Health

0 Health & Fitness Ray at 65 thought she need not worry about lung cancer; for over 35 years, she had smoked about a pack-and-a-half of cigarettes daily. Press Release Desk , News Partner Posted Reply Press release from BayCare Health System: November 30, 2022 When Karen Ray turned 65, she thought she wouldn’t have to worry about lung cancer. She had smoked about a pack-and-a-half of cigarettes a day for more than 35 years. Since her father passed away from lung cancer at age 64, Ray had jokingly convinced herself that once she reached that age, she would be fine – or she would be dead. “I was devastated to lose him but kept smoking, thinking I would most likely die by 65,” she said. Ray, a New Port Richey resident, had what she described as a bad and nagging cough but never had any problems with her lungs. She added that her throat hurt after smoking. Fast forward a few years to her 70th birthday when her … [Read more...] about BayCare Health System: Patient Thankful For BayCare Annual Lung Cancer Screening

0 Health & Fitness A likely reason for the decrease in uncompensated care overall and in charity care is the federal COVID-19 public health emergency. Wisconsin Examiner , News Partner Posted Reply By Erik Gunn, Wisconsin Examiner November 15, 2022 Hospital charity care declined in 2021 while medical debt increased, according to figures from a hospital trade association. A Wisconsin Hospital Association executive says hospitals are already trying their best to provide relief for patients who can’t afford their health care bills. An advocacy group for low- and moderate-income patients, however, argues that hospitals could do much more. ABC for Health, which provides legal assistance for low-income people confronted with health costs they cannot pay, has publicized the most recent Wisconsin Hospital Association’s report on uncompensated care , which the hospital association releases annually. Overall, uncompensated … [Read more...] about Report Finds Hospital Charity Care Declined, Medical Debt Rose In 2021 In Wisconsin

0 Health & Fitness Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and COVID-19 are circulating at high rates. Wisconsin Examiner , News Partner Posted Reply By Baylor Spears, Wisconsin Examiner November 17, 2022 Wisconsin Department of Health Services officials said there is concern more people than ever before could become sick this holiday season as three respiratory illnesses — influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and COVID-19 — circulate at high rates across Wisconsin and the country. “All three of these viruses we have seen before and they’re not totally uncommon,” said DHS influenza surveillance coordinator and respiratory disease epidemiologist Tom Haupt. “What is unique is to see these three viruses circulating at the high rate of activity and the high rate of positive tests that we’re seeing at the same time. That has not happened since the beginning of the pandemic back in 2020.” Haupt said cases of the flu are … [Read more...] about Wisconsin DHS Officials Warn About Respiratory Illness Rates, Urge Vaccinations

0 Politics & Government Hospital managers and nurses have been holding sessions to talk about issues that sparked the union drive three years ago. Wisconsin Examiner , News Partner Posted Reply By Erik Gunn, Wisconsin Examiner November 29, 2022 While the nurses seeking union representation at UW Health have lost a round in the legal skirmish, a union leader said Monday they have made significant advances in gaining a voice with the hospital system’s management. Under an agreement reached in September between UW Health management and the nurses’ union, hospital managers and UW Health nurses have been holding “meet and discuss” sessions to talk about issues that sparked the union drive three years ago, according to UW Health nurse Colin Gillis, one of the union leaders. “We are already pushing for improvements to working conditions at the hospital and safer conditions for the patients,” Gillis told the Wisconsin … [Read more...] about Despite Union’s Setback, Leader Says UW Health Nurses Now Have Stronger Voice

4 Health & Fitness Here's what Wisconsinites should know about the three viruses currently affecting much of the country. John Quinnies , Patch Staff Posted Replies WISCONSIN — As families across Wisconsin gather for the holidays, some may be coming home with more than warm memories as Americans are being sickened by three viruses — seasonal flu, respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, and COVID-19. RSV detections declined nationally during the week ending Saturday, after sharp rises since mid-October, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At the same time, seasonal influenza cases are ticking up in all but a handful of states, and COVID-19 cases , hospitalizations and deaths are all trending upward as well. As of Wednesday, RSV continues to be a predominant virus in Wisconsin , according to a weekly report from the state Department of Health Services. There were around 2500 positive tests for … [Read more...] about RSV, Flu And COVID-19: How 3 Viruses Are Affecting Wisconsin

0 Health & Fitness Nearly 650 hospitals across the country providing labor and delivery services saw rankings, but less than half were ranked high-performing. John Quinnies , Patch Staff Posted | Updated Reply WISCONSIN — One of the most important decisions expectant parents can make is where to birth their baby. For burgeoning moms and dads in Wisconsin, 15 hospitals were ranked among the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care for 2022-23 released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report. Nearly 650 hospitals across the country providing labor and delivery services saw rankings, but fewer than half received a designation of "high performing," the highest a hospital can get for maternity care. Of the more than 20 Wisconsin hospitals that participated in the maternity services survey, 15 of them received the designation of "high performing" from U.S. News. Here they are: Aurora Medical Center-Kenosha. Aurora … [Read more...] about Wisconsin Has 15 Of The Best Hospitals For Maternity Care: U.S. News