By Mountain Pacific
August 30, 2023
Raising Awareness for Lives Altered by Overdose
International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31, is the world’s largest annual campaign to remember those who have died from an overdose. This year’s theme is “recognizing those people who go unseen” in honor of the people left behind and whose lives are changed forever by overdose, including:
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
December 20, 2021
It’s almost time to ring in the new year! Have you thought about what 2022 will look like for you? It’s natural to start off the New Year thinking about goals you will set and changes you would like to make. About 70 percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, but only about eight percent of those people follow through. The key is to choose meaningful resolutions that … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
December 2, 2021
When people struggle to feel the holiday cheer, that struggle often stems from the pressure and stress the holiday season can bring. If you are not feeling all that cheerful, here are three tips to better manage holiday stress and focus more on the joy and festivities of the season.
1. Be realistic about family expectations and your budget.
If we … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Pacific Quality Health
August 25, 2021
Do you know the signs of overdose or what to do if you think someone has overdosed?
International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on August 31 each year to raise awareness about overdose and reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths. In 2019, the United States had more than 70,000 drug overdose deaths, according to the Centers for … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
March 19, 2021
Like many other businesses, Mountain-Pacific Quality Health has learned a lot from the COVID-19 outbreak. As more and more vaccines are distributed and there seems to be a long-awaited light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, we are being thoughtful about how to continue to apply our many lessons learned.… Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
March 12, 2021
Join us in welcoming three new board members! Each of our new directors has a strong desire to improve the patient’s health care experience and develop solutions to provide better health outcomes for their communities.
The board is composed of directors from Alaska, Hawaii, Montana and Wyoming. Board membership represents academia, business, consumer representatives, health information, law, medicine, payors and rural … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
June 10, 2020
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition caused by experiencing or seeing a traumatic event. While it is natural to be upset or have trouble sleeping, most people start to feel better after a few weeks or a month or two. People who are still suffering symptoms after … Read the rest
Tony King, PharmD
Director of Pharmacy Programs, Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
May 1, 2020
A lot has changed in the pharmacy world in the past few years, but nothing has spurred as much change as the past few weeks. However, one of the most respected and accessible health care professionals continues to be available to assist you in your times of need.… Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
April 17, 2020
“Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear scrubs.”
It’s a phrase that has been popping up all over social media and elsewhere on the Internet, usually accompanied by a photo of a health care worker. Other pictures show health care workers after long shifts, their faces lined, bruised or sometimes even cut by wearing personal protective equipment … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
April 10, 2020
As the global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) seeps into most corners of the world, stress levels are on the rise. Beginning March 2020, professional sporting events, amusement parks, concerts, weddings, schools and childcare facilities closed, and state and federal governments implemented physical distancing and—for several states—shelter-in-place orders. For millions of people, ways of life changed overnight, finances were … Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
April 3, 2020
As the number of positive novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continues to rise around the world, it’s important to understand the role we all play in slowing the spread of the disease. Practicing prevention eases the burden on the health care system and allows scientists time to develop a vaccine to protect us against the virus.… Read the rest
By Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
March 27, 2020
The repeated advice for avoiding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been to practice good hand hygiene. Simply: wash your hands a lot. But what about when it comes to your “stuff?” Is COVID-19 on your clothes? Your cell phone? A counter? A doorknob? The answer is – it certainly could be. So here’s what you should do.… Read the rest
Medicaid provides low-cost health insurance to millions of Americans. And with Montana’s recent Medicaid expansion, more people can get coverage. Here are the top four questions people ask about Medicaid eligibility.
Am I eligible?
Visit the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (MT DPHHS) website to find out if you qualify for Medicaid. Click on the “Am I Eligible?” tab (top, right corner of the … Read the rest
We often associate the holidays with food, which is a wonderful part of getting together with friends and family. But holiday food can also cause some havoc with diabetes management and weight control.
Don’t fret, though. You can still enjoy the holidays and the food by following six simple steps:
1. Keep your schedule and plan ahead.
Manage your diabetes just as you would … Read the rest
You know using tobacco is an unhealthy habit.
You know your loved ones keep asking you to quit.
So what are you waiting for? Quit smoking or chewing today!
Did you know: Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Smoking is also … Read the rest
If you find yourself in need of services once you leave a hospital, or if you’re caring for a parent in need of in-home services, home health care or private duty nursing may be just what you’re looking for. It’s important to realize though that each service option offers different levels of care.
Home health care requires a … Read the rest
Rural and frontier providers in Montana and Wyoming can now be part of a revolutionary health care model that will help them give better care to more people, right where they live.
As part of a new initiative funded by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Mountain-Pacific Quality Health is looking to connect Montana and Wyoming rural communities with an inter-professional … Read the rest
Mountain-Pacific Quality Health’s own Marci Butcher recently won the Diabetes Educator of the Year Award from the American Association of Diabetes Educators – a national award. November is American Diabetes Month, so Marci took some time to discuss the importance of diabetes awareness.
Question: What are the primary contributing factors of diabetes?
Marci: Diabetes is actually a group of diseases that have … Read the rest
When people need more care than they can get at home or in the community, a nursing home may be the best choice. However, choosing a nursing home for a loved one can be an overwhelming and emotionally challenging process. There are resources though that can help you find a nursing home that best meets your loved one’s needs and offers the best in quality care. … Read the rest
The Pearl City Nursing Home in Hawaii increased staff influenza immunization rates by more than 40% in 2015 after implementing successful strategies to encourage immunizations. Mountain-Pacific Quality Health helped the facility plan and implement proven strategies to help increase staff immunization rates.
Denise Bilodeau, administrator of the Pearl City Nursing Home, knew she wanted to increase the immunization rates of her staff but wasn’t … Read the rest
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among American women (outside of skin cancer) and more than 40,000 women die from breast cancer every year in the United States. Make sure you know the warning signs and how to conduct a breast self-exam.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that if you are 50 to 74 … Read the rest
If you are struggling with depression and thinking about suicide, you’re not alone. There is help. If you think a friend or family member may be depressed and suicidal, talk to them to see if they have the warning signs and get them help if needed.
No matter what time it is, help is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Calls to the suicide prevention hotlines below are … Read the rest
Mountain-Pacific Quality Health encourages everyone to take action to reduce prescription opioid abuse by properly disposing of prescription drugs and securing your medicine cabinet.
It’s Fall Prevention Awareness Week and Mountain-Pacific would like to remind seniors and their caregivers about the importance of preventing falls.
Every 15 seconds in the United States someone 65 or older is treated in an emergency room for a fall-related injury; every 29 minutes, someone 65 or older dies from fall-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Most falls are preventable and individuals, caregivers, … Read the rest
Healthy aging is a hot topic and rightly so—more Americans are living longer than ever. This is due, in part, to advancements in medicine—but that will only take you so far—you also need to commit to “living” healthier. Below are a few ideas to help get you on your way:
If you’ve ever had the “flu” (influenza), you know just how miserable it can make you feel. Here are a few tips that may help you reduce your odds of getting the flu this year.
Vaccinate
Flu vaccinations rarely produce side effects and are the number one key to preventing the flu. To learn more about the flu shot please read our flu vaccine blog.… Read the rest
Each year in the United States more than 3.3 million people are treated for skin cancer. The data speaks for itself – take the necessary precautions to make sure you don’t get skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer and occurs in the cells of the skin. Exposure to the sun is typically the root cause; however, it can develop on areas that don’t get exposure … Read the rest
People over the age of 65 and under the age of five are more susceptible and likely to acquire pneumonia. Thankfully, there are vaccinations that may help prevent you or your loved ones from acquiring this sometimes deadly disease.
Do you know if you have all the immunizations you need? Finding out which vaccinations you may need is quick and simple thanks to the Centers … Read the rest
Protect yourself from influenza and get your flu vaccine every season. Not only will you reduce your chances of getting influenza, but you’ll help stop the spread of the flu.
Even though “flu season” doesn’t officially start until October, mark your calendar now to get your immunization. The 2016/2017 influenza vaccine should be released near September.
Health officials create a new influenza vaccine every season that targets predicted flu … Read the rest
Every year thousands of Americans suffer from diseases and sicknesses that vaccinations could have prevented.
Do you know if you have all the immunizations you need? Finding out which vaccinations you may need is quick and simple thanks to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine quiz: https://www2.cdc.gov/nip/adultimmsched/
Vaccinations are tested to determine safety and effectiveness before they are approved and serious, long-term side effects are rare. Having … Read the rest
Heart disease is the number one leading cause of death in the United States and the world. So ask yourself, “Am I heart healthy and how do I really know?” Visit your physician and get a definitive answer.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), also known as heart disease, prevents the heart and blood vessels from working properly. If your heart is not pumping blood properly or there is a clog in your … Read the rest
Hot weather can be dangerous, especially for seniors and those with certain medical conditions. Mountain-Pacific Quality Health and our partners remind you to prepare for the summer heat by hydrating, staying cool, and knowing the warning signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Most heat-related deaths in the United States were among people over the age of 65, according to a 2012 study from the Centers for … Read the rest
Eating healthy isn’t just about cutting out those foods you love, but living healthier through better nutrition and choices.
The age-old phrase “you are what you eat” was coined in the late 1800s with the notion that to be fit and healthy you needed to eat good food. More than 100 years later there is evidence that healthy eating does lead to better overall health.
Creating new habits … Read the rest
Discovering new communities, friends and resources are just a click away thanks to social media and the internet. Do you want to find diabetic-friendly recipes? Or maybe you want to talk to others about diabetes prevention and management tips? Then get into social media and join the conversation with the communities, causes and individuals you like.
Below are five tips to help you become more engaged … Read the rest
