Have You Been Helped by Health IT?

Posted on June 1, 2011 by MaryO

Do you have a story of how health IT, especially access to data, helped in a case?  Improved an outcome, speeded a diagnosis, caught an error, anything?

The National eHealth Coalition is looking for real-world anecdotes, for use (anonymized or not) in their new “NeHC University”:

On June 20th we are hosting NHIN 304 – HIE Success Stories from the Patient Perspective. Our goal for that class is to get some stories from/focusing on patients whose health was improved or whose care was made more effective as a result of health information technology and exchange. …

We are not necessarily looking for patients to speak on the webinar (although that would be great), but we do want to share some patient-centric examples that will emphasize the value proposition of health information exchange from the patient/consumer perspective.

To contribute, write directly to NeHC’s Jenna Bramble at jbramble@nationalehealth.org

Filed under: Cushing's, General Health, Health Care, pituitary, Rare Diseases | Tagged: , , , | Leave a comment »

Medical Apps, Part 4: RXmindme

Posted on January 23, 2011 by MaryO

I often forget to take my meds.  And other days, I can’t remember if I took them or not.

So, here’s another great (FREE!) iPhone App:  Rxmindme

From their features list at http://www.rxmind.me/Features.aspx

Making your life easy

RxmindMe includes:

  • Nine different types of reminders
  • A Passcode Lock screen for your privacy
  • Multiple types of alert sounds
  • Photos of your prescriptions
  • Email your prescription history
  • The FDA Drug Database for easy searching of medications
  • Historical records of all your reminders and prescriptions
  • Multitasking
  • Fast App Switching
  • iPhone 4 / iPod touch 4 – Retina Graphics
  • Snoozing Capabilities, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, or 2 hours
  • Ability to add multipule prescriptions / pills / vitamins / medications to a single reminder

RxmindMe has a growing feature set. We keep adding new things to help fellow pill takers monitor their medications, track what they take, and view their history of their medications.

We believe compliance is important for anyone taking medications, that is what RxmindMe aims to do, help you stay healthy and safe. No matter what you call your medications – pills, prescriptions, medications, or vitamins, we have the App to track them all.

RxmindMe allows you to use any application and receive reminders. We utilize iOS 4’s Local Notifications instead of the old Push Notifications. With Local Notifications, you need no network connection. Meaning you’ll receive your reminders anywhere at any time.

The home screen of RxmindMe gives you all your reminders for the day in once place. It allows you to easily identify which reminders you have missed, which reminders are coming up, and which reminders you have already taken.

From this home screen, you will have the option to create snoozes, add as needed reminders, and add prescriptions you take randomly throughout the day – like Asprin.

RxmindMe allows you to create nine different types of reminders

  • Daily reminders, ones that can occur on any day of the week
  • Weekly reminders, like daily reminders, but you can set weekly repeat intervals
  • Monthly reminders, monthly reminders that occur on a specific date during the month
  • Monthly reminders, monthly reminders that occur on a specific day of the week of a specific week of the month – for example, the last Friday of the month
  • Our new Every “X” Days reminder, repeats every few days
  • Hourly reminders for specific hourly intervals
  • As needed reminders which are taken infrequently
  • On specific dates, reminders that you want to occur on specific dates – for example the 28th of November

Now with the ability for devices with cameras to take photos of your prescriptions, you can see visually what you are supposed to take.

RxmindMe will keep and store your photos for your medicates, then it will display them along your reminders.RxmindMe now includes the up to date FDA database. You can search for prescriptions in RxmindMe, select the one you want, and it will auto populate the details for you. No more entering the units and name yourself!

No more forgotten meds for me!

Filed under: adrenal, adrenal crisis, Cancer, Cushing's, General Health, growth hormone, Health Care, pituitary, Rare Diseases | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Health Care Reform

Posted on November 9, 2009 by MaryO

This was in today’s online news, about a Cushie having to work two jobs to pay for her treatments.

Kim Yaman works two jobs to help pay for her mounting health care costs. Yaman has Cushing’s Disease, a rare tumor of the pituitary gland.

BY SARAH AVERY – Staff Writer

Galvanized by the difficulties a Cary woman has had paying medical bills despite two jobs and health insurance, a group of more than 60 community activists gathered in Raleigh on Saturday to raise support for a health care reform bill.

The group, all friends of Cary grandmother Kim Yaman, fanned out from downtown Raleigh to knock on doors and give out information about bills being considered in Washington.

A vote in the U.S. House of Representatives was on tap Saturday.

“I guess I’m a rallying point for why we need health care,” Yaman said.

Yaman, whose story was featured last month in The News & Observer as part of a series about health care reform, has Cushing’s Disease, a rare tumor of the pituitary gland. The illness causes weight gain, muscle weakness, high blood pressure and bone loss, among other problems.

For years, Yaman didn’t know what was causing her ill health, but frequent visits to doctors and myriad tests caused escalating medical bills. She took on a second job at the Galaxy Theater in Cary to augment her pay at the Wake County Public School System, but the expenses still mounted, despite insurance.

Last month, Yaman held a demonstration at Sen. Kay Hagan’s office to call for health reform that includes a public option. Yaman and friends handed out Moon Pies to passers-by, because they said they weren’t asking for the moon in seeking reform.

Saturday’s event drew community activists from Seattle, California, New York and Chicago – all who had worked with Yaman last year during the presidential campaigns and were eager to help a cause they hoped would help their friend.
savery@newsobserver.com or 919-829-4882

from http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local_state/story/181016.html

How are you paying or the cost of testing, of surgery or meds? Personally, I don’t have the energy do much more than a part-time job.

Filed under: Cushing's, Health Care | Tagged: , , , | 5 Comments »

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