Accor's Bali Hotels Launches New Programme to Help Travellers Assist Bali's Children

Accor's Bali Hotels Launches New Programme to Help Travellers Assist Bali's Children

With significant numbers of Australians returning to Bali, Accor's Bali hotels have launched a programme to assist Bali's underprivileged children in a most practical way.

Bali, Indonesia (PRWEB) November 27, 2007

With significant numbers of Australians returning to Bali, Accor's Bali hotels have launched a programme to assist Bali's underprivileged children in a most practical way.

Spearheaded by Accor's Regional Manager in Bali, Michel Vivier - and co-ordinated by the General Managers at each hotel - the campaign will encourage visitors to Bali to make small donations of clean, good quality clothes as well as toys, school materials, art materials and non-perishable foodstuffs for children aged 3-18, which will then be distributed to orphanages and needy children.

"The thought behind the campaign is for tourists to bring full suitcases of surplus gifts, unload them and either stock up with shopping in Bali - which the island is famous for" said Michel Vivier. "It really has a double benefit because the donations will be greatly welcomed and purchasing goods at local stores, will help revive the local economy".

"We recently had an Australian media group here, who all brought gifts and goods for the kids at the SLB D. YPAC orphanage and school for physically and mentally disabled children - and Accor donated boxes of much needed sheets, pillows, towels, rice and noodles - so it was over 30 boxes of goods delivered in front of their eyes. The kids did a song and dance routine as a thank you…and the project concept was born", Michel added.

The donated goods can be left at Novotel Tanjung Benoa Resort, the Novotel Nusa Dua Hotel and Residences, Mercure Resort Sanur, Mercure Hotel Kuta and the All Seasons Legian Resort.

The latest Bali initiative is part of a wider Indonesian programme designed to assist local communities, says Accor's President Director for Indonesia, Gerard Guillouet: "Accor in Jakarta runs "A Tree for A Child" project that is sponsoring education and health care for 100 children and pays for some education, whilst rewarding parents for allowing their children to finish their education. The programme has also purchased land and planted trees for future income for the school. Our work in Bali compliments our wider corporate social responsibility programs."

One of the journalists has also collected more than 100kg of books, stationery and toys from Perth - to be sent up by Garuda Indonesia to Bali in the next few weeks.

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Cultural Competency in Healthcare: Increased Sensitivity Translates Into Fewer Disparities, Improved Outcomes

Cultural Competency in Healthcare: Increased Sensitivity Translates Into Fewer Disparities, Improved Outcomes

Almost 15 percent of Americans speaks a language other than English at home or has a limited English proficiency. When these individuals require attention from the healthcare community, cultural differences can impact the quality of the encounter. Federal standards already require healthcare providers to offer language assistance, interpreters and easily understandable printed materials to patients with special linguistic needs. But by supplementing these services with cultural competency programs for personnel, healthcare organizations can ameliorate the caliber of care they provide.

Manasquan, NJ (PRWEB) September 21, 2006

Almost 15 percent of Americans speak a language other than English at home or have a limited English proficiency. When these individuals require attention from the healthcare community, cultural differences can impact the quality of the encounter. Federal standards already require healthcare providers to offer language assistance, interpreters and easily understood printed materials to patients with special linguistic needs. But by supplementing these services with cultural competency programs for personnel, healthcare organizations can ameliorate the caliber of care they provide.

To help organizations build, refine and evaluate their cultural competency initiatives, the Healthcare Intelligence Network (HIN) is sponsoring “Cultural Competency in Healthcare: Ensuring Culturally Appropriate Treatment and Services to Reduce Disparities and Improve Outcomes,” a live interactive audio conference on October 11, 2006. For more information, please visit http://www. hin. com/cgi-local/link/news/pl. cgi? culturalcompetencypr (http://www. hin. com/cgi-local/link/news/pl. cgi? culturalcompetencypr).

“Regardless of the language they speak or their culture of origin, patients and healthcare consumers have the right to receive effective and respectful care that is sensitive to their cultural health beliefs, practices and preferred language,” notes Melanie Matthews, HIN executive vice president and chief operating officer. “By observing the federal mandates and recommendations for culturally competent care, healthcare providers demonstrate a receptiveness to patients’ needs, which will translate into improved outcomes.”

During this 90-minute audio conference, Elsa Batica, cross cultural health development and training manager with Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, and Patti Ludwig-Beymer, administrative director for nursing research and education at Edward Hospital & Health Services, will describe the cultural competency programs at their organizations and how these efforts improve the overall quality of care they provide. Participants will learn how to:

Tie cultural competency efforts into an overall quality improvement plan; Meet the requirements of Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards for culturally appropriate care; Train staff on healthcare cultural competence; Evaluate the effectiveness of healthcare cultural competency techniques; Implement, develop and refine a healthcare cultural competency program; Build management support for cultural diversity programs; and Work with the community to address cultural issues.

The 90-minute live audio conference, scheduled for 1:30 p. m. Eastern time on October 11, 2006, includes a 30-minute question-and-answer period for participants. A recorded version on CD-ROM with a printed transcript will be available in late October, and an “On-Demand” audio conference re-broadcast can be accessed beginning October 13, 2006. To register and obtain additional details on the audio conference, please visit http://www. hin. com/cgi-local/link/news/pl. cgi? culturalcompetencypr (http://www. hin. com/cgi-local/link/news/pl. cgi? culturalcompetencypr).

This audio conference has been designed to address the interests of CEOs, medical directors, executives responsible for culturally competent healthcare, quality improvement executives, compliance officers, disease management directors, managers and coordinators, care management nurses and business development and strategic planning directors.

About the Healthcare Intelligence Network

HIN is the premier advisory service for executives seeking high-quality strategic information on the business of healthcare. For more information, contact the Healthcare Intelligence Network, PO Box 1442, Wall Township, NJ 07719-1442, (888) 446-3530, fax (732) 292-3073, or visit http://www. hin. com (http://www. hin. com).

Contact: Patricia Donovan

Phone: (732) 528-4468

Fax: (732) 292-3073

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NY Spine & Brain Surgery Center Partners with Comtech Networks for EMR Solution

NY Spine & Brain Surgery Center Partners with Comtech Networks for EMR Solution

The New York Spine & Brain Surgery, P. C. - Department of Neurosurgery, Stony Brook University Medical Center has partnered with Long Island based Comtech Networks to automate their office and migrate to a paperless office. Comtech is working closely together with the surgical center to develop a state-of-the-art EMR system, based on the unique needs and requirements of the center.

Port Jefferson Station, NY (PRWEB) September 28, 2005

One of the specific challenges is to transfer all records into a digital system which still interfaces with the network of Stony Brook University Medical Center.

Our outpatient and administrative offices were up and running much faster than we ever anticipated. The adoption rate of the Doctors was astounding. Everyone is thrilled with the ease of use and the rapid deployment” says Betty Bosler, Practice Administrator.

Comtech Networks, based in Long Island (New York) is a prime example of a specialized health office solution provider. The company is focused on the improvement of procedures and standards in medical offices from 1-40 doctors. After initial assessments, Comtech Networks suggests various software and - if necessary - hardware solutions, which are focused around the practice managerÂ’s needs and include as much or as less digital/ electronic change as necessary.

“Our main goal is to increase the profitability and productivity of the medical office,” says Jim Carpenter, CEO of Comtech Networks, “The result is a win-win situation for everybody. "Digital Medical Office Solutions" is about the simplification of office procedures, reduction of costs, increase in payments, decrease in errors and a clear enhancement of data security.”

NY Spine and Brain Surgery, P. C. chose Comtech Networks for its local availability and excellent track record with virtually no customer ever leaving its service contract. They decided that they needed a company in close proximity, in order to have a smooth transition. Choosing a service provider in a crowded field of EMR solutions is not easy; however Comtech offered the best and most practical plan to prepare the surgical center for the future.

About Comtech Networks:

Comtech Networks provides “digital solutions for the medical office,” through assessment, analysis, and implementation of customized systems. Comtech offers partial or complete solutions for EMR (Electronic Medical Record), document management, scheduling, billing and general IT challenges.

Since 1996, the Long Island (New York) based company has focused on the needs of the medical office. Gaining outstanding expertise with HIPAA compliance challenges, Comtech Networks is now focused completely on helping every medical office in the North East to become part of the National Electronic Health Care Record Network (EHR).

Comtech Networks was established in 1988 and provided premium system development, infrastructure support, and project management expertise to a variety of markets. In this time Comtech successfully supported technology intensive organizations such as Citigroup®, Citibank®, Blockbuster Video, Stony Brook University Hospital, Sony, and Prodigy.

About New York Spine and Brain Surgery, P. C.

NY Spine and Brain Surgery, P. C. at Stony Brook University Hospital has been in existence for over 15 years. The faculty consists of 5 Board Certified Neurosurgeons including the only Board Certified Pediatric Neurosurgeon in Suffolk County. Additionally the faculty is complimented with 7 Physician Assistants and 7 Nurse Practitioners. The Neurosurgical Service provides high quality patient care 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

NY Spine and Brain Surgery, P. C. has two outpatient offices, one in Stony Brook Medical Park and one in Hampton Bays. The medical office is affiliated primarily with Stony Brook University Hospital. Other affiliations include St. Charles Hospital and Central Suffolk Hospital.

With more than 15,000 Neurosurgical procedures performed, the office specializes in surgeries for disorders such as brain aneurysms, cranial hemorrhages, brain tumors, acoustic neuromas, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, herniated discs, spinal instability, spondylolisthesis, spinal cord injuries and spina bifida.

For more information, please visit: www. uhmc. sunysb. edu/neurosurgery/ (http://www. uhmc. sunysb. edu/neurosurgery/).

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Bigger and Better Than Ever; The Holistic Place, Bringout Knockout-Beauty, Has Just Expanded

Bigger and Better Than Ever; The Holistic Place, Bringout Knockout-Beauty, Has Just Expanded

More products, more offers and information, and less time spent searching for favorite items. Everything under one online roof. Informative content, complimentary newsletters and a pleasant shopping experience guaranteed for all visitors. Please visit www. bringoutknockout-beauty. com.

Union, N. J. (PRWEB) January 22, 2009

More products, more offers and information, and less time searching for favorite items. Everything from cosmetics to vitamins. There are diet plans and vegetarian meal plans. Avon products and Cushy Lips help bring out your inner beauty. Bodybuilding products and Tai Chi instruction. Even a certified Hoodia product to guarantee potency.

During the last few years, there has been much discussion around the emergence of the Hoodia diet. The diet claims to be one of the best ways to lose weight. But, does it work? How does eating healthy and exercise fit into the Hoodia weight loss plan?

A 100% certified Hoodia weight loss product is available at www. bringoutknockout-beauty. com. Don't settle for cheaper, less potent products.

Hoodia gordonii is a cactus like plant that grows in the desserts of South Africa. It is estimated that 80% of all Hoodia products are counterfiet or low dosage. A 100% guarenteed product will ensure better results when used with a sensible diet. Cactus or succulent?

Actually, to be more accurate, Hoodia is a succulent plant. The most potent of the twenty species is grown in Africa. Hoodia is also grown in North and South america. But, the wild grown succulents used by the Sans Bushmen tribes to suppress their appetites, is the best by far.

Hoodia can play an effective role in weight loss, but its' role is limited. Although it suppresses appetite, it cannot improve eating a bad diet or overeating. It does not help to burn body fat. It does not build muscle. Therefore, it cannot be overstated that a healthy diet and exercise are neccesary for weight loss.

There are many Hoodia products that are not completely made from Hoodia cactus. Additives such as caffeine are added to speed up metabolism. Hoodia gordonnii is the most widely researched species and products made from gordonii are thought to be the best.

When purchasing a Hoodia diet product, two things should be considered. The price of pure Hoodia is very expensive. It takes 5 to 7 years for the plant to mature. Therefore, lower priced products may contain additives or are low dosage. Secondly, an independent lab report on the product gives the purchaser more assuramce of the product quality. Usually, Alkemists Pharmaceuticals is used for the testing.

By the way, the Sans Bushmen suppress their appetites for long hunting trips. Eating in a healthy manner and exercising during their trips helps to achieve the desired weight loss.

So, how does Hoodia gordonii suppress your appetite? The plant that belongs to the milkweed family contains a chemical that tricks the brain. The active compound is known as P57. It tricks the brain into thinking that you are not hungry. This chemical is a steroid like molecule that is bonded to three sugars. It works directly on the mid-brain, the hypothalamus, to achieve the effect. The P57 molecule increases the amount of ATP in the nerve cells of the hypothalamus. ATP stores energy from the biochemical reactions that metabolize sugar. When it appears that the sugar levels have increased in the brain, the nerve cells fire as if you had just eaten and are not hungry anymore.

As mentioned earlier, a healthy diet will be neccesary along with the appetite suppression. A healthy diet should contain a wide variety of foods. Fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes should make up the bulk of the diet. These foods are low fat and contain no cholesterol. Avoid animal fat. Eat nuts and fish. Eat high fiber foods and get calcium from low fat sources like low fat yogurt.

A healthy diet, Hoodia gordonii and exercise. A sedentary lifestyle will not help a dieter to lose weight. Consult a physician about proper exercise programs when medical conditions or prescription drugs are taken.

Anyone interested in a long hunting trip?

References:
Www. wellnessletter. com
Www. hoodiapills. com

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Kanaya Luxury Condos Aims to Become the FIRST FGBC Certified Condominium

Kanaya Luxury Condos Aims to Become the FIRST FGBC Certified Condominium

Kanaya Luxury Condos will be the first multi-family, multi-story complex developed using Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) Standards. By setting a higher standard for future condo projects to meet, Kanaya Condos will provide a healthier living environment, with energy and economic benefits for residents through better building techniques.

Sarasota, Florida (PRWEB) September 5, 2005

Of the hundreds of building projects that have earned Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) Certification, a coveted certification in the state of Florida which provides a statewide Green Building program with environmental, energy and economic benefits, not one has been a condominium. But the new Kanaya Condos in Sarasota, Florida will change all of that.

The 35 unit condominium complex which will open late in 2006, will contain a multitude of sustainable products and design elements. Kanaya, LLC managing member Dr. Harvey Kaltsas has hired Drew Smith, Green Building Consultant, from Two Trails, Inc. to oversee the entire process and help educate the architect, contractor and sub-contractors on the practice of building a project "Green" from the ground up.

Two Trails, Inc. was founded by Drew Smith to assist builders and developers in the techniques of green or sustainable buildings. Drew has received numerous awards for his dedication in building projects healthier and more resource-efficient. "In a world of rising gas prices and fresh water concerns it only makes sense that builders and developer need to adapt to the concerns for a healthier living and working environment."

Furthermore, Smith believes that the time has come for consumers to express their desire to live and work in a healthy environment. "People live healthier lifestyles, they want clean running cars, and they want their homes to be a healthy environment too." Dr. Kaltsas has taken a big step forward in providing an environment above and beyond what the residents are used to getting. He has taken the initiative to develop a project designed for the total well being of the residents. Together Harvey and Drew will bring a new dimension to what homebuyers will expect in their decision process for purchasing a new residence.

For more information on Kanaya Condos visit: http://www. kanayacondos. com (http://www. kanayacondos. com)

For more information of Green Building visit: http://www. twotrails. net (http://www. twotrails. net) or call 941-776-8680.

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Stop Buying Insurance Until You Read This

Stop Buying Insurance Until You Read This

Cut insurance costs without cutting needed protection. Financial planning authority Paul Mauro, CLU, CHFC, advises, "Too many consumers waste too much money on the wrong kinds of insurance. The solution? Integrate insurance with finanical planning and ignore overzealous agents and incessant insurance ads and promotions." Uninformed Americans overspend on auto, homeowner, life, accident and dental insurance. The first stop for good insurance value -- your employer.

(PRWEB) May 30, 2005

Uninformed Americans overbuy nearly every type of insurance from overzealous agents who put commissions ahead of clients or insurance companies that deluge them with marketing messages.

Being over-insured places needless financial burden on young families, baby boomers and retirees, says Paul J. Mauro, CLU, CHFC, Managing Partner, Legacy Financial Advisors, Inc. in Milford, MA. MauroÂ’s firm delivers a complete menu of financial and estate planning services. He says, "Integrate insurance with financial and estate planning to avoid the common and costly insurance mistakes consumers make."

Here are some of MauroÂ’s favorites:

Too many property insurance companies--Consolidate homeowner and auto insurance with an umbrella insurance policy. Bundling policies can cut premiums by 15%. If you buy a $1 million liability umbrella insurance plan, do not increase the underlying limits on the home and car above $300,000. This is wasteful.

Buying whole or universal life when young--Young breadwinners with dependents, a big mortgage and more responsibilities than money, should never buy a small permanent, whole-life, universal life or any life insurance with an investment component. This leaves young families grossly underinsured because they cannot afford enough coverage. A 35-year-old father of three with a $50,000 annual income needs a $1 million policy. Level term is $400. A $1 million universal life policy, has cash value, but the same coverage costs about $6,000, hence young families often buy too little death benefits.

Not buying insurance at work--Employers can help you lower insurance cost by sponsoring many types of insurance. For example, buying voluntary excess disability insurance as part of a group at work usually costs a third the price of an individual policy. Other employer-sponsored plans offer good value as well.

Procrastinating on long-term care insurance--Look into employer-sponsored, long-term care coverage too. Read the fine print. Make sure you can take this coverage with you if you leave the company. DonÂ’t delay. Long-term care insurance at age 70 costs $4,000 annually, totaling $60,000 to age 85. The same policy, through an employer group, bought at age 50 costs $1,200 per year or $42,000 to age 85; saving $18,000.

Not evaluating your insurance at age 60--Re-evaluate coverage. Since most disability insurance covers you only until age 65, it may be wise to drop it as you near retirement. A disability policy at age 40, could pay you for 25 years at $40,000 per year or $1 million total. If you are over 63, the policy will only pay out for less than two years -- a total of $80,000 in benefits.

Paying for accident insurance--Get rid of "accidental death only " benefit policies. As you age, death or injury by accident, as opposed to illness, becomes increasingly less likely. "I met a couple with $250,000 of accident-only life insurance on each other. They were 70 and did not snowmobile, horseback ride or skydive."

Not comparison shopping for Medicare Supplemental Coverage--Buy high-quality medical and Medicare supplemental coverage through whatever group arrangement you can find. "A 72-year-old Massachusetts couple was paying $12,000 annually for an individual supplemental policy," says Mauro, adding, "They then joined an HMO and cut their cost to $6,000." To find a group, contact your former employer, Council on Aging or a small-business network if you are self-employed.

Failing to consult with an attorney--"Review your business plans, estate plans, and medical documents with your lawyer. In a recent case, a family was paying thousands for insurance to cover the death tax for their children. After paying a few thousand dollars for legal services, they saved nearly $7,000 annually in premiums, because their estate was now tax free. Likewise, living trusts for both spouses can cut the cost of long-term care insurance in half," Mauro says.

Falling prey to insurance gimmicks--Some insurance is just a bad buy. Individual dental insurance tops the list. Illness-specific coverage is a close second. Collision insurance on cars over seven-years old is dubious. Also, drop most maintenance contracts, lost credit card insurance and creditor insurance. If you bought mortgage insurance (PMI ) when you purchased your home, the equity build-up may allow you to drop it. Mortgage term and credit card term life policies are usually overpriced if you are healthy. Also make sure your credit card covers the rental car deductible and donÂ’t buy extra coverage.

Being a know it all--Do not assume you know everything. New insurance policies have been developed that are big improvements over those available 10 years ago. Find a quality independent agent or planner to help you review your old policies.

Example, "A Legacy client wanted their granddaughter to inherit their $1 million dollar estate. She was the apple of their eye and they were living on $25,000 annually to conserve principal. I asked them if they thought their granddaughter wanted the house and bonds, or a check for $1 million tax-free from an insurance company. All grandpa said was, ‘She’ll want the check.’

"Our client then bought a new joint-life insurance policy with low premiums to endow the granddaughter. This freed up cash from the estate and, as a result, we increased their income to $45,000 annually, while guaranteeing the granddaughterÂ’s inheritance," says Mauro. Joint life policies allow elders to spend some principal to live better while leaving a tax free estate.

Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. (www. lfsadvisors. com) has extensive experience in helping families plan for the issues of aging and was featured in the PBS special "And Thou Shalt Honor" broadcast in November 2004 on WGBH-TV. With 30 years of experience in the area of planning for aging, Legacy has extensively used new products and plans developed which are referred to as "Principal Protected Investing" recommended in the Ernst and Young LLP in a white paper on the changing face of the industry recently. Legacy Financial Advisors, Inc. has six offices in Massachusetts; Milford, Duxbury, Yarmouth Port, Natick, Peabody, and Braintree and offices along the East Coast.

Contact:

Legacy Financial Advisors, Inc.

321 Fortune Blvd.

Milford, MA 01757

800-427-9781

Www. lfsadvisors. com

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The New BCIR - A Major Progress Toward Shorter Hospital Stays

The New BCIR - A Major Progress Toward Shorter Hospital Stays

Olympia Medical Center in Los Angeles is doing a new procedure called The New BCIR or Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir which will help with shorter hospital stays for patients

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) July 9, 2008

The continent ileostomy also known as the BCIR or Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir was devised by the late Dr. William O. Barnett as an evolution of the Koch Pouch. The original technique of Dr Koch (a surgeon in Sweden in the 1960s and 70s) had a very high failure rate. The main problem was slipping of the continence mechanism - a nipple valve made of the patient's own intestine. When the valve slips out of position, the patient will have leakage of waste and gas out of the stoma, and will also have great difficulty inserting their drainage catheter. The BCIR modification of the Koch procedure included an intestinal collar which decreases the incidence of valve slippage.

Dr. Barnett created his pouch by hand sewing it, and he kept patients in the hospital for 3 full weeks. 17 days after the operation, he would take out the ileostomy catheter placed during surgery, and would then keep patients in the hospital for 3 additional days of education and instruction by the nursing staff about living with the BCIR. Discharge was on the 21st day of hospital stay.

Times have changed. Dr. Don J. Schiller of Los Angeles, CA and Medical Director of Olympia Medical Center's Continent Ostomy Center started performing the BCIR in 1989. In 1998 he began to create the internal intestinal pouch using modern, high-tech surgical stapling devices. This creates a pouch which immediately has a much greater capacity than a hand-sewn pouch which requires infolding of the intestinal wall. A large pouch means much less pressure is created inside as it fills. This change has shortened the hospital stay by a full week. At the end of the surgery, a catheter is still placed into the stoma and connected to a drainage system to prevent any distention of the pouch during the early healing phase. This catheter is removed on the 12th day after surgery and the patient starts to learn care and use of the pouch with the nursing staff. Only 2 days are needed as Dr. Schiller has never had a patient who was not confident, comfortable and skilled after this 2 day period. A third day of instruction and supervision while still in the hospital would be used if needed, but no patient whether age 16 or 61 has needed more than 2 days. A shorter length of stay has resulted in no change in outcomes. It does enable people to return home a week earlier.

At Olympia Medical Center's Continent Ostomy Center all rooms are private rooms. In addition, the Center cares for many Ostomy patients who don't have a BCIR but come for surgical procedures including stoma revisions, repair of stoma hernias, repair of incisional and other hernias.

Located in the heart of West Los Angeles, Olympia Medical Center has been providing medical care to its community since 1948. Services at the 204-bed acute care hospital include comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, and a 24-hour emergency room. Specialty programs include the California Digestive Diseases Institute, Take Off, a Medical and Surgical Weight Control Program, the Los Angeles Center for Spine Care and Research, the Southern California Sports Medicine Institute, the Center for Wound Management and Hyperbaric Medicine, the Continent Ostomy Center, the Center for Geriatric Health and the Memory Institute.

At Olympia Medical Center, we are dedicated to clinical excellence, delivering health care services in a patient-centered, community-focused environment. We not only try to meet your expectations--but to exceed them as well. Quality and compassionate care…it's our commitment to you.

Olympia Medical Center is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation's oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency. To learn more about Olympia Medical Center visit www. olympiamedicalcenter. com
And www. ileostomy-surgery. com

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