Send Your Teen to CDC’s Disease Detective Camp this Summer
The CDC just began accepting applications for their annual summer Disease Detective Camp. The Camp is open to motivated students who’ll be high-school juniors or seniors during the 2014-2015 school year. Over the course of five days, campers take on the role of disease detectives. Campers can expect a variety of experiences including re-created outbreaks, mock press conferences, environmental and [...]
2014-2015 Influenza Vaccine Recommendation
Every year the World Health Organization holds a meeting with worldwide experts to make recommendations for the next season’s Northern Hemisphere flu vaccine. It seems strange to plan for next season when we’re still in the midst of the current flu season, but the vaccine-making process still takes about 6 months. Influenza season generally ramps up around September or October, [...]
New Phrase for the Week: Sleep Hygiene
If you’re like my family, there are times when some of you don’t get enough sleep. In fact about 30% of Americans don’t get the 7 to 8 hours of sleep that we need to stay healthy. Now that everybody is plugged into an electronic device these days (especially teens) is seems to be getting worse. Electronic devices and even [...]
A Key Measure of Preparedness Improves in AZ
During a major crisis, such as an influenza pandemic, we might need to take extraordinary steps to ensure that healthcare workers have the medicines and supplies on hand to treat patients. State, local, and federal agencies all participate in the Strategic National Stockpile program to help ensure that these critical resources are available during disaster situations. The main purpose of our [...]
AZ Trauma System Continues to Mature
I've often written about the importance of a mature trauma system and how it's important to the rural/tribal areas of Arizona for better access to care for injured patients. Since my last blog on trauma, we've welcomed Banner Del Webb Medical Center, Payson Regional Medical Center, Mt. Graham Medical Center, and Yavapai Regional Medical Center as Level IV trauma centers. Chandler Regional Medical [...]
Arizona State Hospital In Good Standing
Last September the Arizona State Hospital (ASH) was inspected (surveyed) for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The survey team can review over 20 different areas and three were identified that we needed to address: Governing Body, Patient Rights, and Nursing Services. In December, we developed and implemented a Plan of Correction which was submitted to CMS. Some [...]