Diabetic? There's an App - and a Gadget - for That

This is one of the coolest gadgets we've seen in a long time - and unlike many cell phone accessories that make their way to the market, it's actually useful!

The iBGStar by Sanofi-Aventis is an iPhone-compatible glucometer. It builds upon the existing WaveSense Diabetes Manager iPhone program, which allows diabetics to track their results and identify trends over time. The iBGStar plugs right into your iPhone and is an alternative to glucometers that don't store or wirelessly transmit data. It requires a small sample size of blood and matches the look of the iPhone.

Data that is stored in the WaveSense application can be accessed on the phone or the user's computer, allowing them to always have it handy to share with their healthcare providers.

The official release for the iBGStar is expected in early 2011. To learn more, click here.

Proposed CMS Program Aims to Prevent Medicare/Medicaid Fraud

CMS is proposing a program that would require medical providers and suppliers to undergo stricter screening if they want to participate or enroll in Medicare and Medicaid.

Under the plan, suppliers and providers would be assessed for their risk of fraud, waste and abuse. They would then be placed into one of three risk groups: limited risk, moderate risk and high risk. Each group would have to meet different criteria for enrollment and participation, with high-risk applicants being subject to more rigorous evaluation that would include criminal background checks and fingerprinting in addition to other Medicare and Medicaid requirements.

The goal of the program is to help prevent fraud before it happens and to shift CMS to a fraud prevention model rather than a "pay-and-chase" enforcement model.

To learn more, click here.

It's Time to Celebrate Rehabilitation!

September 19-25 marks this year's National Rehabilitation Awareness Celebration! The celebration is sponsored by the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation, or NRAF. The theme of this year's celebration is "Reaching for That Star: The Power of Rehab."

Since 1996, the NRAF has sought to educate people about the benefits and impact of rehabilitation, develop programs that increase opportunities for the nearly 50 million Americans with disabilities and help disabled people live up to their fullest potential through rehabilitation. The foundation is headquartered in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

To learn more, click here.

Professor Names Best "Nana Technology" Items for 2010

You've heard of nanotechnology, but how about "Nana technology"? It's a term that George Mason University professor Andrew Carle coined in 2004 to describe the growing industry of microchip-based products for seniors.

Carle, the director of GMU's Program in Assisted Living/Senior Housing Administration, releases an annual list of the best new "Nana technology" products for older adults. There are four products on this year's list.

1. GlowCaps: Designed to replace the caps on standard prescription bottles, these caps contain an embedded microchip that provides light and sound reminders to seniors to take their medications. If the cap is not removed, an automated phone call to a family member or caregiver is triggered. The cap can also generate weekly email reports and notify a pharmacy when a refill is needed. Click here to learn more about GlowCaps.

2. Wellcore: The Wellcore activity monitor looks like a stylish pedometer and is designed to remove the stigma of wearing a "granny pendant." It offers fall detection technology, 24/7 call center assistance and daily activity reports for wearers or caregivers. It can also be combined with compatible cell phones to offer access to services outside the home. To learn more about Wellcore, click here.

3. DriveSharp: DriveSharp is a computer-based program that consists of exercises designed to sharpen attention and peripheral vision. Users click through the 20-minute exercises three to five days per week. In studies, DriveSharp demonstrated a 50 percent reduction in crash risk, 200 percent increase in field of vision and a 22-foot reduction in stopping distance. To learn more about DriveSharp, click here.

4. ActiveONE Personal Assistance Locator: The Personal Assistance Locator, or PAL, was dubbed "OnStar for people" by Professor Carle. It's a cell phone-sized device that provides 24/7 live operator assistance. Available services include emergency assistance, falls detection, medication reminders, directions and placing calls to family members. It also includes GPS tracking and "geo-fencing" capabilities that send an alert if the user wanders outside of a programmed distance from the house or other location. To learn more about the PAL, click here.

To learn more about Professor Carle and the Nana technologies, click here.

Four States to Benefit from Medicaid Matching Funds for EHR

Four states are set to benefit from matching Medicaid funds for implementing electronic health record, or EHR, programs. The funds are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and provide a 90 percent match to states planning to administer EHR incentive payments to Medicaid providers.

The states that will benefit are:

• North Dakota ($226,000)
• Hawaii ($836,000)
• Ohio ($2.29 million)
• Massachusetts ($3.56 million)

To learn more, click here.

Congratulations to Our iPad Winner!

Team ProMed congratulates Kyle Moore of Doctors Nursing & Rehabilitation Center! Kyle won our iPad giveaway at the Illinois Health Care Association 60th Annual Convention & Trade Show this week.

Happy National Assisted Living Week!

September 12-18, 2010 is National Assisted Living Week! The theme of this year's celebration is "Living Life."

National Assisted Living Week was established in 1995 by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). It provides an opportunity for families, staff, volunteers and the community to join together and show residents how special and treasured they are. The NCAL encourages facilities to involve residents in a variety of events and activities throughout the week.

The NCAL explained the meaning behind this year's theme, "Living Life," in this way: "You don't have to be a rock climber, sky diver, marathon runner, or scholar to live life to the fullest. Living life means participating in activities that you enjoy and pursuing your passions, whatever they may be. It means never stopping the process of discovery or mastering talents. It means sharing your history and teaching others what you have learned. It is a lifelong pursuit of happiness and growth. We all want to live life to the fullest, no matter how old or young we are. Assisted living communities around the country are giving their residents the environment and tools they need to reach their goals. We celebrate their efforts and the residents who inspire their community."

To learn more about National Assisted Living Week, click here.