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 [...]
This Week’s Lawsuit
We were sued this week by a group of same-gender couples in Arizona- challenging Arizona's ban on gay marriage. The lawsuit challenges Arizona's marriage criteria which excludes same-gender couples from marriage. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Phoenix by seven same-gender couples and two people whose partners had died. We haven't analyzed all of the details of [...]