All of us are exposed to natural radiation on a daily basis. It mostly comes from space (called cosmic rays) as well as natural radioactive materials found in the soil, water and air. People can also be exposed to radiation from human-made sources like X-ray machines. Radiation doses are usually measured in units called milli-Sieverts. On [...]
Controlled Substances A few years ago, an Arizona law was passed that established a Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program which requires pharmacies and medical practitioners who dispense Schedule II, III, and IV controlled substances to a patient, to report prescription information to the Board of Pharmacy on a weekly basis. The purpose of this legislation [...]
The first round of Instructor Training for Mental Health First Aid was completedin Tucson and our efforts are already paying huge dividends. 23 new trainers graduated from the intensive 5-day training program and are now certified Mental Health First Aid Instructors! The new trainers include peers, family members, behavioral health providers, T/RBHA staff, Pima Community [...]
Under the provisions of the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act we had 120 days to get the entire program up and running. A short timeframe for this complex program (to say the least). That gives us until close of business on April 13, 2011 to have everything ready. That means we’ll need to finish the Rulemaking [...]
Our Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity just completed a series of free cooking-based nutrition trainings for childcare providers in Arizona. The Cooking Matters curriculum from Share our Strength, as part of the Wal-Mart Foundation Health Initiatives, gives childcare providers the opportunity to learn how to prepare healthy meals and snacks on a limited budget and [...]
Construction of our brand new Forensic Unit at the Arizona State Hospital<http://www.azdhs.gov/azsh/about_azsh.htm> is proceeding on schedule, and we’re looking forward to turning the key late this fall. To get ready, we’ve pulled together a “Transition Team” to start planning the transition. The Forensic team has recently organized their treatment units and approaches to focus not [...]
As I was looking through a weekly publication in the Phoenix area I noticed that there are several physicians that are already advertising their services for medical marijuana evaluations and certifications for a fee. Some of the ads and websites seem to imply that the certifications that physicians are writing right now will be [...]
Our Assisted Living Licensing Office is working hard to get the message out about important (and exciting) changes taking place in the program, like our new Online Renewal System. Representatives from the Office are meeting with the Arizona Board of Examiners of Nursing Care Institution Administrators and Assisted Living Facility Managers, the Long Term Care [...]
Good news this time. The number of bloodstream infections in intensive care unit patients with central lines decreased by 58% over the last 10 years according to a new CDC Vital Signs report. This decrease saved 27,000 lives and $1.8B in excess health care costs. Bloodstream infections in patients with central lines can be deadly, [...]
Approximately 20,000 folks are seen in the AZ emergency departments for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Of these 1,000 die and 4,500 are hospitalized. At least 2% of the U.S. population has a TBI-related long-term need for help to perform activities of daily living. So, needless to say, brain injury is a major public health issue. There’s growing [...]
