It’s an exciting time to be a healthcare communicator as social and mobile technologies and strategies are making their way into the industry. Patients are more and more in the driver’s seat at their doctor’s appointments, but as physicians have the ability to streamline their practice and diagnostic procedures they’re starting to meet them halfway. In addition, patients now have the power to impact the brand of a hospital or medical practice with the push of a button. While the stakes are high for healthcare communicators, if they embrace social media in a pragmatic way, it can be an incredibly rewarding and worthwhile investment. However, if they choose to stick their head in the sand, the reputation of your hospital and practice are at stake.

Diagnosing illness through social media

When we start to feel sick, our first reaction isn’t necessarily to call the doctor’s office to make an appointment. More and more, people are turning to social networks and online resources such as WebMD to find an explanation for their symptoms.

When Internet-savvy patients come to a doctor’s office with specific problems, it’s likely that they’ll already have an idea of what their problem could be. Doctors can assume that many of their patients have already done some preliminary research online through sites such as Wikipedia to educate themselves before visiting the doctor. Armed with these new tools, patients no longer have to simply accept a doctor’s medical diagnosis; they will ask questions, potentially debate their diagnosis, and crowdsource for the best treatment options. And with popular resources and sites including PatientsLikeMe, CureTogether and Inspire getting strong traction, patients can only become more empowered. Mobile Health solutions are also giving patients (and physicians) anytime, anywhere access to information and real-time diagnosis. One of the most compelling and promising apps to date is from Boston-based Ubiqi Health, who has developed an app for managing migraines.

So what does this all mean for health care communicators? It means that consumers will be visiting corporate websites, relevant online resources and social media channels to find the health information they’re seeking. Health care communicators must understand that in order to maintain competitive advantage, they must encourage and educate those directly interacting with patients to embrace social media. Health care companies that show their willingness to meet current and potential patients where they are already seeking information – online and across social networks – in a helpful and fully transparent way will reap the benefits of higher customer loyalty and satisfaction.

Hospitals are involved in social media – even if they aren’t

Social networks are not just platforms to distribute or broadcast content– more importantly, they are platforms for sharing experiences and managing reputation. When patients visit hospitals, they share their experiences on Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and Yelp. This can come in the form of a location-based check-in, analysis of how well (or poorly) they’ve been treated, or rating of their overall experience. Patients will share information with their network about long (or short) waiting times, how friendly (or unfriendly) the staff was, and discuss whether or not the needs of their visit were met, no matter if the hospital has a social media plan or not. Local hospitals that really get social and using it effectively are Tufts Medical Center and Children’s Hospital Boston.

It’s important to understand that even if a hospital isn’t actively participating in social media or doesn’t have a strategy in place, it isn’t absent from social media. Even if a hospital’s strategy is to simply monitor and respond to negative comments online, or to provide information and alerts about waiting room times, or to answer basic non-medical patient questions, it will help show patients that the hospital is there for them and can offer support.

The bottom line is that it is impossible to avoid social media and detrimental to a hospital to ignore customer feedback, so health care communications teams should proactively get involved in social media and build baseline strategies to help shape the image of their organization and build a positive online reputation – before their competitors beat them to it!

September 27, 2011
Mr. Jerry Wolffe
The Oakland Press

Dear Jerry,

I read your article in the Oakland Press last week regarding the No Fault Tweak bill in Lansing. I am somewhat surprised that you did not offer any information on the down side of these bills (HB 4936 and Senate Bill 649).

As the president of the Michigan Spinal Cord Injury Association, I believe these bills would be devastating to Michigan’s injured insured’s. Additionally, we would be faced with a major setback as it relates to the development of new research and therapy centers that have produced countless breakthroughs in the treatment of muscular skeletal and neurological impairments due to injury and illness.

I just returned from Mackinaw Island to attend the GOP leadership Conference where my sole purpose for attending was to meet with our State legislators and discuss the perils of any proposed changes to Michigan’s existing laws. I was pleasantly shocked to receive support from many Representatives and Senators in my initiative to repeal these bills in committee.

The two bills could still come up early fall in committee and then fast tracked for a vote later this fall. As is evident from the foregoing, SB 649 and HB 4936 are a clear confirmation that the Michigan auto insurance industry desires to effectively repeal Michigan’s model no–fault insurance system and shift their commercial healthcare cost to government run Medicaid and Medicare. If these bills are enacted, the cost shift and uncompensated care consequences would be dire for the State’s Medicaid budget fueling more structural deficits going forward. Additionally, under any proposed change, thousand’s of critically injured patients would be displaced and forced to State funded welfare. In an important new study analyzing the impact of proposed changes to the state’s current No-Fault laws authored by Anderson Economic Group, AEG states, 5,000 jobs will be eliminated and $809 Million of care will shift from commercial insurance companies to state run Medicaid, individuals and charities!

Most economist agree that the following, are just some of the negative implications and or consequences of enacting any proposed legislation that is intended to be a classic cost shift from private sector to public sector coffers:

Increased Budget Deficits – due to cost shift to the State of Michigan’s budget and Medicaid

Increased taxes – resulting from a massive cost shift from no-fault insurance to Medicaid and Medicare;

Increased health insurance costs – resulting from massive cost shifts from no-fault insurance to health insurance coverage’s.

Increased insurance premiums – resulting from the need to purchase higher liability insurance to protect consumers from increased exposure to liability for a victim’s unfunded medical expenses.

Increased litigation – resulting from victims suing at-fault drivers for unfunded medical care thus tying up the courts and requiring more Judges

A loss of jobs and elimination of small business – resulting from diminished reimbursement to medical providers who treat severely injured accident victims.

Limited coverage for senior citizens and disabled people who do not drive – resulting from statutorily mandated minimum coverage’s for non-motorists who have no household auto insurance coverage.

Jerry, I would like to schedule a call to your office and ask that you may consider some of the additional facts I have included above. Since we are dealing with a republican majority up in Lansing, I have tried to limit my points to primarily the fiscal impact that such new legislation would have on the State and it’s residents. This is not to say however, that I am avoiding the human factor which would be negatively impacted.

Yours truly,

Gregory Jamian
President, CEO
AmeriCare Medical, Inc.

P. 248 280 2020
F. 248 288 2270
E. gjamian@americaremedical.com

Effective August 15, 2011, all Social Security offices in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Chesterfield, Dearborn, Fort Gratiot, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Inkster, Livonia, Monroe, Roseville, Royal Oak, Sterling Heights, Pontiac, Royal Oak, Farmington Hills and Wyandotte, encompassing all of Southeast Michigan, will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30pm – a reduction of 30 minutes each weekday.

While agency employees will continue to work their regular hours, this shorter public window will allow them to complete face-to-face service with the visiting public without incurring the cost of overtime.   Congress provided Social Security with nearly $1 billion less than the President requested for the budget this fiscal year, which makes it impossible for the agency to provide the amount of overtime needed to handle service to the public as we have in the past.

Most Social Security services do not require a visit to an office.  For example, anyone wishing to apply for benefits, sign up for direct deposit, replace a Medicare card, obtain a proof of income letter or inform us of a change of address or telephone number may do so at www.socialsecurity.gov or by dialing our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213.  People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.

AmeriCare Medical, Inc. has re-entered the medical equipment and supply retail market with its new Sun Medical Equipment store which opened June 15, inside the lobby of the 400 bed, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac. The company has been providing delivery of home medical equipment for St. Joseph patients.

Gregory Jamian, AmeriCare Medical Company President and CEO said, “We were very careful in evaluating the potential for a new hospital based retail store. However, with this size hospital and the comprehensive care they provide, I knew this was the place to be for AmeriCare Medical.”

 Offering medical products and supplies to patients being discharged from the hospital on their way home provides ease for arranging home care services. “We were invited in by hospital administration because of our known reputation in Southeastern Michigan’s healthcare community for providing high quality and dependable patient care. This location made additional sense to me due to its serviceability to the great demographics of the Birmingham and Bloomfield area along Woodward Avenue.”

St. Joseph Mercy Oakland just completed a $100 million dollar renovation and expansion including a brand new lobby and retail corridor where AmeriCare’s new store sits right in the middle of. The foot print of this store is only 900 square feet and Jamian says “that it is exactly how I designed it. I was not looking for a big box kind of layout…I wanted something more intimate but with all the offerings that our customers need,” Jamian said. Americare Medical is the parent company to Sun Medical Equipment Co., AmeriStaff Nursing Services and Rx iV Infusion Pharmacy, an integrated health Services company in the DME, HHA, HIT and Health Care staffing business for over 32 years.

The company has had extensive experience in the retail medical supply business and has experienced its successes by the strategic placement of each and everyone one of its stores over the years, says Jamian. This design and placement however is the most promising of all of Jamian’s stores due to its upscale yet very friendly look.

The national architectural firm Neumann Smith was hired by Jamian in the fall of 2010 to provide the academic structure to Jamian’s vision. Jamian teams up with its landlord Trinity Health, in using this location to assist with programs that are aimed at reducing hospital re-admissions.

FYI: Sun Medical Equipment (inside St.Joseph Mercy Hospital- Oakland), 44405 Woodward Ave., Pontiac. Call 248-280-2020

AmeriCare Medical Inc., a Troy-based home health, staffing and medical equipment company, has opened a new medical equipment and supply retail store at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, said AmeriCare CEO Gregory Jamian.

Under the brand name of Sun Medical Equipment, AmeriCare has leased 900 square feet of space in St. Joseph Mercy Oakland’s new lobby and retail area. The lobby, which is still being built out, also contains a pharmacy, gift shop, coffee shop and convenience store.

“I was not looking for a big-box kind of layout. … I wanted something more intimate but with all the offerings that our customers require,” Jamian said.

Jack Weiner, CEO of St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, said the hospital invited AmeriCare to set up a retail outlet at the hospital for patient convenience. The hospital had a long-term relationship with AmeriCare for delivery of home medical equipment to patients, he said.

“Everything is becoming convenience and access. We have a lot of patients who need walkers and wheelchairs, and some patients want to bring home what they need,” Weiner said.

AmeriCare, founded in 1979, is the parent company of Sun Medical Equipment Co., AmeriStaff Nursing Services and Rx iV Infusion Pharmacy.

Jamian said AmeriCare had operated three retail home medical equipment offices in Southeast Michigan until 2008, when sales began to drop because of Internet purchasing.

AmeriCare is negotiating another lease for a home medical equipment office with another hospital in Oakland County that is part of Novi-based Trinity Health. He declined to identify the hospital. St. Joseph Mercy Oakland is one of 12 Trinity Health hospitals in Michigan.

“We will locate at hospitals because as the patient gets discharged, they will need home medical equipment supplies,” Jamian said. “Hospital employees also need medical supplies. It is a good place to do business.”

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Troy, MI –AmeriStaff Nursing wants to make sure that senior citizens are receiving the proper attendant care.  The company’s most popular program, Home Helpers, is designed specifically for seniors that may be eligible for stay in an assisted living facility or nursing home, but would rather receive personal care at home instead.

Home Helpers, AmeriStaff’s private duty eldercare, is designed to enhance the patient’s quality of life and independence by helping with all of the day-to-day activities.  “So many seniors would love the opportunity to stay in their home and still get the optimal care they need,” says company President Gregory Jamian.  “Through our home health care, we can give them not only some helping hands, but also a companion that can be there for them and take care of their every need.”

AmeriStaff’s home care helpers can do everything, from the simplest tasks such as answering the door, making dinner, and even watering the plants, to the more skilled tasks such as physical therapy, home infusion therapy, and nutrition care.

AmeriStaff and Home Helpers can also provide home care nursing for those that need more high-tech care.  AmeriStaff has been acclaimed for their nursing care for over 30 years, and can offer skilled, experienced RN’s to provide comforting care for patients and elders.  The program also offers skilled nursing visits for those that don’t need round the clock RN care.

AmeriStaff has an experienced team of staffing coordinators that place only the most qualified Home Helpers employees with patients.  All of AmeriStaff’s health care professionals are licensed, certified, insured, and bonded, and are thoroughly screened every year to ensure patient safety.  “Our patients have so many different requests, most of our time is spent matching up our employees and patients.  But it’s worth it when we hear how happy they are with our selection,” says Supervising Coordinator Victoria Komendera.

For more information, or to schedule your own nursing assessment, call (248) 288-2270, or email info@americaremedical.com

Troy, MI – AmeriCare Medical recently dropped off three full boxes of donated toys to the Pontiac Toys for Tots location.   Multiple in-house and field employees, patients and members of the community brought toys to the AmeriCare office give to children for the holidays.

AmeriCare chooses to support a different charity each year for the holiday season, and selected Toys for Tots because of its ability to impact hundreds of thousands of families each year, providing Christmas gifts for needy children.  The stated objective of Toys for Tots is to help needy children throughout the United States to experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable natural resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.

AmeriCare is thrilled to be able to help Toys for Tots this holiday season.   “In our everyday work, our employees are used to giving and caring for people, but we like to pay particular interest during the holiday season in providing joy to children who are less fortunate,” says Company President Greg Jamian.

According to Toys for Tots assistant Christle Payton, there is a lot of need for toys for Christmas in Oakland County.  Their volunteers spend days each year sorting and handing out toys to thousands of families.  “Every year, we have about 2,500 families come into our office,” she says.  “Over 10,000 children get their Christmas toys from us.  They all come in with lists of things they want, and we try our best to give them exactly what they ask for.”

Because of the low number of volunteers for 2010, AmeriCare Medical employees were happy to deliver their own donation to the Toys for Tots office and take a tour of the facility and see how the toys were sorted and given out.  The company is looking forward to being a regular Toys for Tots drop-off location in the coming years.

For more information, please call Cristina Shallal at 248.288.2270, or email cshallal@americaremedical.com.

Troy, MI – AmeriCare Medical has become the newest drop-off location for the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots Program.   The initial objective that remains the hallmark of the program today is to “bring the joy of Christmas to America’s needy children.”   Since the organization was established in 1947, Marines have distributed more than 400 million toys to more than 188 million needy children.

The nationwide Toys for Tots campaign has received support from celebrities like Nat “King” Cole, Peggy Lee and Vic Damone, Bob Hope, John Wayne, Doris Day, Lorrie Morgan, Tim Allen, Kenny Rogers and Billy Ray Cyrus, First Lady Nancy Reagan and First Lady Barbara Bush.  In 1995, the Secretary of Defense approved Toys for Tots as an official activity of the U. S. Marine Corps and an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve.

“We are so happy to be able to help such a longstanding and charitable program,” says AmeriCare President Gregory Jamian.  “AmeriCare has always devoted an extensive amount of time giving back to the community during the holidays, and Toys for Tots is a great way to ensure that families in Michigan can have a Merry Christmans.”

AmeriCare Medical is located at 1938 Woodslee Dr, between Maple and Big Beaver off John R road.  A box will be right inside the front door from today until Wednesday, December 8 when the toys will be taken to Toys for Tots of Oakland County to be distributed.

Please bring only new, unwrapped toys to donate.

For more information, please call Cristina Shallal at 248.288.2270, or email cshallal@americaremedical.com.

Troy, MI – The Michigan Spinal Cord Injury Association (MSCIA) has chosen to utilize donation money from their first major event to assist a woman in Detroit, who has not been able to leave her house in over a year except by ambulance to visit her doctor.

Marie Knight was diagnosed with Lupus over thirteen years ago, but only recently has it disabled her to the point of not being able to leave her house without assistance.  Since November 2009, the disease has paralyzed her from the waist down.  In addition to her struggles with Lupus, Marie also suffers from Neuromyelitis optica, or Devic’s disease, a central nervous system disorder involving inflammation of the eye nerves and inflammation of the spinal cord.

Marie is a mother of seven children, five of which currently live at home with her.  She contacted Janet Prince at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, who in turn reached out to the MSCIA for help.  “I would very much enjoy to be able to go out and see the world,” Marie says of her need for a ramp at her front door.  “I’ve been a caregiver for most of my life, but now I am in need of help myself.”

The MSCIA held a very successful “Rolling with Promise” informational event and dinner at The San Marino Club in Troy, on July 15, and are eager to utilize the donations collected from the event to directly benefit spinal cord injured members of the community.  “We wanted all of the donation money received to go straight back to the community, and we are truly excited to have the opportunity to make such an impact on a person’s life.  We hope that we can do a lot more of this!” says MSCIA Board Member Stacey Murphy.

The focus of the MSCIA is to enhance and empower those with spinal cord injury and disease to achieve and maintain the highest levels of independence, health and personal fulfillment. The MSCIA is the Michigan chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, or the NSCIA.  The NSCIA, founded in 1948, is the nation’s oldest and largest civilian organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Americans living with the results of spinal cord injury and disease and their families. Collectively, there are over 24,000 voices representing the association.

After the project was approved unanimously by the MSCIA Board Members, Disability Made Easy of Troy (a barrier-free construction company) was given the task of building the ramp.  The Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters (MRCC) donated directly to the ramp-building project to cover all extra costs.  “This ramp is an opportunity to give a piece of equipment that will keep giving back to Marie every time she uses it,” says MSCIA Board Member Kathryn Warner.  “We love that we were able to help her out in such a big way.”

Construction for the ramp begins this Monday, November 8, and the MSCIA as well as all others involved are eager to see the project completed.  “The sooner we can have the ramp built, the sooner Marie can enjoy freedom to come and go from her home as she pleases,” says MSCIA Board Member Gregory Jamian.  “We hope, with these efforts, we can make her day-to-day living just a little bit easier for her and her family.”

For more information about the MSCIA and this upcoming project, or to interview Marie or an MSCIA member, please contact Cristina Shallal at 248.288.2270, or email info@mispinalcord.org.