H1N1 Update

While we have no plans to change this newsletter’s title to “What’s New with H1N1,” sure enough, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have again raised this year’s estimates, more than doubling the expected number of total cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. The new estimates declare that 47 million people, or 15% of the population, have been infected, while 9,820 have died from H1N1. The projected number of hospitalizations is 213,000, compared with 98,000 a month ago, and marked the peak period for the fall wave of H1N1.

Children and young adults have been hard hit by the pandemic, with CDC estimates reporting 16 million cases in children 17 and younger, leading to 71,000 hospitalizations and 1,090 deaths, a much greater number than would be expected in a normal flu season.

The CDC estimates that between 5% and 20% of the population gets seasonal flu in an average year. If 15% of Americans have already been infected 8 months into the pandemic, the nation is already approaching the upper end of the average attack rate for seasonal flu. With this in mind, I strongly urge you all to follow the Hospital Hand and Respiratory Plan and take all proper precautions when interacting with anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

 H1N1 Vaccine Now Available

At last, a new batch of the H1N1 injectable flu vaccine has arrived and is available to all employees. This vaccine contains no live virus, but only killed virus proteins to help program your immune system to recognize and combat the H1N1 flu virus. The government has declared the vaccine to be safe and effective for all patients, regardless of health status. All employees are required to receive the vaccine or opt out in writing, and everyone must sign the appropriate consent form, regardless of which option they choose. Please contact Human Resources for scheduled vaccination dates.

 Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Screenings

Coast Plaza Hospital now offers EsophyX TIF, a cutting-edge surgery designed to correct abnormalities in the valve between the stomach and esophagus that cause recurring heartburn and chronic acid reflux. This innovative new procedure is incisionless, resulting in no scarring, less risk, and faster healing times. If you or someone you love cannot eat, drink or sleep as you wish due to the effects of GERD, I urge you to contact the Coast Plaza Digestive Health Center at 888-255-5678 to schedule an appointment. For more information, please click here.

 Free Diabetes Seminar

Knowing the facts about their disease can make a significant difference for patients with diabetes. With this in mind, Coast Plaza Hospital is pleased to announce its free Diabetes Education Program on the following dates:

• January 14, 2010   1^st English Session
• January 28, 2010   1^st Spanish Session
• February 11, 2010   2^nd English Session
• February 25, 2010   2^nd Spanish Session
• March 11, 2010   3^rd English Session
• March 25, 2010   3^rd Spanish Session

Each session will be conducted at 5:30 pm, and will last approximately two hours. Co-sponsored by Merck & Co., Inc., the goal of these sessions is to familiarize patients with 1) the importance of regularly monitoring blood glucose levels; 2) lifestyle modifications that can lead to improved self-management; and 3) engaging a support group and healthcare team.

Please offer an invitation to your diabetes patients, and encourage early registration since space is limited. Contact C. Corina Condraschi, RN, CDE at (562) 868-3751, ext. 2062 with any questions or concerns.

 Hospital Holiday Party Recap

In closing, it was a pleasure to see so many of you having fun with friends and family alike at this year’s Coast Plaza Holiday Party. I hope you all enjoyed yourselves. Please follow this link to see a slideshow of the festivities.

http://www.coastplaza.com/holidays.html

I wish you all a very happy New Year.