We’re in the midst of an opioid epidemic. Opioids include heroin as well as Vicodin, Percocet, Oxycontin, morphine and fentanyl. The associated “epidemic” means that an abnormally high number of Americans meet criteria for opioid use disorder (OUD) and are dying from overdoses at record numbers. The criteria for OUD include taking opioids in larger amounts or over a longer … [More]
Opioid Abuse Costs Businesses Millions
A survey by the National Safety Council taken in March revealed that 70 percent of businesses say that narcotic painkillers have affected their business. The NSC recommends incorporating the following steps to monitor the use of opioids in the workplace: A clear, written policy: Together with a company’s legal department, a policy should be put in place — similar to a … [More]
Improving Construction Workplace Safety Boosts Business
The construction industry is the backbone of a city’s economic development. With Arizona’s construction slowdown during the economic downturn, many skilled workers left the state, making retaining a qualified, skilled workforce one of the biggest challenges contractors face today. As the industry struggles to recover and attract new workers, health and safety needs to be a … [More]
DNA-based Lifestyle Apps
Exploragen has launched as a DNA lifestyle company to deliver useful DNA-based apps directly to consumers. The new California startup, led by a team of veterans from the medical genetics industry, creates engaging apps that translate DNA information into personalized insights consumers can use to improve their everyday lives. Exploragen apps will be available exclusively on … [More]
Digital Therapies
Scottsdale-based Magellan Health, recognized as a leading provider of software-based tools to increase the integration of and access to behavioral health treatment, continues to develop digital therapies by expanding its collaboration with Click Therapeutics to pursue a new avenue: Food and Drug Administration clearance for therapeutic apps. “Using the industry-leading suite of … [More]
Value-based Care: For Employers, It’s a Prescription for the Future
Delivering best-in-class products at a fair price and with stellar customer service is at the core of every company’s mission. Now, the healthcare industry is embracing these principles with a progressive model of care that rewards physicians and hospital systems for the quality of their clinical outcomes instead of the number of services they provide. Insiders call it a … [More]
Drug App for Kids with Cancer
The Purple Drug Guide, a unique drug research tool to help families dealing with pediatric cancer, combines detailed treatment information in a user-friendly format. The free mobile app offered by Scottsdale-based nonprofit The Purple Society also enables comparison of pricing information. “Knowledge is power, and this new app gives the family the ability to make educated … [More]
Fighting Pancreatic Cancer
Local nonprofit The Seena Magowitz Foundation was created with the hope of raising awareness of pancreatic cancer — the fourth deadliest cancer and one of the hardest to detect. Because it is often detected in late stages of development, people with pancreatic cancer have just a 5 percent chance of surviving for five years after their initial diagnosis, and it claims hundreds … [More]
Same-Day Spine Care
Four out of every five Americans will face back pain in their lifetime. Problems with the low back, in particular, are on the rise. It is a leading cause of missed work and accounts for an estimated $177 billion in spending every year. Aiming to help patients unravel the typical confusing web of generalists and specialists that provide care for spine issues, Stridewell is a … [More]
Happy? Sad? Sleep Deprivation Blurs the ‘Read’
Business leaders who rely on their people-reading skills, take note: A recently released study led by William D.S. Killgore, University of Arizona professor of psychiatry, psychology and medical imaging, found that study participants had a harder time identifying facial expressions of happiness or sadness when they were sleep deprived than when they were well-rested. While the … [More]
Advancements in ENT – Helping Put Our Community on the Map
HonorHealth Ear, Nose and Throat is excited about some new innovative technologies that help us serve our community here in Arizona. Currently, our otolaryngology group in Central Phoenix is the only one in the Southwest to offer the unique services below. Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation is a new device approved for persistent Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) in adults … [More]
Ethnic-Sensitive Healthcare
Equality Health, an Arizona-based organization pioneering healthcare delivery to underserved and ethnic populations, has officially launched its cultural care program with an initial focus on the Hispanic community. “Challenges with language, health literacy and cultural and social norms have created large healthcare disparities for a growing portion of our society, and that’s … [More]
Real-Time Remote Imaging
Banner Health, in partnership with DigiSight Technologies, a San Francisco-based digital health company, and EyeNet, a group of Phoenix-based community ophthalmologists, has launched Paxos — a telehealth solution that enables healthcare teams to collaborate and make informed decisions at the point of care — at 13 of its facilities across Arizona. Replacing real-time care for … [More]
Humana: Healthy AZ Worksite Award
Humana Inc., a leading health and well-being company, was recognized recently by the Healthy Arizona Worksite Program for achieving the Platinum Award level of excellence in worksite wellness. Humana partnered with Southwest Human Development, the local Easterseals affiliate, to positively impact literacy in the Phoenix community, helping collect more than 12,500 books and … [More]
Best Western Walking a Path of Well-Being – Literally!
Best Western International is building a legacy of providing engaging employee wellness programs that create a long-lasting culture of wellness. Inspired and guided by the American Heart Association’s recommendation to take 10,000 steps a day to combat stress and prevent heart disease and type 2 diabetes, Best Western ensures employees have the support and tools they need to be … [More]
Groundbreaking Coronary Angioplasty Procedure
St. Luke’s Medical Center, the first hospital in Arizona to offer a same-day coronary angioplasty through the radial artery in the wrist, is reporting significantly improved outcomes and cost savings for patients and the health system using the new artery access point. As a result, the less-invasive procedure is attracting national attention. According to a national study from … [More]
Holistic Model for Healthcare
Bayless Integrated Healthcare, which has served the Central Phoenix community for 35 years, recently opened 9,000-square-foot Bayless Integrated Health Center, a fully integrated health center. The new center offers a holistic approach to healthcare by combining family medicine for a patient’s physical healthcare needs with emotional and behavioral healthcare, plus social … [More]
One for All
Over his 13 years treating patients at his Lipogenex Anti-Aging Center, Emmanouil Karampahtsis, N.D., had found many people have a similar core problem that, in many cases, required the patient to remember and juggle dosage schedules for numerous products. “That inspired me to come up with a simple solution that will help most people and provide an easy solution to the many … [More]
