Dawn RN, BS, Parish Nurse available for Prayer and Resource Information. Email me with specific questions or information requests on the email link above. Thank you.
I want to emphasize that with any and all health information found here or anywhere: Please, check with your Physician before making changes to your specific Health Plan! Thank you for the privilege of your visit!
My favorite health information websites are on Page 6 (See Left) ! Happy Learning!
I want to emphasize that with any and all health information found here or anywhere: Please, check with your Physician before making changes to your specific Health Plan! Thank you for the privilege of your visit!
My favorite health information websites are on Page 6 (See Left) ! Happy Learning!
The HON code is the most widely accepted reference for online health and medical publishers. Currently the HON code is used by over 7’300 certified websites, more than 10 million pages, covering 102 countries.
The HON web site http://www.hon.ch/ is visited by 27’000 visitors world-wide per day.
What is the HON code certification? (You will notice the emblem on the site)
The HON code: Principles
Principle 1. Authority: Give qualifications of authors
Principle 2. Complementary: Information to support, not replace
Principle 3. Confidentiality: Respect the privacy of site users
Principle 4. Attribution: Cite the sources and dates of medical information
Principle 5. Justifiably: Justification of claims / balanced and objective claims
Principle 6. Transparency: Accessibility, provide valid contact details
Principle 7. Financial disclosure: Provide details of funding
Principle 8. Advertising: Clearly distinguish advertising from editorial content
The HON web site http://www.hon.ch/ is visited by 27’000 visitors world-wide per day.
What is the HON code certification? (You will notice the emblem on the site)
The HON code: Principles
Principle 1. Authority: Give qualifications of authors
Principle 2. Complementary: Information to support, not replace
Principle 3. Confidentiality: Respect the privacy of site users
Principle 4. Attribution: Cite the sources and dates of medical information
Principle 5. Justifiably: Justification of claims / balanced and objective claims
Principle 6. Transparency: Accessibility, provide valid contact details
Principle 7. Financial disclosure: Provide details of funding
Principle 8. Advertising: Clearly distinguish advertising from editorial content
NSF International is a testing, auditing and certification services assure suppliers, retailers, regulators and consumers that an independent organization has reviewed a product or system to comply with specific standards for safety, quality, sustainability or performance.
Our professional staff of engineers, microbiologists, toxicologists, chemists and public health experts provides services in 180 countries across all major industries. Our ISO/IEC 17025-accredited, state-of-the-art global laboratories provide a wide range of testing, certification and technical services as well as human health risk assessments.
Our professional staff of engineers, microbiologists, toxicologists, chemists and public health experts provides services in 180 countries across all major industries. Our ISO/IEC 17025-accredited, state-of-the-art global laboratories provide a wide range of testing, certification and technical services as well as human health risk assessments.
"How to evaluate a Health Information Website?" This is an excellent article for evaluation of any and all websites that you might obtain through a google search. Please make sure your site is reputable and the information is obtained from Evidenced Based, Peer Reviewed Professionals with Degrees and Appropriate Licenses for the information you desire. I have provided both the link and the complete article.
http://ods.od.nih.gov/Health_Information/How_To_Evaluate_Health_Information_on_the_Internet_Questions_and_Answers.aspx
"HOW TO EVALUATE HEALTH INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET: QUESTIONS & ANSWERS"
Key Points
http://ods.od.nih.gov/Health_Information/How_To_Evaluate_Health_Information_on_the_Internet_Questions_and_Answers.aspx
"HOW TO EVALUATE HEALTH INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET: QUESTIONS & ANSWERS"
Key Points
- Any Web site should make it easy for you to learn who is responsible for the site and its information (see Question 1).
- If the person or organization in charge of the Web site did not write the material, the Web site should clearly identify the original source of the information (see Question 4).
- Health-related Web sites should give information about the medical credentials of the people who have prepared or reviewed the material on the site (see Question 6).
- Any Web site that asks you for personal information should explain exactly what the site will and will not do with that information (see Question 9).
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission are federal government agencies that help protect consumers from false or misleading health claims on the Internet (see Question 12).
- Who runs the Web site? Any Web site should make it easy for you to learn who is responsible for the site and its information. On the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) Web site, for example, the ODS is clearly noted on every major page, along with a link to the site's homepage.
- Who pays for the Web site? It costs money to run a Web site. The source of a Web site's funding should be clearly stated or readily apparent. For example, the U.S. government funds Web sites with addresses ending in ".gov," educational institutes maintain ".edu" sites, noncommercial organizations' addresses often use ".org," and ".com" denotes a commercial organization. A Web site's source of funding can affect the content it presents, how it presents that content, and what the owner wants to accomplish on the site.
- What is the Web site's purpose? The person or organization that runs a Web site and the site's funding sources determine the site's purpose. Many Web sites have a link to information about the site, often called "About This Site." This Web page should clearly state the purpose of the site and help you evaluate the trustworthiness of the site's information. Although many legitimate Web sites sell health and medical products, keep in mind that the Web site owner's desire to promote a product or service can influence the accuracy of the health information they present. Looking for another source of health information that is independent and unbiased can help you validate the accuracy of the material presented on a Web site.
- What is the original source of the Web site's information? Many health and medical Web sites post information that the owner has collected from other Web sites or sources. If the person or organization in charge of the site did not write the material, they should clearly identify the original source.
- How does the Web site document the evidence supporting its information? Web sites should identify the medical and scientific evidence that supports the material presented on the site. Medical facts and figures should have references (such as citations of articles published in medical journals). Also, opinions or advice should be clearly set apart from information that is "evidence based" (that is, based on research results). Testimonials from people who said they have tried a particular product or service are not evidence based and usually cannot be corroborated.
- Who reviewed the information before the owner posted it on the Web site? Health-related Web sites should give information about the medical credentials of the people who prepared or reviewed the material on the Web site. For example, the ODS Web site contains fact sheets about vitamins minerals and other dietary supplements. These documents undergo extensive scientific review by recognized experts from the academic and research communities.
- How current is the information on the Web site? Experts should review and update the material on Web sites on a regular basis. Medical information needs to be current because medical research is constantly coming up with new information about medical conditions and how best to treat or prevent them. Web sites should clearly post the most recent update or review date. Even if the information has not changed in a long time, the site owner should indicate that someone has reviewed it recently to ensure that the information is still valid.
- How does the Web site owner choose links to other sites? Owners of reliable Web sites usually have a policy governing which links to other sites they post. Some medical Web sites take a conservative approach and do not provide links to any other sites; some sites provide links to any site that asks or pays for a link; and others provide links only to sites that have met certain criteria. Checking a Web site's linking policy can help you understand how they choose links to other sites and what they're trying to accomplish by posting those links.
- What information about users does the Web site collect, and why? Web sites routinely track the path users take through their sites to determine what pages people are viewing. However, many health-related Web sites also ask users to "subscribe" to or "become a member" of the site. Sites sometimes do this to collect a user fee or select relevant information for the user. The subscription or membership might allow the Web site owner to collect personal information about the user.
Any Web site asking you for personal information should explain exactly what the site will and will not do with the information. Many commercial sites sell "aggregate" data—such as what percent of their users take dietary supplements—about their users to other companies. In some cases, sites collect and reuse information that is "personally identifiable," such as your ZIP code, gender, and birth date. Be certain to read and understand any privacy policy or similar language on the site and do not sign up for anything that you do not fully understand. - How does the Web site manage interactions with users? Web sites should always offer a way for users to contact the Web site owner with problems, feedback, and questions. If the site hosts a chat room or some other form of online discussion, it should explain the terms of using the service. For example, the site should explain whether anyone moderates the discussions and, if so, who provides the moderation and what criteria the moderator uses to determine which comments to accept and which to reject. Always read online discussions before participating to make sure that you are comfortable with the discussion and with what participants say to one another.
- How can you verify the accuracy of information you receive via e-mail? Carefully evaluate any e-mail messages you receive that provide health-related information. Consider the message's origin and purpose. Some companies or organizations use e-mail to advertise products or attract people to their Web sites. A critical eye is warranted if an individual or company is promoting a particular medical product or service in an e-mail without providing supporting medical evidence.
- How does the U.S. federal government protect consumers from false or misleading health claims posted on the Internet? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates foods, including dietary supplements. The FDA monitors food product labels, claims, package inserts, and accompanying literature. FDA publications that can help you evaluate health information include Tips for Dietary Supplement Users (Page last updated 02/23/2018) and FDA 101: Health Fraud Awareness. (Page last updated: 06/22/2018 )
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces consumer protection laws and regulates dietary supplement advertising. As part of its mission, the FTC investigates complaints about false or misleading health claims posted on the Internet.
The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) of the National Institutes of Health stimulates and supports research on dietary supplements, distributes the results of research on dietary supplements, and provides educational material on dietary supplements, including fact sheets on dietary supplements and other reliable health information.
Harbor Lights 9 10 21 HARBOR LIGHTS (Used with permission from Todd Salat)
Sharing an Alaskan memory from six years ago… Auroras rise above the Seward Boat Harbor on October 7, 2015 at 11:07 pm. Seeing northern lights dancing on webcams lately while I was under cloudy skies gave me the “aurora itch.” On a whim, I opened up my 2015 archives and came across this Seward shot that called out to be shared.
Sharing an Alaskan memory from six years ago… Auroras rise above the Seward Boat Harbor on October 7, 2015 at 11:07 pm. Seeing northern lights dancing on webcams lately while I was under cloudy skies gave me the “aurora itch.” On a whim, I opened up my 2015 archives and came across this Seward shot that called out to be shared.
KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR THE RIGHT CARE
(Shared from Blue Cross Blue Shield-through a friend)
Summertime means outdoor time. Summer is project time. It's "try out my new bike" time. And with all that activity, well, accidents happen. So it's a good time to review your options for care — before you need it.
If your health plan or provider offers a nurse line, this option can help you determine if you need to see a doctor and where to go for the right level of care. Or, Call me, your own Parish Nurse.
Online care allows you to meet with a provider through video conferencing (if offered through your plan). This option is usually more cost-effective than other treatment options for non-emergency situations. Use online care for allergies, cold and flu symptoms, bladder, sinus, ear and eye infections, stomach problems and even acne.
Retail clinics provide an excellent supplement to primary care for things like strep throat, sinus, ear and eye infections or bronchitis.
Your primary doctor is the best place to get care for most of your medical needs, including minor injuries and routine health exams.
Urgent care centers provide care on a walk-in basis for illnesses and injuries that need immediate attention such as sprains, simple cuts and burns and eye injuries. (Mountain Medical Immediate Care 1302 NE 3rd St. Bend, OR will take OHP clients and Veteran's who are eligible for Immediate Care Facilities- Urgent care, X-ray on site, physicals, travel vaccinations, drug testing, Occupational Health - 541 388 7799 - www.mtmedgr.com )
Emergency room visits should be made only for the most serious or life- threatening issues, such as difficulty breathing, serious injuries, seizures or if you think you're having a stroke.
These suggestions are a general recommendation only and based on utilizing in-network providers. Please check your plan benefits to verify coverage. If you have further questions about where to go for care or your covered benefits, please call the number on the back of your member ID card.Using the appropriate health care provider can save you time and money. The guide above can help you choose the right level care the next time you need it.
So keep these guidelines in mind as you enjoy the warmer weather, and oh...don't forget your bike helmet.
Here's to a safe summer,
– Your Health Guide
(Shared from Blue Cross Blue Shield-through a friend)
Summertime means outdoor time. Summer is project time. It's "try out my new bike" time. And with all that activity, well, accidents happen. So it's a good time to review your options for care — before you need it.
If your health plan or provider offers a nurse line, this option can help you determine if you need to see a doctor and where to go for the right level of care. Or, Call me, your own Parish Nurse.
Online care allows you to meet with a provider through video conferencing (if offered through your plan). This option is usually more cost-effective than other treatment options for non-emergency situations. Use online care for allergies, cold and flu symptoms, bladder, sinus, ear and eye infections, stomach problems and even acne.
Retail clinics provide an excellent supplement to primary care for things like strep throat, sinus, ear and eye infections or bronchitis.
Your primary doctor is the best place to get care for most of your medical needs, including minor injuries and routine health exams.
Urgent care centers provide care on a walk-in basis for illnesses and injuries that need immediate attention such as sprains, simple cuts and burns and eye injuries. (Mountain Medical Immediate Care 1302 NE 3rd St. Bend, OR will take OHP clients and Veteran's who are eligible for Immediate Care Facilities- Urgent care, X-ray on site, physicals, travel vaccinations, drug testing, Occupational Health - 541 388 7799 - www.mtmedgr.com )
Emergency room visits should be made only for the most serious or life- threatening issues, such as difficulty breathing, serious injuries, seizures or if you think you're having a stroke.
These suggestions are a general recommendation only and based on utilizing in-network providers. Please check your plan benefits to verify coverage. If you have further questions about where to go for care or your covered benefits, please call the number on the back of your member ID card.Using the appropriate health care provider can save you time and money. The guide above can help you choose the right level care the next time you need it.
So keep these guidelines in mind as you enjoy the warmer weather, and oh...don't forget your bike helmet.
Here's to a safe summer,
– Your Health Guide
