March Is National Kidney Month

  • Author: Health Informer
  • Filed under: Health News
  • Date: Mar 3,2009

The Kidney TRUST’s Rapid-Screening Program Promotes Kidney Health

The Kidney TRUST, a non-profit organization dedicated to chronic kidney disease (CKD) education and prevention, will observe National Kidney Month and World Kidney Day on March 12 by conducting a series of free rapid-screening programs in Colorado, California, Texas, and Washington, D.C. throughout the month of March. Since the TRUST launched its CKD rapid-screening program in October of 2007, over 6,000 people have been screened for the disease.

“26 million adult Americans suffer from kidney disease,” said TRUST President Barbara Lawson, “but CKD is a silent epidemic and often has no symptoms until the kidneys begin to fail. Thousands of people crash into dialysis in the United States every year because they haven’t known that their kidneys were at risk. The good news is that CKD is usually treatable if detected early.”

The goal of the TRUST’s innovative rapid-testing program is to identify individuals who have signs of kidney impairment. Along with learning their screening results onsite, participants receive materials that offer education about CKD and its prevention and are encouraged to seek medical follow-up as appropriate. The TRUST’s screening program is carried out in non-medical settings such as large employer workplaces and community health fairs.

Ms. Lawson added “Like high blood pressure and cholesterol, kidney disease is a condition that can be identified with a simple, speedy, and inexpensive test. The Kidney TRUST’s ultimate goal is to make screening for CKD as routine as tests for these other conditions. We want to get the message out to the public that taking a simple test for CKD now could help head off serious health problems in the future.”

The Kidney TRUST was founded in 2006 by DaVita Inc., a leading provider of kidney care in the United States. The Kidney TRUST is an independent, nonprofit organization that believes everyone should be empowered to take a proactive role in their health. Toward that end, the TRUST is seeking to reduce the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) through free, rapid screening in non-medical settings and to provide financial assistance to people affected by CKD. For more information visit www.kidneytrust.org.

Chronic Kidney Disease

When it comes to kidney disease, not knowing is the riskiest thing of all. People with kidney disease are at higher risk for high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack. CKD causes anemia, bone disease and malnutrition, and can eventually lead to kidney failure.

Healthy kidneys remove waste products and excess fluid, help regulate the body’s water, salts and other chemicals in the blood, and remove drugs and toxins. Kidneys also release hormones to help regulate blood pressure, make red blood cells and promote strong bones.

People at increased risk for CKD include those with diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and a family history of kidney disease, as well as people over the age of 60. Certain ethnic groups such as African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans are also at increased risk.

Source: The Kidney TRUST


Medical Practices Improving Service, Consumer Satisfaction Rises

  • Author: Health Informer
  • Filed under: Health News
  • Date: Mar 2,2009

Press Ganey Medical Practice Pulse Report Released Today

Competition and consumer empowerment has spurred improvements at medical practices across the nation and patient satisfaction is inching upwards as a result, according to a new report from Press Ganey Associates, Inc. The 2009 Medical Practice Pulse Report: Patient Perspectives on American Health Care illustrates the impact of consumer-driven health care in which patients are making more proactive decisions about their own care. The report is based on the experiences of nearly 2.4 million patients treated at more than 10,000 locations across the nation in 2008.

“In recent years, actions like being more sensitive to patients, decreasing wait times, and making exam rooms more comfortable have led to an increase in patient satisfaction with medical practice services,” said Lisa Cone-Swartz, vice president of medical practice and home care services at Press Ganey. “Administrators need to continue emphasizing changes to improve on the areas where consumers remain frustrated, including respect for the patient’s time, both in the exam room and spent with the provider.”

The report found physicians are motivated to implement changes to better retain patients and maintain a financially successful practice. This focus, in part, is linked to additional means for consumers to access, compare, and select the source of their health care. Pay-for-reporting and pay-for-performance initiatives are bringing even more national attention to patients’ perceptions of their care and escalating the importance for caregivers to know what consumers are thinking and understand how patients define quality health care services.

The report found patients’ top priorities were:

1. Sensitivity of caregivers to patient needs
2. Overall cheerfulness of the practice
3. Overall rating of care
4. Comfort of exam rooms
5. Time spent waiting in the exam room

Other interesting points revealed by the report include:

  • Patients kept waiting for more than 10 minutes in the exam room report an 8.9 point drop in satisfaction (100-point scale). Patients kept waiting for more than 10 minutes in the waiting room report an 8.2 point drop in satisfaction (100-point scale).
  • Oncology practices have the highest level of patient satisfaction with scheduling office visits, followed by cardiovascular practices and general surgery practices.
  • Medical practices with 3 to 8 physicians have the highest level of patient satisfaction, while practices with more than 9 physicians have the lowest.
  • Among provider types, therapists have the highest patient satisfaction and the lowest average wait time. Residents have the lowest patient satisfaction, coupled with the highest average wait time.

From scheduling an appointment to clinician empathy, a patient’s perception of all aspects of the medical practice visit can greatly impact the patient’s satisfaction, their likelihood to return, and their subsequent rating of the practice. To maintain fiscal stability, all medical practices must assess these aspects and take the necessary steps to improve the patient experience.

The 2009 Medical Practice Pulse Report: Patient Perspectives on American Health Care is available at http://www.pressganey.com/galleries/default-file/2009_Med_Practice_PulseReport.pdf.


Wyeth’s 7-valent Vaccine for Pneumococcal Disease Registered in Russia

  • Author: Health Informer
  • Filed under: Health News
  • Date: Mar 2,2009

Prevenar Vaccine Helps Protect Against Leading Vaccine-Preventable Cause of Death in Young Children Worldwide

Wyeth announced today that its 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, Prevenar(TM) (Pneumococcal saccharide conjugated vaccine, Adsorbed), has been registered by the Russian Ministry of Health and Social Development (Roszdravnadzor) and is expected to be commercially available later this year. Prevenar (also referred to as PCV7), the global standard in pneumococcal disease prevention for infants and young children, helps protect against the seven pneumococcal serotypes contained in the vaccine that cause the majority of pneumococcal disease worldwide.

“This important decision by Roszdravnadzor to register Prevenar is an important step forward in helping to protect the more than 1.5 million Russian children born every year from the potentially serious consequences of pneumococcal disease,” says Dr. E. David McIntosh, paediatrician and Wyeth’s Medical Director for Infectious Disease and Vaccines in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “Given the public health benefits that have been documented where Prevenar is routinely used, Wyeth looks forward to engaging in discussions with the Ministry of Health with a view toward including Prevenar in the national childhood immunisation schedule in Russia.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pneumococcal disease causes up to 1 million deaths in children each year and is the leading vaccine-preventable cause of death in children younger than five years of age worldwide.

The WHO recommends priority inclusion of PCV7 in national childhood immunisation programs worldwide due to the significant burden of pneumococcal disease and demonstrated vaccine efficacy.

Following inclusion of Prevenar into the routine U.S. paediatric immunization schedule, there has been a 98 percent (95% CI: 97-99) reduction in vaccine-type pneumococcal disease among infants and toddlers younger than 5 years of age compared with a prelicensure baseline. In addition, incidence of disease caused by the seven conjugate vaccine serotypes declined 55 percent (95% CI: 51-58) among adults 50 years of age and older, an unvaccinated group.

Prevenar is now available in more than 90 countries around the world, and 34 of those countries include Prevenar in their national childhood immunisation programme.

Pneumococcal Disease

Pneumococcal disease affects both children and adults and is a leading cause of illness and death worldwide. Pneumococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae and describes a group of illnesses, including invasive infections, such as bacteremia/sepsis and meningitis, as well as pneumonia and otitis media.

Wyeth

Wyeth is one of the world’s largest research-driven pharmaceutical and health care products companies. It is a leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biotechnology products, nutritionals and non-prescription medicines that improve the quality of life for people worldwide. The Company’s major divisions include Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare and Fort Dodge Animal Health.


In its ongoing contribution to science and the innovation of industry leading nutraceuticals, Eniva Nutraceutics announces the introduction of its new Eniva(R) Cholesterol Reducer(TM) formula. This advanced, liquid nutritional supplement is Eniva’s newest heart health product, designed to support healthy cholesterol and homocysteine levels in the body.*

The potent cholesterol lowering plant sterol formulation in the Eniva Cholesterol Reducer meets the requirements of the US Food and Drug Administration for potentially reducing the risk of heart disease. The claim states: Supplements containing at least 0.4 grams per serving of plant sterols, eaten twice a day with meals for a daily total intake of at least 0.8 grams, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving daily of Eniva Cholesterol Reducer contains 0.8 grams of phytosterols.

Statistics show one in three Americans have cholesterol levels that put them at risk for heart disease, with many people unaware their levels are high. Elevated cholesterol contributes to unwanted plaque build-up in blood vessels, which in turn leads to complications associated with heart disease. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease is currently the number one killer in America. Eniva Cholesterol Reducer is the only liquid supplement on the market that offers high concentration plant sterols as well as a high-dose vitamin blend to address two major risk factors for heart disease — cholesterol and homocysteine.* Homocysteine is another substance present in blood that is recognized by the AHA to be unhealthy for blood vessels when elevated.

Research has shown the ingestion of plant based materials, called phytosterols, in appropriate levels and dosing patterns, can help reduce cholesterol levels in the body and may reduce the risk of heart disease when combined as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol.** The Eniva Cholesterol Reducer contains a specialized and proprietary formula of clinically proven plant sterols at a concentration shown to reduce cholesterol levels in clinical studies.** Its liquid formulation ensures proper dissolution and dispersion of the cholesterol fighting phytosterols, a key factor for effectiveness of these nutrients. Also contained in the formula are threshold levels of selective nutrients shown in clinical studies to assist in body processing of homocysteine.*

Designed and formulated by Eniva Chief Medical Officer Benjamin Baechler, MD, this advanced innovation can be taken alone or in conjunction with an already established care plan. Stated Dr. Baechler, “Many people are currently taking statin medications to address cholesterol concerns. The Eniva Cholesterol Reducer is a safe and natural option to help individuals fight cholesterol, and it can be used in conjunction with statin medications as part of a complementary wellness plan.* “

Andrew Baechler, Eniva CEO, emphasized the company’s dedication to ongoing innovation. “People are looking for creative ways to win with their health. This great tasting, liquid supplement with proven ingredients to promote heart health, is a real breakthrough not only for Eniva, but for all people battling cholesterol.*”

Added Dr. Baechler, “The best route to combat heart and blood vessel issues is through healthy lifestyle choices and regular doctor visits with appropriate guidance. In combination with this, the Eniva Cholesterol Reducer can be part of an effective program to help keep the heart and blood vessels healthy.** However, as with all dietary supplements, Eniva Nutraceutics recommends that individuals first check with their personal qualified health care provider before beginning any dietary supplement.”

All ingredients in the Eniva Cholesterol Reducer have been evaluated and are listed on the United States FDA’s G.R.A.S. (Generally Regarded As Safe) governmental listing.

Eniva Corporation, located in Minneapolis, MN, designs, manufactures and distributes concentrated liquid nutritional supplements and other body support products. Founded in 1998, Eniva has earned the distinction of being the pioneer of advanced liquid nutraceutical products and innovative nutrient delivery systems. For more information, visit www.enivawc.com.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

** Supplements containing at least 0.4 grams per serving of plant sterols, eaten twice a day with meals for a daily total intake of at least 0.8 grams, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving daily of Eniva Cholesterol Reducer contains 0.8 grams of phytosterols.

Source: Eniva Corporation


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