spring_flowers_field.jpg
 
WHAT DOES
APRIL MEAN TO YOU?

Spring cleaning? Special celebrations? The last month before it gets really hot?
 
CARING WHERE IT COUNTS!

Global Neuro & Spine Institute has, at the core of our mission, a commitment to GIVE. To provide excellent medical care to our wonderful patients allowing them to achieve the best possible outcome. We constantly aim to raise the bar higher so we continue to earn the respect and confidence we seek.      

But some of you may not realize that Global's commitment to give goes beyond the walls of our clinics. We wanted to express our gratitude in significant, tangible ways; to come alongside a worthy cause and really make a difference. W hen we were introduced to the incredible work done at Give Kids The World - their awesome mission to children facing life threatening illnesses, and to their families - it captured our hearts! We knew we HAD to get involved. And so, a few years ago a strong connection was born between GKTW and Global Neuro & Spine Institute. We fully believe that GTKW is worthy of every dollar we donate and all the time we invest in assisting them with their annual gala events.
The human brain seems to love it when we give our time and money out of a heartfelt generosity. David Linden, PhD, wrote about the connection between giving and the brain in a recent issue of Psychology Today: "Your brain's pleasure circuits are activated by acts of charity." Studies have consistently shown that improved mood, better physical health and increased longevity are connected to giving - whether it's monetary donations or volunteer hours invested on the weekend. Key "feel good" neurotransmitters are enhanced by our altruistic giving.
Maybe that's one reason why the staff at Global Neuro & Spine Institute is a happy group. We love what we do, who we serve and how we excel. But just as important, we love caring where it counts!

For Additional Information on:  
Global Neuro & Spine Institute, Give Kids the World or South Florida Case Management Network
Please Freely Contact Caryl at:   
Email: caryl@globalneuroandspineinstitute       
Seeing more of yourself than you'd like to see?
It's springtime - getting ready for swim suit time. But we found a few reasons we may be gaining weight instead of losing winter weight from registered dietician, Dawn Jackson Blatner.
  • We're exercising more - The weather is nice and we start exercising more; but we also eat more. Do the math: a 600-calorie smoothie has twice as many calories as you can burn in a half-hour jog. Since exercise suppresses your appetite for about two hours, you're probably dehydrated rather than hungry.
  • Longer days. It stays light later, so we go to bed later. Dinner may get pushed back until it's dark, creating more noshing hours between lunch and dinner.
  • We start drinking iced coffee drinks. But even a small Dunkin Donuts Coffee Coolatta has 400 calories, far less than the venti Frappuccino drinks at Starbucks. Since liquid calories don't register as real food in your brain, you end up eating just as much as you normally would. So what may sound harmless - iced coffee - could be the reason you can't fit into your khakis yet.
 (from John Tesh's e-newsletter, April 2017)
DON'T DESPAIR! Check out this delicious alternative!!
Attention JAVA LOVERS: Enjoy a Healthy, High Protein, High Flavor Coffee Shake!
 
This shake tastes like a thick iced coffee, but is loaded with protein, so you get your caffeine boost and protein all in one. Vary the flavor according to your taste, using vanilla, chocolate, banana, or any other protein powder you like. One scoop of protein has 25g of protein. Substitute Greek yogurt for regular yogurt and your shake has over 30g of protein! It's perfect for a breakfast on the fly, or as a quick power boost before the gym.
Ingredients :
  • 2 cups ice
  • 1 cup chilled strong-brewed coffee (brew strong coffee ahead of time and refrigerate)
  • 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup vanilla yogurt (use Greek yogurt for extra protein!)
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse for 30-40 seconds or until all ingredients are blended. If a thicker consistency is desired, add more ice. Serve immediately. Serves two; or save half for a second shake later in the day!
The Case Managers Corner
    Competencies for Professional Case Managers. How are your Metrics? 
by Anne Llewellyn, RN-BS, MS, BHSA, CCM, CRRN
 
As we moved to a value-based health care model, organizations and providers are being evaluated and paid on the outcomes they produce. As a result, many are rethinking how they practice and are making changes to be more in tune with the patients they care for.
How are your metrics? National Case Management Associations and Case Management Certification Bodies state that case management is a professional practice made up of nurses, social workers and other professionals whose role it is to coordinate care, and educate and empower patients at risk. With the intense scrutiny on finding innovative ways to contain costs, improve quality, and empower the patient to be active members of their healthcare team, isn't it time for case management professionals to analyze if they are achieving their core competencies, as well as the metrics that can prove the value they bring to the healthcare system?
As organizations, politicians, and Insurers look for ways to cut costs, showing value and outcomes is critical. All case managers share FIVE core competencies. Use this discussion to help you see how you measure up personally and against your peers.
  1. What is your engagement rate with patients when you open a new case? If it is not good, you might want to find ways to improve. If you are a telephonic case manager from a managed care or telemedicine company, an onsite case manager being called in to manage a case, or an embedded case manager from the primary care or specialty practice office, one way to improve your engagement rates is to have the onsite case manager introduce you. Most times patients and their families are confused by 'all the people' involved. Hopefully, they have met the hospital case manager and will be more receptive to an introduction from someone they know. We have to do a better job at working together with our fellow case managers. Traditionally we have not excelled at transitioning patients from one case manager to the next, so this is one place to start.
  2. How are you doing in educating your patients and their families on their conditions as well as on what to look for once they go home so they are aware of signs that might indicate a complication or setback? Today, effective discharge planning to prevent readmissions and MD visits are critical to avoiding penalties. There are many models in place that will help you be better at educating and empowering your patients. They include: motivational interviewing, patient activation, return to work and behavioral change strategies. Are you up to date on these models? How are your metrics in implementing these models? What changes do you see in your patients as a result of instating them? These are important questions case managers should be asking themselves on a regular basis. When you find you are not doing well, it is important to analyze why and improve so you keep up with changes that impact your work.
  3. Do your patients know who to contact with questions once you close their case? We used to say that our job as case managers is to work ourselves out of a job! This is still true, but we also have to remember that patients have questions and depend on us to steer them in the right direction. They need to know who to turn to get help.
  4. Have you provided helpful, user-friendly information to your patients and their families on ways to use social media so it doesn't add any confusion? Helping patients understand their conditions is part of the education case managers provide. Patients who are informed and educated do better overall; they feel empowered to ask questions and find resources they can use to self-manage. Most people turn to the internet for information. As professionals, we know that the internet can confuse and even mislead patients about their conditions. Being aware of credible websites with vital information is something each case manager should take seriously.
  5. Have you improved communication between the healthcare team, the patient and his/her family, as well as the payer/adjustor? Most of the problems patients have are traced backed to poor or insufficient communication. Case managers are the liaison between the patient, their families, the healthcare team, the payer, and the employer. It has even been said that the case manager is the 'glue' that keeps the team together. What metrics can you show that you have improved communication between all stakeholders?
Being effective in today's disruptive and fragmented healthcare system is not easy. Case managers, regardless of their setting, have a daunting task; but honing your competencies, and measuring, analyzing and reporting your results will help keep you on track and allow you to show the value you bring to all the stakeholders in each case.
I hope you have found this post helpful. Please feel free to email me your comments on where you are doing well and where you need to improve: allewellyn48@gmail.com .

THE BIRTH OF APRIL'S BABY BOY BROKE ALL INTERNET RECORDS FOR THE MOST LIVE STREAMING VIEWERS....In case you missed Mama April and her calf, enjoy!
April and her handsome baby boy_
Your Friends and Partners at Global Neuro & Spine Institute...
...Wish you the happiest spring season!
 
OUR TEAM INCLUDES:
Physiatrists/Neurologists 
Interventional Pain Group with Double & Triple Board Certified Physicians

SPECIALIZING IN:
Interventional Pain, Neurology Spine Procedures and Electrodiagnostic Services (NCV/EMG) 

PHYSICIANS:
Michael Slobasky, DO, DABPMR             Allan Vrable, DO, PT, DABPMR
Vijay Katukuri, MD, DABPMR                  Shatabdi Patel, MD, ABPM
Amer Ansari, DO, DABPMR 
 
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9 Locations - 1 Telephone number
(800) 735-1178