Tag Archives: medical

Respiratory illness rates are high – know when to seek medical attention

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(Courtesy, pxhere.com)

By Kent County Health Department

deborah@wktv.org


Respiratory viruses are on the rise in Michigan and in Kent County.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) monitors flu activity across the U.S. and now categorizes Michigan’s flu activity level as high. Local hospitals are seeing an increase in upper respiratory illnesses including influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and COVID.

(Courtesy, Kent County Health Department)

The rise in the three illnesses has many of us feeling the symptoms which may include runny nose, congestion, and coughing. But how can you tell if what you have is a common cold or something more severe?

COVID has changed

For people who are up to date on vaccination the symptoms are much less severe and can easily be confused with a cold. At first, one of the telltale signs of COVID was the loss of taste and smell. Health officials say that isn’t happening as much anymore because of the level of immunity people have acquired from having the illness, getting vaccinated, or both.

If it is COVID, you may have stomach issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The flu and RSV do not usually have these symptoms. If you are having gastrointestinal issues with your other symptoms, you should consider a COVID test.


Symptoms for respiratory illnesses can vary (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

RSV symptoms

RSV can be fairly mild, but for people over 65 and children the illness can become very severe. Medical professionals say RSV patients will typically have wheezing or symptoms that look like asthma flare ups. RSV symptoms usually in stages over the course of 4 to 6 days.

Flu symptoms

The flu generally comes all at once. Sudden onset of symptoms like fever, cough, fatigue, body aches and a sore throat can seem to strike out of the blue. COVID, colds and RSV do not do behave that way, instead a person may have new symptoms for several days when they have become infected with those illnesses.

This chart can help you interpret your symptoms:

Respiratory Illness Symptoms (Courtesy, KCHD)

I have some of these symptoms, now what?

When you are feeling symptoms, medical professionals say that getting tested for COVID should be the first thing on the list. If that is negative, it is wise to get a flu test. After a positive flu test, you may be prescribed antiviral drugs like Tamiflu that can dramatically shorten the number of days you suffer.

When to seek medical attention

You should seek medical attention immediately if you are experiencing severe flu symptoms like difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, dizziness, seizures or severe weakness or muscle pain.

Vaccine resources

Fortunately vaccines exist for COVID, RSV and influenza and there is still time to protect yourself if you have not received yours yet. Other simple steps you can take to protect yourself and others include staying home if you are sick and washing your hands correctly and often.

Call KCHD today to make your vaccine appointment at 616-632-7200.

Some Michigan community colleges push to offer four-year nursing degrees

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Some community colleges are pushing to offer four-year degrees in nursing. GRCC officials stated they currently have no plans to do so. (pxhere.com)

By Cameryn Cass
Capital News Service

Michigan community colleges want to offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing to battle a shortage of nurses surging across the state and fueled by the pandemic.

Demand for intensive care and emergency nurses grew by 186% in the past year nationwide, according to a 2021 study by Incredible Health, a nationwide company that helps nurses find jobs.

The Henry Ford Hospital System in Detroit has already arranged a program to soon fly in 500 nurses from the Philippines to meet its needs, said Michael Hansen, the president of the Michigan Community College Association. More are coming from Canada.

“We’ve got students here in Michigan who are willing and able, if we could just let our colleges train them,” Hansen said.

Community colleges have been interested in offering four-year programs since Gov. Jennifer Granholm recommended they do so in the early 2000s, Hansen said. A provision in the Community College Act of 1966 prohibits community colleges from conferring bachelor degrees. It requires legislation for that to be allowed.

The law was amended so now they can offer bachelor degrees in four areas — maritime, culinary, energy production and concrete technology — to meet local demands, Hansen said.

They have wanted to do more than nursing, but that’s being proposed now because of the acute shortage, Hansen said. Community colleges traditionally respond to local workforce needs.

Advocates say allowing community colleges to also offer four-year programs would make access easier for adult students, which would help with the nursing shortage.

Opponents say it’s unnecessary and say there is no unmet need. They worry there might be too many colleges to choose from as it is.

Since COVID-19 has intensified the need for nurses, community colleges want to offer programs to help, Hansen said.

Jackson College, Lake Michigan College, Schoolcraft College and Northwestern Michigan College are among the community colleges interested in offering nursing programs, Hansen said.

Representatives from Grand Rapids Community College stated they have no plans to offer a four-year program and in fact, GRCC does not offer any four-year degrees in any of its programs. GRCC does offer an associate degree in nursing which has been approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Those with an associate degree in nursing can enter a number of fields including hospitals, nursing care facilities, doctor’s offices, outpatient care centers, and specialty hospitals.

However, Rep. John Roth, R-Traverse City said the two-year registered nurse programs and online courses community colleges offer now are insufficient for providing the hands-on experiences nurses need. Roth is working on legislation to allow colleges to offer four-year nursing degrees.

“They offer a very good program, it’s just not enough for what hospitals are requiring now,” Roth said.

An associate degree sufficed in the past, but the baseline hiring requirement in most hospitals is a bachelor of science degree in nursing, Roth said.

Many jobs now require schooling beyond an associate degree, a demand community colleges could help satisfy, Hansen said. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, in 2018, 41. 5 percent of registered nurses were required to have a bachelor’s of nursing degree, 31.1 percent were required to have a vocational associate degree, and 20 percent were required to have an associate’s degree. GRCC has a waiting list for its associate in nursing degree program.

But Daniel Hurley, the chief executive officer of the Michigan Association of State Universities, calls the proposal irrational. It does nothing to produce more nurses, he said.

The few four-year degree programs community colleges offer now see little demand, Hurley said.

In 2020, Michigan granted 58 bachelor’s degrees from community colleges; 44 of them were from Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, Hurley said. The demand for four-year programs at community colleges isn’t there.

Plus, the high school graduation rate is expected to drop by 15% between 2019 and 2037, which means fewer prospective college students, Hurley said.

“We need more students right now, we don’t need more four-year institutions in the state,” Hurley said.

Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma contributed to this story.

Metro Health board approves new name: University of Michigan-West

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Metro Health – University of Michigan Health has changed its name to University of Michigan Health-West. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

With nearly five years of expanding achievements, technology, and capabilities as an affiliate of the University of Michigan Health, Metro Health officials announced that the facility will adopt a a new name, University of Michigan Health-West.

“The new name is a natural next step and our teams are proud of the role we play as part of one of the world’s most respected health systems,” said CEO Dr. Peter Hahn. 

Peter Hahn, MD, MBA, president and CEO of Metro Health – University of Michigan Health (Supplied)

The new name was unanimously approved by the Metro Health Board of Directors on June 8, 2021. 

“As we have done at every stage in our history, we must ensure our name reflects our expanding capabilities,” said Bill Barkeley, Chairman of the Metro Health Board of Directors. “This is one of the most significant points in our trajectory. Our name should reflect this.” 

Recent accomplishments include development of a comprehensive stroke center, authorization for an open-heart surgery partnership, and back-to-back top ratings for safety.

“This new name is a better reflection of how this affiliation has grown and signals our path forward,” said Marschall S. Runge, CEO of Michigan Medicine, Dean of the U-M Medical School and Executive Vice President of Medical Affairs for the University of Michigan. “We know that our continued close collaboration, partnerships and expansion of care will benefit the patients of West Michigan. We are proud of where this affiliation has led us and excited about the future.”

Hahn said the affiliation works because it combines the power of one of the world’s most respected academic medical centers with over a century of teaching, research, and patient care – with a nearly 80-year legacy of caring, innovation and progressive health care in West Michigan.

“This is exactly what our founding physicians envisioned when they launched a hospital in a remodeled house back in 1942,” Hahn said. “They wanted to find better ways to focus on patients. For every phase of our history and every name on the front door, that is what we have done.”

 

Founded as Grand Rapids Osteopathic Hospital, the organization was renamed several times: Metropolitan Hospital, Metro Health and, most recently, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health. Each change reflected a significant transition or advancement.

 

“None of the transitions has been more significant than our affiliation with University of Michigan Health,” Hahn said. “Our shared values of caring, innovation, inclusion, integrity and teamwork pay respect to our heritage and set the tone for our future serving West Michigan.”

 

The name change, which will be phased over the next 12 months, reflects not just a closer clinical and operational integration, but also greater alignment in mission, vision and values. The organization’s regional focus will remain governed by a local board of directors.

“The board of directors respects the distinguished history of this organization,” said Metro Health Hospital Board Member Steve Van Andel. “A significant part of that history has been Metro’s ability to innovate while keeping patient care at the forefront. The new name proudly honors that legacy.” 

Medical Moments: Women’s Health

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By Dr. Afriyie Randell
WKTV Community Volunteer

March was Women’s History Month and with that in mind, this is a good time to highlight the everyday women’s journey through healthcare.

Most young women are healthy and are not seen for regular checkups, however even as a young adult routine exam are essential. Same goes for men. By the time you are 18 years of age you should have had one or more encounters with a health care professional to monitor your growth, been seen for a sick visit, or even received a vaccine.

 

You should visit your health care provider from time to time even if you are healthy. The purpose of these visits is to:

1.     Assist you in getting to know your provider just in case you may become ill

2.     Encourage a healthy lifestyle

3.     Screen for Medical concerns

4.     Go over Family and Past Medical history 

5.     Update Vaccinations

6.     Assess your risks for future medical problems

7.     Physical Exam

8.    Obtain routine lab work

These visits could help you to avoid medical conditions such as high cholesterol and diabetes that are often obtained from labs in the early stages without evidence of symptoms. Not to mention high blood pressure is checked regularly at these visits.

 

There are of course more specific times when you should see your provider especially between the ages of 18 and 39.

You may be screened for alcohol misuse as early as 18-years-old with too much drinking being seen as greater than three drinks per day or seven drinks per week.

Screening for mammograms begins at 40, while screening for colon cancer begins at 50 but should be considered sooner if someone in your family has or has had it/

Cholesterol screening should start at 20 if you have known risk factors for heart disease such as smoking, high blood pressure, obesity or family history.

Go to your dentist twice a year or yearly.

Receive a flu shot every year. Also consider the COVID 19 vaccine as well as get up to date with all other vaccines.

Cervical Cancer screenings begin at age 21 and as per provider recommendations thereafter usually ranging from three to five years depending on your age.

Always remember to take good care of your health.

Metro Health opens new office on East Beltline

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Metro Health Beltline is located at 1310 E. Beltline Ave. (Supplied)

By Jamie Allen
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

Metro Health – University of Michigan Health’s newest outpatient office is now open, bringing more services, including heart and vascular specialists, to East Grand Rapids, Cascade and surrounding areas.

Metro Health Beltline, at 1310 E. Beltline Ave. SE, just north of Lake Drive, replaces a smaller clinic on Cascade Road. All the providers from that office are relocating to the East Beltline site, and their phone numbers will not change.

The building’s modern design emphasizes a patient-centered concierge atmosphere. Nurse triage spaces provide convenient access for walk-in patients. The office is equipped with technology that allows self-rooming and self-checkout to reduce patient wait time and promote safety.

“As we enter a new world of healthcare delivery, this office is an example of Metro Health’s commitment to finding new and innovative ways to deliver quality care to our patients,” said Dr. Rakesh Pai, Chief Population Health Officer and President of the Medical Group.

At 30,500 square feet, the office is Metro Health’s largest primary care site. It has the capacity to accommodate up to 20 providers and 55 staff, caring for between 400 and 500 patients a day.

The office’s comprehensive services include family practice, sports medicine, internal medicine, behavioral health and diabetes education. Additionally, with adult and pediatric heart and vascular specialists, patients will have the choice of seeing their cardiologist at the main hospital or the East Beltline location. Heart and vascular services offered include chest x-rays, electrocardiograms (EKG / ECG), stress echocardiogram exercise or medication, graded exercise tests (GXT) and continuous portable telemetry monitoring.

With two patient care levels, the building also includes on-site x-ray and laboratory services. The office is open 7am to 5pm weekdays, with walk-in visits accepted. Call 616-252-1500 or visit Metro Health’s website for more information.

“We’re all looking forward to maintaining a relationship with our existing patients in this new location, where they will have convenient access to a wider range of services,” said Dr. Edwin Kornoelje, Metro Health Beltline Site Director. “At the same time, we look forward to adding new patients to the Metro Health family.”