Why Hospitals Need Medical Interpreters

Lia Lee, the child of Hmong-speaking parents, died as much from miscommunication as from illness. When Lia was a few months old, she started experiencing seizures. Twice, she was wrongly diagnosed with pneumonia because her parents couldn’t describe her symptoms to her doctors. When she was finally diagnosed, she was prescribed a complex regimen of medications that her parents couldn’t understand how to administer. With doctors and parents unable to communicate, Lia experienced a grand mal seizure.

Unfortunately, the Lees’ experience is not uncommon. According to the 2000 Census, over 21 million Americans speak English less than “very well,” and 22.5 percent of Asian and Pacific Islander speakers either don’t speak English well or can’t speak it at all.

Some people have family members to help them, but that can lead to other problems. If a husband acts as an interpreter for his wife, the doctor will have difficulty asking her about spousal abuse. Even when family members mean well, they are not medical experts and may mistranslate or fail to report every symptom that the patient describes.

In a 2003 study, researchers analyzed 13 patient-doctor encounters that involved an ad hoc interpreter, such as a nurse, social worker or siblings. On average, these interpreters made 31 mistakes per encounter. Seventy-seven percent of these errors could have had clinical consequences.

Hospitals can help avoid mistakes by using medical interpreters, or trained professionals who can facilitate communication between patients and doctors. Hospitals are required to offer translators, but it’s an unfunded mandate; only 13 states offer Medicaid reimbursement for interpreters.

If healthcare reform truly aims to improve patient care, it must improve communication. Reimbursing hospitals for providing medical interpreters will not only save lives, but also prevent needless errors and reduce overall costs.

“In addition to improving quality of care and patient safety, language services reimbursement would alleviate the financial burden faced by hospitals with a large population of Limited English Proficient patients.” said Mursal Khaliif, senior director of multilingual services at Cambridge Health Alliance, a Harvard University Medical School Teaching Hospital in Cambridge, Mass.

The International Medical Interpreter’s Association has been leading the fight for reimbursement. For more information, visit www.imiaweb.org.

A Mushroom That Heals? An All-Natural Alternative That Stimulates the Immune System

For years, researchers and practitioners have known that mushrooms are a powerful medicinal source. In the 1970s Japanese researchers were able to isolate a powerful extract in one mushroom in the form of a polysaccharide krestin (PSK) and found that it had strong, anti-tumor and anti-cancer capabilities. The Japanese government started providing it to patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Researchers linked the PSK extract directly to the stimulation and modulation of the immune system, showing surprising results in dealing with serious illnesses. In the 1980s Chinese researchers developed a more potent strain of a polysaccharide peptide (PSP). These developments sparked a series of over 400 medical studies around the world that has excited the medical community.

The mushroom is called Coriolus versicolor, and its PSK and PSP extracts are shown to be highly effective in boosting and regulating the immune system. It is widely understood that the immune system heals and defends the body.

World-renowned institutes, including M.D. Anderson Cancer Institute and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, have either completed their own or cited the studies in their research of this breakthrough mushroom product. The immune system is our first line of defense. When the immune system is weakened the body may not be able to deal properly with any number of health issues ranging from the common cold or flu to the more serious of issues including, but not limited to, diabetes, fibromyalgia, herpes, hepatitis, pulmonary disorders, urinary and digestive tract disorders, liver diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome, skin disorders, psoriasis, high blood pressure and even the deadliest disease that we all dread. When our immune system is weakened or compromised due to stress, age, environmental exposure or any number of factors, we tend to succumb to these health issues … and these results can be deadly. A stronger immune system is key to health and wellness. Giving our immune system the extra help it needs can help us deal with many health issues whether we are aware of them or not. Some tips to boost your immune system include:

Going herbal, try mushrooms. Try taking a herbal supplement that features the Coriolus versicolor mushroom, which is known to improve immune system function. One daily supplement, inForce is harvested at the mycelia stage, which makes for the most potent strain available.

Getting plenty of sleep. Most adults need between seven and eight hours of solid sleep a night. Giving your body the required sleep it needs will help your immune system.

Eating Healthy. Raw fruits, vegetables, fresh produce and foods high in antioxidants such as berries are quite helpful in boosting immune function.

When Alzheimer’s Isn’t Alzheimer’s

Data from many studies suggest that the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease is on the rise. However, many of the symptoms associated with early Alzheimer’s disease are the same as those associated with hearing loss.

According to a recent study led by Frank R. Lin, MD, PhD, of Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, the risk of dementia increased among participants with at least a mild 25-decibel hearing loss. Participants with more severe hearing loss were most likely to be diagnosed with dementia – and even Alzheimer’s. The relationship between Alzheimer’s and hearing loss should come as no surprise. After all, you can’t remember what someone said if you didn’t hear them say it.

Several symptoms are common to both Alzheimer’s and untreated hearing loss. These symptoms include depression, anxiety, feelings of isolation and problems talking and understanding what is being said. In addition, people with either Alzheimer’s or unidentified hearing loss may have inappropriate responses to social cues, lower scores on tests of mental function, attitudes of denial, defensiveness, or negativity, and increased distrust of others’ motives, even those of family and friends. Individuals with unidentified hearing loss may appear paranoid and excessively concerned that others are talking about them.

According to Sreek Cherukuri, MD, a board-certified ear, nose and throat physician based in Chicago, Ill., untreated hearing loss is a significant quality-of-life issue. It can cause marital and family strain, lead to social isolation, depression and anxiety. And the solution is so simple.

To help more people improve their lives by improving their hearing, Dr. Cherukuri designed the MDHearingAid, a comfortable, cost-effective way to improve hearing.

If you are concerned about a loved one who is experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, talk to a doctor about testing for hearing loss. In several studies, even patients with Alzheimer’s showed improved ability to understand and communicate after they were fitted with hearing aids.

According to Dr. Cherukuri his mission is to remove cost as an obstacle for the millions with hearing loss that cannot afford a custom hearing aid. For more information about a safe, affordable way to improve hearing loss, visit www.MDHearingAid.com or call 800-873-0680.

Blackout Shades Help You Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep through the night? The importance of a good night’s sleep is well known. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adequate sleep has been associated with a better mood, better health and better job performance. It’s important to address factors that might interfere with a good night’s sleep. Light is one of these factors. The body responds to light as a cue to stay awake, so sleeping in a dark, quiet room can help you fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up refreshed.

A full night’s sleep is especially important for children. Studies suggest that most children need about nine hours of sleep each night, and that children who get enough sleep behave better and perform better in school than those who are chronically sleep-deprived. Additional research has shown that children who have sleep problems are at greater risk for depression and anxiety later in life, and they are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol as teens and adults.

The Cellular SlumberShade, the official window shade product of the National Sleep Foundation, can help improve sleep by keeping excess light out of a room. The SlumberShade features unique sidetracks that attach magnetically to a window frame for easy installation. When it’s time to clean the windows, the sidetracks are easy to remove. These sidetracks block the gaps of light that standard cellular shades let in. They are UV stable, available in several colors to match your window trim. In addition, all SlumberShades have a specialized seal along the top for complete blockage of exterior light.

The shades are made of Comfortex’s blackout cellular fabric, which not only blocks incoming light, but also provides insulation around your windows to help reduce heating and cooling costs. When SlumberShades are installed over a double-paned vinyl window, they provide an R-value of 7.0, which is 2 to 3 times greater than that of a similar shade without sidetracks.

SlumberShades need not be limited to the bedroom. Install them in a media room to eliminate screen glare.

For more information about SlumberShades, visit www.comfortex.com.

Look Like a Beauty Without the Sleep – How to Fake a Good Night’s Rest

As we spring ahead again and adjust our internal clocks for Daylight Savings, we must be prepared for those mornings when sleep doesn’t come naturally – a condition known as “Daylight Savings Hangover.” The good news is that there is a way to look refreshed and awake – even if your sleep schedule is in the dumps.

Tip 1: Shut it down – electronics that is. Before going to sleep, shut down all electronics – that means TV, computer and, yes, your blackberry. These all are stimulants for the brain, and if you’re answering emails in bed at 10 p.m., you’re going to have a difficult time getting to sleep. Hit the power switch at least an hour before bedtime.

Tip 2: Get up … NOW! Once the alarm goes off, get out of bed immediately. Snoozing is not sleep; it’s just prolonging the inevitable.

Tip 3: So now that you’re up – do something. Try a morning workout to get motivated and feel energized for the day. Take a quick run or hit an early morning spin class. Be sure to challenge yourself first thing and then see how much easier your morning commute feels.

Tip 4: Hydrate. Great-looking skin isn’t just about what you put on it, but also what you put in your body. Skip that morning cup of coffee, which can be dehydrating, and drink a glass of ice water instead. The cold water will not only give you a kick in the morning, but also help hydrate skin, leaving it looking and feeling refreshed.

Tip 5: Wakeup and fake it! Use a hydrating and stimulating makeup like Almay Wake-Up Makeup– a favorite of celeb Kate Hudson. This product contains essential minerals and ingredients, such as cucumber and aloe, which soothe and hydrate skin. It also has first-of-its-kind encapsulated water technology – once the powder touches your skin, it releases a cooling sensation that gives you an added boost in the morning.

Tip 6: Do NOT skip breakfast. You’ve worked out, you’ve hydrated, you’re looking gorgeous. Why deny your body the nutrients it needs to keep it looking and feeling refreshed by walking out the door without grabbing a quick bite?

How to Look Better, Feel Better, Have More Energy

As you push to fulfill the demands of your hectic schedule, make sure that you carve out some time to take care of you and your health. It may seem like a daunting task to add healthy eating and regular physical activity to your list, but it does not need to be.

With a season of spring time and renewal around the corner, the “Sisters Together: Move More, Eat Better” program offers busy black women some easy ways to move more, eat healthier and feel better.

•    Make working out fun. Don’t torture yourself with physical activities that you don’t enjoy. Dancing, swimming or bicycling are fun ways to get your exercise. Try exercising with friends so you can socialize and cheer each other on. Remember, you can look good as you get fit. Just ask your hair stylist for tips on how to maintain your hair as you exercise.

•    Fit exercise into your daily routine. Try parking a little farther from your destination or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. When you go shopping, walk around the whole mall.

•    Always eat breakfast. Choose whole grains and healthy fats. For example, try eating fruit with low-fat yogurt or whole-grain toast spread with a tiny amount of jam or peanut butter.

•    Prepare your favorite foods in healthier ways. For example, you can bake chicken instead of frying it. Reduce the amount of butter you use; fresh or dried herbs can provide flavor without fat. Try using a little less salt. You might not even notice the difference.

•    Learn to eat healthy on-the-go. Try to choose restaurants with healthy options. Order vegetable pizza instead of pepperoni or sausage, or a plain hamburger without sauce or mayonnaise instead of a bacon cheeseburger. Get a side salad instead of fries, and be sure to request fat-free or low-fat dressing. Split portions with friends.

•    Make healthier choices at parties or social events. Snack on pretzels or cut-up vegetables, and skip the soda. If you drink alcohol, limit yourself to one drink.

For information about Sisters Together and more tips for busy black women, visit www.win.niddk.nih.gov and read the publication, “Celebrate the Beauty of Youth” or call WIN at 1-877-946-4627.

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