Archive for the ‘Critical Care’ Category

How to Detect Deep Vein Thrombosis

Posted by Charlie Prost on October 24th, 2010

It is imperative to understand the significance of Deep Vein Thrombosis, better known as Deep Vein Thrombosis. Basically it is caused when a “thrombus” (blood clot) is formed in a deep vein. The vein is inflamed causing a blood clot to form. Most commonly affected is the legs and it can affect the arms. When the clot becomes dislodged it can travel to the lungs and then the condition is known as a Pulmonary Embolism and it is a life threatening situation. If you are a health care provider consider taking a CPR class to increase your knowledge in giving life saving measures to an adult, child or infant.

Deep Vein Thrombosis could present with symptoms such as swelling, painful, redness, and warmth to the affected extremity. There are times that a person may not have symptoms, except for a sensation of calf pain that feels like a muscle spasm, but more intense. People that travel for long periods in a car or airplane are at risk, surgical patients, people that have poor circulation in their lower extremities just to name a few, have a high risk of developing a Deep Vein Thrombosis. The blood does not circulate well and therefore, once the person is up and moving around the clot becomes dislodged and can travel throughout the body. The blood pools becoming stagnate, and that is when the tiny clots can form. If you are a family member experience any of the symptoms it is best to call 911 as this is an emergency situation and the medics have taken a CPR class and are well trained in intervening in this medical emergency.

The emergency room physician will order a blood test called a D-dimer and Doppler ultrasound of the lower or upper extremities that will confirm the diagnosis. If the patient is having shortness of breath, the physician will order a V-Q scan of the lungs that will help aid in the diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism. And of course the physician will perform an assessment and ask questions that will help him or her to determine the cause. The CPR class will provide information and hands on training in performing CPR, and upon completion of the course you will become certified that lasts for 2 years.

There are medications and treatments that can be prescribed that will help keep the clot from causing further harm to the patient. Blood thinners may be given, and there are times that a filter will be placed in the inferior large vein to prevent the blood clot from traveling to the lungs. Prevented measures consist of frequent stops if traveling in a car, or if on an airplane wear ted hose (stockings) on the legs to help increase blood flow. Surgical or Medical patients may need to wear intermittent pneumatic compression device that helps increase blood flow in the legs, therefore decreasing the risk of a clot developing in the lower extremities. Consider the CPR class if you are in direct care of patients or if you would like to be able to give life saving interventions at any time.

Urgent Care and Medical Cost Savings

Posted by Charlie Prost on October 17th, 2010

Many mobile urgent care practitioners offer services that can save patients, insurance providers and other corporate entities significantly off the cost of such medical services. Staffed by board certified emergency physicians and their assistants, these providers offer comprehensive, efficient and highly convenient mobile urgent care brought to the patient wherever they are, whether at home, in hotel room, at work or elsewhere.

When utilizing these mobile services, patients may avoid the discomfort of travel, sitting in public waiting rooms, further return travel and stopping to wait for pharmacy prescriptions to be filled. Because patients can rest in the comfort of familiar surroundings while awaiting house call services, stress is lowered, and the recovery process can, in many cases, begin sooner. In addition to these benefits of house call services, the cost of a physician or other practitioner visit is usually much lower than emergency department care. In some cases the fees may be less than 20% of the cost or ER care.

House call service fees are generally very reasonable because the ER facility fee and other clinic fees are eliminated. The cost of procedures is usually much less than the ER and many clinics too. Other advantages to house call services include the excess time that house call providers are able to spend with patients. Because mobile practitioners tend to be less hurried, patients are better able to have their questions answered, and the evaluation in many cases may be more thorough.

Most urgent care practitioners maintain easy telephone access anytime after the house call visit so that if problems arise, rapid troubleshooting of the situation is available thus further enhancing convenience and cost savings. Medications dispensed by urgent care providers are priced comparable to pharmacy prices, and in some cases are much lower. For most foreign travelers with travel insurance, reimbursement for services will be 100%. For domestic travelers with PPO insurance policies reimbursement may be up to 80%, is considered out-of-network, and based on the unmet annual deductible.

HMO’s potentially reimburse for house call services up to 100% when locally contracted medical services and facilities are not available. While primary care house call services may be cost effective in cases where the patient is mobility challenged, mobile urgent care medical services are usually highly cost effective compared to all other options, especially that of emergency department care. These mobile medical services are bringing the humanity back into medical care.