HJAR Jul/Aug 2019

44 JUL / AUG 2019  I  Healthcare Journal of ARKANSAS   Healthcare Briefs solution made of one cup of bleach per one gal- lon of water. Home or laundry disinfectant can be used for objects that would be damaged by bleach. Do not use ammonia. Ammonia vapors mixed with bleach vapors create a poisonous gas. Private wells impacted by flooding will need to be tested for total coliforms and E. coli, which are indicators of bacterial contamination in drinking water. Do not drink water from a well until it has been disinfected and tested. Do not turn on the pump before consulting with an electrician, as there is a risk of electrical shock. The ADH Public Health Laboratory is waiving well water testing fees for private well owners impacted by the flood. Contact your local health unit for information about well water testing. Due to the likelihood of a debris-related injury after a flood, it is recommended that all respond- ers and residents make sure that they are up-to- date with the tetanus shot. The Centers for Dis- ease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommends the diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccination (DTaP for those younger than seven; Tdap or Td for those seven years or older) across the lifespan: • Infants and children should receive five doses of DTaP by the time they reach six years of age. • Adolescents should receive a single dose of Tdap between 11 and 12 years of age. • Pregnant women should receive a single dose of Tdap during every pregnancy. • Adults should receive a single dose of Td every 10 years. • Adults who are eligible to receive a Td, but have never had a Tdap, should receive a Tdap. • If you receive a wound, you should still see your doctor as other medicines or treatment may be needed.  Tetanus vaccines are available at local health units and in many doctor’s offices and pharma- cies. There is a local health unit in every county, and a listing can be found at https://www.healthy. arkansas.gov/health-units.  Arkansas Travelers Host ‘Strike Out Stroke Night’ To help Arkansans learn how to survive stroke, the Arkansas Travelers held “Strike Out Stroke Night” in partnership with the University of Arkan- sas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) stroke program. A helicopter will bring Sanjeeva Onteddu, MD, a UAMS stroke neurologist, to North Little Rock’s Dickey-Stephens Park delivered baseballs for the game’s first-pitch ceremony. Stroke survivors were recognized on the field, and UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, MD, MBA, and one survivor, Timothy Raines of Arkadelphia, threw the first pitches. Volunteers provided stroke education and toss brain-shaped stress toys into the stands. A vol- unteer selected from the stands participated in a card game about stroke symptoms and win prizes. UAMS Medical Center in July became the first and only healthcare provider in Arkansas to be certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. The Joint Commission is an independent, not- for-profit organization that evaluates and accred- its more than 20,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States. “Achieving Comprehensive Stroke Center des- ignation places UAMS among the top stroke cen- ters in the country that have the resources and highly skilled health care teams with advanced training to handle the most complex stroke cases,” Patterson said. Arkansas ranks seventh in the nation in stroke death rates after many years in first place. Surviv- ing a stroke is becoming more likely as more com- munity hospitals join the UAMS  Arkansas Stroke Assistance through Virtual Emergency Support (AR SAVES) network. The program uses a high- speed video communications system to help pro- vide immediate, life-saving treatments to stroke patients 24 hours a day. The real-time video com- munication enables a stroke neurologist to evalu- ate whether emergency room physicians should use a clot-busting blood thinner within the criti- cal three-hour period following the first signs of stroke.  “Events like Strike Out Stroke are an impor- tant part of UAMS’ mission — reaching out to other areas of the state and helping local phy- sicians identify patients with stroke and improve the patients’ outcomes,” said Renee Joiner, AR SAVES director. “The Travelers have been a stead- fast partner over the years in helping us do that.” The AR SAVES program is a partnership of the UAMS Institute for Digital Health & Innovation, the state Department of Human Services and 55 Arkansas hospitals. Nurse Residency Class at Northwest Health Holds Graduation Ceremony A graduation ceremony for the first RN Resi- dency Class at Northwest Health was recently held at Northwest Medical Center-Springdale. Eighteen nurses will graduate from the program. “We are dedicated to providing an excellent learning and development experience,” said Debbi Neece, RN, nurse residency coordinator. “RN residents are supported by a team of lead- ers who are generous with their knowledge and experience. The 12-month program includes Strike Out Stroke Night Pictured at the event are UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, MD, MBA, stroke survivor Timothy Raines (on right), and UAMS personnel who work with the stroke program.