The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Hospital visitation limited, elective surgeries canceled

By

Hospitals across the region are limiting visitors and canceling elective surgeries, as they ramp up preparations to treat increasing cases of people infected by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

As of 11 a.m. on March 23, The Florida Department of Health reported 1,096 confirmed cases of Florida residents and 75 cases of non-Florida residents, for a total of 1,171.

Of those, 73 involved Hillsborough cases and 13 cases in Pasco.

Statewide, there have been 14 deaths.

In response to the evolving threat, BayCare Health System, AdventHealth West Florida Division, and HCA Healthcare West Florida have announced changes in their visitation policies.

BayCare Health System said its changes would take effect on March 21.

“Only in certain, specific instances, will visitors be allowed into facilities,” according to a BayCare news release, issued on March 20.

“We regret this is necessary, but for the protection of our patients, team members, physicians and our community, it is imperative that we limit the number of people in our facilities,” said Dr. Nishant Anand, chief medical officer for BayCare Health System.

“The few visitors who will be allowed into hospitals will be screened for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, the disease resulting from novel coronavirus. Those who are deemed a risk will be restricted from entering the facility and may be referred to an Emergency Department.”

Visitors may still be allowed, if approved by the hospital administrator on duty, in these circumstances:

  • Inpatient: Labor and delivery, postpartum, pediatrics and Neonatal Intensive Care
  • End of life situations
  • Behavioral Health Unit
  • Emergency Room: Waiting room only
  • Outpatient procedures: Waiting room only when accompanying a patient receiving sedation

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz and Morton B. Plant North Bay in New Port Richey are BayCare hospitals within or near The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

AdventHealth hospitals in and near The Laker/Lutz coverage area are AdventHealth Carrollwood, AdventHealth Dade City, AdventHealth Tampa, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealth Zephyrhills.

“This is an unprecedented time in health care, and our priority is to keep our patients, team members and ultimately our greater community safe, while we continue to treat those who need our care,” Mike Schultz, president and CEO, of AdventHealth West Florida Division, said in a news release.

Hospitals across the region are limiting visitors. To be sure you have the latest information, check the website.

Before allowing a visitor to enter, according to a news release, HCA Healthcare West Florida said its staff will be asking these questions:

  • Have you had a fever and signs/symptoms of respiratory illness (cough, flu-like symptoms or shortness of breath)?
  • Have you traveled outside the country within the last 14 days (including a cruise)?
  • Have you been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 without wearing the proper protective equipment?
  • Are you currently being tested for COVID-19?

If a potential visitor answers yes to any question, he or she will not be allowed to enter the facility, except to seek emergency medical assistance.

Medical Center of Trinity and Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point are both HCA Healthcare West Florida hospitals.

On another front, hospitals are holding off on elective surgeries, as per an order by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

AdventHealth West Florida Division announced in a March 20 news release, that it will immediately:

  • Postpone all inpatient surgeries that are not time-sensitive
  • Postpone outpatient surgeries that are not time-sensitive
  • Postpone all outpatient procedures in diagnostic centers that are not time-sensitive

“AdventHealth will provide surgery only to patients whose needs are imminently life-threatening, with malignance that could progress, or with active symptoms that require urgent and immediate care” the release says. “This decision allows us to further plan for the increased need for hospital beds, resources, and advocate for patient and team safety.”

Similar policies are in effect at other hospitals in the region.

Also, efforts continue to expand testing for COVID-19.

BayCare Health System, which initially operated seven testing sites, announced it had screened more than 6,100 people and collected specimens for testing from nearly 3,500 during five days of testing.

The hospital chain recently announced that on March 23 it would be consolidating its COVID-19 test collection sites to high volume locations and to provide geographic access.

It now is operating its testing sites at one location each in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties.

The Hillsborough location is at BayCare Urgent Care, 3440 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 100, in Tampa. The Pasco location is at BayCare Urgent Care, 4821 U.S. 19, in New Port Richey.

BayCare is concentrating on using its limited test supplies to identify patients who have the virus. Patients should be referred by a physician and should have current symptoms — cough, fever, shortness of breath — and meet other criteria recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, according to a BayCare news release.

Patients should bring documentation from a physician that they have been referred for testing.

Tips for helping to prevent COVID-19:

  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Keep frequently touched surfaces and objects clean.

Source: Florida Department of Health

Published March 25, 2020

Health News 03/25/2020

By

(Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)

Nurse recognition
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point awarded registered nurse James Riley as the February DAISY award winner. Riley is a nurse on the 2 Central Unit and was recognized by several patients for the care he provided them. The patients praised Riley for making a lasting impact, and for taking time out of his busy day to just sit and listen, and talk to them. The DAISY winner receives a Healer’s touch sculpture, cinnamon rolls for the whole team, and a DAISY pin. Riley, center, stands with hospital officials and members of his unit with the award.

Premier Healthcare updates
Premier Community Healthcare’s health centers will remain open at this time, but all events have been postponed, and there will be limited contact based on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for social distancing.

Premier is limiting its waiting room capacity to five persons. After checking in, patients will be asked to wait in their vehicle until a nurse calls the patient to be seen.

All Premier locations will be closed on March 27 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., and will reopen for business at 10 a.m.

As per the recommendation of the American Dental Association, Premier’s dental centers will provide emergency dental services only, if you or your child is experiencing oral pain. This will remain in effect until April 6, at which time a re-evaluation will take place for updates.

Protect against Medicare fraud
Every year, many seniors are targeted by scammers who want to steal Medicare numbers to do things like rack up fake health care charges and commit identity theft.

A webpage with information for Medicare beneficiaries related to COVID-19 can be found at Medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus.

According to a news release from the Department of Elder Affairs, Medicare covers these related needs:

  • Lab tests for COVID-19. Patient pays no out-of-pocket costs.
  • All medically necessary hospitalizations, which includes if patient is diagnosed with COVID-19 and might otherwise have been discharged, but instead a hospital quarantine is necessary
  • If a vaccine becomes available, it will be covered by Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D).

A Medicare Advantage Plan gives access to these same benefits. Medicare allows these plans to waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 lab tests. Always check with your plan on coverage and costs.

Medicare also covers virtual check-ins to connect with a doctor by phone or video, or even an online patient portal, to determine the need for an in-office visit.

To protect yourself from Medicare fraud, keep these points in mind:

  • DO protect our Medicare number and treat your Medicare card like it’s a credit card.
  • DO review your Medicare claims for errors and problems, including fake charges, double billing or other fraudulent activity, waste or abuse.
  • DO visit Medicare.gov/fraud to learn more about protecting yourself.
  • DON’T give your Medicare card or Medicare number to anyone except your doctor or people you know should have it.

For questions or more information, visit ElderAffairs.org, or call (850) 414-2000.

Donate to CARES
In an effort to expand CARES (Community Aging & Retirement Services) outreach during this ever-developing pandemic, Jemith Rosa, president and CEO, is asking for monetary donations.

According to a news release, the organization reports that due to the crisis, many seniors will face a loss of socialization and will turn to CARES as a lifeline for quality of life, and critical information.

As a result, the organization is in need of food, nonperishable items, medications and more, as it foresees an inevitable increase in demand from seniors.

With seniors self-isolating to stop the spread of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), CARES will need additional funds to operate the telephone assurance program. The program makes weekly phone calls to home-bound seniors to provide comforting conversation and verification of the senior’s well-being.

The telephone program is looking to expand to help get critical information to the senior population.

Donations can be sent to CARES, 12417 Clock Tower Parkway, Hudson, FL 34667, Attn: COVID-19, or online at CARESfl.org.

For information, call Melissa Mathe at (727) 862-9291, ext. 2046.

Coronavirus info line launched
AdventHealth has launched a free phone service for Floridians who have questions about coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), including the opportunity to speak with a nurse, as appropriate.

According to a March 20 news release, the AdventHealth Coronavirus Information Line, (877)-VIRUSHQ, is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

It serves as a one-stop shop to connect Floridians with resources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Florida Department of Health.

The phone line is not intended to replace a physician-patient relationship. Nurses can answer general medical questions and will refer the caller to the appropriate next steps.

AdventHealth is hoping this service also will offload nonclinical call volumes from health care offices.

AdventHealth also has launched CoronavirusSignsAndSymptoms.com, so consumers can get answers to top COVID-19 questions.

Coronavirus poses dangers, disrupts daily life

By

This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. (Courtesy of the CDC)

The ever-evolving threat posed by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has forced schools across Florida to shut down, blocked visitors from nursing homes, caused wide-ranging travel and event cancellations, and stripped grocery aisles — especially of toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

Locally, parents of students in the Pasco and Hillsborough county school districts are bracing to prepare for an extended state-ordered spring break.

The Diocese of St. Petersburg also closed schools and early childhood centers through March 20. The diocese already had scheduled March 16 and March 17 as days off for students. Virtual learning will be conducted March 16 through March 20, according to a Diocese news release.

The additional school closures have left thousands of families scrambling to arrange child care, although the impact may be lessened to some degree as many companies are asking workers to work at home, if possible.

The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic; President Donald Trump has declared a national state of emergency. Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state emergency, and Hillsborough and Pasco counties have declared local states of emergency.

As of the morning of March 16, there had been four deaths reported in Florida linked to COVID-19, according to the Florida Health Department, which is the lead agency responding to the threat.

The health department also reported 684 negative test results and 514 pending tests. Also, there were 442 people being monitored for the virus and 1,573 had been monitored.

Health officials are trying to limit the spread of the virus — to avoid overloading hospitals — by urging people to avoid large crowds and wash their hands frequently.

The virus can spread person to person, through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when a person coughs or sneezes. The droplets may land on objects and surfaces.

Other people may contract COVID-19 by touching these objects or surface, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath — and may appear as early as two days or as many as 14 days after exposure.

Most people recover from COVID-19 without requiring special treatment, but people with underlying medical conditions are at greater risk.

Impacts from the virus are being felt from Wall Street to Main Street. The stock market has plunged repeatedly, and local businesses are losing revenues because of the uncertainty created by the pandemic.

Huge events have been cancelled or postponed.

On the local front, cancellations include:

  • The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s Land O’ Lakes Music Festival, March 21
  • Dog Days in Dade City, March 21
  • The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce/Pasco-Hernando State College Distinguished Women’s Leadership Breakfast, March 24
  • The fourth annual Family Friendly Summer Camp Expo (Pasco/New Tampa), March 28
  • The Taste of North Tampa Bay, March 29
  • The North Tampa Bay Chamber monthly membership breakfast, April 7
  • The North Tampa Bay Chamber membership luncheon, April 8
  • All SCORE chapters across the country have suspended in-person events, including mentoring sessions and workshops, until further notice.

Attractions also have temporarily ceased operations, including Disney World and a number of regional venues. They include:

  • ZooTampa, through March 29.
  • Tampa Museum of Art, through March 29
  • The Glazer Children’s Museum, through March 29
  • Henry B. Plant Museum, through March 29
  • The Florida Aquarium, through March 29
  • The Museum of Science and Industry, through March 29
  • Tampa Theatre, through March 31

The Knights of Columbus, at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, in Land O’ Lakes, have cancelled until further notice, their meetings, their Lenten Fish Frys, their doughnuts on Sunday and soccer, both games and concessions.

The Savage Race, which was set for March 14 and March 15, at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City, was postponed.

And, a Spring Market Day, planned for March 21 at the Old Lutz School, was cancelled because vendors were concerned about setting up, because of the threat of COVID-19.

Both the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce and North Tampa Chamber have announced they would be holding off on varied activities, pending future decisions, in light of the evolving nature of the coronavirus threat.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning has been keeping parents and staff informed about the district’s response to the ever-changing landscape of the COVID-19 threat through a series of videos posted on the district’s website.

“I know that everyone remains concerned about the possibility of an outbreak,” Browning said, and the district is taking steps to attempt to limit the spread.

It also has conducted a brief phone survey to evaluate its capacity to provide distance learning, the superintendent said, noting the district needs to be prepared.

The district also has announced a plan to provide meals to students at seven designated sites, beginning on March 23. The food will be offered on a drive-thru basis at specific sites. The pre-packaged meals are for children under 18 years old and will include lunch as well as breakfast for the next day. Information about the program can be obtained by going to the school district’s website, Pasco.k12.fl.us, and click on the coronavirus information link.

Impacts also are being felt by colleges.

Schools within the state’s university system were instructed to make plans to transition to remote instruction as soon as possible.

Saint Leo University suspended classes for its university campus students, in St. Leo, from March 16 to March 20, to allow its faculty to prepare to deliver all classes online beginning March 23, according to a university news release.

All residential students are being asked to return to their permanent residence following spring break, rather than returning to campus and to remain at home during this period of online instruction.

The university also has suspended all fall and winter sports, indefinitely. And, is canceling all large, group events.

The virus is affecting churches, too.

Concerns about potential spread of the virus also prompted the Diocese of St. Petersburg to take these steps, effective March 12, until further notice:

  • End the distribution of communal wine from a common cup
  • Remove Holy Water fonts, including the baptismal font
  • Avoid physical contact, including during the Sign of Peace

Bishop Gregory Parkes also granted dispensation from Sunday Mass in the Saint Petersburg Diocese through the end of March, to those wishing to avoid large gatherings.

Prevent the spread
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily.

Source: Florida Department of Health

For the latest updates on COVID-19, visit:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Published March 18, 2020

Health News 03/18/2020

By

Pharmacy waives delivery fees
CVS Health has issued a statement that it is taking additional steps to address the coronavirus disease-19 outbreak and to protect patient access to medication.

Starting immediately, CVS Pharmacy will waive charges for home delivery of prescription medications.

Aetna, a CVS Health company, will now offer 90-day maintenance medication prescriptions for insured and Medicare members, and is working with state governments to make the same option available to Medicaid members where allowable. Self-funded plan sponsors also will be able to offer this option.

Aetna will waive early refill limits on 30-day prescription maintenance medications for all members with pharmacy benefits administered through CVS Caremark.

And, Caremark is working with all clients to waive early refill limits on 30-day prescription maintenance medications.

The fee waiver is in addition to Aetna’s ensurance that all diagnostic testing and telemedicine visits will be available with no co-pay.

Coronavirus info line launched
AdventHealth has launched a free phone service for Floridians who have questions about coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), including the opportunity to speak with a nurse, as appropriate.

According to a March 20 news release, the AdventHealth Coronavirus Information Line, (877)-VIRUSHQ, is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

It serves as a one-stop shop to connect Floridians with resources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Florida Department of Health.

The phone line is not intended to replace a physician-patient relationship. Nurses can answer general medical questions and will refer the caller to the appropriate next steps.

AdventHealth is hoping this service also will offload nonclinical call volumes from health care offices.

AdventHealth also has launched CoronavirusSignsAndSymptoms.com, so consumers can get answers to top COVID-19 questions.

Therapy dog helps address mental illness

By

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has added a therapy dog to expand its efforts to better serve the needs of people facing significant mental health and substance abuse issues.

The therapy dog is the newest member of a Behavioral Health Intervention Team (BHIT) the law enforcement agency established last year.

The team’s primary task is to keep tabs on individuals who have been held involuntarily in a mental health treatment facility for up to 72 hours, through a state law known as the Baker Act.

Pasco Sheriff’s Office Det. Pedro Leos with new animal assisted therapy dog K9 Charlie. Charlie will be used with the agency’s Behavioral Health Intervention Team to provide a calming presence to those that may be experiencing a mental health crisis. (Courtesy of Pasco Sheriff’s Office)

They focus on approximately 500 people who are Baker Act repeats — through a proactive approach that includes frequent visitations, welfare checks, expedited behavioral health resources and criminal justice diversion programs.

Now, K9 Charlie, a 1-year-old pitbull-mix, has joined the team, to aid and comfort those who are struggling.

Charlie came to the local law enforcement agency by way of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office’s Paws and Stripes program.

That program trains dogs from local animal shelters, preparing them to become PTSD dogs,  therapy dogs, and child victim advocate dogs.

Charlie was rescued from the streets in October.

The new animal assisted therapy dog program strives to better “build a connection” between law enforcement and the mental health community, said Cpt. Toni Roach, who oversees the 15-member BHIT, which includes a captain, two sergeants and 12 detectives.

Charlie helps “to comfort and ease some anxiety and build that stress relief,” when the sheriff’s office comes knocking on the door for visitations and welfare checks, Roach explained.

“Law enforcement and people with mental illness, there’s that stigma that we’re there to take them into custody or arrest them for a crime,” Roach said.

But, Charlie’s calming presence for someone facing a mental health crisis could break the ice, Roach said. And, that can help to open lines of communications, so responders can get to the root of problems and identify ways to resolve them.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office Behavioral Health Intervention Team (BHIT) recently added animal assisted therapy dog Charlie to the team. Charlie is partnered with BHIT Det. Pedro Leos, and aims to provide a calming presence for those that may be experiencing a mental health crisis.

An individual struggling with addiction may be referred to outpatient substance abuse treatment, for instance. Or, someone undergoing financial struggles may be referred to Pasco County Human Services and the county’s homeless coalition.

Roach said the idea is to help bridge the gap for services and shorten the time it takes to receive them.

A therapy dog can help in that process, she said.

Charlie’s handler, Det. Pedro Leos, agrees.

Leos said the therapy dog was needed to “better help me make contact with those people in need, break down those barriers between law enforcement and the community, and open up conversation.”

Leos has been with the sheriff’s office in 2014. He said he joined the BHIT “because there’s a stigma with mental illness and I want to break that cycle.

“I want to be there to help people in need, and give them the resources they need to have a better quality of life in order to continue on with their daily activities,” the detective said.

When approached a few months ago to become a therapy dog handler, Leos, who loves pets, said he “was all for it.”

Leos noted there was an immediate connection between him and Charlie during the eight-week Paws and Stripes training program.

“When I met him, I absolutely loved him,” Leos said. “It was like we clicked. He listened to me. We started doing obedience training, and he was awesome. It was just one of those things where we both bonded very quickly.”

The detective said every time he puts on his uniform — a black polo and green spruce pants — Charlie knows it’s time to go to work “and help people in the community.”

Though still a young canine, Charlie has already settled into his role, Leos said.

The detective described Charlie’s demeanor this way: “He’s awesome with kids, awesome with people, awesome with the community. He loves hugs and he loves kisses. He loves to make people happy, and he knows that’s his main goal, to make people happy. He understands it, and he’s out there doing what he needs to do, to help fulfill this desire to help people in need.”

The sheriff’s office plans to add additional therapy dogs at some point, so that at least one can be available seven days a week, officials say.

Published March 11, 2020

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North expands

By

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has completed a $75 million expansion, and began welcoming patients to its more spacious facility this week.

The project doubled the hospital’s capacity — increasing it from 108 beds to 216 beds. The hospital also has upped its intensive care unit beds from 12 to 24. And, has more room to deliver services, accommodate visitors and enhance employee work areas.

Sara Dodds, the director of operations for St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, has worked at the Lutz hospital since its inception. She has been the point person on the $75 million expansion, which doubled the hospital’s capacity. The expansion is opening this week. (B.C. Manion)

Sara Dodds, the hospital’s director of operations, provided a walk-through tour of the addition to The Laker/Lutz News last week, before it opened for patients.

The expansion will allow the hospital to respond to the area’s fast-paced growth, Dodds said.

“There’s definitely a need. There’s so many new homes going up around us.

“We’ve been overcapacity for quite some time,” she said.

The hospital’s primary market is within 5 miles, and its secondary market is within 10 miles.

“The growth going on in our primary and secondary service areas is much faster than the rest of Florida and the rest of the country,” Dodds said.

In designing its expansion, the hospital sought feedback from its existing staff and incorporated their ideas into the design, she said.

For instance, Dodds said, “We got feedback from the staff that our waiting rooms weren’t very open, and inviting for guests.”

The new waiting rooms feature comfortable furniture, artwork and a flat-screen TV.

Patient rooms also provide accommodations for patients when they’re out of their beds, and offer a place where family member can rest through the night.

Also, at intervals in the hospital’s corridors, there are respite areas.

Dodds explained: “A lot of time we might ask a visitor to step out, while we’re doing something for the patient. Instead of them having to stand out in the hallway, or go walk to another location, we added benches.”

The recently wrapped-up project also includes technology to help patients.

There’s a “Get Well Network,” which allows patients to watch health videos, learn about their medications and so on. “That is all integrated with their medical record,” Dodds said.

The hospital also uses technology that automatically displays the name and title of hospital staff entering a patient’s room on the television screen.

That system is integrated with the hospital’s call light system, so “as long as a nurse or a tech or another member of that clinical care team is in the room, there’s a specific color light that’s illuminated outside the room,” Dodds said.

The hospital also uses a technology that allows care team members to secure-message physicians and anyone they might need to take care of a patient.

Some of the approximately 100 St. Joseph’s Hospital-North team members who have been with the hospital since it opened on Feb. 15, 2010. (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

“It’s definitely enhanced communications, on behalf of the patient,” she said.

The expansion also includes a dedicated hemodialysis suite, which can accommodate up to four patients at a time.

It has a larger space for physical therapy, too, to help patients prepare to return home after treatment.

The hospital’s clinical engineering department now has a larger workspace, where staff can ensure the hospital’s equipment is up-to-date and can do required preventative maintenance work.

The design keeps function, in mind.

In the progressive care area, for instance, a nurse can sit at a station, with windows on both sides. The nurse can slide open the blinds, to observe two patient rooms, without having to enter the rooms.

The hospital also is using technology to help manage its inventory.

“Historically, someone from materials management would have to come in each day, or more than once a day, and have to count everything that was in the bin (material container), so they knew what to reorder.

“Now, with this new technology, there’s a scale built into every one of those bins, they can see it on a computer system, so they know, remotely, what needs to be reordered,” Dodds said.

The technology improves efficiency.

“We did hire a lot of new staff for the expansion, but this is one area where we did not have to because of the innovation,” Dodds said.

The hospital also has more classrooms now, which are used to keep staff up to date on the latest information, to provide training on new equipment and to accommodate orientations. They’re also available for classes to help staff members meet continuing education requirements.

With a larger facility, more employees will be needed.

Dodds expects the hospital to need 200 additional employees, when the expansion is operating at full capacity.

She’s been working there since its inception and is excited about the facility’s future.

Apparently, she’s not the only one who enjoys working there.

“We just celebrated our 10-year anniversary,” she said. “We have close to 100 team members that were here when the hospital opened that are still here now.”

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North
The $75 million expansion:

  • Doubled number of hospital beds, from 108 to 216
  • Doubled intensive care unit beds, from 12 to 24
  • Added two new floors
  • Added a new infusion center, allowing treatment for up to 15 patients at one time
  • Doubled number of operating suites, from four to eight

Hospital statistics, 2019

  • 404 births
  • 4,467 outpatient surgeries
  • 42,869 emergency room visits
  • 463,414 lab tests

Hospital statistics, 2010-2019

  • 6, 944 cardiac procedures
  • 380,061 emergency room visits
  • 61,137 admissions
  • 31,300 surgeries
  • 3,923 babies delivered

Service providers

  • 188 physicians with hospital privileges in 2010; more than 350 in 2020
  • 476 team members in 2010; 820 in 2020

Published March 11, 2020

Protect yourself against coronavirus

By

Experts advise: Stay informed, take precautions.

The headlines are relentless as news continues to evolve about the threats posed by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

A quarantine is in effect in Northern Italy. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics torch will be lit without spectators. Stock markets have been plunging. People are being warned not to travel on cruise ships.

And, with the lack of a vaccine and antiviral medications for COVID-19, uncertainty continues over how far the disease will spread and how many deaths it will cause.

In the midst of uncertainty and the ever-changing developments, experts are advising the public to take precautions to limit the potential for exposure, and to help reduce the spread of the virus.

In some places, the reactions to the spread of the virus have included closing schools, requiring workers to work at home, and urging elderly people and those with compromised immune systems to limit their activities to avoid exposure.

Those most at risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 include older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease, according to experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Precautions are being taken at the local level.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning is letting the public know how the district is responding to the threat, and offering suggestions to parents as they prepare for Spring Break, which is March 16 to March 20.

Browning shared that information in a video that’s been posted to YouTube.

The Diocese of St. Petersburg also has issued guidance, based on protocols from the CDC.

The Diocese advises individuals to stay home from Mass, church activities and school if they are sick, or their immune system is compromised.

“It is not a sin and it will not impact your  grades,” the Diocesan advisory says.

Practices that may be altered at Mass, because of COVID-19, include the sign of peace, which is typically a handshake. Some churches are opting not to do that.

Others are offering Communion in the form of bread in the hand only, and not on the tongue. Certain parishes also have suspended offering communion in the form of wine, to avoid sharing a common Communion cup.

In a number of televised interviews, experts have said it’s important to take precautions to limit possible exposure.

Washing hands and sanitizing frequently touched surfaces and avoiding touching your face is important, they said, because the virus enters the body through the mouth, hand or nose.

They also said that the number of deaths and disruptions will rise — as efforts continue to limit its spread, isolate those who are infected and develop a vaccine for COVID-19.

Stop the spread of germs
To prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, like COVID-19:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then dispose of the tissue immediately
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose with unwashed hands; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if soap and water are not available
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care

Symptoms for COVID-19

  • Fever, cough, shortness of breath
  • Symptoms typically appear two to 14 days after exposure

Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Keep informed

Published March 11, 2020

Awareness can reduce dating violence

By

Melissa Dohme Hill’s personal story should serve as a warning to the dangerous heights dating violence can reach.

She was a 20-year-old college student when she agreed to meet her abusive high school ex-boyfriend for one last embrace and goodbye, on Jan. 24. 2012.

What followed was a brutal attack that left her almost dead in front of her Clearwater home. Hill was stabbed 32 times in the neck face, arms and hands. The blood loss from the attack caused her to flatline four times and have a stroke; she underwent many surgeries to reconstruct her face and body, along with years of physical and psychological therapy.

Dating violence survivor Melissa Dohme Hill, right, was the featured guest speaker at a Pasco-Hernando State College’s (PHSC) dating violence awareness seminar last month at the Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel. Also seated is PHSC associate dean Natalie Epo. (Kevin Weiss)

Her then-boyfriend, Robert Lee Burton Jr., is serving life in prison for the crime.

Today, Hill serves as a full-time domestic violence prevention advocate for the local nonprofit organization Hands Across the Bay’s domestic violence division, working to inspire and educate others through her personal experience. She also recently started an alpaca therapy farm in San Antonio with her husband, serving local domestic violence survivors, first responders and children who’ve experienced trauma.

Hill was the featured guest speaker at Pasco-Hernando State College’s dating violence seminar last month at the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch. The event was part of the college’s community awareness series open to the students, faculty, staff and the public.

Speaking to an audience of dozens in roundtable discussion, Hill outlined disturbing dating violence trends, red flags that signal how an abusive relationship could become deadly, and steps to safely break up from an abuser, among other related topics.

At the seminar, it was revealed the Centers for Disease Control reports nearly one in 11 females and one in 15 males have experienced physical teen dating violence in the last year.

Hill first turned her attention to break up violence, which she called “a horrifyingly rising trend, an epidemic.”

The period of time after leaving an abusive relationship, Hill said, is the most dangerous.

The speaker observed, “Think about this: In an abusive relationship, this person is your everything, and when someone loses their everything, they’re capable of anything.”

With that, Hill urged those who are leaving an abusive relationship to have a detailed plan.

Such plans include connecting immediately with a domestic violence center, such as Sunrise of Pasco County.

The plans also can include relocating, filing a restraining order, changing out phone numbers and door locks, and informing loved ones of the situation, among other measures.

Hill also urged those listening to avoid contact with someone who has been abusive in any way — whether physical, verbal or emotional.

It’s something Hill said she wished she could tell her younger self.

The speaker put it like this: “You don’t owe them an apology, you don’t owe them a hug, you don’t owe them closure, you do not owe them anything. You block their number, you do not contact them. You need to focus on your healing and your time, and give yourself some space to heal.”

In Hill’s self-described “toxic” relationship, the abuse was gradual. It started with jealousy, then morphed into verbal abuse, emotional abuse and, finally, physical abuse, she said.

“Domestic violence of dating violence doesn’t happen on the first date,” said Hill, noting her ex-boyfriend was at first “very loving and charming and amazing,” but, as time went on, he began nitpicking and criticizing, then belittling and name-calling.

When Hill tried to break up, her abuser threatened suicide.

That’s something that teenagers are dealing with “at epidemic rates,” she said.

Hill stuck by her abuser, who hurt her physically four times before the near-fatal attack.

Hill said it’s important to pay attention to “red flags” that a troubled relationship could turn dangerous.

Initially, something that seems harmless, like jokingly name-calling or drunkenly pushing or shoving a partner at a party, shouldn’t be taken lightly.

“You should not be in the habit of collecting red flags,” Hill said. “You don’t brush these under the rug, because they’re going to keep piling up to where there’s an explosion or it’s going to turn to physical violence.

“If you ignore the cycle of abuse —  the red flags —  it will turn to physical violence, almost guaranteed. …It doesn’t get better when these things are popping up.”

Hill mentioned the top five risk factors associated with homicide from an abusive relationship:  use or threat of use of weapons, threats to kill, strangling, constant jealousy, and forced sex.

Other high-risk factors include: recent job loss, violent criminal history, animal abuse, and a recent separation.

In the eight years since the attack, Hill has gone on to discover her life’s purpose, helping other domestic violence survivors, and spreading awareness and prevention tactics on dating violence.

“There’s so much power in sharing your story,” Hill said. “Sharing my story and speaking out has healed my heart, little by little, through these years.”

If you are in an abusive relationship, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1 (800) 799-3224, or text “loveis” to the National Dating Abuse Helping at 22522.

Published March 11, 2020

Helping others to end abusive relationships

By

Melissa Dohme Hill — who nearly lost her life at the hands of an abusive ex-boyfriend — offered suggestions on how to help people leave abusive relationships.

Friends and families can help when a loved one is dating or married to an abuser, Hill said.

There are warning signs to watch out for, Hill said.

For instance, pay attention to whether your loved one:

  • Is drifting away from others — spending all of their time with their partner.
  • Is wearing long sleeves or other clothing to hide bruises.
  • ls constantly making excuses for their partner’s behavior.

“Often as outsiders, you will see the relationship as unhealthy before the victim will,” Hill said.

If a victim breaks their silence about the abuse, it’s important to believe them, she said.

Then, help that person to connect with a domestic violence victim advocate, she added.

In some cases, your loved one may not acknowledge the abuse, Hill said.

In those cases, friends and family members need to continue to keep an open line of communications and continue to offer support.

Your stance needs to be: You do not agree with the unhealthy characteristics and abuse, but you will be there for them, Hill said.

“Give them all the knowledge and support, and let them know that you’ll be there, you’ll be there for that 2 a.m. call,” Hill said.

Domestic violence safety plan
Before planning to escape and it is safe to do so, consider packing an “escape bag” and keep it in a place where the abuser is unlikely to find it.

Important items to include:

  • Birth certificates, social security cards, credit cards, cash, checkbook
  • Medications, important records, and insurance policies
  • Extra set of car keys, baby items (if applicable), change of clothes

(If you think the abuser might find the bag and attack, put their clothes in, too, and call it a “hurricane bag”).

After you leave the abusive relationship:

  • Get to a safe place. See if there is a friend or family member you can stay with. If not, seek a domestic violence shelter (For example, Sunrise of Pasco.)
  • Relocate. There are possible funds available through certified domestic violence centers.
  • Consider filing for a restraining order; do not drop the restraining order for any reason.
  • Change your phone number and service provider.
  • Change the locks on your doors, add locks to windows if needed, install security system with alarms, possible motion sensor lights outside.
  • Inform work, school, friends, family and neighbors of the situation (tell them to call 911 if they see the abuser, suspect suspicious activity, or hear screaming).
  • If you have children: Be sure to change pick-up authorization and inform your child.
  • Think of a code word to use to let family and friends know if you are in danger and unable to safely call 911.
  • Never agree to meet with abuser.
  • Report any attempted contact by your abuser to authorities.
  • Seek counseling through support groups.
  • Change services that are traceable (bank, credit cards, phones, doctors, daycares, etc.)
  • Take different routes when traveling (Vary your daily patterns or activities).
  • Consider entering Florida’s Address Confidentiality Program.
  • Protect yourself.
  • Be aware at all times of your surroundings (Carry mace, have keys between fingers, phone out and available to call 911, check around and under car).

Source: Hands Across the Bay’s Domestic Violence Division

Published March 11, 2020

Precautions planned at polling places

By

As Pasco County voters head to the polls on March 17 for Florida’s Presidential Preference Primary, precautions are being taken to guard against the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019.

“We have been monitoring this situation and have been communicating with the Florida Department of State, as well as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on election day polling place preparation,” Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley said, via email.

“We have ordered hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes for each polling place (our poll workers are also encouraged to bring their own as well).

“In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended precautions, those in the polling place will be asked to practice good hygiene (hand washing/covering coughs and sneezes) and if not feeling well, remain home,” Corley adds.

“Also, disinfectant wipes can be used to wipe down surfaces (Electronic Poll Books, privacy booths, secrecy sleeves, doorknobs, etc.),” the supervisor of elections said.

He also noted that his office promoted vote by mail as an option.

Early voting is ongoing in Pasco and Hillsborough counties, and will end on March 14 in Pasco County and March 15 in Hillsborough County.

Vote-by-mail ballots must be received by your county Supervisor of Elections Office by the time polls close on March 17.

Florida is a closed primary state, which means the only candidates on a voter’s ballot will be those of the same party as the voter’s registration. In other words, only registered Republicans and Democrats will be able to vote in the Presidential Preference Primary.

After the Presidential Preference Primary, designated political party delegates from Florida formally nominate the preferred presidential candidate at the respective party’s national convention, according to the Florida Secretary of State’s website.

For additional information in Pasco County, visit PascoVotes.gov, or call (800) 851-8754.

For additional information in Hillsborough County, visit VoteHillsborough.org, or call (813) 744-5900.

Published March 11, 2020