11/07/2009

Number of students receiving swine flu shots varied widely
But health officials are concerned that turnout for vaccine in Providence lags results elsewhere

R.I. flu update
You can learn more about H1N1 influenza, or swine flu, from an expert at Roger Williams Medical Center.

Number of students receiving swine flu shots varied widely
But health officials are concerned that turnout for vaccine in Providence lags results elsewhere

11/06/2009

Number of R.I. students receiving swine flu shots varied widely
With swine flu spreading across Rhode Island, state health officials are pleased that an average of 75 percent of eligible students received shots at school vaccination clinics that began Monday and continued through the week. But the mediocre response at a few clinics has raised concerns.

11/15/2009

Mediterranean diet may be good for your head, too
A diet rich in nuts, fish, vegetables, legumes and olive oil may even decrease depression

Boomer times for medical breakthroughs
Growing older is getting a little easier thanks to a new generation of advances in surgery and healing

11/06/2009

Pregnant R.I. women line up for shots
More vaccine is coming, but for those yet to be inoculated there is good reason to worry

Flu Update
In a change of policy, the Health Department plans to organize a clinic or clinics offering swine-flu vaccinations to school-aged Rhode Islanders who attend private schools out of state. Originally, these children were supposed to attend clinics in their schools, but there were too many variations in the vaccine programs in neighboring states.

Small supply of vaccine for seasonal flu arrives in R.I.
After weeks of shortages, some doses of seasonal-flu vaccine have become available.

R.I. bar association plans legal clinic for seniors
The Rhode Island Bar Association is hosting legal clinics to help guide senior citizens in authorizing someone to make health-care decisions on their behalf should they become unable make choices themselves.

11/05/2009

Swine flu in R.I.: It’s hand-to-hand combat in the war on germs
Sales of hand sanitizer skyrocket as schoolchildren, office workers and others heed health officials’ advice

Swine-flu death confirmed
The state Health Department has confirmed that the middle-aged woman who died Monday had swine flu, and swine flu was the cause of death.

Wash your hands
Wash your hands

Flu update: Two hospitals put restrictions on visits
Children under 18 and anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms are prohibited from visiting patients at Our Lady of Fatima Hospital in North Providence and Westerly Hospital as a precautionary measure against spreading swine flu, the hospitals announced Wednesday.

Hasbro Children’s Hospital reports seeing record numbers in ER
The emergency room at Hasbro Children’s Hospital has seen record-breaking numbers of children in recent days, nearly double the number seen earlier this year.

11/04/2009

H1N1 to blame for girl’s death; new case probed
Health officials confirmed Tuesday that the 12-year-old Lincoln girl who died over the weekend did have swine flu, and revealed that a middle-aged woman died Monday of a suspected case.

Get your swine-flu questions answered on the air
If you’re looking for answers to questions about swine flu, Wednesday is your day.

Flu update: Tamiflu doesn’t work if you wait
A recent check of prescribing data from pharmacies around the state found that 15 percent of Tamiflu prescriptions were filled five days after they were written.

11/03/2009

Flu Update
www.ride.ri.gov/Applications/attendanceReports.aspx). The figures, for all public and private schools, are drawn from the previous school day.

Hospital fined for wrong-site surgery
For operating on the wrong finger of a patient, Rhode Island Hospital will have to pay a $150,000 fine and have surgeries monitored for a year

11/02/2009

Vaccinations begin at R.I. schools
The first school-based clinics to vaccinate children against swine flu begin Monday at 10 elementary schools. The clinics, which are free and voluntary, will be held in the afternoon or evening for grade-schoolers.

Flu update: Vaccinations schedule
Vaccinations

11/01/2009

Why do people refuse to get flu vaccines?
As Rhode Island prepares for the start of school-based swine-flu clinics Monday, one of the biggest unknowns is how many children will actually get the vaccine.

Nationwide, 114 children died of swine flu since April
Nineteen more children died of pandemic H1N1 influenza in the week ending Oct. 24, bringing the total to 65 since Aug. 30 and to 114 since the beginning of the pandemic in April, according to the newest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Two-thirds of those children had underlying medical conditions that put them at higher risk for complications, Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, director of the CDC, said in a Friday news conference. In a normal flu season, 40 to 50 children die, so the swine flu is affecting children much more severely than seasonal flu. Comparable numbers are not available for adults because there are no similar reporting requirements for them.

Q&A: Is the flu vaccine safe?
Q. Why do health officials keep saying that the swine flu vaccine is safe and NOT new, when the virus itself is new?

10/31/2009

Flu Update
With the seasonal flu season starting, more people are visiting the emergency room at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, but spokeswoman Ellen Slingsby says, “It’s not a record.”

11/08/2009

Workout shoes now a shopper’s dilemma
The right pair of exercise shoes can do a lot to prevent discomfort and injuries, personal trainers say. Here are some shopping tips:

Health Matters
www.ritutorial.org.

Gym mishaps not that common
Surely our friendly neighborhood health clubs, supposedly temples of longevity and Lycra, cannot actually be injurious to our health.

Funny faces are new exercise trend
Now there’s an excuse for making funny faces behind your boss’s back at the office. Just say that you’re exercising.

10/30/2009

Chat: R.I. health director addresses concerns over swine flu
Dr. David Gifford, the director of the R.I. Department of Health, returned to projo.com on Friday, Oct. 30, for his second live chat on swine flu, as the H1N1 virus becomes widespread in Rhode Island.

R.I. health director may have the flu
PROVIDENCE — The state’s health director is down with the flu, or something like it.

Some religious rituals curtailed by bishop
Parishioners advised to avoid handshakes and hugging during Catholic Mass

R.I. parents want high-risk children to be vaccinated first
Parents who say their children are at high risk challenge state’s method of distribution

Flu Update
Q. A member of our household is being tested for swine flu. If he has it, how likely are the rest of us to carry the infection to others? We have isolated the sick individual and wear masks and disinfect our hands after visiting him.

State says health insurer finances are healthy
While profits, surpluses dip, still well off compared with New England counterparts

Kennedy, Tobin agree to meet
The two are locked in a dispute over health-care reform and how it deals with abortion

R.I. foundation raises $42,000 for breast-cancer programs through race, WaterFire
PROVIDENCE — The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation raised $42,000 during a recent race through downtown Providence, said Bryan Sawyer, director of special events.

Study of Providence children: Even slightly high lead levels hurt abilities
Half the Providence students in a new study fell short of reading readiness standards

10/29/2009

R.I. Health Department confirms that swine flu killed 12-year-old girl
The 12-year-old Bristol girl who died Monday had been infected with swine flu, test results confirmed Wednesday.

R.I. flu update – answers to questions
Q. My children had mild flu-like symptoms this past week, which they seem to have gotten over. If it was swine flu (and I do not know if it was), would the swine flu vaccination still be necessary? Would it be okay to receive it?

2 R.I. hospitals set to affiliate in 2010
Business arrangement linking St. Joseph Health Services and Roger William OK’d by attorney general

10/28/2009

Bristol girl with flu-like symptoms dies
The 12-year-old Portsmouth student had experienced mild flu symptoms

Flu can leave children vulnerable to infection
A child may appear to be recovering only to suddenly fall seriously ill once again

FLU UPDATE
Q. My grandson, age 10, has been hospitalized with asthma attacks this year. The elementary school he attends will be distributing vaccinations on Dec. 4. We feel that this is a long time to wait. Is there somewhere we can take him sooner?

Memorial Hospital announces working relationship with Brigham & Women’s
Memorial Hospital announces working relationship with Brigham & Women’s

10/27/2009

Group works on health bill in R.I.
HealthRIght has received a grant to enable it to draft health-care reform legislation.

Flu update
Q. The photo in Saturday’s Journal showed a person learning to give a shot on an orange. Shouldn’t our children’s flu shots be given by medically trained providers?

10/26/2009

Why swine flu vaccine is still in such short supply
Production of the anxiously awaited vaccine has proven to be more difficult than many first thought.

Flu update
Vaccinations

10/25/2009

Flu update
Vaccinations

10/24/2009

Another wrong-site surgery at R.I. Hospital
An orthopedic surgeon at Rhode Island Hospital operated on the wrong finger during outpatient hand surgery on Thursday, the fifth in a string of wrong-site surgeries at the hospital over the past 2½ years.

Health Dept. releases school flu-shot schedule
The state has prepared a preliminary schedule of school-based clinics to vaccinate children against swine flu, starting with 58 schools during the week of Nov. 2.

Flu update
PROVIDENCE — Women & Infants Hospital, like several other Rhode Island hospitals, is restricting visitors during flu season, the hospital announced Friday. It noted that pregnant women, new mothers, newborns and women being treated for cancer are particularly vulnerable to influenza — both seasonal flu and H1N1 (swine flu).

11/01/2009

HEALTH MATTERS
Southcoast Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care and Infusion Services has a new “Caring for Caregivers” program. Drs. Robert and Barbara Greene discuss how caregivers can care for themselves as they care for others.

Women must learn to put themselves first, experts say
Women who fret about their children’s doctor appointments and their husband’s aches and pains often put their own health last.

10/23/2009

Flu update
www.kenthospital.org and Dr. David Lowe, Kent’s infectious disease specialist, will post the answers.

EPA, First Student reach settlement over bus emissions
First Student agrees to retrofit buses with equipment that will reduce harmful emissions and will install GPS-based systems on buses to track their idling.

10/22/2009

Athletes on the defensive when it comes to flu
High school athletes in Rhode Island have been advised to avoid contact such as high-fives in an effort to reduce the risk of spreading flu germs.

Flu update
South County Hospital has instituted new restrictions on visitation, intended to slow the spread of influenza.

10/21/2009

In Rhode Island, flu vaccine in short supply
As health-care professionals await the arrival of injectable swine-flu vaccine, they are finding that demand for regular seasonal influenza immunization is exceeding supply.

New booklet simplifies primary care
Statewide distribution of the information is designed to get people to the right caregivers.

R.I.’s first safe haven for elderly opens in E. Greenwich
EAST GREENWICH — A nonprofit care group Tuesday opened the state’s first safe haven for elderly residents abused by family members, spouses and others.

Flu update
Newport Hospital will present a free program, “What everybody needs to know about H1N1 (swine flu),” on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 5 to 6 p.m. in the hospital’s Gudoian Conference Room.

R.I. phone bank utilized to support health-care reform
But the head of the state Democratic Party said he had “zero” knowledge of the effort organized by the national committee.

Whitehouse’s panel hears from Coventry couple on bankruptcy
Kerry Burns tells U.S. senators about her family’s ordeal after her 4-year-old son died from a long illness.

10/20/2009

Notices go out to R.I. parents about swine-flu clinics
The letter includes a consent form parents must sign before their children can be vaccinated.

Flu update
Vaccinations

R.I. nurses launch campaign to promote primary health care
A guide to services in R.I. will be inserted in Saturday’s Providence Journal. Spanish versions will also be distributed.

10/19/2009

Flu update
Vaccinations

10/18/2009

R.I. hospitals saw sickly finances in ’08
A new report says profits at the state’s 13 privately run hospitals shrank, due mainly to the weak economy.

R.I. hospitals saw sickly finances in ’08
A new report says profits at the state’s 13 privately run hospitals shrank, due mainly to the weak economy.

Flu update
Vaccinations

10/17/2009

Flu update
Q. I am 67 years old and work as a volunteer lay minister at a nursing home. Should I and can I get the swine-flu vaccination?

Health clinic offering free flu, cervical cancer vaccinations
A women’s health clinic, to be held on Saturday in Providence, will provide free vaccinations for the flu and cervical cancer.

10/25/2009

Breathing is the key to good exercise
My favorite thing about yoga classes — other than the part at the end when you get to lie down and act like a corpse — is that the instructors always remind me to breathe. Pretty much without fail, whenever I get the cue “Don’t hold your breath,” I am. And as soon as I go for a deep, belly-expanding inhale, I feel amazingly able and at ease.

Health Matters
The fall survivorship lecture series addressing life after cancer treatment continues this week and next at Miriam Hospital. The lectures are free and open to the public and will be held in the 2nd floor Steve Baron Lecture Hall, Fain Building, Miriam Hospital, 164 Summit Ave., Providence, Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 7. Interpersonal relationships will be discussed Tuesday. Sexuality will be discussed Nov. 3. No registration is necessary. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call Ellen Therrien at (401) 793-2909.

Study: Alcohol, sleep apnea don’t mix
For sufferers of obstructive sleep apnea, it doesn’t take much for performance, precision and alertness to degrade dramatically. It doesn’t take much alcohol, and it doesn’t take many hours of sleep deficit either, for things to get really dangerous, new research has found.

Get the most out of your workout
DAYTON, Ohio — Ever wonder if you are getting the most benefit from your current workout program? Here are some important guidelines:

10/16/2009

Flu update
Q. I was in the military in 1976 and all members on active duty were required to get a shot against swine flu. Does this shot cover me for the virus circulating now or do I need another shot?

10/15/2009

R.I. delegation confident Congress will pass health bill
But Democratic members of both the House and Senate say they’re still unsure whether it will include a “public option.”

Flu update
The state Health Department is seeking health professionals and students willing to volunteer for the swine-flu vaccination effort.

10/14/2009

Flu update
The first shipments of swine-flu vaccine arrived in Rhode Island Tuesday, some at a distribution center and some at the larger pediatric practices.

Higher risk linked to robot-assisted surgery for prostate cancer
A study suggests traditional surgery may have an edge over the newer technology increasingly sought by men with prostate cancer.

10/13/2009

R.I. economic report cites cost of Medicaid, fire protection
The executive director of RIPEC says his group’s report shows “a state that has a very high level of spending and a very high level of taxation.”

R.I. flu update: Tamiflu for the uninsured
Free Tamiflu available for the uninsured

10/12/2009

Flu control: R.I.’s Lifespan hospital network halts visits by children
Adopted by some other hospitals nationwide, the restriction is meant to protect patients from swine flu.

Stop & Shop recalls precooked chicken
The company says its Homestyle Tenders and Boneless Buffalo Tenders were sold Friday at its Beverage Hill Avenue store in Pawtucket.

10/11/2009

Flu update

10/10/2009

Flu update
Q. I’m allergic to eggs and cannot receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Is the swine flu also prepared in an egg base? Is the nasal spray flu vaccine [seasonal and swine] prepared in the same kind of egg solution? Are there any non-egg-based alternatives?

10/13/2009

Patricia Walden, noted yoga teacher, coming to Providence
The economy may be bad right now, but yoga, it appears, is thriving during the downturn.

10/09/2009

Providence race to raise breast cancer awareness
The first Gloria Gemma 5K run/walk on Saturday is being held to raise both money for and awareness of breast cancer.

10/18/2009

HEALTH MATTERS
A free Breast Cancer Awareness and Education Day will be held today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Center at Five Bridge Inn, 152 Pine St., Rehoboth. Seekonk native and documentary producer Deborah A. Hock will present her film, The Impact of Your Choice: Breast Health Awareness — When Is Too Young! at 11 a.m. Sandra Salzillo will give a presentation on the role of the creative arts in wellness at noon, and Mary Capello will read from her book, Called Back: My Reply to Cancer, My Return to Life at 1 p.m. Locks of Love will be accepting donations, and information from the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation and Livestrong will be available. For more information, call (508) 252-3190.

Golf has calming effect on Alzheimer’s patients
DALLAS — No one is claiming that swinging a golf club is a magic elixir for people suffering from dementia, but no one’s denying a connection of some sort between the two. In his younger days, Arnold Radoff had always found that a round of golf let him escape from his day-to-day worries. There was nothing to match the sense of freedom he got from walking the fairways or the satisfaction he felt from sinking a long putt.

10/09/2009

The R.I. Health Department to begin school-based swine-flu clinics in November
The state Health Department announces plans for distribution for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Update on flu vaccinations
Vaccinations

10/08/2009

Flu update
Q. I am in my mid-60s and suffer from chronic asthma and other health problems. Is it safe for me to get the H1N1 flu shot and will I be considered a priority because of my health?

10/11/2009

Make an emergency-room plan for your child
Knowing what to do when you have to rush a child to the hospital — and what you should bring along — can make the experience much safer and less stressful.

Health Matters
Three workshops on various aspects of brain injury rehabilitation and recovery will be offered beginning Oct. 14 at the Sargent Center, 800 Quaker Lane, Warwick.