Healthcare

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Preventing A Silent Killer

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By ALLEN MCQUISTON
The Jemez Agency

According to the National Safety Council, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning each year.

Carbon monoxide is called the silent killer because it’s odorless, colorless, tasteless, and can easily go undetected. When the cold temperatures start to hit, what’s the first thing we do? We turn on our furnaces to heat our home and tightly seal our windows. If your furnace is emitting poisonous gases, you are trapping them in your house.

Here are a few things you do to help prevent this silent and deadly killer. First, it’s important Read More

UNM-LA Designated EMT National Registry Test Site

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At the Advanced Adult Airway station, student Michael Crockett demonstrates his skill for proctor Kenny Anderson. Photo by Steve Dawald

Student Joe Martinez performs CPR on the manikin at the Cardiac Arrest Management station, observed by proctor John Bialy. Photo by Steve Dawald

UNMLA News:

UNM–Los Alamos (UNM-LA) was recently designated as a test site for the National Registry Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam.

The University is now authorized to offer Basic, Advanced and Paramedic Psychomotor National Registry exams. Tests will be scheduled and coordinated as needed.

Through Read More

Are You Covered? Health Insurance Marketplace Now Open Through Dec. 15

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By JOHN WHITESIDE
LAMC CEO

Nov. 1 marked the beginning of open enrollment for 2019 health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Since debuting in 2013, the Health Insurance Marketplace has provided access to low-cost healthcare coverage for millions who would otherwise be without health insurance or who are interested in taking advantage of more cost-effective alternatives to their current coverage.

“Having health insurance is an important step to achieving and maintaining good health, and the Health Insurance Marketplace has made access to comprehensive coverage Read More

MANNM’s Dr. Gary Jacques Speaks At Rotary

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Dr. Gary Jacques, who moved to Los Alamos earlier this year with his wife Karen, spoke at Rotary recently about his career with Hope Worldwide, a faith-based, international charity ‘that changes lives by harnessing the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to the poor and needy’. His work of 16 years took him to 40 countries; of those, Cambodia remains one of his most rewarding and memorable experiences. It was there in 2001 that he personally observed the appalling and filthy conditions of a major hospital. Read More

Sheehey: In Support Of NM Health Security Act

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By PETE SHEEHEY
Los Alamos County Councilor

The Health Security Act (“HSA”, www.nmhealthsecurity.org) is a legislative proposal that has been developed over many years to ensure that all New Mexicans will have comprehensive, affordable and quality health coverage. LANL employees and retirees enjoy good health care insurance, but many in Los Alamos still struggle with the cost of health care.

Continually increasing costs are a serious problem that impacts our state and local government budgets as well as family finances. Los Alamos County spends more than $2 million per year on health care; Read More

DEA Achieves Significant Milestone During 16th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

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DEA News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― With the robust participation of Americans nationwide, DEA and its law enforcement partners have now surpassed its 10 million pound goal and collected nearly 11 million pounds of unused, unwanted or expired prescription medications over the course of 16 successful DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back events.
 
During the 16 semiannual event, Oct. 27, DEA and federal, state and local partners disposed of more than 900,000 pounds of prescription medications collected at nearly 6,000 sites across the country. Together with almost 5,000 local,
Read More

Taylor MD: NM’s Better Approach To Medical Costs

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By TYLER TAYLOR, MD
Los Alamos
 
U.S. healthcare costs have been rising faster than consumer inflation for decades.
 
Cost slow-downs, like after the 2008 financial meltdown, or when HMOs rationed care in the ‘90s, have been brief. Mainstream “fixes” keep failing. Today, in spite of the vast amount we spend, America’s health system still doesn’t cover one out of 10 citizens.
 
Frustrated with Federal inaction, several states, including Maryland and California, have been trying to find an affordable way forward, while also assuring that all their residents have
Read More

Lujan Grisham Calls On NM VA To Implement Inspector General’s Recommendations For Surgical Procedures

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U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham
 
STATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Today, U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) sent a letter to New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMVAHCS) Director Andrew Welch in response to a VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigation which found that the VA had to delay surgical procedures due to a lack of sterile instruments and equipment.  
 
Lujan Grisham urges Director Welch to immediately implement all of the OIG’s recommendations to fix the problem.
 
“These issues pose potentially serious health risks to patients that depend
Read More

LAMC’s LifePoint Health Announces Future Leadership Team For Merged Organization

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LifePoint Health News:

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Los Alamos Medical Center’s parent corporation, LifePoint Health (NASDAQ: LPNT), has announced the incoming executive team that will lead the organization following the completion of its merger with RCCH HealthCare Partners.

The transaction is expected to be finalized later this year and will result in LifePoint Health being a privately-held company.

LAMC CEO John Whiteside spoke about the merger late Thursday with the Los Alamos Daily Post.

“This will have absolutely no impact on our hospital. Victor Giovanetti who is named to the new executive Read More

Udall & Colleagues Urge FDA To Protect Kids From Tobacco Use And Addiction

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) joined a group of colleagues in calling on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take stronger action to reduce youth use of addictive electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) by immediately requiring manufacturers to remove kid-appealing flavored e-cigarettes from the market.
 
More than two million middle and high-schoolers are using e-cigarettes today, making them the most popular form of tobacco product among youth—with 81 percent of kids who have ever tried an e-cigarette starting
Read More