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Health News 04/17/2024

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AdventHealth of Florida offers safe sleep education to parents and caregivers. (Courtesy of AdventHealth)

Safe Sleep designation
AdventHealth Heart of Florida achieved the Gold Level Safe Sleep designation from the Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program, the highest recognition possible, for its commitment to reducing the risks of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), Accidental Suffocation and Strangulation in Bed (ASSB), SIDS and unsafe sleep injuries, according to a news release.

The hospital provides extensive training to its health care team on safe sleep practices and offers safe sleep education to parents and caregivers.

Providers also help identify at-risk families who need a safe sleep space for their infant and provide one, free of charge, before they are discharged from the hospital.

Team members also go into the community and teach about safe sleep practices through outreach events.

Mental health trainings
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay’s Organizational Development team is offering group mental health training to anyone interested in learning about behavioral health to better serve their clients, students, kids, employees or customers.

These sessions provide education and training on recognizing signs and symptoms and learning how to provide appropriate and safe support.

Available trainings include: Mental Health First Aid, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Trauma Informed Care, LivingWorks ASIST (suicide prevention), SafeTALK (suicide prevention), Crisis De-Escalation, Burnout, Resiliency in the Workplace, Mindfulness, and Managing Stress and Self-Care.

Many of these trainings can be modified or packaged together to meet an organization’s specific needs. Some can be done virtually, depending on the requirements.

For more information, visit CrisisCenter.com/training.

Beds for the underserved
AdventHealth North Pinellas recently partnered on April 5 with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build beds for underserved children in Pinellas County.

On average, up to 8,000 children go to sleep in Tampa Bay without the security and comfort of a bed, according to Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Sleep is crucial in the development of young minds and having a safe and comfortable place to get a good night’s rest is essential.

Dozens of hospital team members helped to build about 40 to 50 beds for children. Each bed costs $250 in materials and includes new bedding, mattress and a pillow.

In 2023, Sleep in Heavenly Peace provided 1,000 beds to children (about 600 in Pinellas County).

For more information about the organization, visit https://shpbeds.org/.

New heart procedure offered
AdventHealth Heart of Florida is now offering transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), a minimally invasive surgery for treating carotid artery disease and preventing future strokes, according to a news release.

TCAR is an alternative procedure where a surgeon works through a small incision to stabilize plaque from inside the artery and restore normal blood flow to the brain. Most patients can go home the day after the procedure and resume normal activities quickly, the release says.

Patients at risk for carotid artery disease may have high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity or a smoking habit, or a vascular disease.

To learn more about stroke and aneurysm care, visit PolkStrokeExperts.com.

Health News 04/10/2024

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Stitched with love for patient recovery
GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club members Melba Peneira and Gail Howard delivered bundles of hand-sewn pillows to AdventHealth Tampa and the Moffitt Cancer Center. These pillows help to provide comfort to post-surgery breast cancer patients and are made by a team from the woman’s club. For information, visit LutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org or its Facebook page.

Drug disposal bags available
Pasco County Fire Rescue is providing drug disposal bags at every fire station in the county — free for pickup by members of the community — in partnership with the Alliance for Health Communities (AHC), according to a news release.

The Deterra Drug Deactivation System Pouches use a chemical to deactivate the drugs, preventing environmental contamination and rendering the medication unusable. The medication can simply be dropped in the bag, water added, and the medication becomes deactivated.

Pasco Fire Rescue will become the largest department in the country with the risk reduction tool, now available at all of the county’s nearly 30 fire rescue stations, the release says. The bags also are available on all fire engines and will soon be available in Fire Rescue staff vehicles.

Fire Rescue Chief Anthony Perez said it is an easy, simple way for people to get rid of unused or unnecessary medication….keeping the medication out of the wrong hands, which helps keep the community safe. The bags are available at no cost to the community through AHC.

For more information, email .

Ridge Community High School Principal Angela Clark accepted the donations from Tim Clark, president and CEO of the AdventHealth Polk market. (Courtesy of AdventHealth Heart of Florida)

Hospital partners with school
As part of an ongoing partnership between AdventHealth Heart of Florida and Ridge Community High School in Davenport, Tim Clark, president and CEO of the AdventHealth Polk market, donated medical supplies to the school and Principal Angela Clark.

Clark asked the health academy leaders what sort of equipment the students needed to help as they progress through the four years in the health care academies. The answer: blood pressure (bp) cuffs of different sizes and new stethoscopes. The hospital donated 15 stethoscopes and 20 bp cuffs to the students, according to a news release.

The community school offers students opportunities to learn trade skills in academies, like the health care academy. Students work through rigorous programs learning marketable and employable skills to their chosen industry. Participants also work with community partners to learn and apply the skills they’ve learned.

Safe Haven saves its 393rd baby

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A Safe Haven for Newborns is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Florida dedicated to ending infant abandonment and recently recorded its 393rd baby saved, according to a news release.

In its 23-year partnership with hospitals, fire stations and EMS, Safe Haven is making a positive impact and saving two lives: the mother’s and the infant’s.

All services are provided at no cost to the expectant mother while protecting her right to privacy.

Safe Haven’s current statistics include:

  • 393 A Safe Haven for Newborns babies saved since July 2000
  • 300+ newborns not abandoned in Florida, left at Safe Haven (Fire/EMS and hospitals)
  • Over 6,000 girls/women assisted in their time of need or crisis
  • 72 mothers, their anonymity not a concern, choose to place their baby directly with a licensed adoption agency
  • Six parents were helped to successfully regain their parental rights
  • Nine newborns saved from abandonment in other states and one newborn saved in the country of Honduras

To learn more about Safe Haven for Newborns’ mission, visit ASafeHavenForNewborns.com.

Hospital receives excellence award

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HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital was recognized as a 2024 Patient Safety Excellence Award recipient by Healthgrades, the leading resource consumers use to find a hospital or doctor, according to a news release.

Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted complication and mortality rates for approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to determine this year’s top-performing hospitals for patient safety.

The organization revealed that patients treated in hospitals receiving this award have a significantly lower chance of experiencing one of the four leading safety indicators than patients treated at non-recipient hospitals, the release says.

These indicators include:

  • In-hospital fall resulting in fracture (approximately 52% less likely)
  • Collapsed lung due to a procedure or surgery in or around the chest (about 56% less likely)
  • Pressure sores or bed sores acquired in the hospital (about 67% less likely)
  • Catheter-related bloodstream infections acquired in the hospital (about 71% less likely)

“HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital has cultivated an outstanding safety culture that prioritizes the well-being of both patients and staff, setting a high standard for patient safety nationwide,” said Dr. Brad Bowman, chief medical officer and head of data science at Healthgrades, in the release.

Emergency care gets boost with new helicopter

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AdventHealth West Florida Division launched AdventHealth AirStar 1, a cutting-edge medical helicopter, on March 4, according to a news release.

The helicopter is set to redefine the landscape of patient transfers within the Tampa Bay region and will serve all 13 AdventHealth West Florida Division hospitals, the release says.

The state-of-the-art twin-engine Airbus H135 P3H will be stationed at the Lakeland Linder International Airport, strategically positioned to serve AdventHealth West and Central Florida Divisions.

AirStar will be operated by a team of 12 highly trained medical professionals, including registered flight nurses and certified flight paramedics. Dr. Fredrick Yonteck, a board-certified emergency medicine physician, will serve as the medical director of the flight program, and Dr. Michael Longley, chief medical officer of AdvenHealth North Pinellas, will oversee the division’s patient transfer center.

The aircraft, which is essentially a flying Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will be operational 24/7, 365 days a year, equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation and safety features to guarantee the highest standards of medical transport.

AirStar also will be on standby for community 911 responses, providing rapid medical assistance for trauma, stroke and cardiac alert patients across multiple surrounding counties.

Health News 03/27/2024

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(Courtesy of Martin Bahl/St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

Bringing awareness to colorectal cancer
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the endoscopy team at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz wore special T-shirts and decorated their area to show support and enthusiasm for life-saving colon and rectal cancer screenings. Blue is the color for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is highly treatable if diagnosed early, and a colonoscopy is one of the tests for cancer diagnosis and screening. St. Joseph’s Hospital-North encourages talking to your doctor about colorectal cancer risk and the right time for a screening. The endoscopy team at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North is shown here in an endoscopy suite where colonoscopies are performed.

New heart technology
Dr. Deepti Bhandare, vice chair in the Department of Cardiology at AdventHealth Sebring, recently helped in the development of Keno AI, a first-in-market medical device used to automatically detect heart murmurs, according to a news release.

Dr. Bhandare, who is also the director of the hospital’s Heart Failure Program, partnered with Keno Health, a Florida-based startup, to run a study to help improve detection of valvular heart disease (when one or more of the valves in the heart do not work properly). 

“Early detection of abnormal heart murmurs, especially prior to the onset of severe symptoms, is a vital component in screening for valvular heart disease,” Dr. Bhandare said in the release.

The doctor and Keno Health developed an innovative medical device called Keno AI. 

(Courtesy of AdventHealth)

“Keno AI allows physicians to automatically detect heart murmurs easily and quickly without impacting their clinical workflow,” Dr. Bhandare said. “Our innovative device is attached to a stethoscope, does not require any phone or app and could enable early intervention and treatment for patients with undiagnosed valvular heart disease.” 

During this feasibility study, cardiologists used the device to validate the heart murmur accuracy of Keno AI. Cardiologists tested more than 175 people of all different ages, genders, races and variations in body mass index (BMI).
The device had a sensitivity of 93%, showing the device has the ability to detect abnormal heart murmurs. The study also revealed that Keno AI has a 96% specificity, which is the ability to confirm patient’s normal heart sounds.

The study and abstract were accepted into the American College of Cardiology (ACC) journal. The teams also presented results at the ACC conference. 

Keno AI is intended to be used by physicians focused on early screening, heart auscultation, and specialized cardiology treatment, including primary care physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, cardiologists and internists.  

Dr. Bhandare and Keno Health support AdventHealth’s mission to provide exceptional, innovative and viable care to patients.  

Keno Health is launching Keno AI in 2024 and is ready to partner with early adopters at AdventHealth who are interested in utilizing the innovative technology.

Health News 03/20/2024

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(Courtesy of West Pasco Sertoma Club Inc.)

Sertoma Club commitment on display
The West Pasco Sertoma Club Inc., announced it is a recipient of the 2023-2024 Sertoma Club Grant, marking the club’s continued commitment to volunteer service, charitable support, and community leadership in the New Port Richey area. Funds from the grant will go to benefit the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida Inc., in support of hearing needs of the adults of Florida, which include hearing screenings, hearing aids and other hearing-related needs. Harvey Rhinehart, secretary/treasurer, presents the $2,000 grant to Deborah Golinski, president/CEO of Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida. To learn more about the Sertoma club, email , or visit Facebook.com/darrell.huling/.

Tampa General receives donation
Tampa General Hospital (TGH) received a $65,000 donation from Aetna Better Health of Florida, part of Aetna and the CVS Health family, to support the new TampaWell Community Garden and Food Pharmacy, according to a news release.

The community hub, built on the concept that “food is medicine,” will enable patients at the TGH Family Care Center Healthpark greater access to nutritious foods and the opportunity to learn how to grow healthy produce in a sustainable way.

TampaWell, activated by TGH in partnership with the City of Tampa, is a “revolutionary health and wellness initiative focused on preventive health to reduce chronic disease and repeated hospitalizations, while supporting the city’s most at-risk residents by addressing underlying social factors that impact health,” the release says.

(Courtesy of Premier Heart and Vascular Center)

New PET/CT technology
During American Heart Month (February), Premier Heart and Vascular Center announced it is one of the first cardiology practices in the Tampa Bay area to offer PET/CT imaging, according to a news release.

The PET/CT Scanner combines state-of-the-art PET and CT technology, allowing cardiologists to detect conditions such as coronary heart disease and damaged heart muscle earlier, with higher accuracy and efficiency, and with reduced radiation.

PET imaging uses very small amounts of radioactive tracers to detect decreased blood flow through the heart. It also can be used to detect less-common diseases such as cardiac amyloid and cardiac sarcoidosis.

The CT imaging creates high resolution pictures of the heart and its blood vessels.

Combined, the PET/CT scan produces extremely detailed 3D images of the heart and surrounding structures, detecting specific conditions, their location, and causes, the release says. The test can be performed in one 45-minute exam.

“We are proud to bring this cutting-edge technology to improve the care of our patients. This technology allows us to accurately diagnose conditions early and initiate important treatment to improve and save lives,” said Dr. Chetan Khamare, interventional cardiologist and partner at Premier Heart and Vascular Center, in the release.

For more information, visit PremierHeartAndVascular.com.

Crisis Center wins award
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay received the Community Catalyst Award at the State of Uptown event. The award is presented annually by Soaring City in partnership with the University Area CDC (UACDC) and has a focus on organizations emerging in community leadership, inclusion and growth, according to a news release.

The Crisis Center operates TransCare Medical Transportation, which provides 911 basic life support ambulance service, interfacility transports and emergency behavioral health transports. The award recognizes TransCare’s partnership with Ultimate Medical Academy in operating an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) apprenticeship program, the release says.

Through the apprenticeship program, students attend classes at Ultimate Medical Academy while receiving on-the-job training and experience working as a behavioral health attendant at TransCare.

Due to grant funding provided by CareerSource, qualifying students are able to have tuition costs covered.

For more information about the EMT apprenticeship program, visit CrisisCenter.com/transcare-uma/.

How to raise a healthy, active child

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Many factors impact a child or teen’s wellness, including where you live, genetics and other influences. According to experts though, you can encourage a healthy lifestyle for your child, and help prevent obesity and other illnesses that can extend into adulthood.

“Raising a healthy, active child is about much more than nutrition and physical activity,” says Natalie D. Muth, a pediatrician and registered dietician. “It also entails adequate sleep, a positive approach to screen use and social-emotional wellness, and to the best of your ability, helping ensure your surrounding environment supports healthy routines.”

At a time when few children and adolescents meet the recommendations for nutrition and activity, a new clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), “The Role of the Pediatrician in the Promotion of Healthy, Active Living,” offers guidance to help optimize a child’s health regardless of their weight, as well as strategies based on the best science that can also help prevent obesity at every stage, from infancy through adolescence.

(c) Sabrina Bracher / iStock via Getty Images Plus

Here are some practical tips from the AAP to use to tackle issues within your control:

  • Learn about good nutrition. Visit MyPlate.gov for great ways to take a team approach to planning and making meals so that kids have an active role in what they eat. The site takes into account cultural traditions, giving examples of healthy meals that include familiar foods.
  • Reach for water. Sugary drinks such as 100% fruit juice, sodas, sports drinks and fruit drinks account for 24% of added sugar intake in the U.S. diet in people 1 year and older. Consumption contributes significantly to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes and other health risks, according to USDA statistics. Ideally, aim for one sugary drink or fewer per week. Bonus: drinking water cleanses teeth and gums, preventing cavities now while setting the stage for lifelong dental health.
  • Limit ultra-processed foods. It may not be realistic to avoid ultra-processed foods altogether, but try to limit their access and help children and adolescents learn the benefits of eating whole foods like fruits and vegetables. You can also talk with them about the health risks of too much “junk food,” which is generally loaded in sugar and salt, doesn’t increase feelings of fullness, and prompts overeating.
  • Adopt a family media plan. Everyone benefits from sensible screen time limits that make room for healthy activities. Engage kids in creating a plan for the whole family.
  • Move more. It can be challenging to get up and move more, but when you make it a priority, kids benefit. Organized sports aren’t the only option. Your family can also enjoy walking, biking, swimming and dancing. Indoors, you can try active gaming or online fitness classes to strengthen muscles, build coordination and release tension.
  • Manage stress. If your schedule is jammed with so many commitments that there’s no room for healthy downtime, consider what you can let go. Rest rebuilds the body’s systems after the challenges of a tough day or week, so reserve time for it.
  • Lean on support. Not all neighborhoods have safe places for children to play and walk to school, or offer nutritious and affordable food nearby. Additionally, factors like racism, toxic stress, housing or food insecurity and safety risks can impact your child’s health. Creating a safe environment at home, and leaning on the support of schools, health care systems and the wider community can create a healthier life for your child. One important resource is your pediatrician. Talk to the doctor about ways to support an active, healthy lifestyle for your child.

For more tips and resources, visit HealthyChildren.org.

“Remember that feeling loved, seen and appreciated are just as central to your child’s health as nutrition and exercise. The brain and the body are one system — so when kids feel safe and secure, their bodies function well,” says Dr. Muth.

-StatePoint

Published March 13, 2024

Looking to feel better? Consider adding an iron supplement

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(Mariana Rascao/Unsplash)

Anyone looking to dramatically and easily improve their overall health and wellness would be wise to consider adding an iron supplement to their diet.

A common problem
Although few people ever think about their iron intake, assuming eating enough leafy greens or taking a multivitamin will suffice, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional shortfall globally, including in the United States, where it is estimated that 1 in 5 people need more iron to function properly. This holds true across all age ranges and physical conditions, from senior citizens to infants to performance athletes, but most notably this is the case for women of childbearing age.

Why your iron levels matter
Without sufficient iron, the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin — the substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen to tissues and organs, which can impact nearly every system in the body, even leading to death in the cases of extreme anemia. Iron deficiency can also exacerbate many health conditions, especially cardiac, pulmonary and circulatory problems, and it plays a critical role in conditions like restless leg syndrome, ADD/ADHD, celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease.

That said, the symptoms of less severe iron deficiency can be harder to pinpoint. They include:

  • Tiredness or lethargy
  • Weakness
  • Irregular heartbeat or shortness of breath
  • Headache, dizziness, lightheadedness
  • Unusual food cravings and appetite changes
  • Appearance issues like thinning hair, pallor, dark circles, or brittle nails
  • Behavioral issues like excitability, inability to focus, or irritability, especially in children
(Angel Sinigersky/Unsplash)

Choose Wisely
Adding an iron supplement is an easy way to address a host of pressing issues, but buyer beware — not all iron supplements are created equal. Even those who know they need iron may not take supplements because they are notoriously bad-tasting and can cause significant gastrointestinal distress, essentially trading one problem for another. The supplement market is also largely unregulated, resulting in many companies producing inferior products or making unsubstantiated claims about the effectiveness of their products.

So how can you find the best supplement for you and your family? The short answer is to ignore the marketing hype and trust medicine. Follow your doctors’ advice and look for an iron supplement that has been clinically proven to be safe, effective and well-tolerated in all age groups.

From enhancing your appearance and providing an immune system boost to giving you the stamina and focus you need to complete tasks with confidence, adding an iron supplement is one of the best ways to improve your overall health and well-being.

Published March 13, 2024

Health News 03/13/2024

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Nick Burgess (Courtesy of AdventHealth)

Executive director named
AdventHealth Pasco County Foundations has elevated Nick Burgess to the role of executive director, according to a news release.

Burgess continues to report to Kristen McCall, president of AdventHealth Foundation West Florida. He will be responsible for philanthropy for the Dade City, Zephyrhills and, now, Wesley Chapel hospitals, having previously served only in Dade City and Zephyrhills.

Before joining AdventHealth, Burgess served as director of operations for Bahrs Construction, where he managed more than 150 projects a year.

Burgess has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of South Florida.

He enjoys spending time with his wife, Kassidy, and their two Australian shepherds. He also loves to cook and even competes in barbecue competitions.

Three-year accreditation
TransCare Medical Transportation, a division of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, has received a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS), through 2026, according to a news release.

CAAS is the “gold standard” for medical transportation within the U.S., and TransCare is one of only 23 ambulance services in the state of Florida to hold this accreditation, the release says.

Accreditation validates that an ambulance service is providing the highest quality care to all patients it transports. CAAS evaluates various aspects of a provider’s operations, including financial management, clinical standards, human resources, communications, equipment, and risk management.

TransCare provides Basic Life Support (BLS) transports and Advanced Life Support (ALS) inter-facility transports throughout Hillsborough County; behavioral health transports to and from all area hospitals and psychiatric facilities; behavioral health transports for Pasco County Public Schools students while on campuses; behavioral health transports from Pasco County medical facilities, non-emergency medical transportation between medical facilities; and stand-by services for special events.

(Courtesy of Ashley Pontius/National Strategies PR)

Auction raises money for ‘the love of all children’
The Johns Hopkins All Children’s Foundation Seminole Guild hosted a For the Love of All Children Quarter Auction on Feb. 17 and raised over $11,000 for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. More than 200 people attended this year’s event at The Peacock Center in Seminole.

Jazzercise Dade City opens
Jazzercise Inc., announced the opening of its newest fitness center in Dade City, located in the Shepherd of the Hills Church, 37015 Orange Valley Lane. Jazzercise is a dance party workout fitness program. The center offers 16 classes weekly.

To find classes, visit Jazzercise.com, or download the myJazzercise mobile app on iOS or Android.

For more information, visit Jazzercise.com, or call 813-466-9930.

William H. Constantine IV

New assistant chief nursing officer
HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, has named William H. Constantine IV as its new assistant chief nursing officer, according to a news release.

Constantine will serve as a key member of the hospital’s nursing team responsible for implementing strategic direction for the nursing department, assisting with the management of clinical quality and patient safety, and assisting with the recruitment, training and professional development of the hospital’s growing nursing staff, the release says. The new officer comes on board as the facility continues to add registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and other essential staff. This year, the hospital has hired 111 full-time nurses.

Constantine most recently served as the director of Emergency Services at HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital in St. Petersburg, where he led his department to two consecutive Unit of Distinction awards.