. Verify that the personnel are IEHA educated

IEFHA stands for International Executive Housekeepers Association. Inquire whether the cleaning personnel in the hospital have received AEHA training. This is yet another indicator that a hospital has prioritized cleaning its facilities properly.

6. Request for a tour of a hospital

When taking a tour of a hospital, ask yourself these questions:

o How do cleaning crews clean hospital rooms, and how often?

o Are carpets spotless?

o What hand-washing process does medical staff follow?

o Do breathe in an overall clean scent?

o Is there "hidden" dirt?

Do you want to stay in a clean hospital? If so, then you can follow some basic steps, to ensure that you will be in the cleanest and safest environment possible. For instance, scrubs can reduce the rates of bacterial infections. Make sure that your hospital has a clean bill of health!

Brent McNutt enjoys talking about cheap urbane scrubs and cheap landau scrubs as well as networking with healthcare professionals online.

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Hospital Pricing in a Changing Marketplace

38 states have already proposed or passed legislation requiring hospitals to publish their hospital pricing. So what does this mean for hospitals? It means that in order to stay on top of the market, they must either meet or exceed expectations with their hospital pricing. Why? Because consumers will use pricing information when choosing services.

Marketing is all about the 4 P's. Product, Price, Promotion and Place. In the past, hospital pricing has been left to only certain individuals in the process, while product, place and promotion are the only factors that have been controlled. With the media questioning hospitals and health care every day, consumers have become more enlightened when it comes to their health care. They demand answers, and when you are in the business of consumer driven healthcare, you must provide answers.

Price is such an important part of the marketing mix, and it can no longer be ignored. If you are in the position to make real decisions about hospital pricing, you need to invest some time in researching hospital price comparisons and hospital prices in your area.

Hospital pricing specialists can provide you with up to date and accurate data that will enable you to make decisions based on your competitions pricing and services. By becoming a pricing leader in your area, you are essentially becoming the hospital benchmark for all other hospitals. If your hospital has become the benchmark for all others, then it is important for you to stay on top of your pricing and services so that you do not become overshadowed by others.

Hospital pricing specialists will provide you with definitive information that will allow you to make sound decisions regarding your hospital pricing. They will give you inpatient and outpatient data, as well as financial data including over 400 different factors. Once you have become more informed about not only your own hospital pricing, but of those in your area, you are then in a position to make a decision that makes the most sense.

With constant and changing legislation regarding hospitals and their practices, you have to be honest and upfront with consumers about your pricing. Hospitals that are not afraid to discuss their pricing and strategies will gain the trust of the wavering consumer. The media and consumers will continue to ask the questions, so why not have an open dialog about your hospital prices?

http://www.HospitalPricingSpecialists.com

Mary M Dillio is President of LuxVine Consulting, an Administrative Consulting Company located in New York City. LuxVine provides back-end office support as well as web content, writing & design services. http://www.luxvine.com

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The Importance of Hospital

A hospital is an institution for health care providing patient treatment by specialised staff and equipment, and often but not always providing for longer-term patient stays. A hospital today is a centre for professional health care provided by physicians and nurses. During the Middle Ages it could serve other functions, such as almshouse for the poor, or hostel for pilgrims. The name comes from Latin hospes (host), which is also the root for the words hotel and hospitality. Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), also known as health-care-associated infections, encompass almost all clinically evident infections that do not originate from a patient's original admitting diagnosis.

Within hours after admission, a patient's flora begins to acquire characteristics of the surrounding bacterial pool. Most infections that become clinically evident after 48 hours of hospitalization are considered hospital-acquired. Infections that occur after the patient's discharge from the hospital can be considered to have a nonsocial origin if the organisms were acquired during the hospital stay. Today, hospitals are usually funded by the state, health organizations (for profit or non-profit), health insurances or charities, including direct charitable donations. In history, however, they were often founded and funded by religious orders or charitable individuals and leaders.

Similarly, modern-day hospitals are largely staffed by professional physicians, surgeons and nurses, whereas in history, this work was usually done by the founding religious orders or by volunteers. There are several kinds of hospital. The best-known is the general hospital, which is set up to deal with many kinds of disease and injury, and typically has an emergency ward to deal with immediate threats to health and the capacity to dispatch emergency medical services. A general hospital is typically the major health care facility in its region, with large numbers of beds for intensive care and long-term care, facilities for surgery and childbirth, bio assay laboratories, and so forth. Larger cities may have many different hospitals of varying sizes and facilities. One plum wall says it all: Hospital services are separate and distinct from boarding and grooming services-yet both are easily accessible to pet owners and team members.

During a candid conversation with his architect, Dr. David Gordon, medical director of VCA Arroyo Animal Hospital (formerly Arroyo Pet Care Center) in Lake Forest, Calif., mentioned he'd like to distinctly separate the hospital and medical functions and the boarding and grooming functions. Yet his idea of using a scalpel handle and blade on the outside of the building to depict that separation didn't quite seem appropriate. Some patients just come just for diagnosis and/or therapy and then leave (outpatients), others stay the nights (inpatients). Putting the patient first is a challenge that requires not just a huge change in the mindset of all the stakeholders in health care provision, but also the means by which to measure the levels of satisfaction of patients, and to discover what matters to them before, during and after their visit to any hospital. Patient quality initiatives, with their softer, experiential focus than clinical audit, with its precise and scientific methods of measurement, demand different measurement techniques.

Often, the most effective means is to adapt from the survey techniques widely practiced in social research and market research by using surveys and objective self-completion questioning techniques. Yet, without careful management, the measurement teams can drown in a sea of questionnaires. Surveys are labor intensive, so it makes sense to use software developed to handle surveys in this context too, and make the process into something that can be managed by the small teams usually given this responsibility within the hospital.

I works for http://www.recruithospitalexecutives.com as Hospital executive.

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Tips on Becoming a Hospital Phlebotomist

In a hospital environment, there are many different people that are required in order to ensure that patients are able to receive prompt medical care. Each person that works in a hospital has a specific duty, which helps bring aid to those in need. For a phlebotomist, their job helps to ensure that the doctors and nurses that work in the hospital are able to devote their attention to their duty. A hospital phlebotomist plays a very important role in proper medical care, which is essential in any hospital. Here is some general information to help familiarize you with the purpose, duties and responsibilities of a hospital phlebotomist.

What is a Hospital Phlebotomist?

A hospital phlebotomist is a person that is responsible for collecting blood from patients. This includes being able to perform venipuncture, the process by which blood is extracted from a patient's veins. A phlebotomist collects the blood sample so that the doctors and nurses are able to devote their attention to other duties.

Job Duties

There are many responsibilities of a phlebotomist that are very important in proper patient care. A hospital phlebotomist must be able to make their patient feel comfortable, since the process of extracting blood can be uncomfortable for many people. In addition to this, a phlebotomist must be able to know the best way to deal with children, who are often frightened of having blood drawn. If a person has a medical condition, or is extremely obese, a phlebotomist must be able to know of different areas from which blood can be drawn.

Aside from the actual blood drawing process, a hospital phlebotomist is also responsible for making sure that each blood sample is labeled and documented properly. Since many blood samples are submitted to a laboratory for testing, proper labeling of the samples is essential. This helps to ensure that the patient is able to receive accurate results from their tests.

Quality control is also very important, since it's essential that they don't allow a sample to become contaminated. They must make sure that all of their equipment has been sanitized, and that they are able to draw blood from the patient in a sterile environment. Since contamination of the blood sample could result in inaccurate laboratory test results, the job of a phlebotomist is absolutely essential.

Certification for Hospital Phlebotomists

To become a hospital phlebotomist, the requirements may vary. Some hospitals require all of their phlebotomists to complete a set number of "on the job" training hours before they are allowed to become officially employed by the hospital. Though passing a phlebotomy certification exam isn't a national requirement (except in certain states), many hospitals like to see phlebotomist certification in potential hospital phlebotomists. It's also recommended that an aspiring hospital phlebotomist complete a training program, which helps them to develop the skills that they need to do their job correctly. If you plan to become a phlebotomist at a specific hospital, be sure to become familiar with their requirements beforehand.

Adam Davies is the creator of AMT Phlebotomy Certification, one of the only sites online currently devoted to getting certified in the field of phlebotomy. The site will teach you all you need to know about this field, including how to pass your phlebotomy certification exam, and much more.

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Huntsville Hospital

The Communities of Northern Alabama and Southern Tennessee, both share the services of the Huntsville Hospital, which is a very big outfit that is staffed by over six hundred and fifty doctors, over two thousand nurses and a total staff numbering over five thousand.

The Hospital is divided into three sections, with each section specializing and providing different services to its patients. The Huntsville Hospital for women and children provides specialized medical attention and services to women and children. These include and are not limited to pre-natal services, maternity services, gynecological services and pediatric services.

The Madison Medical Park is the Huntsville Hospital's outpatient facility that is staffed by doctors specializing in different fields. This may include dentists, gynecologists and obstetricians and general practitioners. Here, when you see the doctor, you get referred to the main hospital or you get a prescription and you go home. Here they deal with the everyday medical problems that we have.

Finally, the Hospital in Huntsville also staffs a seventy bed rehabilitation center. Here, people with different problems ranging from alcohol to drug abuse are admitted and they get the help that they need.

The amazing thing about the Hospital is that it is a Not for Profit organization. So you find that this is one of the few places where people go to work because it's something they want to do from their hearts. Like many hospitals in the United States, Huntsville Hospital is a teaching and training hospital that is affiliated to the University of Alabama - Birmingham School of Medicine and Family Practice, and Residency Program. On completion of their studies, medical students are attached to the hospital to do their residency there. The Hospital also serves as a primary research center for drugs, with around fifty projects that are currently ongoing.

Peter Gitundu Creates Interesting And Thought Provoking Content on Hospitals. For More Information, Read More Of His Articles Here HOSPITAL SUPPLIES If You Enjoyed This Article, Make Sure You SUBSCRIBE TO MY RSS FEED!

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Are You A Victim of Hospital Malpractice?

Hospital malpractice is an issue that occurs when the medical workers at a hospital (such as the doctors, nurses, technicians, etc.) are deemed to be negligent and because of this negligence a patient suffered a serious injury, or in some cases death. There are several forms of hospital malpractice, which include: patient misdiagnosis, providing the wrong medication, overlooking or ignoring patient allergies, failure to actually treat the patient, not following proper protocol or procedures during the treatment process, along with various other violations.

While the laws vary somewhat from state to state, each jurisdiction does have set standards that each and every hospital and medical professional needs to follow. These standards have been designed to ensure that all patients are treated in the same manner. If it can be shown that the hospital or medical staff has not followed these guidelines and met these standards, the patient may be able to seek help to file a complaint or lawsuit and receive compensation for damages.

From a more technical standpoint, hospital malpractice is defined as the negligence of a medical employee to act properly, allowing for physical harm to occur to the patient. The hospital has committed an act of malpractice when the patient or the surviving family members can prove the following:

The hospital owed the patient a "duty of care";

The hospital or its staff breached this duty and did not act in a manner that was considered to be appropriate, or in a way that other professionals would have acted in the same case;

This breach of duty was the direct cause of the physical harm that the patient endured, and would not have happened if the hospital had acted properly;

The patient is permitted to receive damages under the malpractice laws that govern the state in which the injury occurred.

When all of the above mentioned elements can be proven, the hospital is considered to be liable for the malpractice. While this may be clear, you may still be left wondering exactly how hospital malpractice can occur in a real world situation. Below are some of the most common cases for this type of violation:

There was a missed or delayed diagnosis: this could be a failure to order a certain test that would have quickly found a proper diagnosis, or it could be there was a complete error in a diagnosis. For instance, if a competent hospital worker should have ordered a particular test and a different diagnosis would have resulted; the hospital is liable for a case of malpractice.

There was a complete treatment failure: if the hospital decides not to treat a patient, or does not administer treatment promptly, or if the hospital does not recommend that the patient visit a specialist there has been a treatment failure. When any of these things happen, the hospital has placed the patient in harm and can and should be held accountable for negligence.

There was a failure to monitor the patient: After the patient was admitted the hospital, the hospital must abide by the duty of care expected. This includes monitoring the patient to ensure he or she is safe and being properly treated. If proper monitoring does not take place, and an injury occurs because of it, a negligent act has happened and the hospital is liable.

The number of staff that can be held accountable and for which a lawsuit can be filed may be restricted based upon their employment status, or role within the chain of command at the hospital. If the person who has breached the duty of care holds a position such as a nurse or other type of medical technician, the hospital can be held accountable and sue for negligence. That being said, if the negligence was committed by a contractor that is considered to be independent, the hospital cannot be held accountable, and the independent contractor only can be held liable. Many doctors independently contract with hospitals, and are not considered to be employees, so it is necessary to hire an attorney who can examine the details of your case in order to decide how to proceed, and who should be filed against.

All hospital malpractice claims start off in the same manner; a complaint is submitted to the court who oversees the jurisdiction. The complaint will spell out the details of the case, and will assert that the hospital was in fact negligent in performing the proper amount of care to the patient, which therefore resulted in injury or death. The complaint will also state that the patient or his or her family is entitled to receive compensation for these injuries.

Because the statute of limitations for filing hospital malpractice claims varies a great deal from state to state you should seek the advice of a professional malpractice attorney as soon as possible. In most cases, the time frame is one to four years from the time the incident occurred, however most states limit the filing time to two years. Because time is of the essence, you should not wait to consult with a professional. He or she can start compiling your case immediately and can collect all of the needed evidence to solidify your claim.

A hospital malpractice attorney can help you to recover damages to help secure your future. Because most injuries that result force patients to lose work, suffer permanent disabilities, lose quality of life, and even experience substantial out of pocket expenses, you need someone with experience working hard on your side to get you the justice you deserve.

You cannot file a claim on your own, and you should never try to do so. A professional medical malpractice attorney will assume your case, work on all the details for you, and allow you the time needed to heal and move on with your life. You should not settle for less than you deserve or risk being a victim twice. Hospitals and medical professionals have plenty of attorneys working hard on their side and so should you.

For information on medical malpractice lawyers & attorneys, visit the Philadelphia law firm website FeldmanShepherd.com.

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Electric Hospital Beds

Good sleep is required for a patient to recover from whatever condition he or she is currently and comes from being in a good hospital bed. The inability of the hospital bed to provide the much needed musculoskeletal support and comfort to the patient will hinder quality rest and, therefore, a fast recovery.

During the course of your confinement in a hospital, you need a hospital bed that is able to provide adequate support. A hospital bed with a mattress that is either too firm or too soft can cause you back pain, neck pain, and cramping, making your hospital experience miserable.

Electric hospital beds are advantageous in all cases as they offer the much needed comfort sought by patients. With electric hospital beds, the switching and adjusting of the head and leg positions are easy to make. The patient can therefore adjust the bed to his or her preferred position, allowing for the most comfort possible.

Types of Electric Hospital Beds

A semi-electric hospital bed contains electric control buttons to raise and lower the head and feet and a manually operated crank for raising and lowering the bed.

A full-electric hospital bed does every single task with just a click of a button. Thus, the patient is allowed a full control of the bed.

Both beds have their advantages and disadvantages. For example, a full-electric bed allows the patient to make himself as comfortable as possible by adjusting his bed with just the click of a button. However, during a power outage, a manually adjusted bed would be more desirable.

Hospital Beds [http://www.e-HospitalBeds.com] provides detailed information on Hospital Beds, Electric Hospital Beds, Used Hospital Beds, Adjustable Hospital Beds and more. Hospital Beds is affiliated with Animal Hospitals [http://www.i-Hospitals.com].

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Getting Well - Your Hospital Stay

If you or a loved one is soon to be in the hospital, you can reduce the stress and confusion with some good planning and record keeping. Before the hospitalization, during and then after release, there are questions to ask and answers to record. You might want to keep your health care information in the same place you store your important legal documents.

You will want to have a list of the medicines you are taking, and you will want to keep track of answers to questions you have about your care and treatment. If you are not able to act as your own best health care advocate, it is good to designate someone who can. Also, to make the hospital stay more comfortable, you may want to bring things from home, such as books, slippers, and a robe.

There will be questions that you need to ask so that you can make informed health care decisions. You will want to know the names of the doctors that have treated you in the hospital; tests that were performed and with what results; the diagnosis, in medical and layperson's terms; the prognosis for your condition or disease; any new medicines that are prescribed; possible side effects of proposed treatment; and information about any appropriate clinical trials.

It is especially important to keep track of medicines prescribed before, during, and upon release from the hospital. Make a note of when medicines are first prescribed, when dosages are adjusted, and all medicines that are discontinued. By keeping track of your current prescriptions, you will prevent being over- or under-medicated or even having medication interactions.

When you are scheduled to be discharged from the hospital, there will be a "discharge meeting." The discharge planner coordinates ordering equipment, home health services, outpatient therapy, and many other services. The planner will make sure that the doctor has issued prescription orders for all services you need. It is a good idea to attend the discharge meeting (or have someone attend on your behalf) so that your needs may be more fully addressed.

Also at the discharge meeting it will be decided if you will go home, or to some other facility. You may be placed in a rehabilitation hospital, a skilled nursing facility, an assisted living residence, or home with help from a caretaker, family member or friend.

A rehabilitation hospital is where they have an intensive therapy program-often several hours a day of therapy. This is a place patients are sent when they are too "well" for the hospital but not yet strong enough to return home. Another option for care between the hospital and the home setting is a skilled nursing facility, which will usually offer some rehabilitation services.Sometimes, you will need more help than you can get at home, and you will be released to an assisted living facility.

Issues of your mobility can be assessed at the hospital, especially if you request it. Many people leaving the hospital will have specialized equipment for their recovery period. Beyond a wheelchair and walker, there are other items of durable medical equipment that help with accessibility and mobility, such as grab bars, raised toilet seats, and railings for the bathroom. Many of these items will be provided for you to use while you are admitted to a rehabilitation hospital, skilled nursing facility or assisted living facility.

Additional details will be needed if you are going from the hospital to your home. Will your necessary equipment be there already? Will you be able to reach all rooms or areas in your home? Will your home need modifications so that you can access all areas of it? If you ask questions in advance, adjustments can be made so that your return home goes more smoothly. While a hospital stay is never looked forward to, with some planning, asking the right questions, and recording information, the stay may be less stressful. Further, when you have adequate information about your health and your treatment options, you can make more informed decisions and feel more in control of your life and your health.

Smalltown Duo, owned by Sibyl Day and Mary Benson, specializes in medical and legal books for consumers. They publish a popular book called "What Did the Doctor Say? A Guide for Leaving the Hospital." The book covers topics such as questions to ask about your diagnosis, medications, doctor visits, and avoiding common medical errors. If you or someone you know will soon be in the hospital, this book helps with every step of the way. For more information, visit their website at www.SmalltownDuo.com.

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Hospital and Medical Tourism in Singapore

'Singapore' is the next big buzzword in the ever evolving global medical tourism industry

Singapore is no longer just the leisure or business destination. With a population of 4.5 million, strong workforce of skilled doctors and some best state-of-the-art hospitals Singapore is fast positioning itself as a global medical tourism hub. Approximately 200,000 overseas patients visit Singapore every year and the hospitals are targeting to increase the numbers manifold, to serving one million foreign patients annually by 2012 and generate USD 3 billion in revenue.

Medical tourism can be broadly defined as the service of providing of cost-effective private medical care in collaboration with the tourism industry for patients requiring surgical and other forms of specialized treatment. Singapore's healthcare services are built on a foundation of world class quality, safety and trustworthiness, coupled with advanced research and international accreditation, and is Asia's leading medical hub.

Eleven hospitals and medical centres in Singapore have obtained Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. Quite a few of them are ISO-9001-2000 certified as well.

Patients mostly come from neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma, etc. However, patient numbers from India, China, the Middle East and Africa to Singapore is witnessing fast growth. Over the past few years patients from developed countries such as United States and Europe also have been choosing Singapore as their medical travel destination for relatively affordable quality and yet hassle free healthcare services in a clean cosmopolitan city.Singapore made news for many complex and innovative procedures such as the separation of conjoined twins and tooth-in-eye surgery. The successful separation of the

10-month-old Nepalese conjoined twins in 2001 puts Singapore's medical expertise onto the World's headlines. Singapore has since accomplished many more milestones both in Asia and in the world arena.

In the year 2006, many Singapore Hospitals have got accredited themselves through Joint Commission International (JCI), a US-based organisation. This could be a reason why JCI has chosen to set up its Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore in 2006. Singapore Hospitals may look towards other European or Asian-based systems of hospital accreditation in an attempt to enhance their brand equity.

Some top Singapore based hospitals are:

1) Alexandra Hospital

Established in the year 1938, this hospital served as one of the prime hospitals for the British Empire in the Far East and was known as the British Military Hospital. Once the World War II ended and even till the 1970s, Alexandra remained to be one of the most modern and well maintained hospitals. More information..

2) Changi General Hospital

Is one of the largest hospitals in Singapore. Its present facilities at Simei were started in the year 1998. It was formed as a result of an amalgamation of two well known hospitals, the Changi Hospital and the Toa Payoh Hospital. The hospital can therefore trace its roots back to the year 1957, when the Thomson Road Hospital began construction More information..

3) National University Hospital

Is a hospital in Singapore that is located next to the medical faculty of the National University of Singapore at Kent Ridge. Besides being a teaching hospital for the university, it also acts as a research centre. This hospital specialises in Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Ophthalmology among others. More information..

4) National Cancer Centre Singapore

The National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) is a national and regional centre directed at the prevention and treatment of different cancers including those involving the breast, stomach, lung, liver, pancreas, lymphomas and head and neck cancers. More information..

5) eMenders Singapore

eMenders is a group of Singapore-based Physicians and surgeon representing more than 25 different branches of medicine and dentistry

A top medical tourism provider which facilitates patient treatment and travel is:

MedicalSingapore is one of Singapore's top health tourism service provider. MedicalSingapore links the space between patients in UK, Europe, USA, Middle East and the health service providers in Singapore. They arrange for treatment, stay and travel in Singapore.

Visit: Medical tourism in India and Singapore medical treatment for visa, stay and air-travel in Singapore.

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Medical Malpractice - Injured in a NYC Hospital - How Much Time Do I Have To File A Claim?

You've been injured while in a City-owned, municipal hospital. Not just any hospital in New York City... a municipal hospital. It's extremely important to learn how much time you have to file a claim against the hospital, and how much time you have to file a lawsuit. If you don't file in a timely fashion, you'll likely never be able to bring a claim for your injuries.

First, here are a list of municipal hospitals in New York City:

Bellevue Hospital Center

Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility Franklin D. Roosevelt Island

Gouverneur Healthcare Services

Harlem Hospital Center

Metropolitan Hospital Center

Renaissance Health Care Network Diagnostic & Treatment Center

Jacobi Medical Center

Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center

Morrisania Diagnostic & Treatment Center

North Central Bronx Hospital

Segundo Ruiz Belvis Diagnostic & Treatment Center

Coney Island Hospital

Cumberland Diagnostic & Treatment Center

East New York Diagnostic & Treatment Center

Kings County Hospital Center

Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center

Elmhurst Hospital Center

Queens Hospital Center

Generally, you have only 90 days from the date of the malpractice within which to file a claim against the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (that corporation is technically the entity that owns and is responsible for these municipal health care facilities).

If for some reason you have missed the deadline to file a claim, there are certain limited exceptions that might allow you to file your claim late. However, in order to do this, your lawyer will have to ask a Court for special permission to file late, and there are specific legal reasons why your case might be accepted even though it is late, and many reasons why it will not be accepted.

The important point to remember is that if you even suspect that something was done wrong at a municipal hospital within the City of New York (that means within the 5 boroughs, New York, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and The Bronx) you must contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer immediately in order to protect your rights to bring a claim and then a lawsuit.

In the State of New York, you must file a claim that is timely FIRST, before you can ever file a lawsuit. This requirement applies only to cases against a municipal hospital and also a State-owned hospital. This does not apply to a private hospital. This is known as a 'pre-requisite'. Your claim must be filed first, and then you have a limited time in which to start your lawsuit.

Typically, you have only one year and 90 days from the date of the malpractice within which to start your lawsuit against the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. There are very few exceptions to this rule.

**THIS IS IMPORTANT!** Even though this information is accurate as of the time of this writing (November 26, 2007) you must consult an experienced New York medical malpractice attorney to confirm that it is still accurate at the time you believe you have a claim.

Importantly, you cannot wait years to bring a claim or a lawsuit against one of the hospitals listed above. You must act immediately. As always, speak to a qualified lawyer who handles cases similar to yours before making any decision about the time to file a claim and the time to start a lawsuit. Being an informed consumer will make you a better client and help you understand how the legal system works.

Gerry Oginski is an experienced medical malpractice and personal injury trial attorney practicing law in Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, New York, Staten Island, Nassau & Suffolk. He has tirelessly represented injured victims in all types of medical malpractice and injury cases for over 19 years. As a solo practitioner he is able to devote 100% of his time to each individual client. A client is never a file number in his office.

Take a look at Gerry's website http://www.oginski-law.com and read his free special reports on malpractice and accident law. Read actual testimony of real doctors in medical malpractice cases. Learn answers to your legal questions. We have over 200 FAQs to the most interesting legal questions. Read about his success stories. Read the latest injury and malpractice news. I guarantee there's something for you. See Gerry's website at http://www.oginski-law.com Call him at 516-487-8207.

Also, go over to http://medicalmalpracticetutorial.blogspot.com for Gerry's free instructional videos on malpractice & accident law.

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