Christina's Considerations

The ROI of DICOM: A Candy Striper's Story

I'm teaching this week - health informatics to nurses, public health and health administration students. Last week we discussed standards and interoperability; and it reminded me of a story. The memory was triggered by student discussions. One said it must... Read more →

New Orleans Tricentennial

This year marks the tricentennial of New Orleans (celebrated on May 7th) due to the city being settled in the Spring of 1718. The exact date is unknown. I share this here because from time to time I've posted on... Read more →

Tea and Southern Me!

Some are reminded of tea when Summer nears. For me, a girl from Louisiana, ice(d) tea is an all year thing. Fortunately, even Santa Barbara's winters, I can put a pitcher out on the patio table for some sun brewed... Read more →

Patient Safety: Assessing Adolescent Health Literacy

Imagine being released from the hospital with a confusing diagnosis, stacks of papers to read and more questions than answers about what to do next. The "REALM-TeenS" tool can quickly assess how well teens understand health information. That is the... Read more →

This is a rant! On Unintended Consequences of Politics and Healthcare

So, I just learned my daughter's trip to her dentist, for the last 15 years, will not be reimbursed and we will foot the entire $215 bill. I have my annual visit coming up and it seems I'll have to... Read more →

Impaired Presidential Candidate?

In medicine and healthcare, we administrators are concerned about the safety of our patients and employees. One of the areas that we monitor closely is the health and wellness of our clinical professionals - doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc. When it... Read more →

Death of the Great Laboratory of Clinical Medical Science

Note: I'm happy to have a guest blogger, Dr. Gianoli, who specializes in neuro-otology and skull base surgery and is also a professor at Tulane University School of Medicine. Please consider his perspective and leave a comment with your own.... Read more →

Mardi Gras: A Social Norm for Some Communities

Every year on this day, I think of my family and friends in my hometown of New Orleans. It is Mardi Gras Day - a fun time with family and friends and to share the culture with the young and... Read more →

Hotel Dieu (God's Hotel)

Growing up in New Orleans, I often drove past Hotel Dieu and thought it was a funny name for a hospital. I never really knew much about their patient population... until I read the book God's Hotel by Dr. Victoria... Read more →

The United States Flag

Every now and then I like to deviate from healthcare. Louisiana is usually my favorite deviation, but today it is the flag and Robin Williams interpretation of it. This post is a great reminder for all Americans, as well as,... Read more →

Le bon tempe roule - making happy people in Louisiana

This is for all of my friends and family in the Great State of Louisiana! Yes, people in Louisiana are generally happy. They are a bit laissez faire and let things take their natural course, just as the Mississippi river... Read more →

Ethical decisions: It comes down to strong leadership and effective planning...

For months I've been listening to books for leisure, but with this latest I'm back on to my professional interests. However, this one is also personal. If you are involved in hospital, sub acute or SNF leadership or active with... Read more →

Creole and Crime: The pathologist finds the killer!

My blog seems to have opened up a floodgate of physician writers. The first trickles came from Dr. Gelber and Dr. Parsons, but I've now been introduced to a couple of new writers and medical mystery and suspense is becoming... Read more →

12 Years a Slave and Avoyelles Parish

I haven't posted on Louisiana lately, but this one is a bit close to home. As a result of my current commute, I just finished the book 12 Years a Slave and reviewed the additional research. First, I loved the... Read more →

DeLauro Statement on Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures

I received many press releases, but don't post on the vast majority. But, the one below, from Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro on her comments at the first Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing Of 2014, is different. It is different because I've been... Read more →

Twitter Blocking Content - They don't agree with?

Last night I heard a news report about Twitter blocking posts that referenced a Pro-Phil Robertson site or included the hashtag #IstandwithPhil. So, I did what any blogger would do and got out my phone and tried tweeting a link... Read more →

Rare Historic Silent Video of New Orleans

I haven't posted on Louisiana lately, but must include this video from the Ford Educational Library. It is a wonderful peak into the past. Read more →

The Gumbo Chronicles: Shedding Light on Recovery

One year ago I commented about the co-existence of oil and fisheries in my home state of Louisiana. This year I share an article that seems to cut right through to the true status of the recovery. Many times I've... Read more →

Low Health Literacy: Impact on Costs

The American College of Physicians has a YouTube video that demonstrates the impact of low health literacy on the healthcare delivery system and costs. Healthcare administrators and clinicians should view this video to see the challenges for themselves. Notice the... Read more →

Measuring: Elmo and Healthcare

I learned something about measuring today - from Drew Brees and Elmo. I thought of adding the video below since it includes two of my favorite things - the Saints and Sesame Street - and people - Elmo and Drew.... Read more →

Tulane's New Football Stadium

Tulane University has finally recovered financially from Hurricane Katrina and today announced the re-building of a football stadium on campus. The old beloved and historic Tulane Stadium, built in 1926, was torn down in 1980. This meant that I, as... Read more →

A Cat Out of the Bag!

October 17, 2013 Update: A couple of retirements have reminded me of this post and it is probably time to add a couple of names. Richard Bracken, currently the CEO of HCA, was at the time our group president and... Read more →

Roman Candy

On a recent trip to Louisiana, I came across Roman Candy and brought some home. I also found this YouTube video that describes the history and type of taffy. I can still see the Roman Candy man parked on the... Read more →

Louisiana State Medical Society: Healthcare and Disaster Planning

I just learned about a resource on disaster planning for healthcare, a project of the Louisiana State Medical Society, and want to share it with my readers. I've only quickly reviewed the 122-pages, but notice it has some great pictures... Read more →

LSU Tigers in Print

The LSU Alumni Magazine included my book, Social Media in Healthcare: Connect Communicate Collaborate in the Tigers in Print section of their Summer issue. It might be cool for people who knew me when to see it and maybe I'll... Read more →