The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Wildfire smoke can be a health risk

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Wildfire smoke can irritate lungs, cause inflammation, affect the immune system, and make a person prone to lung infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

These are flames from a wildfire in Starkey Park that happened on May 6, 2017. Experts say extra preparation is needed to protect yourself and loved ones from wildfire smoke, during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. (File)

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, preparing for possible wildfires might be a little different this year.

The CDC is encouraging people to learn how wildfire smoke can affect you and your loved ones during the pandemic, and to learn what to do for protection.

Masks that are used to slow the spread of COVID-19 will offer little protection against wildfire smoke because the masks do not catch small, harmful particles in the smoke that can damage a person’s health.

The N95 respirators can provide protection from wildfire smoke, but might be in short supply as front line health care workers use them during the pandemic.

Here are some tips offered by the CDC to prepare for wildfires and smoke.

  • Limit outdoor exercise or choose lower-intensity activities to reduce smoke exposure.
  • Create a cleaner air space at home by using a portable air cleaner. Never leave a do-it-yourself box fan filtration unit unattended. Use air conditioners, heat pumps, fans and window shades to keep the cleaner air space cool on hot days. Avoid activities that create more indoor air pollution, such as frying foods, sweeping, vacuuming and using gas-powered appliances.
  • Talk with a health care provider about how to protect yourself against smoke. Stock up on medications taken routinely.
  • Have disaster supplies delivered. If delivery is not possible, take recommended precautions to protect yourself and others while running errands.
  • Have a family disaster plan in place for potential evacuation. If necessary, check for pet-friendly shelters. Seek out cleaner air shelters and cleaner air spaces to move to.

The CDC also recommends that people know the difference between symptoms from smoke exposure and symptoms from COVID-19. If you have difficulty breathing or chest pain, immediately call 911 or the nearest emergency facility.

Those most at risk from the harmful health effects of wildfire smoke are: Children age 18 and younger; adults age 65 and older; pregnant women; people with chronic health conditions, such as heart or lung disease, asthma and diabetes; outdoor workers; people who have lower socioeconomic status, including homelessness or limited access to medical care; and, people who are immunocompromised or take drugs that suppress the immune system.

For more details on wildfire smoke and health, visit CDC.gov/air/wildfire-smoke/default.htm or tinyurl.com/y2j7kbky.

Published September 02, 2020

Health News 09/02/2020

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Front line workers added
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an emotional and physical toll on nurses, respiratory therapists and others serving communities at this time, and AdventHealth is committed to focusing on whole-person health for patients, team members and the community it serves. According to an AdventHealth news release, 46 nurses and respiratory therapists arrived from Colorado-based Centura Health (a partner of AdventHealth) and FEMA.

The nurses and therapists are serving at AdventHealth Carrollwood, AdventHealth Tampa and AdventHealth North Pinellas.

The extra help is not the result of a staffing shortage, but it is AdventHealth’s way to help its own teams rest and renew with their families.

AdventHealth Carrollwood received 11 nurses and three respiratory therapists.

AdventHealth Tampa received 27 nurses and two respiratory therapists.

Three nurses joined AdventHealth North Pinellas.

Screening center designation
The Medical Center of Trinity has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

The designation is a voluntary program that recognizes facilities that have committed to practice safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for lung cancer.

In order to receive the distinction, facilities must be accredited by the ACR in computed tomography in the chest module, as well as undergo a rigorous assessment of its lung cancer screening protocol and infrastructure. Also required are procedures in place for follow-up patient care, such as counseling and smoking cessation programs.
The ACR, founded in 1924, uses its resources to make imaging and radiation therapy safe, effective and accessible to those who need it. Its 36,000 members include radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, interventional radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians.
For information about the designation, visit ACR.org/Quality-Safety/Lung-Cancer-Screening-Center.

New technology for breast imaging
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz has added state-of-the-art 3D technology to its breast imaging services. In July, the hospital began using the Selenia Dimensions 6000 imaging system to produce high-resolution mammograms.

The new technology usually takes one picture instead of several. Imaging also can be done from a sitting or standing position, instead of lying prone on their stomach, face downward.

The Selenia also can perform biopsies.
Another enhanced feature is that the Selenia can compare images side by side, from year to year.
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North Breast Services offers MRI, biopsy, ultrasound and mammography.

A prescription or referral is not needed for a screening mammogram, if you are over the age of 40.
To learn more, visit BayCareBreastHealth.org.

Gulfside tribute
For three years, the Charity Fashion Show benefiting Gulfside Hospice has raised money for the nonprofit, through fun and fashion. This year, the event has a new name.

As a tribute to long-time board member Candace Glewen, who recently passed away, Gulfside’s board of directors has decided to rename the annual event in her honor. The Candace Glewen Charity Fashion Show is currently scheduled for Dec. 3, and will continue the tradition of fashionably raising funds for hospice patients.

“The fashion shows had a special place in Candace’s heart, and she loved to attend them with her closest family and friends,” said Linda Ward, president and CEO of Gulfside. “She was influential in creating and growing this event to fuel her passion of raising funds in support of Gulfside Hospice.”

The past two fundraisers were sold-out events, and the Philanthropy Team at Gulfside expects this year to be the same.

For information on the event and ways to support it, visit GulfsideFashionShow.org, or contact Leesa Fryer at (727) 845-5707 or .

Medical scribe program
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) is offering a Medical Scribe Professional Training certificate program for health care and non-health care individuals.

A medical scribe assists physicians with electronic health records (EHR), maximizing workflow efficiency and productivity so that physicians can focus on providing the best possible patient care. Medical scribes can earn from $10 per hour to $16 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

Those in the health care field may complete PHSC’s self-paced, online program in as little as two months. Individuals with no health care experience can learn medical fundamentals and specific scribe skills, and can complete the program in four months or less.

The PHSC medical scribe program awards a certificate of completion and prepares students to sit for the national Medical Scribe Certification Exam (MSCE) through the American Healthcare Documentation Professionals Group.

To enroll, or for information about the program, email , or call (727) 816-3213.

Pasco trending down on COVID-19 cases

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Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles gave the Pasco County Commission a brief update on the status of COVID-19 in the county, during the board’s Aug. 19 meeting.

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles recently briefed the Pasco County Commission on the latest information relating to COVID-19 cases in the county. (File)

Biles passed along information he had just received from Mike Napier, director of Pasco County’s office of the Florida Department of Health.

The county administrator said Pasco reported 39 cases of COVID-19 and three deaths on Aug. 18.

“Our seven-day running average is about 50 (new cases a day), right now,” Biles said. He also noted the county’s positivity rate was under 5% for two days in a row.

“The positivity rate is going down. That means that people are distancing; where they can’t distance, they’re wearing masks or other protective gear to help minimize the transmission of the disease, one to the other,” Biles said.

“We’re trending down. That’s positive. We’re still not to where we were in April/May. It’s going to take a while,” Bile said.

However, the administrator added: “Once we go to in-person school, starting Monday (Aug. 24), assuming that still happens, odds are that’s going to creep back up for a little while, until it settles back down.”

That, Biles noted, is “just the nature of gathering people in groups again.

“Ultimately, where we would like to be is in the mid- to low-20s, on a new cases per day basis. That’s probably sustainable, long-term, because I think this is going to be with us for a while.

“Today, we’re in the low-50s. Cut that in half. Get through the school start and see what happens with that,” Biles said.

He said the declining cases are a good sign, he said.

“What it is showing, from a county perspective, is that the residents and people here are taking it seriously. They are maintaining distancing, in general, and where they can’t, they’re wearing masks or shields — or whatever they’re doing,” Biles said.

“This isn’t going to go away. I think we’re still at least six months out from a vaccine. So, we’re going to still have to continue watching it,” Biles said.

But, there is one silver lining, the county administrator said: “The same things that prevent and inhibit transmission of this are the same things that prevent and inhibit the transmission of flu and cold, and all of the other nasty things that happen in the winter.”

The upcoming flu season should have a reduced number of cases, Biles said.

Published August 26, 2020

Health News 08/26/2020

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Sebastian Cavanagh accepts an award for his compassionate care. (Courtesy of Medical Center of Trinity)

Excellence in nursing
The Medical Center of Trinity has recognized two of its nurses for the Excellence in Nursing Awards, established by HCA to honor outstanding nurses who demonstrate excellence in professional mentoring and compassionate care. The awards spotlight exceptional individuals whose work and lives reflect patient-centered and humanitarian values upon which HCA was founded.

Celena Dilley is honored as a professional nursing mentor.

The Excellence in Nursing for Compassionate Care Award was presented to Sebastian Cavanagh, RN, 4 West. Cavanagh has the knowledge and expert skills that create a quality experience and improve outcomes for the patients.

Every day, Cavanagh is recognized multiple times by his patients for being a favorite and a most-memorable nurse.

The Excellence in Nursing Professional Mentor Award was presented to Celena Dilley, RN, Surgical Services. This award celebrates a nurse who has dedicated herself to guiding and supporting career advancement for individuals and groups of nurses.

Celena has been a member of the Medical Center of Trinity team for the past 14 years. She has extensive knowledge that allows her to consistently mentor new surgical nurses and provide resources for them to be successful.

She is a Super User for the hospital’s documentation system (Preceptor) for new nurses, teaching the systems and operating room protocols.

 

Medical scribe program
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) is offering a Medical Scribe Professional Training certificate program for health care and non-health care individuals.

A medical scribe assists physicians with electronic health records (EHR), maximizing workflow efficiency and productivity so that physicians can focus on providing the best possible patient care. Medical scribes can earn from $10 per hour to $16 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

Those in the health care field may complete PHSC’s self-paced, online program in as little as two months. Individuals with no health care experience can learn medical fundamentals and specific scribe skills, and can complete the program in four months or less.

The PHSC medical scribe program awards a certificate of completion and prepares students to sit for the national Medical Scribe Certification Exam (MSCE) through the American Healthcare Documentation Professionals Group.

To enroll, or for information about the program, email , or call (727) 816-3213.

Heroes of Hope
NAMI Pasco (National Alliance on Mental Illlness) extends a congratulations to these 2020 Heroes of Hope award nominees: Angelica LaGuerre, Yahkaira Balbosa, Christine Pringle, Susan Echevarrie, Jo Dee Nicosia, Det. Michael Reckmeyer, Dr. Sh’Nai Simmons, Dr. Stanley Giannet, Susan Hanna, Dr. Edward Williams, Avery Lumax, Tammy White, Jeanne Botz, Michelle Warren, Crystal Wilson, Ken Delaney, Brie Burke, Todd Woodfill, Mike Piper, Robin Boyko and Bonnie Rogers.

Winners will be announced during the NAMI Pasco virtual gala on Oct. 7.

For information and to register for the gala, visit tinyurl.com/yxlgatem.

Surgical robot added
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, 4211 Van Dyke Road in Lutz, has expanded its surgical services with the addition of a second surgical robot — the da Vinci Xi robot.

The robot provides superior dexterity, enhanced vision and improved surgical access compared to conventional minimally invasive surgery or traditional open surgery.

A surgeon operates the da Vinci from a console that has four interactive arms and a high-resolution screen that projects 3-D images of the surgical site. The surgeon manually operates the instruments utilizing his or her own hands and fingers. When the surgeon moves, the instruments respond precisely to those movements in real time, working identically to the movement of a human arm, human elbow and a human wrist, with an enhanced range of motion.

Other benefits of the da Vinci robots include:

  • Precise surgical incisions that allow unhealthy tissue to be removed without affecting surrounding healthy tissue
    • Smaller incisions that prevent less trauma and pain to a patient’s body
    • Smaller incisions that alleviate blood loss and lowers infection risk
    • Robotic surgeries may result in a shorter length of stay in the hospital
    • Recovery from robotic surgery may be quicker due to smaller incisions
    • Smaller scars result from robotic surgeries

Robotic surgeries are performed in colorectal, gynecologic oncology, gynecology, pediatric urology and general surgery.

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North performed 263 robotic surgeries in 2019.

For information, visit StJosephsNorthRobotics.org.

For more on robotic surgery at BayCare hospitals, visit BayCare.org/services/surgery/robotic-surgery.

Distinction award
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point physicians, leaders and clinicians received the Center of Distinction Award, given to Bayonet Point Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine for the third year in a row. The award was presented by Healogics, then nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care services.

The hospital was recognized for achieving outstanding clinical outcomes for 12 consecutive months, including patient satisfaction higher than 92%, and a minimum wound healing rate of at least 92% within 28 median days to heal.

For more on Healogics and the award, visit Healogics.com/2019awards/.

Panelists share insights on youth issues in Pasco

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Each summer, a panel of Pasco County teenagers share their perspectives on substance abuse and other problems facing youths, both in the community and in the school system.

Typically, the event is held at the community center at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.

But, this time, panelists shared their insights again in a July 28 forum held virtually, in light of COVID-19.

The new format didn’t affect the substance: The panelists — who make up Safe Teens Against Drugs (STAND) — still got their points across.

Pasco County youth from Safe Teens Against Drugs (STAND) voiced their perspective on substance abuse, and other community and school issues, during a July 28 virtual meeting hosted by the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP). (File)

The forum was arranged by the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP). This the fifth year that STAND members addressed numerous community stakeholder groups.

They shared their views on various health and safety issues facing Pasco youths.

The group of youth leaders who make up STAND are working to end youth substance abuse in Pasco County by sharing their observations and knowledge with teachers, police, business owners and other community members.

Besides helping to build understanding, they also suggest solutions.

During the hour-long online discussion, STAND speakers warned that vaping, or the use of e-cigarettes, is a growing problem among youth countywide.

Anclote High School student Iker Dorta went so far as to label it “the biggest drug-related issue” in local high schools and middle schools.

Besides vaping nicotine, kids also vape THC (the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana), and other illicit substances that can be smoked, he said.

Iker noted that vaping has become more popular among teens because it’s “easy to hide in your pocket and go to the bathroom and use it.”

Fellow STAND members agreed.

“Vaping is a huge problem in schools and such,” said Chasco Middle School student Alyssa Saldana. “I’ve had some of my friends tell me that one of their older friends offered them a vape, so it’s definitely a big problem that we need to start looking at more.”

Maddie Horn underscored the issue by recalling an incident during a Chasco Middle School pep rally when a student was caught vaping.

“I think it’s a very common thing that’s happening in all our schools,” said Horn, a rising freshman at Gulf High School.

Many teens get roped into substance use through peer pressure and they use substances to become popular, Horn said.

“It’s very much a popularity thing. So, like if one person does it and they become popular, everyone else will want to do it because they want that ‘fame’ in the school,” Horn said.

Besides vaping, marijuana use continues to be “a big issue,” said Land O’ Lakes High School student Jocelyn Meriwether.

“We have a lot of kids who think it’s a cool thing to do, and you have to, like, join the club of high school that way, through smoking weed in bathrooms and trying not to get caught.”

Greater focus needed on mental health
Using substances to become more popular is just one issue, panelists said.

Youths also turn to substances as a way to escape from dysfunctional home life, or to cope with inner feelings, they said.

They urged an increase in mental health services.

“Mental health is the key to everything right now,” Dorta said. “For a 15- or 16-year-old to go through trauma and leave it unchecked…really impales society as a whole, because that’s what’s going to make up our next generation as a whole, so the very next step before overcoming drugs and vaping, first, is taking hold of our minds.”

Panelists said that mental health must be taken more seriously by the Pasco County Schools —  from guidance counselors to teachers and administrators.

They advocate greater funding for staffing at schools to give students quick access to help, when they need to talk to someone about their problems.

As it stands now, instead of an open door policy, a student must make an appointment of sorts by placing a notecard in a counselor’s mailbox, Meriwether said.

Safe Teens Against Drugs (STAND) is a program facilitated by the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP). The group of youth leaders who make up STAND strive to end youth substance abuse in Pasco County by educating teachers, police, business owners and other community members by sharing their observations, and suggesting solutions. (Courtesy of Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention)

“They’ll get to you when they get to you,” she said.

That can be problematic, she added.

“Some kids can’t wait. They need to talk and if they don’t have someone to talk to they’re going to go to drugs and skip over using their resources.

“We have those situations where we want to talk to somebody about this, but no one’s available,” Meriwether said.

Piggybacking off that thought, Horn mentioned some counselors won’t take a particular student’s mental health issues seriously. Instead, they write it off as teen angst.

Other times, she said, counselors just focus on a student’s grades — instead of talking to them about what has been bothering them at school, or outside of it.

Horn put it all like this: “Let’s say you’re being bullied. Like, you’ll go in talking about that issue, but then they’ll change to subject to, ‘Oh, how are your grades doing?’”

That, she added, “doesn’t make the bullying situation or whatever your situation is, any better.

“I don’t think there are enough people in our schools to help us going through our issues. Like the teachers say they can help, but they can only help when it’s convenient for them,” Horn said.

COVID-19’s far-reaching impacts
The unintended consequences of COVID-19 on school-age youth was another deep talking point among panelists.

With a lack of school structure, boredom at home and few extracurricular or athletic activities available — because of the pandemic — panelists said they’re not surprised if fellow teens are currently experimenting with new substances, or abusing them more frequently than they did before the pandemic hit.

Meriwether observed: “Kids now are at home and don’t have a lot to lose, so they’re trying new things. Parents will have stuff at home that kids can just get into, because it’s not being locked up, because everyone’s home all day.”

Safer-at-home orders also have allowed youth to hide side effects that otherwise might’ve been caught if they were in school or school-related activities, she added.

Because of that and other reasons, panelists generally seemed in favor of having some sort of option to return to brick-and-mortar schools.

Horn summed it up like this: “I get a little depressed because I’m not able to go and see my friends, and school was something I enjoyed. It’s very isolating to do online school for such a long time when you don’t have groups to attend and you don’t make friends outside of online school, so like I found peace in going to school. Like, the fact that I can’t go to school is very sad, because I like going to school, I like being around other people and seeing new faces, and it’s just easier to learn.”

Dorta, meantime, expressed worry for youth who’ve had to handle online learning in the face of troubling home or family environments.

Traditional schooling usually offers “a dip from harsh reality” for those kids,” he said.

“You can’t push online school onto a lot of people, especially when those kids have trouble at home. …Imagine if you’re bringing school to their house, which they can’t even feel safe or concentrate in,” he said.

Dorta wants to see schools reopen. But, he added: “Seeing how (COVID-19) is going on, I don’t know how it’d work and I don’t really know if it’s the best option, but knowing a lot of kids that are struggling, at least have them refer to a source that they can go to outside of their house.”

Others, including Gulf Middle School’s Yahkaira Barbosa, expressed hesitation about returning to school at the moment.

“I’m dying to go back to school, but the way things are, it’s probably best not to because it’s going to be awhile until a vaccine comes out,” Barbosa said.

Safe Teens Against Drugs (STAND) is a program facilitated by the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP).
STAND members include Iker Dorta, Anclote High School; Alyssa Saldana, Chasco Middle School; Jocelyn Meriwether, Land O’ Lakes High School; Maddie Horn, Gulf High School; Jakob Horn, Bayonet Point Middle School; Billy Kritsotakis, Harry Schwettmann Education Center; Joel Meriwether, Sunlake High School; Jeromy Vaughn, Gulf Middle School; Austin Vaughn, Chasco Middle School; and Cheyenne Howard, of Dade City.

STAND’s mission is to:

  • Change youth perspectives of drugs
  • Reduce accessibility of drugs
  • Reduce marketing of drugs to young people
  • Create an environment where young people in recovery can thrive

To learn more about STAND, contact ">.

Published August 19, 2020

Health News 08/19/2020

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Study volunteers needed
Researchers at the University of South Florida Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute are looking for participants age 50 and older with no memory loss to take part in an Alzheimer Prevention Trials (APT) Webstudy.

The Webstudy is a first-of-its-kind online study that detects if people experience memory loss over time and need early intervention, and matches them with the right Alzheimer’s study, as quickly as possible.

Twenty percent of Floridians, more than 4.3 million people, are 65 and older, making Florida one of the ‘grayest states’ in the nation. Consequently, it has one of the largest populations of people with Alzheimer’s disease — a projected 580,000. This number is expected to skyrocket by 24% to 720,000 people in the next five years, according to Message Partners PR news release.

Volunteers take no-cost memory tests online every three months to monitor memory changes over time. If changes are observed, volunteers may be invited to an in-person evaluation to determine eligibility for additional Alzheimer’s studies.

To learn more and enroll, visit APTWebstudy.org.

Dental services added
The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County (DOH-Pasco) is partnering with Premier Community HealthCare Group Inc., to provide dental services at the existing locations previously operated by the health department.

“Premier continues to be a solid partner in our community effort to improve health outcomes,” said health officer Mike Napier, in a DOH-Pasco news release.

“This partnership ensures long-term sustainability for children to receive dental services,” Napier said.
The three dental facilities/programs serving children that will transition include:

  • Children’s Dental Clinic, 10841 Little Road in New Port Richey
    • Cox Elementary Children’s Dental Clinic, 37615 Martin Luther King Blvd., in Dade City
  • Smile Care-A-Van Mobile Dental Clinic serving Pasco County Title I Schools
    The transition of dental services will open opportunities for additional services and provide vital dental care for children/youth, especially the medically underserved population.

Letters have been sent to 5,100 existing clients advising them of this change effective Sept. 8.
Research indicates that maintaining good oral health has value beyond the obvious. It can help prevent serious health complications and disease.
To learn more about the programs and services offered by DOH-Pasco, call (727) 619-0300, or visit Pasco.FloridaHealth.gov.
For more about the services offered by Premier Community HealthCare, visit PremierHC.org, or call (352) 518-2000 or (727) 645-4185.

Health support bill
Congressman Gus Bilirakis and a bipartisan group of colleagues on July 30 introduced the Strengthening Behavioral Health Supports for Schools Act.

This bipartisan bill “would authorize annual funding of $25 million for the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration through Fiscal Year 2025, to operate a technical assistance and training center to provide schools and school systems with mental health and substance use disorder support and services for students during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond,” according to a news release.

“It is said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I certainly believe that is true when it comes to ensuring early identification and appropriate intervention for children who are at risk or struggling with mental health or substance use issues,” said Bilirakis, in the release.

“Our bipartisan bill will help with data collection, research and sharing of most effective strategies for addressing this unmet need. When we know better, we can do better. Our children deserve the best possible care and treatment available and our bill will help us meet that goal,” Bilirakis said.

Medicare phone scams
The Florida Department of Elder Affairs’ (DOEA) Serving Health Insurance Needs of the Elderly (SHINE) Program has received multiple reports of Medicare phone scams involving Durable Medical Equipment (DME), according to a SHINE news release.

The Social Security Act prohibits suppliers of DME from making unsolicited telephone calls to people on Medicare. The reports indicate people have not only received unwanted sales calls, but other people have received unordered supplies, including back braces.

People on Medicare should be aware that DME sent by a supplier needs to be prescribed by their doctor. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), fraudulent telemarketing and DME supplies contribute to the estimated $60 billion in fraudulent Medicare payments each year.

To help put a stop to unsolicited calls and unordered supplies, consider the following actions:

  • If you receive a call that pressures you to buy medical equipment you don’t want or need, simply hang up.
  • If you receive items in the mail you didn’t order, refuse the delivery or send them back and report it to your local SHINE Senior Medicare Patrol Office at (800) 963-5337.

Donor awareness
During the month of August, LifeLink of Florida will celebrate National Minority Donor Awareness Month (NMDAM) to bring heightened awareness to organ and tissue donation, and transplantation in minority communities.

Minorities often experience higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, which can contribute to organ failure, especially kidney failure. African Americans are three times more likely than white Americans to suffer from kidney failure, and Hispanics are 1.5 times more likely than non-Hispanics to have kidney failure.

During NMDAM, LifeLink of Florida will highlight the need for more organ, eye and tissue donors within multicultural communities, provide donation education, encourage donor registration, and promote healthy living and disease prevention to decrease the need for transplantation.

Individuals interested in celebrating this month are encouraged to follow LifeLink’s social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, to participate in the education programs offered. Anyone can be a potential donor, regardless of age or medical history; a single donor can save or improve the lives of up to 75 people.

LifeLink encourages the public to register their donation decision at DonateLifeFlorida.org, or when obtaining or renewing a driver license.

Health News 08/12/2020

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Hospice nursing aide Mavis Brown wears the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at the Gulfside Center for Hospice Care. (Courtesy of Kirsty Churchill)

Staff receives grant for PPE
A grant from the Pasco Aging Network (PAN) has enabled the team at Gulfside Hospice to provide additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for staff on the frontlines caring for patients.

The $750 grant was awarded to the nonprofit through PAN’s Annual Grant Program, which awards funds to organizations or projects that are focused on the needs or services for senior citizens in Pasco County.

At Gulfside Hospice, the funds were used to purchase PPE, including gloves, thermometers and disposable stethoscopes, in an effort to continue protecting its nursing staff during the current pandemic.

“Our team is on the frontlines caring for the most vulnerable during this pandemic,” said Tara Still, Fundraising Communications coordinator for Gulfside, in a news release.

“These funds will go a long way in purchasing much needed supplies to help protect them while they are bravely caring for patients,” Still said.

Gulfside Hospice, a division of Gulfside Healthcare Services, has been caring for patients and families in Pasco County for more than 30 years. The nonprofit offers patient care for those facing life-limiting illness, in addition to caregiver support and bereavement services, at no charge.

For information about Gulfside Hospice or to make a donation, visit Gulfside.org, or call the Philanthropy Department at (727) 845-5707.

 

(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Giving a ‘boost’ to patients in need
For years, the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club has provided comfort pillows for post-surgical patients at AdventHealth hospitals. Club member Barbara Booth recently delivered 40 pillows to Anthony Cappellini, director of volunteer services at AdventHealth North. Because the entire club cannot gather during the COVID-19 pandemic, Booth stuffed and finished the pillows herself, which were sewn by members Susan Corcoran, Barbara Booth and club booster husband Lonnie Lykins. For information about the woman’s club, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org.

 

 

 

 

 

BayCare resumes surgeries
BayCare Health System has resumed all non-urgent surgeries and procedures as of Aug. 10, at its six acute care hospitals in Hillsborough County, according to a BayCare news release.
The change comes roughly five weeks after BayCare voluntarily curtailed inpatient, non-urgent surgeries to provide more hospital bed capacity in the community for COVID-19 patients. BayCare is now able to resume those services after working to increase its staffing resources and after seeing a downward trend in COVID-related hospital stays in recent weeks.
The change impacts these hospitals: St. Joseph’s, St. Joseph’s Children’s and St. Joseph’s Women’s in Tampa; St. Joseph’s-North in Lutz; St. Joseph’s-South in Riverview; and, South Florida Baptist in Plant City.

BayCare’s acute hospitals in Pinellas, Polk and Pasco counties resumed all non-urgent surgeries and procedures on Aug. 3.

BayCare began voluntarily pausing some non-urgent surgeries at its acute care hospitals in early July, to ensure the community had adequate hospital beds to address the second peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospitals continued surgeries for all life-threatening situations. The hospitals also continued non-urgent surgeries that did not require overnight recovery in the hospital.

Donor awareness
During the month of August, LifeLink of Florida will celebrate National Minority Donor Awareness Month (NMDAM) to bring heightened awareness to organ and tissue donation, and transplantation in minority communities.

Minorities often experience higher rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, which can contribute to organ failure, especially kidney failure. African Americans are three times more likely than white Americans to suffer from kidney failure, and Hispanics are 1.5 times more likely than non-Hispanics to have kidney failure.

During NMDAM, LifeLink of Florida will highlight the need for more organ, eye and tissue donors within multicultural communities, provide donation education, encourage donor registration, and promote healthy living and disease prevention to decrease the need for transplantation.

Individuals interested in celebrating this month are encouraged to follow LifeLink’s social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, to participate in the education programs offered. Anyone can be a potential donor, regardless of age or medical history; a single donor can save or improve the lives of up to 75 people.

LifeLink encourages the public to register their donation decision at DonateLifeFlorida.org, or when obtaining or renewing a driver license.

Lighthouse is August charity
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices will be collecting donations in August for the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired & Blind. The mission of the Lighthouse is to educate, empower and employ people who are visually impaired and blind.

The organization provides early intervention services for blind babies, programs for children, a teen school-to-work transition program, independent living skills training for adults and seniors, and other services to help people become as self-sufficient as possible.

Services are provided at no cost to program participants and all donations received will help provide more services to more people.

“The Lighthouse has a long history of serving visually impaired individuals in Pasco County,” said Fasano, in a news release.

“It is estimated that over a half million Floridians are sight impaired, with over 27,000 living within the Lighthouse’s service area….I encourage our community to support the Lighthouse either through making a cash donation or perhaps purchasing a specialty license tag, which will help the Lighthouse for years to come,” Fasano added.

Cash donations can be made at any of the five tax collector locations in Pasco County, and checks will be accepted by mail, too.

Individuals interested in switching their current tag for “A State of Vision” specialty tag may do so at any of the same locations.

For information about the tax collector’s charitable giving program, call Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

For more information about services provided at the Lighthouse, call Patricia Porter at (813) 713-2492.

Study volunteers needed
Researchers at the University of South Florida Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute are looking for participants age 50 and older with no memory loss to take part in an Alzheimer Prevention Trials (APT) Webstudy.

APT is a first-of-its-kind online study that detects if people experience memory loss over time and need early intervention, and matches them with the right Alzheimer’s study, as quickly as possible.

Twenty percent of Floridians, more than 4.3 million people, are 65 and older, making Florida one of the ‘grayest states’ in the nation. Consequently, it has one of the largest populations of people with Alzheimer’s disease — a projected 580,000. This number is expected to skyrocket by 24 percent to 720,000 people in the next five years, according to Message Partners PR news release.

Volunteers take no-cost memory tests online every three months to monitor memory changes over time. If changes are observed, volunteers may be invited to an in-person evaluation to determine eligibility for additional Alzheimer’s studies.

To learn more and enroll, visit APTWebstudy.org.

Pasco schools to require masks

By

The Pasco County School Board has made it official: Students, staff and visitors must wear face coverings on school campuses and in district buildings.

The board on July 28 unanimously adopted the emergency rule, proposed by Superintendent Kurt Browning.

The rule has been described as being “temporary” and is accompanied by guidelines for implementation.

School board member Megan Harding thanked Browning for proposing the rule.

“This is one more layer of safety for our students and staff, and visitors that come to our schools,” Harding said.

She asked district staff to provide additional guidance to teachers, to help them handle situations that arise, such as students needing mask breaks.

“I just hope we can give our teachers in school some scripted language that they can use from a social-emotional approach,” Harding said.

She also appealed to parents: “Parents, we’re going to need your help. Please start now, teaching your child how to properly and safely put a mask on.

“For the little ones, make it a game. Start by wearing the mask for 10 minutes and then gradually increase the time.

“For our older students, make it an appropriate fashion statement,” Harding said, noting she has seen many online stores selling masks in fun and fashionable designs.

School board member Alison Crumbley underscored the fact that the emergency rule is temporary, and is subject to change, as conditions change.

“We are carefully balancing the health and safety of our teachers and students, at this time, with student achievement,” Crumbley said, along with consideration for students’ social and emotional well-being.

School Board Chairwoman Colleen Beaudoin reiterated her support for requiring masks.

“I made a commitment to our students, teachers and staff that I would support a mandate to require face coverings, in an effort to protect all members of our Pasco Schools’ family.”

“I’m pleased there is the opportunity to give mask breaks, when social distancing can happen, and I hope we’ll be able to provide regular breaks to do just that.

“Please keep in mind that this is temporary. If we can start with this in place and the public follows CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines outside of school, then we can help drive down the COVID numbers and lift this emergency rule,” she said.

Published August 05, 2020

Health News 08/05/2020

By

Non-urgent surgeries reduced
BayCare Health Systems has begun to reduce the number of non-urgent surgeries performed at its hospitals in Hillsborough and Polk counties, due to the rising number of severely ill COVID-19 patients, according to a BayCare news release.

The temporary change in policy went into effect on July 16 and impacts all six of BayCare’s Hillsborough locations: St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital and St. Joseph’s Women’s in Tampa; St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz; St. Joseph’s Hospitals-South in Riverview; and, South Florida Baptist in Plant City.

Under the plan, all surgeries for life-threatening situations will continue to be performed. And, unlike the state-mandated ban on elective surgeries earlier this year, BayCare’s effort will still allow many non-urgent surgeries and procedures to continue. Generally, surgeries that could be deferred are those that are not medically urgent and require overnight recovery in the hospital.
BayCare’s Ambulatory Surgery Centers, which specialize in outpatient surgery and were closed under the earlier government ban on electives, will continue to operate.
In the past month, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk and Pasco counties have seen available hospital bed capacity decline significantly due to rising COVID-19 cases.

Lighthouse is August charity
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices will be collecting donations in August for the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired & Blind. The mission of the Lighthouse is to educate, empower and employ people who are visually impaired and blind.

The organization provides early intervention services for blind babies, programs for children, a teen school-to-work transition program, independent living skills training for adults and seniors, and other services to help people become as self-sufficient as possible.

Services are provided at no cost to program participants and all donations received will help provide more services to more people.

“The Lighthouse has a long history of serving visually impaired individuals in Pasco County,” said Fasano, in a news release.

“It is estimated that over a half million Floridians are sight impaired, with over 27,000 living within the Lighthouse’s service area….I encourage our community to support the Lighthouse either through making a cash donation or perhaps purchasing a specialty license tag, which will help the Lighthouse for years to come,” Fasano added.

Cash donations can be made at any of the five tax collector locations in Pasco County, and checks will be accepted by mail, too.

Individuals interested in switching their current tag for “A State of Vision” specialty tag may do so at any of the same locations.

For information about the tax collector’s charitable giving program, call Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

For more information about services provided at the Lighthouse, call Patricia Porter at (813) 713-2492.

Study volunteers needed
Researchers at the University of South Florida Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute are looking for participants age 50 and older with no memory loss to take part in an Alzheimer Prevention Trials (APT) Webstudy.

The Webstudy is a first-of-its-kind online study that detects if people experience memory loss over time and need early intervention, and matches them with the right Alzheimer’s study, as quickly as possible.

Twenty percent of Floridians, more than 4.3 million people, are 65 and older, making Florida one of the ‘grayest states’ in the nation. Consequently, it has one of the largest populations of people with Alzheimer’s disease — a projected 580,000. This number is expected to skyrocket by 24% to 720,000 people in the next five years, according to a Message Partners PR news release.

Volunteers take no-cost memory tests online every three months to monitor memory changes over time. If changes are observed, volunteers may be invited to an in-person evaluation to determine eligibility for additional Alzheimer’s studies.

To learn more and enroll, visit APTWebstudy.org.

New health degrees offered
Saint Leo University has announced the start of a new four-year degree — a bachelor’s in health education and health promotion — that will prepare graduates for a growing number of health education positions at community organizations, health care agencies, and workplaces.

Health education specialists play an important role in organizations by developing new education programs for various groups and improving programs that may already exist.

The instruction of Saint Leo graduates will be to promote a “culture of health” wherever they work, through effective teaching, through the examples they set as individuals who prioritize their own well-being, and through the cooperative working relationships they maintain with clinicians and other health professionals.

Saint Leo will launch the Bachelor of Science program in the fall semester at its residential campus. Faculty anticipate that students most attracted to the program will be those with a desire to learn about health and to engage with others, and those who enjoy working with groups of people.

The program will prepare students with a contemporary curriculum that draws from courses in anatomy, professional speaking, statistics, psychology, ethics, and nutrition, and layers in courses in education and health promotion.

Education courses, such as teaching diverse populations, brain-based learning and assessing health learning, will ensure that students not only understand health material, but are able to make it understandable to future clients.

At the end of this program of study, students can choose to take a national competency exam for the Certified Health Education Specialist credential. Some employers require the credential. In general, it is considered an asset for those in the field.

Visit SaintLeo.edu for information.

 

Health News 07/29/2020

By

Tom Garthwaite (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

New hospital president
Tom Garthwaite (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)Tom Garthwaite has been named the president of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz.

Garthwaite succeeds Paula McGuiness who retired after more than 35 years of service to St. Joseph’s Hospitals.

Prior to his new position, Garthwaite served St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa as operations director, since December 2014. And, before his service to St. Joseph’s Hospitals, Garthwaite was at Halifax Health System in Daytona, as administrator for oncology, pharmacy, research and transplant/dialysis.

A native of Florida, Garthwaite earned a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Science in Health Service Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. He began his medical career in diagnostic radiology.

Garthwaite became the new president of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North during the nation’s greatest health crisis in more than 100 years. He started the position at the Lutz hospital during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He cited the St. Joseph Hospital-North staff and medical team for its work in combating the coronavirus, as he transitioned into his position as president.

Despite becoming a hospital president in a tumultuous time for health care, Garthwaite is optimistic about the future.

St. Joseph’s among the best
The group of five St. Joseph’s Hospitals, including St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz, was named among the nation’s Top 100 hospitals by IBM Watson Health, according to a news release.

IBM Watson Health annually identifies the top hospitals from a rigorous evaluation of 3,134 short-term, acute care, non-federal hospitals in the U.S.

The list recognizes excellence in clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, patient experience and financial health. IBM Watson Health established the list to help identify best practices that may help other health care organizations achieve consistent, balanced and sustainable high performance.

This is the third consecutive year that St. Joseph’s Hospitals has earned the honor and the fourth time overall. The four other hospitals included in the recognition with St. Joseph’s Hospital-North are St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital and St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, all in Tampa; and, St. Joseph’s Hospital-South in Riverview.

According to IBM Watson Health, the hospitals included on the Fortune/IBM Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals list had better results on key clinical and operational performance indicators. These include survival rates, patient complications, health care associated infections, 30-day mortality and 30-day hospital-wide readmission rates, length of stay, throughput in emergency rooms, inpatient expenses, profitability, and ratings from patients.

“It is an honor to work in a hospital and health system that has been recognized in the IBM Watson Health Top 100,” said St. Joseph’s Hospital-North president Tom Garthwaite. “It demonstrates the commitment of our team and medical staff as they care for our patients every day.

“During this challenging time with the COVID pandemic, it is important for our community to know that they have safe, high-quality health close to home,” Garthwaite said.

Award-winning hospitals and health systems serve as a model of excellence for the industry. Visit 100TopHospitals.com, for more information.

New health degrees offered
Saint Leo University has announced the start of a new four-year degree — a bachelor’s in health education and health promotion — that will prepare graduates for a growing number of health education positions at community organizations, health care agencies, and workplaces.

Health education specialists play an important role in organizations by developing new education programs for various groups and improving programs that may already exist.

The instruction of Saint Leo graduates will be to promote a “culture of health” wherever they work, through effective teaching, through the examples they set as individuals who prioritize their own well-being, and through the cooperative working relationships they maintain with clinicians and other health professionals.

Saint Leo will launch the Bachelor of Science program in the fall semester at its residential campus. Faculty anticipate that students most attracted to the program will be those with a desire to learn about health and to engage with others, and those who enjoy working with groups of people.

The program will prepare students with a contemporary curriculum that draws from courses in anatomy, professional speaking, statistics, psychology, ethics, and nutrition, and layers in courses in education and health promotion.

Education courses, such as teaching diverse populations, brain-based learning and assessing health learning, will ensure that students not only understand health material, but are able to make it understandable to future clients.

At the end of this program of study, students can choose to take a national competency exam for the Certified Health Education Specialist credential. Some employers require the credential. In general, it is considered an asset for those in the field.

Visit SaintLeo.edu for information.