In hospitals there is a new kind of doctor – a hospitalist – someone who oversees the care of patients instead of their personal physicians. Because of their familiarity with the hospital, hospitalists can supposedly improve care and save money. However, a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine looked at approximately 60,000 patient Medicare records. Hospitalists’ patients had shorter hospital stays, but they were likelier to be readmitted or go to emergency rooms within 30 days. Hospitalists were also likelier to discharge patients to nursing homes or rehabilitation facilities and less likely to send them home. It seems this type of “hospitality” costs Medicare more.
In Boston’s Logan International Airport – and only there – there was a 60-day pilot program to improve airport security. After providing their boarding pass an ID, travelers at the Terminal A checkpoint were questioned by specially trained behavior detection officers. Their job was to spot high-risk travelers by looking for suspicious facial expressions and behavior. Suspicious travelers would receive additional screening and could be referred to law enforcement officers. Obviously, the questions to be asked during the “casual conversations” were not revealed. This is a test you can’t study for, but that you want to pass with “flying” colors.
In England the maker of Weetabix cereal selected 15 children from around the country to sponsor. These were children who were very busy with after-school sports and activities. Each child was paid about $400 to wear special Weetabix clothes on their busiest days of the week. The implied message is that children who eat this cereal can accomplish more. Unlike Little League uniforms displaying a company’s logo, this isn’t the sponsorship of an entire team that helps to cover expenses like field rentals and equipment purchases. This is a walking, running, playing advertisement. Like it or not little Billy becomes a “Bill-board”.
In Japan a former Sony technician designed air-conditioned clothes. The first item in his line was a $140 jacket with a pair of battery-powered fans on the sides. The air that is drawn in and circulated inside the jacket evaporates sweat and creates a personal cooling system. Now his line includes a button-up shirt, a hooded jacket, a short-sleeved shirt for women and cargo pants. There is also an air-conditioned mattress and cushion with fan controls. Considering how much energy is saved by air conditioning clothes instead of entire rooms, this is a “cool” idea.
Comments