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Fall
2005
It's On A Bird...Or On A Plane...It's The Avian Flu!!
There has been a lot of information on a possible worldwide pandemic
from Bird Flu. What is it? Can I get it? The staff of the medical library felt that links to authoritative resources
was in order. This prompted creation of the Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Information Resources page. As was done with Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS) Resources and West Nile Virus Resources pages, our aim for this page is to provide up-to-date information on emerging
threats to international public health.
Check the Avian Influenza
(Bird Flu) Information Resources page often as it
will be updated as events warrant. It is located under Infectious Diseases and Infections headings on the Medical Professional Resources
and Consumer Health & Education Resources pages respectively.
The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Is More Than Taking Aspirin 
We led with this in our Summer 2005 issue and the medical library staff felt it should be repeated in this newest issue
of FootNotes. State of Washington residents have their own questions and concerns as the implementation of this
new prescription drug plan begins.
Let's get started by finding which plan is right for you in your locale.
To do this, Medicare has The Landscape of Local Plans  which
lists all plans available in your area with information on Cost, Coverage, and Convenience. The Landscape provides
information about the two different ways you can get your Medicare drug coverage:
- Stand-alone Prescription Drug Plans that offer drug coverage only
- Medicare Advantage or other Health Plans with Prescription Drug Coverage
The Statewide Health
Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) HelpLine (a consumer advocacy
arm) of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC)
should be your first stop if you have questions concerning the new Medicare prescription-drug
benefit. The
SHIBA's Medicare Rx Benefit Information/Help page has a wealth of information, publications,
and links to other sites aimed specifically at the residents of Washington State that will assist you as you try
to make sense of this very confusing benefit program for seniors.
In the weeks and months ahead Americans age 65 and older will have the
chance to sign up for the new Medicare prescription-drug benefit plan that begins on January 1, 2006. Unfortunately,
many will find it difficult to digest all the various plans and options, and choosing the one that best suits their
individual needs.
Medicare Rights Center (MRC)
is the largest independent source of health care information and assistance in the United States for people with
Medicare. Their Benefits Under the New Medicare Law
page can fill in many of the gaps that have added to the confusion of how this new program will affect their health
care coverage.
Much of the background you need to get started was originally covered
in the Spring 2004
issue of this newsletter. Take
a moment to read it and familiarize yourself with many of the issues and details!
Between Nov. 15, 2005 and May 15, 2006 those eligible will be able to
sign up for a prescription-drug plan from a private company or a Medicare HMO or PPO plan. More than just acronyms,
these are part of a new preferred terminology list containing language specific to the Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage to achieve
consistency in explaining many details of the program. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS) has created this along with a Medicare Prescription
Drug Coverage information page with the links at the
right that allow you to choose and browse the available materials.
Please note, that the list changes often, so check back for the most updated version.
The AARPBulletin
is going to be a great source of information, contacts, and dates to help keep you abreast as the January 1, 2006
rollout approaches. They will be producing a series of articles to help you make an informed decision as to which
plan is right for you.
Begin to monitor your mail very carefully, particularly anything from
Uncle Sam or former employer if you have any form of healthcare coverage through them, or anything that refers
to Medicare.
The bottom line is that, with or without help, you will have to make
a decision. Everyone, including those eligible for limited-income assistance, have to enroll in a Medicare drug
plan to get coverage.
Time is of the essence! You need to prepare now!
What's New On The Virtual Medical Library?
Have you ever wondered just What's New On The
Virtual Medical Library? or in the medical library
or on the Virtual Medical LIbrary? Now it is just one click away!
On our new Medical Library "Post-It" that appears everytime
you enter the Virtual Medical Library. This "Post-It" has a link that you can click to see what new sites
or resources have been added. We hope to update "What's New On The
Virtual Medical Library?" twice monthly. Check
it out!
Websites U-Can Use
The Medical Algorithms Project
More than 7000 algorithms, organized into 45 chapters, are available
as spreadsheets and can be opened in your browser. Created by the Institute for Algorithmic Medicine, it is fully
searchable. The algorithms here have been collected from the peer-reviewed biomedical literature, including research
journals and textbooks. Free registration is required.
This resource can be found on the Medical Professional
Resources page categorized under Computers in Medicine.
Weill/Cornell Bioterrorism and Epidemic Response Model (BERM)
Researchers at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York
City used operations research principles to develop a model and tool for planning mass prophylaxis strategies for
bioterrorism and epidemic outbreak response. When utilized, this resource will force a critical examination of
assumptions about prophylaxis strategies and about the availability of resources as applied to any number of senarios
applicable to a large population. This timely tool is available through the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality (AHRQ) which hospital and health
system planners will find useful. Look for the blinking new sign  on our Terrorism, Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
Resources page.
Pandia Powersearch
Pandia Powersearch,
is a site dedicated to all-in-one searching to produce a productive Internet search. Once there, you will find
an "all-in-one" list of search engines and directories. Search the Web using the search form/box you
will find at the top of the page, or select one of the categories below it to find the best Internet search tools
for your search.
You can locate its link along with many other assorted search tools on
the Internet Search Tools
page.
Health Information Translations Common Medical Forms
Produced by three Columbus, Ohio-based healthcare systems, this site
is a work in progress which aims to provide culturally appropriate materials to promote health education and wellness
among immigrant populations who may not speak English as a primary language. The site is searchable by topic, general
categories or language. African French, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, English, Hindi, Japanese, Korean,
Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Ukrainian languages are represented with each having an English version attached
so caregivers know exactly what information is being provided.
This newly found resource can be found on the Virtual Medical Library's Multilingual & Multicultural Health Brochures
& Information Sites page.
3 Days, 3 Ways Are
You Ready?
A new website has been created through
the cooperation of local government agencies to help the public prepare for impending disaster; both natural and
man-made. 3 Days, 3 Ways AreYouReady?
provides starting points for you to create an array of resources and services all in a 3 Step Process:
- Get a Plan (for evacuating, meeting up, etc)
- Get a Kit (to include a three day supply of food, medicine,etc)
- Get Involved (by volunteering with a local coordinating agency)
Hosted by Govlink (also known as www.govlink.org), is a multijurisdictional
website aimed at providing useful information on a variety of regional services and programs of interest to residents
within our region. There are also links to other resources related to getting prepared for disasters before they
occur.
You will find it on our Terrorism, Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Resources page; where you will also find numerous
resources to inform and prepare you.
New Books in the Library
Take a moment to check the NEW EDITION! and NEWLY ADDED!
additions on our Online Textbooks page, as well!
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