The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Health News 08/10/2022

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(Courtesy of Linda Mitchell)

Little Women donate books
The Ronald MacDonald House Tampa has opened for visitors, and the Little Women of Lutz presented the ‘home away from home’ with a rolling library, filled with over 200 books for all ages. It is the mission of this community service organization to keep the library full, for the reading pleasure of the residents now and in the future. Those taking part were Zoey Cropper, Fleur Van Buuren, Lyndsey Turnage, Lauren Gualtieri, Linda Mitchell, Dee Knerr and Kiara Palmer. For information on the Little Women of Lutz (for ages 12 to 18), email .

Fentanyl overdoses
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is encouraging residents to be aware of the rise in fentanyl overdoses and its signs, according to its Facebook page.

Fentanyl can be absorbed by the body by skin contact, ingestion or inhalation, and it has rapidly become one of the most common substances seen in overdoses and substance abuse cases.

Signs of an overdose include: blue/purple fingernails; blue/purple lips; difficulty breathing; clammy skin; vomiting; pinpoint pupils; drowsiness; and unconciousness — all of which can occur within minutes of exposure.

If you think someone is overdosing, immediately call 911.

For more information on the PSO’s community-based resources, visit PascoSheriff.com/mentalhealth.

Muscular Dystrophy boot drive
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano will feature the Pasco Fire Rescue’s annual “Boot Drive” as its charitable organization for the month of August.

All proceeds from this promotional effort will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), which is a key organization supported by Pasco Fire Rescue/Pasco Firefighters Charities.

Donations (filling the boot) can be made at any of the five tax collector offices in Pasco County. To find locations, visit PascoTaxes.com.

For more about the charitable giving programs through the tax collector, call Greg Giordano at 727-847-8179.

For information about the Fire Rescue/Firefighters charities, call Sean Messer at 813-929-2750.

Hospital accreditations
HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital, HCA Florida Trinity Hospital and HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital have together earned a three-year accreditation from the Amerian College of Surgeon’s (ACS) Commission on Cancer (CoC), for their integrated network cancer program, according to a news release.

The program was created by the three hospitals after each individually held ACS CoC accreditation for many years and saw the need to provide a coordinated approach to cancer care for patients in Pasco County, Hernando County and surrounding communities.

To earn voluntary CoC accreditation, a cancer program must meet 34 CoC quality care standards, be evaluated every three years through a survey process, and maintain levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive patient-centered care.

As a CoC-accredited cancer center, the program will take a multidisciplinary approach to treating cancer as a complex group of diseases that requires consultation among surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, diagnostic radiologists, pathologists and other cancer specialists.

This multidisciplinary partnership results in improved patient care.

Local health departments monitoring monkeypox outbreak

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County health departments in West Central Florida are monitoring and responding to the nationwide outbreak of monkeypox, according to a news release from the Florida Department of Health-Pasco.

As of July 22, there were cases of monkeypox in at least 43 states and Washington D.C., and no deaths had been reported outside of the endemic countries.

If a case is discovered within the West Central Florida region, the health department will conduct epidemiological investigations to notify possible exposures and offer potential post-exposure prophylaxis.

Health departments in West Central Florida will offer the monkeypox vaccine to high-risk groups, as doses become available from the federal government, the release says.

Current information on monkeypox is available at FloridaHealth.gov.

Case data for monkeypox, as well as other reportable diseases, can be found on FLHealthCharts.gov.

Health care providers who suspect a possible case of monkeypox, should immediately contact their local health department or the 24/7 disease reporting hotline at 850-245-4401.

Local county health departments can help providers obtain monkeypox virus-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

Human-to-human transmission generally requires prolonged, face-to-face contact, direct contact with lesion materials, or indirect contact with lesion materials through contaminated items, such as contaminated clothing.

Health care providers should remain vigilant of information related to monkeypox:

  • Monkeypox symptoms, especially among individuals with relevant travel history
  • Transmission and incubation periods
  • Specimen collection
  • Infection control procedures in the home and hospital settings
  • Clinical recognition, and the characteristic rash associated with monkeypox
  • Prophylaxis and possible treatments for monkeypox
  • Monitoring of those exposed to monkeypox

The public also should remain vigilant of the current meningococcal outbreak

Demographic impacts are similar among meningococcal and monkeypox cases. The release says.

The meningococcal vaccines are available for free to high-risk populations at every county health department.

For more information or questions, contact your county health department.

Published August 03, 2022

Health News 08/03/2022

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Muscular Dystrophy boot drive
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano will feature the Pasco Fire Rescue’s annual “Boot Drive” as its charitable organization for the month of August.

All proceeds from this promotional effort will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), which is a key organization supported by Pasco Fire Rescue/Pasco Firefighters Charities.

Donations (filling the boot) can be made at any of the five tax collector offices in Pasco County. To find locations, visit PascoTaxes.com.

For more about the charitable giving programs through the tax collector, call Greg Giordano at 727-847-8179.

For information about the Fire Rescue/Firefighters charities, call Sean Messer at 813-929-2750.

Sertoma Club raises funds
The West Pasco Sertoma Club has donated $26,482.32 to The Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida Inc.

The bulk of the donation will be used in the foundation’s first and last month’s rent, and a security deposit for an upcoming move to a larger location. The remaining $5,000 will help with moving expenses.

The club raises funds each year to support the foundation through three events — barbecue dinners at Chasco Fiesta, Family Fun Day, and the Celebration of Lights.

To learn more about the foundation, visit FamilyHearingHelp.org.

Top hospitals named
AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and St. Joseph’s Hospital-North have been named to the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list, according to a news release.

This is the fifth year in a row both hospitals have been recognized with the honor as a top performing hospital in the U.S.

“It is gratifying to know that one of the best 100 hospitals in the United States is right here in Wesley Chapel,” said Erik Wangsness, president and CEO of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, in the release.

“This is a testament to our physicians and team’s daily commitment to providing compassionate, whole-person care to our community,” said Wangsness.

Tom Garthwaite, St. Joseph’s North president, said in the release, “It is an honor to be recognized as one of the Top 100 hospitals in the U.S. This award speaks to the dedication of our medical staff and team members who work to improve the health care for our north Hillsborough and east/central Pasco communities…By focusing on our patients, we provide true patient-centered care in a pleasant healing environment.”

The hospitals included on the list had better results on key clinical and operational performance indicators, including survival rates, patient complications, health care-associated infections, 30-day mortality and 30-day hospital-wide readmission rates, length of stay, throughput in emergency departments, inpatient expenses, profitability and ratings from patients.

To see more of the top hospitals named, visit 100TopHospitals.com.

Health News 07/27/2022

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Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has announced that as of July 16, the three-digit dialing code 988 is available nationwide, to reach trained crisis conselors who can help in a mental health, substance abuse or suicidal crisis.

The new code will connect people to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), where accessible care and support is available for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress.

People also can dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

To learn more, visit Nami.org/988.

Best Maternity Hospital
AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has been named one of Newsweek’s Best Maternity Hospitals for 2022, according to a news release.

This award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., which invited more than 10,000 medical professionals to participate in a survey. Only 350 winners were recognized on the list.

“We have some of the best health care workers in the Tampa Bay area. Our entire team is engaged and pride themselves on quality care, safety and patient experience for every patient we serve,” said Maria C. Boyd, director of The Baby Place at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, in the release.

“We know families have many choices for care when it comes to bringing precious life into this world and we are honored to be a part of their special moments,” said Boyd.

To learn more, visit AHWesleyChapel.com.

Fire Rescue award
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus achievement award for its commitment to offering rapid, research-based care to people experiencing the most severe form of heart attack, ultimately saving lives, according to a news release.

Mission: Lifeline is the American Heart Association’s national initiative to advance the system of care for patients with high-risk, time-sensitive conditions, such as severe heart attacks.

The program helps to reduce barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks, starting from when 911 is called to EMS transport, and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge.

Optimal care for heart attack paients takes coordination between the individual hospital, EMS, and the health care system.

Pasco hospitals get top ratings

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recognized all AdventHealth hospitals in the greater Pasco County area for providing the highest quality care to patients, according to a news release of CMS hospital quality scores.

Since joining the AdventHealth network in 2018, AdventHealth Dade City has experienced a significant advancement, rising to a CMS four-star rated facility in just four years.

Additionally, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealthZephyrhills both maintained a CMS five-star rating for overall hospital quality and patient safety.

AdventHealth is committed to cinical excellence and providing the safest facilities for patients to receive care when they need it most, the release said.

Hospital names new officer

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Michael Irvin (Courtesy of HCA Healthcare West Florida)

HCA Healthcare West Florida has promoted Michael Irvin to chief executive officer (CEO) of HCA Florida Trinity Hospital, according to a news release.

Irvin has served as CEO of Palms of Pasadena Hospital since April 2020, leading the hospital through the pandemic and the HCA Florida Healthcare brand launch earlier this year.

In the new role, Irvin will oversee the operations of the 340-bed facility with an expansive array of services on five campuses in three counties — including the main campus in Trinity; HCA Florida Trinity West, New Port Richey; HCA Florida Lutz Emergency; HCA Florida Citrus Park Emergency, Hillsborough County; and HCA Florida Lake Tarpon Emergency, Pinellas County.

Services include obstetrics, neonatal intensive care, maternal fetal medicine, heart and vascular surgery, accredited community cancer program, lung nodule screening program, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, men’s health, mental health services, and neurosurgery.

Irvin earned his Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Business Studies from Webber International University.

Prior experience includes serving as CEO at Bayfront Health Spring Hill; chief operating officer (COO) at Merit Health Wesley in Mississippi; assistant CEO at Medical Center Enterprise, Alabama; and physician practice administrator at Lake Wales Medical Center.

Health News 07/06/2022

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(Courtesy of AdventHealth)

Preventative screenings
AdventHealth Zephyrhills and Dade City teamed up with the Pasco County Department of Parks and Recreation to commemorate Juneteenth and hosted a community health event at the James Irvin Civic Center in Dade City.

AdventHealth in collaboration with Pioneer Medical Foundation provided free health screenings that included blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and body mass index (BMI) tests.

“We are deeply committed to improving and saving the lives of the most vulnerable whether, they’re in an AdventHealth hospital or out in the community,” said Andrea Vogel, director of quality and patient safety, in a news release.

“By offering these no-cost health screenings, we are making it easy for everyone to see a provider and identify chronic conditions before they become life-threatening diseases,” said Vogel.

Letissa Gueits Carbone (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

Nursing scholarship awarded
Letissa Gueits Carbone, a team member at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North and part of BayCare’s student nursing program, is the recipient of a $2,500 nursing scholarship through the St. Joseph’s Hospitals Foundation and the Adcock Financial Group.

Carbone, from Wesley Chapel, is studying at St. Petersburg College to become a registered nurse.

She formerly worked in the hospital’s admitting and registration department, but now is in a nursing apprentice position, as she transitions into her nursing career.

Carbone has been with BayCare for five years, and previously worked in food and nutrition services at St. Joseph’s Hospital’s main campus in Tampa before coming to the Lutz hospital about 2 1/2 years ago to work as a registrar.

She was surprised with the scholarship check presentation in front of team members and colleagues.

“I had that deer in the headlights look on my face when it happened,” Carbone said, in a news release. “I had no clue.

“I really didn’t know how much it (the scholarship) was going to be for. That really wasn’t the point when I applied for it,” Carbone said.

She said the scholarship will help out as she balances working, going to school, and raising two children.

Bucs Babies party
Three of the newest Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Luke Goedeke, Rachaad White and JoJo Ozougwu — joined more than a thousand attendees at the AdventHealth Training Center for the annual AdventHealth Bucs Babies birthday party.

AdventHealth babies born in the hospital system’s West Florida Division are eligible to be a Bucs baby.

Traditionally, the birthday party is to celebrate when a new “recruit” turns 1, but this year’s celebration included all recruits since the program’s inception.

The afternoon was filled with games, music, face painting, and gifts for the little recruits and their families.

AdventHealth is the exclusive hospital of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Health News 06/29/2022

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Dr. Christopher Bucciarelli (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

New leader named
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz has named Dr. Christopher Bucciarelli its new vice president (VP) and chief medical officer (CMO).

Dr. Bucciarelli also has been the CMO at St. Joseph’s Hospital-South in Riverview since August, and will continue in that role.

He succeeds Dr. Mark Vaaler, who has been the Lutz hospital’s VP/CMO since its opening in February 2010 and who currently is the first CMO of BayCare Hospital-Wesley Chapel, scheduled to open in 2023.

Dr. Bucciarelli will assist St. Joseph’s Hospital-North doctors in providing safe, effective medical care.

His responsibilities include training new physicians on the hospital’s policies and keeping staff current on health regulations. He also will provide clinical oversight to physicians, ensure regulatory compliance and evaluate quality of services.

Dr. Bucciarelli in addition will represent the hospital at BayCare and community meetings.

Medicare celebrates 57 years
July marks the 57th anniversary of Medicare, when Congress created Medicare in 1965 as Title XVIII of the Social Security Act under then President Lyndon Johnson, according to a news release.

Medicare became effective July 1, 1966, and is the nation’s most extensive health insurance program covering nearly 50 million Americans, the release said.

If you are eligible for Medicare at age 65, your initial enrollment period begins three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after that birthday.

The SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) program of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, operated through the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, offers specially trained volunteers to assist with Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance questions.

SHINE also provides one-on-one counseling and information.

The program’s Senior Medicare Patrols empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers, to prevent, detect and report health care fraud, errors and abuse, through outreach, counseling and education.

Individuals can schedule appointments at designated SHINE counseling sites or arrange to speak with a trained counselor by calling 800-963-5337.

For a list of SHINE counseling sites and upcoming enrollment events, visit FloridaShine.org.

A loving start for babies

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From left: AdventHealth Executive Director Megan Miller, Coalition Executive Director Dr. Steve Knobl and Coalition Early Literacy Specialist Sherri Sabadishin. (Courtesy of Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties Inc.)

The Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties extended its new early literacy program for parent and child, Loving Start, in East Pasco County with AdventHealth Zephyrhills.

The coalition selected the book “Cuddle” by Elizabeth Verdick and Marjorie Lsoviskis, which is part of Free Spirit Publishing’s Happy Healthy Baby Series.

The collection of publications assists new mothers in their quest to establish language and relationships from the moment their child is born.

AdventHealth Zephyrhills received 600 copies of “Cuddle,” which will be distributed as part of the hospital’s Birth Day Experience for new moms.

Take precautions now, to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses

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West Central Florida county health departments are emphasizing the importance for Florida’s residents and visitors to protect themselves against mosquito-borne diseases.

The department also encourages the public to remain diligent in preventative measures, such as “Drain and Cover,” according to a Department of Health (DOH)-Pasco County news release.

The DOH continues to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including the West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, St. Louis Encephalitis, Malaria, and Dengue, the release said.

A human case of West Nile Virus has been confirmed in Hillsborough County. Health officials urge residents to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites. (File)

The health department offers these tips, in the fight against illnesses.

Drain standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying

  • Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, and other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected.
  • Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots, pans, or other items that aren’t being used.
  • Empty birdbaths and pet water bowls at least once or twice a week.
  • Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
  • Maintain swimming pools in good condition and chlorinate appropriately. Empty plastic swimming pools.

Cover skin with clothing or repellent

  • Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who work in areas where mosquitoes are present.
  • Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Always use repellent according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone, and IR3535 are effective. Some repellents are not suitable for children. Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.

To determine which repellent is right for you, use the U.S. Environmental Agency’s search tool at cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/#searchform, for skin-applied repellent products.

For more information or questions, contact your county health department. DOH-Pasco can be reached at 727-619-0300.

Published June 15, 2022