1. A method for providing spectral containment over telecommunications service lines, comprising:
selecting a filter having spectral characteristics corresponding to a predetermined passband;
connecting the filter in series to and between two ends of at least one loop used to provide at least one telecommunications service to a customer; and
activating service over said at least one loop, said filter preventing signals transmitted on frequencies outside of the predetermined passband over said at least one loop.
2. The method according to claim 1,
wherein said prevented signals comprise unexpected transmissions.
3. The method according to claim 1,
wherein said prevented signals comprise unauthorized transmissions.
4. The method according to claim 1,
wherein said prevented signals comprise unintended transmissions.
5. The method according to claim 1, said connecting further comprising:
housing the filter within a housing that also houses a loop modification unit.
6. The method according to claim 1, said connecting further comprising:
placing the filter within a spectrum protector coil that interfaces with a housing that houses a loop modification unit.
7. The method according to claim 1, said connecting further comprising:
connecting the filter in series to at least one loop of a loop plant, said filter intervening between a remote terminal facility and copper pair side of the loop.
8. The method according to claim 1, said selecting further comprising:
determining a service to be excluded on said at least one loop from the group consisting of DDS, ISDN, and xDSL; and
selecting a filter having spectral characteristics excluding operating frequencies of the determined service.
9. A method for manufacturing a spectral containment unit for providing spectral containment over telecommunications service lines, comprising:
selecting a filter having predetermined spectral characteristics corresponding to a predetermined passband;
connecting the filter in series to and between two ends of at least one loop used to provide at least one telecommunications service to a customer; and
packaging said filter within a housing that also houses a loop modification unit.
10. The method according to claim 9, said selecting further comprising:
determining a service to be excluded by said filter from the group consisting of DDS, ISDN, and xDSL; and
selecting a filter having spectral characteristics excluding operating frequencies of the determined service.
11. A method for manufacturing a spectral containment unit for providing spectral containment over telecommunications service lines, comprising:
selecting a filter having predetermined spectral characteristics corresponding to a predetermined passband;
connecting the filter in series to and between two ends of at least one loop used to provide at least one telecommunications service to a customer; and
packaging said filter within a spectrum protector coil that interfaces with a housing that houses a loop modification unit filter.
12. The method according to claim 11, said selecting further comprising:
determining a service to be excluded by said filter from the group consisting of DDS, ISDN, and xDSL; and
selecting a filter having spectral characteristics excluding operating frequencies of the determined service.
13. An apparatus for providing spectral containment over telecommunications service lines, comprising:
a filter having spectral characteristics corresponding to a predetermined passband, the filter being connected in series to and between two ends of at least one loop used to provide at least one telecommunications service to a customer, said filter preventing signals transmitted on frequencies outside of the predetermined passband over said at least one loop.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13,
wherein said prevented signals comprise unexpected transmissions.
15. The apparatus according to claim 13,
wherein said prevented signals comprise unauthorized transmissions.
16. The apparatus according to claim 13,
wherein said prevented signals comprise unintended transmissions.
17. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising:
a housing that houses said filter and a loop modification unit.
18. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising:
a spectrum protector coil within which the filter is provided, and which interfaces with a housing that houses a loop modification unit.
19. The apparatus according to claim 13,
wherein said filter is connected in series to at least one loop of a loop plant, said filter intervening between a remote terminal facility and copper pair side of the loop.
20. The apparatus according to claim 13, said filter excluding transmissions selected from the group of services consisting of: DDS, ISDN, and xDSL.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method for treating a mental health disorder and improving workplace productivity and disability reduction related to said disorders comprising the steps of:
(a) having a patient access an interactive website for an initial visit;
(b) having the patient answer one or more screening questions to determine whether there is a possibility of the patient having a mental health disorder;
(c) processing the patient’s answers to the one or more screening questions to determine whether there is the possibility of the patient having a mental health disorder;
(d) where there is the possibility of the patient having a mental health disorder, selecting a module of diagnostic risk assessment questions related to a specific mental health disorder;
(e) having the patient answer the diagnostic risk assessment questions related to the specific mental health disorder;
(f) processing the patient’s answers to the diagnostic risk assessment questions to determine the level of risk for a particular diagnosis;
(g) providing the patient with a preliminary diagnostic risk assessment map which comprises a list of the patient’s answers to the screening questions and the diagnostic risk assessment questions, and provides the level of risk for a particular diagnosis;
(h) providing the patient with a CARE MAP which comprises evidence-based instructions for patients and physicians on possible treatments;
(i) providing the patient with a follow-up map which comprises data on symptom and functional impairment severity trends over time, absenteeism, presenteeism, and medical and personal history of the patient, as provided by the patient;
(j) having the patient share the preliminary diagnostic risk assessment map, the CARE MAP and the follow-up map with a physician in printable form or via electronic records;
(k) after considering the preliminary diagnostic risk map, the CARE MAP and the follow-up map, the physician instituting medical treatment of the patient;
(l) providing the patient with a follow-up reminder via the internet andor telephone to access the interactive website for a return visit;
(m) having the patient access the website for the return visit;
(n) having the patient answer the diagnostic risk questions from step (e) again;
(o) having the patient answer questions regarding management history of the medical treatment; and
(p) processing the patient’s answers to the questions from steps (n) and (o) to determine whether there should be a change in the medical treatment of the patient.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the patient accesses the website anonymously.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the patient is provided with a user I.D. and password for accessing the website.
4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of having the patient answer demographic questions.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the specific mental health disorder is selected from the group consisting of depression, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, alcohol dependency, substance abuse, and eating disorders.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the website provides the patient with a physician’s letter comprising a description of the purpose of the website and an overview of the website’s credentials.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the follow-up reminder is provided three weeks after the patient’s initial visit.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the website provides hyperlinks to literature on the clinical andor medical science of mental health disorders.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said patients are employees andor members of disability or health insurance plans.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the method is used in combination with an employee assistance program.
11. A system for treating mental health disorders and improving workplace productivity and disability reduction related to said disorders, wherein said system comprises an interactive website, said website comprising:
(a) a web page for accessing the web site;
(b) a screening questionnaire for determining whether there is a possibility of a patient having a mental health disorder;
(c) means for processing the answers to the screening questionnaire to determine whether there is the possibility of the patient having a mental health disorder;
(d) a diagnostic questionnaire for determining the patient’s level of risk for a particular diagnosis;
(e) means for processing the answers to the diagnostic questionnaire to determine the patient’s level of risk for a particular diagnosis;
(f) means for providing a preliminary diagnostic risk assessment map which comprises a list of the patient’s answers to the screening questionnaire and the diagnostic risk assessment questionnaire, and provides the level of risk for a particular diagnosis;
(g) means for providing a CARE MAP which comprises evidence-based instructions for patients and physicians on possible treatments;
(h) means for providing a follow-up map which comprises data on symptomfunctional impairment trends over time, and medical and personal history of the patient, as provided by the patient; and
(i) following medical treatment, means for providing a follow-up reminder via the Web andor phone to the patient to access the website for a return visit.
12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the system provides means for the patient to access the website anonymously.
13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the website further comprises means for providing a physician’s letter describing the purpose of the website and providing an overview of the website’s credentials.
14. The system according to claim 11, wherein the website further comprises hyperlinks to literature on the clinical andor medical science of mental health disorders.
15. A method for providing aggregate economic information to the employerinsurer regarding productivity losses due to mental disorders, most effective medical interventions in terms of restoration of productivity level and reduction of disability and aggregate information to public and private health insurers on most effective medical interventions that limit morbidity and mortality and promote early remission and recovery, said method comprising:
(a) having a patient access an interactive website for an initial visit;
(b) having the patient answer one or more screening questions to determine whether there is a possibility of the patient having a mental health disorder;
(c) processing the patient’s answers to the one or more screening questions to determine whether there is the possibility of the patient having a mental health disorder;
(d) where there is the possibility of the patient having a mental health disorder, selecting a module of diagnostic risk assessment questions related to a specific mental health disorder;
(e) having the patient answer the diagnostic risk assessment questions related to the specific mental health disorder;
(f) processing the patient’s answers to the diagnostic risk assessment questions to determine the level of risk for a particular diagnosis;
(g) providing the patient with a preliminary diagnostic risk assessment map which comprises a list of the patient’s answers to the screening questions and the diagnostic risk assessment questions, and provides the level of risk for a particular diagnosis;
(h) providing the patient with a CARE MAP which comprises evidence-based instructions for patients and physicians on possible treatments;
(i) providing the patient with a follow-up map which comprises data on symptom and functional impairment severity trends over time, and medical and personal history of the patient, as provided by the patient;
(j) having the patient share the preliminary diagnostic risk assessment map, the CARE MAP and the follow-up map with a physician in printable form or via electronic records;
(k) after considering the preliminary diagnostic risk map, the CARE MAP and. the follow-up map, the physician instituting medical treatment of the patient;
(l) providing the patient with a follow-up reminder via the internet andor telephone to access the interactive website for a return visit;
(m) having the patient access the website for the return visit;
(n) having the patient answer the diagnostic risk questions from step (e) again;
(o) having the patient answer questions regarding management history of the medical treatment;
(p) processing the patient’s answers to the questions from steps (n) and (o) to determine whether there should be a change in the medical treatment of the patient; and
(q) having the patient answer questions about job classification, days absent, salary per day, days present but having percent productivity loss, days with symptoms, days of treatment (type and dosage), said data collected allowing correlation between clinical status, treatment, and workplace costs and savings (clinical economic correlation);
(r) processing data from (q) using analytical tools to derive clinico-economic information; and
(s) reporting to an entity arranging for access to the website with aggregate information regarding the value of workplace economic loss and benefit of the method.
16. The method according to claim 8, wherein said literature includes information on medical treatments for mental health disorders and the risks associated with terminating the medical treatments early.
17. The system according to claim 14, wherein said literature includes information on medical treatments for mental health disorders and the risks associated with terminating the medical treatments early.