Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Hunting Dog First Aid - The Importance Of Having Medical Supplies

While many hunters realize that first aid is important to carry in the field, many neglect the fact that their four-legged hunting companion also may need some medical attention. Dogs are tough and often with their adrenaline pumping can get into bad situations. When running at full speed through trees they can get cut and bruised easily, and a hunter has to be prepared for the different types of injuries their hunting dog can sustain.

A dog's first aid kit will be a bit different from the human variety; dogs won't often need emergency aspirin or adhesive bandages. While dogs are tough animals and a lot of the injuries they sustain will be minor enough to not need veterinary attention until the end of the day, there are some essentials a hunter should never be without.

The first thing a hunter needs to have in his canine first aid kit is gauze. Most of the injuries sustained by a dog in the field will be flesh wounds from the dog getting physical with another animal, or running at high speeds through trees and brambles. A hunter needs to not only carry gauze, but know how to use it. Tighter isn't always better, especially in the case of wounds near the feet. It's extremely easy for the circulation to be cut off in this area and the dog's foot can swell, so while it should be secure, don't wrap too tightly. Before wrapping the wound be sure to rinse it out with clean water; this wrapping will often be okay to last through the end of the day's hunting trip.

Another essential item to the canine first aid kit is a splint. Because of the adrenaline rush a dog feels when in the middle of a hunt, they often can get into careless situations, such as twisting or breaking a leg in deep holes or by falling from high places. This happens much more often than a hunter might expect and he needs to be prepared in case it does. The dog's leg will need to be splinted and wrapped with gauze. This injury is serious enough that the hunting trip should be cut short and the dog should be taken to a veterinarian.

There are other smaller items that a hunter should have for his hunting dog, and many animal supply stores carry canine first aid kits with just these types of items, such as tweezers and antiseptic. Be sure that you carry all of your canine medical supplies on every hunting trip in case a medical emergency should arise.

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A Cost-Effective and Time-Saving Solution for Ordering Diabetes Supplies

The American Diabetes Association recently predicted that the cost of diabetes will exceed $192 billion in the U.S. in 2020, posing one of the most costly health threats of the 21st century for the western world. It is not hard to imagine why when the costs of treating diabetes can run up to $10,000 per patient each year in diabetes supplies and related expenses. There are also indirect costs of diabetes such as taking time off work for regular doctor visits and checkups, running the cost up even higher.

The good news for diabetics is that the direct and indirect costs of treating their diabetes can be lowered simply by ordering their diabetes supplies online. There are several resources available that can help diabetics with low cost supply purchases. You can find premier physician-supervised medical supplier companies online that offer personalized assistance with ordering and delivering quality diabetes supplies at low or even no cost, depending on the diabetic's insurance plan. Many companies also assist with filling out lengthy medical and insurance forms, saving clients time and trouble. With online medical supply providers, customers will never have to wait in long lines or deal with rude telephone operators and automated phone systems. Enlisting the help of medical supply companies is one of the best cost-effective and time-saving resources for busy diabetics.

Treating diabetes is costly and stressful without the trouble of remembering to reorder diabetes supplies. By ordering diabetes supplies online, diabetics can focus on getting healthier instead of worrying about the time-consuming tasks related to treating their diabetes.

A family owned and operated business, Total e-Medical is your source for medical products and services. To explore the option of purchasing diabetes supplies, please visit our website http://www.totalemedical.com/ or call us at 1-877-750-5252.

Medical Walkers - Aids For Easy Mobility

As you look for medical equipment walkers, you will find that there are many kinds available. But you will realize that all of these have the same basic features: four legs, the frame, the hand rails and the use of lightweight metal as key material. The styles, the sizes and the designs are differentiated as manufacturers respond to the different needs of users of medical walkers.

Kinds of Medical Walkers

Medical supply walkers offered by manufacturers vary in terms of their number of wheels, number of accessories, being heavy-duty or standard, being fixed or collapsible and their specific target users. You will see different types and you will hear different terms such as folding walkers, bariatric walkers, heavy duty walkers, dual release walkers, hemi walkers, lightweight walkers, pediatric and junior walkers, PVC walkers, single release medical walkers.

Bariatric medical walkers offer wider spaces between the bars to accommodate obese patients. A hemi-walker is used by only one hand at the user’s side. A folding walker enables the user to walk through narrow spaces. Collapsible medical walkers allow dis-assembly for users who travel over long distances.

Medical Walker Accessories

The basic medical walker is able to assist you and give you support as you walk. But there are accessories, which you can add to your walker, to make your walking or strolling easier and to assist you in your other activities such as shopping.

Wheels with rear glide tips enable you to maneuver uneven surfaces. A brake system enables you to stop rolling walkers. A walker glide attachment makes your walker unit slide more smoothly. A hand rail padding provides you a non-slip handling. A trigger paddle helps a person with weak finger dexterity. You can put your snacks, games, book or gloves in a walker basket, pouch or cloth bag. A cushioned pillow makes you more comfortable when sitting. Adjustable hand grips assist users

Choosing Medical Walkers

The type and model of medical walker that you buy depends on your height, weight, the level of ease that you need and your lifestyle. There are also medical supply walkers specifically made to address your specific needs or respond to a certain disability.

So before you buy or after your initial visit to suppliers of medical equipment walkers, determine your needs and your wants. Where do you usually go outdoors? Do you travel frequently? Are your using an oxygen tank? Decide also if you are going to need a seat or if you need to fold the walker to be accommodated in your car.

You can visit several stores first before you decide on a product and ask other users what they like and do not like about their medical walkers.

Using Medical Walkers

To maximize the use of the walker, set the height of the walker to a level where you hold the top of the walker as your elbow is bent and not straight down. This way, you can easily pick and lift the whole walker unit as you step forward. Pay attention when there are area rugs along your way. The edge of the rugs can get entangled with your wheels. Have someone help you in maintaining your walker. Its nuts, bolts and wheels need to be checked regularly to ensure your safety. It is also good if medical walkers have names and phone numbers on them in case they are left behind.

For more information about the various types of Medical Walkers available, pay a visit to http://www.medicalwalkersonline.com.

Starting a New Medical Practice, Foundations For Successful Private Practices

New Practice Start Up

There are many things that require your attention when starting a practice and for those of you who have done it, you understand what I mean. Starting a new practice has to be one of the most stressful and trying times for a physician. It would seem as though all physicians also need an MBA in business to successfully navigate their way through the maze of regulations, rules, and red tape.

We have identified some of the critical components that are key to a successful practice start up. There is obviously much more that will require your attention but these are some of the areas that are often overlooked or neglected.

Sorry for the stress but I hope this helps.

* Develop Business Plan and Strategy- This should involve a detailed business plan identifying a need in your community, anticipated payer mix(primarily Medicare, Medicaid, Commercial, etc), common CPT Codes with the expected reimbursement, billing efficiency, anticipated growth rate, marketing strategy, referral strategy, business development plans and overall business objectives. If you are a radiologist coming to a new community, you need to do just like any other business and determine the need. You should do your research first and foremost and find out how many radiologists per person currently are in this area and compare it to the national average.

* Corporate Formation- Self explanatory but not as easy as it sounds. Top things to consider when starting your corporation are tax and general liability. An LLC taxed as an S corp is what I recommend because of the ownership protection through the LLC and tax advantages of an S Corporation(Form 2553). (Don't have a CPA and need someone affordable, we understand and have a list of CPAs that we refer physicians to.)

* Securing financing if necessary- SBA loans are still great loans for small businesses but there are many options that might be more of what you are looking for. To best rates come to those who can prove that they are worth investing in and have a clear and succinct strategy for building their business.

* Identifying your office location-(for office based physicians) This should involve more than just being close to home and convenient to your favorite 18. Top things to consider when looking at office space are: Sq. footage, ppsf, lease agreement(3-5 year), purchase price, local referral sources, competition, market saturation, accessibility, parking, option to expand, 3-6 months free rent, road frontage, landlords, does county require business license, and local demographics.

* Credentialing- Physician Credentialing involves more than just seeking out contracts for your specialty. Credentialing when starting a new practice should be done concurrently with State license applications, DEA numbers, Malpractice insurance, NPI registration, Corporate formation, as the actual physician credentialing process of applying for your Medicare number, private payer credentialing, and CAQH registration cannot be done without these other first steps. Remember that some panels may be closed for your specialty and it is important to determine the actual need or you may be Non-Par and in a difficult business situation.

* Technology & IT- This has always been the most overlooked part of opening an office because most physicians do not have the time or energy to spend the hours involved in selecting the best technology option and IT infrastructure. Things like telecommunications, server side hosting or client side hosting, asp, .net, EMR, EHR, PM, PMB, T1, DSL, voip, pbx, and the likes might as well be a foreign language to most physicians. It is impossible to expect and business owner starting out to understand what will work best for them but with physicians it is even more trying because of the push towards mandated electronic health records. It is recommended that you consult with experts in the area of telecommunication, emr, and network administration prior to opening or selecting your providers. Phone lines, internet, EMR, and your computer system are all uniquely vital to the success of your IT infrastructure. Most EMR and Practice Management systems now have the capability to be hosted off site and accessible via the internet but if your office is only using standard DSL then you will find yourself frustrated with the slow load times and image download speeds.

* Banking & Merchant Services- Oftentimes, if you open your business account with a bank then you will also be eligible to receive substantial discounts on merchant card services.

* Medical Supplies & Equipment-Selecting your Medical Supply partner and ordering the necessary equipment and supplies needed before opening is obviously one of the most critical aspects for a new practice. You want to select a medical supply business partner not just someone who can come by and bring your staff chocolates. You want to speak with someone who is knowledgeable and willing to provide you with accurate information on what will work best for your practice not provide them with a higher profit margin. How do you know who you are dealing with? GET REFERENCES!!!! Ask them to provide you with a list of satisfied current customers for you to contact. Speak to physicians and administrators to get a good idea of who you are dealing with.

* Website & Marketing-Websites are no longer just an option for a practice but are critical for the success of every practice. Even if the website does nothing more than provide patients with an online CV and directions to your office, it still needs to be there. The best websites for physicians explain the services offered, provide an area where the patient can request an appointment, subscribe to newsletter, and receive detailed directions to your practice. A website is not the only thing needed when starting a practice but instead should be combined with a PR campaign. There are many opportunities for Free PR by just contacting the various local papers and doing some grassroots networking. Many publications, like Health Source Magazinein Jacksonville, Florida, provides physicians with free advertising opportunities in the What's Happening section of their Florida Doctor Publication. There are many opportunities like this in Business Journals, Medical Journals, and local health publications.

Again, it is important to note that are many other factors involved but this should give you a good starting point.

Click here for more information on starting a successful medical practice or on physician credentialing services

Andrew Eriksen is the Founder of Physicians World Online and Executive Director of Physician Credentialing Services. He is also the editor-in-chief of the "Dermatology Medical Billing", "Urology Medical Billing", "Primary Care Medical Billing" and "Free EMR Solution" websites.

How to Finance your Medical Office, Medical Supply or Medical Testing Company

Although many experts speak of gloom and doom in the medical industry, the fact is that this industry keeps growing by leaps and bounds. Every year, the demand for medical services, medical testing (e.g. MRI Centers, Testing Centers, etc) and medical supplies keeps getting stronger. This trend is expected to continue as the population ages.

However, even though the growth trend looks good, running a medically related business keeps getting more and more challenging. In the past, doctors and medical suppliers could expect to get large and quick reimbursements for their services. Cash flow was reasonably easy to manage. However, Medicare, Medicaid and 3rd party insurance companies have put in place strict compensation guidelines. These guidelines can be summarized in two simple points: you can look to receive less money than before and you should be prepared to wait longer to get paid.

This creates a financial “perfect storm” for medical industry companies. On one hand, you are getting paid less and waiting longer for your money. On the other hand, your operating expenses remain the same or perhaps are higher. You still need to pay your employees and your suppliers. In almost all cases, this limits your ability to pursue new opportunities and grow your business. In some cases, it may even threaten your ability to continue to operate your business.

Is there a way to “fix” the cash flow problem?

If your business’s main cash flow problem is not being able to afford to wait 30 to 90 days to get paid by insurance companies and Medicare, then factoring your invoices could be the right solution for you.

The factoring proposition is very simple. Factoring is a way of financing, in which a factoring company provides you with advance payments based on your outstanding accounts receivable (or invoices). You get funding as soon as you invoice. The factoring funds it and waits to get paid until the insurance companies or Medicare pay the invoices.

Factoring has advantages over loans and lines of credit. First, factoring financing lines do not have arbitrary limits. The maximum amount of monthly financing is solely determined by your ability to invoice. If your business grows, your financing grows automatically. Also, factoring companies don’t require the same collateral that banks do, so new businesses or doctors’ offices can usually qualify easily.

How does factoring work?

The process is fairly simple. Once an agreement is established with a factoring company, it works as follows:

1. Your office submits your weekly (daily or monthly) billings to the insurance company and to Medicare/Medicaid. (note: sometimes this task can be handled by the factor on your behalf)

2. Your office sends a copy of the billings to the factoring company.

3. The factoring company advances you up to 85% of Net Collectables within 48 hours. Funds are sent by wire or direct deposit. The remaining 15% is called a “reserve” and used to settle billing discrepancies at time of payment. This is returned to you once the invoices are paid.

4. The factoring company waits to be paid by the insurance company or Medicare/Medicaid.

5. Once the factoring company is paid, they settle out the transaction and rebate you the remaining 15%, less their fee.

The advantage of factoring

Factoring is ideally suited for medical offices and testing centers that are growing quickly and cannot afford to wait the usual 30 to 90 days that it takes to be paid by insurance companies or Medicare. It can provide you with ongoing financing, streamline your cash flow, and most of all, relieve the stress of not knowing when you’ll be paid.

Copyright © 2005 Commercial Capital LLC All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted, provided the resource box is included with live links

Invoice Factoring Group Invoice Factoring Group (http://factoring.qlfs.com) can provide you with a free medical and doctor office factoring quote. Marco Terry, the president, can be reached at (866) 730 1922

Tips For Buying Used Medical Supplies

Buying medical supplies and equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen machines, stair lifts, rising beds, and others can be a costly expense when not covered by your health insurance company. However, many of these items are necessary and can greatly help improve your quality of life. For some, one alternative to buying these items new is to purchase them second hand, which can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

When you are purchasing used medical supplies, you will want to make sure that your safety and well being remains a priority. Following these helpful tips below will help you minimize any potential risks you may encounter when buying something used.

1. Do Your Research: It is important that you carefully research the item you are interested in. Searching online and reading various news reports can help you learn if other consumers have had any experience or problems with that particular make and model as well as if there have been any manufacturer recalls. Doing this will help ensure the item you are choosing has no known defects and it's durability, which will be important since it is likely it will no longer be covered under warranty.

2. Inspect it Carefully: You should always do a thorough inspection of any item you choose to buy second hand. This will help you determine the condition of the item and overall quality of materials. Checking for rust, loose or missing pieces and parts, and testing it out will help you identify problems. If in doubt, have the item inspected by a qualified technician or consider finding the item elsewhere.

3. Buy From a Reputable Source: There are many authorized dealers who sell refurbished supplies and equipment. These vendors are often required to ensure that the item meets certain quality standards. You can also check online to see if these sellers have ever had any complaints filed against them. If you are purchasing items from an individual, getting as much information about them as possible can help as well.

When buying health care items, your safety should be a primary concern. By researching your product, giving it a thorough inspection, and buying from reputable sources you can great minimize your risks as a buyer as well as find the items you need at a fraction of the cost.

B. Lewis is experienced in working with the elderly and disabled. Visit his website for more information about stair lifts and other resources for mobility products

Diabetic Medical Supplies are a Necessity for Anyone with Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that affects all ages, races, and cultural groups of people and left undiagnosed and untreated can lead to a wide range of life threatening complications that can include heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, and vision problems. Unfortunately there is no cure for diabetes, but the disease can be managed and the impetus of treatment falls on the diabetic to make the necessary lifestyle changes that include diet and exercise as well as keeping the necessary diabetic medical supplies on hand.

One of the most important parts of any diabetics testing supplies is the blood glucose monitor. Without the ability to self monitor blood glucose levels during the day it would be almost impossible to manage this disease. Most diabetics test their blood sugar levels from 3 to 7 times a day making restocking their supplies a very important part of their disease management.

Once the diabetic has obtained a glucose monitor by buying one or getting one of the many free glucose monitors offered on the internet they will need to keep a supply of test strips, lancets for finger pricks, and alcohol wipes at all times. They will also be responsible for maintaining their monitor and making sure it is kept in good operating order. Faulty or damaged equipment can give false readings which can be quite dangerous, even life threatening.

Another vital component in the diabetes treatment regimen is insulin. Without the ability to self administer insulin all type 1 diabetics would be unable to manage their disease. The initial training of giving a self injection of insulin will be done at the doctor's office, usually under the supervision of a registered nurse. But since insulin is a lifetime need the diabetic will be responsible for making sure they have all the necessary items for this task. Depending on which type of injection method one chooses the following supplies will be needed: insulin syringes for self injections, pen and jet injectors, or an insulin pump/infuser setup that will require frequent needle changes.

Many of the companies that provide diabetic medical supplies will work as an intermediary between the insurance company and the diabetic filling out all the necessary paper work needed to keep the out of pocket expenses to a minimum and in some cases nothing. Another nice feature of using a medical supply company is the automated shipments of the needed supplies each month. Once the billing with the insurance company is set up the diabetic will receive their needed supplies delivered directly to their door every month.

For people with diabetes there is nothing more important for the management of their disease then the diabetic medical supplies they use on a daily basis. Starting from the time of diagnosis these supplies will be their lifeline to the proper management needed to combat the many complications this disease brings. With proper management and a good health care team diabetics can have a long and bright future.

Visit the website Diabetic Diet Plan for more information about buying diabetic medical supplies on the internet

Emergency Room Carts- Medical Supply Storage Tools For Urgent Situations

Emergency crash carts are useful devices in hospitals and other medical facilities that function to create a storage space and means of transporting emergency hospital equipment in order to treat critical patients quickly. Today's medical environments are extremely fast-paced and medical personnel must be constantly multi-tasking if they wish to get their jobs done effectively. It is vital that medical personnel in the Emergency rooms, have easy access to these emergency response carts in order to attend to patients in a timely fashion. The necessary medical tools must be easily accessible and readily available to prevent lost time and ensure that everything can be done for the patient quickly to help him or her survive and recover. For severely injured patients, the chances of their life being saved are greatly increased when the proper emergency equipment arrives quickly. Through the use of emergency carts, emergency medical supplies can be organized efficiently and transported quickly and easily in any hospital emergency situation.

Emergency room carts are among the most helpful tools that work to directly assist in the saving of patients' lives in hospitals. Thanks to the vast array of medical emergency products that can be stored in emergency medicine carts, they prove useful in a variety of medical emergency situations. From the hospital emergency room, to ambulances and patient's rooms, hospital emergency carts are important devices to have to observe the proper precautions should an emergency happen to arise. Due to the fact that hospital crash carts are able to store lots of equipment in one uniform, easily accessible location, medical personnel can easily locate the items they require and quickly transport them to a specific location. In this way, emergency response carts are able to frequently assist medical staff with the saving of patients' lives.

To accommodate for specific hospital needs, a number of specifications on hospital emergency crash carts exist. The majority of hospital crash carts have a heavy-duty stainless steel design with smooth-welded seams, which help to provide longevity and durability. Their double-wall construction allows emergency room carts to carry large amounts of weight and make for a more resilient surface. Emergency medicine carts move quickly and easily from room to room within a facility on smooth-rolling casters. When an emergency response cart must remain stationary, its wheels can be locked to secure the cart firmly in place.

In order to promote the mobility and maneuverability of hospital emergency carts, hospital crash carts usually include easy-grip handles to ensure that the medical supplies arrive safely, even in rushed, emergency situations. In addition, the brightly colored appearance that many emergency room carts have, offers increased cart visibility to make it even easier to locate supplies with speed. To assist with the quick and easy removal of medical products from emergency response carts, most carts have smooth-gliding drawers as well as easy-grip pull handles. Hospital crash carts are equipped with stabilizing bases that help prevent the cart from tipping over if it is moved too quickly. Attaching additional accessories onto hospital emergency carts is made simple thanks to pre-drilled holes in the sides of many carts. When seconds matter, there is typically a more positive outcome to the situation, when a crash cart is available.

Emergency carts function to provide a more efficient means of getting the best available emergency care to patients as fast as possible. Through the use of emergency response carts, which provide a secure, portable, and readily available medium in which medical equipment can be stored and transported, emergency response carts allow for doctors and nurses to respond more quickly and efficiently in times of emergency, thus increasing the chances of lives being saved. Emergency room carts are chosen for use in the world's finest hospitals and medical institutions and are recommended for use in any medical facility.

Stephen is a writer for Universal Medical Inc. Universal Medical Inc is a premier provider of emergency crash carts and health care industry products. For the complete hospital crash cart line please visit- http://www.universalmedicalinc.com/filing-and-storage/multi-purpose-carts/emergency-carts