Houston Medical Times

Serving Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, Fort Bend and Montgomery Counties

HOUSTON

Volume 9 | Issue 6

Inside This Issue

June Edition 2019

Supporting Charity Is Good for Your Medical Practice

By Dominic Cellitti First Vice President & Wealth Manager Morgan Stanley

Student Invention Gives Patients The Breath of Life See pg. 10

INDEX Mental Health...................... pg.3 Legal Matters........................ pg.4 Oncology Research......... pg.5 Healthy Heart....................... pg.8

I

f you are a business owner, an excellent way to engage your employees, community, and potential customers or patients, is through charitable giving. Recent studies have shown that 70 percent of Millennials will support companies that support causes. And, 85 percent of consumers have said they have a more positive perception of companies that support the charities that they care about.

Corporate donations, or charitable contributions from your business or medical practice, allow businesses to take an active role in the community.

Additionally, these donations can boost employee morale leading to positive attitudes in the workplace.

To get started, research charities that mirror your mission or business plan. For example, if you are in the

healthcare field, you may want to contribute to charities whose purpose is medical research to cure diseases or find new treatments. This involvement shows the community and potential patients that you really do take your job seriously and care about the community.

Additionally, talk to your staff to

determine the non-profit organizations that they are personally involved in or ones in which they have a personal connection. Contribute to those causes. By doing so, you will add value and meaning to their lives while increasing employee loyalty and happiness. Research has shown that see Charity... page 14

TIRR Memorial Hermann Recognized as a Partner in MS Care by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Tele-Mental Health: Makes It Easier To Get Care See pg. 13

T

IRR Memorial Hermann was recently recognized as a Partner in Learning through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Partners in MS Care program. This formal recognition honors TIRR Memorial Hermann’s commitment to providing exceptional, coordinated MS care; and a continuing partnership with the Society to address the challenges of people affected by MS. Two locations, TIRR Memorial Hermann Outpatient Rehabilitation – Kirby Glen and TIRR Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center were recognized for having MSCS certified therapists.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for our efforts and commitment to providing high quality care to Houstonians affected by multiple sclerosis,” said physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist P. Jacob Joseph, MD, an attending physician at TIRR Memorial Hermann and assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth.

The Society’s Partners in MS Care program recognizes committed providers whose practices support the Society’s initiative of affordable access to high quality MS health care for

everyone living with MS – regardless of geography, disease progression, and other disparities.

“We are so proud to partner with TIRR Memorial Hermann to enhance coordinated, comprehensive care for the people who live with MS in the Greater Houston Area,” said Linda Bates of the National MS Society, South Central Region. “In earning this recognition, TIRR Memorial Hermann has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in MS care, making a tremendous impact on people affected

by MS in our community.”

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO 1 HOUSTON TX

Houston Medical Times

Page 2

We pledge to help build your practice.

Equipment Loans as low as

5.00

%

We’re dedicated to boosting your bottom line. So now for a LIMITED TIME, we’re offering tremendous financing rates for the medical equipment you need to keep things moving onward and upward.

up to

72

months

The promotional rate is for new loan originations only. New equipment eligible for 5.00% fixed rate for up to 72 months. Used equipment eligible for 5.50% fixed rate up to 60 months. Some restrictions may apply based upon the make and model of equipment purchased. Subject to credit approval. LIMITED TIME OFFER

June 2019

medicaltimesnews.com

AllegianceBank.com

Call 281 894 3200

Houston Medical Times

Mental Health Harris Health System Is Testing How Nurse Support Can Help Opioid Addicts

J

ust how important is extra support ways to quit. Patients with opioid-use from a clinical nurse in helping disorder, or addictions or who misuse opioid addicts kick their deadly habit? hydrocodone, heroin and fentanyl may That’s what a research project at Harris walk in for counseling and support.

Health System, in collaboration with Through a combination of monitoring The University of Texas Health Science and the use of medications like buCenter at Houston (UTHealth), is prenorphine-naloxone, patients are trying to find out. carefully and safely weaned off more The office-based treatment dangerous opioids. program featuring a clinical nurse is “The use of opioid substitution the only such program in Texas, and medications are well-known for one of only six alleviating withdrawal symptoms and sites testing its the cravings associated with addiction,” ef fectiveness Wright says. “I also offer support and nationwide. coping techniques to get them through R a q u e l their addiction and stay sober.”

Wright, RN, Participants in the program, MSN, MBA, funded by the National Institutes of nurse care Health, are not part of the research; manager, has a the only aspect being examined is the small office at effectiveness of a nurse care manager Harris Health’s in the program. Harris Health and Acres Home UTHealth officials want to determine Health Center whether nurse support helps treat more adorned with patients, resulting in positive treatment posters and outcomes. flyers on “Integrating patients’ treatment addiction and of opioid-use disorder into a primary Hou_Med_times_ad_3_2019.pdf 1 3/14/19 4:24 PM

Page 3

Dr. Mauro Ferrari

D

r. Mauro Ferrari, a world renowned Nano medicine scientist and University of St. Thomas Houston Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning and Community Partnerships, has been named the next president of the European Research Council (ERC) beginning Jan 1, 2020.

Launched by the European Union in 2007, the ERC is the premiere European funding organization for excellent frontier research.

Ferrari, a world renown nanomedicine pioneer, joined the UST leadership team after he retired from Methodist Research Institute in Houston in early 2019 to pursue other opportunities in research,

care setting improves their access to comprehensive care and allows their condition to be managed like a chronic medical condition,” Wright adds.

Harris Health wants to enroll up to 100 participants in the program. To qualify, persons must be Harris Health

education, entrepreneurship, and service to the underprivileged.

Dr. Ferrari’s passion for h e l p i n g underserved populations aligns strongly with UST’s mission.

Dr. Ferrari will continue his position at UST once he takes on his new role in Brussels.

Dr. Ferrari notes he is staying at UST along with his position as president of the ERC “because he believes it is the place for global justice through education.”

patients who can either self-refer to the program or receive a program referral from their primary care physician.

“The problem of opioid addiction is real in our community,” says Dr. see Mental Health... page 13

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

medicaltimesnews.com

June 2019

Houston Medical Times

Page 4

Legal Matters Cyber Security Insurance: Nine Questions to Ask to Determine Your Exposure

By Anthony W. Merrill, JD Kathryn T. Allen, JD JD Polsinelli, PC

T

your cloud provider may have far less liability coverage for your data than you assumed.

Does 4. my policy apply retroactively? It takes an average of 256 days for most businesses to identify a malicious attack. If the attack occurred prior to you obtaining the policy, you may run the risk of your insurance not covering it. Some insurers will offer retroactive coverage for an additional premium.

5.

Is my policy limited geographically? Some policies limit

coverage to the United States or put restrictions on how far from your place of business events or incidents must take place in order to be covered. If you are using cloud-based services, those servers could be located outside of the U.S. or could be thousands of miles from your business’ headquarters.

6. Does my policy cover physical breach? Claims relating to a cyber attack on your systems are covered, but what about physical breaches? Phone see Legal Matters...page 14

RELAX

here is an increased interest in cyber security insurance for businesses amid frequent news of computer hacking, network intrusions, data theft, and high-profile ransomware attacks. Since cyber security insurance is relatively new to the market, many companies lack a basic understanding of what their policy covers and what it may not.

Questions to ask your insurer: 1. Does my policy cover my vendor’s errors in addition to mine?

Vendor management is becoming increasingly important for businesses, especially those that deal with sensitive information (i.e. financial services or

health care). It is important to identify whether your cyber policy covers your loss of data when it is in someone else’s possession. For example, a policy may reference coverage for “your computer system” but the definition of “your computer system” might exclude (or not reference specifically) the cloud or networks run by third-parties.

2. Does my policy cover “inside the house” risks? Employees are the single greatest threat to a business’ cyber security. Many cyber policies only cover the malicious theft or destruction of data from an outside source, but studies have found that many times it is employees who are unintentionally and unwittingly contributing to data loss and breach.

Does 3. my policy cover cloud-related risks? Certain insurers have used “sub-limits” or lower limits of coverage that cap the amount available for claims specific to cloud-based risks for cloud users. Also note that some policies will have an exclusion for liability assumed through contract by the cloud provider. This means that

Marriott.com/hourw 7807 Kirby Dr. Houston, TX 77030

713.660.7993 June 2019

medicaltimesnews.com

In the Heart of the Medical Center

Houston Medical Times

Page 5

Oncology Research Cancer and Motherhood: Breastfeeding Linked to Decreased Risk

By Michelina Cairo, M.D., Texas Oncology

F

or parents, there is perhaps no greater joy than holding their newborn baby in their arms. It’s a delicate time when parents are encouraged by their care team to bond with their new baby through skin-to-skin contact, and for mothers to consider breastfeeding.

Decisions about breastfeeding are highly personal. For women who give birth, the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby abound and go beyond improving overall well-being.

Mothers who choose to breastfeed may experience health benefits including weight loss, lower osteoporosis with age, and one often overlooked benefit – lower cancer risk.

Breastfeeding may help prevent breast cancer.

Studies show that women

who have given birth lower their breast cancer risk. According to researchers, this decreased risk may be due in part to delays in menstrual cycles that accompany breastfeeding. This can lead to lower exposure to hormones such as androgens and estrogen, which can influence cancer risk. How long does a woman need to breastfeed to gain the potential benefits?

According to the American Cancer Society, women who choose to breastfeed for as few as several months may reduce their breast cancer risk. For every 12 months a woman breastfeeds, risk may be reduced by 4.3 percent, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Breastfeeding lowers cancer risk for other cancer types.

The benefits of breastfeeding go beyond breast cancer. Breastfeeding also may help reduce risk for endometrial and ovarian cancers. Women who give birth before the age of 26 have a lower risk of ovarian cancer, specifically.

According to the American Cancer

Society, the risk decreases with each full-term pregnancy. Research from the American Institute for Cancer Research found that mothers who want to enjoy the full health benefits should breastfeed for a minimum of six months.

Many women struggle to breastfeed, particularly in the beginning.

If you’re a new mother or know someone who is, keep in mind that breastfeeding doesn’t come easy for all women. It’s common to experience pain or difficulty producing milk in the weeks following childbirth. Still, it’s important to avoid missing out on the potential long-term benefits of

medicaltimesnews.com

breastfeeding, including lower cancer risk. Seek the support of a lactation consultant, or talk to your physician.

Ultimately, a woman’s choice to breastfeed is personal and often based on cultural or individual values. While research supports the benefits to both mother and child, lowering cancer risk is another important consideration.

Of course, not all cancers are preventable, and when patients need cancer care, I’m proud to work for a network of committed oncologists and multi-disciplinary teams that put patients first – including many mothers– supporting them through every chapter of their journey.

June 2019

Houston Medical Times

Page 6

Newly Trained Physicians Swamped with Job Choices

By Phillip Miller Merritt Hawkins

F

inding a job is not the challenge for newly trained physicians, a new survey suggests. Choosing from among dozens or even over 100 job options is. Conducted by Merritt Hawkins, a national physician search firm and a company of AMN Healthcare, the survey examines the career choices, plans and expectations of physicians in their final year of residency training. Two-thirds (66 percent) said they received 51 or more job solicitations during their training, while 45 percent received 100 or more. The majority (64 percent) said they were contacted too many times by recruiters, while only seven percent said they were not contacted enough.

“Physicians coming out of training are

being recruited like blue chip athletes,” said Travis Singleton, executive vice president of Merritt Hawkins. “There are simply not enough new doctors to go around.” Both physicians who are completing training in primary care and those in specialty areas are on the receiving end of dozens of recruitment offers, according to the survey. Sixty nine percent of primary care final-year medical residents said they received 51 or more recruiting offers during their training, as did 69 percent of internal

Physicians coming out of training are being recruited like blue chip athletes —Travis Singleton medicine subspecialists and 64 percent of surgical specialists. This belies the common perception that physician

shortages are confined to primary care, according to Singleton. “We need more primary care physicians to implement emerging healthcare delivery models that are based on enhanced access, prevention and quality,” Singleton said. “But we also need more specialists to care for America’s rapidly aging population.” To support this view, Singleton points to an April, 2019 study by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). The study projects a shortage of approximately 122,000 physicians by 2032, including over 55,000 too few primary care physicians and approximately 66,000 too few specialists. The supply of new physicians

is not keeping up with demand due in part to the 1997 cap Congress imposed on federal spending used to train doctors, Singleton said. Little Interest in Rural Areas. The survey conveys some bad news for rural communities, which traditionally have had a difficult time attracting physicians. Only one percent of medical residents would prefer to practice in communities of 10,000 people or fewer and only two percent would prefer to practice in communities of 25,000 people or fewer. The majority (65 percent) would prefer communities of 250,000 or see Job Choices...page 14

Postdoctoral Certificate in

Infant & Early Childhood Development The online and hybrid PhD and Master’s programs in Infant and Early Childhood Development (IECD) with emphases in mental health and developmental disorders is a multidisciplinary degree that includes mental health, education, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language development, and the neurosciences.

Online & Hybrid

PHD and MASTER’S DEGREES

Fielding.edu/IECD June 2019

For 45 years, Fielding has been educating scholars and leaders in pursuit of a more just and sustainable world.

medicaltimesnews.com

Houston Medical Times

Page 7

CENTERED LIVING IN THE TEXAS MED CENTER

24-hour resort-caliber concierge service and amenities 35th level rooftop destination with Sky Club and infinity-edge pool Direct access to InterContinental Houston Medical Center Resident room service provided

by Safina restaurant

10 Weeks Free Rent* Book Your Tour Today MICRO UNITS TO PENTHOUSES 281-417-3096 LatitudeMedCenter.com

*Restrictions May Apply. Ask for Details.

medicaltimesnews.com

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

June 2019

Houston Medical Times

Page 8

Healthy Heart Hands-Only CPR Can Save Lives in Houston

By American Heart Association

D

id you know you might be able to save someone’s life simply by knowing how to do Hands-Only CPR?

When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately getting CPR from someone nearby.

Cardiac arrest – an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and disrupts the flow of blood to the brain, lungs and other organs - is a leading cause of death. Each year, over 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States.

According to the American Heart Association, 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.

If you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love: a child, a spouse, a parent or a friend. Did you know that: • 70 percent of out-of-hospital

cardiac arrests happen in homes.

• Unfortunately, only about 46 percent of people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest get the immediate help that they need before professional help arrives.

• Hands-Only CPR has been shown to be as effective as conventional CPR for cardiac arrest at home, at work or in public.

This year in Austin, we have trained over 1,800 people in Hands Only CPR through numerous events including: The Austin Heart & Stroke Walk, Go Red For Women and Vestido Rojo. We are grateful for- the support of our Life Is Why Sponsor - Texas Mutual Insurance Company for providing the funds for all of our training materials.

We are also grateful to our news media partner KXAN which has helped us with our CPR goal of training 2000 Austinites in Hands Only CPR and has featured so many CPR stories this year across their channels.

We continue our commitment to helping the survival rate for out of hospital cardiac arrests. In Austin only 32.9% of people who need CPR

Celebrating

receive it, this is well below the national average. We still have a great amount of work to do so we can ensure everyone who needs CPR receives it.

Hands-Only CPR is CPR without mouthto-mouth breaths. It is recommended for use by people who see a teen or adult suddenly collapse in an “out-of-hospital” setting (such as at home, at work or in a park).

It consists of two easy steps: 1. Call 9-1-1 (or send someone to do that).

2. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

Doing Hands-Only CPR buys time until someone with more skills can provide help. And take note, using music beats can save lives while administering Hands-Only CPR. Song examples include “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees, “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z, “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira” or “Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash. People feel more confident performing Hands-Only CPR and are more likely to remember the correct rate when trained to the beat of a familiar song. When performing CPR,

you should push on the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute, which corresponds to the beat of the song examples above.

Ready to keep the beat going and learn Hands-Only CPR? Here are some resources for you - Watch the 90-second video. Visit heart.org/ handsonlycpr to watch the HandsOnly CPR instructional video and share it with the important people in your life. Hands-Only CPR is a natural introduction to CPR, and the AHA encourages everyone to learn conventional CPR as a next step. You can find a CPR class near you at heart. org/findacourse.

For full information on HandsOnly CPR go to this link – www.heart. org/en/cpr 

Over 30 Years in Texas!

98% Customer Recommended n Nationally Recognized Energy Program Flexible Floor Plans n 10 Year Structural Warranty Smart Home Technology

Build On Your Lot Program

New homes from the $190s-$1 Mil+

Built Around You

Prices and availability subject to change without notice.

June 2019

medicaltimesnews.com

Houston Medical Times

medicaltimesnews.com

Page 9

June 2019

Houston Medical Times

Page 10

Student Invention Gives Patients the Breath Of Life

By Mike Williams

N

atalie Dickman squeezed the bag again and again in an effort to revive a victim of cardiac arrest. After a mere 3 minutes, she could squeeze no more.

“The patient had been down for 30 minutes and there wasn’t much hope, unfortunately,” said the Rice University student, a soon-to-be graduate of the Brown School of Engineering, who was covering a shift with Houston EMS as required by a Rice class in emergency medical techniques. “I was allowed to bag, but they make you switch in EMS settings because they know you won’t be as accurate once you hit that 2-to-3-minute mark. You get really tired.”

She thought about that often over the last year when she and her senior teammates worked at Rice’s Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK) to perfect a cost-effective device that automates the compression of manual bag valve masks, which feed fresh air to the lungs of intubated patients.

The senior capstone design team — bioengineering students

Dickman, Carolina De Santiago, Karen Vasquez Ruiz and Aravind Sundaramraj, mechanical engineering and computational and applied mathematics student Tim Nonet and mechanical engineering student Madison Nasteff — is known as “Take a Breather.”

The team has developed a system that compresses the bags for hours, rather than minutes, with settings to feed the right amount of air to adults, children and infants. The device seems simple — a box with paddles that rhythmically squeeze the bulb a programmed amount — but the engineering behind it is not. students used a The $25, off-the-shelf motor and $5 microcontroller to power and program the rack-and-pinion device made primarily of plastic parts 3D-printed at the OEDK. They hope their use of inexpensive materials and the growing availability of 3D printers will make their machines easy to repair on-site.

They anticipate the device, which cost them $117 in parts to build, will be most useful in low-resource hospitals or

Rice University engineering students developed a bag valve mask compressor to automate the difficult task of feeding fresh air to patients’ lungs, often for hours at a time. From left: Madison Nasteff, Carolina De Santiago, Aravind Sundaramraj, Natalie Dickman, Tim Nonet and Karen Vasquez Ruiz. Photo by Jeff Fitlow

during emergencies when there aren’t enough portable ventilators to meet the need.

Dr. Rohith Malya, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, brought the problem to the OEDK after witnessing family members at the Kwai River Christian Hospital in Thailand, where he is director of emergency medical services, squeezing intubation bags for hours on end to keep loved ones alive.

There is no reliable ventilation,” said Malya, who spends a month at the hospital every year. “Once we intubate

somebody, the family has to bag the patient. But the family will get tired after a day and say, ‘They’re not getting better right now, just pull the tube and see what happens.’ And then the patient dies.”

Malya previously worked with Rice engineering students to develop a syringe regulating pump, and did not hesitate to bring a new idea to the OEDK.

“The bag mask is ubiquitous, like the syringe,” he said. “Nothing has challenged it for 80 years. It’s stood the see Breath of Life...page 13

EXCELLENCE in REALTY ALEXANDER WEBB “40 Under 40,” Houston Business Journal, 2014 Master’s Degree in Real Estate, Texas A&M Museum District Resident Commercial and Residential

2 Greenway Plaza, Suite 150, Hou., TX 77046 Phone: 832.306.7078 alex.webb@cbunited.com Ask me about Physician 100% financing up to $750,000, No Cash Down, No Reserve Requirements and about Physician Jumbo Loans with 10.1% Down, No Mortgage Insurance, Up to $2 million*. *Subject to Change June 2019

medicaltimesnews.com

7584-Pomona_MedicalCenter_Ad_10x13.0405_MECH.pdf

1

3/15/19

1:29 PM

Houston Medical Times

Page 11

e t a v e El e r y day ev th e

A place to escape, unwind and reenergize New Homes From The Mid $200s-$600s 4714 Orchard Creek Lane | Manvel, TX 77578 | pomonabyhillwood.com

medicaltimesnews.com

June 2019

Houston Medical Times

Page 12

Live Well Age Well

MARINE MILITARY ACADEMY

Where Should I Live: Housing Options for Older Adults

By Laura Marshall

S

GIVE YOUR SON THE

EXTRA EDGE!

At Marine Military Academy, challenge leads to growth, and growth leads to success. By providing a college-preparatory curriculum in a structured, disciplined and focused setting, our cadets rise to new heights as scholars and leaders. No other school can unlock a boy’s potential like MMA.

NOW ENROLLING FOR 2019-2020

MMA-TX.ORG »» 956.423.6006 ADMISSIONS@MMA-TX.ORG MMA »» A College-Prep Boarding School for Boys in Grades 7-12 MMA »» 320 Iwo Jima Blvd. »» Harlingen, TX 78550

Let us cater your next special event!

everal housing options are available to Texas’ growing older adult population. Depending on a person’s needs, there is a range of supports to help an older person stay in his or her own home including housing support and medical services. Other options include independent and assisted living communities, home sharing, as well as skilled nursing facilities.

Most people want to remain in their homes as they age.

Preparing for aging in place does not have to be a daunting task, but it requires planning ahead for your health and personal priorities just as much as it can involve installing grab bars and walk-in bathtubs.

Support programs such as home-delivered meals and driving services can assist an older person in staying in their own home and remaining independent with or without a vehicle. An Aging and Disability Resource Center specialist can direct you toward an array of services you might be eligible to receive such as: caregiving support, day activity and health service centers, home and congregate meals, and health care needs.

If you or a loved one is having challenges with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or preparing meals, a home health specialist can help. Ask your local ADRC to direct you to a benefits counselor who can help you determine

There are also alternative options for older adults on a fixed/ low-income budget. Housing aid is available specifically for eligible older renters, funded through the U.S. Department of Housing

Call Monica!

713.807.8100 ELTIEMPOCATERING.COM June 2019

medicaltimesnews.com

and Urban Development. The federal program funds local public housing authorities and provides income-based housing assistance programs, often in the form of multi-family apartment complexes.

Some HUD programs offer housing assistance in complexes specifically for older adults and people with disabilities. Other HUD programs might provide applicants with a rent waiver for an apartment of their choosing.

Both types of housing usually involve a waitlist.

“Those who qualify for affordable housing should first contact their local housing authority. To locate your local housing authority, go to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs website, which offers a search tool and the ability to filter by senior or other types of housing,” said Claire Irwin, outreach specialist at Texas Health and Human Services.

Irwin suggests not letting a waitlist discourage you.

“If you anticipate needing housing assistance, it is best to get on the list as soon as possible so you are prepared when housing becomes available,” she said.

Your local ADRC or housing authority can help you identify what supports are available and what you might be eligible for.

When you are considering housing as you age, you might be surprised at your options. If you have questions about eligibility and supports, contact your local ADRC and set up an appointment with a benefits counselor. You can contact a local ADRC by calling 855-937-2372. 

Houston Medical Times

Page 13

Tele-mental Health: Makes it Easier to Get Care

By Todd Goodman

V

eterans who have a computer, smart phone, or tablet now have access to mental health services from the Michael E. Debakey VA Medical Center. It’s tele-mental health, and it’s helped nearly 1,000 Houston-area Veterans get the care they need.

Tele-mental health uses the app VA Video Connect, a secure connection between the Veteran and provider. So long as the provider knows where the Veteran is—in case of emergency—it can be used anywhere.

Air Force Veteran Christopher Banks said he prefers therapy in the comfort of his own home.

“It is actually easier than coming into the facility,” Banks said.

“I can be in my own home, which helps me with sharing. Plus, it’s much better because I don’t have to deal with traffic.”

This technology is perfect for Veterans who live far away, have medical problems, or find it difficult to leave the house.

“Often, coming to the clinic is a big burden for our Veterans,” said Dr. Jan Lindsay, psychologist. “Barriers include child care, traffic, parking, taking off work, or feeling anxiety when leaving their homes to come for treatment.”

With tele-mental health services those barriers can be eliminated. Houston VAMC is a leader in this field, with growth over the past 4 years nearly 7 times VA’s national average.

Breath of Life

Continued from page 10 test of time, it’s reliable and it’s simple.

And now we’re adding a modification to the original device so families don’t have to make those decisions.

“This will broaden the access to mechanical ventilation to a tremendous part of the world that doesn’t have typical ventilators,” said Malya, who

Mental Health Continued from page 12

Mohammad Zare, chief of staff, Harris Health’s Ambulatory Care Services, and vice-chair, Community Affairs,

Banks, who has trouble walking, often cancelled his mental health appointments. And fighting traffic did nothing to help when he did show up to his appointment.

“I’d get so stressed from the drive that I would spend 90 percent of my therapy talking about why I’m so angry,” he said.

“This is a major benefit for those with mobility issues,” said Dr. Kaki York, deputy clinical executive, Mental Health Care Line. “We have Vets with ALS or Parkinson’s or who have had a stroke, for whatever reason cannot get here to continue treatment.

Also, family therapy services—have you ever tried to coordinate an entire family? It’s very difficult. Video allows them to get in the same place at the same time instead of getting all of them to the VA.”

This technology also will allow for more consistency in treatment in Veterans whose jobs require them to relocate.

“Houston has a lot of oil field workers who live here for part of the time but somewhere else the other time,” said York. “They’re here for three months, then travel for six months. If they have internet connection, we are here for them.”

It’s up to the Veteran how much he or she uses video services. Patients have the option to combine in-person visits with video ones. They just need to discuss this with their providers.

“If you like coming into the clinic to see your provider, you can

continue to do so and only use video telehealth when convenient,” said Lindsay. “We are trying to be more flexible in our approach to delivering mental health care and meet Veterans where they live to increase access to care.”

Houston has 75 mental health providers who are equipped to provide video connect services. Providers have reported that Veterans love this as an option, said Lindsay.

“When we provide psychotherapy via telehealth, some Veterans report that being at home makes it easier to focus on the work being done and acquire the skills they need to engage their lives more fully,” she said. “They feel safer at home.”

Also, providers have said that it provides unique insight into Veterans’ experiences. Providers are given access to the patients’ homes. Many times, when asked what medications they are taking, Veterans may forget. With this technology, they just walk into the bathroom and show the provider their medicine cabinets.

According to Banks, another advantage is that items the therapist recommends he read are right at his

fingertips.

“When I was with the providers, they would recommend different links or health guides and I had to wait to get home to pull it up,” he said. “With telehealth it’s right there. We can be in a chat and I can copy and paste or pin it to the search bar. It makes it easier, especially when they recommend a book. If you aren’t a person who takes pen and paper to session, you’d never remember that when you got home. Memory is not the most reliable, especially with some of us Vets. At home, I can open a search bar and go straight to it.”

Veterans interested in VA Video Connect for mental health services need to speak with their providers and have a mobile device and internet connection. Resources are available for the duration of treatment for those Veterans who lack the proper set-up.

“Our goal would be any mental health clinician at the main facility to provide telehealth services when the patient wants it and provider thinks it would be helpful,” said York. “We are not quite 100% there yet, but we are getting close.”

plans to take the proof-of-concept device to Thailand for field testing next spring.

The device is much smaller than the sophisticated ventilators found in American hospitals and portable versions used in emergency situations.

Critically, it has to be able to operate for long stretches. In its most recent test, the team ran the device for more than 11 hours without human intervention.

The students expect another Rice team will build a more robust version next year, and hope it will eventually be manufactured for use in low-resource and emergency settings.

They anticipate a better-sealed and filtered box will be more suitable for hot, dusty environments, and said future designs should include more sophisticated controls.

For its efforts this year, the

team won two prizes at the school’s annual Engineering Design Showcase, the Willy Revolution Award for Outstanding Innovation and the best interdisciplinary engineering design award. But the real payoff would be seeing the device further developed and deployed around the world.

“If they can get it working fully in that kind of environment, this will be saving lives,” Nasteff said.

UTHealth. “Having this type of program available for our patients is a great initiative. As we help them with their addiction in this program, we’re also learning what we can do to help others with similar conditions.”

The program mirrors a successful nurse-care-management model used

in Massachusetts. Researchers aim to replicate the care model’s success elsewhere. According to officials, patients treated using nurse support also can cut costs: $4-7 for treatments compared to $80,000 annually to incarcerate abusers.

An estimated 70,000 people die of

drug addiction each year—more deaths than from gun or vehicular incidents, combined.

Air Force Veteran Christopher Banks receives tele-mental health services from the comfort of his home from Social Worker Veronica Siffert, LCSW.

medicaltimesnews.com

June 2019

Page 14

Houston Medical Times

Charity

HOUSTON

Continued from page 1 90 percent of employees who work for an employer that supports charities are proud to work for that employer.

Once you have decided on the charity or charities to support, ensure they are legitimate by looking for their IRS 501(c)3 designation on their website or checking third-party organizations such as Charity Navigator or GuideStar, which both rate nation-wide charities. Next, decide on a giving budget and strategy. Do you want to donate an annual gift to a philanthropic capital campaign, or would you prefer smaller donations throughout the year? Do your homework to find the best match for your business or practice and the charity.

A strategic option for charitable giving is to contribute to a donor advised fund (DAF) which allows you to contribute enough money in one year to take advantage of the tax deductions, yet will enable you to distribute money later over the years to come. With a DAF, you do not have to rush to contribute. As a business owner, you can take the time to work strategically with your employees to find the best charities in which to be involved. Talk to your financial advisor to learn more about this option.

Donating money to a charity is important, but do not just contribute money, find other ways to get involved throughout the year. Ask about an employee volunteer day or sharing

your expertise through a speaking opportunity. If you are able to sponsor one of their events, take advantage of this. By sponsoring a charity run, little league team, or golf tournament you demonstrate to the community that you are engaged. The public will take note when you are involved locally.

There are many benefits to donating to charity. As a business or practice owner, you can increase employee loyalty, grow your customer or patient base, engage the public, and make your community a better place.

Contributing to charity is a win-win for everyone involved.

Continued from page 4 policies/procedures? Many insurers will offer you lower premiums or renegotiate your existing premiums if you can demonstrate you have taken concrete steps to manage your information security risks.

9. Does my policy cover PCI-DSS Assessments? One of the more common, and expensive, cyber liability risks is card payment processing information. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) is a proprietary information security standard for organizations that handle branded credit cards from the major card schemes including Visa,

MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. From these standards, the credit card industry sets assessments for data breaches involving credit card information, and fines and penalties for violation of the PCI-DSS. Coverage for such liabilities often requires a specific policy or coverage type.

The question of whether other insurance policies provide coverage for cyber incidents is hotly contested, but one that can be expensive to litigate.

For that reason, it is important to fully understand existing coverage of cyber incidents.

private practice.” A Difference in Debt The majority of final-year medical residents (51 percent) said they owe $150,000 or more in student loans.

IMGs, however, owe considerably less than do U.S. medical school graduates.

The majority of IMGs (58 percent) said they have no student debt, compared to only 22 percent of U.S. graduates.

While close to half of U.S. graduates (48 percent) owe $200,000 or more in student loans, only 25 percent of IMGs owe that amount, reflecting the high cost of medical education in the U.S. relative to other countries.

Buyer’s Remorse Despite a favorable job market, some new doctors are unhappy about their choice of a profession, the

survey indicates. Almost one in five (19 percent) said they would not choose medicine as a career if they had their education to do over. Among U.S. medical graduates, the number was 21 percent, compared to only 13 percent for IMGs, who appear relatively happier than U.S. medical school graduates about their career path.

“With high levels of physician burnout and continued uncertainty about the direction of the healthcare system, many doctors are under duress today,” Singleton said. “It is not surprising that some newly trained doctors regret their choice of a career.”

Job Choices

Continued from page 6 more. However, international medical graduates (IMGs) are more likely to prefer smaller communities than are U.S. medical graduates, according to the survey. The survey also indicates that a majority of newly trained physicians would prefer to be employed and that few seek an independent, private practice setting. Forty-three percent would prefer employment with a hospital, while only two percent would prefer a solo practice setting.

“The days of new doctors hanging out a shingle in an independent solo practice are over,” Singleton said. “Most new doctors prefer to be employed rather than deal with the financial uncertainty and time demands of June 2019

Director of Media Sales Richard W DeLaRosa Senior Designer Jamie Farquhar-Rizzo Web Development Lorenzo Morales Distribution Robert Cox Accounting Liz Thachar Office: 713-885-3808 Fax: 281-316-9403

Legal Matters

systems, security cameras and other systems that are controllable through the internet are all exploitable. It is important to have a clear understanding of which insurance product covers the physical aspect of a breach.

7. Who is my contact in the event of breach? A set claims process following a cyber-security incident is something an increasing number of insurers are implementing. It is important to understand your insurer’s policy and know who your point of contact will be in the event of a breach.

8. Can I get a reduction in premiums if I implement certain

Published by Texas Healthcare Media Group Inc.

medicaltimesnews.com

For Advertising advertising@medicaltimesnews. com Editor editor@medicaltimesnews.com

Houston Medical Times is Published by Texas Healthcare Media Group, Inc. All content in this publication is copyrighted by Texas Healthcare Media Group, and should not be reproduced in part or at whole without written consent from the Editor. Houston Medical Times reserves the right to edit all submissions and assumes no responsibility for solicited or unsolicited manuscripts.

All submissions sent to Houston Medical Times are considered property and are to distribute for publication and copyright purposes. Houston Medical Times is published every month P.O. Box 57430 Webster, TX 77598-7430

Houston Medical Times

Page 15

We’re learning more about mental health every day.

So can you.

FEATURED COURSES

ADDRESSING ACEs: Learn how to identify, treat and reduce the effects of trauma and toxic stress and reinforce resiliency in young patients. Earn ethics CME.

INTERPERSONAL YOUTH VIOLENCE: Implement proven strategies to identify, intervene in and prevent behaviors such as bullying, self-injury and suicide, dating violence and sexting. Earn ethics CME.

Join more than 100,000 medical professionals who get free CME with Texas Health Steps Online Provider Education. Choose from a wide range of courses relevant to your practice, including short tutorials and podcasts on topics like Medicaid guidelines, ethics and mental health — all available 24/7.

Learn more at TXHealthSteps.com.

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: Learn to recognize autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children and adolescents and provide guidelines for diagnosis, referral, and continuity of care.

Content on the Texas Health Steps Online Provider Education website has been accredited by the Texas Medical Association, American Nurses Credentialing Center, National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners, Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, UTHSCSA Dental School Office of Continuing Dental Education, Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Texas Academy of Audiology, and the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. Continuing Education for multiple disciplines will be provided for some online content.

medicaltimesnews.com

June 2019

Houston Medical Times

TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN CARDIAC ARREST IS A LEADING CAUSE OF TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN DEATH IN THE UNITED STATES. TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEARN TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEAR TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEAR TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEAR TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEAR TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEAR TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEAR TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEAR CPR, IF PERFORMED IMMEDIATELY, CAN DOUBLE OR LEA TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEA TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEA TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEA TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEA TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LEA TAKE 60 SECONDS TO TRIPLE THE CHANCE OF SURVIVAL. BYSTANDERS ARE LEA TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LE TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LE TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LE TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LE TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LE THE MOST IMPORTANT LINK IN THE CHAIN OF TAKE 60 SECONDS TO LE TAKE 60 SECONDS TO L TAKE 60 SECONDS TO L TAKE 60 SECONDS TO L TAKE 60 SECONDS TO L TAKE 60 SECONDS TO L SURVIVAL, BUT THE BYSTANDER RATE IN HOUSTON TAKE 60 SECONDS TO TAKE 60 SECONDS TO TAKE 60 SECONDS TO TAKE 60 SECONDS TO TAKE 60 SECONDS TO TAKE 60 SECONDS TO IS DECREASING. DO YOUR PART AND BE THE TAKE 60 SECONDS TO TAKE 60 SECONDS TO TAKE 60 SECONDS TO TAKE 60 SECONDS TO TAKE 60 SECONDS TO T TAKE 60 SECONDS DIFFERENCE FOR SOMEONE IN NEED. T TAKE 60 SECONDS T TAKE 60 SECONDS T TAKE 60 SECONDS T TAKE 60 SECONDS T TAKE 60 SECONDS TAKE 60 SECONDS TAKE 60 SECONDS TAKE 60 SECONDS TAKE 60 SECONDS TAKE 60 SECONDS TAKE 60 SECONDS TAKE 60 SECONDS SECOND TAKE 60 SECOND TAKE 60 SECOND TAKE 60 SECOND TAKE 60 SECOND TAKE 60 SECOND TAKE 60 SECOND TAKE 60 SECOND TAKE 60 SECON TAKE 60 SECON TAKE 60 SECON TAKE 60 SECON TAKE 60 SECON TAKE 60 SECON TAKE 60 SECON TAKE 60 SECON SECO TAKE 60 SECO TAKE 60 SECO TAKE 60 SECO TAKE 60 SECO TAKE 60 SECO TAKE 60 SECO TAKE 60 SECO TAKE 60 SEC TAKE 60 SEC TAKE 60 SEC TAKE 60 SEC TAKE 60 SEC TAKE 60 SEC TAKE 60 SEC TAKE 60 SE TAKE 60 SE TAKE 60 SE TAKE 60 SE TAKE 60 SE TAKE 60 SE TAKE 60 S TAKE 60 S TAKE 60 S TAKE 60 S TAKE 60 S TAKE 60 S TAKE 60 TAKE 60 TAKE 60 TAKE 60 TAKE 60 TAKE 60 TAKE 60 TAKE 60 6 TAKE 6 TAKE 6 TAKE 6 TAKE 6 TAKE 6 TAKE TAKE TAKE TAKE TAKE TAKE TAKE TAKE TAK TAK TAK TAK TAK TAK TAK TA TA TA TA TA TA TA TTTTTA

HOW TO SAVE A LIFE HOW TO SAVE A LIFE HOW TO SAVE A LIFE HOW TO SAVE A LIFE HOW TO SAVE A LIFE HOW TO SAVE A LIFE HOW TO SAVE A LIFE HOW TO SAVE A LIFE HOW TO SAVE A LIFE HOW TO SAVE A LIFE HOW TO SAVE A LIFE LIF HOW TO SAVE A LIF HOW TO SAVE A LIF HOW TO SAVE A LIF HOW TO SAVE A LIF LI HOW TO SAVE A LI HOW TO SAVE A LI HOW TO SAVE A L HOW TO SAVE A L HOW TO SAVE A L HOW TO SAVE A L HOW TO SAVE A L HOW TO SAVE A HOW TO SAVE A HOW TO SAVE A HOW TO SAVE A HOW TO SAVE A HOW TO SAVE A HOW TO SAVE A HOW TO SAVE A HOW TO SAVE HOW TO SAVE HOW TO SAVE HOW TO SAVE HOW TO SAVE HOW TO SAVE SAV HOW TO SAV HOW TO SAV HOW TO SAV HOW TO SAV HOW TO SAV HOW TO SA HOW TO SA HOW TO SA HOW TO SA HOW TO SA HOW TO SA S HOW TO S HOW TO S HOW TO S HOW TO S HOW TO HOW TO HOW TO HOW TO HOW TO HOW TO HOW TO HOW TO HOW TO T HOW T HOW T HOW T HOW T HOW HOW HOW HOW HOW HOW HOW HOW HOW HOW HO HO HO HO HO HO HO H O H H H medicaltimesnews.com