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CBS News
2 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Maryland doctor explains LET surgical procedure that can boost ACL recovery
A surgical procedure called lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) boosts the recovery for patients suffering from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. LET is often performed at the same time as ACL repair, and it gives athletes added stability by reinforcing the outer side of the knee, which enhances stability. How does LET work? Doctors take a strip of tissue from the outer thigh and thread it through the knee in a way that limits unwanted twisting. This helps protect the new ACL as it heals. "You take a strip that's about eight centimeters long, pass it under the lateral ligament, then fix it back with a screw or staple," said Mercy Medical Center orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mark Slabaugh. Dr. Slabaugh said when he first started offering LET two years ago, only 10% of patients were getting it. Now, nearly half of his ACL surgeries include the added step. While not for everyone, LET is showing strong results in young athletes who play sports that involve cutting, jumping, and fast changes in direction, including track, soccer, and basketball. Doctors say LET leads to fewer reinjuries and more athletes getting back to their sport at a high level. "It's not just about the surgery," Dr. Slabaugh said. "It takes motivation and discipline. If someone's not willing to do the work, we don't recommend it." ACL surgery "is not a death sentence." Track and field athlete Norah O'Malley, who competes at Denison University in Ohio, tore her ACL nearly a year ago. The Baltimore County native didn't know if that meant the end of her college athletic career. She opted for the added LET procedure, and now she is back running. "I didn't expect to compete until a year after surgery," O'Malley said. "But I ended up sprinting just eight months later." O'Malley was cleared to run again just five months after her surgery. O'Malley was ready. Just five months after her surgery, she was cleared to run again. The typical timeline is six to 12 months for a full return to sports. "I was expecting it to be really painful," O'Malley said. "But I could get up and move around. The only difference now is the scar." For O'Malley, what started as a major setback became a powerful comeback. Though it may sound intimidating, Dr. Slabaugh reminds athletes that an ACL tear does not have to be a career-ender. "This is not a death sentence," Dr. Slabaugh said. "They can get back to the sports they love, and a lot of times they don't have that understanding." For now, O'Malley is focused on finishing strong and trusting her knee again.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Two states face deadly threat and tell millions of residents to stay indoors and NOT drink coffee
California and Nevada residents have been urged to avoid drinking coffee and stay indoors as temperatures sore into the triple digits this weekend. Those in the desert regions of Nevada and southeastern California are currently under an extreme heat warning until the end of Saturday night. The National Weather Service issued advice earlier this week cautioning those in the areas to avoid alcohol and caffeine as it will speed up dehydration. An extreme heat warning is currently in place across areas including Sacramento, Chico and Modesto. The notice added: 'Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. 'Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.' In central California, cities including Merced, Bakersfield, and Tulare are expected to see the mercury climb as high as 106F. While Trinity, Mendocino and Lake Counties could see temperatures sore as high as 105F. The National Weather Service issued advice earlier this week cautioning those in the areas to avoid alcohol and caffeine as it will speed up dehydration The Death Valley, known for its incredibly high temperatures, is expected to hit a scorching 115F. Dr. Gregory Hartt, ER medical director at Mercy Medical Center Redding, told Newsweek: 'As temperatures climb, we anticipate a corresponding increase in ER visits due to heat-related illnesses. 'A critical component of heat wave preparedness is proactively ensuring adequate staffing levels, supplies, and cooling measures are in place to effectively manage the influx of patients.' Bloomberg also reported that at least 26 daily records could be either broken or tied across the West over the weekend with the high temperatures. Bob Oravec, with the US Weather Prediction Center, told the outlet: 'It looks like it will be a pretty short heat wave.' Temperatures will start to fall slightly on Sunday as low pressure builds up across the West. Extreme heat is now one of the deadliest weather risks in the US, with an estimated 1,220 people dying each year from it, according to the CDC. The scorching temps comes after a series of devastating wildfires devastated Southern California earlier this year. Horrifying blazes killed 30 people across the state, wiping out nearly 17,000 structures including homes, schools, and businesses. The rebuild will take years.
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Naperville fire and police combat recruiting crisis with creative tactics to attract candidates
Three months ago, Courtney Bass was working as a nurse at Mercy Medical Center in Aurora. During her shifts in the emergency room, she'd notice an undeniable pride in the paramedics she met. 'They were like, 'Oh, I love my job, I love my job, I love my job,'' the 29-year-old recalled. Now, Bass is on her way to becoming a paramedic — and firefighter — herself thanks to a novel entryway made possible by the Naperville Fire Department. Amid ongoing difficulties with recruitment, public safety agencies in Naperville are exploring creative solutions to filling their ranks, like hiring registered nurses as firefighter/paramedics and sending out recruitment letters to college athletic programs. And while it's too soon know the outcome of such efforts, officials say they're eager to see what their creativity will yield and keen to keep thinking outside the box. When the fire department used to stage orientations for those interested in learning more about a firefighting career 15 or 20 years ago, it wasn't unusual to see as many as 800 people attend, according to Naperville Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis. In recent years, it's been more challenging, he said. 'We just don't see the numbers of people come out and do the orientations anymore that we used to,' Pukniatis said. 'And I think (it's) because the world has changed around us.' The COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, increased the number of remote work jobs. That, in turn, has made careers like public safety a harder sell, he said. 'People in this day and age … want mobility,' he said. 'They want to be able to go and live wherever they want.' Another challenge is a lack of paramedics, Puknaitis said. A 2022 study by the American Ambulance Association and Newton 360 found the turnover among paramedics and emergency medical technicians across the country ranges from 20% to 30% annually. Emergency medical service accounts for more than 70% of the calls to which Naperville fire responds, Puknaitis said. The demand for firefighter/paramedics has 'grown immensely,' said John Buckley, executive director of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association (IACF). 'Pretty much (every department) in the Chicago area has some type of paramedic service,' he said. 'Not everybody, but most.' Finding and recruiting enough paramedics to meet the needs of the state's fire departments has been a focus of the IACF for a decade now, Buckley said. In 2023, a state task force was created to study the recruitment and retainment of firefighters and paramedics in Illinois. Asked about its status, an Illinois State Fire Marshal spokesman said in an email that the group's 'collaborative efforts to formulate ideas' continues and a final report is 'still a work in progress.' Recruitment challenges exist in law enforcement as well. Last summer, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conducted a survey to better understand the challenges police agencies face with recruitment and retention. Of the 1,158 U.S. agencies that responded, more than 70% reported recruitment is more difficult now than five years ago. Locally, the Naperville Police Department is seeing a smaller pool of applicants than in years past, Police Chief Jason Arres said. To illustrate the change, Arres pointed to police testing. Becoming a Naperville police officer is a multistep process that starts with a written exam, the results of which determine the candidates who will move on to receive an interview, polygraph test, medical and psychological exams and background check. The results of those steps produce a list of candidates eligible for hire. Police test every two years or when the eligibility list is exhausted, whichever comes first, Arres said. NPD has seen a drop off in the number of people taking the initial written exam in the last few years. In 2020, 455 people tested, with 303 candidates passing and 152 failing, according to city data. In 2022, 37 people tested, data shows. Less than half passed. Those numbers crept up last year, with 132 people testing in February followed by 141 in December. However, recent tests still haven't been on par with numbers pre-2020, when the department would consistently have 250 to 300 passing attributed the drop to several factors, from the pandemic to the 2020 killing of George Floyd that spurred nationwide protests against police brutality and heightened scrutiny of law enforcement. 'Those are difficult circumstances that we (have) had to overcome while recruiting,' he said. Difficulties, however, have inspired ingenuity. Over the past year, NPD has been invited to job fairs never before on its radar, Arres said. That's because the department has started to recruit from college athletic programs and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the Midwest, he said. The former was born out of the department seeking candidates who shared similar traits — being goal-oriented, for example — as successful police officers, he said. 'Athletes have to work hard to start and earn that role on a team,' Arres said. 'There's an understanding and appreciation of that, and they thrive in team environments. There's not much of a bigger team environment than working at a police department.' To that end, NPD has mailed recruitment letters and fliers to more than 50 Midwest college and university athletic departments. They have likewise sent scores of letters out to HBCUs to help recruit a more diverse range of candidates, Arres said. So far, the department hasn't 'realized the fruits of these efforts yet' because they're so new but the department will 'continue this practice,' he said. 'I do think that we're going to knock some walls down and start opening up some recruiting hotbeds that we've never really tapped into before,' he said. NPD has adjusted its requirements as well so candidates don't need to have a bachelor's degree to apply, only an associate degree, Arres said. The department also recently partnered with Naperville School District 203 to create a 'micro-internship' between police and local students. This past semester, they had a student intern who helped the department with its social media presence and marketing strategies, Arres said. While it's not a sure-fire pipeline to get people into policing, it's still an opportunity for the department to get its name out there, he said. 'Maybe this student doesn't become a police officer,' he said. 'Maybe he does or maybe he gets into government and police communications and someday works for our department in that space.' As NPD looks to athletes and HBCUs, the Naperville Fire Department is turning to nurses. Up until about 18 months ago, getting hired as an entry level firefighter in Naperville required a paramedic license. The department has since expanded the requirement to allow for registered nurses as long as they go through a paramedic bridge program through Edward Hospital in Naperville, Puknaitis said. 'It doesn't get us the amount of candidates that we had in previous years,' he said. 'But we have enough candidates to fill the positions that we're looking for.' Recruiting nurses right now is primarily by world of mouth, he said. The department may expand from there to draw on a wider scope of medical personnel, he said. 'If you are anything — from a medical perspective — above the license of a paramedic … we're looking at opening these gates even further in allowing people to do that,' Puknaitis said. He used a medical doctor as an example. As requirements stand now, a physician couldn't apply to be a firefighter/paramedic in Naperville. But the department could, and may, make that change, Puknaitis said. From an age standpoint, the department has started to recruit younger candidates. With 33 members eligible for retirement next year, they're now allowing high school graduates to apply starting at age 19 rather than limiting the hiring age of firefighter/paramedics to 21, Puknaitis said. 'We've opened up our nets, so to speak, to capture as many people as possible,' he said. For Bass, training to be a firefighter/paramedic has been one of the hardest things she's ever done — but also the most rewarding, she said. She wants the career change to be a permanent one. 'I feel sold,' she said. 'I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else at this point.'
Time of India
5 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
California hospitals prepare for heat-related illness surge amid weekend heat wave
Hospitals brace for heat-related illness spike Emergency departments increase staffing and resources Live Events NWS advisories in effect as temperatures climb (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel At least one California hospital is preparing for an uptick in patients suffering from heat-related illness as a heat wave is forecasted to bring abnormally high temperatures across the state this weekend. Meteorologists with the National Weather Service (NWS) expect inland temperatures to reach or exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in several Regional Medical Center in Redding is preparing for a higher volume of emergency room visits. Michelle Shahbon, the emergency room manager, stated that seniors, young children, individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, and outdoor workers are particularly vulnerable during the first heat wave of the read: More powerful storm than Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Helene to hit USA? Shocking weather forecast revealed Shahbon advised residents to stay indoors during peak temperatures, remain hydrated, and regularly check on at-risk individuals. Early signs of heat exhaustion include dizziness, nausea, and excessive sweating. These symptoms should be treated promptly to prevent escalation to more severe heat-related in northern California, including Shasta Regional and Mercy Medical Center Redding, are adjusting staffing and treatment protocols in anticipation of increased emergency room traffic. Dr. Gregory Hartt, ER medical director at Mercy Medical Center Redding, said treatments for heat-related illness may include cooling methods such as ice water immersion and intravenous fluids."With temperatures climbing, we anticipate a corresponding increase in ER visits," Hartt said. "A critical component of heat wave preparedness is proactively ensuring adequate staffing levels, supplies, and cooling measures are in place to effectively manage the influx of patients."Despite the increased readiness in Redding, other California hospitals are not expecting an unusual surge. A UC Davis Health spokesperson noted that while summer temperatures often exceed 100 degrees, they are not projecting any major impacts from this particular heat read: Weather researchers kick off 100-hour livestream as data-driven protest against Trump's science cuts The National Weather Service continues to issue guidance and advisories, emphasizing that heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events. Outdoor laborers and recreation seekers are among the most at-risk advisories are scheduled to take effect across California beginning Friday, May 30, and will remain active through Saturday evening in most regions. Some advisories may extend through Sunday morning, depending on local National Weather Service in Sacramento highlighted the health risks associated with extreme heat, particularly for individuals involved in outdoor work or recreational activities. Tourists visiting northern California's lakes and rivers may be especially unprepared for the high to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1,200 heat-related deaths occur annually in the United States. Officials advise residents and visitors alike to monitor local forecasts and take recommended precautions throughout the read: Memorial Day 2025 weekend USA weather forecast: Location wise snow, rainfall details are out As temperatures climb statewide, emergency preparedness and community awareness will be key factors in managing the public health response to this early-season heat wave.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sens. Durbin and Duckworth question Prime Healthcare after changes to Illinois hospitals
Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth are questioning a California-based health system that recently bought eight Illinois hospitals, after cuts to services at several of those locations. The senators sent a letter to Prime Healthcare founder, chairman and CEO Dr. Prem Reddy on Tuesday expressing concern about the changes and asking him to answer questions about the health system's plans. 'Prime Healthcare has only operated these eight Illinois hospitals for two months, and there are already profound concerns about patients losing access to care,' the Senate Democrats wrote in their letter. They also urged Prime 'to immediately reconsider these decisions, as the consequences of these reductions hold the potential to strip patients of critical and specialized care, impose additional barriers to accessing care, and exacerbate the existing health care needs in the communities these hospitals serve.' A spokesperson for Prime did not immediately provide comment Tuesday afternoon. Prime, which is a for-profit company, bought the eight Illinois hospitals in March for more than $370 million from Ascension, a large Catholic health system. Most of the hospitals sold to Prime changed from being nonprofit hospitals to for-profit hospitals as part of the sale. The hospitals that were sold include Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plaines, Mercy Medical Center in Aurora, Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago, St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin, St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee and St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago. Less than two months after the sale, Prime announced that it planned to suspend inpatient pediatric care at St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet — a move affecting two doctors and eight staff members. Prime said in a statement at the time that the unit had been averaging less than one patient a day, while the need for other services such as advanced surgical, neurosurgical and spinal care had grown. The decision drew criticism from the Illinois Nurses Association, which said, in part, the suspension would hurt the community, which only has one hospital. In recent years, many community hospitals in Illinois have closed their inpatient pediatric units, citing decreased demand. Also, in April, Mercy Medical Center in Aurora lost its designation as a Level II trauma center. The Illinois Department of Public Health alleged in a letter to the hospital that at several points over the last few months (both before and after Prime's purchase) Mercy did not have the staff to cover essential services required of a Level II trauma center. At the time, a spokesperson for the hospital told the Tribune that the hospital had already started the process of voluntarily withdrawing its designation before the letter was received, because of a decline in Level II trauma patients. In their letter, Durbin and Duckworth also criticize 'the recent termination of comprehensive obstetric and maternal care services at St. Mary's in Kankakee.' '… As the grip of for-profit hospital systems tightens across our nation's health care networks, profitability has risen as a primary indicator of success for hospital owners,' the senators wrote in their letter. 'When operations are centered around a hospital's ability to generate as much profit as possible, it often comes at the expense of patients, staff, and the quality and safety of care.' The senators are asking Reddy to answer a number of questions by June 10, including how Prime plans to compensate for the loss of certain services in communities served by those hospitals, how much money Prime anticipates saving as a result of the changes, and whether Prime has plans to shut down other facilities or reduce other services in the future. The senators are also questioning Reddy about a statement made in an application to the state Health Facilities and Services Review Board at the time the ownership change was proposed, saying, '… at this time, no changes to the scope of services or the levels of care provided at the facility are currently anticipated to occur within 24 months of the proposed transaction.' 'What circumstances have shifted since the acquisition to justify a different course of action?' the senators ask in their letter. At the time of the acquisition, Prime pledged to invest $250 million in the Illinois facilities for upgrades, capital improvements, technology and system upgrades. Prime's leaders have emphasized the health system's commitment to saving distressed community hospitals.
