Healthcare

Press release:

This flu season is shaping up to be one of the worst in decades – with the Centers for Disease Control already reporting widespread outbreaks in many states.

While anyone can get the flu, seniors are especially susceptible to the virus and are at greater risk for serious flu-related complications that can lead to hospitalization and even death. Ninety percent of flu-related deaths and more than half of flu-related hospitalizations occur in people age 65 and older.

“The flu can be very dangerous for seniors, so we are concerned about this recent outbreak,” said Jeff Huber, president of Home Instead, Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care® franchise network. "We encourage seniors and their families to take extra precautions to protect themselves from the virus.”

To fight the flu, senior care experts recommend the following:

Get a Flu Shot: Experts strongly encourage all seniors and those in frequent contact with seniors to get vaccinated if they haven’t already done so. Medicare covers one vaccine per flu season.

Highline Public Schools press release:

Highline High School (HHS) will turn red on Dec. 14 when Pirate fans hold their first “Red Out” in the spirit of raising awareness about heart disease, our nation’s No. 1 killer, and raising donations for the American Heart Association (AHA).

The Red Out will be held during the Quad basketball games versus Renton High School from 3:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at the HHS Main Gym.

Leadership Class students at Highline have organized and are leading this event.

“Heart disease is a growing issue that almost no one hears about,” said senior Austin Sita, ASB treasurer and organizer of Red Out. “The Red Out gives us a chance to raise awareness among students and our community about heart disease.”

Students, players, cheerleaders, and fans will all wear red for the game.

The Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department will offer free blood pressure checks from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The AHA will bring dummies so that attendees can practice hands-only CPR, and two Highline staff members will speak at half-time about their experiences with heart disease.

Press release:

Whether you deep fry the bird or stuff the turkey, cooking together for Thanksgiving is a family tradition. But that very tradition (cooking) is the #1 cause of accidents over the Thanksgiving Holiday.

That’s why urgent care centers like Doctors Express, the first ever national franchise of urgent care, expects a huge hike in patients over this holiday week.

Doctors offices are typically closed over weekends and you can wait for hours at the ER. Urgent Care centers like Doctors Express are open 7-days-a-week . 


Here are the
Top 5 Thanksgiving Injuries (and Tips To Prevent Them):

• Burns
 Avoid wearing lose clothes. A dangling sleeve can easily catch fire.
 Make ovens a “Kid Free Zone” 
 Keep pot handles toward the back burners to reduce risk of knocking pots over.


• Food Poisoning

Press release:

On Saturday, Oct. 13th, Highline Medical Center Foundation held their Annual To Your Health! Gala & Auction at the SeaTac Hilton & Convention Center.

The gala raised over $306,000 for programs and services at Highline Medical Center. Presented by BECU, this year’s event had over 350 Foundation supporters and community members attending.

Local resident, sports radio announcer and the voice of the WNBA Champion Seattle Storm, Dick Fain was emcee for the evening. Guests enjoyed live jazz music and had the chance to bid on exciting one-of-a-kind experiences.

The amount raised supports innovative treatments and a broad range of health care services, including a cardiac initiative that will reach hundreds of thousands of community residents.

Highline Medical Center Foundation would like to thank everyone who attended for their generosity and support. Also, thanks to the sponsors who helped make this event possible.

For more information about the Foundation, please go to www.SupportHighline.org.

Press release:

Volunteers are urgently needed to advocate on behalf of vulnerable adults living in long-term care facilities in the Burien, Tukwila, Des Moines and SeaTac communities.

These volunteers work to ensure the dignity, civil rights, and well-being of elderly and disabled adults living in Nursing Homes, Boarding Homes, and Adult Family Homes. The four-day Washington State Certification Training for new volunteers is Nov 13, 26, 27, 29, 8 a.m.-5pm daily.
As a volunteer ombudsman, you'll join approximately 400 other ombudsmen across the State of Washington making regular visits to long-term care facilities to meet with residents and their families, providing information on resident rights and working to resolve problems on behalf of residents. Ombudsman services are completely free.

Volunteers must attend the initial training to get state certified, and then must devote 4 hours/week to visit and monitor assigned facilities. Ongoing training is provided as needed.

Press release:

Highline Medical Center recently received certification as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission.

The Joint Commission is an independent organization that accredits and certifies healthcare programs throughout the U.S. The certification program was developed in collaboration with the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to ensure best practices in stroke treatment. Certification is a symbol of quality based upon stringent performance standards.

795,000 Americans are affected by stroke every year and it is the number one preventable cause of disability. To be eligible for certification, a hospital must meet national standards including staffing by qualified medical professionals trained in stroke care and a comprehensive stroke-focused program that provides individualized care to meet stroke patients’ needs.

Press release:

Premier chiropractic seminar and consulting company The Masters Circle (TMC) has announced that its 2012 Chiropractor of the Year is Dr. Aaron Collins of Collins Chiropractic Burien, WA.

If you want to find out more about Collins Chiropractic, please go to http://www.burienwellness.com or call 206.242.0998.

This prestigious award recognizes a doctor of chiropractic for their professionalism, integrity, clinical competence, personal growth, practice growth and outstanding achievement in the profession.

The audience which consisted of doctors of chiropractic, chiropractic assistants, nutritionists, other wellness professionals (including personal trainers, acupuncturists, physical therapists and massage therapist) chiropractic college presidents, dignitaries of the profession, his all-star team and his father, who is also a chiropractor, cheered endlessly as their colleague and friend made a gracious acceptance speech filled with passion and emotion.

Seattle Children’s Hospital, Public Health - Seattle & King County (PHSKC), and Healthy King County Coalition (HKCC) today announced the receipt of a two-year, $3.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Areas of focus include the cities of Auburn, Burien, Des Moines, Kent, North Highline, Renton, SeaTac and Tukwila, and the Seattle neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Georgetown and South Park. This area has a combined population of more than 479,000.

The Community Transformation Grant (CTG) will fund Seattle Children’s Hospital and its partners to work collaboratively with youth, families and communities in South Seattle and South King County on obesity prevention and tobacco control, particularly among youth.

Administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the CTG program is a comprehensive community health improvement initiative launched in 2011 and funded through the Affordable Care Act’s Prevention and Public Health Fund. CTG funds support public health efforts to reduce chronic diseases, promote healthier lifestyles, reduce health disparities and control health care spending in small communities.

Press release:

King County residents can dispose of their unwanted and expired medicines anonymously and at no cost at a nationwide drug “take-back” day on Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There are 22 take-back collection sites in King County currently with more expected by the day of the event. To find a location go to www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/.

Collection sites in the Highline area are SeaTac City Hall, 4800 S. 188th St., Bartell Drugs parking lot at 21515 Pacific Hwy. S, from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m, and Bartell Drugs parking lot at 27055 Pacific Hwy. S. from 2-6 p.m.

This one-day event is coordinated by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and participating local law enforcement agencies.

About 30 percent of prescription and over-the-counter medicines sold go unused. Unused prescription drugs too often fall into the hands of children and teens, where they cause poisonings and deaths. In fact:

Prescription drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the country.

By Gwen Davis

Normandy Park experienced a wave of drama recently when several residents complained that the California-based Hanbleceya – a company serving individuals with mental illness – opened treatment facilities in their neighborhood.

The five homes Hanbleceya either bought or rented house individuals with mental illness and drug addiction issues.

However, rumors that the company will soon expand their facilities to Burien and Des Moines are unfounded.

“I don’t have any knowledge of that happening here,” said Mike Martin, Burien city manager. “I am aware of the general issue and we’re monitoring it.”

Des Moines Assistant City Manager Lorri Ericson gave a similar statement: “We are not aware they have any plans at this time.”

Dr. Ian Wolds, clinical director at Hanbleceya said plans for expansion is a nonissue.

“We will not be opening any treatment facilities in Burien or Des Moines,” Wolds said. “The only facility in the Seattle area is in the Normandy Park Towne Center… We have no specific plan to buy or rent houses in either of these areas as our needs are being fully met.”