Pool pass, sports camp, visiting relatives and getting tonsils removed are all normal activities for children during the summer months. "Kids need from 10 days to two weeks recovery time, so summer offers an ideal opportunity to get tonsil removal out of the way without interfering with school or winter holidays," says Laura Cozzi, MD, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park, Illinois.
“A dropped item is immediately contaminated and can’t really be sanitized,” said Jorge Parada, MD, MPH, FACP, FIDSA, medical director of the Infection Prevention and Control Program at Loyola University Health System. “When it comes to folklore, the ‘five-second rule’ should be replaced with ‘When in doubt, throw it out.’ ”
Loyola University Medical Center has received a three-year accreditation in pediatric transthoracic echocardiography by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).
In an initiative that will improve patient care, Loyola University Health System has become one of the first health systems in the state to share health information electronically with other providers.
One report of seven states revealed that the cost of stay for those hospitalized due to a fireworks-related amputation of a finger, thumb or lower arm, was $15,600. Total costs for all fireworks-related injuries in this study was estimated at $1.4 million. Also prevalent are head and eye injuries, which account for 19 and 18 percent of total reported injuries respectively. “Fireworks are basically explosives and all are capable of causing severe injuries, but even minor injuries can cause significant functional disability when it comes to hand and eye function,” said John Santaniello, MD, trauma surgeon at Loyola University Health System and a former Marine. “Fireworks are not toys.”
Loyola University Medical Center ophthalmologist Charles Bouchard, MD, is being honored by the Illinois Eye Bank for his commitment to the eye bank’s efforts and mission.
While glaucoma is most common in people older than 65, the disease in rare cases can also affect children.
One in 10 Americans has hearing loss that affects their ability to understand normal speech. Exposure to excessive noise also can damage hearing in higher pitches. “Hearing loss due to excessive noise is totally preventable, unlike hearing loss due to old age or a medical condition,” Dr. Bhayani says.
Loyola University Medical Center recently hosted four of Southeast Asia’s top orthopaedic surgeons. They are participating in a Traveling Fellowship program sponsored by the American Orthopaedic Association and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
June 27 is National HIV Testing Day and Loyola University Health System will celebrate as they do every day – by offering free HIV testing to patients in the emergency department and at select immediate care centers. “We currently offer HIV testing at our Maywood emergency department and also at Loyola Burr Ridge immediate care” says Beatrice Probst, MD, medical director of the immediate care centers at Loyola University Health System. Expanding testing to the Loyola Park Ridge immediate care center starts Friday, June 27, which is National HIV Testing Day. “In 2014 alone, Loyola’s testing program identified three new HIV-infected patients. One was acute HIV, meaning the individual had recently acquired the infection and is at the most infectious stage,” says Probst
A study by Michael Chen, an MD/PhD student at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, was selected as one of the top studies by young scientists during the annual meeting of the North American/United States Shock Society.
“Excessive iron is believed to contribute to heart disease and donating blood reduces the iron stores in the body,” said Ivan Pacold, MD, chair, Cardiology Department, Loyola’s Gottlieb Memorial Hospital. “Plus you get a mini-assessment each time you give blood to reinforce wellness."
People want their toenails to look great in the summer. But many people allow their toenails to grow too long, which can cause discoloration, blisters and other problems.
Construction workers have topped off Loyola University Chicago’s $137 million medical research and education building. Construction began in August, 2013, and the center is on schedule to open in April, 2016.
On Wednesday, June 11, a new prescription weight-loss medication that combines a popular antidepressant with a medication for addiction will be reviewed by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for potential approval.
About 1 percent of adults report they have experienced headaches associated with sexual activity, and that such headaches can be severe. But the actual incidence is almost certainly higher, according to a Loyola University Medical Center neurologist and headache specialist.
In the fight against teenage obesity, some researchers have proposed targeting popular teens, in the belief that such kids would have an outsize influence on their peers. But researchers were surprised to find this strategy would be only marginally more effective than targeting overweight kids at random.
More than 2,000 people came out June 8 to raise $192,000 for Loyola during the Health, Hope & Heroes 5K Run/Walk. Proceeds from the race will support clinical care and research for the Ronald McDonald® Children’s Hospital at Loyola University Medical Center.
simple blood test can detect if a person is one of the two billion people worldwide infected with hepatitis B. And now the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all teens and adults who are high risk for hepatitis B get screened for the infection. “Many people with hepatitis B do not show any symptoms so they are not diagnosed which means they keep transmitting the disease to others,” says Steve Scaglione, MD, board certified hepatologist at Loyola University Health System. Hepatologists are specialists in treating liver disease. “Increased screening means the disease is diagnosed earlier, treated earlier and better controlled.”
For many men being a father is about staying strong as they protect and care for their family. Some men see going to the doctor as a weakness or nuisance, but protecting your health is one of the best things a father can do for his family. Studies confirm the importance of men seeing a physician on a regular basis since, on average, they die younger than women and have higher mortality rates for heart disease, cancer, stroke and AIDS.
Loyola University Medical Center achieved a 68 percent decrease in the overall number of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) over a 12-month period. A two-year study compared the use of disinfection caps to an intense scrub-the-hub intervention to standard care. Scrub-the-hub refers to cleaning catheter connector hubs and injection ports with alcohol for the recommended 15 seconds before accessing the central line, a catheter placed in a large vein to deliver medicine and liquids during hospitalization.
Summer block party season is here and that means inflatable bounce houses will be springing up in neighborhoods across the country. As kids jump into this fun summer activity it’s important to ensure they are safe.
Among young breast cancer patients, one of the most distressing side effects of chemotherapy is early menopause. But a major study finds the risk of early menopause can be significantly reduced by adding the drug goserelin to the chemotherapy regimen.
Measles have reached a 20-year high in the United States and the cause lies squarely with those who deliberately refuse to be vaccinated. Eighty-five percent of the unvaccinated U.S. residents who contracted measles cited religious, philosophical or personal reasons for not getting immunized, according to the Center for Disease Control. “Religious, philosophical or personal reasons are not medical reasons for not getting vaccinated,” says Jorge Parada, MD, medical director, infectious disease at Loyola University Health System.
Loyola University Health System was excited to be a part of the first annual Turn Up Your Health Youth Wellness Challenge, which encouraged young people in the Maywood community to make healthy lifestyle choices. The program recently concluded with an awards ceremony for the participating kids and their parents held on May 21, 2014, at St. Eulalia Parish in Maywood.
The official allergy count for the Midwest today recorded the highest count for mold in the 2014 allergy recording season. “The mold count is around 30,000 which is high but not at air quality alert status, which is 50,000,” says Joseph Leija, MD, who created the Gottlieb Allergy Count at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, located outside Chicago. “The daily rains coupled with the warm, humid weather have created the perfect environment for mold.”
Money changes everything. To date, lung, breast, prostate and colorectal cancers have accounted for the largest number of cancer deaths. In response, these cancers currently receive the most research funding from the National Cancer Institute and are highlighted through public health campaigns, special event fundraising and celebrity spokespeople. And the extra money and attention is working to end those cancers and move other cancers up in frequency of cause of death.Cancer Research reports that “by 2030 more people will be diagnosed with breast, prostate and lung cancers than with pancreatic cancers, but more pancreatic cancer and liver cancer patients will die of their disease.”
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine celebrated as 146 students received their medical degrees and numerous honors May 16 and 17, 2014, including 24 cum laude graduates, 6 magna cum laude graduates and 3 summa cum laude graduates. Twenty-five students were inducted into the honor medical society, Alpha Omega Alpha, and seven were inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, the honor society of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.
Trips and falls can happen at all stages of life, but as we start to age they can become more numerous. Aging can magnify the impact of risk factors associated with falls and also brings up new and often less obvious factors that affect balance and stability. The causes of balance issues could come from a number of different sources, many that don’t have a seemingly direct connection to balance or falls.
Pauline Camacho, MD, FACE, was elected vice president of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) at its 23rd Annual Scientific and Clinical Congress today in Las Vegas. AACE is the world’s largest association of clinical endocrinologists.
Prom season is right around the corner and with that comes dress shopping and trips to the local tanning salons for many girls. Nearly 70 percent of tanning salon patrons are Caucasian girls and women, primarily ages 16-29 years.
Loyola University Health System physician Suzanne Kavic, MD, FACOG, ASRM, has been elected an alternate delegate for the Illinois delegation to the American Medical Association. In this role Dr. Kavic will serve as a link between the AMA and members of the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) on activities, communications, policies and membership matters. Her term will run through 2016.
The use of simulation techniques in medical education, such as lifelike mannequins and computer systems, results in improved patient care, better outcomes and other benefits, according to a study led by a Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine researcher.
Bacteria live in the bladders of healthy women, discrediting the common belief that normal urine is sterile. This finding was presented today by researchers from Loyola University Chicago at the 114th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in Boston.
Loyola University Medical Center recently performed five successful lung transplants in just over 24 hours. Put in perspective, five is the average number of lung transplants performed each day throughout the entire country.
Many dread a trip to the dentist but there are important things you need to do, and not do, in advance to have a successful visit. Communicating with your dentist before the visit is often critical. “If you have experienced a serious health condition such as a surgery or been diagnosed with a chronic condition, you need to tell your dentist before you come for your appointment,” says Martin Hogan, DDS, division director of dentistry at Loyola University Medical Center. “Depending on the illness, you may need to be premedicated with antibiotics to prevent infection.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Administration recently created a new mandate that will go into effect on May 21, 2014. This will require all bus drivers, large-truck drives and drivers of trucks carrying hazardous materials to have a medical examination once at least every two years by a medical professional who is listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.
Patients at increased risk for gastrointestinal cancer now have access to a new multidisciplinary program at Loyola University Health System. The Loyola University Medical Center Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk Assessment Program is designed for patients with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer and other related GI cancers. In this program, gastroenterologists, surgeons, genetic counselors and various other specialties collaborate to provide state-of-the-art care for these patients.
Feeling sluggish? Gaining weight? What you need is a shot in the arm, claim advertisers for trendy vitamin B12 injections.Don’t let marketers needle you.“If medical testing confirms that an individual has a vitamin B12 deficiency, a vitamin B12 supplement will help. But if a B12 deficiency has not been identified by a physician or primary care doctor, there is no need to waste energy and money on B12 shots,” says Ashley Barrient, clinical dietitian, Loyola Center for Metabolic Surgery & Bariatric Care.
Pink Himalayan, Breton Gray and Hawaiian Alea – the newer offerings of salt may be exotic, cost more and frequent the shelves of high-end stores, but they are just as bad for you as common table salt. “Typically people opt for natural vs. processed to avoid preservatives such as sodium, but in this case, all salt is sodium,” says Ashley Barrient, clinical dietitian, Loyola Center for Metabolic Surgery & Bariatric Care. “Sea salt and table salt have an equivalent sodium content despite sea salt being deemed less processed than table salt due to the way it is produced.”
A dangerous air quality alert was called today due to the extremely high count for weeds detected in the Gottlieb Allergy Count. “Today’s weed count is the highest I have recorded in the two decades of performing the official allergy count for the Midwest,” says Joseph Leija, MD, who created the Gottlieb Allergy Count at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, located outside Chicago. The Gottlieb Allergy Count today is Trees High, Mold High, Grass Moderate and Weeds Very High, dangerous air quality alert status.
When Richay Gabel developed chronic headaches and became forgetful in August 2010, her husband, Mike, took her to local doctors for help. They ran a series of tests and delivered the news the couple feared: Richay had brain cancer.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has recognized Mark Cichon, DO, FACEP, FACOEP, chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, Loyola University Health System, for his ongoing support and commitment to the Illinois Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC). The EMSC is celebrating its 20th anniversary of service in 2014.
Deborah Dore, RN, was named Loyola University Health System’s Fanchon Knight Nurse of the Year during its annual Nursing Excellence Award Ceremony on Wednesday, May 7. Dore was honored for the care she provides to Loyola patients and the community. She has worked as a nurse in the Loyola Outpatient Center’s urology clinic for more than six years.
According to the Centers for Disease Control the U.S. is seeing the largest outbreak of measles in decades. In 2000, the disease was considered eliminated from the country thanks to vaccines, but a combination of frequent international travel and a trend against vaccinating children has led to its resurgence.
Among those cheering Loyola University Chicago to the NCAA men’s volleyball championship was Loyola team physician Dr. Nate Jones. “The team was very healthy, which I believe helped them win the Final Four,” Jones said.
Loyola University Health System (LUHS) will celebrate Nurses Week on May 5-9. This event takes place each year just prior to May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. The theme for the week is “A Leading Force for Change."
Women should refrain from drinking alcohol before they try to become pregnant, according to maternal-fetal medicine specialists at Loyola University Health System.
The Loyola Center for Metabolic Surgery & Bariatric Care is designated a Level 1 facility under the Bariatric Surgery Center Network (BSCN) Accreditation Program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). To achieve this accreditation, Loyola had to meet a number of rigorous institutional performance measures.
With young female athletes experiencing an epidemic of ACL knee injuries, a top sports medicine specialist is urging parents to demand that coaches implement injury-prevention programs. Female athletes are two-to-eight times more likely to suffer an ACL injury compared to male athletes.
RSS
Medicine keyboard_arrow_right
Sciencekeyboard_arrow_right
Life keyboard_arrow_right
Business keyboard_arrow_right
Journal News keyboard_arrow_right
By Location keyboard_arrow_right
Meetings, Grants, and Events keyboard_arrow_right