The Health Desk: Thursday, Feb. 25
- Local News: RMH experts to speak at Free Heart Symposium
- Local News: Free H1N1 shots available at RMH
- Study: Socioeconomic status can affect life expectancy
Edited by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Local News: RMH experts to speak at Free Heart Symposium RMH will hold its third annual “Matters of the Heart” educational symposium at 6:30 p.m. March 2 at the JMU Festival Conference and Student Center.
This community event will feature free health screenings and presentations by physicians from the RMH Heart & Vascular Center and RMH Neurology on some of today’s most important heart and vascular issues. Steven Marra, MD, medical director, RMH Cardiothoracic Surgery, will give an update on the RMH cardiothoracic surgery program, and RMH neurologist Daniel Chehabar, DO, stroke care medical director, will discuss the signs, symptoms and prevention of stroke.
“Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the U.S.,” said Dr. Marra. “When the community needs us, we want them to know that we are offering leading-edge heart and vascular procedures at the RMH Heart & Vascular Center. We’re also here to educate the community about prevention—the best medicine.”
Many of the risk factors that contribute to heart disease also may cause stroke, added Dr. Chehebar.
“Stroke is the third leading cause of death, and the top cause of disability, in America,” said Dr. Chehebar. “Yet up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable. Knowledge truly is power in dealing with stroke. Our goal is to equip the community with life-saving preventive tools.”
Guests at the event also may meet with RMH representatives and receive free blood pressure screenings. Refreshments will be served.
The JMU Festival Conference and Student Center is located at 1301 Carrier Drive, off of University Boulevard.
Registration is required by calling RMH HealthSource at 540.433.4850. Read more
Free H1N1 flu shots at the Y
Story by Chris Graham
www.waynesboroymca.com
The Waynesboro Health Department and the Waynesboro YMCA are teaming up to offer free H1N1 flu shots on Saturday, Feb. 13.
The flu shots will be done in the Lucy Coyner Gymnasium at the YMCA from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The relative silence on H1N1 in recent weeks isn’t a sign that we’re out of the woods as far as the possible spread of the flu virus.
“The flu isn’t over with yet. It’s still going around. It’s tapered off, but we still highly recommend that people get vaccinated,” said Melissa Donahue, the Medical Reserve Corps coordinator for the Central Shenandoah Health District.
People receiving the free vaccines will be asked to fill out an information form before they can get their vaccines.
Donahue estimates the time for the whole process, from signup to receiving the vaccine, at about two minutes per person.
Health officials: Beware of third wave of H1N1
Staff Report
News tips: freepress2@ntelos.net
Although influenza-like illness visits to emergency departments are decreasing, and more than 1.2 million doses of H1N1 vaccine has been administered throughout the state of Virginia, public-health officials are continuing to stress the great importance of members of the community receiving their H1N1 vaccine.
The Virginia State Health Commissioner, Dr. Karen Remley, has stated that, “History has demonstrated that, in the 1957-58 influenza epidemic, vaccination efforts waned and there was significant mortality in the third wave of disease in February. The 1918-1919 pandemic also featured a third wave in February-March in Britain.”
Also important to note is that children ages four and under are continuing to seek medical care at higher rates than the rest of the population.
The state is working to prevent a possible third wave of the 2009 H1N1 strain.
RMH: Free flu shots for donations to Food Bank
Staff Report
News tips: freepress2@ntelos.net
Beginning Saturday, Jan. 23, RMH will offer free H1N1 influenza immunizations to those who bring a non-perishable food donation for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
The free shots will be available to those age six months and up at the RMH flu clinic, located at 51B Burgess Road (behind Shoney’s) — in Harrisonburg.
The clinic will be open only for walk-in immunizations—not for care of flu symptoms–on the following schedule:
- Saturday, Jan. 23–10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Tuesdays, Jan. 26, Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23—8 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Thursdays, Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25—10 a.m.-4 p.m. Read more
RMH: Temporary visitation restrictions continue
Staff Report
News tips: freepress2@ntelos.net
The temporary hospital visitation restrictions recently put in place at RMH to help prevent the spread of flu will stay in effect throughout the winter, according to RMH infection prevention specialists.
“The temporary visitation restrictions were established to provide a safe and caring atmosphere for our patients,” explained Becky Brubaker, RN, MSN, infectious disease control practitioner at RMH. “The community’s cooperation with the visitation policy is key in keeping our patients and employees safe.” Read more
RMH to close flu clinic
Due to a significant decrease in influenza activity in the area, the RMH Flu Care Clinic will be closed after Friday, Nov. 13. The clinic will reopen when and if flu activity increases, according to Terri Huffman, director, Primary Care Services.
“Flu activity typically hits in several waves,” Huffman explained. “We are especially concerned about the prevalence of H1N1, which has had two significant peaks in our area this year—one in April and the other in October. At this point we are experiencing less flu activity and seeing fewer patients in both the RMH Emergency Department and in the clinic. But we would expect another peak to hit a bit later in the season and we will reopen the clinic if and when the situation warrants.” Read more
RMH implements temporary visitor guidelines
To help protect vulnerable populations from the H1N1 influenza that is prevalent in the community, RMH is implementing temporary visitation guidelines beginning today, Monday, Oct. 26.
The visitor restrictions are as follows:
- Children and young people under age 18 may not visit patients in the hospital.
- Adult visitors are limited to two per patient.
- Anyone under the age of 18 should not be brought into hospital waiting rooms unless that person is here for treatment.
Exceptions to these temporary restrictions may be granted for those visiting patients who have life-threatening conditions. Read more
