Clinical Measles Advisory for California

Since January 2010, nine cases of measles have been reported in California, as many as were reported during the entire year of 2009. As in recent years, nearly all of the cases are known to have traveled recently to Europe or Asia or have been in contact with international travelers. Some of this year’s cases include intentionally unvaccinated children. In contrast to the United States, where endemic transmission of measles was eliminated in 2000 due to an increase in immunization rates, this disease remains widespread throughout Western Europe, where rates have declined. Currently, there is a large-scale measles outbreak in the Philippines, and it continues to circulate in Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe as well.

The recent surge of cases in California makes it imperative for all Coast Plaza Hospital employees to maintain a vigilant watch for the signs and symptoms of this highly contagious disease. Consider measles in patients of any age who present with both a fever and a rash. Measles related fever can spike as high as 105°F, while rashes are red, blotchy and maculopapular and typically start on the hairline and face and then spread downward to the rest of the body. If measles is suspected, a thorough history should be obtained, including such information as whether the patient has traveled outside of North America or been in contact with international travelers within the past three weeks, as well as whether the patient has received proper vaccination for measles.

If you suspect a patient has measles, immediately isolate him or her, alert the local health department as soon as possible, and take the following precautions. The risk of measles transmission can be reduced if control measures are implemented quickly.

• Mask suspect measles patients immediately. If a surgical mask cannot be tolerated by the patient, use other practical means of source containment (e.g., place a blanket loosely over the heads of infants and young children while they are in common areas).
• Do not allow potential measles patients to remain in the waiting area. Isolate them immediately in an airborne infection isolation room. If such a room is not available, place patient in a private room with the door closed (see CDC’s “Guideline for Isolation Precautions”).
• If possible, limit entry to patient’s room only to health care workers who possess documentation of two (2) doses of live measles vaccine or laboratory evidence of immunity (measles IgG positive).
• Do not allow susceptible people into the patient’s room.
• Do not use the examination room for at least two hours after the potentially infectious patient has vacated.
• Do not refer suspected measles patients to other locations for clinical evaluation or laboratory testing unless appropriate infection control measures can first be implemented at those locations.
• Instruct suspected measles patients and any exposed persons to inform all health care providers of the possibility of measles prior to entering a health care facility so that appropriate infection control precautions can be implemented.

Remember, your expert eye and diagnostic skills can make a difference in stopping the spread of measles in the greater Norwalk area. By practicing sound medicine and erring on the side of caution, Coast Plaza Hospital vows to do its part in curtailing the effects of this deadly disease.

Introducing Dr. Sieghart Ponhold

Coast Plaza Hospital is pleased to welcome Dr. Sieghart H. Ponhold to the Hospital community. Dr. Ponhold is well-recognized in his chosen field and hosts a wide range of American and European experience that grants him a unique skill set among his peers.Born and raised in Graz, Austria, Dr. Ponhold received his medical degree from the University in Graz, followed by one year of Rotating Internship and one half year of Residency in Anatomic Pathology. After relocating to the United States, he first completed his Rotating Internship at the Doctors Hospital in Seattle, Washington, and then focused on completing his Residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at the neighboring University of Washington Affiliated Hospital.

With more than twenty five years of experience, Dr. Ponhold continues to keep an extremely demanding schedule. With his characteristic Old World charm, he also makes weekly house calls on a multitude of home bound patients. Please join me in making sure Dr. Ponhold’s transition to Coast Plaza is both smooth and successful. If you see him in the halls, don’t hesitate to say hello.

Coast Plaza Cardiopulmonary Services Update

The Cardiopulmonary Center at Coast Plaza Hospital offers a wide array of services to address issues of the heart and lungs. Our technologically advanced facility makes it possible for us to provide the people of Norwalk and surrounding areas with the latest procedures and diagnostic tests, administered by our team of trained specialists. On the front lines of defense against heart disease, we offer:

• 2D Mode Echocardiogram / Color Flow Doppler. Two-dimensional (2-D) echocardiograms are capable of displaying a cross-sectional “slice” of the beating heart, including the chambers, valves, and all major blood vessels that exit from both left and right ventricles.
• Arterial/Venous Vascular Analysis
• Carotid Ultrasound
• Treadmill Stress Test
• Stress Echocardiogram. This test uses ultrasound to examine the heart before and immediately after exercise or chemical stress to uncover problems associated with coronary artery disease.
• TransEsophageal Echocardiogram (TEE). With the aid of a probe, this test uses ultrasound to examine the heart from the back.
• EKG. Also known as an electrocardiogram, this test measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat.
• Holter Monitor 24 Hours. This is a 24 hour tape recording of the patient’s EKG. Its function is to diagnose the cause of symptoms such as blackouts, dizziness, irregular heart beats and coronary artery spasms.

To combat and diagnose respiratory illnesses, as well as to assist with breathing-related issues, we provide:

• Pulmonary Function Tests / Pulmonary Screening
• Oxygen Therapy
• Arterial Blood Gases (ABG)
• CPAP, used to treat obstructive sleep apnea by providing continuous positive airway pressure through a mask
• BiPAP, a bi-level CPAP machine which delivers two separate pressures to ease expiratory breathing and increase overall comfort
• Postural Drainage and Percussion (PD&P)
• Full Scope Ventilator Care
• Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing Nebulizer (IPPB) treatment
• Intubation Assistance
• Continuous Pulse Oximetry, used to read the percentage of oxygen saturation in the arterial blood
• Bronchoscopy Assistance, to view the airways and check for abnormalities
• Apnea Monitors, designed to monitor and record breathing and heart rates

Such a combination of responsibilities secures the Cardiopulmonary Center’s place as a key department in the diagnosis and prevention of many types of disease. This combination of in-field expertise and modern technology make them an invaluable asset to Coast Plaza Hospital and the people we serve.

Free Weight Loss Seminar

On Tuesday, April 27th at 6:30 PM Coast Plaza Hospital will host a free weight-loss seminar entitled “What’s New in Weight-Loss Surgery.” Open to patients, employees and the general population alike, the seminar will take place in the Doctors Dining Room at Coast Plaza Hospital.

If you or someone you know is concerned with issues involving weight-loss, please feel free to drop by for a chance to talk with the surgeon, meet the program staff, discuss lifestyle changes with individuals who have lost 100 pounds or more, and enjoy a variety of healthy, heart friendly snacks. If you are ready to make a change, R.S.V.P. at 1-888-255-5678 today.