Rheumatoid Arthritis: Can Be a Difficult Diagnosis

This information is from Everyday Health-Women's Health section. Here is a direct link to it

http://www.everydayhealth.com/arthritis/rheumatoid-arthritis/diagnosing-rheumatoid-arthritis.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthWomensHealth_20090906

or you can read the cut and pasted article here.

"Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Difficult Diagnosis"

"Learn some of the common methods used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis.
By HealthTalk Staff
Medically reviewed by Ed Zimney, MD

Rheumatoid arthritis can be very difficult to diagnose in its early stages, as there is no single test to detect it. Symptoms vary from person to person and can mimic those of other joint conditions. As a result, health care providers use several methods and tools to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis.
Medical history: The doctor will ask a patient to describe his or her symptoms, as well as when and how they began. How symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and swelling change over time is especially important to making an accurate diagnosis. In general, a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis cannot be made unless the symptoms have been present for at least six weeks.
Physical examination: The doctor will examine joints, muscle strength, skin, and reflexes.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis: Laboratory Tests Several laboratory tests are used to diagnose RA:
Rheumatoid factor: If, after reviewing the medical history and performing the examination, the doctor suspects a person has rheumatoid arthritis, he or she may order a blood test to look for the presence of rheumatoid factor, or RF. Rheumatoid factor is a protein made by the immune system. It eventually appears in the blood of about 80 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients. When it is positive, the amount of RF present in the blood may help the doctor predict the potential severity of and complications from the rheumatoid arthritis.
However, a positive test does not mean a patient has RA, and, likewise, a negative test does not mean a patient does not have RA. The significance of RF results needs to be evaluated on an individual basis and discussed with a patient's personal physician. Test results are reported as numerical values. Since positive and negative ranges vary by age, sex, and the kind of test used, it's best to discuss results with a doctor. Levels of rheumatoid factor can vary with the severity of symptoms and inflammation. RF may not be present at all when the disease is in its earliest stages. So, if an RF test is negative and the patient continues to show signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, the doctor may suggest repeating the test.
ESR and CRP: Once rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed, doctors may also order blood tests such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP). ESR and CRP tests detect inflammation in the body and help monitor the progress of the disease and responses to therapies.
CBC: In some cases, doctors may order a CBC (complete blood count). This test will check for anemia, since it is not unusual for RA patients to develop this condition. Additionally, it will check the white blood cell count, which may be abnormal in RA patients.
X-rays: Doctors use X-rays and other imaging techniques such as MRI, to see the amount of damage to joints. Usually, the early joint damage in RA is not visible on X-rays, so they will appear normal. Therefore, X-rays often are not helpful in initial diagnosis. However, these early X-rays can be used later to follow the progression of the disease and response to therapies.
Last Updated: 02/12/2008
This section created and produced exclusively by the editorial staff of HealthTalk. © 2009 EverydayHealth.com; all rights reserved. "
Articles in Diagnosis
Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Difficult Diagnosis
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Rheumatoid Arthritis from Head to Toe
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Testing for Rheumatoid Factor

Here is a link to a blog that might be helpful for someone.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/blogs/rheumatoidarthritisanaturalpathtohealing

EMPLOYMENT - Operations Manager at Boehringer Ingelheim Roxane Laboratories

I have a contact in process of hiring an Operations Manager at Boehringer Ingelheim Roxane Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company in central Ohio. Great company with lots of room to grow both domestically and internationally.
http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/corporate/home/home.asp
Attached is a high level overview of the role. If you know anyone that may fit the bill, please encourage them to apply online and send their resume as well to Kimberly Kellerman, Director, Organizational Flow ( mailto:Kim.Kellermann@boehringer-ingelheim.com ).
--

PRINCIPLE DUTIES (Maximum 10)
Why is the task being performed?
How is the task being performed?
ASSOCIATED PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS
RESULTS
What are the tasks being performed?

Establish and maintain systems to measure and monitor relevant Physical Flow production performance parameters. Create an environment that results in continuous improvement of the same.
· Achieve established performance objectives, meet customer requirements and promote an attitude and accomplishment of zero defects, including those relating to process, customer, finance, lead and learn.
· Recommend Key Performance Indicator goals.
Safety (OSHA Rate, Training) Customer Service (Adherence, Production Service Level, Operational Productivity, Overall Production Productivity, Changeover reduction) Quality Service Level (Notice of Investigations and Rejects, Right First Time), Thru Put Time, Yield, Performance Center KPI’s

· Support effective interpersonal relationships and team performance.
· Effectively Communicate Key Performance goals / expectations to staff.
· Foster positive teamwork to achieve KPIs through self-directed work cells.
· Lead, motivate and inspire staff to meet Key Performance Indicator goals.
· Support team(s) success.
· Measure team and individual performance.
· Meet cGMP, FDA, DEA, OSHA and other applicable regulatory and company guidelines.
· Participate in cross functional teams.
Ensure the development and maintenance of an environment of open communication, pride in workmanship and participation in performance improvement among all employees to help develop and retain qualified employees to maintain compliance, competitiveness and support for succession planning.
· Fostering Culture of Exchange and employee retention.
· Empower and collaborate with direct reports to identify, recommend, and implement development plans for individuals and teams.
Headcount, Max Planning, Budget (Overtime) management for multiple cost centers, development plans.

· Collaboration between support groups.
· Lead through positive reinforcement to recognize team and individuals.

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· Drive and sustain 5S.
Effectively work (teach, coach, counsel, mentor and develop) with organizational subordinates toward the objectives of personal growth, enhanced job performance and career satisfaction.
· Performance Management Driven Culture.
· Provide mentorship and ensure the application of the coaching techniques as outlined in the FLS certification program.
Headcount, Max Planning, Department Meetings, Training. Max Planning and review. Feedback from Performance Management Team

· Employee Development
· Participate and adhere to the Performance Management Process.
· Supports First Line Supervision Coaching Culture.
· Empower teams and individuals to proactively recognize and implement action plans personal growth, enhanced job performance, and career satisfaction.
· Lead by Management Learning Culture.
·Identify individuals and team motivational needs.

·Confront potential performance issues by utilizing effective coaching techniques.
Provide short and mid term tactical / strategic technical and organizational leadership that addresses business deficiencies, process improvements, obstacles and opportunities.
· Physical Flow Performance Improvements.
·Recognize and resolve issues preventing teams and individuals from meeting performance goals.
Safety (OSHA Rate, Training) Customer Service (Adherence, Production Service Level, Operational Productivity, Overall Production Productivity, Changeover reduction) Quality Service Level (Notice of Investigations and Rejects, Right First Time), Thru Put Time, Yield, Performance Center KPI’s

·Empower Coaches and individuals to identify, recommend, and implement improvements to increase operational efficiencies, remove obstacles, and create opportunities.
·Seek out technical solutions to improve performance including collaborating with experts in and outside departments.
·Ensure Coaches are implementing improvements through Performance Centers.
· Lead Area Performance Centers.
Development, recommendation and management of Physical Flow capital investment and spending budgets.
· Support of site goals specific to cost and CAPEx
· Support capital investment and spending budgets.
Cost, Project Objectives, Timelines and Budget, Level of preparedness for projects.

· Capacity Planning
· Solicit cost reduction recommendations from teams and individuals.

· Empower individuals and teams to take ownership in managing area spending and reducing cost.
Effectively interact with interdepartmental personnel to establish and actualize systems, policies, procedures of maximum benefit to the company and individuals. Provide effective leadership to assignment projects to ensure site and strategic goals are met, meet schedules, cost targets and improve efficiencies and process reliability.
· Site Goal and Strategic goals.
· Communicate and provide ideas and initiatives.
Project Objectives, Timelines and Budget.

· Site and Project Implementation.
· Support projects that will utilize the required BPE Tools, Project Management skills, Lead and Learn principles to Cross Functional teams, departments and Management.
· Launch support.
· Set and communicate performance expectations of direct reports that ensure flow goals and objectives are achieved.

· Encourage subordinate staff to participate in the development of departmental goals.

· Measure physical flow performance and confront performance gaps as needed.

Free 26" Men's Bike

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