Critical Care - Answering the Most Sensitive Call to Duty

Many times when a person has been severely injured they will be placed in the critical care unit of a hospital. This unit is designed for those people that are looking at a fatal condition or illness. These people require constant care around the clock.

The people who work in a critical care unit are considered to be the "angels" of the medical world. The people, who have devoted their lives to taking care of these ultra-sensitive patients, have made a commitment to providing care to those that are in a critical care situation.

Many of the patients consist of either people that are facing a terminal illness or have had some sort of trauma that requires special attention be given to their medical issues. These patients are often times given a low chance at recovery, but the nurses that work this unit see things in a different way, they see each patient as a chance at survival and renewal of life.

Beyond the care that they provide the patients, there is the human side that is often times shown to the family of these patients. Many times the families feel like there is no one there for them when they need someone. The nurses that work a critical care unit have a way of listening to a person and letting them know they are not alone in this issue.

This reassurance can often times be comforting to a person when they need it the most. It is the job of these nurses to be there both for the patient and the family. There have been a lot of changes that have come to the critical care unit since the early days in the 1920's.

Today many critically injured patients are given a better chance at survival given the advancements that have been made in the world of medicine. There was a time when a person that was admitted to one of these units was not expected to recover.

There is a lot more of training that one of these nurses will need to go through. The reason behind this is due to the fact that a nurse in the critical care unit has to be in a position to provide extra care than what a standard nurse is used to. There is a longer training and certification period that is required for these nurses.

These nurses are also a vital part of an emergency room. They are often times the first ones that come across a trauma case in the ER. These nurses and staffers have a special ability, due to their work in critical care, to address the unique challenges of the ER and its patients.

As long as there are critical care patients, there will be a need for trained people to work these units. There will continue to be advancements in medicine that will help in the recovery process. This will lead to a person being able to recover from these life threatening situations and as a result will allow them to leave the hospital after making a full recovery.

Urgent Care Clinics Booming in Difficult Healthcare Market

The economic downturn, looming entitlement reforms and potential budget cuts in the United States at the federal and state level are allowing the growth of urgent care clinics, otherwise known as immediate care clinics, to substantially increase. This is considered to be a remedy to fill in the growing doctor shortage.

According to industry reports and spending by large healthcare operators, the number of urgent care clinics is projected to soar within the next decade. It is estimated that more than 8,000 urgent care clinics have been established - other numbers show 9,000 - and the Urgent Care Association of America reports eight to 10 percent annual growth.

Urgent care facilities are different than traditional hospitals and are rather similar to the health clinics found in places like Walmart and Walgreen because they are usually open on evenings and weekends and treat common health issues - some immediate care clinics do offer additional services like X-rays for broken bones.

Some medical professionals like to consider their urgent care clinics as after-hours doctors' offices. Most of those who work in such an office do note, however, patients may not get to see a board-certified doctor or another kind of specialist.

A large percentage of walk-in clinics and urgent care offices are managed and operated by non-profit health systems, which receive donations and contributions in order to pay for construction and renovation costs, patient care program support, general operations costs and equipment purchases, according to the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy's (AHP) annual Report on Giving study.

With so many of these operations setting up in malls, main streets and in major metropolitan cities, can the non-profit sector even pay for them? Well, Reuters is reporting that private equity firms have been investing money into urgent care clinics over the past few years. Although there is a tremendous risk in investing in these clinics because of the possibility of oversaturation and low insurance reimbursements, these firms work one-on-one with clinics to provide quality and to make profit.

Rand Health found that retailers are entering the healthcare marketplace too. Big box stores, such as Target and Walmart, only had a few of these clinics in the year 2000, but today there are more than 1,200.

"Retail clinics emphasize convenience, with extended weekend and evening hours, no appointments, and short wait times," the organization states in its report. "More than 44 percent of retail clinic visits take place when physician offices are typically closed. Price transparency and low costs may also be particularly attractive for people without insurance."

This is surely part of the profit-motive for these corporations.

Regardless of the concerns one may have over the private sector getting involved in such an industry, urgent care clinics are part of the nation's future healthcare market, especially since President Obama's Affordable Care Act is now law of the land and will add a burden to the system.

"Many factors could influence the future of retail clinics in the U.S. First, the growing body of evidence casting doubt on quality-of-care concerns could lead to greater acceptance and use of retail clinics," Rand added.

"Full implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could also lead to continued retail clinic growth. With more people insured and an increased demand for primary care under the ACA, access to primary care physicians could decrease. This may lead to increased demand for retail clinics. Similarly, if wait times for physician appointments increase-as has been the case in Massachusetts following its health reform-this could also increase retail clinic demand."

Despite the concerns that some may have about private investment possibly cutting costs to increase its bottom line, urgent care clinics must offer remedies to health issues otherwise the consumer will go elsewhere to receive proper medical attention.

Critical Care Insurance - Is it Right For You?

While it is true that the quirky Aflac duck has brought awareness to consumers about supplemental insurance, many individuals are not clear what it is and if they need to have it. Supplemental insurance, put simply, is insurance that provides additional financial benefits to the policyholder that traditionally fall outside the realm of a typical health insurance policy. Aflac's "specified health event protection" plan, also packaged by other companies as a "critical care" plan, is an insurance plan that pays the insured for benefits such as hospital and intensive care confinement; major organ transplantation; ambulance costs; waiver of premium benefits and transportation and lodging compensation as needed during the treatment of a critical illness. If the medical facility is within a certain mile radius of a policyholder's home, often the insurance company will pay a small per mile fee to the policyholder for traveling expenses for extended treatment. Each company's policy varies so it is important to ask questions and read the brochures thoroughly to see what benefits are actually covered in the plan you are considering.

Anyone that already has a health insurance policy will already have coverage for the medical expenses incurred from a debilitating accident or illness. But the health insurance policy, of course, does not include the various expenses associated with a patient's long-term care. So, who needs a critical care policy? Let's take a closer look to see if a critical care policy would be advantageous for you.

First of all, a critical care policy provides a layer of financial protection beyond the conventional health insurance policy much like a savings account protects an individual's checking account balance. If an individual inadvertently overdraws the checking account, then the bank uses funds from his/her savings account to protect the consumer's buying power. Likewise, when medical bills are mounting due to a serious medical condition, the insurance company releases funds directly to the consumer rather than to the hospital so that the insured is free to pay incoming medical bills or other expenses related to the medical condition. An insured could actually take the funds released to him/her from the supplemental insurance plan to help pay the mortgage or to buy meals at the hospital. In this way, the supplemental plan bridges the gap between a traditional health insurance policy and actual expenses occurred.

Secondly, unlike a conventional health insurance policy, an individual's "critical care" policy is guaranteed renewable each year. Therefore, once diagnosed with a condition, such as end-stage renal failure, at policy renewal time, the insurance company guarantees to renew the individual's policy in spite of the mounting medical bills.

To determine if a critical care insurance policy is right for you, take a personal inventory. Is there a history of chronic health problems, such as heart failure, stroke or cancer? (Please note that some policies do not include cancer as a covered peril. Aflac, for instance, sells a cancer policy separately that provides benefits that are specifically geared toward the medical procedures related to cancer treatment.) A history of chronic illness is a good indicator that critical care insurance may be an excellent option for you.

Next of all, consider your personal finances. Do you have the discipline to set aside money monthly to cover long-term medical care due to critical illness? And do you have an adequate income to prepare for such an event? Costs for a year of nursing home care can range from $50,000 and higher. A part-time aide can cost as much as $10,000 per year. That is a year's salary for many individuals.

And finally, get at least three quotes before you purchase a policy. Compare the policies to be sure that the premium you will pay covers your greatest medical and financial needs. Don't forget to factor your age into the equation when deciding if the monthly premiums will eventually pay off to your benefit.

How to Become a Critical Care Nurse

A critical care nurse is a professional who deals with seriously ill patients in the intensive care unit. They do not only care for the patients, but also help doctors administer treatment and monitor the conditions of the patients. The service of critical care nurses is highly important and can mean the difference between success and failure of a medical endeavor. In some cases, they can also save the lives of patients. As such, a career in critical nursing can be very stressful and requires extraordinary commitment and genuine passion to help others. Although it is a challenging job, it can also bring great fulfillment. If you wish to become a nurse, it is advantageous to know exactly what the job entails.

Job Profile

The duties of a critical care nurse include caring for patients, checking and monitoring the vital signs of patients, administering appropriate medicines and helping doctors perform treatments. As a critical nurse, your job is more pressurizing than that of a regular nurse as a result of the critical nature of the illnesses of the patients under your care. When critical symptoms show, you must act in an efficient manner to ensure that the appropriate treatment will be administered as soon as possible. You also have to work with many different kinds of medical equipment, including life support systems.

What It Takes to Become a Critical Care Nurse

To become a successful nurse, you must be very attentive as you will be required to provide information regarding patients to the doctors. You are responsible for detecting symptoms in patients and must be constantly prepared for the unexpected as life-threatening symptoms may present at anytime. It is also important that you possess strong knowledge of medications and treatment methods, as well as their effects on patients. You will be required to work closely with doctors and must be prepared to work long hours when emergencies occur. Attention to detail, a strong will and calmness are some of the traits that you need to possess to excel in the field of critical care nursing.

Education Requirements

An education in nursing is a must for anyone who wishes to become a critical care nurse. There are many schools that offer excellent nursing courses and programs that are appropriate for a critical nursing career. If you want to learn the basics of nursing, you can opt for a diploma or Associate Degree in nursing. A Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in nursing will prepare you for greater career advancement, making you eligible for top critical care nursing positions in the best medical facilities. Typically, nursing programs cover areas of study such as human anatomy, illnesses, medications, and nursing procedures. After obtained the required nursing education, you must obtain an advanced practice certification or a cardiac care certification before you seek employment.

Career Opportunities and Salary

Critical care nurses are in high demand nowadays and you can be assured that you win a great position once you have graduated from nursing school. Most critical care nurses work in hospitals, but there are some who work in nursing schools, outpatient surgery centers, clinics, nursing schools and private homes. With enough experience serving as a critical care nurse, you can get promoted to become a nurse practitioner, or you can even opt to become a professor in a nursing school. The average salary for a critical care nurse is $65,000 a year which may change based on the individuals drive and experience.

Categorising Critically Ill Patients by Critical Care Nurses

Critical care nursing is the delivery of specialised care to critically ill patients or patients with the potential to become critically ill - that is, those who have or are susceptible to life-threatening illnesses or injuries. Such patients may be unstable, have complex needs and require intensive and vigilant critical care nursing. The Department of Health categorises acute hospital patient care into levels from 0 to 3:

• Level 0 is normal acute ward care.


• Level 1 is acute ward care with the input of critical care specialists, e.g. outreach. This may be required because of recent discharge from a critical care unit or because the patient's condition or therapy/equipment used in their care means increased intervention is needed.


• Level 2 is high dependency care for patients requiring an increased level of monitoring owing to their condition or potential for deterioration or patients with single organ failure/support. Nurse to patient ratios for this level of care are usually one nurse to two patients.


• Level 3 is intensive care for patients with two or more organ failure/support or requiring mechanical ventilation. Nurse to patient ratios for this level of care are usually one nurse to one patient.

Illnesses and injuries commonly seen in patients on critical care units, either separate level 2 and 3 facilities or combined units, include:

• traumatic injuries from such events as road traffic accidents, falls and assaults


• cardiovascular disorders, such as heart failure and acute coronary syndromes (unstable angina and myocardial infarction [MI])


• elective surgeries, such as abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and carotid endarterectomy


• emergency surgeries, such as bowel perforation and neurosurgery


• neurological disorders, such as hypoxic brain damage and subarachnoid haemorrhage


• respiratory disorders, such as acute respiratory failure and pulmonary embolism


• GI and hepatic disorders, such as acute pancreatitis, acute upper GI bleeding and acute liver failure


• renal disorders, such as acute and chronic renal failure


• cancers, such as lung, oesophageal and gastric cancer


• shock caused by hypovolaemia, sepsis and cardiogenic events (such as after MI)

Meet the critical care nurse

They are responsible for making sure that critically ill patients and members of their families receive close attention and the best care possible.

What do you do?

Fill many roles in the hospital setting, such as staff nurses, sisters, charge nurses, nurse-educators, nurse-managers, clinical nurse specialists, advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs), nurse consultants and outreach nurses.

Where do you work?

Wherever critically ill patients are found, including:

• adult, paediatric and neonatal intensive care units (ICUs) and high dependency units (HDUs), or combined critical care units caring for both level 2 and level 3 patients


• coronary care units


• cardiothoracic/neurosurgical/burns/liver units


• accident and emergency departments


• postanaesthesia/postoperative care units


• general wards as part of an 'outreach' team (providing care to patients and education to staff caring for patients with complex care needs, potential to deteriorate or recently discharged from a critical care unit).

Critical Care Nursing Career Tips

Critical care nursing is the specialty within the nursing profession that ensures the delivery of optimal care to acutely and critically ill patients. Critically ill patients are patients who are at high risk for actual or potential life threatening health problems. These patients are highly vulnerable, unstable, and have complex healthcare needs that require vigilant and intense nursing care.

These types of nurses and nurse practitioners are essential in intensive care units (ICUs), including medical, surgical, pediatric and neonatal ICUs, cardiac care units, cardiac catheter labs, telemetry units, progressive care units, emergency departments, and recovery rooms. Critical care nurses are also part of medical evacuation and transport teams.

In the United States, most critical care nurses are registered nurses; because of the unpredictable nature of the patient population, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) rarely assume the primary care role in caring for critically ill patients.

Registered nurses can obtain certification in critical care nursing through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACCN), an advisory board that sets and maintains standards for critical care nurses. This certification, known as the CCRN, describes the holder as a certified critical care nurse for adult, pediatric and neonatal patient populations.

Several subspecialties of this type of nursing can be found in units composed of similarly aged patients. These subspecialties are in the following areas:

• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, also called Nursery ICU or NICU. The NICU's patients are primarily newborn and premature infants who are cared for until they reach the gestational age of one month. After this period, their care will be assumed by the Pediatric Intensive Care unit.
• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, or PICU. Here, the patients are about one month to eighteen years of age.
• Adult Intensive Care, or ICU, takes care of patients who are beyond eighteen.

There may, however, be deviations from the above setup, such as sending newborns who get admitted in the Emergency Department to the PICU, rather than the NICU. There may be rare cases where an adult patient with congenital heart disease will be admitted to the PICU, as their current treatment is a continuation of treatment they had been receiving from their physicians since they were children.

Care subspecialties may also be based on the type of disorder, disease or primary injury of the patient population. For example, the Adult Intensive Care Unit may have a specialized unit for trauma patients called the Adult Trauma Intensive Care Unit.

There is a variety of equipment used in the critical setting with which intensive care nurses need to be thoroughly familiar. These include hemodynamic and cardiac monitoring systems, mechanical ventilator therapy, intro-aortic balloon pumps, ventricular assist devices, continuous renal replacement equipment, and other advanced life support devices. All of these are at the critical care nurse's disposal when providing medical intervention to the critically ill.

With advances in healthcare and technology, medical conditions previously described as critical can now be treated outside the critical units. Nonetheless. critical care nurses continue to keep abreast with new treatment methods and technologies in this growing profession.

Why Critical Care is So Important

Critical care is an area of medicine that deals with the life-support and care of patients that are critically ill. Normally if you hear doctors refer to a patient as being in critical care, they are basically saying that the patient is in intensive care. The medicines that are administered in critical care are also intensive care medicines. This kind of service was established in different hospitals to ensure that you and the ones you love will be well taken cared of in times of emergency. The critical care service may not seem that important to you now until you are in a position where you or a member of your family is in desperate need of this service. Nevertheless, being aware that this service is available to you will make you feel a lot more comfortable, if you were to find yourself in an unfortunate emergency health situation.

It is very important that medical critical care services be available for 24 hours every day, as there are many people, probably thousands that may require this service on a day to day basis. It is highly recommended that you have a medical care service on call, if you are looking after members of your family that are diagnosed with diseases which make them susceptible to strokes, heart attacks or any other disease that is life threatening. In addition, in the case of pregnant women, these services can provide the much needed help if a delicate emergency delivery of the baby were to take place. This kind of service would also ensure that the necessary health care is given if any complications were to be developed at the time, or during delivery.

Critical care service would also be the best chance you have at getting emergency health care, if you were to develop or experience any severe medical complications in your body. This is because this service would ensure that intensive care is given to you by the medical staff as quickly as possible. In addition, there is no other medical service available that would be able to let you recover as quickly and safely as the service provided by critical care.

However, in order to be considered for the critical care services, your injury or illness, must meet the definition of a critically ill or injured individual. A person who is critically ill or injured is in a state that will harm one or more than one, of their vital organ systems, for example the respiratory system. The harm being done in this case to your vital organ system, must also be considered to be life threatening or a situation that will definitely result in your condition getting worse. If your injury or illness, meets the conditions above, then the critical care service would be administered to you.

If it so happens that you have to go to the critical care unit one day, there will be a team of doctors who will administer the necessary critical care service. They will perform critical services that will involve very complex decisions to control, assess, and support the operations of your vital organ system, and your organ system failure will be treated. These doctors will also carry out the necessary measures to ensure that your situation does not deteriorate any further, thus saving your life or the life of a member of your family.

The Ins and Outs of the Critical Care Nursing Field

Whenever the term critical care is mentioned - most people immediately think about severely sick patients in intensive care units or ICUs. They are not mistaken. Intensive Care Units and Critical Care specialized areas in the hospital that care for patients in need of intense and one on one attention. These are the areas where a critical care nurse Practices.

What is a Critical Care Nurse

A Critical Care Nurse or a CCN is a highly specialized nurse that has been trained to work in Intensive Care areas. They are nurses that care for patients who are severely ill and in need of individualized care. A CCN cares for patients of all diagnoses and gender. Patients may vary depending on this category. Critical care nurses also deal with complex technology that helps sustain patients.

The History

This type of nursing is a relatively new nursing specialty. It wasn't until the 1950's that the very first Intensive Care Units appeared in the Western world. These units were created to deal with gravely ill patients. They were considered to need a more intensive form of care compared to the patients in the regular wards. The notion of an intensive care unit quickly spread. Today, most hospitals are required to have these specialized areas and in turn specialized nurses and physicians to run them.

Back then, nurses assigned in CCUs and ICUs were not seen as different from regular ward RNs. It was only a few years later that CCN was considered as a specialized nursing field.

Roles of a CCN

Like any other registered nurse, the roles of the critical care nurse are very complex. These nurses have to deal with severely ill patients. They also need to be familiar with complex technologies that are continually present in a critical care setting. The critical care nurse also has to know basic and advance life support. Such skills may be called upon at any point during his/her service.

The critical care nurse must also be skilled in the art of diagnosis. He/she must be able to diagnose and identify a patient's immediate needs. This part of nursing is important as it may be the difference between life and death for a patient. Nonetheless, the nurse must remember that despite being skilled at diagnosis, one must not overstep her boundaries and perform roles reserved for a physician alone.

Aside from dealing with patients and their needs, the CCN also has to deal with the patient's family. The CCN often works as a counselor that helps the family get through the crisis at hand. He/she may have to deal with questions and concerns from the patient's immediate family and significant others.

Qualifications and Requirements

IN THE PHILIPPINES - Locally, any registered nurse can become a critical care nurse. It is only a matter of area assignment. Most of the time, nurses who are assigned in critical care units are those who have shown promise in their previous areas of exposure. They are also the ones who have worked in similar areas such as medical/surgical or pediatric units.

ABROAD - Abroad, in the US specifically, there are no specialized requirement to be a critical care nurse other than an RN License. However, there are bodies of authority that certify CCNs.

Although, certification is not required, most CCNs abroad are choosing to go for it because it increases their credibility. Employers also often require their CCNs to be certified in the field. Certification is achieved post graduation. It is not something taught in school. Some schools may expose their students to ICUs, but this is not considered enough for certification. The RNs get their CCN certificates while they are on the job. It is also often sponsored by the employer.

Work Opportunities in the Philippine Nursing Scene

There are a lot of opportunities to become a critical care nurse in the Philippines. But, nurses have to understand that these critical care units are often hard to get into. These units only require a limited number of nurses. Most of the time there are only a total of 12 nurses that work in a typical ICU with 8-10 beds.

Those who do get into these areas are considered lucky because their position opens great opportunities to work abroad. In most settings, CCNs have a lesser work load compared to nurses in large wards. Patients in ICUs need more attention but the numbers are much smaller compared to wards. A typical government hospital ward may hold 50-70 patients and with only a nurse or two to manage it.

Work Abroad

There are a lot of work opportunities for a critical care nurse abroad. The CCN can work in any area where there is an intensive care unit. Certification is often an option provided by employers to deserving and promising nurses. The employers are often the ones who fund certification seminars and the likes.

With the present shortage in nursing manpower, hospitals are clamoring to get their hands on specialized nurses. These employers would often offer big sign-in bonuses just to get a nurse to work with them. The average salary of a critical care nurse in the US often ranges from USD50,000 - USD 75,000. It is estimated that nearly 70% of the critical care nurse population earn that much. Some earn slightly lower while others earn upwards of USD90,000 to USD100,000 annually.

A Little Something About the Critical Care Unit

Critical caring medicine is used to provide life or organ support to patients who are critically ill or injured and require special monitoring. These patients normally suffer from respiratory or airway compromise, renal failure blood instability, or the effects of many organs failing. Patients who have not been stabilized to the point where they do not require intensive monitoring after a major are also given critical care.

This idea of critical caring has been developed as a crucial area of caring for a patient as medical technology and medicine advances. The critical care units first came after world war two to care for patients that required close monitoring and care. In those days, the patients that were most in need of care were located closest to the nursing station while the others were located further away. As a result, the patients were rotated constantly dependent on the need and the availability of beds.

Critical care nurses deal with the response of humans to life threatening traumas. To become a critical care nurse all that is required is for you to be a registered nurse (RN) and trained, obtaining a critical nursing certification is not a must. However, majority of the employers prefer nurses who have been certified in the field, as these nurses would have the skill and knowledge required for the job. To become certified a nurse must provide care for patients who are critically ill for at least 2 years and then they take the exam.

A critical care nurse is required to work under the nursing supervisor and care for the patients to which he or she has been assigned to. The tasks involves performing treatments, dispensing all medications and maintaining accurate and complete records for each patient. This nurse should be able to identify when a patient in critical care is experiencing complications, and be able to operate the different equipments in the critical care unit. This nurse is also required to help the doctors carry out procedures and treatments which is inclusive of sterile treatments.

It is recommended that each critical nurse be assigned 2 patients at most, however this may not be what happens in some hospitals depending on their staffing number. Hospitals in the United States can have up to 24% of the beds that are available for critical care patients. In this unit special and comprehensive care is provided 24/7. The rooms are built with glass walls to facilitate the constant supervision of the patients. In most cases the unit may have specified visiting time, with the visitors being restricted to family members only, so as to allow the staff to work at their optimum level without the influences from outside, compromising the care given.

Critical care doctors treat conditions that are threatening a patient's life, organ or limb. This area is a medical specialty because it is necessary to provide instantaneous diagnosis along with managing urgent aspects of the patient's injury or illness. Doctors in the unit must have a wide field of knowledge inclusive of trauma management, surgical skills, airway and cardiac life-support. The medicines used in critical care, include both general medicines and specialized medicines which are used to diagnose conditions and stabilize the patient.

How Do I Bill For Critical Care Services? What is Critical Care Service?

Critical Care is the direct care of the provider rendered to a critically ill or injured patient who requires exclusive attention of the physician. This means a full attention of the physician to the injured or critically ill patient.

Critical Care services will require full personal management by the physician. It is an intervention with life and vital organ systems' critical condition, life threatening and deterioration. It requires the physician's full assessment and manipulation to prevent further life threatening deterioration in the patient's condition.

Critical Care involves High Complexity in Medical Decision Making to assess and manage the life threatening, clinically impaired and injured patient. Vital organs such as but not limited to: central nervous system failure, circulatory system failure, shock, renal, hepatic, metabolic or respiratory system failure.

Critical Care is NOT necessarily rendered in the ICU or CCU. Critical care is always based on the patient's condition as described above. Therefore, a stable patient in an ICU or CCU is not always a critical care service.

The rendering physician must devote his full attention on the patient and must not be interrupted by seeing other patients.

99291 - Critical Care, evaluation and management of the critically ill or critically injured patient; first 30-74 minutes

99292 - each additional 30 minutes (in conjunction with 99291)

The following procedures services are bundled in reporting Critical Care Services and are not billable during the critical care service provided on the same day by the same physician:

1. Interpretation of the Cardiac Output Measurements (93561, 93562)

2. Chest X-rays (71010, 71015, 71020)

3. Pulse Oximetry (94760, in computers ECGs, blood pressure, hematologic data (99090)

4. Gastric Intubation (43752, 91105)

5. Temporary Transcutaneous Pacing (92953)

6. Ventilatory Vascular Access Procedures (3600, 36410, 36415, 36540, 36600)

Medical Necessity Documentation:

Proper documentation must be recorded on the patient's records and proof of medical necessity why Critical Care Service is rendered.

Illustration on how to bill Critical Care Service:

Less than 30 minutes

Use the appropriate E/M Code

30 min to 1 hr and 14 min (30-74mins) - 99291 (1 unit)

1 hr 15 min to 1 hr 44 min (74-104 mins) - 99291 (1 unit)

+99292 (1 unit)

1 hr 45 min to 2 hr 44 min (105-134 mins) - 99291 (1 unit)

+99292 (2 units)

Modifier 25 and Modifier 24 can be used to bill with Critical Care Services codes (be guided with other procedures which are bundled with Critical Care Services - see above).

For more references: Consult your CPT code books. The National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) and third party payer payment policies and guidelines

Cheap Dental Care For Oral Pain and Injuries

Many kinds of injuries and painful conditions can occur within a person's mouth. Teeth often chip or break, causing many people discomfort! Inner tooth pain, triggered by damage to roots and pulp, is also a common occurrence. Whatever the reason, if any of your teeth are causing you discomfort, most likely you will need a trip to the dentist to diagnose and treat the problem. However, here is a useful explanation of common causes of oral pain, and the help you may need to find the cheap dental care you may be looking for.

Oral Pain

If you think that your teeth are hurting, then you may have one of two types of pain. First, you may have pain originating from somewhere else in your mouth besides your teeth. This falsely-attributed pain is often caused by sores, whether in your mouth, on your gums, or originating from any other source than your teeth. Pain in such areas of your mouth can often be confused with tooth pain! Usually this kind of pain can be lessened by using an over-the-counter numbing gel, and is often only temporary.

True tooth pain usually originates from within a tooth, instead of from within other tissues in the mouth. This inner tooth pain is often caused by damage to a tooth's roots or root pulp. Roots often become compromised due to decay, a painful condition known as a cavity. Also, if a tooth wears down over time, its roots may become exposed, causing extreme sensitivity.

Another reason why your teeth may be in pain is because of damage due to traumatic injuries. If your tooth has been struck so that it has now moved or bent slightly, the blow may have caused internal damage to both your tooth and its roots. Often, an injury like this does not create immediate pain from your tooth's roots. However, due to this previous damage, the affected tooth roots can become inflamed later, sometimes even years after the injury occurred! Sometimes root canals can become necessary due to trauma or extreme pressure once exerted on your teeth.

For inward tooth discomfort involving roots, over-the-counter pain medications may help for a little while, but a dentist's help is often needed to fix the problem. There are a number of things a dentist can do to fix hurting teeth, so a trip to the dentist for a consultation may be wise in your situation.

What If I have No Insurance?

Some believe the unfounded rumor that if a patient does not have insurance, then they cannot go to the dentist, no matter how much pain they are in. This rumor is simply not true. Although a trip to the dentist can be relatively expensive if you need a large amount of work done, it can be worth the price to get your tooth fixed and to be out of pain.

There are also some cheap dental care options available for people who do not have dental insurance. These options can help cut the cost of dental visits, while not compromising the quality of care you receive.

One option is to find a dentist who offers a cash-discount. Many of these dentist offices will offer a discount for those who pay in cash. Secondly, there are many dental discount plans available for people seeking cheap dental care. These plans can effectively cut dentistry costs down by half!

If these cheap dental care options are not available in your area, the dentists near you may be willing to set up a payment plan for patients needing a considerable amount of work on their mouths.

Talk to the dentists in your area about the type of work you might need to have done, and do not be afraid to ask them about payment plans or other cheap dental care options they may have available -- often times, your dentist is on your team to help you afford the dentistry work you need.

What Should I Do?

If you are currently in pain or have recently injured a tooth, the first step is to get into the dentist office as soon as possible. Paying for a proper fix today can end up saving a lot more money tomorrow. If the high cost of dental care is prohibitive, there are helpful options which may be readily available, including payment plans, cash-discounts, and discount plans. Your dentist will be able to give a better idea of what exactly needs to be done and which cheap dental care options are available in your immediate area.

Affordable Dental Care Available

Affordable dental care is available. Dental care may be one of the most unmet health care needs but if it's affordable, your needs can be met. When you forgo dental care, you may be putting yourself at risk for more serious health conditions. It is bad enough that you will lose your teeth if you do not take care of them, but you may also be affecting your brain, heart, and immune system as well. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the gum disease that causes tooth loss (called periodontitis) is associated with other more serious conditions like bacterial pneumonia, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. There are other reports that indicate an unhealthy mouth may be linked to diabetes. Without the proper dental care, small cavities or painful teeth can lead to more serious conditions than just tooth decay. You should not delay making an appointment.

Affordable dental care is available for people on a budget in the form of a "discount dental plan". What is this? It is an alternative to traditional dental insurance that allows you to see a dentist quickly without breaking your wallet. Many major insurance companies offer an affordable dental care package that offers comprehensive coverage at a discounted price. This is to help people on a budget get the care they need quickly.

Discount dental plans are different from traditional insurance in four different ways:

#1 - Instant savings. Once you have your membership, you get a discount of 10-60% off of most procedures. You pay the dentist directly for their services and there are no hidden fees. For example, you need a procedure that usually costs $249. As a member of the discount network, you are eligible for a 60% discount on that procedure. Therefore, you would only have to pay $99 to get your dental work done ($249 - 60% = $99). That's it. No additional fees will be charged. This significantly reduced rate allows you to get affordable dental care quickly. If you need to make payment arrangements, you can discuss it directly with the dentist.

#2 No paperwork hassles. With traditional insurance, there is a lengthy waiting period that you must go through while the insurance company decides whether or not you are eligible for coverage. This is called the underwriting period. There is no lengthy underwriting period with a discount plan. Your membership is usually active within 3 business days from the time you join the discount network. If you choose coverage for your family, they will be covered at the same time you are.

#3 - No monthly premiums. There are no monthly bills to pay. Once you have your discount plan membership, you are covered for an entire year.

#4 - No deductibles. There are no deductibles to pay before your benefits kick in. Once you are a member of the network, you are fully eligible for member savings. The dentists in the network offer their dental care services to members at a significantly reduced rate.

All of the dentists in the affordable dental care network are board certified in their field of specialty. Membership coverage includes preventative and emergency procedures including cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, orthodontics, root canals, extractions, x-rays, and much more. Finding an affordable dental plan in your area takes no time at all. Get the coverage you need so you can get make your dental appointment soon.

How to Get Cheap Dental Care

Do you want people to appreciate your smile and prevent yourself from regular dental problems? For this, you need to take good care of your teeth and avoid being odorous. In order to maintain good quality of your teeth, regular dental check up is important. However, everyone can't afford this checkup as most of the general dental programs prove to be very costly. But nowadays many facilities have come for people to have less expensive dental care. Dental care is done free of cost and also done by good experts.

Around the country there are lots of dental schools where many students are being trained to become expert dentists. It is necessary for them to implement their theoretical knowledge, so they are given a chance to do practical work. You can get your dental care done freely by them, as they will be practicing what they learnt. This is the best way of doing dental checkup when your dental insurance policy is dropped due to poor economic conditions. It is better to call the particular dental school and know in prior the timings of the free dental camp.

When it comes to free dental camps which are done by practicing students, expert dentists who are highly reputable will be supervising them. Hence these free camps will be equivalent to the treatments done by professional doctors. Many treatments like putting on veneers, root canal treatment, teeth filling will be done here at free of cost.

Information regarding cheapest dental insurance plans will be available on internet. Also there are sites that provide the available dentists along with their contact information in his or her nearby area. So the person can call them and enquire regarding their procedural rate and chose the optimal one. One should be careful in selecting a cheap dental clinic whether they are licensed professionally. Many of the dental insurance companies provide a list of dentists and their corresponding rates in their site. One can also ask his co-employees, friends or relatives regarding cheap dental care [http://getfreedental.com/] camps and their experience regarding the services.

Many insurance plans come with packages which offer special rates for privileged customers. It is advisory to make use of these insurance plans since they offer free dental care individually.

Dental care need not be done often but some people are forced to visit dentists due to their recurring gum problems. So it is necessary to take care of their oral health to avoid unplanned dental visits.

Dental Care For the Poor

We all know that dentists are highly specialized doctors who deal with all kinds of dental issues; however, his expertise does not limit to only teeth but may also cure other issues related to the mouth such as sore mouth, swollen gums etc.

It is widely believed that visiting a dentist more often for a routine check up is always better than visiting him for any dental issue. Though the fees charged by dentists are high there are some dental care services that may charge you nominal fee and help in getting treated at a low cost.

For those people who find it difficult to pay for their dental checkups, there are dental care organizations where cheap or free of cost dental checkups are done.. Even universities have offers for the poor to take care of their dental issues at a low price or for free. Often projects and camps are conducted by students who are doing the studies of dentistry to offer free or reasonable aid to people suffering from dental problems but can not afford dental care.

You may also come across numerous plans and communities established only for the welfare of poor who are not able to afford dental checkup. There are several NGOs and governmental organizations that can help in curing your dental problems for free or at a nominal cost. There are thousands of recognized dentist who participate in such charity based dental checkup events.

Those people who cannot afford regular dental checkup due to unfavorable financial conditions, it is suggested to opt for dental discount plans. Such plans may be available with most of the dentists. You may receive your membership card which you need to show to your dentist whenever you visit him.

Finding a proper dentist who offers cheap dental care service in your locality, may not be that tough. You may seek advice from your friends and relatives about cheap dental care programs. You may even check in business directories for reasonable or free dental checkup.

There are fair chances that you may find details of some good and reasonable dentist. A search on the internet for low cost dentist or free dental care can help you find affordable dental treatment service in your vicinity.

Oral Health and Dental Care

Dental care is integral part of general health, and good oral health gives the sense of overall well-being. Tooth decay is the most common health problem in many countries, and it shows the poor emphasis on the dental care by the general public. Unbalanced diet, poor brushing habits and negligence to daily oral care leads to various dental problems calling for dental treatments, which can be time consuming, expensive, painful and complex. Most of the dental problems can be avoided by paying attention to the daily oral hygiene.

Important Dental Care Tips

It is advisable to use the soft bristled brush with synthetic rounded bristles. When buying a brush, look for the seal of approval from American Dental Association. The toothbrush must be replaced every 2-3 months, or when the bristles are bent or worn. For good dental care, replace your toothbrush after you have suffered from cold.

Proper brushing technique is important for dental care, and brush outside, inside and inside surface of lower and upper jaws. Brush your tongue to freshen up your breath as bacteria and debris on the tongue cause bad breath.

The ideal dental care involves brushing the teeth at least once everyday, preferably at bed time. Brushing after the breakfast helps in thorough removal of plague daily. To clean each tooth properly, change the position of the brush after few strokes. Good dental care does not require too much of paste, and pea-sized fluoridated toothpaste is sufficient. It is essential to avoid brushing teeth too vigorously as it can wear down the tooth structure. It can also cause the gums to recede, exposing the root surface.

For good dental care, good flossing techniques must be used. But, many people do not enjoy flossing, as they are not aware of the proper technique, and hence hurt the soft tissues of the mouth during the attempt. A safe and effective alternative to flossing includes use of brush picks, floss picks, tooth picks and special plague removers.

Some dental specialists and dentists advise using the plague removers instead of regular flossing for dental care. The picks can reach the nooks of the mouth that are left unavailable for floss and toothbrush. Toothpicks are great for dental care, but they are not able to reach all the desired places such as behind the last wisdom tooth.

For good dental care, you can also make the toothpaste at home by mixing baking soda, salt, glycerin and peppermint. But, never swallow the toothpaste, as it may cause the fluoride toxicity. Brush mildly for 2-3 minutes as brushing vigorously for longer time does more harm than good.

Many studies have indicated a strong correlation between oral health and general health. Not paying attention to the dental care can lead to many health problems such as osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease and pregnancy problems. The bacteria causing the periodontal infection can enter the blood stream carrying the infection to many major body organs, leading to various health problems. Consider a periodontal evaluation if you have diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, respiratory disease or if planning to conceive a baby.

As a good dental care program, smoking must be avoided as it can cause tooth discoloration, bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. Some of the other ill-effects of smoking include mouth bores, hairy tongue, shifting teeth, delayed wound healing, altered sense of smell and taste and jaw bone loss.

For good dental care, mouthwashes such as Chorohexidine or Listernine have effective antiseptic properties that kill the bacterial plague. It is also important to maintain a well-balanced diet, and minimize the consumption of sugary and starchy foods that are known to cause tooth decay. To maintain proper dental care, avoid eating between meals as it makes teeth more prone to decay.

It also helps to visit your dentist once in 3-4 months so that any oral concern can be diagnosed early. There are no symptoms associated with most of oral health problems till the disease has progressed to the advanced stage.

Why Do We Have More Dental Care Issues Than Other Countries?

Dental care if not equally, but very close to health care in terms of its importance. Still we are so behind in dental care than health care. Let us review the reasons behind this.

US is much ahead of many countries in the world, in dental care research and availability of facilities. We have the best trained doctors, hospitals and universities. So much manpower and taxpayers money are invested in research. Awareness of dental care also is very high in US than many other countries in the world.

Oral hygiene is so much part of our culture. We have the best dental products available in the market. We have very healthy competition in the dental care products and is available in any nook and corner of the country.

Still we have a lot of dental problems compared to other countries. What is the reason behind this. It is because the cost of dental care is extremely high in the country. Common man cannot afford dental care in US. Most of the health insurances do not cover dental. Even if, you have dental insurance, they have caps on the money that can be spend of dental care. This makes it so hard even for middle income families to support dental care needs of their family. It becomes harder for retired people. Food habits of this country also adds to the need of dental care. Especially the meat eating.

Many socially committed companies came out with solutions. One among those, is dental discount plans. For a small monthly fee, anybody can afford to maintain a discount plan and get this available for the whole family irrespective of their age or the number of members in a family. It is a beautiful concept and may be solution for dental care issues of this country.

US Discount Dental Health Care Plans - Important Information About Dental Care In The USA

By far, across the most well-known U.S. discount dental health care plans are those provided by state-funded Medicaid programs. Residents fitting a particular income requirement and their children can be eligible for routine and emergency dental care at a very low cost. This is good news for families who may even have trouble paying the premiums required by most discount dental health care plans in the U.S.

For low-income and minority families, Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) may be the best source of dental care. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, tooth decay is the most common chronic disease affecting children in the U.S. Sadly, 20 million children in the country do not have dental health plans, according to Kaiser. In addition, many families may not be aware of discount health care or able to afford their low cost rates. What can families in this situation do to receive preventative services and dental treatment?

Some states, such as Montana, cap the amount of dental care provided to children through Medicaid while others trim benefits during times of budgetary crisis. On the whole, however, low-income families can apply at their local Medicaid office for discount dental health plans. Those families should also keep in mind that children enrolled in Medicaid and SCHIP have better access to dental care than uninsured children. (Source: "Dental Coverage and Care for Low-Income Children," The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured)

Some states, such as Illinois, have further improved their offerings of discount dental care through increase of provider payment rates, more efficient billing, and by assigning care managers to families. According to the same study, a Maryland child died from lack of treatment for a tooth abscess. This kind of tragedy is completely unnecessary and its risk can be eliminated for even the most desperate family. Imagine the terrible pain suffered both by this boy and by his family. Help is available in the form of Medicaid and discount dental care plans through local non-profit organizations.

Dental Care - Tips On Eliminating Tooth Decay Fast

Did you know that dental care is hard work? Dental care involves taking good care of your teeth, gums and all related structures of the mouth. Dental care includes prevention and treatment of diseases of the gum and teeth, and also the replacement or repair of defective teeth. Here are few tips on how to make sure your mouth remains healthy by doing these simple dental care tips.

Many people may suffer from dental diseases due to sheer laziness. They refuse to brush regularly and thus the preventative part is not there. This, of course, happens mostly the children, but also with adults that do not take the time to brush and floss.

Proper dental health is important to our healthy physical looks. Ever look at someone with yellow teeth that smiles broadly at you. How do you feel? Do you feel like smiling back, or are you wondering if they know what is going on in there?

No surprise that maintaining good dental health can be expensive. Finding good dental insurance that covers the costs of your dental treatments is a must if you are going to maintain excellent dental hygiene. A routine check up is always mandatory and good dental insurance will afford you that luxury at least twice a year.

Dental care is more than an occasional brushing of your teeth and an afterthought regarding flossing. Get yourself to the dentist to see where you are now and start working to improve your dental hygiene. Dental care is very important and you should start by smiling and looking in the mirror. Do you like what you see?

If you don't then it is time to make a change. Start brushing regularly, floss all of your teeth at least twice a day, and use mouthwash that is designed to kill plaque instantly. Doing these three things will ensure you will have healthy happy teeth for years to come.

Finding Dental Care - Understanding Dental Insurance vs Discount Dental Plans

Are you having trouble finding dental care that's affordable? Many people in the United States have this problem and it's one of the main reasons why 70% of American families have no dental care plan at all.

Most people have a tendency to avoid the issue until a problem arises such as a broken tooth, visible cavity or they end up with pain in their mouth, which sometimes will even lead to an emergency room visit.

Your best bet for finding dental care that's affordable is by planning ahead for problems before they become a major issue that can be very expensive. Let's take a look at the two most popular dental plan options available.

#1. Dental Insurance

Insurance is what most people think of when they're in need of protection against a potential problem or hazard. This only natural considering the fact that most people already pay for car insurance, as well as health, homeowners and, well, you get the picture, but is dental insurance the best option for oral health care? Let's find out.

Most dental insurance policies are actually quite expensive. There are some being advertised in different locations online that are less than $10.00 per month, however, you really need to look at what these policies actually cover before you jump into a situation that may result in you being very discouraged down the road. Always read what a policy covers and how much it will pay each year for both individual and family policies, whichever applies to you. Look at what items or procedures are excluded from coverage.

One of the biggest downfalls of dental insurance is the fact that these policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. "Pre-existing" meaning any problems that you already had at the time that you bought the policy. This means that if you've waited until you have a problem to buy insurance then you'll be paying 100% of the costs yourself because your policy will not cover you. This is true in all types of insurance coverage, not just dental. If you have a dent in the bumper of the car you just bought do you think the insurance company will pay for it? Not a chance. Dental insurance is no different.

Most companies will begin to cover pre-existing conditions after a mandatory waiting period of one year, but even then you'll still have to pay the majority of the costs. They'll begin to pay progressively, which means that they may start out by covering 10% the second year and then increase the coverage on your prior existing issues to 25% after the second year and so on.

Three years ago I spoke to another agent about dental insurance and she told me honestly that she couldn't recommend dental insurance anymore because of the high cost and lack of coverage. What she did recommend brings me to our second type of dental plan available.

#2. Discount Dental Plans

Unlike insurance, discount dental plans have no restrictions on pre-existing conditions. These plans simply offer substantial discounts on routine dental care, such as check-ups, cleanings, x-rays, etc. and also on major dental care, such as root canals, dentures, braces and more.

You must see a provider that's within the network of the dental plan. Most larger discount plan networks have providers exceeding 100,000 dentists and dental specialists nationwide so finding a participating dentist usually isn't an issue. Here is how these plans work.

You simply find a participating dentist in your area, after which, you join the discount plan. Membership fees average under $100 annually for individuals and around $150 for families. Once you've joined you'll have a short wait of 1-3 days, after which, you can start seeing your new dentist. Actually, you're not restricted to one dentist. You can visit any provider within the network of the plan, in any state. This means that if you visit a dentist one time and don't feel comfortable with them, you simply make an appointment with a different one next time. You don't have to ask permission. You can also use the plan while you travel, if needed. Simply locate a participating provider in the area you're in and make an appointment.

The only drawback to discount dental plans is that you must pay for your visit in full at the time of your appointment. However, as long as you're prepared for it this shouldn't be an issue. After all, if you need to see a dentist right away and insurance won't cover you, you'd be paying for 100% of the cost without the plan.

If finding dental care has been a problem for you in the past, hopefully, understanding these two options will help you to make an informed decision when you're finally ready to buy a dental plan.

The Importance of Dental Care To Overall Body Health

Dental care involves taking good care of your teeth, gums and the related structures of the mouth. Dental care includes prevention and treatment of diseases of the gum and teeth, and also the replacement or repair of defective teeth. In many cases people may suffer from dental diseases due to sheer laziness and lack of knowledge towards proper dental care, with mostly the children and at times adults who often do not pay enough attention to teeth care. They fail to realize that healthy teeth and gum is extremely important to keeping you healthy and sound. Proper dental health is not only important to our healthy physical looks; it is essential to the well being of the entire body.

Maintaining good dental health can at times prove to be expensive. Therefore it is important that you go for a good dental insurance that covers the costs of your dental treatment be it a routine check up or an emergency. Purchasing dental insurance from a good dental insurance company relieves you of the hassles and worries of the otherwise expensive cost of keeping your oral cavity healthy. With dental insurance you can choose a specific dental plan that is right for you. However, before choosing a dental plan from any dental insurance company you must pay attention to the following points:

* You should ask the dental insurance company for its actual office address and not just its P.O. Box address. This step should give you peace of mind in knowing that you are purchasing dental insurance from a real dental insurance company. Ask for its office phone number so that you can contact the office any time to learn more about its dental plans.

* Ask the dental insurance company if it covers specific procedures performed by your dentist. If you are searching for a dental plan that covers teeth fillings and teeth cleanings, that dental plan should not cost you much. On the other hand, if you would like to have x-rays and fluoride paid by your dental plan, then this type of dental plan most likely should cost a bit more.

* Ask the dental insurance company about your personal dentist's role in its dental plan. If your dentist is not on its list, then it is rather useless selecting such type of dental plan. Since your dentist is the one most familiar with your dental health, it is better to ask your dentist which dental insurance companies' dental plans he participates in.

* You can do a thorough research on dental insurance companies online. Dental health is a new and fast growing industry and is getting very competitive. You can find a wide selection of dental plans ranging from $15.00 per month to $100 per month.

Top 5 Exercises For Improving Eye Vision

These are the top 5 exercises for improving eye vision, often recommended to patients by their opticians. They are simple and quick exercises. You do not have to do all five exercises at the same time you can fit them into your busy schedule when it is convenient for you.

Even if you are lucky enough to have perfect eye sight and do not need glasses or contact lenses these exercises help to keep your vision in top condition. These exercises are intended to refresh and relax your eyes. Eliminating eye strain helps to improve your vision.

Blinking is something that you may do without really being aware of it. In this exercise, you need to consciously control your blinking. Sitting comfortably, you should blink every 3-4 seconds for a period of two minutes. Do your eyes feel tired, relaxed or strained after this exercise. Now you need to spend the next two minutes, concentrating on not blinking. Note the difference in how your eyes feel.

The second exercise referred to as palming is especially beneficial for those who sit at a computer screen for extended periods. Lean forward and put your elbows on your desk or knees. Place your cupped palm over your closed eyes. Make sure you do not put any pressure on your eyelids with your palms, and that you can blink freely for a couple of minutes. This helps to refresh around your eyes, while resting them and your mind for a few minutes.

The third exercise is referred to as a figure of eight. It helps to improve the flexibility of your eye muscles. Sitting comfortably, focus on a space about 10 feet in front of you. Visualize a figure of 8 sitting on its side and trace the outline slowly in one direction with your eyes. Once you have completed a circuit of the figure, do the same in the other direction.

The fourth exercise is referred to as near and far focusing. It will help to strengthen the eye muscles and your vision. You can do this exercise sitting or standing, and it only takes 2-3 minutes. Hold your thumb 10 inches in front of you. Focus on your thumb while taking a deep breath. On your next deep breathe focus on an object 10 to 20 feet in front of you. Switch your focus after each deep breath between your thumb and the object.

The final fifth exercise is referred to as zooming. This exercise is designed to strengthen your ability to focus and your eye muscles. Sitting comfortably, stretch your arm out as far as you can with your thumb sticking up the way. Concentrate and focus on your thumb for a few seconds. Keeping focused, gradually move your thumb until it is just 3 inches from your face. Return your thumb to the out-stretched position, repeating the exercise for a few minutes at a time.

Whether you wear glasses, contact lenses or have perfect eye sight, your vision is important. Practicing these top 5 exercises for improving eye vision regularly should prove well worth the time and effort. So start today and see the improvements for yourself.

2 Secret Tips to Have Eagle Eye Vision

Have you ever want to look further than anyone else? Do you want to increase your vision and notice details that no one can find? How about seeing or tracking people at great distances without the use of telescopes? If you do, then you would want to have eagle vision.

Having eagle eye vision is having vision where you can see details in your peripheral view. That is, you can see details that is not right in front of centre of you, but on the outer edges of your view. Here are 2 secret tips to have eagle vision.

1. Try to read a book on the outer edges of your visual field

To increase your eagle eye vision, you need to read a book or magazine to the far edges of your vision as possible. To do this, you need to keep your eyes looking straight forward and then leave a book open to the far right or left as possible so you can just barely view it out of your field of vision. Read the book or magazine in this way and do this at least 30 minutes a day. You'll be amazed in under one week how much improvement your vision will have.

2. Focus on one object for 10 minutes a time

To have eagle eye vision, you should have excellent focus. So to improve focus, all you need to do is focus on one object that is far as possible that your eye can see. Look at this object for at least 10 minutes and you'll increase your eagle eye vision.

3 Eye Vision Exercises to Improve Your Eyesight

Eye vision are often not hard to implement. Take a read at any "rebuild your vision naturally" guide, spend 30 minutes to understand them and you're ready to go.

Problem is, you don't see results immediately. It is a natural approach and as with any holistic approach to curing anything - it WILL take time. But with people close to you, people who know love you, convincing you to quit - saying such things would never work, I can't blame you that sometimes you really do feel like an idiot for trying it out.

I know I did. I went through all that.

And so doing eye vision exercises takes a bit of a faith. It takes patience and courage. It's not easy. But when you actually achieved what you set out to, you could show all the skeptics... but more importantly, you could once again see clearly without glasses.

Bearing that in mind, let's get to the eye vision exercises.

1. Palming. Close your eyes and place your palms over them while you imagine something that relaxes. For example, I like to imagine of the beach, or a field of flowers.


2. Swinging. Raise your hand sideways until shoulder level. Close your eyes and swing left to right while you imagine you're at your favorite place, swinging left to right.


3. Any amount of eye vision exercises simply will not work if you don't severely limit the amount of time you wear your glasses - just like a cripple will never learn to walk if he don't try walking without his crutches.

Improve Eye Vision While Maintaining a Sharp Brain

If you are looking for methods to improve eye vision, what you should not forget about is your brain. Eyes are the organs that are monitored and controlled by the brain. They are both players in a team. In this article, you are going to read about the close relationship between the head and the eyes, what the major factor that causes eye problems, and how to deal with this bad guy.

When you come to the end of this article, you will be able to know how to effectively improve your eye vision and memory in the natural way.

Brain and the eye belong to a team.

Although our head is the center of the nerves and give instructions to organs around the body, it is not existing free of influence from the organs. There are good reasons why eyes are titled as the windows of our heart. Only when the eyes see images clearly can our brain receive material or written information effectively. And only when the brain uses the eyes properly can the eyes see images clearly enough without straining themselves too much. As we know, strain is the main cause of eye ailments. So in order to improve our eye vision, we need to educate the brain how to relax our eyes quickly and effectively.

Stop straining our eyes.

Concentrating hard when our eyes are losing focus or when the images do not interest us can cause unnecessary strain to our eyes and make remembering what we see difficult. Learning to concentration on things in a relaxed way is required for the maximization of the memory. One effective way to relax our mind and eyes is to do exercises.

Exhaling and picturing exercise

Many exercises will do their job in relaxing our body and mind such as playing basketball. But that exercise can not be done any time you want. The following exercise that works great for relaxation can be performed any time and almost anywhere.

Sit comfortably in the chair you like or lie flat in bed. Close your eyes. Take a breath. Picture number 5 in your head while exhaling. Imagine you can see the border and color clearly. Do this until you empty your lung. When you inhale naturally again, take number 4 and repeat the process. Do it time and time again until you are done with the number 0. You will get better at it when you practice more. Remember nothing will work if you do not perform it on a daily basis.

Now that you know what the brain and eyes work with each other, what are the causes of mental stress and eye strain, and how to relax, it is your turn to put what you have learned into practice and improve eye vision naturally and permanently.

Exercise Your Eye Vision

Some Simple Ways To Exercise Your Eye Vision

You should exercise your eye vision often, especially if you work behind a computer screen all day. This can cause serious eye fatigue and eye strain which could lead to further vision problems. Here are some simple exercises that will refresh and rejuvenate your eyes.

Sit in a chair and relax. Rub your hands until they get warm. Cup your hands and place them lightly over your closed eyes. Do not put pressure on the eyeballs, and do not cover your nose. Your eyes should be behind the hollow part of your palms. Don't let any light get into your eyes.

Breathe deeply and visualize total blackness. Focus fully on that blackness. Now think of something that makes you happy, or a spectacular panoramic view. When your eyes can nothing but the blackness, take your palms away. Repeat the procedure for about 3 minutes.

Another great eye exercise is to close your eyes really tightly for 3 to 5 seconds. Then open your eyes for the same period. Do this 7 or 8 times. Now close your eyes and, using your fingers, massage your eyes gently in a circular motion for 1 to 2 minutes. To complete this exercise, gently put 3 fingers of each of your hands on each eyelid and hold for 2 seconds before releasing. Repeat this 5 times.

Sit in a chair and relax. Roll your eyes in a clockwise motion, then anti clockwise. Do this 5 times, blinking between each time. Sit approximately 6 inches from a window. Put a mark on the glass to match your eye level. Look beyond this mark by focusing on an object far in the distance for about 10 to 15 seconds; then re-focus on the mark.

Here's another excellent way to exercise your eye vision. Pretend you are standing in front of a huge clock. Focus on the middle of it. Now look at an hour mark, but do not turn your head. Focus on the centre again and then look at a different hour mark. Repeat this 12-15 times. This exercise can also be done with closed eyes.

Eye Vision Nutrition - How It Can Help Clear Blurry Vision

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about reversing blurry vision naturally. Can regaining 20/20 vision back with natural eye exercises and eye vision nutrition really be achieved?

New studies are now confirming a connection between what you eat in relation to how your eyes perform.

Increasing your physical activity and maintaining a well-balanced diet will indeed improve the quality of your life and help preserve and improve your eye sight.

Keep in mind, anything you do that affects your cardiovascular system has the potential to damage or repair your eyesight. This includes exercises and eye vision nutrition. Any change in blood supply to the eyes can cause blockage, resulting in blurry or loss of vision. Improper diet and lack of exercise has been the catalyst for many with Type 2 diabetes which can then lead to diabetic retinopathy and eyesight loss.

A balanced diet containing the 3 major sources of fuels are proteins, fats and carbohydrates. These are necessary to keep our bodies, minds and eyes healthy and strong. Omega 3 fatty acids in fish, low fat proteins in chicken and legumes, whole grains and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables are necessary for optimal vision.

Proper eye vision nutrition requires adequate amount of micronutrients, 50-60% complex carbohydrates, 20-25% proteins, and 20-25% fats ideally containing omega-3 fatty acids.

To help improve bad vision, follow the diet recommendations below and incorporate simple eye exercises into your lifestyle. Also, consider taking vitamin supplements to assure that you are receiving good amounts of micronutrients that are important to maintaining eye health.

Bad Eye Vision Nutrition

Saturated Fat

Fatty Meats and Whole Dairy Products

Fast Foods which are high in trans-fatty acids

Snack Foods which are high in saturated fats

Soft Drinks diet or otherwise

Candy

High Amounts of refined Sugar

Good Eye Vision Nutrition

Plenty of Fruits And Vegetables - Organic is preferred

8 Large Glasses of Water Daily

Vitamin Supplements A,B,C and D

Lutein, Beta-Carotene, Bilberry Extract

Fruits and Vegetables

Fish and Nuts

The above eye vision nutrition recommendations are not the be-all and end-all of achieving 20/20 vision. If you're looking for more effective nutrition tips and exercises to improve your eye sight naturally, your local library and online resources are widely available. A very popular book which explains how to increase eye vision was created by the famous Dr.William Bates in the early 1900's and is still circulation today.

Increase Eye Vision Naturally - Is This For Real!

After wearing contacts and glasses for 20+ years, I know how frustrating it is to put up with blurry vision. Not being able to see clearly unless you reach for your glasses or put in your contacts really sucks!

Over the 20 year span of me wearing glasses and contacts, my vision continued to get worse.

Visiting my optometrist would always bring the bad news of me needing a stronger eye prescription. I had always worn contacts and glasses to correct my vision, so updating my eyewear was not inexpensive. It annoyed me and I always wondered what I could do to stop my eyes from getting worse.

A few years ago I started to hear about people correcting their eye vision naturally.

"Increase eye vision naturally...is this for real," was my very first response!

To this day, I always try to keep an open mind and remind myself that my way of thinking is certainly not the only way of thinking. In my experience, (and this is not just in relation to my vision) if I can keep an open mind, I usually end up learning something new.

I started reading and researching a lot of information online and at my local book stores and library. I learned that blurry vision and bad eyesight is a growing problem in developed countries. Approximately 75% of the population uses corrective eyewear. Also, there was significant evidence all around the world that eyesight can be improved naturally. Simple eye exercises, slight changes in diet, and important eye relaxation techniques, if done on a regular basis, can improve eyesight.

The more I read the more intrigued I became. I thought "what do I have to lose... I'll give it a try".

I purchased an inexpensive guide which gave me great information as to what other's were using to increase eye vision naturally.

Simple changes in diet -

Eating cold water fish such as salmon, cod and haddock increases omega 3 fatty acids. These omega 3's treat macular degeneration and help keep vision clear.

Egg yolks increase the lutein and zeaxanthin in your system which helps fight eye disease and deterioration and green leafy vegetable high in carotenoids is also beneficial to eye sight.

Vitamins C and E help protect your retina while Bilberry containing anthocyanosides helps night vision and slows down retinal deterioration.

If you're reading this article it's probably because you feel exactly like I did. If you're fed up with blurry vision, glasses, contacts and are hesitant to go ahead with Lasik Eye Surgery, I totally understand... because I was there.

I wanted to write this article to let you know that natural eye vision techniques do work. I think a lot has to do with your mindset, if you believe it will work, and also the time and commitment your willing to put into doing the exercises and taking care of your eyes.

It has worked wonders for my eyesight and has increased eyesight for many others, but I suggest you do your due diligence and investigate the options for yourself!

Eye Vision Correction Surgery to Remove Refractive Errors

Vision correction surgery is needed to remove the eye refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism and presbyopia.

Generally people use the contact lenses or eye glasses to prevent or reduce the effects of myopia or hyperopia. But there are many options available to eliminate or reduce the use and dependency on glasses or contact lenses.

An eye vision correction surgery is required in case you need a permanent solution against the refractive errors. Vision correction surgery can benefit the patients of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

To get the suitable treatment first we need to understand about these refractive errors

Myopia - Myopia or nearsightedness occurs when you are able to see the objects near to you clearly but the far objects are appeared blurry. In this case the eyeball might be longer as compared to its normal size or might be curving in sharply. This size and shape of eyeball lead to the shift of light form retina and results in fuzzy vision of far objects.

Hyperopia - In the case of hyperopia or farsightedness the opposite signs are noticed, the size of eyeball might be shorter than the normal eyeballs or the shape of cornea might be too flat. This change causes blurry near objects and clear far objects.

Astigmatism - Astigmatism is referred to as the distorted vision. In this case the shape of eyeball surface is somewhat irregular as compared to normal eyeball surface. This causes in creation of many focal points and the distorted vision.

Presbyopia - In this condition eyes progressively looses the ability to focus on near objects with the age. Most of the times people with age between 40 to 50 years feels this problem for the first time as they can not read the objects which are closer to them

During the vision correction surgery the shape of cornea is changed so that without the use of contact lens or eyeglasses the light focuses on the back of eye.

Vision Correction Solutions

There are various surgery procedures and option available today to treat the vision problems.

1. Radial keratotomy (RK) - It is a popular treatment procedure for astigmatism; in this, a precision calibrated diamond knife is used to make cuts circumferentially parallel to the edge of cornea.
2. Intracorneal ring segments (ICR).
3. PRELEX (presbyopic refractive lens exchange) or clear lens extraction.
4. Phakic intraocular lens implants.
5. Laser vision correction - Under laser vision correction surgery there are some surgery procedures which includes the use of laser.

I - Photorefractive Keratotomy (PRK) - During this surgery a small amount of tissue from the corneal stroma is removed by vaporization using an excimer laser to change the shape of the anterior central cornea.

II - Laser in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) - Lasik eye surgery also a laser eye surgery procedure. It is same as Photorefractive Keratotomy (PRK) procedure but it provides a faster patient recovery and can remove all three types of refractive errors Myopia, Hyperopia and Astigmatism instead of only astigmatism in PRK

Some other Laser surgery procedures which are not so popular are:

III - Femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK or iLASIK

IV - Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)

V - Laser thermal Keratoplasty (LTK)

Among all the above surgeries LASIK is the best option for vision correction.

Learn to Improve Your Eye Vision From Home

Relaxation techniques are an essential method used to improve eye vision. It aids to lower eye strain and enables your eyes to tranquilize and see things more thoroughly. It alleviates undesirable tenseness and makes you to really feel better. Apart from all these, it also has a positive effect on your eyes health. What it does for the eyes is to enable you to spot things more visibly and able you to concentrate on an object without feeling strained.

The most difficult section of relaxation is the ability to still the mind. Thinking go at a speedy rate and the more of the things you have in your mind to carry out raises so will your speeding thinking do so. Closing up the eye to fully relax it is a hard section of full relaxation, but the fact is that it can be done. The means to do it is by taking away every atom of energy from the head down to the whole body and off through your feet. This may sense as if it is hanky panky, but it really functions by a method referred to as breathing out of the feet. It helps to improve your eye vision if you attempt each night before you fall asleep. You will notice that you will be able to see things more clearly when you wake up in the morning, which will last for you throughout the day.

This is the way it functions. You should start by using your back to lie down in a room that is dark. Visualize your breathing go from your lungs through out your whole body. While you breathe out, imagine as if your air is going down to your toes. Imagine again as if your inhalation is moving through all of your body organs, kidneys, liver, heart and extending down to the toes, ankles, calves and thighs. Breathe out fully till every air is off from your lungs and the subsequent breathing comes in a natural manner. You should breathe in a natural means and do not try to pressure yourself to do so, just allow your system to carry out its own function. When your lungs are broad over again, begin the procedure again through the imagination of the air going round your system.

You should try to try out this procedure as much as you are able to till you go into a fast sleep. The following morning you are going to look agile, renewed and set to tackle the following day with a more clearer and improved vision. A lot of people use this relaxation technique to improve their eye vision. It is not only used for panic and anxiety disorders, but it also works for improving your eye vision.

Another way to improve your vision is through the eye exercises, diets and techniques which Vision without Glasses offer. It is a guide which uses the medically approved techniques to improve your eye vision naturally. A lot of persons have benefited from a clearer vision through what it has to offer. You can see more about it at Vision without Glasses Review.

Eye Vision Test - Simple Test to Check Your Eyes

When is the best time to have your glasses or lenses changed? We sometimes never pay attention to our corrective glasses or lenses we are wearing. Actually we need to check our eyes regularly each year or at least as soon as we feel inconvenient with our recent glasses or contact lenses.

Eye Vision Test can be done by your doctor or optometrist to determine whether you need a less or more corrective glasses or lenses. New prescribed glasses or lenses will be made according to your test result.

Usually the doctor will do simple test to check your eyes as follow:

1. Retinoscopy. It is usually the first eye exam that doctor will give you to make approximation of your prescription.

2. Refraction. During this test, doctor will be able to determine your exact prescription by using phoropter in front of your eyes and shows you series of lenses choices. Here you can find the right combination of lenses which can make you see clearly.

3. Autorefractors and aberrometers. With this test, your doctor can automatically determine your prescription. Your chin need to rest stable on both devises while you look at a pinpoint of light or other image.

4. Cover test. This is the simplest and the most common test among the others to determine how your eyes work together.

5. Slit-lamp examination. It is also called a biomicroscope which allows the doctor to gain magnified image of the structures of the eyes in order to thoroughly evaluates them for the sign of disease of infection,

6. Glaucoma test.

7. Visual field testing.

8. Dilation.

Eye Vision Test can actually be simple to do as everything you need is mostly available online at this era. There are many kinds of eye tests which can be found online since they are actually have been introduced long time ago. You should pick one of them which is suitable according to your eyes problem. Here are some of the tests:

o Eye test chart - This is a very simple optometrist's chart you can find online. Any difference in the vision of both your eyes can be examined by using this test.
o Eye vision test
o Snellen eye test
o Alzheimer's eye test

Snellen and Alzheimer's eye tests are conducted to diagnose if there is specific problem related to your eyesight. Eyes are absolutely important for human beings, that is why you need to take care of them properly. Once you feel something strange to your vision, take a quick eye test either online or by making appointment with your optometrist. With the advance technology there is nothing impossible to find a solution.

Foot Health Courses - Your Ticket to a New Life

Ready to start a new career with a Foot Health Training Course?

If so, then your search is over. Training to become a Foot Health Practitioner, Podiatry Assistant or Nail Technician, (performing Pedicures or nail cutting) maybe the best move you will ever make. With an aging population in most western countries, the foot care industry is about to explode with retiring baby boomers and so now is your best chance to get on board.

In the UK there are three main educational bodies that offer foot health courses to students wanting to train as foot health professionals (FHP's).

Best Footcare Course providers:

• The Stonebridge College


• SMAE Institute


• College of Foot Health Practitioners (formerly the West Midlands School of Chiropody)


• Open Study College

All offer foot training in two parts, a theory section and practical section. With the theory you learn in the comfort of your own home or distance learning as it is called with a dedicated tutor on hand to help and guide you. The practical part is done over one or two weeks at a training facility equipped. These Foot care courses give the student the confidence to perform basic foot care like removal of corns and calluses and the treatment of a variety of foot and nail conditions like fungal and wart infections.

The cost of these courses may seem slightly high from the outset, around £2,000 depending on the number of weeks of practical training. But when you compare this to the amount you can earn it is more than worth it.

Once you complete your foot care course, you will be qualified and registered to practice with that organisation and generally they will provide your insurance cover. However, you will not be able to use the title 'Chiropodist' or 'Podiatrist' as these are now legally protected titles.

Current Foot Care openings in the Footcare World

If you are looking for how the foot care industry exists in the UK in its present form, then listed below is the structure based on educational requirements (And this excludes one of the biggest sectors - Footwear):

• Podiatrist/Chiropodist


• Podiatry Assistant (Medical Pedicure in the USA)


• Foot Health Practitioner


• Nail Technician/Pedicurist (Medi Pedi's in the USA)


• Reflexologists

Podiatry is the professional end of foot health with invasive procedures like ingrown toenail and bunion removal with gait analysis to prescribe orthotics. Foot health courses for Podiatrists are normally full time tertiary university degrees although part time courses are available.

With a Podiatry assistant you need to complete around 500 hours of supervised practice (NHS or Private) with both oral and practical assessments.

Although at the lower end of the scale a good way into the foot health industry is to train as a nail technician or Pedicurist. They of ten form part of a beauty therapist course but can be done individually at some colleges. They are aimed at beautifying the foot, many people just find they need their nails cut, and so the income potential of a nail technician is not that different from that of a foot health practitioner.

Normally a FHP will base their business on a home visiting practice. However, this has many plus points with it like being your own boss, working and charging what you like as well as keeping cost down to a minimum.

What may surprise you the most, is that by completing one of these Foot Health Courses it will give you the ability to earn a staggering amount of money compared to the general 9-5 population and therefore give you the tools to transform your life for the better - if you set up your practice correctly.

The Importance of Foot Health

Our feet are one of the most used but abused parts of our body. They take us where we want to go, lugging our weight around for miles and miles, up and down, every day. But many people tend to ignore the importance of foot health until problems set in.

The main culprit, really, is ignorance. Too many people simply do not know how to care for their feet.

Foot care actually has a lot to do with common sense, except when the problem is caused by a medical condition, like diabetic foot problems. But ignore your feet and you do risk infections and diseases that can be quite serious.

Fashion can be really bad for foot health.

How many women have endured blisters and bunions on feet squeezed painfully into sky-high heels? Or men with a penchant for pointy foot wear. You'd be surprised how many foot problems can be avoided simply by choosing good, practical footwear. Choose shoes with round toes and keep heels as low as possible. Anything above three inches can be hell on the ball of the foot. For flat feet, choose shoes with good arch supports.

One of the most common problems is, of course, athletes foot. It is caused by the fungus Trichophyton, which enjoys feet that are hot and sweaty, thus, its name. Left untreated, it attacks the upper layer of the skin, causing itchiness and a burning situation, or even bleeding. When infection sets in, blisters called bullous tinea pedis result.

Athletes foot can be avoided by washing your feet and drying them thoroughly, and using shoes made of materials that "breathe," like leather. Foot powder helps a lot, too. If you do get it, use anti-fungal cream, never topical steroids, which allow the fungus to multiply. A household remedy is to soak the foot in a solution of one part vinegar and four parts water.

Clipping your toenails is a simple enough foot health maintenance job. But it should be done properly or you could end up with wounds that easily get infected or, worse, ingrown nails that will have to be treated surgically. And never try to camouflage cracked or discolored nails with polish. It could make the problem worse.

If you run for exercise, you put a lot of strain on your feet. A common problem is heel pain, which is usually caused by plantar fasciitis. Overdoing your routine can lead to tendonitis as well. Toe pain is usually caused by running shoes that are too small. Blisters often develop or your nails can turn black or even fall off.

Another common foot problem is calluses on feet, which are caused by friction between your feet and your shoes and cause the skin, usually the soles, to thicken. Warts, too, which are caused by a virus, can grow on the feet.

You will no doubt hear about supposedly successful home remedies for common foot ailments. Be careful though, because many of these will only worsen the problem. If in doubt, it is best to see a foot health professional.