CHRONIC BABE

If you've never been to the Chronic Babe website - you've got to check it out. It's packed full of great information for young and old alike. She's even got a page on venting. If you've ever had a chronic or critical illness you'll know how great it can feel just to let out some steam now and then. So... check it out!

Created by 25 year old Jenni Prokopy, here's an excerpt from her site:
"I created ChronicBabe.com in 2005 to provide an online community for younger women with chronic health issues who want to be their best. A ChronicBabe myself, I was diagnosed in 1997, at the age of 25, with fibromyalgia. Soon after came diagnoses of asthma, anxiety, Raynaud's phenomenon and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). For years I struggled, taking test after test and trying a wide assortment of medications, diets and health regimens in an effort to control my symptoms." To read more click here

OUR PHARMACISTS HAVE A TOUGH JOB!

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to work with first year University of Manitoba pharmacy students. It was really interesting.

My job was to role play 6 different characters - one per student. One of the roles was an elderly woman who brings her prescription to the pharmacist - the pharmacist has to discover on his/her own that she has only been taking 1/2 a pill instead of a whole pill. Her dr. has prescribed a stronger dose thinking that she's not getting enough. Thank goodness for our pharmacists.

A second character was one who continually is shorted on her meds. She comes storming back to her pharmacy to pick up the 5 pills she was supposed to get but didn't.

Here's a timely article by CTV Med News

New Study Pinpoints Prescription Error Problems

CTV.ca News Staff

Every day, pharmacists find errors on physician prescriptions; most are corrected and quickly forgotten. Now a new study is counting those errors -- and the results are surprising.

Under a unique program, pharmacists in Nova Scotia are now tracking and reporting what they call "near hits" - those mistakes that patients never hear about but ones that -- had they not been caught -- could have sent the wrong medication or the wrong dose to a patient.

The ongoing study recruited 13 pharmacies across Nova Scotia, asking workers there to keep track of the errors and near-errors they encounter. They were then asked to report the errors anonymously using an online reporting tool.

In just eight months, the pharmacists at the 13 drug stores have reported 813 potential medication errors.

To read more click here

YOU CAN BE THE HERO WITH CUSTOM PUBLISHING

Available for custom publishing - the Personal Healthcare Journal can help you become the hero of your clients.

This simple, easy-to-use tool helps patients and family members track: medications, appointments, tests and more.

For under $10 your client's brand appears on the front cover; creating multiple unique impressions as patients visit with a variety of healthcare professionals.

Need more info? Contact Betsy at betsy@mycarenecessities.com.

Helping You Be The Hero!

Take care

Healthy Women.org

Just found this great new site.

Something for everyone.

There's a section on Midlife Matters - which is exactly where I find myself. I'll be checking that one periodically.

Health topics - A-Z - where you can look up a whole host of medical illnesses, diseases and cancers.

Pregnancy and Parenting, Sexual health, Breast health, Heart health, well you get the picture - if you're curious - they likely cover it. There's even an ask the expert section where you can look at all kinds of Q&A's that are packed with great stuff.

Anyway - if you have a few minutes - check it out! Go to www.healthywomen.org

BLOGTALK RADIO - INTERVIEW

With technology moving at break neck speeds and me feeling like there are days when I'm still on the hamster wheel, it never ceases to amaze me that people are so connected.

On March 13, 2009 at 10:00 am CST I will have my very first appearance on blogtalk radio. Several minutes ago - I didn't even know this kind of medium existed. In fact when I download podcasts and tweet on twitter I'm feeling pretty hip - apparently there is much more to learn.

None the less - I will be interviewed by HerStartup a company aimed at helping women launch, grow and give back. In March their focus is on International business women. Women trying to make a difference and all the things they experience when launching a business outside of their home country.

We'll be discussing exporting, currency exchange, duty, customs, and a whole bunch more.

Tune in to blogtalk radio on Friday, March 13 at 10:00 am CST to hear my interview.

Thanks for listening!

ALBERTA GIFT SHOW

Held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the AGS was larger than I expected. I met some really great people and am grateful for each new contact and look forward to building these relationships as time goes on.

New stores now carrying the Personal Healthcare Journal:

• Amaranth Whole Foods - Calgary, Alberta
  
• Dunvegan Gardens - B.C.
  
• Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital - Edmonton, AB
• Health Street - Olds, AB
  
• University Hospital Gift Shops - Alberta
• Pharmasave - Dryden, ON
• Pharmasave - Fort Frances, ON
• Shopper's Drug Mart - NWT
• Tellier Value Drug Mart - Bonnyville, AB
  

Thank you to my existing and new stores for purchasing the Personal Healthcare Journal. Together we can help people take control of their health.