Monday, November 14, 2011

Should Your Son Get Vaccinated Against HPV? Some facts about the controversial topic...


Nassau University Medical Center
2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, NY 11554
www.nuhealth.net     516-572-5809
 * * * Press Release ***
 
On October 25 the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to recommend that males ages 11 to 21 should be vaccinated against the human papilloma virus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States.
The vaccine was first approved in 2006, was previously recommended for girls and young women between 11 and 26. Now, both boys and girls are encouraged to be vaccinated.
A recent article by Steven J.Walerstein, NuHealth’s Medical Director, explained the importance of the vaccine for both girls and boys.
Dr. Walerstein said:
“Up to 80% of sexually active people will be exposed to HPV at some point in their life, and be at risk for infection of their penis, anus, mouth or throat. Most will overcome the infection with no long term effects, but in some people the infection leads to cellular damage which may lead to cancers of the cervix, vagina and anus in women and cancer of the penis and anus in men. Recent evidence has linked HPV infections with throat cancers in both sexes as a result of oral sex; a study this month found 70% of ‘oropharyngeal’ cancers are related to HPV infection.”
There is currently no test, treatment or cure for HPV in men. Condom use may lower the chance of HPV infection, but are not 100% effective. Because HPV is so common and usual invisible to the infected patient, the only sure way not to get it is to not have sexual contact.
Dr. Walerstein continued, saying that the HPV vaccine only “protects against new infections; it has no effect on established infections. That is why it is recommended vaccination be given at age 11 or 12, before sexual activity has begun. The protocol is a series of three shots (the second 1-2 months after the first and the third 6 months after the first). It is very safe and effective, with no serious side effects.”
Unfortunately, the HPV vaccine has become politicized. Although some believe vaccinating pre-teens for a sexually transmitted disease may encourage early sexual behavior, there is no evidence for this. More recently, a presidential candidate claimed that the vaccine was associated with a risk of subsequent mental retardation. “This was unfortunate and irresponsible as there is so such link,” says Dr. Walerstein.
Parents need to discuss whether their children should receive the HPV vaccination with their pediatrician, and make a decision based on his/her medical advice. 

For more information on human papilloma virus, go to the CDC website at: www.cdc.gov/hpv/WhatIsHPV.html. For more information from Dr. Walerstein, click HERE.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Medical Intensive Care Unit at NUMC Reaches a Milestone!


Nassau University Medical Center
2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, NY 11554
www.nuhealth.net     516-572-5809
 * * * Press Release ***
 
The multidisciplinary patient care team of the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Nassau University Medical Center has reach a milestone in patient care, with the unit celebrating one year without central line associated blood stream infection, reported President/CEO Arthur Gianelli. 

Gianelli congratulated the department, stating “Congratulations to the NUMC’s MICU team upon achieving such an important milestone in eliminating central line associated blood stream infections over the entire year for our MICU patients. It is quite an accomplishment… The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) reports that 48% of ICU patients have central venous catheters and that the case fatality rate for catheter-related BSIs approaches 20%. This equates to between 3,000 – 4,000 U.S. patients annually dying due to blood stream infections. NUMC adopted the use of the IHI Central Line Bundle elements to achieve compliance and decrease blood stream infections.”

Kathy Skarka, NuHealth’s chief nursing officer, added: “We are so proud of our MICU staff for championing such a successful initiative for the benefit of our patients. Five components of central line care were determined to be critical to this initiative: staff competency, appropriateness of central line site, duration of central line placement, access for blood draws, and line maintenance.”

To read the entire press release, click HERE. For more information on NuHealth, visit NuHealth.net.

Monday, November 7, 2011

NuHealth Takes Care of Man Suffering Severe Injuries After Firey Crash on the Southern State Parkway


Nassau University Medical Center
2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, NY 11554
www.nuhealth.net     516-572-5809
 * * * Press Release ***
 
NuHealth’s state-of-the-art Emergency Department has a staff of dedicated physicians, nurses and other medical specialists who understand that the day you arrive at the ER is likely to be one of the worst days of your life. 

Alexie Schramm, 34 of Queens, was rushed to NuHealth’s Emergency Department after his Lexus SUV slammed into the Meadowbrook Parkway bridge on the Southern State Parkways in North Merrick on Friday, November 4th around 11:30am. He was trapped inside the vehicle when it caught fire, (LIHerald).

“A state trooper and a highway worker reportedly put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher. North Merrick volunteer firefighters were at the crash site in minutes,” reports the LI Herald. The volunteer firefighters along with rescue workers from the Nassau County Police Department and Emergency Service Unit, “needed a half-hour” to remove Schramm from the car (LIHerald). 

After being rushed to NuHealth’s Emergency Department, he was listed in critical condition. Schramm sustained “severe injuries to his face, as well as broken legs and internal injuries,” reported Newsday

“We can’t figure out why he went off the road,” said State Tropper Wallace Gray to Newsday

Shelley Lotenberg, Hospital spokeswoman, told reporters that Schramm was “in the intensive care unit in critical but stable condition,” (Newsday).

Friday, November 4, 2011

Dr. Krishan Kumar of NuHealth Receives Congressional Certificate of Merit

Nassau University Medical Center
2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, NY 11554
www.nuhealth.net     516-572-5809
 * * * Press Release ***

Nassau University Medical Center’s Krishan Kumar has received a Congressional Certificate of Merit from Congressman Peter King on October 30, 2011. The honor has been bestowed upon NuHealth’s Director of Pediatric Emergency in recognition of his community service and leadership in SAPC.

In a recent press release, Dr. Steven J. Walerstein, executive vice president for medical affairs and medical director at NuHealth said “Congratulations to Dr. Kumar upon receiving the Congressional Certificate of Merit from Congressman King. It is a well-deserved award and a testament to Dr. Kumar’s commitment to community service and to excellent patient care for NUMC’s patients.”

Dr. Kumar said, “I am honored and proud to have been selected by Congressman King for this prestigious award.  I am deeply committed to quality patient care and to the good work performed by SAPAC on representing the perspective of the millions of South Asian-Americans and their heritage.”

To read the FULL PRESS RELEASE, click HERE.