Healthcare providers turning to USME, leading provider of rented medical equipment and patient beds and therapeutic surfaces, to prepare for patient surges
CDC: Flu Cases Increasing Early CDC's FluView report shows early increases in the proportion of respiratory specimens testing positive for flu
With the CDC reportingflu cases starting to climb, healthcare providers across the U.S. are preparing for an early wave of influenza this winter. In addition to urging everyone eligible to get immunized against COVID-19 and the flu, hospitals are renting medical equipment from US Med-Equip (USME) to help treat any influx of patients expected this flu season.
The cases of respiratory illnesses caused by the flu typically start to climb exponentially in November, spike through the holiday months and peak through the end of February. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week reported "early increases in seasonal influenza activity … in most of the United States."
Amid prolonged strain on clinical staff and budgets since COVID struck, hospitals are turning to trusted partner USME—the nation's leading provider of rented respiratory, neonatal, infusion and other devices—to bolster their supplies of life-saving equipment before the annual flu epidemic strikes. The Houston-based company partners with top hospitals across the nation in the rental, sales, service and asset management of movable medical equipment ranging from ventilators to patient beds and therapeutic surfaces that a hospital may need based on the number of patients expected or admitted at the time.
"We're all hoping for a mild season with low case numbers and as few hospitalizations as possible, but healthcare providers are not waiting for flu cases to spike before securing and servicing equipment to be ready to help any surge of patients," US Med-Equip CEO Greg Salario said.
Contact Information:
Matthew Stanford
Communications Specialist [email protected]
713-983-8860
Walter Werzowa at Happy Mama Expo Headlining Reach's Happy Mama Expo will be Walter Werzowa, award-winning Austrian composer and CEO of HealthTunes, on Saturday, Oct. 22
The Happy Mama Expo is focused on Reach Healthcare's comprehensive Happy Mama platform and app designed to improve the delivery and wellness of maternal health, from end to end. This platform was designed for and with pregnant women. It provides physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and economic support for those planning, expecting, and starting new families. Happy Mama guides and enables women to customize their experiences ranging from pre-conception, pregnancy, labor, and delivery to 12 months postpartum. In recognition of its leading-edge innovations, Happy Mama was the winner of a 2022 International CES Innovations Award.
Registration for the virtual Happy Mama Expo is open and admission is free. Get your ticket today. More info at http://happymama.global
Headlining Reach's Happy Mama Expo will be Walter Werzowa, award-winning Austrian composer and CEO of HealthTunes, on Saturday, Oct. 22. "Music brings us together. It touches and moves us and creates a bond between you and your baby," describes Werzowa. At the Happy Mama Expo, Werzowa will demonstrate the art of music and guided meditations on the mother's well-being and health.
Werzowa is famous for corporate jingles, including mnemonics for Intel (the most performed audio branding mnemonic and melody in broadcast history), Samsung, T-Mobile, Humana, UC Health, Pantene, TBS, Fox Sports, and many more. Werzowa is also acclaimed for his artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled completion of Beethoven's unfinished Tenth Symphony.
Additional announcements about collaborations between Happy Mama and HealthTunes will be made on Oct. 22.
MATERNAL CHALLENGES
U.S. maternal morbidity and mortality rates have worsened over the last few decades and too many women suffer PTSD related to traumatic birth incidents.
Reach's Happy Mama innovative platform was designed for and with pregnant women to improve the delivery of maternal health, from end-to-end. While today's pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum care are focused primarily on the physical aspects, it often neglects the woman's emotional and psychological needs during the pregnancy journey.
Clinical studies indicate that music and sound offer positive physiological benefits as a digital therapeutic modality during childbirth and the postpartum journey. It has been shown to reduce pain and anxiety, enhance a woman's self-confidence and sense of control, as well as improve her postpartum well-being.
In 2021, The Journal of Music Theory featured an article entitled The Effects of Music on Pain: A Meta-Analysis. This is one of several studies illustrating the positive benefits of sound and music on maternal-infant health. This report cited decreased pain, emotional distress, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate as well as decreased use of anesthesia and pain medication. Other studies indicate reduced premature births, cesareans, and postpartum depression.
"There is a growing opportunity for healthcare providers to create better labor and delivery experiences, and for pregnant women to feel safe and have a true sense of control during childbirth," points out Fran Ayalasomayajula, Reach's CEO. The Happy Mama mission aligns with the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)'s "Birthing-Friendly" hospital designation.
Happy Mama offers a seamless end-to-end journey, starting with its consumer therapy app for home use; Happy Mama's maternal health program for hospitals and birth centers for labor and delivery; and then returning home for the postnatal/postpartum journey.
OTHER COLLABORATIONS
The HealthTunes collaboration joins others within the Reach and Happy Mama orbit. At its 2021 Happy Mama launch, Reach announced its partnership with Harman International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. that is focused on connected technologies for automotive, consumer, and enterprise markets. Happy Mama works with Harman's Digital Transformation Solutions (DTS) and Harman Audio which includes Harman Kardon, JBL, AKG, and many others.
MORE ABOUT THE HAPPY MAMA EXPO
The Happy Mama Expo is Saturday, Oct. 22, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. EDT.
It's the biggest virtual maternity fair of 2022. It is a free, general public event. The purpose of the event is for expecting and new moms and their care teams to find solutions to their needs along the journey to motherhood and to help prevent avoidable pregnancy-related complications. The program is holistic and touches on a variety of topics, including maternal mental health and well-being, heart health, nutrition, and career management. This event also offers live entertainment, trivia, digital swag bags, cool prizes, and more.
REACH is a 501c3 global innovative social impact organization whose mission is to improve and transform healthcare delivery and outcomes for providers and patients, as well as to offer cost-effective solutions for payers.
Maternal mortality and morbidity prevention is a top priority area for the organization. Reach is the founder of the National Save Moms Campaign (http://savemoms.us), Save Moms Global (http://savemoms.global), Maternal Application of Technology for Community Health (MATCH) Coalition (http://matchcoalition.us), and Happy Mama (http://happymama.global)
Reach, established in 2016, is focused on pragmatically improving large-scale and sustainable health programs for enhanced healthcare equity, access, and delivery based on its four pillars: (1) Research to identify where change is needed that could result in actionable outcomes; (2) Education; (3) Thought Leadership and (4) Innovative Immersive Special Interest Therapeutic Platforms, including Happy Mama, focused on maternal health for mothers as well as clinicians; Workforce Wellness to tackle clinician burnout; and IB Healthy Wellness and Remote Care digital therapeutics for rehab, chronic disease management, healthy aging, and more.
Reach welcomes new partnerships, sponsorships, and grassroots affiliates as it works to drive massive impact for better and more equitable health care outcomes.
Contact Information:
Matt Walker
Community Outreach Lead [email protected]
619-800-6443
iQuanti: These days, the proliferation of online lenders makes it easier and faster than ever to get a loan. You can often knock out the whole process in minutes without leaving your couch. That said, there are a few things to know before looking for these loans. Understanding them will help you find an instant online loan that matches your needs, budget, and financial situation. This article will cover a few facts millennials should know before getting an instant online loan.
1. You can apply and get approved from the comfort of home
Online loans allow you to apply, get approved, and receive funding without ever leaving home. Additionally, you can look at many lenders at once without driving to various branches. This can save you the time and energy it would otherwise take to travel to the lender, while helping you find a loan that fits your needs and budget.
If you run into any questions or concerns, many online lenders have customer support chatbots and agents available to help you out. You may also be able to contact them via phone if they have phone agents available.
2. They come with same-day funding
Oftentimes, borrowers may need a loan quickly. They may have bills coming up before their next paycheck or they might run into an emergency, such as an auto accident. Regardless, instant online loans often fund the same day you apply and get approved. Once you sign the paperwork online and provide your bank account information, the lender can begin the transfer immediately. You may see the money hit your account within minutes to a few hours.
3. There are options for borrowers of all credit scores
Instant online loans are designed for borrowers of all credit scores. People with the highest scores may be able to get larger loan amounts and lower interest rates. But luckily, borrowers with poor or no credit have plenty of options available as well. Secured online loans, such as title loans, may have lenient credit requirements. These lenders will consider factors in addition to your credit score, like income and employment history, when deciding whether to approve you.
Certain unsecured online loans, such as installment loans and lines of credit, may also be forgiving when it comes to credit score. No matter where you sit on the credit score scale, you can still get an online loan.
Consider instant online loans
Instant online loans can be extremely helpful and convenient for certain borrowers. You can apply, get approved, and receive funding from the comfort of your couch. There are options for borrowers of all credit scores, so there's no need to worry about being excluded. In many cases, this entire process is done in a few minutes to a couple of hours — making these some of the fastest options available. Overall, instant online loans are great for borrowers who need to borrow money right away without having to visit a lender's physical store location.
AkosMD today announced a new partnership with The Alliance. This partnership will improve the quality of care and reduce health care costs by offering Virtual Direct Primary Care to the 110,000 lives utilizing The Alliance Network. The AkosMD solution also includes care navigation, remote patient monitoring, chronic condition management and concierge care support. This solution is available to all Alliance employers and their employees immediately
"AkosMD brings an innovative and comprehensive approach to Virtual Direct Primary Care that we believe will improve access to primary care services while delivering significant savings for employers and patients," says Melina Kambitsi, Ph.D. Senior Vice President, Business Development and Strategic Marketing for The Alliance. "The Alliance is a recognized leader in driving innovation that improves care and is an ideal partner for AkosMD's data-driven, 'Company Doctor' solution," adds Tom Henke, AkosMD's Growth Officer
Employers and brokers that have reviewed the solution agree- Julie Allord, the President of BenefitWorks, a benefits consulting firm in Madison, noted the "AkosMD approach to Virtual Direct Primary Care and the partnership with The Alliance brings much-needed access and choice in this market. Virtual Direct Primary Care has been shown to deliver significant savings for employers while improving access. My customers are interested." Pete Lukowitz, President of Lukowitz Consulting agrees, "AkosMD's concierge service integrates well with other innovations at The Alliance, such as Smarter Networks and Smarter Analytics. I anticipate that together employers will realize additional savings of 12%-15% or more. I've recently quoted the program and am seeing savings of over $200,000 for one of my clients."
The benefits of this new partnership include:
A company doctor for the entire firm with a designated physician, care navigator, and nurse for each member to provide comprehensive care coordination, navigation, and care gap closure. AkosMD is also able to provide direct referrals to The Alliance's high-quality, low-cost providers improving outcomes while delivering significant savings on specialty care and facilities. Since AkosMD is already available within The Alliance network, all employers can realize these savings immediately. AkosMD's approach engages the members directly delivering savings of over 50% on primary care services immediately. Stop-loss carriers are currently adding these savings into their pricing models with some pricing discounts already available.
The Alliance:
The Alliance serves as the voice for 300 self-funded employers who want more control over their health care costs. They provide transparent, creative approaches to network and benefit plan design to unlock savings where others can't - or won't - using Smarter Networks℠ and sophisticated data mining and analysis. The Alliance remains a trusted, objective partner for employers and their brokers who seek improved access to high-quality health care by contracting with more than 34,000 health care providers and doctors across the Midwest.
About AkosMD:
AkosMD is a pioneer in virtual health, offering patient-centered solutions that in turn benefit employers and patients. Our 'company doctors' are board-certified physicians who deliver comprehensive clinical services virtually anywhere, anytime and our care coordinators are available 24/7/365 to ensure patients' needs are always being met. AkosMD delivers the most comprehensive virtual advanced primary care in the industry.
Contact Information:
Tom Henke
Senior Vice President - Growth Officer [email protected]
6127014786
LEONA VALLEY, Calif. - October 19, 2022 - (Newswire.com)
The Leona Valley Recovery Center, an inpatient addiction treatment center, offers evidence-based treatment for those seeking treatment outside of a major city. As drug and alcohol abuse rises across America, Leona Valley's doors are open for detox and residential treatment.
Located more than an hour north of Los Angeles, the staff at Leona Valley Recovery Center offer addiction rehab "in a remote, serene location." The six-bed residential treatment center provides a combination of holistic treatments as well as evidence-based therapies.
"Evidence-based therapies" are designed to utilize "the integration of the best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values." These "specialized therapies have (been) developed to target specific use disorders: alcohol, opiates, cocaine… Treatment services have been developed to address not only the substance use, but also the range of other problems that often predate, co-occur with, and are caused by substance use disorders."
According to researchers at Cedars-Sinai, projections of mortality rates from alcohol use disorder were 22% higher in 2021 as well as 25% higher in 2020. Additionally, in 2021, for the first time, deaths from drug overdoses exceeded 100,000, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"We only use truth in order to treat here at Leona Valley Recovery Center. Before we founded our center, we realized that the traditional substance abuse treatment and recovery model needed to be improved. That's just one of the reasons our center is in such a remote, picturesque location. Here, there are no distractions, nothing to keep our patients from being focused on the individual, on their treatment. We exclusively use evidence-based therapies for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that they work. They've been proven to work. Indeed, we've seen it time and again. That said, we always tailor our treatment specifically to the individual, to their needs, to what they need help with. The last few years have been so challenging for so many. More people than ever have struggled with addiction. We're here to help someone on their journey of sobriety, in a serene location with an experienced staff, all committed to the individualized treatment of our patients," said Hai Nguyen of Leona Valley Recovery Center.
This drug and alcohol detox center also offers residential treatment programs for a wide range of substance-use disorders. For more information, to learn about insurance verification, or to enroll, contact Leona Valley Recovery Center at (888) 702-1852.
Contact Information:
Ezekiel Hernandez
Communications Director
213-332-9255
Techwave, a leading global IT and engineering solutions provider, shares its latest fundraising initiative, the "STEPtember, Health & Fitness Challenge." The campaign is being launched in collaboration with the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation to raise awareness and funds for families affected by cerebral palsy. The funds raised by the STEPtember challenge will be used by the best CPARF researchers to prevent, treat, and cure cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy is a physical disability caused by damage to the developing brain during pregnancy, birth, or shortly after birth, which affects a person's posture and movement throughout their life. Techwave's "STEPtember" challenge is the key initiative to raise awareness about cerebral palsy among employees and entice them to lead a healthy lifestyle. Signing up for STEPtember and committing to 10,000 steps per day is the initial step. Tracking the steps with a digital pedometer or an app would follow. A total of 10,000 steps were taken every day during the "STEPtember" challenge by the employees for 28 consecutive days. By participating in this, we raised more than $2,000 and took more than 10 million steps for the CPARF cause.
"STEPtember is a virtual fundraising initiative to encourage fitness and healthy living among employees. The opportunity to fundraise for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation is inspiring to us, and we are proud to be able to make a real difference in the lives of families living with cerebral palsy. This initiative will be rolled out all year long, globally, and we hope it will lead society to better understand cerebral palsy and those affected by it so that we can make a lasting difference for people with the condition," said Mr. Raj Gummadapu, CEO, Techwave.
About Techwave: Techwave is a leading global Information Technology and Engineering services and solutions company revolutionizing digital transformations. They believe in enabling clients to maximize their potential and achieve a greater market with a wide array of technology services, including, but not limited to, Enterprise Resource Planning, Application Development, Analytics, Digital, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Founded in 2004, and headquartered in Houston, TX, USA, Techwave has a team of experts, leveraging Digital Transformation, Enterprise Application, and Engineering Services expertise, in 11 countries.
St. Jude's Ranch for Children, a community of healing and hope, with the help of its construction team — Grand Canyon Development Partners, EV&A Architects, Taney Engineering, and The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company — will break ground on its Healing Center on Oct. 25, 2022, for children who are victims of sex trafficking.
Unlike any other nationwide, this first-of-its-kind center will build on the 56-year legacy of the charity by providing safe therapeutic homes and a specialized nurturing recovery program for children who have been forced or manipulated into having sex for money. The Healing Center is unique — from its ground-up residences, holistic treatment options, survivor advocates, trauma-sensitive design, and on-site public school dedicated specifically to this population.
"Child sex trafficking has devastating consequences for its victims, including long-lasting physical and psychological trauma, disease, and even death," said St. Jude's Ranch for Children Chief Executive Officer Dr. Christina Vela. "Through the creation of the Healing Center on our flagship campus in Boulder City, Nevada, we will be able to address every facet of the recovery process while providing a safe space in which they can heal."
St. Jude's Ranch for Children's Healing Center will sit on 10 acres of land, with a series of individual therapeutic homes that will mimic a neighborhood with walking paths and landscaping designed to foster a sense of safety. Therapy offices and outside areas will encourage transformation through connection to nature while a multi-purpose building will include an on-site school, meeting space, library, computer lab, and a yoga and meditation room.
The Healing Center masterplan design and construction costs are estimated at $25 million. The charity has received donations and pledges from Clark County, Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts, The Cosmopolitan, Aristocrat Gaming, Nevada Elks, Justice Miriam Shearing, and additional individual donors. With more than half of the funds raised, the charity is continuing to pursue funding and encourages donations to help these young victims. Clark County School District has also approved $5 million to build the school on the Healing Center campus.
Construction is expected to be completed by Spring of 2024 and the center is expected to be open for residents by Summer 2024.
ABOUT ST. JUDE'S RANCH FOR CHILDREN
For more than 56 years, St. Jude's Ranch for Children has been a community of healing and hope. The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization helps young people, ages 0-25, who have been abused, neglected, homeless and/or exploited, by providing safety, stability, and healing in a caring environment. For more information, visit stjudesranch.org or get social @StJudesRanch for Facebook and Twitter or stjudesranchforchildren on Instagram.
Contact Information:
Paige Candee
President of Candee Communications [email protected]
(702) 850-5511
BOLINGBROOK, Ill. - October 19, 2022 - (Newswire.com)
Today, Trafalgar announced the launch of its new product line. The collection arrives just in time for the holiday season, giving customers plenty of time to purchase high-end accessories to elevate their holiday attire.
"Every product made by Trafalgar is handcrafted from the highest quality materials and made to last," said Jim Miller, Trafalgar Brand Manager. "We're so excited to share our newest luxury accessories line that takes the classic look and adds a modern twist!"
The collection includes button-end braces with a matching bow tie, necktie, and pocket square. It's available in three distinct color options: Nicholas tartan plaid, Ives green and navy blackwatch plaid, and Kincade red blackwatch plaid.
The blackwatch plaids provide just a pop of color for the more reserved gentleman while the blend of colors in the Nicholas tartan plaid is sure to steal the spotlight. All of the accessories are crafted from 100% silk. In addition, the braces feature a full-grain leather back patch and button-ends, along with an elastic backing that makes them comfortable for all-day wear. Pair these luxury braces with their matching bow tie or necktie and finish the look off with the pocket square to set yourself apart from all the other gentlemen this season.
National Sales Manager, Tom Mintal, added, "We are thrilled at the overwhelmingly positive response from our top department stores and luxury independent retailers! Our retail partners are excited to see that Trafalgar is continuing to add freshness and creativity in the Holiday Collection."
About Trafalgar:Trafalgar is a highly respected luxury brand that manufactures a variety of men's leather goods and fine accessories. It was founded in 1972 in Norwalk, Connecticut, by American craftsmen determined to use the most distinctive materials throughout the world. Today, Trafalgar is part of the Phoenix Leather Goods (PLG) family of brands, extending its commitment to integrity, honor, and quality to the global community. Trafalgar still stands by its original vision: combining timeless American style and refined haberdashery details for the discerning man.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - October 19, 2022 - (Newswire.com)
SpendMend, a leading provider of solutions to optimize the cost cycle for the healthcare industry, today announced it has completed an expansive charity drive in cooperation with over 20 major U.S. healthcare systems.
The company encouraged clients to select from a list of charitable organizations and contributed a donation in the name of each participating client to the organization of their choosing.
SpendMend spearheaded the month-long campaign in celebration of Supply Chain Appreciation Week, Oct. 2-8; AP Appreciation Week, Oct. 17-21; and National Pharmacy Week, running Oct. 17-23, 2022.
"October is filled with several weeks to celebrate professionals across different departments. This year, we wanted to do something special to show our appreciation," states Hannah Geelhoed, Head of Community Outreach at SpendMend. "We're thrilled with the participation from our clients. Our company places much emphasis on giving back to our community. Our clients obviously feel the same way."
Clients selected between the four following organizations:
Kids' Food Basket - Kids' Food Basket exists to increase access to healthy food for children and families.
Hope for the Warriors - Hope for the Warriors believes those touched by military service can succeed at home by restoring their sense of self, family, and hope.
Bee Brave - Bee Brave is a haven of hope for those who need it, a home in which to share their courageous stories, as well as a place to celebrate the victories and triumphs over breast cancer.
Everytown - Everytown is the largest gun violence prevention organization in America.
Over 20 major U.S. health systems took part in the program, including: Allegheny Health Network; Cornerstone Healthcare Group; Banner Health; Prisma Pharmacy Consolidated Service Center; Central Maine Healthcare; MedStar Health; Rome Memorial Hospital; Nuvance Health; Memorial Healthcare System; Boston Children's Hospital; and many others.
For more information regarding the four charities listed above, please contact Hannah Geelhoed at [email protected].
About SpendMend
SpendMend is a leading provider of tech-enabled, cost-savings solutions in the healthcare industry. Combining the use of data, proprietary technology, and rigorous analytics with its healthcare focus and expertise, SpendMend partners with healthcare networks to expose the dark data to improve and optimize their costs in meaningful and collaborative ways. SpendMend's mission is to help its clients improve their patient care through innovative cost-savings solutions.
Contact Information:
Kylee Savage
Marketing Manager [email protected]
616-257-8331
iQuanti: Debt consolidation is when you use one loan or credit card to pay off several high-interest credit cards or other debts. Since you'll only have one balance instead of multiple, it'll be easier to manage your debt. Also, if you're able to land a lower interest rate than the rates you currently have, you'll save money on interest in the process.
Debt consolidation methods
There are several ways you can consolidate your credit card debt, including:
Debt consolidation loan: A debt consolidation loan is an unsecured personal loan that's specifically intended for paying off debts. It typically comes with a fixed interest rate and repayment term so you can budget for payments in advance.
Credit card balance transfer: If you qualify for a balance transfer credit card, ideally with a lower APR than your current credit card, you can move multiple balances to it to consolidate your debt and make one monthly payment at a lower interest rate rather than several.
Home equity loans: You may want to consider a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC) if you have equity in your home. While a home equity loan offers a lump sum of money, a HELOC is a revolving line of credit.
401(k) loans: If you have a 401(k) retirement plan, it is possible to borrow money from it for debt consolidation. Since this method might cost you a penalty and hinder your retirement plans, think twice before you choose it.
How to consolidate your credit card debt
If you move forward with debt consolidation for your credit card debt, follow these steps.
Add up your debt: Determine how much credit card debt you owe. If you decide to consolidate it with a loan, this figure will inform you of how much to borrow.
Calculate your average interest rate: There are plenty of online calculators that can help you come up with the weighted average interest rate of all your credit cards. Try to find a lower rate than the average you currently have.
Consider your budget: Take a close look at your budget. Once you pay your monthly bills, how much can you put toward paying off your credit card debt?
Choose the right method: While the most common debt consolidation options are personal loans, balance transfer credit cards, and home equity loans, you can also consolidate debt with your retirement account. Figure out the best choice for your unique situation.
Bottom line
By consolidating your credit card debt, you'll find the payoff process to be easier and more affordable. Just make sure you choose the ideal strategy for your particular needs and avoid racking up more debt.
