Health and Medicine
A first-time conference designed to “connect & empower” women wherever they are is being organized by a local former nurse. It launches late next month, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
Effective Tuesday, March 8, all Carilion Clinic hospitals will transition to green level restrictions for inpatient visitation. When transitioning from yellow- to green-level visitation, the primary change is permitting two visitors per day for adults during their stay. Previously, they were only allowed one in most cases.
Green visitation allows inpatient visitors with the following guidelines:
- Adult patients are allowed two visitors. If deemed appropriate by the care team, children may visit if accompanied by an adult, and children do not count as visitors.
- Pediatric patients are allowed two visitors over 18 (must be family members).
- Emergency Department patients are allowed two visitors.
- Labor and Delivery patients are allowed two visitors.
- End of life patients are allowed up to four immediate family members.
- Same-day surgery patients are allowed one visitor while being prepped. Once the patient is in their room, two visitors are allowed.
There are no visitors permitted for COVID-19 patients, and shared spaces (bays, waiting areas, etc.) remain visitor-free zones. “A patient’s support system plays a crucial role in their experience, so we are excited to welcome back additional visitors in a limited capacity,” said Patrice M. Weiss, MD, chief medical officer and executive vice president for Carilion. “While green-level visitation is less restrictive, it’s important to note that we remain vigilant against COVID-19. Protections like masking and screening requirements remain in place to keep our patients, visitors and staff safe.”
The health systems serving the Roanoke, Lynchburg and Southside region collectively report that COVID-related hospitalizations are down almost 75% since their late January peak — and ICU patient numbers have fallen more than 80%. Carilion, Center, LewisGale, Sovah Health and Salem VA facilities put the total hospitalization number at 143, and that compares to 538 on January 26. 20 of those patients are under intensive care, down from 110 five weeks ago.
MARCH 4 NEWS RELEASE:
Here are the updated numbers for the Near Southwest Region (which includes Carilion, Centra, LewisGale, Sovah Health, and Salem VA facilities) as of today:
Hospitalized COVID-19 patients: 143
ICU patients: 20
JANUARY 26 NEWS RELEASE:
Here are the updated numbers for the Near Southwest Region (which includes Carilion, Centra, LewisGale, Sovah Health, and Salem VA facilities) as of today:
Hospitalized COVID-19 patients: 538
ICU patients: 116
G Marrano photo
The gift of sound for a recent Virginia Western Community College graduate, who lost her hearing aids several years ago. Markot Thach received new hearing aids today, courtesy of the Miracle-Ear Foundation. She misplaced her previous set of hearing aids and insurance would not cover another pair, so she’s been without for the last few years – lesson learned she says. An audiologist and the local Lions Club referred Markot to the Miracle-Ear Foundation, which has donated hearings aids to more than 18,000 people nationwide since 1990. At the top of her list – listening to music.
Every year Delta Dental conducts a survey on the average cash gift the “Tooth Fairy” leaves for children who have lost a tooth. Like everything else its gone up – to a record $5.36 per tooth, the highest in the survey’s 24 year history says Senior Manager of Corporate Communications for Delta Dental Virginia, Jeremy Butterfield. Monday is “National Tooth Fairy Day.” Butterfield says the event – held twice a year – is also a good reminder to visit the dentist on a regular basis for checkups.
A federal Animal Welfare Act citation over its failure to have direct control of an elephant is reigniting efforts by PETA to “rescue” that elephant from a nearby zoo. WFIR’s Ian Price has more:
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Virginia Children’s Theatre and Tudor House in studio. Clark Palmer photo
For many years now Virginia Children’s Theatre has paused every season from the lighter fare it stages to present a play that tackles a serious subject impacting today’s youth. With suicide the third leading cause of death for youth between 10 and 24 years of age, this year it is teen suicide. Brett Roden, producing artistic director for VCT and Kathleen Thorell, the executive director for Tudor House, founded after the death of Louis Tudor with a mission of Suicide Prevention, education and support, joined us live in studio this morning.
Photo: Virginia Tech
Valentine’s Day seemed like a good time to launch the New River Valley Kindness Challenge, which extends through this Saturday. The New River Health District is a partner, suggesting people smile – even under a mask – be slow to judge, and ask others how they are doing. The YMCA at Virginia Tech and the New River Valley Regional Commission are partnering on the NRV Kindness Challenge this week. Other suggestions: pay it forward by paying for a random person’s coffee, let someone go in from of you in line and pick up litter in a public place. Dr. Noelle Bissell is the health district director:
