Instant Messaging and P2P Vulnerabilities for Health Organizations

Because of HIPAA legislation, health organizations have to be particularly careful about the vulnerability of the patient data they maintain. Exposing patient data to the Internet through IM exchanges or P2P file sharing can jeopardize their compliance with a variety of state and federal regulations. The popularity of IM and P2P protocols has penetrated every aspect of our society including those organizations entrusted with sensitive data such as health records. The opportunity for data to be exposed to eyes outside an organization has increased whether such exposure is intentional or not and organizations bound by HIPAA regulations are required to protect their patient data or suffer the consequences. Often in hospital situations, employees on different shifts are sharing workstations. Many of them may be communicating with family and friends, outside the organization, via Instant Messaging or P2P and can unknowingly download a malicious agent that can damage not only individual workstations, but entire networks. Because many people may have access to the same computer, this activity is difficult to trace and can occur with alarming ease. When a malicious program is downloaded, it can exploit a back door in the system and proliferate across the network. Depending on the nature of the parasitic code, patient information may be accessed and transmitted from behind the firewall to a designated IP address or it may launch an attack against the host network. These types of attacks can bring the network down. Even short downtime can cause significant financial and data loss.

Public Communications

Adding more complexity to the situation, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the National Association of Securities Dealers Inc. (NASD) identify Instant Messaging traffic as communications with the public that companies must save and monitor. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires even those instant messages that are casual and personal to be saved and recorded as formal correspondence.

Many companies capture and store the data as required by law. Because this information can be used as legal evidence, there are several instances where data contained on message boards and via IMs were submitted to support or defeat a case being adjudicated. Imagine if medical advice were contained in an IM, even something as innocuous as advising Tylenol for a feverish child. Such correspondence could be used to make a medical malpractice case against a nurse or physician.

Network Security

IM and P2P also expose end-user equipment to worms, viruses and other backdoor software that -once introduced, can infect a network and inflict damage on a wide scale. Employee abuse of their computer privileges can be the silent destroyer of networks. Whether it is a dramatic problem such as denial of service or the downloading of backdoor worms and viruses, the misuse can be dangerous and damaging and ultimately undermines network security.

Managers of network security need to take advantage of hardware appliance solutions in order to fully protect their networks from employee abuse and misuse. The damage to productivity and profits of a company are only the tip of the iceberg. Introducing a filtering option that does not have a single point of failure, or cause latency in network traffic is critical. Equally important, a solution that doesn?t need to share memory or processing power with another device is the best choice to protect networks against security breaches and legal liability and to help preserve the corporation?s good reputation.

Legal Liabilities

P2P and IM file sharing can be dangerous applications that quickly devour bandwidth and jeopardize company finances because companies can be held liable for employee actions such as downloading copyrighted song material. In addition, P2P and IMs can contain malicious software that downloads and installs itself into the host network; a company?s computers and networks may be used to launch denial of service (DoS) attacks on other companies and networks.

There is an established legal precedent that will hold a company liable in part for the damages inflicted on another company if their computers or networks were used to stage the attack. Because of this legal precedent, the danger to a host network is not just the loss of bandwidth and subsequent breakdown in communications, but also the legal liabilities involved can result in damage to a company or organization?s reputation, and even threaten its financial stability.

It?s important to note that the damage to an organization?s reputation can be more costly in the long run, especially if the organization is supposed to be secure and web savvy or if security vulnerabilities can threaten to expose sensitive data such as health records. For hospitals, health insurance and dedicated health care providers, such damage can result in a loss of business over time that devastates their long term prospects and when combined with -short term fines, can even mean going out of business or experiencing a takeover by another health care company.

iPrism internet filters and web filters provide internet monitoring and network security. http://internet-filters.stbernard.com

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Bottom Line Health

Choosing a health insurance plan is not as easy as it used to be. The distinctions among health plans have begun to blur as health benefits companies compete for your business.

Although there is no ?best??health benefits plan, there are carriers that are a better fit than others for your business and your employees??health care needs.

As chief executive officer of VISTA, a health benefits company, I am not immune to the skyrocketing cost of health care. As an employer, I face the same challenge you do of keeping health care costs affordable for VISTA?s 1,000 Florida employees. My responsibility also extends to more than 10,000 South Florida employer groups and 330,000 VISTA members.

While many CEOs, presidents and CFOs complain about the cost of providing health benefits for their employees, they are rarely engaged in the process of selecting a health benefits company. Fortunately, South Florida employers enjoy a highly competitive marketplace when it comes to purchasing health benefits. While there are many carriers to choose from, the differences among each are few. The network of providers, plan designs and services are all very similar.

So all things being equal, why pay more? How do you know which health benefits company is the right fit for your business? Ask yourself these questions.

As an employer, how much can I afford to contribute to the premium?

What benefits will serve the majority of my employees?

Will offering employees more choices save or cost me money?

Does the plan have an adequate number of providers?

Evaluating cost

Business owners are searching for ways to reduce their health care expenses. Look for a carrier that administers your health benefits plan efficiently.

Administrative charges are a carrier?s overhead costs. They are included in your premium and can vary significantly. These charges include processing and paying claims, answering customer calls, marketing and advertising costs, and broker commission payments. Carriers with lower administrative costs usually are much more affordable than those with high administrative costs. When reviewing proposals from health benefits companies, ask what they will charge you for administrative expenses.

Offering employees a choice

Giving employees the freedom to choose their health plan will help educate them about the valuable benefit you offer, satisfy their need for health benefits and keep your premium contributions within your budget. Plan choices may vary by co-payment, network access and employee contribution. It will be the employee, not the employer, who is responsible for evaluating and choosing his or her health benefits plan.

Employees will have to determine how often they use health care services, what they estimate those costs to be and how they want to access and pay for those services.

An adequate provider network

No health benefits plan covers every health expense an employee may have or includes every physician. You are purchasing group coverage. As a business owner, you must evaluate whether the health benefits pIan you are considering offers an affordable level of benefits and a network that provides adequate accessibility for your employees.

Your bottom line

In South Florida, there can be as much as a 15 percent difference in cost among the health benefits companies you have to choose from. The health plan you select should be cost-competitive and offer a choice of health plans and an extensive provider network to meet the needs of your group.

Whether your company has 20 employees or 1,000, your level of engagement in the decision-making process is vital in determining how health care costs will impact your company?s bottom line. Standing on the sidelines could be a price you cannot afford to pay.

RONALD J. BERDING is CEO of VISTA, a health benefits company headquartered in South Florida with more than 330,000 members. His expertise in health care and insurance spans 30 years. Berding was a member of the Gov. Chiles??Task Force on Claims Payment and the Small Group Insurance Reform Committee under Florida Insurance Commissioner Tom Gallagher. He also served as chair of Florida?s Consumer Assistance Plan. VISTA, through its affiliated companies, Vista Healthplan Inc., Vista Healthplan of South Florida Inc. and Vista Insurance Plan Inc., offers a choice of health benefit plans including health maintenance organization (HMO), preferred provider organization (PPO) and point-of-service (POS). Contact Berding through VISTA?s Web site, http://www.vistahealthplan.com, or at (954) 858-3000.

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Rotator Cuff Tendonitis Exercises

The shoulder is one of the parts of the body with the widest range of motion. It is used often at work and at play, especially in the play of someone involved in athletics. It is common to have some injury to the rotator cuff when it is exposed to the types of repetitive stresses such as swimming, playing baseball or tennis, any activity where there is a swinging of the arm from the shoulder or lifting above the head can cause the injuries. If you suffer from tendinitis in the rotator cuff you will no doubt be given some rotator cuff tendinitis exercise in order to be able to heal and strengthen from your injury as quickly as possible.

Rotator cuff tendinitis exercise are much the same as the types of exercises that are given to someone that is suffering from a rotator cuff tear. The rotator cuff is actually a group of 4 muscles in the shoulder area and some connecting tendons. They are responsible for the lifting motions as well as the twisting of the arm and protecting the should socket from injury. When these muscles are damaged or hurt through a tear or tendinitis then the exercises would mimic the motions that the rotator cuff would regulate, such as twisting and lifting. For example, one of the basic exercises is standing with a weight in one arm and it out in front of you and bent at a 90 degree angle. You would then swing the weight out to your side and back while maintaining the 90 degree angle. The other exercises are similar, and are generally done in the presence of a physical therapist or can be given to you to do at home.

Overcome a painful rotator cuff injury and get rid of shoulder pain for life. Download our Special Report at http://www.rotator-cuff-help.info/

Rotator Cuff Exercises - an Online Special Report, Now Available to Download.

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Natural Health Institute: Certificate Programs

Find Natural Health Institute certificate programs in the United States and Canada. Before you apply to a natural health institute, it is a good idea to review prospective curriculums and educational programs. A natural health institute commonly extends certificate courses in aromatherapy, chair massage, iridology, kinesiology, Reiki, and hypnotherapy, among others.

An aromatherapy certification program at a natural health institute introduces students to anatomy, physiology, pathology, business and fundamentals of aromatherapy. In this course, future aromatherapists will learn about essential oils (and applications, thereof); botany and taxonomy, chemistry; how to perform wellness assessments and practical massage therapy techniques.

If energy healing if your niche, a natural health institute will sometimes offer training in Reiki, which is an energy balancing technique. In this course of study, students learn how to balance energy, about anatomy and physiology, Reiki attunements, chakra balancing, and principles of healing in relation to Reiki. Natural health institute graduates of this program earn certificates in various levels of Reiki.

Like the idea of working on a resort or cruise ship? Then a natural health institute can provide you with necessary knowledge and skills to become a massage therapist, natural health practitioner, or day spa manager/owner. These specific certificate programs often entail coursework and practical training in aromatherapy, body wraps and scrubs, massage modalities (chair massage, hot stone massage, deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, etc.), facials, herbology, iridology, manicures/pedicures, kinesiology, and reflexology; among other related studies. States and Provinces vary in licensing/certification requirements; it is always wise to examine curriculums in these fields so to meet all educational standards.

Iridology is another interesting certificate program frequently offered through a natural health institute. Subject matter in this course includes the study of the iris, anatomy and physiology, herbalism; and how to distinguish markers/colorations in the eye to determine possible areas of dis-ease.

Overall, natural health institute certificate programs permit candidates to expand established healthcare services, and aids in credentialing.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding natural health institute(s), let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.

Natural Health Institute: Certificate Programs
Copyright 2007
The CollegeBound Network
All Rights Reserved

NOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge to relevant websites, as long as Copyright and Author Resource Box are included; and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.

Resource Box: CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd - Freelance Writer and Web Consultant for HolisticJunction.com, in association with CollegeSurfing.com - Educational Resources for Natural Healing Schools, Natural Health Institutes, and other Holistic Programs.

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Can Our Economy and Health Care System Survive Aging Baby Boomers?

The generation of people born between the years of 1940 and 1960 are expected to have major effects on health and social service systems. By the year 2030, about one out of every five Americans, or 20% of our population, will be a senior citizen in the United States. In other countries such as Japan, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom, senior citizens are even greater in number.

There have been improvements in the Social Security system that includes the introduction of Medicare that has had important effects on the economic well-being of senior citizens in the United States. Today, the percentage of senior citizens with incomes below the poverty line is about 10%. These gains have not been shared by all senior citizens. Poverty rates are higher among certain groups of senior citizens that include:

??Black Americans ??Hispanic Americans ??People who never finished high school ??People living alone ??People 85 and older ??People living in central cites ??People living in rural areas

Level of education among US senior citizens in the future is one of the most dramatic changes. By the year 2030, 83% of seniors will have completed high school. Senior citizens with a bachelor degree or more will have increased to 24%. These changes are significant for health and social service systems because education is closely related to lifetime income, and people with more education generally are in better health and at lower risk of disability. However, the better-educated seniors are expected to be more demanding health care consumers.

Widowhood is much more common among senior citizens due to the fact that women generally live longer than men. Senior citizens who live alone after losing a spouse usually prefer to remain independent and continue living alone as long as health and finances allow it. Even though many of this group of senior citizens have families or friends nearby they are still more likely than those who live with others to feel lonelier and more isolated.

Average life expectancy in the United States is currently highest for white women, followed by black women, white men, and black men. As an average, women who live until age 65 can expect to live to age 84. Those who live to age 85 can expect live to age 92. The number of people living to age 100 in the United States is certainly growing.

Disability and diseases are much more common in senior citizens than in people younger than 65. Common chronic conditions among senior citizens include:

??Arthritis ??High blood pressure ??Heart disease ??Diabetes ??Lung disease ??Stroke ??Cancer ??Hip fractures ??Parkinson?s Disease ??Alzheimer?s disease ??Dementia

An increase in the senior citizen population means more health care expense, and the likelihood of having more than one disease among senior citizens also increases. Among people age 65 and older, 30% have three or more chronic diseases. Having more than one disease complicates care. Sudden change or illness in one body system may stress another body system and make it difficult to interpret symptoms for a definitive diagnosis. Sometimes the symptoms one disease may hide the symptoms of another disease. For example, a person with arthritis may never be physically active enough to show symptoms of heart disease, which makes making the heart disease difficult to recognize.

Senior citizens who need assistance with routine ADLs rely first on family. The use of paid helpers, however, is consistently higher among older adults living alone and increases with age.

On the average, senior citizens go to the doctor more often than younger adults. Senior citizens are also hospitalized more frequently than younger people.

Senior citizens utilize the services of home health care that includes medical treatment, physical therapy and homemaker services more than the younger population. Prescription drugs are a major part of medical treatment. At least 80% of senior citizens take one or more prescribed medicines.

One of the most important, unanswered questions is whether or not our increased lifespan will be filled with good days and years. It is not likely one answer can be applied to all senior citizens because of the great variations in health and functioning from one senior citizen to the next.

Other unanswered questions can only be answered by the passage of time. These questions include:

??Will the increasing numbers of senior citizens with more education and longer lives contribute productively to the larger society? ??Can the health care system handle the greater number of senior citizens? Some analysts fear the great increase in the numbers of senior citizens from the baby boomer generation of people born between the years of 1940 and 1960 may place a strain on the medical care system and the public programs that finance health care and retirement to the breaking point. What we have on our side is:

??Improvements in health behavior ??Medical breakthroughs ??Financial prosperity

These three may help diminish the threats from the increased senior citizens from the baby boomer generation of people born between the years of 1940 and 1960.

Source: Foundation for Health in Aging

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professional.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved

Written by: Connie Limon. Visit http://smalldogs2.com/SeniorHealthArticles for an extensive list of articles all about Senior Citizens. Visit Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.com

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