Healthcare Faces New Balancing Act in Sharing Health Data Under Revised FMLA Rules

Healthcare Faces New Balancing Act in Sharing Health Data Under Revised FMLA Rules

Melamedia Audio Seminar Examines Effects Of New Family Medical Leave Act Regulation On Sharing Patient and Employee Health Information Dec. 18 Audio Seminar 1 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern

Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) December 2, 2008

New Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) rules from the Department of Labor put healthcare providers in more complicated positions in determining what information they may or may not share with employers when employees seek leave due to serious health conditions.

The Nov. 17 regulation fails to provide extensive detail on how the FMLA interacts with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state workers compensation laws and state and federal substance abuse regulations -- all of which have their own patient confidentiality requirements.

As a result, healthcare providers will be at the center of attention and at the intersection of a variety of laws with different mandates for protecting patient information.

The FMLA regulations give healthcare providers more discretion in sharing information with employers to substantiate their medical opinions. However, healthcare providers still face new challenges in navigating the interplay of rules they must comply with because the FMLA overlaps with the ADA, state workers compensation laws, and federal and state substance abuse regulations as well as HIPAA.

Under the FMLA, employees must first give their healthcare providers permission to share information with employers, consistent with HIPAA requirements. However, even with a HIPAA compliant authorization, providers may be reluctant to share sufficient information with an employer. .

Key issues are the concepts of "intermittent leave" and "serious health condition" under the FMLA. Under the rules, employees may seek occasional medical leave under the FMLA for their own "serious health conditions."

One problem, however, is that there is no bright line between an FMLA serious health condition and a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or a covered situation under Workers Compensation laws. And it is far from clear how substance abuse laws fit into the category of "serious health conditions."

That means healthcare providers will be confronted with a confusing set of requests for information under the FMLA that may also trigger requirements under these other laws.

To help healthcare providers avoid the confusion, Health Information Privacy/Security Alert is sponsoring a 90-minute audio seminar:

Sharing Health Information Under the New FMLA Rules

Participants will be briefed on:
What healthcare providers should require of employers requesting information to assure compliance with confidentiality laws; How healthcare providers can protect themselves from ADA and substance abuse rule violations when sharing information with employers; How FMLA requests for information relate to workers compensation law requests and where they may overlap; What information providers can share regarding employee relatives;

And much more.

Who should listen
Human Resources Professionals HIM Professionals Privacy and Security Officers Healthcare Providers and Administrators Healthcare Payers Disability Insurers Labor Relations Professionals HIPAA Business Associates Benefits Managers Third Party Administrators EHR & EMR Professionals State and Federal Government Policymakers Employment Attorneys Healthcare Attorneys Healthcare Consultants HR Consultants

The faculty:
Frank C. Morris, Jr. JD. is a partner with the law firm of Epstein Becker & Green in the Litigation practice where he heads the Labor and Employment Practice in the Washington, DC office. He is also the co-chair of the firm's Disability Law Group. In his career, he served with the National Labor Relations Board in the Division of Enforcement Litigation. He co-chairs the annual ALI-ABA course, "Current Developments in Employment Law," where he presents ADA and FMLA updates and analyses. Mr. Morris has been an adjunct professor of law since 1984 at George Washington University Law School where he teaches Discrimination Law and Claims and Litigation.

Patricia M. Wagner, JD, is an attorney with Epstein Becker & Green's Health Care and Life Science practice, where her practice focuses on HIPAA and a variety of other federal and state regulatory issues. Ms. Wagner also received her doctorate in microbiology and has worked for a number of research institutions, including the CDC.

Moderator: Dennis Melamed, editor and publisher of Health Information Privacy/Security Alert.

Continuing Education credits
All seminar participants will receive a certificate of participation 1.5 IAPP Credits - Pending

What is an audio seminar?

An audio seminar is a live event with a Q&A period and access for an unlimited number of participants for each call-in line. Each site is provided with all presentation and background materials and a toll-free number to participate.

Ordering information:
Registration with CD recording of event and all background materials: $349 Registration alone with all background materials: $275 Order at www. melamedia. com

Can't make the Dec. 18 date?
The CD recording is available with all course materials and is an excellent educational and briefing resource: $275 Order at www. melamedia. com

Track HIPAA Enforcement:
Health Information Privacy/Security Alert offers updates at no cost on HHS's efforts to enforce the HIPAA privacy and security regulations. The statistics include privacy complaints lodged with the Office for Civil Rights and security and transaction complaints lodged with CMS Office for Electronic Health Standards and Services.

Register at www. melamedia. com

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ENDPOINT MERCHANT GROUP, LLC ANNOUNCES THE FORMATION OF ENDPOINT LATE-STAGE FUND II, L. P

ENDPOINT MERCHANT GROUP, LLC ANNOUNCES THE FORMATION OF ENDPOINT LATE-STAGE FUND II, L. P.

SAN DIEGO, CA, May 2, 2002 – The EndPoint Merchant Group today announced the formation of EndPoint Late-Stage Fund II, a five-year venture capital fund (“the Fund”). The goal of the Fund is to raise $75 million, which will be invested in domestic and foreign late-stage public (PIPE) and/or private companies in the life science industry.

(PRWEB) May 4, 2002

SAN DIEGO, CA, May 2, 2002 – The EndPoint Merchant Group today announced the formation of EndPoint Late-Stage Fund II, a five-year venture capital fund (“the Fund”). The goal of the Fund is to raise $75 million, which will be invested in domestic and foreign late-stage public (PIPE) and/or private companies in the life science industry.

The EndPoint Late Stage Fund II was formed to capitalize on the window of opportunity to invest in late-stage companies with products in Phase III development or approaching commercialization. Currently there are over 300 drugs in Phase III trials. With a historical 80% approval rating of drugs in Phase III trials, 240 drugs could enter the market by 2007. By investing in pre-IPO companies and PIPE (private investment in public entities) financings now, the Fund expects to realize a high rate of return for its investors. Liquidity is expected to be achieved in an average of 24-36 months from the date of investment.

“Biotech, as an industry, is clearly coming of age, and all indicators suggest that it is only going to grow,” said Duwaine Townsen, General Partner, EndPoint and former General Partner and Founder of Ventana Growth Funds in San Diego. “The EndPoint Late-Stage Fund II will capitalize on the tremendous potential of this industry while supporting companies dedicated to improving quality of life. With a record number of drugs currently in Phase III trials, we are witnessing an unprecedented window of opportunity for investment in the life science industry.”

Life Sciences Market Experiencing Steady Growth

The life sciences sector has been growing steadily, despite the bearish market conditions. Over the past two years, the AMEX Biotech Index dramatically outperformed the Dow Jones Industrial Average and NASDAQ Composite Indexes. As a result, venture capitalists are favoring this industry as well. Venture Economics reports that during the first two quarters of 2001, 15.8% of all venture capital investments went to the biotech/healthcare sector, a dramatic rise from 2000, when just 8.5% of venture dollars went to this industry. Of five venture-backed companies that managed to go public in Q3, 2001, four were related to biotech.

According to Michael Hsu, General Partner, EndPoint, there are multiple reasons for the increased interest in the life sciences industry. The September 11 attacks have fueled the need for drugs that counter bioterrorism, while the mapping of the human genome last year has accelerated the speed of drug discovery and increased the ability to identify new drug targets. “The biotech industry is maturing as a whole,” said Hsu. “Pharmaceutical research and development expenditures are accelerating the time-to-market for new drugs as biotech practices are becoming more sophisticated.

About EndPoint

Founded in 1998, the EndPoint Funds are a global network of individual investor partners, institutional partners, and commercial, multinational companies from the U. S., Taiwan, Scandinavia and Europe. General Partners Duwaine Townsen and Michael Hsu have over 45 years of combined experience in identifying companies in the life sciences industry with prospects for generating superior returns for investors. The EndPoint Funds are supported by a domestic and international network of partners with experience in

Venture capital, investment management, investment banking, M&A, IPOÂ’s, and private equity. For more information, visit http://www. endpointgroup. com (http://www. endpointgroup. com). EndPoint has offices in San Diego, California and New York, New York.

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Danfoss Inc. and Investment Group Sign Agreement of Sale for ZCP Business

Danfoss Inc. and Investment Group Sign Agreement of Sale for ZCP Business

Asset transfer leads to continuation of European based pre assembled floor heating control production facility in North America.

Calgary, Alberta (PRWEB) March 8, 2006

Danfoss Inc. represented by Senior Director, Steve Manson and a private investment group represented by Robert Bean R. E.T., are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement whereas the investment group will acquire the assets and intellectual property rights to continue production of Zone Control Panels, known as ZCP’s manufactured in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Zone Control Panels are prefabricated boiler/furnace room piping and control packages used in residential and commercial hydronic radiant floor heating, snow ice melting and all other forms of hot or chilled water systems. These compact appliances reduce the assembly and installation times of pipe, valves and controls by 60%, control wiring by 40%, and start up by 20%. There are approximately 8000 ZCP’s installed in Canada and United States.

According to Steve Manson, “Danfoss is pleased to have this organization continue producing these panels. We have had a number of calls from customers saying that they simply cannot find either the Equivalent Product or Quality of Product as they have come to expect with the ZCP”.

Robert Bean on behalf of the Investment Group is quoted as saying “We are thrilled to take this torch into the future and greatly appreciate the positive collaboration with Danfoss in supporting this transition.”

The new company, known as ZCP Manufacturing Inc. will be led by Director of Operations, Mr. Dale Heath, and will take on service and support for existing ZCP products and continue to incorporate Danfoss components inside. The core of the former Danfoss team will be the key operations personnel of ZCP Mfg. Inc. ensuring that the same high standards of quality and technical assistance will be maintained.

The Danfoss Group has net sales of approx. 2 Billion US Dollars and employs more than 17,500 people worldwide.

Builders, contractors and distributors interested in learning more about incorporating this efficient and effective comfort appliance into their product offering are invited to call Mr. Dale Heath, Director of Operations at 403.236.9560

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Carolinas HealthCare System Introducing First-of-its-Kind Wellness Plan, Partnership with WebMD

Carolinas HealthCare System Introducing First-of-its-Kind Wellness Plan, Partnership with WebMD

Carolinas HealthCare System (CHS), one of the nation's largest public healthcare systems, has introduced a wellness plan that will pay employees to enhance their health and fitness. It is believed to be the first program of its kind nationally among large healthcare providers.

Charlotte, NC (PRWEB) May 11, 2009

Carolinas HealthCare System (CHS), one of the nation's largest public healthcare systems, has introduced a wellness plan that will pay employees to enhance their health and fitness. It is believed to be the first program of its kind nationally among large healthcare providers.

Employees will have options to save $200, $400 or $600 annually based on meeting up to 10 wellness criteria. The first incentive credits will be available in the company's 2010 health plan. The program is part of a new, web-based initiative powered by the WebMD web site. It is the newest in a large group of preventive health and lifestyle enhancement initiatives known collectively as LiveWELL Carolinas!

"Investing in preventive health is common sense," said Michael C. Tarwater, CEO of Carolinas HealthCare System. "You get a healthier, more productive employee in the short run. In the long run a healthier employee makes for a more effective organization."

More than 25,000 benefits-eligible employees were entitled to register for the program, which is available at eight hospitals, two nursing homes and numerous physician practices in greater Charlotte. Employees will qualify for medical premium credits by doing such things as exercising on a regular schedule, avoiding tobacco products, using seatbelts, completing confidential health questionnaires, and maintaining a lower body mass index.

Larry Chapman, senior vice president for WebMD Health Services, says the size and scope of this initiative is "unlike anything I have seen nationally."

Chapman said concerns about return on investment (ROI) have long been a deterrent to work-based wellness initiatives. He noted, however, that more than 60 peer-reviewed studies have validated the ROI that can be realized from preventive health. The most common ratio, he said, is a savings of $2.50 to $3 for every dollar expended.

"I cannot over-emphasize the uniqueness of this effort," Chapman said. "Programs of this scope require a significant investment, and the logistics of management can be daunting in a large healthcare system. I have no doubt that the business community - not only in North Carolina but nationwide - will be watching CHS very closely."

Tarwater said promoting healthier lifestyles is vital to any strategy for reining in medical costs.

"Escalating costs are draining wallets, sapping benefit plans and stressing government budgets at all levels," he said. "We must reduce avoidable utilization of healthcare services. I believe this will happen if and when we have a significantly healthier population."

Tarwater added that CHS's commitment to employee wellness is already delivering significant benefits to patients as well as employees. "There is no question that our patients receive better care as a result of LiveWELL Carolinas!" he said. "A caregiver who is fit, happy and healthy is much better able to heal and inspire other people. We see evidence of this every day. We get a return on our investment every day."

About Carolinas HealthCare System

Carolinas HealthCare System (www. carolinashealthcare. org), the largest healthcare system in the Carolinas, owns, leases or manages 25 hospitals in North and South Carolina.

CHS employs more than 1,000 physicians and operates more than 300 care locations, including rehabilitation hospitals, nursing homes, physician practices, ambulatory surgery centers, home health agencies, radiation therapy centers and physical therapy facilities. Together, these operations comprise more than 5,200 licensed beds and employ more than 40,000 full-time or part-time employees.

CHS's flagship facility is Carolinas Medical Center (www. carolinasmedicalcenter. org) in Charlotte, an 874-bed hospital which includes a Level I trauma center, a research institute and a large number of specialty treatment units (heart, cancer, organ transplant, behavioral health, etc.) CMC also serves as one of North Carolina's five Academic Medical Center Teaching Hospitals, providing residency training for over 240 physicians in 15 specialties.

CMC is listed as a "Best Hospital" by U. S. News & World Report for urology, and has been designated 11 times as Charlotte's "Consumer's Choice Preferred Hospital" by the National Research Corporation. CHS's community benefit, which includes the value of indigent care, uncompensated medical services, education and research programs, totals more than $600 million annually.

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Mixing Business with Giving

Mixing Business with Giving

A unique business philosophy has been developed by Ads-Exchange. com called "Give to Get".

Geneva, Ohio (PRWEB) January 29, 2006

Ads-Exchange. com launches a unique and needed business philosophy called “Give to Get”. Nate Boyd, Master Coordinator in charge of ten site coordinators states, “As an online marketer and businessman I have found the only things worth keeping are the things I have given away. Amazingly prosperity keeps coming back to me as I strive to give and get.”

Ads-Xchange. com is an internet advertising system that dedicates 30% of its gross earnings to various charities listed on its website. Straight off the top, before anyone is paid, the priority is funding charities. In fact Ads-Xchange. com exists solely for the purpose of funding charities. It secondary purpose it to provide a premier Internet advertising platform never seen on the net before. Customers and members of Ads-Xchange. com not only make money by advertising their Programs and products to Ads-Xchange. com’s 5-million daily readership, but they also can elect to participate in the ADX PowerMatrix where they can earn a healthy monthly income by referring others to Ads-Xchange. com. Included in the ADX PowerMatrix Program are various viral marketing plug-ins that can be used to make additional income streams.

Nate Boyd continues, “I have been associated with many online endeavors but I have never seen anything as dynamic as Ads-Xchange. com. Actually it is a pretty nice feeling knowing that I am making money and helping charities at the same time. My fellow coordinators and I work hard to help all of the customers and members of Ads-Xchange. com that ask for assistance and with the assistance of Ads-Xchange. com’s sister site called iPowerDirect. net, we really have all of the necessary tools to teach people how to be successful on the net. We accomplish this by teaching them how to advertise effectively.”

Contact:

Nate Boyd, Master Coordinator

Geneva, Ohio

440-319-1028

Pager: 440-206-0260

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CKR Interactive Announces New Mobile Recruitment Marketing Solution "ExCELLerate™" in Partnership with CellForce

CKR Interactive Announces New Mobile Recruitment Marketing Solution "ExCELLerate™" in Partnership with CellForce

CKR Interactive has released ExCELLerate™, its complete, mobile recruitment marketing solution. ExCELLerate provides several customized campaign options, allowing for enhanced mobile marketing versatility, to enable employers to target, attract and maintain ongoing communications with prospective candidates.

Cupertino, CA (PRWEB) March 4, 2009

CKR Interactive has released ExCELLerate™, its complete, mobile recruitment marketing solution. ExCELLerate provides several customized campaign options, allowing for enhanced mobile marketing versatility, to enable employers to target, attract and maintain ongoing communications with prospective candidates. This innovative solution brings together CKR Interactive's recruitment advertising expertise and CellForce's tried-and-true mobile marketing capabilities, bringing the power of mobile marketing to clients' recruitment efforts to help employers attract the top talent they need.

The Mobile Marketing Association and MediaPost have reported these recent mobile use trends:
Approximately 4 billion cell phones worldwide by the end of 2008 53% of US cell phone subscriber base (or 138 million people) use text messaging More than 76% of consumers aged 18-24 communicate via this medium The average response rate to a mobile call to action is 12%, versus 2% for traditional media, open rates are three times that of email (over 90% of text messages are read by the recipient), click through rates can be up to 25 times higher than email, and the average time to open a mobile marketing message is 30 minutes while email's average is 24 hours. ExCELLerate enables instant message delivery to motivated prospects who are interested in your company, and makes it easier to attract both active and passive candidates. This solution is scalable for companies of all sizes and is very well suited to global companies or organizations with multiple locations.

"As mobile use will continue to rise for the foreseeable future, marketing to mobile customers provides an outstanding opportunity for employers to reach and attract the top talent they need with ease," notes CKR Interactive President/CEO Curtis Rogers. "We're very excited about our partnership with CellForce and being able to offer such an exciting interactive recruitment marketing solution to our clients."

"As mobile consumer reach continues to grow, we find it critical, for the successful utilization of CellForce's technology, to focus on specific market segments" said Noam Samson, CEO of CellForce. "Our strategic partnership with CKR Interactive brings two dominant players in their respective fields to focus on recruitment marketing and to offer one of the most robust mobile marketing solutions in the industry".

For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release or further details about CKR Interactive products and services contact Lee Roberson at: 408-454-2204 or visit www. ckrinteractive. com.

About CKR Interactive
Founded in 2001, CKR Interactive (www. ckrinteractive. com) is a recruitment advertising agency delivering comprehensive services to today's employers. Focusing on interactive solutions, the firm's areas of expertise also include research and planning, creative development and all aspects of employment communications. With seven offices throughout the U. S. and partner agencies in the United Kingdom, Australia and India, the award-winning firm's growing list of clients represents a range of industries, including healthcare, biotech/pharma, high tech, government and hospitality/food service.

About CellForce
Utilizing one of the most comprehensive proprietary mobile technology offerings, CellForce (www. cellforce. com) specializes in the successful implementation of mobile marketing campaigns designed exclusively for brand marketers and advertising agencies. Their expertise in the mobile marketing realm includes SMS/MMS, mobile websites and customized mobile applications. CellForce provides the technological knowhow, the mobile platform and the creative concepts required to launch a multi-faceted, successful mobile marketing campaign.

Contact: Lee Roberson
Vice President
CKR Interactive
(408) 454-2204

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A&M Supply Corporation Expands its Support of "Green" Building Products and Sustainable Forestry

A&M Supply Corporation Expands its Support of "Green" Building Products and Sustainable Forestry

Being a steward of healthier building environments and the ability to meet future demands for wood products, A&M Supply is committed to supplying our customers with environmentally friendly building products. One of the ways we are doing this is through supporting LEED®* qualifying programs and obtaining certification as a "Chain of Custody" building products distributor. * The U. S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design system is a third party certification program that promotes sustainable green planning, building and development.

Tampa Bay, Fla. (PRWEB) February 27, 2009

A&M Supply Corporation announced today it has received the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody Certification #SCS-COC-001868. FSC Chain of Custody Certification means the A&M Supply warehouses meet strict tracking requirements for ensuring the wood products the Company distributes as "FSC-certified" comes from well-managed forests.

The certification was awarded following a third-party review by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), an independent organization accredited by the FSC to certify operations to its standards.
The A&M Supply warehouses that earned certification are in Alexandria, VA; Marshall, VA; Knoxville, TN; Charlotte, NC; Atlanta, GA; Jacksonville, FL; Orlando, FL; Pinellas Park, FL and Ft. Meyers, FL.

With the certification, A&M Supply will be better able to provide customers with FSC-certified products, which is a requirement for participating in LEED® and other green building projects.

"Demand for FSC-certified wood products is increasing every day and A&M Supply fully intends to be in a position to respond to customer's needs for this important new environmental initiative", said Chief Operating Officer - Raymond Prozzillo. "With a vested interest in a healthy environment in which trees and mankind can thrive, this certification demonstrates A&M's commitment towards practices that help sustain our limited natural resources".

A&M Supply - a privately-held, employee owned company - is a full line distributor of interior grade building material principally used in the cabinet, commercial, and industrial woodworking industries. The Company services the southeast United States with ten warehouse facilities from Washington, D. C. to Ft. Myers, FL. Also, A&M is a leading manufacture of custom hardwood moulding along with a kitchen design center.

Http://www. a-msupply. com (http://www. a-msupply. com)

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Eli Lilly Agrees to Pay Approximately $700M in Zyprexa Settlement - Brown & Crouppen Poised to Assist Victims

Eli Lilly Agrees to Pay Approximately $700M in Zyprexa Settlement - Brown & Crouppen Poised to Assist Victims

On Thursday, June 9, 2005, Eli Lilly & Co. announced that it will pay $690 million to settle approximately three-quarters of the liability claims against Zyprexa, its top-selling anti-psychotic drug. The lawsuits claim that the label on Zyprexa medication boxes failed to provide adequate warning that the drug could put patients at risk for developing diabetes and other glucose abnormalities. The Brown & Crouppen law firm has developed a press release that explains the Zyprexa situation and the importance of filing claims promptly.

(PRWEB) June 15, 2005

Brown & CrouppenÂ’s team of professional lawyers is pursuing claims on behalf of individuals who have taken Zyprexa, an anti-psychotic drug manufactured by Eli Lilly & Co.

Late Thursday, June 9, 2005, Lilly announced that it will settle approximately three-quarters of the liability claims stemming from claims that the label on Zyprexa medication boxes failed to provide adequate warning that the drug could put patients more at risk for developing diabetes.

Zyprexa is the brand name for olanzapine. It is considered an “atypical” antipsychotic medication used to treat Schizophrenia and Bipolar Mania. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996, it is thought that Zyprexa works by decreasing the effects of two chemical messengers in the brain, serotonin and dopamine.

Despite evidence dating back to the 1950s that ties the use of drugs similar to Zyprexa to increased risk of diabetes, pancreatitis, hyperglycemia and other pancreas-related illnesses, Eli Lilly & Co. continues to aggressively market the drug – which represented approximately one-third of Lilly’s $4.3 billion in sales in 2004.

While Eli Lilly continues to enjoy the profits from Zyprexa sales, some feel that patients continue to suffer from the known and newly discovered health risks associated with the drug.

Ron Brown, a partner with Brown and Crouppen stated, "due to the nature of the settlement, time is of the essence to preserve the victim's rights." Anyone who has, or is currently taking the drug Zyprexa and has experienced diabetes or other glucose abnormalities, should contact Brown & Crouppen today.

About Brown & Crouppen:

Brown & Crouppen has been building a reputation for success with personal injury clients for over 25 years. Today, the firm is one of mid-AmericaÂ’s largest personal injury law firms with more than 70 legal professionals and five offices throughout Missouri and Illinois. A major emphasis for Brown & Crouppen is dangerous drug litigation involving manufacturers and suppliers of unsafe drugs and products.

For additional information, please visit http://www. brownandcrouppen. com (http://www. brownandcrouppen. com), http://www. Zyprexa-Lawyers. com (http://www. Zyprexa-Lawyers. com)

Contact:

Brown & Crouppen, Attorneys at Law

Main Office

720 Olive Street

Suite 1800

St. Louis, MO 63101

1-800-536-HELP

Dlawrence@brownandcrouppen. com

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Americans Should Plan Now for the Long Term Effects Of Obamacare

Americans Should Plan Now for the Long Term Effects Of Obamacare

The healthcare reform bill is not just about healthcare; there are taxes in the bill that will impact people's savings. Since many of these new taxes go into effect January 1, 2011, Americans need to act now to protect their assets. To educate people about the impact the healthcare reform bill will have on their physical and financial health, respected physician, Elizabeth Lee Vliet, MD is hosting a conference November 4-7 in Belize.

Tucson, AZ (PRWEB) October 15, 2010

Should Americans worry about the impact Obamacare will have on their healthand financial future? For Elizabeth Lee Vliet, MD, a frequent FOX News guest and commentator on healthcare reform issues, this is an unequivocal, emphatic "yes!"

"Regardless of personal political views, the new healthcare regulations will fundamentally transform the physician-patient relationship, limiting the treatment options that you and your doctor can choose. Almost all of my patients are worried about preserving their freedom to choose healthcare options, and how to find suitable health insurance policies at reasonable costs."

According to Dr. Vliet, the healthcare reform bill is not just about healthcare; there are massive new taxes buried in the bill, taxes that will impact people's savings. Since many of these new taxes will go into effect January 1, 2011, Americans need to act now to learn how to protect their assets, and how to find secure investments in today's tumultuous economy. 

To educate American consumers about the new healthcare legislation and its impact on them physically and financially, Dr. Vliet will speak at an information packed conference -"Preserving Your Physical and Financial Health” held Nov. 4 – 7 in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

“I have spent many months reading the healthcare bill and new legislation affecting our healthcare treatment options and our taxes (often hidden in the healthcare bill),” said Dr. Vliet, conference founder. “I have been to many conferences on how to prepare for the coming economic changes...but each one focused solely on protecting financial assets and savings. To me, they have missed the most critical asset of all: your health! I believe our health and life should be in God’s hands, and between individual patients and their doctors, not government controlled.”

Conference seminars will include ways to broaden health care treatment and insurance options while lowering costs. While Dr. Vliet will focus on how to create a "healthcare" lifeboat, she has lined up a group of internationally known speakers in various fields—international law, international banking, international tax and financial advisors who will provide strategies for Americans to deal with the impending economic crisis.

“I want to help people focus on preserving the most important asset of all—their health.  I want to help them protect their freedom to choose how they spend their healthcare dollars. Ultimately I want conference attendees to walk away from this conference with a plan to stay financially and physically ‘healthy’ and to protect their savings in an uncertain economy.”

To register or learn more about the “Preserving Your Physical and Financial Health” conference Nov 4-7 visit http://www. herplace. com/conference. html

Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M. D., a patient advocate and independent women’s health specialist in private practice in Dallas TX and Tucson AZ, is the author of six consumer books on women’s health and a nationally known speaker for educational programs for physicians and consumers. She has no financial ties to any health care system, pharmaceutical company, government agencies, or health insurance plan.

International Health Strategies, Ltd. Is a global healthcare and education service company whose mission is threefold:
Preservation of the Hippocratic tradition of focus on the individual patient Liberty in the choice of treatment options Preservation of high-quality, research-based, individualized healthcare

HER Place, Inc. and INTERNATIONAL HEALTH STRATEGIES, Ltd.
  http://herplace. com
  http://www. internationalhealthstrategiesltd. com

2200 E. River Road, #104 AMBERGRIS CAYE
Post Office Box 64507  SAN PEDRO, BELIZE
Tucson AZ 85728  

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NFS Announces New Webinar: How Rendezvous Workspace Greatly Enhances Room & Resource Scheduling in Outlook

NFS Announces New Webinar: How Rendezvous Workspace Greatly Enhances Room & Resource Scheduling in Outlook

The first webinar in a new series will focus on NFS’ latest offering, Rendezvous Workspace, and will include a live demonstration of this room, resource & workspace scheduling solution, highlighting how Workspace can significantly extend and enhance what is already done in Outlook in terms of room and resource scheduling.

(PRWEB) December 16, 2009

NFS Hospitality Corporation today announced the first in a series of educational webinars. Each event will focus on a different aspect of best practices for room and resource scheduling, hotelling/hot-desking and facilities management.

The first in the series, How Rendezvous Workspace Greatly Enhances Room & Resource Scheduling in Outlook, will focus on NFS’ latest offering, Rendezvous Workspace, and will include a live demonstration of this room, resource & workspace scheduling solution. The webinar will highlight how Workspace can significantly extend and enhance what is already done in Outlook in terms of room and resource scheduling.

“Many companies are using Outlook for more than just personal productivity today,” says Natalie Appleton, Head of NFS’ US Operations. “While it is an excellent tool for its purpose, they are finding that when they try to adapt it for room and resource scheduling, it falls a little short.”

As a response to organizational needs to both use Outlook and to enhance it, Rendezvous Workspace is designed to work with Outlook to provide a comprehensive, scalable, highly-configurable solution to both smaller and global corporations that require a fully-featured room and resource scheduling solution.

The flexible scheduling and hot-desking system can also improve companies’ “green” initiatives while saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars in real estate costs. The suite of scheduling and facilities management solutions can help organizations save time and money, increase productivity, streamline operations and empower employees.

Rendezvous Workspace works with Outlook in various ways, including:
Full integration with Outlook – no need to disrupt your email session or open multiple applications; simply launch Rendezvous Workspace directly from Outlook.

Ease of use – The user interface is uncluttered, user-friendly and efficient. With “drag and drop” functionality, schedules can be changed quickly on the fly and without the need to rekey data.

Highly configurable – Rendezvous Workspace is customized to your exact needs and business processes, and it integrates fully with several database platforms.

Portability – Simply use your laptop, smartphone, Blackberry or iPhone to do everything you can do in the office – book meeting rooms, hot-desks, catering and resources.

Seamless automation – Save time by automating meeting reminders, change notifications, cancellation and service alerts.

Video-conference scheduling – Schedule multi-time zone and multi-location video-conferences, and notifications will be sent automatically.

Smooth Integration – Rendezvous Workspace is flexible; whatever your choice of email platform, it delivers. It integrates as seamlessly with Lotus Notes as it does with Exchange server technologies.

Interoperability – With Rendezvous Workspace you are not tied to one browser. The system is interoperable and works perfectly with Firefox, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Safari and Opera.

To find out more about Rendezvous Workspace and to register to attend the free NFS webinar, visit www. myrendezvous. net today. Alternatively, if you would prefer to discuss your needs immediately then please contact the NFS team at sales@myrendezvous. net.

About NFS

NFS Hospitality Corporation is a leading international provider of scheduling software, event management and hospitality software solutions, with over 1,000 clients in more than 25 countries, as well as a network of offices in the UK, USA, South Africa and Dubai,

NFS’ Rendezvous solutions for room, resource & workspace scheduling are powerful but cost-effective scheduling and event management systems for law firms, corporate organizations, health care facilities, venues, hotels and stadia. Rendezvous provides scalable and comprehensive tools to efficiently manage meetings, video-conferencing and flexible working, and has been successfully deployed in a range of corporate and commercial facilities in the US, including First Interstate Bank, DLA Piper and Day Pitney; and Wedlake Bell, WPP, The British Library and Royal College of Physicians in the UK.

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Earning the Business - Reputation and Diligence Helped Dominic & Irvine Find a Market

Earning the Business - Reputation and Diligence Helped Dominic & Irvine Find a Market

Dominic & Irvine Research has formed a division to implement the strategic plans it develops for equipment manufacturers and hospitals. Roy Moore Nashville Business Journal Published: January 5, 2004

Franklin, TN (PRWEB) September 12, 2004

The growth has prompted President and CEO Mike Murphy to relocate his Franklin research firm to Cool Springs to prepare for the dozen workers he expects to hire over the next 18 months.

Murphy formed the “Market Penetration” unit in November after prodding from clients. Already, the division has been hired by one medical equipment manufacturer, a service provider, two medical surgical companies and one of the largest hospital management companies in the U. S.

The expansion, which Murphy expects will double revenue next year, comes on the heels of triple-digit growth in 2003. It's a far cry from 2001, the company's first year, when Murphy gave away his services to prove the value of their services to clients.

A former senior vice president of global sales and marketing at Adac Labs, Murphy took his experience to start Dominic & Irvine, named after two men he admired because of their strong work ethic and integrity – Dominic, an Italian auto worker and Irvine, his grandfather, inventor and carpenter.

In addition to doing their own independent research, Dominic & Irvine contracts with medical equipment manufacturers and hospitals to research hospital equipment, including brand, age, maintenance data, performance and facilities' purchasing decisions.

Clients include GE Medical Systems, AGFA, and Philips Medical Systems as well as nonprofit hospital association Premier Inc., Consorta Catholic Hospitasl and supply purchaser MedAssets Inc.

The information gathered is organized for the client along with an action plan to implement the changes/opportunities. Manufacturers account for 60 percent of the company's business; hospital management firms representing the rest.

At first, Murphy's asked only a handful of questions about hospitals' or manufacturers' medical equipment. The success of early trials has led to longer interviews covering about 70 questions and ranging in length from 11 minutes to 18 minutes, although a recent detailed one took eight hours.

"They've come to trust us and they've come to recognize Dominic & Irvine because of the frequency with which they've talked to us and data we've always gotten them," Murphy says. "Because of that trust, we have the liberty to do very detailed interviews."

The actual interview process runs three weeks to five months, although one that covered 8,000 U. S. medical facilities took 10 months.

In these interviews, Dominic & Irvine reaches more than 80 percent of the market, compared to the 10 percent to 15 percent average for the health care industry. The data is then analyzed leading to an executive level detailed analysis that often covers 65 pages or more.

The information compiled becomes part of Dominic & Irvine's research offering, which also includes the affiliation information between group purchasing organizations and hospital networks as well as sales leads.

With detailed information, Murphy and his team can explain how to update a product or prioritize its release and outline the client's market share, prospects and strategic alliance possibilities.

Murphy says he's not worried about clients moving the services he provides in-house because when a company does its own detailed survey of its industry, the results are often skewed defeating the purpose of objective research.

"We work very hard at keeping our data totally unbiased so that we get accurate information allowing our clients to focus on the true drivers of their business resulting in increased customer satisfaction and revenues from product improvements and strategic action plans," he says.

Based in Franklin, TN, D&I conducts independent market research studies and studies for medical suppliers, purchasing organizations, equipment manufacturers. Studies are completed through interactive guided phone interviews with highly trained research professionals. The interview format allows for the most accurate data with the highest level of integrity. D&I ensures accuracy by setting the new standard of an 80% completion rate of all applicable facilities.

Since its inception, D&I has completed more than 45 national studies in various areas of the healthcare industry and presented its findings at both national and international conventions and trade shows as well as sharing results with interview participants.

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Local Virtual Assistant Celebrates Inaugural International Virtual Assistants Day: May 19, 2006

Local Virtual Assistant Celebrates Inaugural International Virtual Assistants Day: May 19, 2006

Janet Barclay of Organized Assistant, along with several local and thousands of international colleagues will be celebrating the first annual International Virtual Assistants Day on Friday, May 19, 2006.

HAMILTON, ON (PRWEB) May 17, 2006

For most professionals Friday, May 19, 2006 will be an ordinary workday – but not for Janet Barclay, a virtual assistant who lives and works from her home office in Hamilton, Ontario. She along with four other colleagues in the area will be celebrating the first annual International Virtual Assistants Day (IVAD).

Proposed by the online advocacy group, Alliance for Virtual Businesses (A4VB), IVAD is now officially registered with Chase’s Calendar of Events, the recognized authority of special days, weeks and months. IVAD will appear in the 2007 edition and will be held annually on the third Friday of May. The inaugural celebration of International Virtual Assistants Day coincides with a three-day assembly sponsored by the Online International Virtual Assistants Convention (OIVAC) running from May 18 – 20, 2006. Virtual Assistants worldwide will display the free IVAD logo and creed on their websites.

"This day of observance not only allows us to celebrate individual accomplishments, but gives us an opportunity to pat the backs of our colleagues as well," says Barclay, whose company provides home-based business owners with the expertise of an administrative assistant, without the commitment and expense of hiring and making space for a full-time or part-time employee.

Barclay, who has previously worked as a secretary, customer service representative, computer instructor and employment counsellor, originally conceived the idea for her business in June 2002. She started a new career in order to support entrepreneurs and other individuals who are overwhelmed by the demands and technology of the 21st century.

Virtual Assistants, or VAs, are independent entrepreneurs who work remotely and use the latest technology to deliver professional administrative, creative, managerial, technical, business back-office and/or personal support services to busy professionals. Clients only pay for the time actually spent working on projects and often retain a fixed amount of hours per month for service.

Typical services could include everything from general secretarial and word processing services to desktop publishing, website creation and marketing. Projects are often handled over the phone, by fax, e-mail and even instant messaging. Most attractive is the fact that VAs are also responsible for their own space, equipment, taxes, training, healthcare, insurance - overhead costs that make hiring an employee expensive.

Since 1996, more than 5,000 professionals around the world have become VAs. According to a study conducted by Brenner Books in conjunction with A4VB in 2004, the United States accounts for the largest number of VAs, followed by Canada, Australia and Great Britain.

"This will be a very special day for everyone involved in the VA industry because it will allow us to bring together all VA organizations and their memberships under one umbrella,” says Alliance for Virtual Businesses founder Sharon Williams. “VAs are making important contributions to the growth and stability of small businesses everywhere, and the establishment of IVAD simply acknowledges all of those virtual professionals who work so hard to honor our creed: Dedication, Experience, Expertise and Determination to Succeed (DEEDS)."

About Organized Assistant

Launched in 2002, Organized Assistant specializes in newsletter and website development for coaching and organizing professionals but has worked on a wide variety of projects with many types of business. For more information, visit www. organizedassistant. com.

About Alliance for Virtual Businesses

Established in June 2003 the Alliance for Virtual Businesses™ is a volunteer-directed organization, whose primary mission is to promote the growth of free enterprise between virtual assistants, entrepreneurs, small businesses, corporations, associations and other business entities. At the web site client-related case studies, industry-related demographics, and a wealth of other types of information are available to facilitate learning about our industry. For more information, visit www. allianceforvirtualbiz. com.

About Online International Virtual Assistants Convention

The OIVAC is an online, interactive, "live" yet virtual environment convention of Virtual Assistants, traveling Pathways to Successful VA Practices. For more information, visit www. oivac. com.

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Pet Safety Tips from Acclaimed Veterinarians at MyPetCareTV. com Help Pet Owners Celebrate the Cat's Meow of Holiday Seasons

Pet Safety Tips from Acclaimed Veterinarians at MyPetCareTV. com Help Pet Owners Celebrate the Cat's Meow of Holiday Seasons

MyPetCareTV. com encourages pet owners everywhere to add "pet safety" to their holiday list and make sure to check it twice.

Los Angeles (PRWEB) November 2, 2008

As families all around the country start pulling out their favorite holiday recipes, and shopping lists, and decorations, it's easy to overlook one hairy detail: the family pets. Between vacationing out-of-town and readying the house for a veritable invasion of friends and family members, it is really no surprise that pets feel left out, but more than that, the general upheaval of the holidays can be a dangerous time for cats and dogs. 

Nationally recognized veterinarian Dr. Bernadine Cruz, DVM, and one of the resident veterinarian advisors on MyPetCareTV. com, encourages pet owners everywhere to add "pet safety" to their holiday list and check it twice.

Year-round every room in a house can pose a potential threat to pet health when human foods, cleaning products, insecticides and rodenticides, and medicines meant for people are left out where pets can get into them. During the holidays inattention to things left unattended can double. Everyone is busy, caught up in the celebration of good food and good company: house guests may unwittingly allow the dog into a room he is usually forbidden to go, or feed the cat a "treat" to which he is allergic. The holidays bring out so many more potential hazards to pets than we may think. Pets may ingest tinsel, ribbons, and string, harming their digestion and intestinal tract. Especially harmful is fertilizer used in the water of Christmas tree stands which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

To pass the holidays in celebration, companionship, and good health, Dr. Bernadine Cruz and MyPetCareTV. com offer these tips to add to every pet owner's list:
 Remind houseguests not to feed the pets human food, especially fatty foods and candy.  Restrict pets to "safe areas" or outdoors during dinner parties when you are too occupied to watch them.  If you have not already, install child safety locks on cabinets that contain cleaning supplies, paints, and medicines. Even hand soap and toothpaste can harm dogs and cats.  Try to give your pet some focused attention each day to keep her or him calm, relaxed, and less likely to misbehave.  Be sure pets wear identification tags at all times. That includes indoor pets, because with the hustle and bustle of having visitors, pets can wander outside without their owners being aware of their escape.  To protect curious pets, be sure to keep candles safely out of the reach of paws, whiskers, and tails.  Pets, especially dogs, tend to eat first and think later. A dangling, shinny tree ornament or holiday table decorations may be more than your pet can ignore. A nibble of a plant can lead to an upset stomach or worse. Decorations can lead to an obstruction in the digestive tract and require a visit to the veterinary emergency room.

Many people include their pets in holiday travel. Dr. Cruz suggests to keep the following tips in mind when traveling with the family pet:
Pets should always wear identification when traveling indicating their permanent home and where they are visiting. Owners should also have a copy of their pet's medical records, vaccine history, and a picture of the pet in case they are separated.

 If you are traveling by car with your pet, plan ahead to insure that you can find hotels that accept pets. AAA can usually direct you to these establishments. Be sure to bring your pet's usual diet and water. You don't want "traveler's diarrhea" to put a damper on your road trip.

 If traveling by air, try to get a direct flight. Losing your luggage is one thing, but it could be a disaster if it is your pet. Check the expected temperature of your destination airport. If you need to have your pet travel in the cargo hold, bitterly cold temperatures may not be tolerated by your pet. We have all seen luggage carts stranded on the tarmac or sat in a plane for hours while it is delayed. Your pet could become fatally hypothermic.

 Though you may be welcomed with open arms when you go visit, your pet may not be. If you are staying with friends, make sure your pet is welcome.

 If you are staying at a pet-friendly hotel and you need to leave your pet unattended in your hotel room, place a "do not disturb" sign on the door. You do not want housekeeping to accidentally let your pet out. Be sure your pet is a good neighbor and does not bark excessively. Bring along an extra sheet for your pet to lounge on.

More than 71 million American households have at least one pet. That is sixty-three percent of U. S. households, many of whom consider the pet or pets integral members of the family. Owners spend time and resources to feed, house, groom, and keep them in good health. They take pride in their pets, find comfort in their company, and companionship with other pet-owners.

Pet owners can go to www. MyPetCareTV. com and post more questions and suggestions about celebrating a safe and healthy holiday season with their pets. Dr. Cruz is available to answer questions and talk with pet owners on the site. Membership is free. MyPetCareTV. com brings pet-owners and veterinarians together in a all-in-one free online resource. With features from social networking to health advice from peers and professionals, MyPetCareTV. com is Facebook for pets, inviting owners to be a friend to their pet and find community for themselves.

About Dr. Bernadine Cruz
Bernadine D. Cruz, D. V.M., is an associate veterinarian at Laguna Hills Animal Hospital, Laguna Hills, Calif. She specializes in companion animal medicine and has been practicing veterinary medicine for more than 20 years. Dr. Cruz received her doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

She is a nationally active speaker on general pet care, emergency preparedness and her passion…pets in pain. Dr. Cruz is a veterinary consultant for several national television programs, and has extensive experience across all media. She has hosted a one-hour live pet show on Southern California television for five years. Dr. Cruz has appeared on "Cats" on the A&E Network, "Petcetera" on the Discovery Channel, "Smart Solutions" and "Help at Home" on the Home and Garden Channel. She has addressed pet health concerns on local as well as national television news broadcasts. Dr. Cruz was the source of pet care education to listeners on KKGO in Los Angeles for over two years. She also graced the airwaves on the CBS radio affiliate in Los Angeles, "KNX 10.70 News Radio" with pet health tips. She presently can be seen in thousands of veterinary offices coast to coast on the educational DVD series "PetCare TV," and provides answers to internet using pet owners on "MyPetCareTV. Com."

Dr. Cruz assisted in the development of the "First Aid for Pets -- Dogs & Cats" course endorsed by the American Red Cross and the Humane Society of the United States. She is the author of "the Secret Sex Life of Dogs and Cats"; a text for pet owners that entertains and at the same time educates them on the reproductive behaviors of their pets. Among other distinguished roles, she is chair of the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Communications and a member of the Iams Pet Wellness Council.

Dr. Bernadine is a veterinarian who takes it to the people. She has served as a volunteer veterinarian for the Iditarod Dog Sled Race, "The Last Great Race" in Alaska. You can find her in late winter along the North Shore of Lake Superior, serving the needs of the canine athletes in the John Beargrease Sled Dog race. Her two cats, Bogie and Divot aren't impressed with her credentials…they just call her 'Meow-om'.

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Winter Park Home to World's Foremost Producers of Large-Scale Decontamination Equipment

Winter Park Home to World's Foremost Producers of Large-Scale Decontamination Equipment

On Friday, August 7, 2009, at 10 a. m., the City of Winter Park, Fla., will demonstrate how its partnership with AeroClave, LLC, can help stop the spread of disease and infection. The revolutionary new system that AeroClave has produced can mitigate the threat of healthcare-associated infections such as MRSA and contagious pathogens including H1N1 influenza (swine flu) to first responders, hospitals, healthcare workers and citizens.

Winter Park, FL (PRWEB) August 5, 2009

On Friday, August 7, 2009, at 10 a. m., the City of Winter Park will demonstrate how its partnership with AeroClave, LLC, can help stop the spread of disease and infection. According to the Center for Disease Control and the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) such as MRSA and other contagious viruses and bacteria:

•are one of the leading, most preventable causes of morbidity and mortality in U. S.;
•are the cause of over 100,000 deaths per year;
•can cost in excess of $45 billion per year.

The revolutionary new system that AeroClave has produced can mitigate this threat of HAIs and even contagious pathogens such as H1N1 influenza (swine flu) to our city's first responders, hospitals, healthcare workers and citizens. This is accomplished through the complete decontamination of both the interior and exterior of large assets such as airplanes, ambulances, emergency vehicles, police cars and hospital rolling stock, such as stretchers and wheel chairs, in less than two hours.

Not only can AeroClave's system save billions of dollars in stopping the spread of HAIs, it also allows leaders to take a proactive approach to the global healthcare problem, increase preparedness for pandemic influenza and bioterrorism, and protect the health of emergency personnel, patients, hospitals and other critical assets.

The AeroClave PADS (Portable Asset Decontamination System) Demonstration Facility is located at 650 South Capen Avenue in Winter Park, Fla. For more information, please visit AeroClave's official Web site (http://www. AeroClave. com)

For more information regarding the City of Winter Park, please visit the City of Winter Park's official Web site (http://www. cityofwinterpark. org)

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NASA’s Voice Of Mars Probe Steve Squyres To Speak At SIUE Feb. 17

NASA’s Voice Of Mars Probe Steve Squyres To Speak At SIUE Feb. 17

“Spirit and Opportunity” have always been prominent in the life of Steve Squyres, the NASA scientist best known as the face and voice of the Mars exploration mission including the pioneering and spectacular drive across the Red Planet’s surface by two high-tech robotic rovers.

Edwardsville, Ill (Vocus) February 3, 2010

“Spirit and Opportunity” have always been prominent in the life of Steve Squyres, the NASA scientist best known as the face and voice of the Mars exploration mission including the pioneering and spectacular drive across the Red Planet’s surface by two high-tech robotic rovers.

As the acclaimed scientist and principal investigator of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program from 1988 to 2004 when the mission came to fruition, Squyres will be on campus as part of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Arts & Issues series Feb. 17, with a theme of “Roving Mars: Spirit, Opportunity and the Exploration of the Red Planet.” He will appear at 7:30 p. m. that Wednesday in Meridian Ballroom, on the first floor of SIUE’s Morris University Center.

Squyres, who currently is the Goldwin Smith Professor of Astronomy at Cornell University, will detail to the Arts & Issues audience how he turned what seemed like an improbable dream into a successful $800 million reality. He will discuss the risks taken, the mistakes made and how the project’s goals were ultimately achieved.

Arts & Issues series Coordinator Grant Andree says he is excited about Squyres’ presentation. “During Steve’s appearance Feb. 17, the audience will enjoy never before seen photos of the Mars surface taken by those rovers,” Andree said. “Our patrons may recall how similar NASA photos ignited a firestorm of interest in space exploration at the time of the mission.

“If you’ve never seen NASA’s Mars photos before, you are in for a visual treat.”

In addition to his teaching duties at Cornell, Squyres has served as chair of the NASA Space Science Advisory Committee and participated in many of NASA’s exploration missions. By applying his experience from the Mars mission in the corporate world, Squyres provides fresh approaches to managing large teams, working together under pressure and operating effectively in unpredictable environments.

Tickets for “Roving Mars: Spirit, Opportunity and the Exploration of the Red Planet” are $27; SIUE employees and retirees, as well as all senior citizens, $25; SIUE students, $13. Ticket information, subscription rates and ticket sales are available on the Web site: artsandissues. com, or by calling (618) 650-5774.

Editors: Most of the 2009-10 Arts & Issues photos suitable for print are available at http://www. siue. edu/artsandissues/PhotoIndex. shtml (http://www. siue. edu/artsandissues/PhotoIndex. shtml)

The next Arts and Issues series appearance will be:
Malashock Dance—Thursday, April 1, 7:30 p. m., Dunham Hall Theater (LIMITED SEATING)
Dynamic, emotionally charged choreography executed by magnificently trained dancers are signatures of the Malashock Dance Co. The troupe’s repertoire includes more than 60 original works that have mesmerized audiences and epic works that have interpreted human struggles, with charming and intimate, often playful, pieces that convey the intricacies of relationships. Mike Mizerany, a product of the SIUE dance program, is the group’s associate artistic director.

Each year, under the guidance of the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences (http://www. siue. edu/artsandsciences/), the Arts & Issues (http://www. siue. edu/artsandissues/) series brings some of the best and brightest performers and speakers from around the world to Southwestern Illinois audiences for entertaining and thought-provoking presentations on the SIUE campus.

The SIUE College of Arts and Sciences combines foundational education with diverse and highly-specialized coursework. Faculty help students explore diversity of ideas, experiences and people while learning to think and live as fulfilled, productive members of a global society. The College offers degree programs in the arts, humanities and social and natural sciences.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (http://www. siue. edu/) is a nationally recognized public university offering a broad choice of degrees and programs ranging from career-oriented fields of study to the essential, more traditional, liberal arts. At SIUE we offer 44 baccalaureate degrees, 13 post-baccalaureate certificates, 47 master's degrees, 11 post - master's certificates, two first-professional degrees, and one post-first professional certificate. Known for an emphasis in health science education, SIUE offers a nursing school, pharmacy school and dental school. Additionally undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates are available in engineering programs, business programs, elementary education programs and secondary education programs.

SIUE offers the advantages of a small, liberal arts college with the low tuition rates of a state university. Our emphasis on undergraduate education, complemented by faculty research, creates practical applications for student learning. Located in the second most populated area of the state, this Illinois university draws students from all 102 Illinois counties, 42 states and 50 nations.

One of 12 Illinois colleges and universities, SIUE is located on 2,600 acres of rolling hills and woodlands in Edwardsville, just 25 miles from St. Louis, a major metropolitan area. Proximity to the St. Louis area enhances SIUE’s energy and vitality. The campus is easily accessed from several major interstates, while the city of Edwardsville offers ample opportunity for jobs, entertainment, shopping and fun.

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The Post-Retirement Job: Nearly Half of Retirees Have Thought About It, But Now's Not the Time

The Post-Retirement Job: Nearly Half of Retirees Have Thought About It, But Now's Not the Time

New Research from Retirement Finance Leader Longevity Alliance Reveals When Certain Retirees Would Go Back to Work - And Why

Washington, DC (PRWEB) August 6, 2009

When they first left their jobs, many retirees thought they might go back to work someday, according to new national opinion research commissioned by retirement finance leader Longevity Alliance. But the research also shows that few of them are considering re-entering the job market any time soon.

The national survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, polled nearly 400 U. S. adult retirees and found that:
Among retirees, 43 percent of them "seriously considered the possibility of someday going back to work" when they first retired. Only 16 percent of retirees say that they are currently considering leaving retirement. "Changes in personal finance" is a major consideration that would force a retiree to think about going back to work, with 42 of percent of retirees citing it as a factor. "Changes in healthcare coverage" is also important, at 29 percent. More than one in five retirees (22 percent) are thinking about how their lifespan could affect whether they go back to work.

"These findings reflect the same kinds of sentiments we've been hearing from our customers," says Longevity Alliance CEO Steve Zaleznick. "Retirees are very cautious right now, but not panicked. Their reluctance to rejoin the workforce only underscores the need for them to plan very carefully for the rest of their retirement."

"People understand that situations change and they are often open to going back to work for a variety of reasons," he continued. "As economic conditions improve they should keep their eyes out for opportunities they might consider for either personal enjoyment and/or to respond to retirement income and health expense financing concerns."

The new data and public outreach are a part of Longevity Alliance's "Milestones" campaign, which is intended to help Americans make better decisions about their retirement finances. Previous topics have included: the hidden costs of moving, using an online quiz to better plan retirement, the tax benefits of long-term care and baby boomers' decreasing confidence in the longevity of their retirement finances.

About Longevity Alliance
Based in Washington, DC, and with a customer contact center in the Phoenix, Arizona area, Longevity Alliance Inc. helps Americans find the right products to meet their retirement planning needs by surveying the marketplace and contracting with high quality financial and insurance companies to provide consumers with a range of choices in each product category. Longevity Alliance is staffed with experienced senior executives in aging, insurance and financial services who have spent decades working for the biggest names in products and services for aging Americans. The company also publishes Momentum¸ a monthly newsletter dedicated to helping Americans live longer, better lives. Consumers can sign up for a free online copy at www. momentumtoday. com. For more information, visit www. longevityalliance. com.

About the Survey
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Longevity Alliance from April 22 to 24 among 2,419 adults ages 18 and older, of whom 388 are retired. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Brendon Shank.

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A Woman’s Work is Never Done

A Woman’s Work is Never Done...

Women have always had a lot on their plate. They juggle careers, families, school, and now they are even taking care of men's health. Men are often hesitant to keep up with their health. Be it laziness or pride, more and more men are only going to see their doctor at the urging of the woman in their life!

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) August 9, 2006

It seems as if woman don’t have enough to do! When it comes to their own health men are generally don’t pay much attention. To them it is rather like asking for directions while driving. It now falls to the wives, girlfriends, mothers, sisters and even the executive assistants to insist on check-ups, following through on treatments and being fully proactive in the decision making process of health care. Perhaps it is that machismo gene that is at fault.

With September being Prostate Cancer Awareness Month a lot of medical message marketing is being directed at men. But doctors attribute the significant females of their male patients as responsible for men taking better care of themselves. Dr. Alexander Gershman, founder of the Institute for Advanced Urology, notes the best partner in health care is the female significant person along with the doctor to achieve maximum goals.

Prostate Cancer once considered a death sentence is now curable, controllable and treatable if caught in time.. Nearly a quarter million men in the U. S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. The fact that patients can return to a previous full lifestyle is not lost on this responsive and receptive audience. Where once men diagnosed with prostate cancer refused treatment and became victims of the disease, rather than survivors, they are coming forward in unison all telling the tale and awarding kudos to their wives etc. for forcing their awareness and making them face and deal with their treatments, continuing follow-up monitoring and loosing the ostrich approach to health. Men with prostate cancer need to take an active part in making decisions about their care. However, shock and stress after the diagnosis can make it hard to think clearly. And that’s where their female partner can be of help.

When a new treatment effecting enlarged prostates, such as THERMATRX, (a MICRO WAVE innovative procedure) is in the news the immediate reaction of those natural born caretakers are to find out more, call their doctors and gather insight and information which they make sure is absorbed and diligently ingested.

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Rapid Solutions Group Combines Offset and Digital Sales Force

Rapid Solutions Group Combines Offset and Digital Sales Force

Rapid Solutions Group™ (RSG), a leading digital communications company, announced today that the company has combined its Offset and Digital Sales teams. This change is part of the company’s overall sales strategy of providing comprehensive packages of services that utilize combinations of state-of-the-art digital and offset printing technologies.

New York, NY (PRWEB) December 3, 2004

Rapid Solutions Group™ (RSG), a leading digital communications company, announced today that the company has combined its Offset and Digital Sales teams. This change is part of the company’s overall sales strategy of providing comprehensive packages of services that utilize combinations of state-of-the-art digital and offset printing technologies.

Spearheading this effort will be Ken Gersten, the companyÂ’s Vice President of Sales. He and his sales team will be bringing the companyÂ’s innovative products and services to targeted vertical markets in the financial and healthcare industries.

“We have made significant investments this year that allow us to offer advance color applications for our clients. Color capabilities are becoming more important in the marketplace as clients are looking to differentiate themselves and make an impact on their personalized customer communications. With new equipment and proprietary software packages, we have enhanced our ability to provide integrated digital and offset printing solutions. This combination of capabilities allows us to provide high-quality communications using the most timely and cost-effective process,” says Garet Hil, Chief Executive Officer for Rapid Solutions Group.

“It makes sense to communicate our broad range of solutions at the point of sale and offer the best of traditional offset and digital full color production. Giving customers a competitive advantage in their markets means offering them complete solutions for their communication materials,” says Ken Gersten, Vice President, Sales for Rapid Solutions Group.

About Rapid Solutions Group™

Rapid Solutions Group is a leading digital communications company. Serving companies in the financial and healthcare industries, Rapid Solutions Group designs and delivers high impact communications. Leveraging advanced digital technology, combined with application development, graphic design, digital and offset print and fulfillment expertise, we provide our customers end-to-end communication solutions.

Strategically located production facilities in New York, California, Illinois and Missouri provide unparalleled speed of delivery while ensuring real-time disaster recovery. For more information please visit our website www. rapidsolutionsgroup. com or contact us at 1-877-RAPID-SG.

For Additional Information:

Bill Corbett, Jr.

Tel: (516) 775-0435

E-Mail: wjcorbett@corbettpr. com

Sharon Schay, Rapid Solutions Group

Tel: (516) 620-6621

E-Mail: sschay@rapidsolutionsgroup. com

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Good Samaritan Hospital Scores 100 Percent in New York State Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Inspection

Good Samaritan Hospital Scores 100 Percent in New York State Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Inspection

The Women's Health Center at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, N. Y. has received the highest rating possible from the New York State Department of Health in its annual stereotactic breast biopsy inspection, achieving a perfect 100% score.

Suffern, NY (PRWEB) October 31, 2006

The Women's Health Center at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, N. Y. has received the highest rating possible from the New York State Department of Health in its annual stereotactic breast biopsy inspection, achieving a perfect 100% score.

To earn this distinction, the program was evaluated and inspected on the basis of both a document review as well as a thorough evaluation of the equipment. The objective of the state's stereotactic breast biopsy inspection program is to support continuous improvement and to promote clinical excellence.

Stereotactic breast biopsy is a safe and minimally invasive form of breast biopsy and an alternative to open or surgical biopsy. It is used to obtain tiny samples from an abnormal breast mass for examination by a pathologist.

In Stereotactic breast biopsy, a sample of suspect breast tissue is precisely located with a computer-guided imaging system and removed with a needle. Two x-ray images of breast tissue are taken at different angles. A computer uses the images to locate the abnormality and calculate precise coordinates. Then the computer guides the physician in placing a needle at the target.

The procedure is completed on an outpatient basis with a minimum of discomfort and recovery time.

The hospital's stereotactic breast biopsy services are under the direction of the Department of Radiology. The program also recently achieved a perfect 100% rating from the United States FDA in its annual Mammography Quality Standards Act inspection.

Michael Schnieders, Executive Vice President and Administrator at Good Samaritan Hospital commented, "Good Samaritan Hospital is justifiably proud of its Department of Radiology, which works hand-in-hand with our Women's Health Center to provide both screening and diagnostic breast services to the women of our service area. This inspection and the perfect score achieved further validate our belief that we are providing the very best care available to our community."

Good Samaritan Hospital is a member of Bon Secours Health System, Inc., one of the nation's leading Catholic healthcare systems. It is also part of the regional Bon Secours Charity Health System, which includes St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, NY and Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, New York. Additionally, Bon Secours Charity Health System provides the services of a Certified Home Health Agency, two long-term care facilities, an assisted living and adult home facility and several other medical programs. For more information about The Women's Health Center or the Radiology Department at Good Samaritan Hospital, visit their website at www. GoodSamHosp. org, or contact Good Samaritan Hospital at 845-368-5000.

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New Website Launches Women into Better Body Image

New Website Launches Women into Better Body Image

New website offers innovative information to improve body and self image for the over 49 million plus-sized women in America. Site offers, message boards, support chat, and much, much more.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) May 6, 2005

In America today, the average woman is now a size 14. Over 49 million women are a size 14 or larger, yet current media images still attempt to sell size-2, Barbie-doll images that send one message: it is better to be thin. But a new website, www. Xinaonline. com, promises to offer a different message; a message that speaks to the spirit, mind, and body of women across America, teaching itÂ’s users how to love their big, beautiful selves holistically.

"Women have been programmed into thinking that beauty, health, and fitness take on a certain form and looks a certain way and that simply is not the truth," claims Xina Sy, speaker and trainer for which Xinaonline. com was created. "Beauty is unique and can only be defined one woman at a time." Her zeal and zest are apparent in such creative works as Syze Esteem: The 7 Day Mental Diet for Better Body and Self Image, which along with Resolutions for A Lifetime: A 12 Week Program to Becoming Your Best are both available on the site.

Sy, a speaker, trainer, and image consultant, teamed up with Atlanta based, production powerhouse Tomorrow Pictures Inc. (TPI), to create the programming and website geared towards empowering all women how to be their best selves regardless of their size. "Our partnership is based on a common goal; helping women feel better," says Ellen Barnard, Executive Producer at TPI. "We really like XinaÂ’s message and we are committed to getting it out to the masses."

Xinaonline. com is more than pitching and selling products, although it lists all of SyÂ’s current workout videos and dvds for fuller bodies, audio-motivational cds, and workbooks, the site is also filled with vital health information tailored for transformational purposes. Xinaonline. com and its creators greatest contribution to the site is the special "Members on the Move," section. It is here that site visitors can sign up for free and have access to downloadable online kits, receive special weekly announcements and motivational information, share information with other members on the Movers and Shakers Message Board, and eventually chat live with Xina in the "Support Lounge."

"We have created a safe environment and a vehicle for healing and transformation for a very under-served market and I am most proud of that!," exclaims Sy. For more information it is best to simply visit the site and experience the new perspective on health and fitness at www. Xinaonline. com or reach its customer service center at 877.256.3015.

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Sick Economy, Sick Workers - How Deteriorating Economic Conditions May Lead To Increased Sickness Absence

Sick Economy, Sick Workers - How Deteriorating Economic Conditions May Lead To Increased Sickness Absence

Omega Health Systems (OHS) - providers of online ergonomics injury reduction solutions, today launched their leading Display Screen Equipment injury reduction solution, Workstation Safety Plus 8.0.

(PRWEB) October 23, 2009

Omega Health Systems (OHS) - roviders of online ergonomics injury reduction solutions, today launched their leading Display Screen Equipment injury reduction solution, Workstation Safety Plus 8.0.

Following eighteen months of intense research and development OHS showcased the new version of the award-winning ergonomics training and assessment software including numerous enhancements to help organisations improve results from their ergonomics programs.

During the launch, OHS unveiled a range of new features and presented validated results that qualified how effectively Workstation Safety Plus can support both compliance and injury reduction programs.

Delegates received an address by Barry Holt. Barry considered how, during a time of global financial turbulence, ergonomics can reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Following this Rick Spencer and Nate Williams demonstrated how, by integrating Workstation Safety Plus and PACE into Parsons ergonomics process, they experienced a 50% reduction in injuries and a 75% reduction in injury costs after only one year.

Speaking after the event OHS Senior Consultant, Rick Spencer, explained, "Today has been a fantastic event. Too many organizations look at software and worry how they will use it to comply with national guidelines or internal policies. OHS have demonstrated how to look at the wider picture and encourage employees to manage their own risk and, where they cannot, provide a simple but comprehensive process to manage this risk."

Research conducted in the mid 90s suggests that an economic downturn may lead to a rise in staff sickness absence. It is therefore essential that businesses address the causes of absence now.

Copies of the case study (suitable for publication) are available on request.

Workstation Safety Plus is used by many government departments and blue chip companies to help protect staff from soft tissue injuries while working at their computers.

For further information about Workstation Safety Plus please visit www. ergonomics-experts. com, email info(at)ergonomics-experts(dot)com or call 866 966 3420.

About Omega Health Systems

Omega Health Systems has an enviable track record of working with government and leading blue chip organizations. Omega Health Systems provides solutions to customers across the US and worldwide. Solutions include 'Workstation Safety Plus' a software solution designed to reduce tithe risks associated with using computer workstations.

For further information about Workstation Safety Plus please visit www. ergonomics-experts. com, or call 866 966 3420.

For further information please email Nicky Lewis at Simply Marcomms, nicky(at)simplymarcomms(dot)co(dot)uk

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Cold Tree Press Announces the Release of "The DreamStarters Book" by Jennifer Karin Sidford

Cold Tree Press Announces the Release of "The DreamStarters Book" by Jennifer Karin Sidford

Cold Tree Press is happy to announce the July 7, 2008 release of "The DreamStarter Book" by Jennifer Karin Sidford. ($12.95 Retail) "The DreamStarter Book" is an exciting and innovative way to unlock children's creativity and imaginations. Jennifer Karin Sidford has written the beginning of fifty tales, each crafted to whet children's interest and encourage creative thinking. Simply read a story starter to a child and watch the magic as he or she shapes a whole world of possibilities. Kids can either finish the story orally, or they can write their stories down.

Nashville, TN (PRWEB) July 16, 2008

Cold Tree Press is happy to announce the July 7, 2008 release of "The DreamStarter Book" by Jennifer Karin Sidford. ($12.95 Retail)

"The DreamStarter Book" is an exciting and innovative way to unlock children's creativity and imaginations. Jennifer Karin Sidford has written the beginning of fifty tales, each crafted to whet children's interest and encourage creative thinking. Simply read a story starter to a child and watch the magic as he or she shapes a whole world of possibilities. Kids can either finish the story orally, or they can write their stories down.

Open the door to a child's imagination with this collection of great beginnings. Whether used at home, on vacation, or in the classroom, "DreamStarters" is a great way to inspire young minds. For parents, grandparents, teachers, camp counselors, and babysitters, or anyone who lives, works, or plays with children, "The DreamStarter Book" is an indispensable and fun way to connect with kids.

Besides being fun, getting kids involved in storytelling promotes listening skills and encourages them to improvise and construct their own narratives. "Permitting and encouraging children to be verbally active…fosters concentration, effort, problem-solving, and task success," says Alix Spiegel of National Public Radio. It also promotes make-believe play, which Susan Linn, author of The Case for Make Believe, says is crucial to human development. The link, she says, between play, creativity, and health is undeniable.

Storytelling can also pique a child's interest in reading, writing, and speaking. It builds vocabulary and comprehension while improving communication skills. According to Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss, professional storytellers and authors of the book "Children Tell Stories: Teaching and Using Storytelling in the Classroom," storytelling improves self-esteem and expressive language skills. It also helps children learn poise and techniques for gaining and holding an audience's attention.

Allowing children to be children and to share their imaginative worlds with other children as well as adults is what "The DreamStarter Book" is all about. Let the magical journey begin.

Early Reviews for "The DreamStarter Book:"

"With compassionate insight and immediacy, Jennifer Karin Sidford gives children the opportunity to explore and share their innermost feelings, in addition to offering parents a glimpse at this most intimate process. 'DreamStarters' is a book parents will cherish."

-Dr. Jan Nealer, family therapist and contributor to "101 More Interventions in Family Therapy"

"What an exciting way to encourage a child to let her imagination run free--all the while turning the tables on who is the storyteller as we become the spellbound listeners in a loving, adventurous exchange. 'DreamStarters' belongs in every grandparent's basket of surprises."

-Wendy Reid Crisp, Editor-in-Chief, "GRAND, The Magazine for Grandparents"

"As a Family Meal Planning Expert, I am continuously reminding my clients of the importance of not only eating a meal together, but also spending time in quality conversations. For any parent who treasures their child, I highly recommend 'DreamStarters' as an indispensable tool to help you connect, communicate and have fun as a family."

-Christine Steendahl, Founder and Owner of Dine Without Whine

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Just Say ‘Know’ to Prescription Drugs Campaign Finds International Interest and Support

Just Say ‘Know’ to Prescription Drugs Campaign Finds International Interest and Support

Campaign receives queries from 71 countries during pre-launch.

New York, NY (PRWEB) October 2, 2006

Today the Just Say “Know” to Prescription Drugs campaign, aimed at getting one million people to stop and reevaluate the medications they are taking, reported that interest in the initiative is coming from a wide array of countries around the globe. Though 79 percent of the inquires about the initiative are coming from the United States; the campaign is getting interest from people in the industrial nations of the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and France. Beyond the major developed countries, the long tail of interest in the initiative extends to 71 countries around the world including Japan, India, Romania, Jordan, Brazil, Turkey, Qatar, Spain Sweden, Mexico, Korea, China and South Africa.

“The fact that 21 percent of the 15,000 inquiries we’ve received during the pre-launch have come from outside the U. S. underscores the global nature of the problem,” said Dr Gregg Tefft, co-founder of the Just Say Know to Prescription Drugs campaign. “As we take the campaign online this week, we welcome supporters in all of these countries.”

During the month of October, the initiative aims to get one million people and one million parents to take a second look at the prescription medications they are taking and giving their children. Participants will be encouraged to download a form that allows them to thoughtfully evaluate the drugs they are taking or giving to their children. The form collects specific information from their prescribing physician, pharmacist or healthcare provider and requests the provider’s signature attesting that they have fully informed the patient or parent of the risks and benefits of the prescribed medication, as well as non-drug alternatives.

Coalition members have declared October "Just Say ‘Know’ to Prescription Drugs Month" and have scheduled a conference in Washington, D. C. on October 7th to officially launch the campaign. Information about the conference is available at http://www. icspp. org (http://www. icspp. org)

“The core coalition is already comprised of international supporters,” said Dr. Dominick Riccio, psychologist and chairman of the Just Say Know to Prescription Drugs campaign. “The Internet has made it possible to more easily identify and reach global supporters, and to track with high levels of precision where the campaign is resonating most,” said Riccio.

Organizations and individuals who want to participate in the campaign may go to any of the following Web sites, look for the Just Say “Know” to Prescription Drugs logo, and download the sheet titled "Take This Form and Sign It." Instructions are provided on each form.

Psych Truth. Org

Laurence Simon Ph. D.

Www. psychtruth. org/justsayknow. htm (http://www. psychtruth. org/justsayknow. htm )

Dr. Gregg Tefft

KPNC Radio

Http://www. kpncradio. com (http://www. kpncradio. com)

Kelly Bradley

What’s Wrong With This Picture

Http://racingthoughts. blog. ca (http://racingthoughts. blog. ca)

Money Talks: Profits Before Patient Safety

Kathleen Slattery-Moshkau

Http://www. mo-info. com/wordpress/index. php (http://www. mo-info. com/wordpress/index. php)

Dr. Michael Siebert

Http://drmichaelsiebert. com/news. html (http://drmichaelsiebert. com/news. html)

Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

Seek Wellness

Http://www. seekwellness. com/wellness/ (http://www. seekwellness. com/wellness/)

MESICS Fitness

Jim Manganiello, Ed. D.

Http://www. mesicsfitness. com/jsn-news. htm (http://www. mesicsfitness. com/jsn-news. htm)

For more information email, call 212-861-7400 or visit www. psychtruth. org/justsayknow. htm (http://www. psychtruth. org/justsayknow. htm )
Http://www. icspp. org (http://www. icspp. org)

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SIVECO Group expands its Chinese operation

SIVECO Group expands its Chinese operation

SIVECO GroupÂ’s EAM (Enterprise Asset Management) solution COSWIN is available in 15 different languages and has proven a great success worldwide for 18 years. Today SIVECO Group is pleased to announce its rapid expansion in China, with a first customer going live.

Paris (PRWEB) September 26, 2004

Siveco China was founded in 2003, with the opening of the Shanghai office. Drawing on the extensive experience of its local consulting team, especially with large Chinese infrastructure projects, SIVECO has established a strong foundation for future growth, with the localization of COSWIN in Chinese language and the setup of a technical support centre.

“Siveco China is primarily targeting the fast growing infrastructure market, more particularly electricity distribution, water treatment, and gas networks companies, fields in which Siveco has a recognized expertise” explains Carlo Fichera, SIVECO GROUP’s CEO. “Siveco China supports Siveco Groups multinational clients to deploy COSWIN to their Chinese operations” he adds, “as well as other multinationals who do not wish - or are unable - to implement their often less flexible corporate systems in their local plants”.

Siveco ChinaÂ’s target customers typically require highly usable systems, with reasonable implementation cost and fast return on investment. The more complex EAM systems already available on the Chinese market are designed for very large corporations with massive IT budgets and a long implementation timeframe. On the other hand, lower-end or custom-built systems developed by local suppliers fail to meet the stringent requirements of modern industry and international management standards. Siveco China draws on the team's strong experience in China, a deep knowledge of maintenance systems implementation, and on the easy-to-implement job-oriented COSWIN solution, to address the very specific needs of this market.

Siveco China's first project, a major real estate development in Beijing, went live in June. The company and its maintenance subcontractors utilize COSWIN to manage all the technical activities, from job requests to planned maintenance. The project was delivered entirely by Siveco's local engineers, together with a local facility management partner, within a very short timeframe.

Contact information for SIVECO China:

SIVECO China

1101C Yi Tian Xia Building

Heng Tong Road

SHANGHAI 200070

CHINA

Tel +86 21 63801124

Fax +86 21 63801134

China@siveco. com

Www. sivecochina. com

About SIVECO GROUP and COSWIN

Established in 1986, SIVECO GROUP is committed to providing leading edge of Asset Maintenance Management System solutions to the Industrial and Facilities market place.

Our solutions are easily connectable to the major ERP systems, and help companies improve equipment reliability, reduce maintenance costs and optimise profitability.

Totally committed to providing solutions tailored to the needs of each client our services include, system design, development, deployment and support. SIVECO GROUP has built its success on the partnerships it creates with its customers. Thanks to a comprehensive commercial and technical understanding of business needs, SIVECO GROUPÂ’s role consists of much more than a mere applications publisher and seller.

COSWIN, available in 15 languages and with 70,000 users in 45 countries, is used in all industrial and facility sectors including: Automotive, Food, Pharmaceutical, Plastics, Paper, Energy, Transportation, Utilities and Health

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Specialty Hospital Edges Out Competition On Matters Of Safety

Specialty Hospital Edges Out Competition On Matters Of Safety

Horizon receives SHARP re-certification

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) April 22, 2009

In light of recent headlines depicting improper procedures in outpatient and specialty medical centers such as reusing needles in order to cut costs, Horizon Specialty Hospital took a firm stance on safety by earning Nevada's Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program through OSHA's (SHARP) re-certification this past Tuesday, April 14th.

"We have a commitment to our patients and staff that their wellbeing comes first, and we will continue to fulfill this obligation by exploring every option that allows us to augment our health and safety programs," said Frank Bellinger, CEO of Horizon. "We're thrilled to have received the SHARP re-certification. It was an enlightening process and truly exciting to see the results of everyone's hard work and dedication."

The SHARP certification provides public recognition for employers with model safety and health programs and awards them by granting a two-year exemption from OSHA's general scheduled inspections.

The process starts with a comprehensive consultation visit during which the project manager identifies potential hazards, assesses the adequacy of any written safety and health programs and assesses the effectiveness of the employer's program management and assists the employer in identifying and correcting the root causes of any hazards found during the consultation visits.

During the year following the consultation, additional training and assistance is made available in order to help the company meet all safety and health requirements. A second visit is then conducted to verify the achievement of all safety and health elements required under the program. If these requirements are met, the company is recommended to receive the SHARP certification.

To date, Horizon is the only Long Term Acute Care hospital in the state of Nevada to receive SHARP certification.

About Horizon Specialty Hospital
Horizon Specialty Hospital is an acute care facility for patients who require extended hospitalization and frequent physician observation and care. Patients admitted to Horizon Specialty Hospital benefit from an interdisciplinary team consisting of a physician, ACLS certified registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified wound nurse, licensed physical and occupational therapists, a speech-language pathologist, ACLS certified respiratory therapists, a registered dietitian, licensed social workers, medical consultants, RN case managers and a licensed pharmacist.

The interdisciplinary care team provides personalized treatment plans for all patients so that they may improve and move on to the next appropriate level of care whether that is skilled nursing, home health services or to their own home. Horizon Specialty Hospital offers cardiopulmonary services, diagnostic studies, wound care, nutritional support, physical, occupational and speech therapies and nursing.

For more information call 702-382-3155 or visit Horizon at 640 Desert Lane
Las Vegas, Nevada 89106.

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