Lakeside Behavioral Healthcare Wins 
                                                First Annual Netsmart Customer Innovation Award 
                                                                     by Robbi Sukanek, Manager of Media Relations

Lakeside Behavioral Healthcare won the first annual Netsmart Customer Innovation Award. As the winner, they received a $10,000 cash award and two complimentary registrations to the Netsmart CONNECTIONS2010 Customer Conference held May 3-6 in San Diego. Lakeside was chosen for its ability to use technology to significantly reduce medication errors and decrease client processing time.

Lakeside was recognized for implementing innovative technology solutions that significantly reduced medication errors and cut client check in time from 20 minutes to one minute, enabling their clinicians to dedicate more time to client care.

For inpatient care, Lakeside developed a census tracking system that significantly shortened the time needed to admit new clients, reduced repetitive paperwork and streamlined the entire admissions, transfer and discharge processes. The system, used by inpatient staff members across seven inpatient units and 200 beds, also unified how data was managed, accessed, consolidated and retrieved, and provides “at a glance” reports of census data. Billing has also become more efficient and accurate.

For outpatient care, Lakeside implemented an electronic medication management system to reduce the possibility of prescribing and dispensing errors. This comprehensive system streamlined procedures and enhanced coordination between various programs. Through the new easy-to-use system, doctors can easily review clients’ medication histories, update allergies, add new prescriptions and refill or discontinue current medications with just a few mouse clicks.  www.lakesidecares.org

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Staying Safe in the Water
Central Florida Drowning Prevention & Water Safety Coalition
by Denise Ward, Seminole County Health Department

Recently, there have been several drownings reported in the news. This year there have been 9 child drownings in Orange County. So far this year, 2010, there have been 3 drownings in Seminole County. Orange and Osceola have already surpassed the number of drownings from previous years among children under 4 years of age.

Injuries at aquatics facilities can occur in or out of the water and are largely preventable. Everyone can help create a safe recreational water environment by practicing these tips:

· Watch children at all times—they can drown in seconds and in silence and should not be left alone.
· Be sure children learn to swim
· Don’t use air-filled swimming aids or toys in place of life jackets or life preservers.
· Protect against sunburn by using a sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and both UVA and UVB protection, and re-apply it after swimming.
· Swim with a buddy and select swimming sites that have lifeguards whenever possible.
· Don’t swim or stay near the water when there is lightning.
· Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating or other water activities.
· Adults should learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In the time it might take for paramedics to arrive, your CPR skills could make a difference in someone’s life. CPR performed by bystanders has been shown to improve outcomes in drowning victims.

Finally, creating a safe environment is just as important as creating a healthy environment. Everyone can help create healthy swimming experiences. Follow these tips when swimming in a pool:

· Don’t swallow pool water.
· Practice good hygiene, which includes showering with soap before swimming and washing your hands after using the toilet or changing a child’s diaper.
· Take children on bathroom breaks or check diapers often.
· Change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not at poolside.

To learn more about swim safety resources please visit: http://www.orangecountyfl.net/CitizensSafety/ChildhoodDrowningPrevention/CentralFloridaDrowningPreventionWaterSafety.aspx
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HEALTH WARNING FOR FRESH WATER ACTIVITIES
by Beverly Cook, Orange County Health Department

The Orange County Health Department wants to remind everyone to be safe when enjoying fresh water activities throughout the summer. Everyone should take precautions while swimming in warm freshwater lakes and ponds due to the threat posed by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri. Families should also remember that bacteria and other harmful organisms can live in warm fresh water. “There is an increased risk of infection by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri in all freshwater areas in Florida, especially during hot summer months. Every family should understand the only known way to prevent infection is to avoid water-related activities in warm fresh water,” said Dr. Kevin M. Sherin, Director of the Orange County Health Department.

Naegleria fowleri is a naturally occurring amoeba that can be found in any body of fresh water such as lakes, rivers, hot springs, and poorly maintained and minimally-chlorinated or un-chlorinated swimming pools. This amoeba can cause an infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) by traveling up the nose to the brain and spinal cord. This generally happens during activities such as swimming, diving, waterskiing, or wakeboarding.

Some measures that might reduce your risk of infection include:

• Avoiding water-related activities in bodies of warm freshwater, hot springs, and thermally-polluted water such as water around power plants.
• Avoiding water-related activities in warm freshwater during periods of high water temperature and low water levels.
• Holding the nose shut or using nose clips when taking part in water-related activities in bodies of warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers, or hot springs.

• Avoiding digging in or stirring up the sediment while taking part in water-related activities in shallow, warm freshwater areas.

Although infections are rare, most prove to be fatal. Seek medical care immediately if you develop a sudden onset of fever, headache, stiff neck, and vomiting; especially if you have been in warm fresh water within the previous 2 weeks. Always assume there is a low level of risk for infection whenever entering warm fresh water. For more information and to see a video Public Service Announcement (PSA) about the dangers of amoeba infections, go to www.orchd.com

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Grace Medical Home Opens its Doors
by Stephanie Garris, Executive Director

After much planning and preparation, Grace Medical Home opened for patients in April! Inspired by the love and compassion of Christ, Grace Medical Home serves the ongoing, primary care needs of prevention, wellness and sick care to the low income, underserved of Central Florida.

One physician’s dream for Grace was embraced and supported by countless volunteers, donors, businesses, churches, foundations and community leaders. With the dedication, planning and hard work by a committed group of visionaries, Grace saw its first patient on April 7, 2010 and has enrolled more than 225 patients to date.

A person interested in becoming a patient at Grace must be a legal resident of the United States currently living in Orange County, uninsured earning less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and is either currently employed or has been employed in the last six months, is a single parent, or full-time student.

Grace provides comprehensive, primary care adult and pediatric medical services through an ongoing relationship with a personal physician and a group of professionals who are committed to providing compassionate and excellent care. Our services included well visit check-ups, vaccinations, some medications, treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, development screening for children, lab services and social service/health education assistance.

Grace is thrilled to become a member of PCAN and welcomes the opportunity to work together to meet the growing need for serving the uninsured. For more information on Grace, please visit our website at www.gracemedicalhome.org or call 407.936.2785.

(Pictured to the left: Nancy Seyler, LPN and patient)
(Pictured to the right: Marvin Hardy, MD and patient)





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"Health Disparities and Their True Consequences"
Conference

The Central FL Partnership on Health Disparities (CFPHD), in partnership with the UCF College of Medicine and FL Hospital are holding a conference entitled “Health Disparities and Their True Consequences” on October 14th from 8 am to 4 pm. The conference will cost $50 and will be held at the UCF College of Medicine campus at Lake Nona. The former United States Surgeon Generals have been invited, as have other notable speakers and guests in the healthcare arena. For more information, call Jill at 407-303-9582.