Changes in Health Status

A few weeks ago, our Director of Community Health and Wellness, Nancy Forlifer, made a presentation to our board as to the progress that our community has made related to improvements in a number of health status related areas.  Between 2011 and 2012, Allegany County has made improvements in high school graduation rates, less children in single-parent households, less adults smoking, motor vehicle crash deaths, sexually transmitted diseases, preventable hospital days and a reduction in the teen birth rate.  We are still one of the three worst locations in Maryland for Behavioral Health related visits to the Emergency Department.   Those joining Allegany County are Baltimore City and Dorchester County on the eastern shore of Maryland. 

It is important to note that our priorities for Allegany County continue to be tobacco cessation (especially with pregnant women), obesity, behavioral health, access to care, substance abuse, heart disease, health literacy, prenatal care, dental care, cancer care, flu shots and screening for Diabetes.  One fact that Nancy shared that got everyone's attention was in Allegany County, if 5% more people attended some college and 5% more people had an income higher than twice the poverty level, we could save 24 lives, prevent 372 cases of Diabetes and eliminate $2.7 million in Diabetes costs every year.  Socioeconomic factors and health status are amazingly linked.  If socioeconomic status in a region improves so does their health status.

Giving Sage Advice

The other day my wife said to me that I am now of the age where I need to be providing more advice and guidance to others.  She said as someone of your age and with your experience, you need to go beyond your daughters and reach out to those who would benefit the most from what you have gleaned over these many years.  It just so happened that yesterday I received a call from a friend and business associate.  We dealt with the business issue and he then said, "I've had it with my (relatively new)boss, he's crazy and wants to control everything and everyone".  He went on to tell me that he has made the decision to leave his position, but felt that he would have to resign before he could look for another opportunity (preferably consulting) as it just wouldn't be right.  I suggested that he not resign, but consider networking with the various consultants with whom he has worked over the last thirty years.  I told him that he has a lot to offer and since he does not want to retire, he should call them up and let them know that he is looking to make a change and gauge their interest.  I know that many of them would jump at the opportunity to hire this guy.  In addition, he has given so much to his current employer over the last three decades and making contact while still serving your current employer is perfectly acceptable.  I have always felt that it far better to begin seeking a new opportunity while currently employed as long as you don't take unfair advantage of your current employer.  He was most appreciative of the advice and boost in self-esteem; he actually seemed energized as we ended the call.  So, once again, Pamela was right; it really felt good being able to help someone who was in need of my "sage" advice.

What a Day at WMHS

Yesterday was quite a day at WMHS beyond the usual activities of caring for patients, procedures, tests, counseling and everything else that happens here on a daily basis.   It was also Farmer's Market Day at WMHS, which has been well received by our staff and the community.  In addition, we had an opportunity to kickoff Project Fit with participants from the Allegany County Board of Education, Flintstone Elementary School, Bishop Walsh School, New Creek School in Mineral County, WV and WMHS.  Project Fit involves enhancing opportunities to increase the physical activities of our youth.  The Health System is sponsoring these three sites with the hope that the concept will be successful and these three schools will serve as a model for the rest of Allegany County and Mineral County Schools.

Simultaneous to the Project Fit kickoff, Dr. George Garrow, Chief Medical Officer for WMHS, was hosting about a 150 people at a forum on Bath Salts.  The panel that he assembled was excellent and the program was extremely informative, as well as, very well received by all attendees.  Physicians, nurses, other staff, Health Department. employees, community counselors, prison officials and others were in attendance.  Between comments from yesterday's audience and very positive postings on Facebook, the demand for additional sessions on this topic is great.  WMHS will hold another forum next month.  After the lunchtime forum, there was then a special training session for law enforcement on Bath Salts.  Law enforcement officers from Cumberland, the Sheriff's Office, the State Police and other jurisdictions were in attendance.  That session was also well received.   

Because of the seriousness of the Bath Salts issue, WMHS will remain in the forefront of increased community awareness, community education, education of professionals and certainly caring for patients who fall victim to a bath salts overdose.  Our ultimate goal is to have our youth as well as our adult population focus on more health and wellness related activities such as Project Fit so there is no longer an interest in or a market for head shops selling Bath Salts.

Pit Bulls Residing in Maryland

If you are a pit bull owner who rents a home or apartment in Maryland, you may be forced to choose between your dog or your residence, at least until the next legislative session in 2013.  The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled that pit bulls and any related type of dog are considered a dangerous breed of dog and any owner whose dog bites a person is liable for those injuries.  The Court also ruled that any landlord who rents to a pit bull owner is liable.  During the special legislative session, the Senate voted to apply the law to all breeds of dogs and to not hold the landlord liable.  The House Judiciary Committee said no way.  They felt that they needed more time to study the issue and that such a law would drive up insurance rates for all dog owners.  It really makes you wonder as I blogged last week as to why the Senate took up this particular issue as part of the special legislative session.  Although I don't agree that we needed a special session to approve table gaming as well as additional gambling locations, that is a big enough issue to warrant a special session.  Dog bite legislation?  One would surmise that someone in a Senate leadership position has got to be a landlord of some significance.

Lifelong Homes

This morning I read an interview with Henry Cisneros, HUD Secretary under President Clinton.  In the interview, he was talking about his mother and baby boomers.  His 87-year-old mother lives in the same house that she and her husband bought when they were first married and it's across the street from her now deceased parent's home.

He notes the importance of making changes in her house in order to make it easier for her to function.   Such changes included as a ramp rather than stairs leading to the home, an elevated toilet, a walk-in shower, lower sinks, window guards, alarms and outdoor lighting.  He says that we should all be considering such changes for our elderly parents.  In addition, he said that 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 each day and that more needs to be done to support aging Americans.  Communities are being developed for the soon-to-be elderly with shopping centers in walking distance, supportive people around them, age related home improvements, along with adjacent parks, recreation and transit.  We need to remake our older communities with the aged in mind, but affordability has to be a major consideration.  Secretary Cisneros closes with people who live independently are much less of a burden on society and he's right.

Bath Salts (Part II)

There was a great article in yesterday's Cumberland Times News about the bath salts epidemic facing our community.  A link to the article is attached.  This week the Western Maryland Health System is sponsoring a community wide presentation on the bath salts issue.  The program is open to physicians, nurses, social workers, school nurses, principals and corrections staff.  Dr. George Garrow, Chief Medical Officer for WMHS, will present along with our Trauma Nurse Coordinator, Chuck Barrick; Dr. Christine Lee,  a WMHS staff Psychiatrist; Rebecca Myers, Program Director for the Health Department's Outpatient Addictions; and Capt. James Pyles, Maryland State Police.  There will be a case presentation, a review of the growing incidents as a result of bath salts and the impact on the ED, review of clinical issues related to bath salts and Q&A for attendees.  Following the community wide presentation is a similar presentation for 30 members of area law enforcement.  A training session will be held with some of the same panel expertise that participated in the community wide meeting.  This epidemic is spreading with overdoses related to bath salts being seen in our ED each day.  In addition, the head shops that sell the bath salts are opening throughout the region with increased frequency.

http://times-news.com/latest_news/x1555259886/Bath-salts-A-very-bad-problem

Gambling in Maryland

This week the Maryland General Assembly was called back for its second special session since the regular session ended in mid-April.  The first special session was to raise taxes.  This session is to approve a  video lottery facility (slots) in Prince Georges County at National Harbor (much to the dismay of those slots facilities already struggling) and to allow existing slots facilities to have table gaming.  They will also consider legislation establishing strict regulations on dog owners for injury caused by dangerous dogs, such as pit bulls.  Really?  With all of the pressing issues facing our State, they are going to deal with dog owner liability and gambling.    As far as I am concerned they are 0 for 2 in good reasons in calling special legislative sessions.  Remember, this is the same State that sold the 250 acre Rocky Gap Resort for $6.8 million and wrote off $41 million with a promise by the new owners to build a 300-room hotel and a 50,000 sq. ft. casino through an investment of another $52 million.   The new owners have since said that they couldn't get financing for the hotel and casino additions.  What a deal for the new owners.  Sometimes, I truly wonder why the State does the things that it does.  I am sure that some think the same of some of the decisions made at WMHS; the difference is the WMHS decisions all are made with sound reasoning and judgment, well, at least to me.