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Biomedical subjects

R Discenza

Publications and source records attributed to R Discenza.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

The poverty of information systems management in home health agencies: implications for survivability.

Home health agencies are increasingly being challenged to cope with economic, financial and clinical pressures. This study examines the extent to which home health agencies have cultivated their information systems as an aid for managing performance and external forces. Colorado and New Mexico home health agencies participated in the research project. The findings indicate that only modest investments have been made by respondents in their information systems. The typical respondent reports a personal computer-based system which addresses some financial reporting data, but which does not emphasize care delivery or contextual factors. The implications of these findings for the survivability of home health agencies are discussed.

Colorado↗
PubMed1999

The poverty of information systems management in home health agencies: implications for survivability.

Home health agencies are increasingly being challenged to cope with economic, financial and clinical pressures. This study examines the extent to which home health agencies have cultivated their information systems as an aid for managing performance and external forces. Colorado and New Mexico home health agencies participated in the research project. The findings indicate that only modest investments have been made by respondents in their information systems. The typical respondent reports a personal computer-based system which addresses some financial reporting data, but which does not emphasize care delivery or contextual factors. The implications of these findings for the survivability of home health agencies are discussed.

Computer Systems↗
PubMed1993

Reflections on total quality management and health care supervisors.

Total quality management (TQM) has become an integral process in service delivery for many health care organizations. This article reviews the fundamental concepts underlying TQM and how TQM is relevant to health care supervisors. In many respects TQM represents a contemporary approach to supervising innovation and change, to analytically solving customer problems, and to implementing continuous quality improvement. Several strategies are examined that health care supervisors can adopt for improving service quality, including cultivating a climate for innovation, motivating by example, leading staff to do what is right and to tolerate no service delivery errors, retraining staff, developing control systems, and creating barrier-free organizations. These strategies are examined from the perspective of achieving continuous improvement in health care settings.

Health Maintenance Organizations↗
PubMed1992

The instrumental role of product information: a study of warning labels for non-prescription drugs.

The study extends work in informative labeling, fear appeals, and negative information effects. Respondents were given two labels from two packages, one of which contained the experimental treatment. Warning strength was manipulated at three levels: weak, medium, and strong. The data show that, unlike labels on prescription medications, non-prescription warning labels tend to discourage use of the product. Results have implications for information theorists, marketers, and public policy makers.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1981

Energy management in long-term care facilities: a hot or cold issue?

Conservation of energy resources through total energy management programs is receiving considerable attention in the health services sector. Although the total energy management concept has been favorably implemented in hospitals, the record is not entirely clear for other health care institutions. Thirty-one Arizona and 37 Minnesota long-term care facilities were surveyed to examine the attitudes, knowledge and practice of energy management in the nursing home context. Specific questions were directed toward average monthly energy costs, energy consumption, energy conservation methods implemented, energy conservation methods planned for future implementation, and administrator attitudes on the energy management problem. The results of this study indicate that energy is not perceived to be a major problem in long-term care facilities. Administrators generally lack basic knowledge about energy consumption and energy-related characteristics of their facilities. Few long-range plans and programs have been established to address energy problems. These results suggest the need for new energy policies in the health care system, particularly for institutions other than hospitals.

Arizona↗