Challenge to change institutional mentality

Jennifer Foreshew | April 15, 2008

cio files | David Johnston

WHEN South Australian Health Department chief information officer David Johnston set out to deliver real and tangible e-health outcomes, he was told by many it could not be done.

David Johnston is overseeing a revolution in SA

Joining the SA Department of Health in 2003 from SA Water Corporation, where he was chief information officer, Johnston found the technology division chronically under-funded and "largely ineffectual".

"Years have been spent subsequently by many people preparing detailed strategies, sourcing funding, setting up governance structures and establishing project management capability to enable a major reform," Johnston says.

"Now the rubber is hitting the road, and that is immensely satisfying."

The SA Health Department currently has an integrated $375 million decade-long program that consists of 65 interrelated individual projects, costing between $250,000 and $70 million.

The electronic health records program aims to link all clinicians and patient information.

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Establishing the technology base is one component, but building in the proper ongoing management and controls will be a challenge as we deal with over 27,000 staff."

At present, SA Health Department's ICT service has about 150 staff and an annual budget of about $40 million.

From July 1, all ICT functions across the health portfolio will be transferred to direct department control, increasing the staff to about 360 and the budget to about $110 million.

"The difference will be that the operational staff will be coming into ICT services, which means we can then start concentrating on consolidation of duplicated functions," Johnston says.

"For example, we have 17 help desks across health, so there are rather large efficiencies that we need to extract to reinvest in other areas such as information architecture and proactive network management."

The SA Health Department has 40 per cent of ICT staff in support roles, but Johnston expects this to drop to 15 per cent within five to six years. The staff who currently provide break-fix support services will be able to concentrate over time on much higher value-add activities to ensure the use of the ICT systems and infrastructure across health are maximised, he says.

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Health upgrade gets poor diagnosis

Nick Miller

April 17, 2008

THE State Government is grappling with another multimillion-dollar computer fiasco, this time involving a major upgrade of health technology systems.

Weeks after a scathing report on the introduction of the myki public transport ticket system, Auditor-General Des Pearson has raised concerns about the progress of the $323 million HealthSMART project.

HealthSMART was announced in 2003 to overhaul mismatched technology running the state's health system and introduce new systems such as electronic prescriptions to improve patient care and combat fraud.

But Mr Pearson, in a report released yesterday, said the original targets were overambitious, it was already two years behind its intended 2007 completion date and likely to slip further.

The report also found the program was already $34.8 million over budget and would need an extra $61 million in running costs, although the Government and Health Department dispute the first figure.

The worst-performing part of HealthSMART was a $96 million "clinical systems" plan to computerise prescriptions and diagnostic services. The report found that of 10 agencies that could use the system, only four planned to do so, and none would likely meet the June 2009 deadline.

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HealthSMART – A Pretty Bad Report Card.

The Victorian Auditor-General issued a report card on the Victorian HealthSMART project last week and it did not make great reading.

A sample of the reportage

Correspondents in Melbourne | April 16, 2008

A $320 million IT program to help streamline Victoria's health system is running late and over budget, a new report has found.

The auditor-general's report says the HealthSMART program will not be finalised as expected by June 2009. The 2009 target was reset from the initial projected completion date of June 2007.

However, the Department of Human Services (DHS) has not yet told the government of any need to revise the completion date, the report says.

HealthSMART is aimed at improving patient care, reducing the administrative burden on health care professionals and easing costs associated with IT in the public health system by standardising information systems.

The department has spent 57 per cent of the project's budget on just one-quarter of the planned installations, and delays in the project mean that it will have to be subsidised by an added $61 million of DHS funds.

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Weight Loss-Diet Tips to quick result

To Lose weight you have to be focused around completing a small goal by staying motivated. You should complete many goals in a short period of time. But there is much more to it than eating well and exercising. Follow thisese tips and you are on your way to success.

Work vegetables into meals instead of just serving them as sides on a plate.Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Start by focusing on getting the recommended 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Fruits and vegetables are packed with beneficial fibers, vitamins and antioxidants.As much as possible do not remove the skins of fruits and vegetables since most of the nutrients are concentrated under the skin. They are also low in calories and helps to keep your calorie count low. Purchase fresh foods and avoid processed and convenient foods such as fast food. You need to understand food claims and labels. A product labelled with a fat-free label on the packaging claim does not mean that it is low in calories. Similarly a product labelled as low-sugar or low-carb does not mean it is low in fat or calories.Packaged and convenient foods are often higher in sodium and fat content. You can easily lose weight by packing a home-cooked lunch to work instead of eating out.

Try eating protein at every meal.Getting enough protein helps preserve muscle mass and encourages fat burning while keeping you feeling full.Protein is also more satisfying than carbohydrates or fats, and thus may be the new secret weapon in weight control. So be sure to include healthy protein sources, like yogurt, cheese, nuts, or beans, at meals and snacksDiets higher in protein and moderate in carbs, along with a lifestyle of regular exercise, have an excellent potential to help weight loss.

Finding the time to get to the gym can be very difficult. Instead, focus on how great you feel, how much better you sleep and how much more energy you have when you exercise. Most authorities recommend 30 - 60 minutes of physical activity a day to stay healthy. Also try adding weight-bearing exercises at least 2 times a week. This will help burn some of the unwanted calories. Eight hours after waking up, our metabolism slows down that is why 30 minutes of exercise before dinner will increase the metabolism for about two to three hours. This produces an increase in burned fat even hours after the work out is over. Physical activity is good for you whether you are trying to lose weight or not, so keep it positive and build a lifelong habit.Although it may seem counterintuitive, don't use exercise either to punish yourself for eating or to "earn" the right to eat more. Once you've lost the weight, you need to keep it off.You need to pick a weight and vow to never get heavier than it again. It is normal for your body to fluctuate five to ten pounds. I recommend picking a weight that is ten pounds heavier than what you "normally" weigh and never weigh more than it again.

Drinking plenty of water or other calorie-free beverages everyday is obviously and broadly recommended.People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. So you can end up eating extra calories when an ice-cold glass of water is really what you need. Drinking eight glasses of water per day helps you feel less hungry. On the days that I don't drink the water, I feel hungrier, earlier. A pint glass holds sixteen ounces so try drinking two pints of water in the morning and two in the afternoon.Even getting yourself warm water with just a squeeze of lemon juice before breakfast gets your metabolism going for the day. Drinking hot water instead of cold water in the morning can increase the speed of your metabolism and burn more calories.It also helps prevent constipation and is excellent for the skin. Juices, pop, cream & sugar in your coffee or tea all add up. In addition to providing hydration to your body, it will also help you feel full.

Eating small frequent meals help to balance your calorie intake throughout the day and also keeps your blood sugar level balanced. Skipping meals slicks the body into slowing down the metabolism, attempting to conserve calories during a period where limited fats and fuel are available.Hunger is your body's way of telling you that you need fuel, so when a craving doesn't come from hunger, eating will never satisfy it. Remember that eating increases the metabolism. Instead of eating 3 big meals, try to eat 5 - 6 smaller meals throughout the day or Complete three small meals and two snacks everyday instead of one or two huge meals.Keeping your portions reasonable will help you get more in touch with your feelings of hunger and fullness.Slowly eat and chew each bite during meals as this would decrease one's appetite.

Try not to diet on the weekends. Whenever you feel like eating, look for physical signs of hunger. You will see yourself tired, depressed, and unmotivated if you tried to continue your diet into the weekend. You may not find this necessary, especially in the first few weeks of a diet. However, as many weeks passed, the weekend will become a time for to celebrate your weekly successes and get yourself mentally prepared for another five days of dieting. It is simply a mental recharge.

Also rather than giving up what most diets say you should give up like soda, coffee, beer, caffeine, etc. just make healthier decisions. You wouldn't want to give anything up, so decide to make some changes instead. You can switch to diet soda, then a second switch to drinking black coffee. Cut out the sugar and creme, and you get the benefits of coffee without the calories. You can make your last major switch to healthy beer. You will be able to still enjoy a healthy social life while maintaining your diet.

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Weight Loss Tips - Live a healthy lifestyle

Obesity is one of the biggest problems faced by millions of people in America. This has resulted in a big weight loss corporate industry in the country like Weight watchers, Jenny Carig and many others. Although there are good programs, I feel people can themselves do quite a bit to reduce their weight. The two major factors in weight loss are exercise and controlled diet. I have put together several points which will be useful to individuals looking to reduce their weight.

1. Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Most fruits are low in calories and make you full sooner. Not to mention the other vitamins and fibers they also contain.

2. Read those nutrition fact labels: It is a good idea to know how many calories you are consuming. Some foods combo's can be deceptive, for example if you are having a plate of salad topped with lot of high calorie dressing and a soda, they you have just had more calories then you might get from a combination of grilled chicken sandwich (with no cheese and dressing) plus diet soda. So be smart with what you eat. Prefer home cooked food as much as possible.

3. Eating smaller frequent meals will also help you cut down the total intake of calories compared to 3 big meals a day.

4. Give yourself a break: Being too restrictive can anyway demotivate you, so to give yourself regular breaks. But do not over-eat at the same time, be conservative and try to make up for it in other meals.

5. Drinks: Soda, juice, cream are all loaded with sugars which we usually do not account into out diet plan. Drink water instead.

6. Exercise: Do not always depend on your car for everything, walk wherever you can. Go hiking and those backpacks help to burn extra calories. Make friends who have a active lifestyle, join gym or get a treadmill in your home. Remember to increase your exercise in a progressive manner day by day instead of doing strenuous exercise from day one. Be practical on what your body can take and avoid overexertion.

7. Get motivation: Talk to people who have had success in weight loss and they will give you a lot of inspiration.

8. Get enough sleep, reduce stress and live happy.

9. Reward yourself when you reach your monthly weight loss milestones.

10. Never give up, even if you have failed a few times previously.

11. Eating slowly can lead to weight loss: Did you ever notice that thin people take an awfully long time to eat their food? Eating slowly is one method that can help take off pounds. That's because from the time you begin eating it takes the brain 20 minutes to start signaling feelings of fullness. Fast eaters often eat beyond their true level of fullness before the 20 minute signal has had a chance to set in. The amount of calories consumed before you begin to feel full can vary significantly depending on how quickly you eat. So slow down, take smaller bites and enjoy and savor every tasty morsel.

I am not an expert so it is advisable to consult your doctor before starting any weight loss effort and they will also tell you if you have any medical condition that may prevent you to follow these tips.

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Which Are The Best Over The Counter Weight Loss Diet Pills?

So, you are thinking of buying an over the counter weight loss pill. Should you go ahead - and what should you keep in mind?

First of all, just because a doctor hasn't prescribed a diet aid, doesn't mean that it doesn't work. I have an opinion that doesn't make me very popular among medical circles:

Most (not all) doctors are "disease professionals" and not "health professionals." If you have a headache, they tell you to take a pill and get rid of the pain. But, when it comes to improving your fitness level and quality of life, most of them are really clueless. Just look how out-of-shape most doctors are.

Also, did you know that many doctors are actually *paid* by the drug companies in order to prescribe their products? That's right - with every prescription they sign "ca-ching" - they make more money. Yes, I know that they will never admit it to you but that's the reality (surprise, surprise). Don't even get me started on that stuff...

Anyway - here are the main types of OTC weight loss pills:

Appetite suppressants:

These curb your appetite so you eat less. It works well, if you have a larger than normal appetite and eat more than you really need. They will usually not work if the reasons of your over-eating are psychological (like anxiety, anger or depression). In those cases you may want to talk to a competent therapist. Probably the best-known appetite suppressant is Hoodia, which is a cactus that comes from the Kalahari desert. It basically tells your brain that "you are full" - so you don't over eat...

Thermogenics:

These cause "thermogenesis" which basically means "heat generation." They raise your metabolism and help your body burn more calories so you lose your extra weight over time. Some known thermogenics include Yerba mate, Guarana and Cayenne.

Fat Blockers:

These basically allow you to eat "fatty foods" but without ingesting all the fat in them. Basically, you take them with your meals that contain high amounts of fat. Then, these "fat binders" will absorb part of the fat and they will be eliminated by the body "the natural way" later. Two well known fat binders are chitosan and NeoPuntia.

There are also weight loss diet pills that combine several of the above ingredients in order to give you a more "well-rounded" approach to losing weight.

Here's what to look for, when "shopping around" for an over-the-counter diet pill:

- Is the product guaranteed? What if it doesn't work for you for any reason. Will you be able to get your money back? Look for companies that offer at least a 60-day money-back guarantee...

- What is the "general verdict" on it? What do previous customers say? On the internet, it's easy to search for reviews and comments about a company...

- Try to purchase from a company that gives you "value-added" services. Some companies offer discounts for bulk purchases, or they offer extra bonuses like weight-loss guides etc...

The top over the counter diet pills should pass all the tests above. If you keep these things in mind, you will find a weight loss pill that will work for you...

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Achieve Weight Loss, Health and Vitality

When you think about all the toxins in our current environment it just makes sense that we would need to detox our bodies periodically. Once detoxed your body feels renewed, refreshed and cleansed or "decluttered" from the environment.

If you are ready to commit to your weight loss goals, a body detox can get you off to a great start. By starting your weight loss diet with a body detox you are preparing your mind and your body for what's ahead. You are "rinsing" away the toxins that cause you to crave foods making it easier to begin the committed actions toward weight loss.

Detoxing your body is a simple process. You can accomplish a complete body detox in only 12 simple steps. as a result you will feel energy and vitality at a level you had as a young adult or teenager.

If you are feeling fatigue much of the time, you are a candidate for detoxing your body regardless of whether you need to commit to weight loss. If you are in need of weight loss, it is natural you may also feel fatigue. When our bodies are out of shape and full to toxins, we can expect fatigue at the top of the list of all sorts of other health issues that can transpire.

Habits got you into the position of needing a weight loss diet and re-framing the habit can get you out of the same position. A complete body detox can begin the discipline needed to form the habit for effective weight loss and maintaining the weight loss once your weight loss diet has ended. At that time a good weight loss product could be used periodically when the weight may begin to creep back at various times.

Juanita Bellavance is an internet marketing mentor with a focus on passive income streams combining internet technologies with other business models. As health and weight loss are constant issues in life for many people, Juanita often mentors clients who need a breakthrough in these areas.

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