Latest news with #OwensboroHealth
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
OH EMS program coordinator brings services together
Multiple entities are categorized as Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and it's Leigh Riddle's job as Owensboro Health's EMS program coordinator to make sure all work seamlessly during emergency situations. Riddle, who has been in the position for three months, acts as a liaison between the hospital's emergency rooms and trauma services department, along with regional ambulance and air ambulance services. She also oversees providing continuing education for multiple EMS agencies. 'I'm really just a resource to all, and I do a lot of education, a lot of planning and behind the scenes things now,' said Riddle, who has been in the EMS field for 32 years. 'The end goal is good patient care and good patient outcomes and good relationships between us all.' May 18-24 is National EMS Week to honor the work of EMS professionals. The theme for the week is 'We care. For everyone.' Riddle said she's currently working on regional continuing education plans, in which multiple services and agencies, including ambulance, fire department, search and rescue and ER teams, come together to improve knowledge and keep up with the latest science advancements. It's also an opportunity for those in the EMS field to build working relationships, which Riddle said can't be underestimated in how effectively personnel are able to do the work. 'We work as many different parts of a well-oiled machine,' Riddle said. 'Just take your average car wreck; you're going to have police, fire and rescue, ambulance, and then you have to think about traffic and crowd control, so you have to depend on each other. 'It's not uncommon for a medic to be in a car doing patient care while the fire department is around them cutting that patient out of the car. So you have to have a lot of trust and solid relationships there.' Riddle said there are consistent advancements in equipment that have improved EMS response, with one of the biggest being the improvements to the LUCAS mechanical CPR system. 'It has been remarkably helpful, because it frees not only one extra set of hands, but oftentimes multiple extra sets of hands,' she said. 'CPR is a very exhausting skill. When we're utilizing the human component of it, we try to switch out rescuers every two minutes so they don't get exhausted.' Riddle said the addition of ventilators and CPAP machines on ambulances have also been a game-changer. 'Those are very helpful to our respiratory patients,' she said. While numerous advancements have been made through the years to improve EMS, one thing that hasn't changed is the stress EMS workers must deal with. However, Riddle said they have come far in offering resources to help responders deal with the mental challenges of the job. 'It is a very high stress job, and back long ago it was you shove it down and you get over it and you keep on moving,' she said. 'When I was coming up you didn't show emotion, you pretended like nothing bothered you and you found your own coping mechanisms. Some people use exercise, some music, some hobbies. 'But now, mental health in emergency services has been considerably more highlighted and recognized as a need.' Even with the advancements, the stress always remains. Riddle said the average burnout time for anyone in emergency services is known to be five years. But she encourages anyone with an interest in the field to see if it's for them. 'My advice to them is if you think you want to try it, try it,' she said. 'You'll either love it or you won't do it. 'But it's a very rewarding field. It's a very honorable field, and it is quite truly a calling.'
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Owensboro Health uses AI to streamline some operations
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Owensboro Health Regional Hospital announces it has adopted AssistIQ's 'AI-powered supply capture and documentation platform' in all operating rooms, which will allegedly reduce surgical teams' manual work and improve the real-time tracking of implants and supplies. Officials note in many hospitals, operating room documentation still relies on individual entry and tracking of each supply, which can lead to 'inventory discrepancies and workflow inefficiencies.' Owensboro PD says missing teen ran away A spokesperson explains, 'By integrating AssistIQ with Epic, we've streamlined this process, capturing all supplies with a single scan and automatically documenting all items in Epic, saving clinicians time and improving inventory accuracy.' Owensboro Health explains by integrating AssistIQ with Epic, it now automates the capture of surgical supplies and implants at its regional hospital. This removes 'less efficient systems,' cuts down on back-and-forth communication and gives teams access to 'accurate case data' while the surgery is still happening. Independence Bank awards over $130k in scholarships to 71 Kentucky seniors 'We're choosing technology that works for our staff,' said Beth Steele, Owensboro Health COO. 'AssistIQ has helped us reduce paperwork, close documentation gaps and create more efficient surgeries.' People can learn more about AssistIQ here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Five years ago, the world turned upside down
It was March 2020. We were looking for an economic boom in Daviess County. New building projects, big conventions, more sports tournaments. And then, we started hearing about a deadly coronavirus that started in China and was sweeping the world. Could it happen here? Then, on March 13, a 63-year-old Henderson woman became the first person diagnosed with coronavirus in the region. And our world changed. Everything was put on hold. The Messenger-Inquirer sent reporters home to work until it was over. A few weeks, we thought. But it was May 2021 before we returned to the office. Those first few weeks, we didn't know what to expect. Would it be like one of those movies about viruses killing people in the streets? Soon, shortages were popping up everywhere. We began hoarding toilet paper and hand sanitizer. The pandemic fear had really reached us on March 1, 2020, when masks began flying off local shelves as we began stocking up in case the pandemic that was sweeping the world reached us. The first case reached Kentucky on March 6 — in Lexington. By March 9, sanitizer was in short supply all over the country. Two days later, nursing homes had stopped allowing visitors to come in. On March 11, the governor asked churches to go online and not have in-person services. And schools closed for what they said would be three weeks. We thought we'd have the virus under control by then. But it was months before kids sat in the classroom again. Sports, conventions and festivals were being called off. On March 13, Owensboro Health restricted visitation for fear of spreading the disease. Three days later, restaurants and bars closed. Hotels saw bookings plummet. Child-care centers closed. And the primary election was postponed until June. On March 17, gyms and movie theaters closed. Hundreds lost their jobs. By March 20, we had five cases in Daviess County. Three days later, Owensboro Health saw its first patient with COVID-19. Local distilleries started making hand sanitizer. Funerals were limited to a small number of mourners and drive-through visitation. We reserved the Owensboro Convention Center for an overflow of patients from the hospital. Fortunately, that was never needed. Some said wear masks. Some said don't wear masks. We were afraid to touch anything away from home. And we learned to stay 6 feet apart, bump elbows or just wave. By 2021, we had vaccinations for COVID-19. Some were glad to get them. Some fought against them. That light at the end of the tunnel seemed to be getting closer. And then, we learned about variants. Greek words like Delta and Omicron. Things got worse again and we got booster shots in the fall. And there's a new booster every year now. By June 2023, the state reported that 39,485 Daviess Countians had had the virus. And 472 had died. We've come a long way in the past five years. Here's hoping that's the last pandemic. But it probably won't be. Keith Lawrence, klawrence@
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Colon cancer awareness events get more locations
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Owensboro Health, in partnership with the Kentucky Cancer Program, says it is expanding its annual Colon Cancer Awareness Events to more locations this year. Officials say these educational events will provide important resources on colorectal cancer prevention, screening and treatment. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit health resource booths, speak with healthcare professionals and learn how regular screenings can prevent colon cancer or detect it early when it's most treatable. Some locations will also feature an interactive inflatable colon display, allowing visitors to walk through and see healthy colon tissue, polyps and cancerous growths up close. KYTC's high water report for March 3, 2025 Owensboro Health says the 2025 event schedule includes: March 4 Breckenridge Medical Building at 1000 Breckenridge Street 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Small colon inflatable and health resource booths March 5 Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Small colon inflatable and health resource booths March 6 Henderson Healthplex 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Health resource booths only March 7 Owensboro Health Regional Hospital 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Large colon inflatable and health resource booths March 11 Muhlenberg Healthplex 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Health resource booths only March 12 Madisonville Healthplex 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Health resource booths only Coroner called to accident on Highway 431 in Daviess County Owensboro Health says colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, yet it is highly preventable with timely screenings. According to the Owensboro Health Cancer Registry, colorectal cancer remains a top concern in the region. Owensboro Health invites the public to attend these free events to learn more about keeping their colon healthy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
OH not involved in medical cannabis
Medical cannabis became legal in Kentucky on Jan. 1 for patients meeting specific conditions, but don't be fooled by the name — hospitals and traditional health facilities and pharmacies are not involved in the distribution of the cannabis. Owensboro Health officials are working to communicate that message to area residents to hopefully avoid confusion and consternation for their patients. 'It's a pre-approved condition, and for it to be approved, you have to have your doctor certify you, and you'll get a medical registry card on your phone that you can take to different dispensaries that are licensed in the state to issue medical cannabis,' said Jason Collins, Owensboro Health's executive director of pharmacy. 'While the state has legalized it if you meet those certain conditions and you go through the process, it's still considered a Class 1 controlled substance, which means its not legal for hospitals and health care facilities to store it, dispense it or use it. 'That is why patients are having to go to dispensaries throughout the state, because it's still not legal for healthcare systems to do so.' Collins said OH wants patients to understand its policies related to the law change, which also prevents the use of medical cannabis while at its facilities. 'The worst thing we want to do is have a patient come to the hospital and they think because it's medical cannabis, it's perfectly fine to use while they're here, (when) in reality, legally we can't do that,' Collins said. 'We really want to get this out to the community, the difference, that it is still a Class 1 drug, which eliminates the hospital, the health care system, from using it internally and stocking it and administering it. 'They'll have to do alternative therapies while they're in the facility. We don't want (patients) to think they can come in here and continue using it while they're here and then get upset because they can't. If somebody does come to the hospital with it, we'll have to follow our contraband policy, because according to federal law, it's still contraband for our facilities, which means it would have to be confiscated and disposed of. So we ask people not to bring it to the health care facility to avoid that concern.' Collins encourages anyone interested in obtaining a medical cannabis card to visit the state website at which has all of the information related to how to acquire a card and a list of providers who can certify patients. 'The provider can also go on that site to register with the state to be a certifying provider, in addition to other things they have to do to do that,' Collins said. 'Once the patient sees the provider and they certify them, they can go back on the website to do their final registration. It's all done on this website.' There are currently 10 Owensboro-based providers listed on the site as being able to certify patients, with nine of them advanced practice registered nurses. Collins said he's not aware of any Owensboro Health-affiliated physicians who are in the process of being certified providers. 'It's going to be up to each provider if they want to do it or not,' he said. 'We're not going to force providers to do it. We have great providers, and we want to make sure we trust them to make the right decision on what's best for their patients. If they do feel like it's best for their patients, we allow them to get the certification. I'm not aware of any that are doing it right now. We are being very neutral on it. It's up to the individual providers and their patients. 'The ultimate goal here is we want to provide safe care for our patients in an effective and compassionate way. We understand that patients have different needs. Staying neutral on this is the way to go.' Collins anticipates there will be changes to the medical cannabis law after the initial rollout. But he's unsure if that could ultimately lead to health care facilities being included. 'I think that the challenge is it's a new process,' he said. 'I think it's going to take tweaking over the next year. I think there are a lot of changes coming in the next year or so with medical cannabis. I think there will be more proposals or new bills, so I think we'll see a lot of changes. 'I think there are a lot of changes that need to happen. It's hard to get everything done correctly and perfectly (immediately). Hospitals can't go to a wholesaler for the medical cannabis, it's not FDA approved. I think this is an area that's going to continue to evolve over the next couple of years, and we're going to see a lot of changes.' But until changes are made to the law to allow it, Owensboro Health facilities will remain cannabis-free. 'I think the key part is education, so everybody understands the process,' Collins said. 'We want to be proactive on this so our community knows exactly what's going on and what to expect so there is not that tension created between our providers, our nurses, or anybody else in the community. 'We want to make sure this is very clear and everybody is on the same page.'
