Continuing Minds

LINCOLN — The University of Nebraska Board of Regents voted Friday to support a $450 million plan to build health-related facilities on the three NU campuses.

The proposal includes a $370 million comprehensive cancer center for the University of Nebraska Medical Center, new nursing instruction facilities at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and University of Nebraska at Kearney and a new veterinary diagnostic laboratory at UNL.

The building proposals have been bundled together as the Building a Healthier Nebraska Initiative, and the Legislature has been asked to provide $91 million from its cash reserve fund to help support the project.

The regents voted 8-0 to approve a resolution urging the Legislature to pass four bills in support of the initiative.

Legislative Speaker Mike Flood warned the regents Friday that it will be March before the Legislature begins to sort out how and whether it will provide funding for the cancer center at UNMC or the other NU construction proposals.

He said the projects have plenty of competition this year including the governors tax plan and a wide array of economic development proposals.

For the first time in four years, we have more projected revenues than we have projected expenses, he said. Thats quite a change.

With money seemingly available, the Legislature has had more sales tax and economic development incentives proposed this year than in any of the eight years Ive been in the Legislature, he said.

But, Flood said, the reality is lawmakers wont make any decisions until after a revenue forecasting board updates its projections for tax receipts in late February, giving lawmakers a better sense of the states bottom line.

Thats going to set the boundaries, he said, adding that at the end of the day every legislator wants to leave Lincoln (at the end of the session) feeling that we took a step forward and that Nebraska will be a better place in 20 years because of what we did this year.

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Take an interactive look at the UNMC proposal.

The Ghana Health Service is set to add a second dose of measles vaccine to the number of vaccines children receive at child welfare clinics to protect them from childhood diseases after recording zero percent in measles-related deaths for the past eight years.

Children receive the first measles vaccine dose at nine months of age but the second dose would be received between ages 18 to 30 months. The date set for commencement is February 1, 2012.

Briefing the press in Accra on the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), Dr. K. O Antwi Agyei, EPI Programme Manager, noted that, the second dose would not be run as a campaign programme but would be institutionalized in such a way that every child who attains age 18 to 30 months should be given the vaccine.

It would be one of the vaccines children receive at welfare clinics (weighing); it therefore has no end. When the child is 18 months, the child would have to receive it at the welfare clinic just like the first dose.

He said, measles vaccine was age related and that the older the child, the better the immunity. He encouraged parents to continue sending their children to weighing till the child is five years to enable them receive all the vaccines that would protect the child from killer diseases.

According to him, the current measles control system in the country allowed for susceptible pile up for four years. The health service therefore conducts measles supplementary immunization programme every four years to mop up the susceptible. The second dose would reduce susceptible and measles-related deaths.

In Ghana, 36 confirmed cases of measles were reported in 2010. If every child in Ghana receives measles vaccine at nine months of age and a second dose at 18 months, not only will there be no deaths due to measles but a drastic decrease in the number of measles incidence and thus reduce measles related illnesses in the country, he stated.

Dr. Antwi Agyei indicated that although Ghana has not recorded any measles-related death since 2003, yet cases of measles keep coming up. The countrys current coverage is above 79%, which means over 20% of the children are not protected against measles resulting in the increases in incidence rate. It is therefore necessary to add a second dose.

Explaining, Dr. Agyei submitted that even though children received the first dose at nine months not all the children were protected. Only 85% of children who received the vaccines were immuned to the disease. The remaining 15% and those who missed the first dose were at risk and need the second dose which would include those who missed the first dose and those who received yet unprotected.

He also indicated that measles was a viral disease which was highly contagious and could spread rapidly in areas where vaccination was not wide spread.

He said incidence of measles was still very common and even epidemic in other parts of the world. He said since the disease was highly infectious, imported cases from other endemic countries could quickly spread, causing outbreaks or epidemics among unvaccinated people and under-vaccinated communities.

The disease mostly affects children. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough loss of appetite, redness of eye and a rash which usually lasts 5-6 days.

The disease if not well treated could cause complications such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, acute encephalitis ear infection, inflammation of the brain, leading to blindness, deafness, malnutrition, permanent brain damage or death.

The Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Joseph Amankwah, noted that the measles mortality rate in younger children are very high than older ones and since the vaccine protected them better when they were older it was better to peg the second dose at an age higher than the first one.

He entreated parents not to relent in sending their children to the child welfare clinics but to continue till the child attained age five to ensure that the children got good health advice from the care givers.

The Minister of Health, Mr. Yieleh Chiereh, who chaired the function, noted that the introduction of the second dose in the Ghana meant the country had achieved the target and therefore we needed to eliminate the disease from our society.

He encouraged CSOs and NGOs whose work was health related to educate women and the general public to ensure that they send their 18 months and above children for the second dose. He also stressed the importance of educating mothers on the need for the second.

In the early 1980s the Ghana Health Assessment Project ranked measles second to malaria in terms of burden of disease, accounting for 7.3% of the healthy days of life lost through illness. Fortunately, with the introduction of the Expanded Programme on Immunization strides have been made in the efforts to reduce deaths due to measles.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT has announced three challenges calling for software developers to design health-related applications, Health Data Management reports.

Information on the three challenges will be posted to ONCs developer challenges website.

EHR Accessibility Challenge

The EHR Accessibility Challenge seeks apps that would help individuals with disabilities obtain easy access to their electronic health record data.

The prizes for the contest are:

• $60,000 for the first place winner;
• $20,000 for the second place winner; and
• $5,000 for the third place winner (Goedert, Health Data Management, 1/26).

The deadline for submissions is July 23 (Barr, Modern Healthcare, 1/26).

Discharge Follow-Up Appointment Challenge

The Discharge Follow-Up Appointment Challenge seeks apps that would help patients make an appointment with their primary care provider after being discharged from the hospital (Mosquera, Government Health IT, 1/26)

The first prize winner will be considered for a partnership with a pilot site and could receive up to $5,000 for a three-day site visit (Health Data Management, 1/26). The deadline for submissions is April 30 (Government Health IT, 1/26)

Health Innovations in Commuting Challenge

ONCs Health Innovations in Commuting Challenge seeks models for improving the health of US commuters through better data collection and analysis. The challenge notes that commuters frequently face health problems such as high cholesterol and recurring neck and back pain (Modern Healthcare, 1/26).

The winner of the contest will present his or her submission at an ONC-hosted webinar and will have opportunities for future collaboration with industry leaders (Federal Register notice, 1/27). The deadline for submissions is March 5 (Modern Healthcare, 1/26).

This week, the Institute of Medicine and the National Academy of Engineering announced a contest aimed at inspiring undergraduate and graduate students to create mobile health applications, Healthcare IT News reports.

Contest Details

The contest, called Go Viral To Improve Health, is the second annual collegiate competition organized by IOM and NAE to encourage students to create online games or other applications to address health-related issues.

Participants must be in teams of two to five members. Each team must include at least one student pursuing a health-related degree and at least one student pursing a degree in computer science, engineering or a related field.

To create their apps, the teams must use data from HHS Health Indicators Warehouse, a massive collection of health data and health indicator sets. Teams can use additional data sources as well.

The apps will be judged on their:

• Design;
• Usability; and
• Integration of public health data.

Teams must register for the contest by Feb. 10, and must submit their apps by 12 pm EST on March 28.

Contest Prizes

The contest is offering $18,000 total in prizes, which includes:

• $10,000 for the first place winner, with a chance to demonstrate the winning app during the Health Datapalooza session of the Health Data Initiative Forum in Washington, DC, in June;
• $5,000 for the second place winner, with a chance to display the app in the Datapalooza exhibit hall; and
• $3,000 for the third place winner, with a chance to display the app in the Datapalooza exhibit hall.

The first place prize is sponsored by the Heritage Provider Network.

Winning teams also can receive up to $1,000 in reimbursement to cover the cost of traveling to the Health Data Initiative Forum (Monegain, Healthcare IT News, 1/25).

Valley City State University announced two new major programs of study that extend the Universitys offerings in health-related fields.

Like many states, North Dakota is facing a shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly in rural areas, said Dr. Steve Shirley, president of VCSU. This is one reason we have been investing in our health-related programs for some time now. In the last 10 years, the number of VCSU students expressing interest and majoring in health-related fields has increased considerably.

The new Medical Laboratory Science major is designed for students who are interested in any of several careers in clinical laboratory science. The program is offered through collaboration with the University of North Dakota; students pursuing this course of study will complete their first three years on the VCSU campus in a curriculum aligned with the UND Clinical Laboratory Science program. A summer program at the UND campus and one year of clinical experience at a medical laboratory in North Dakota complete the program. The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

VCSUs Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in athletic training or related fields. The program is unique in that it involves five semesters of clinical experiences to give students substantial on-field experience prior to graduation. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to become a Certified Athletic Trainer by completing the Board of Certification Exam (in addition to meeting national, district and state requirements). VCSU is currently in the process of seeking accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

Both programs are offered through VCSUs Division of Mathematics, Science and Health amp; Physical Education.

VCSUs most recent addition to its health related majors came in 2004 when the Health Science major was first offered. Like the Health Science major, the new programs are well-suited to students who intend to pursue additional study in graduate or professional programs. Currently, the Universitys Rhoades Science Center is undergoing a major $10.3 million expansion and renovation that will be complete by the Fall semester, 2013.

Valley City State University (VCSU) prepares people for life through visionary leadership and exemplary practices in teaching, learning and service. VCSU is nationally acclaimed for attracting and retaining talented individuals who advance quality learning opportunities and economic growth through technology and innovation.

A bill — SB 810, by Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) — to set up a universal health care system in California stalled in the Senate on Thursday, while the Assembly passed a handful of health-related measures, the Sacramento Bee reports.

Single-Payer Legislation Stalls

The Senate voted 19-15 on the single-payer bill. The measure needed 21 needed to pass. Four Democrats abstained from the vote, and one voted against it (Van Oot/Sanders, Sacramento Bee, 1/27).

Leno said the legislation is needed in part because the federal health reform law is facing judicial review. He added that health care premiums have increased five times higher than the rate of inflation in the last 10 years and that 12 million California residents lacked health insurance at some point last year (McGreevy, “PolitiCal,” Los Angeles Times, 1/26).

Republicans argued that the legislation would increase costs and bureaucracy.

The measure, which does not include funding mechanisms, has been projected to cost $250 billion annually.

Lawmakers have until Tuesday to act on the legislation. However, Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) said he did not think the bill would pass this year (Sacramento Bee, 1/27).

For additional coverage of the Senate vote on the legislation to create a universal health care system in California, see today’s Capitol Desk post.

On Thursday, Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News” reported on the single-payer vote in the Senate (Adler, “KXJZ News,” Capital Public Radio, 1/26).

Senate Passes Chiropractor Measure

Meanwhile, the Senate voted 34-1 to pass SB 352, by Senate Minority Leader Robert Huff (R-Diamond Bar), which would prohibit chiropractors from offering allergy treatment and from advertising that they can treat allergies.

The California Medical Association supports the measure, while the state Board of Chiropractic Examiners and the California Chiropractic Association oppose it.

The bill now moves to the Assembly (AP/U-T San Diego, 1/26).

Assembly Passes Bills To Expand Health Care Services

Meanwhile, the Assembly on Thursday passed several bills designed to expand medical care and mental health services.

Lawmakers approved a measure — AB 154, by Assembly member Jim Beall (D-San Jose) — that would expand mental health care by requiring insurers to cover conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Opponents of the measure argue that it is premature because the state’s health insurance exchange guidelines still are being finalized and that the bill could end up costing the state more over the long term.

The Assembly also voted:

• To approve AB 137, by Assembly member Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge), which would require insurers to cover mammograms for medical needs regardless of a patient’s age (Lin, AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 1/26);
• To pass AB 171, by Beall, which would require health plans to cover developmental disorders such as autism;
• To approve AB 369, by Assembly member Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), which would prevent health plans from requiring a patient to try lower-priced prescription medication before allowing access to a physician-prescribed drug (Sanders, “Capitol Alert,” Sacramento Bee, 1/26); and
• To pass AB 1000, by Assembly member Henry Perea (D-Fresno), which would require insurance companies to cover oral chemotherapy treatments at the same level as intravenous chemotherapy.

The Assembly-approved legislation now moves to the Senate (AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 1/26).

SHELBY — The following Pioneer Career and Technology Center students enrolled in trade, industrial and health-related fields will move on to the regional SkillsUSA skill competition Feb. 17 at Sentinel Career Center in Tiffin. Winners from that contest will advance to state competition April 27 and 28.

Crestline: third, Brian Barnett, junior auto technology; second, Cheyenne Bowman, junior CBI bridge; third, Breona Thorne, junior cosmetology; second, Paul Sloat, junior facilities services; second, Brandon Stump, senior facilities services; first, Brad Burchfield, junior masonry; third, Stephanie Smith, junior media/advertising design.

Crestview: second, John Lyon, senior automotive refinishing; third, Larry Alexander, junior bridge; second, Jon Lower, junior carpentry; first, John Lyon, senior collision repair; first, Holly Stevens, senior health academy, extemporaneous speech; third, Deseree Marshall, junior graphic arts; first, Jonah Eby, junior Health Occupations Knowledge Bowl; first, Crayton Lariscy, senior masonry; first, Caitlynn Henry, senior health academy, medical math; first, Ashley Doggette, senior health academy, medical terminology; first, Nicole Pickworth, senior nurse assisting; second, Lucas Grauer, junior power equipment mechanics.

Galion: first, Austin Tomecko, junior auto technology; second, Kayla Bellew, junior cosmetology; third, Stephany Davis, junior cosmetology; third, Kayla Bellew, junior cosmetology department; first, Stephany Davis, junior cosmetology department; second, Zachary Bocci, junior facilities services; second, Katie Gerber, junior graphic arts; first, Hunter Snyder, senior Health Occupations Knowledge Bowl; first, Sheridan Stall, junior exercise medicine/sports medicine, opening/closing ceremonies; first, Misty Teerman, senior exercise medicine/sports medicine, opening/closing ceremonies.

Lexington: third, Austin Davis, senior auto technology; first, Tyler Reed, senior auto technology; first, Matt Berger, senior automotive refinishing technology; third, Russell Johnston, junior carpentry; third, Matt Berger, senior collision repair; third, Joshua Clark, junior facilities services; first, Sarah Mollica, junior facilities services; first, Taffany Johnson, senior facilities services; first, Paige Stover, junior Health Occupations Knowledge Bowl; second, Eric Bolles, senior home remodeling; first, Lilly Chandler, senior CAD, job interview; third, Colton Hench, junior masonry; second, David Lewis, junior masonry.

Lucas: first, Andrew Spohn, senior carpentry; first, Teddy Newsome, junior criminal justice; second, Katy Butler, senior medical math; second, Cody Harvey, senior power equipment mechanics.

Madison: third, Josh Harvey, senior power equipment mechanics.

Mapleton: second, Ryan Harding, junior CAD technician.

Northmor: first, Ryan Caudill, junior CAD technician; first, Sarah Ruhl, senior CAD technician; first, Jesse Carter, senior criminal justice; first, Amber Wellman, senior media/advertising design; first, Alyssa Fry, senior exercise medicine/sports medicine, opening/closing ceremonies; first, Justin Byrd, senior exercise medicine/sports medicine, opening/closing ceremonies; first, Sarah Ruhl, senior CAD, related technical math; first, Cody Payne, junior tech prep showcase (health science).

Ontario: second, Jacob Kvochick, junior auto technology; third, Amber Mills, junior CAD technician; third, Eric Floyd, senior carpentry; third, Jordan Richards, senior cosmetology; second, Olivia Kleilein, junior cosmetology; first, Bailee Stillion, junior cosmetology; third, Caitlyn Fisher, senior cosmetology; first, Olivia Haun, senior cosmetology; second, Olivia Kleilein, junior cosmetology department; second, Jordan Richards, senior cosmetology department; first, Matt Maraz, senior masonry, job skill demo A; third, Ryan Sewell-Campbell, senior masonry; second, Josh Harvey, senior masonry; second, Eli Dunn, senior media/advertising design; first, Kayla Gray, senior exercise science/sports medicine, opening/closing ceremonies; third, Aaron Kosht, junior power equipment mechanics.

Plymouth: third, Brandon Campo, senior automotive refinishing; second, Austin Hughes, senior CAD; third, Zack Ruch, junior collision repair; second, Brandon Campo, senior collision repair; second, Tricia Porter, senior cosmetology; first, Cassandra LaBove, senior Health Occupations Knowledge Bowl; first, Shelby Coy, senior health academy, job interview; second, Barry Manley, senior related technical math.

Shelby: second, James McKinney, senior auto technology; first, Hunter Kick, junior carpentry; second, Kyle Elliot, senior carpentry; second, Crystalshae Gruhn, senior nurse assisting; first, Emily Eidt, junior exercise medicine/sports medicine, opening/closing ceremonies; first, Brandy Sifferlin, junior exercise medicine/sports medicine, opening/closing ceremonies; first, Mike Rivera, senior power equipment mechanics; first, Ariel Bigelow, senior health academy, prepared speech.

Willard: first, Mike Wilson, senior home remodeling; first, Beth Canankamp, senior health academy, job skill demo open.

Let the healthy living games begin.

Over 2,000 health conscious community members received free health screenings, learned fitness tips and had a final chance to sign up for the Drop It! weight loss and healthy living challenges Saturday at the third annual kick-off health fair held at Daniel Technology Center.

From blood and vision screenings to a moonbounce and other activities for the kids, the Culpeper Regional Health System and Germanna Community College organized over 30 booths and activities that all promoted the programs healthy living goal.

Its exciting to see the community come together and get healthy, said Sandy Boone, Powell Wellness Center director.

The Drop It! challenge last year received national acclaim when the Medical Fitness Association chose the program for the National Programming Innovation award. Boone said she hoped that through attending the event, community members would take away that fitness can be fun. It doesnt have to be the drudgery of running 10 miles on the treadmill.

Mary Gilkey, Dean of Nursing and Health Technology for GCC, said Culpeper businessman, Joe Daniel, was the visionary behind the challenge. For each pound a participant in the challenge loses, Daniel, along with his wife Linda, and CRHS will donate $50 that will be used to fund scholarships for GCC nursing students, equipment and other health-related purposes.

Its all about healthy lifestyle, said Gilkey. Through incorporating activities for children, were showing little kids that this could be part of your lifestyle.

Gilkey said this years community weight loss goal is 5,000 pounds, up about 1,000 pounds from last year.

Germanna Education Foundation director, Michael Catell, said the program brought in about $105,000 last year, and they hope to at least match that total this year.

In the middle of the vendors spread throughout Daniel Technology Center, fitness instructors led group exercises, which community members of all ages participated in. Children enjoyed an outside inflatable play area and a balloon animal stand.

At a booth representing the Culpeper Police Department, community service officer Trey Martin said activities such as sports not only promote health but also keep kids out of trouble.

It keeps their time occupied, said Martin. We need to make sure that theyre safe and that [kids] know right from wrong.

With a record number of attendees at the health fair this year, Boone hopes to not only set a record for community pounds lost, but that the program also encourages people to find a way to make physical activity a part of their life somehow.

Registration for the Healthy Living and Weight loss challenges officially closed at 4 pm Saturday. With prizes such as $1,000 and an iPod Touch on the line, dont be surprised if you see packed gyms and running trails in the coming weeks. Game on.

PALM COAST — Healthcare professionals and service providers were out in force Sunday, but not because of any emergency situation.

The health-related businesses were part of a Health and Fitness Fair at Florida Hospital Flagler.

Florida Hospital Flagler Foundation and Marketing Director John Subers said in a news release that the event was a great opportunity for local residents to learn about the world-class facilities we have right here at home.

The Flagler County facility has invested in robotic surgery as well as cancer, cardio pulmonary, home health, imaging, rehabilitation and hospice care, Subers said.

The hospital is building a 34,000-square foot facility off Palm Coast Parkway set to open in July that will include physician offices, outpatient and lab services and a Womens Center.

A variety of free health screenings and blood pressure checks were available at Sundays event and hospital chefs prepared grilled chicken lunches along with offering free recipes and samples.

Wheels in Motion brought a collector car show to the event to greet visitors.

Speaking at a meeting with the Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO), Alaeddin al-Alwan, here in Tehran on Sunday, Rahimi lashed out at the arrogant powers for imposing restrictions and sanctions on Iran even in health related fields.

He stressed the ineffectiveness of the imposed sanctions, and noted, During the last 32 years (since the victory of the Islamic Revolution) and due to the extensive sanctions (imposed on the country), authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran have focused their efforts on public health and we are now supplying our needs from inside the country.

Alwan, for his part, praised Iran as an active Middle-Eastern country in the field of health and medicine with a good level of expertise in preventing and treating illnesses.

Earlier this month, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stressed Irans high capabilities in medical fields, and added that many people from around the world now choose Iran for receiving medical treatment.

Addressing a conference on medical research here in Tehran, Ahmadinejad said that 30,000 people come to Iran each year to receive medical treatment.

Medical treatment in Iran is safer, more knowledge-based and cheaper, Ahmadinejad stressed, and added, Meanwhile there are many cultural attractions in our country.

Until 8 years ago, many people traveled abroad to receive medical treatment, while now we are accepting guests in some (medical) fields and in fact we have medical tourism, the president underscored.

Iran has taken wide strides in science and technology, particularly in medical and medicinal fields, in recent years.

In a most recent case, Iranian Health Minister Marziyeh Vahid Dastjerdi announced in September that the country would soon start production of 15 types of anti-cancer drugs.