With all the work that went into this legislation. I wanted to do a thank you dinner for those that helped out the most. So therefore we had an amazing dinner at Madeline's! This is a photo of all that attended!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Job Interview...
I have to be honest. It has been a long time since I have been on the other side of the table for job interviews. I pretty much walked into the positions I have been in for the last at least 11 years. I have done a variety of things although most jobs I either know someone or they come to me after hearing about the work I have done. The job I have currently my Mom hired me to do some scanning work (to clean up some mess some others had made) the company liked my work so much they kept me on. I have been here about 3 1/2 almost 4 years now. I love it although...
I am having to look at going back to work full time. I did my first interview a couple weeks ago with a local grocery store. They told me I was too over qualified. They said they had many positions for me but I never heard from them again. I feel that I did okay on the interview but my sister tells me that I told too much information. Although I still feel really good about it. I just was too over qualified. That is nice to hear but hard at the same time.
Tomorrow I have my first interview with a company that I would love to have a full time job with. I am interviewing with the Children's Miracle Network. I am really excited. Because I am so excited I am scared of blowing the interview. I think this job would be a really good fit for me. I think I could handle going back to work full time with a charity like this one. I am incredibly happy with working with the EAU and feel really fulfilled with the job I do there. I think that is how the job with CMN would probably be. I am excited about this idea.
I am scared of leaving my kids full time. But we have worked it out for Dad to stay home and work part time. He really needs to get his diabetes under control. I just hope as my sister says I need not ramble.
Job interviews and the job market is scary these days. I really wish that I could be a stay at home mom. Although I don't think I could do that full time either. I really enjoy being at work when I feel that I am doing something important. Wish me luck on my interview. I am scared to death.
I am having to look at going back to work full time. I did my first interview a couple weeks ago with a local grocery store. They told me I was too over qualified. They said they had many positions for me but I never heard from them again. I feel that I did okay on the interview but my sister tells me that I told too much information. Although I still feel really good about it. I just was too over qualified. That is nice to hear but hard at the same time.
Tomorrow I have my first interview with a company that I would love to have a full time job with. I am interviewing with the Children's Miracle Network. I am really excited. Because I am so excited I am scared of blowing the interview. I think this job would be a really good fit for me. I think I could handle going back to work full time with a charity like this one. I am incredibly happy with working with the EAU and feel really fulfilled with the job I do there. I think that is how the job with CMN would probably be. I am excited about this idea.
I am scared of leaving my kids full time. But we have worked it out for Dad to stay home and work part time. He really needs to get his diabetes under control. I just hope as my sister says I need not ramble.
Job interviews and the job market is scary these days. I really wish that I could be a stay at home mom. Although I don't think I could do that full time either. I really enjoy being at work when I feel that I am doing something important. Wish me luck on my interview. I am scared to death.
Friday, April 18, 2008
MOVIE, ACTOR, MOVIE
I was blog surfing and came across a cute game on a friends blog. So I thought I would try it....
The Movie Actor Movie game. I name a movie, you name an actor from that movie, next person names a different movie that that actor was in, and so on and so on.
OCEAN'S ELEVEN
The Movie Actor Movie game. I name a movie, you name an actor from that movie, next person names a different movie that that actor was in, and so on and so on.
OCEAN'S ELEVEN
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Kindergarten
I posted earlier Johnny and I went to Kindergarten orientation last week. He wasn't too thrilled. We got there late. Not because I was late but because I forgot the paperwork packet and had to go back. So we had to stand in a line. Then they talked with the kids and took them out to see their classrooms and sing songs while mom's got to listen to all the things that were going to happen in Kindergarten. It was really cute. Those of you that have been through this know all about this but it is new to me.
He was really upset that he had to attend the singing without me. I think I should have been more upset to attend the meeting. I would have loved to sing and have cookies. I learned a lot and am excited for Johnny to start school. Then the worst thing of all happened. He looked around and some of his friends from pre-school and church were in the room but not Lexi (school) and not Thea (church). This just wouldn't work he can't attend school without the two girls he likes. Although neither one is his "girl friend" because he says "I am not old enough to have a girlfriend." Which I will not argue. So he was refusing to go to school.
Life became good again after we talked with Thea's mom and she said she is going to Kindergarten although she was in the class after ours because her last name starts with a S. So Johnny asked and Lexi was in the same class as Thea for Kindergarten and so he is happy again. I don't know what I would have done with him refusing to go to Kindergarten. I guess I am just blessed with the fact that the girls he likes will be in Kindergarten too so that is a good enough reason to go for him. I don't have the heart to tell him that they probably won't be on the same tracks. I think we will have to just worry about that on the first day of school.
He was really upset that he had to attend the singing without me. I think I should have been more upset to attend the meeting. I would have loved to sing and have cookies. I learned a lot and am excited for Johnny to start school. Then the worst thing of all happened. He looked around and some of his friends from pre-school and church were in the room but not Lexi (school) and not Thea (church). This just wouldn't work he can't attend school without the two girls he likes. Although neither one is his "girl friend" because he says "I am not old enough to have a girlfriend." Which I will not argue. So he was refusing to go to school.
Life became good again after we talked with Thea's mom and she said she is going to Kindergarten although she was in the class after ours because her last name starts with a S. So Johnny asked and Lexi was in the same class as Thea for Kindergarten and so he is happy again. I don't know what I would have done with him refusing to go to Kindergarten. I guess I am just blessed with the fact that the girls he likes will be in Kindergarten too so that is a good enough reason to go for him. I don't have the heart to tell him that they probably won't be on the same tracks. I think we will have to just worry about that on the first day of school.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Finally Easter Photos
My computer at home has been down for quite a while now. So finally I remembered to bring in my photos to work. This is the kids in their Easter clothes! Johnny didn't want his photo taken so he wasn't behaving. Kimmie's blood sugar was a little low so I wish she looked like she felt better. She doesn't really care about the candy thing (strange I know).
Friday, April 11, 2008
Kindergarten Orientation
I can't believe that today I am taking my son to Kindergarten Orientation. I am trilled for him to attend school and I am really looking forward to it. Although at the same time I am rather sad. I don't believe my baby is going to school. I am not one of those moms that gets all emotional at the first thing their kids do (okay maybe I am a little). But I am not sure that I will not be partying on the first day of school instead of crying. But after all we went through with Kimmie we never got the chance to do these "normal things" like Kindergarten Orientation. So I don't know how to do this kind of stuff. You would think that the first child would train you to handle this kind of stuff but we didn't do any of this kind of stuff with her. I sat this morning filling out paperwork that I swear I never did before. I remember a few of the forms but I remember more medical stuff (obviously) for Kimmie. Johnny is so excited to be going he can't wait. He is so ready to go to school it isn't even funny. He is really sad I won't let him take his pre-school teacher with him. So hopefully one of the new Kindergarten teachers will work. His only request to me as I dropped him off with Bethany this morning is don't be late.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
TerryMcInnisTalk
(Medical Director, Strategic Health Initiatives, GlaxoSmithKline)
She was wonderful I could have sat and listened to her for hours.
Chronic Conditions
the US health system is geared and aligned financially
-to focus on one problem at a time
-usually in a short office visit
-with no payment or system for coordination of care
-between my various doctors
-or education about my conditions
-for understanding all of medications, vitamins, supplements or perhaps my latest herbal remedies
How About Changing the Healthcare System
What if-the US health system is geared and aligned financially
-to focus on the person (patient centric) instead of just one problem at a time
-usually in a longer office visit by my primary care doctor
-with payments and systems for coordination of care
-between my various doctors
-to educate me about my conditions
-to educate me on all of my medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies so I can make informed decisions to keep healthy
The Payment System for Primary Care must be fundamentally changed!
–Coordination of care activities, disease management, and enhanced access (such as e-mail correspondence with patients) must be reimbursed
- IT systems and practice infrastructure must change-advanced EMR’s, registries, interoperability of reports, e-prescribing, etc. must be in place to coordinate and deliver high quality care
Medication Therapy Management
In any given week, four out of five U.S. adults will use prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, or dietary supplements. Nearly one-third of adults will take five or more different medications.”
“Pharmaceuticals are the most common medical intervention, and their potential for both help and harm is enormous. Ensuring that the American people get the most benefit from advances in pharmacology is a critical component of improving the national health care system.”
Medication Therapy Management MUST be:
Patient-centered
•Consistent and systematic processes that:
–Assess all of the patient’s drug-related needs
–Identifies drug therapy problems
–Establishes therapeutic goals
–Designs a medication therapy care plan
–Conducts follow-up visits to evaluate progress
–Communicates information to the patient’s physician or provider
This was tried in Minnesota:
285 MTM patients and 252 comparison group –all BCBS Minnesota health members
An average 6.4 medical conditions and 7.9 drug therapies per MTM patient
Results
–Goals of therapy improved from baseline 76% to 90% after MTM
–2.2 drug therapy problems per patient identified and resolved –78% resolved without MD
–HEDIS Hypertension criteria achieved in 71% of MTM patients versus 59% comparison group
–HEDIS Cholesterol criteria achieved in 52% of MTM patients versus 30% comparison group
Total health care cost reduced by 31.5%post MTM from $11,965 to $8,197(drug costs slightly increased with 12% increase in Rx claims)
She was wonderful I could have sat and listened to her for hours.
Chronic Conditions
the US health system is geared and aligned financially
-to focus on one problem at a time
-usually in a short office visit
-with no payment or system for coordination of care
-between my various doctors
-or education about my conditions
-for understanding all of medications, vitamins, supplements or perhaps my latest herbal remedies
How About Changing the Healthcare System
What if-the US health system is geared and aligned financially
-to focus on the person (patient centric) instead of just one problem at a time
-usually in a longer office visit by my primary care doctor
-with payments and systems for coordination of care
-between my various doctors
-to educate me about my conditions
-to educate me on all of my medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies so I can make informed decisions to keep healthy
The Payment System for Primary Care must be fundamentally changed!
–Coordination of care activities, disease management, and enhanced access (such as e-mail correspondence with patients) must be reimbursed
- IT systems and practice infrastructure must change-advanced EMR’s, registries, interoperability of reports, e-prescribing, etc. must be in place to coordinate and deliver high quality care
Medication Therapy Management
In any given week, four out of five U.S. adults will use prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, or dietary supplements. Nearly one-third of adults will take five or more different medications.”
“Pharmaceuticals are the most common medical intervention, and their potential for both help and harm is enormous. Ensuring that the American people get the most benefit from advances in pharmacology is a critical component of improving the national health care system.”
Medication Therapy Management MUST be:
Patient-centered
•Consistent and systematic processes that:
–Assess all of the patient’s drug-related needs
–Identifies drug therapy problems
–Establishes therapeutic goals
–Designs a medication therapy care plan
–Conducts follow-up visits to evaluate progress
–Communicates information to the patient’s physician or provider
This was tried in Minnesota:
285 MTM patients and 252 comparison group –all BCBS Minnesota health members
An average 6.4 medical conditions and 7.9 drug therapies per MTM patient
Results
–Goals of therapy improved from baseline 76% to 90% after MTM
–2.2 drug therapy problems per patient identified and resolved –78% resolved without MD
–HEDIS Hypertension criteria achieved in 71% of MTM patients versus 59% comparison group
–HEDIS Cholesterol criteria achieved in 52% of MTM patients versus 30% comparison group
Total health care cost reduced by 31.5%post MTM from $11,965 to $8,197(drug costs slightly increased with 12% increase in Rx claims)
Robert Ingram Talk
(vice chairman-Pharmaceuticals of GlaxoSmithKline)
Individuals don’t come into their doctors offices as Republicans, Democrat, or Independents they come into their office as individuals.
Driving Healthcare costs: 45% of Americans have a chronic healthcare need. We live in a society that believes in fixing the problem once it is there and not curing or preventing the problems before they start. We need to change our way of looking at moving to a PREVENTION system then INTERVENTION. Not just putting a Band-Aid on the problem once it is there.
$1.6 trillion is spent each year on healthcare in the US today. 75% of that cost is treating chronic diseases. An estimated 50% of that is preventable.
Individuals don’t come into their doctors offices as Republicans, Democrat, or Independents they come into their office as individuals.
Driving Healthcare costs: 45% of Americans have a chronic healthcare need. We live in a society that believes in fixing the problem once it is there and not curing or preventing the problems before they start. We need to change our way of looking at moving to a PREVENTION system then INTERVENTION. Not just putting a Band-Aid on the problem once it is there.
$1.6 trillion is spent each year on healthcare in the US today. 75% of that cost is treating chronic diseases. An estimated 50% of that is preventable.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Blog Level
A friend of mine put this on her blog and I thought it was interesting. The funny thing about it is that I did this before I went to North Carolina and my reading level was Middle School but all of a sudden I must have become a lot smarter!
Tommy Thompson Talk
My family said that I need to share all of this wonderful information with everyone. It will take me a while to write all of my notes down. The first of the totally amazing talks was Tommy Thompson (former Secretary of Health and Human Services, and former Governor of Wisconsin). He spoke about the Healthcare problems in America today he not only talked about what the problems are but what we can do about them. I was impressed that he didn't just get up there and tell us what was wrong he also gave solutions.
ECONOMIC PROBLEMS: (recessions) $2.4 trillion each year spent on healthcare 75% of that on chronic healthcare needs
HEALTHCARE WORKERS SHORTAGE: reimbursement for healthcare workers across all specialties and not specific specialties
MEDICARE: the current system will be broke in 2013
WELLNESS = PREVENTION we need to prevent major healthcare needs with annual check up that are paid for to prevent larger problems down the road
MANAGE MEDICATIONS: teach proper medication dosages to avoid duplications or serious side effects
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:
· Electronic Medical Records: You can put a ATM card in any machine in the world and get money we need to be able to put a medical id card in at any doctors or hospitals and get all of our history. This will prevent any mistakes from you past history not being filled in fully. This will also prevent unnecessary tests that you may already have the answer too. This would save us millions of dollars a year in unnecessary tests or easily preventable mistakes.
· E-prescribing: 50% of all prescription mistakes are made because of poor handwriting. Sending prescriptions electronically to the patients preferred pharmacy saves mistakes on both ends. This also saves time on the patients end from having to turn in the prescription and wait.
· Paperless Medicaid and Medicare forms: this would save $1.5 billion a year
· Physicals needed to get into Medicare: not preventing individuals from getting in but to establish a record of current treatments and be able to give care for preventable diseases for the individual in the future.
· Lifting restrictions for uninsurable patients to make insurable (will help them be able to get the needed preventative care they need)
FDA: more individuals needed to prove drugs that are currently in the system or possible Phase 4 in trials that put the medication to market in FDA trial phase to try it out for a period of time to ensure more patient safety
FOREIGN POLICY: many 3rd world countries are lacking in medical care. We need to require our interns to do a 4-6 weeks residency in those countries. They will get a better appreciation for the healthcare system here and be better doctors for their experiences.
PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS: get involved in all the campaigns. Ask healthcare questions. In 11 presidential debates this year only one healthcare question was asked start asking our leaders questions.
It isn’t the critic that counts it is the individual in the arena.
ECONOMIC PROBLEMS: (recessions) $2.4 trillion each year spent on healthcare 75% of that on chronic healthcare needs
HEALTHCARE WORKERS SHORTAGE: reimbursement for healthcare workers across all specialties and not specific specialties
MEDICARE: the current system will be broke in 2013
WELLNESS = PREVENTION we need to prevent major healthcare needs with annual check up that are paid for to prevent larger problems down the road
MANAGE MEDICATIONS: teach proper medication dosages to avoid duplications or serious side effects
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:
· Electronic Medical Records: You can put a ATM card in any machine in the world and get money we need to be able to put a medical id card in at any doctors or hospitals and get all of our history. This will prevent any mistakes from you past history not being filled in fully. This will also prevent unnecessary tests that you may already have the answer too. This would save us millions of dollars a year in unnecessary tests or easily preventable mistakes.
· E-prescribing: 50% of all prescription mistakes are made because of poor handwriting. Sending prescriptions electronically to the patients preferred pharmacy saves mistakes on both ends. This also saves time on the patients end from having to turn in the prescription and wait.
· Paperless Medicaid and Medicare forms: this would save $1.5 billion a year
· Physicals needed to get into Medicare: not preventing individuals from getting in but to establish a record of current treatments and be able to give care for preventable diseases for the individual in the future.
· Lifting restrictions for uninsurable patients to make insurable (will help them be able to get the needed preventative care they need)
FDA: more individuals needed to prove drugs that are currently in the system or possible Phase 4 in trials that put the medication to market in FDA trial phase to try it out for a period of time to ensure more patient safety
FOREIGN POLICY: many 3rd world countries are lacking in medical care. We need to require our interns to do a 4-6 weeks residency in those countries. They will get a better appreciation for the healthcare system here and be better doctors for their experiences.
PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS: get involved in all the campaigns. Ask healthcare questions. In 11 presidential debates this year only one healthcare question was asked start asking our leaders questions.
It isn’t the critic that counts it is the individual in the arena.
Trip Update
I had an amazing trip to North Carolina.
I learned sooooo much and am really excited to share some of the things I learned at the conference. We were running all day and evenings while I was there. I came home and crashed for two days. I was soooo exhausted. The place we stayed was absolutely amazing. The conference was sooo good. I had to walk out at one point and take a breath of fresh air the information was just pooring from the room. Maybe it is because I haven't attended one of these kinds of meetings before that I felt so lucky to be there that I just was overwelmed by all of the info. It may have been the chance to meet such amazing people. I really don't know how to explain the intensity of the room. We had 75 leaders of mainly non-profit organizations from different diseases and disorder groups in one room. I felt a little intimidated by all the amazing people that were there. I know I have done a lot of work with the association but I didn't have to create organizations from nothing. We had a failed organization that we reworked but we had a base. Some of these amazing people had nothing but a good idea to help people with different diseases and so they did. I am so in awe.
My family missed me. I was roaming on my cell phone so I wasn't able to talk with them much. Erik did well while I was gone but I heard from everyone how much he missed me. It was really nice to know that I was missed.
I learned sooooo much and am really excited to share some of the things I learned at the conference. We were running all day and evenings while I was there. I came home and crashed for two days. I was soooo exhausted. The place we stayed was absolutely amazing. The conference was sooo good. I had to walk out at one point and take a breath of fresh air the information was just pooring from the room. Maybe it is because I haven't attended one of these kinds of meetings before that I felt so lucky to be there that I just was overwelmed by all of the info. It may have been the chance to meet such amazing people. I really don't know how to explain the intensity of the room. We had 75 leaders of mainly non-profit organizations from different diseases and disorder groups in one room. I felt a little intimidated by all the amazing people that were there. I know I have done a lot of work with the association but I didn't have to create organizations from nothing. We had a failed organization that we reworked but we had a base. Some of these amazing people had nothing but a good idea to help people with different diseases and so they did. I am so in awe.
My family missed me. I was roaming on my cell phone so I wasn't able to talk with them much. Erik did well while I was gone but I heard from everyone how much he missed me. It was really nice to know that I was missed.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Denver
I am headed for a National Patient Advocacy conference in North Carolina. I have been delayed in Denver. I have another $1.58 on my time at the airport computer and I thought I would just update.
Kimmie is doing better. She had a rough week last week although the new antiboitics are working well. She has informed me that I am breaking her heart by attending this conference and leaving her for the next three days.
Johnny is doing well. He really doesn't care much that I am leaving he just wants to go to Bethany's house. He says she has cooler games than we do and it really doesn't matter if I go just make sure that he can go to Bethany's house.
I hope everyone is doing well. I think I have come to the end of my minutes, the computer is now starting to beep and my plane should be here by now. I am excited for this trip and I look forward to posting more about it later!
Love Ya!
Kimmie is doing better. She had a rough week last week although the new antiboitics are working well. She has informed me that I am breaking her heart by attending this conference and leaving her for the next three days.
Johnny is doing well. He really doesn't care much that I am leaving he just wants to go to Bethany's house. He says she has cooler games than we do and it really doesn't matter if I go just make sure that he can go to Bethany's house.
I hope everyone is doing well. I think I have come to the end of my minutes, the computer is now starting to beep and my plane should be here by now. I am excited for this trip and I look forward to posting more about it later!
Love Ya!
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