IMAGEFIRST: INNOVATING LINEN MANAGEMENT TO ENHANCE PATIENT CARE AND STAFF EFFICIENCY
Jay Juffre, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff
By Daniel Casciato
In the dynamic world of healthcare, the efficient management of resources is crucial for enhancing patient care and staff productivity. ImageFIRST, a prominent linen and laundry service provider specializing in the medical industry, stands out as a beacon of innovation and reliability.
With a nationwide focus on hospitals and outpatient healthcare facilities, ImageFIRST has established itself as a leader in infection prevention, quality linen management, and patient satisfaction. Their comprehensive linen rental and laundry programs, characterized by a 97% customer retention rate and a hospitality-inspired service level, demonstrate their commitment to being a vendor and an integral extension of the healthcare teams they serve.
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TGH CANCER INSTITUTE RECEIVES $2 MILLION GIFT TO ESTABLISH SARCOMA CENTER AT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL
Innovative, multidisciplinary cancer hub provides accessible, world-class care to all patients with sarcomas and other musculoskeletal cancers.
Tampa, FL – January 3, 2024 – Tampa General Hospital (TGH) has received a $2 million gift to establish the TGH Cancer Institute Sarcoma Center. The new center is committed to the diagnosis, treatment and research of sarcoma, a cancer of the bone and connective tissue.
The generous donation made by Pathmanath “Phil” Desilva will enable the academic health system to develop a center focused solely on the treatment and care of all subtypes of sarcoma. Desilva was inspired by the vision and innovative work being done at the TGH Cancer Institute, particularly by Dr. Victoria Rizk, a medical oncologist and clinical director of the Sarcoma Center. She has been leading the development of the Sarcoma Center.
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UPDATED NEWS INFORMATION FROM THE LAST FOUR DAYS IN SOUTH FLORIDA |
2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION PUTS HEALTH CARE AT THE CENTER
By Mary C. Mayhew
Health care is already front and center on lawmakers’ agenda heading into the 2024 legislative session starting Jan. 9. With the unveiling of the omnibus “Live Healthy” health care package in early December, legislative leaders signaled their deep and abiding commitment to advancing a modern, sophisticated health care system to meet the increasing need for health care in Florida.
The first two bills in the Senate President’s healthcare package will be championed by Sens. Colleen Burton and Gayle Harrell, and encompass numerous hospital priorities, including:
$152 million to enhance hospitals’ Medicaid reimbursement rates for labor and delivery.
Authorization of Medicaid reimbursement for Hospital at Home programs.
$170 million for Graduate Medical Education to train and retain the next generation of doctors.
$5 million to expand nurse education capacity through the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) program.
Authorizing clinical psychologists and psychiatric nurses to practice to the fullest extent of their education by repealing and reducing the experience requirements to work in Baker Act facilities.
$750 million over 10 years for a revolving loan program to incentivize innovative health care solutions.
SB 7016 and SB 7018 passed through their first committee unanimously in mid-December, getting the state one step closer to incentivizing innovative health care solutions. The Florida Hospital Association worked regularly with the Senate President and was pleased to see that the bills included initiatives providing Medicaid reimbursement for Hospital at Home programs, increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates for labor & delivery, and making a significant investment in expanding the health care workforce.
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MINIMIZING IMMUNOTHERAPY’S POTENTIALLY HARMFUL SIDE EFFECTS
MIAMI, FLORIDA – January 4, 2024 – Recent advances in treating multiple myeloma, the second most common blood cancer, and other blood malignancies are providing improved outcomes – and hope – to patients worldwide.
But treatment breakthroughs such as the immunotherapy drug teclistamab can lead to potentially lethal side effects, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS).
These potential side effects have necessitated giving immunotherapy drugs in the hospital setting, where patients remain for five to seven days and receive other drugs as needed to quell any immunotherapy complications.
Now, however, new research from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine indicates that providing prophylactic treatment before immunotherapy can significantly reduce the rate of CRS in multiple myeloma patients.
The study, which appears Jan. 4, 2024, in Blood Cancer Discovery, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, could eliminate the need to administer teclistamab and other immunotherapies in hospitals, thereby broadening access to countless more cancer patients.
“In an ideal world, you could pre-medicate patients against CRS and treat them in an outpatient setting,” explained C. Ola Landgren, M.D., chief of the Division of Myeloma at Sylvester and co-corresponding study author. “As a result, there is huge interest in this possibility worldwide.”
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PALMS WEST HOSPITAL KICKS OFF OR EXPANSION WITH A BANG
January 5, 2024 – HCA Florida Palms West Hospital held a “board breaking ceremony” to celebrate the beginning of its $22M expansion of the surgical services department. This transformation will add two new Operating Rooms (OR) – including a vascular hybrid room, right-size two current ORs, build out the ambulatory services unit (ASU) and lay the foundation for future OR growth.
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BRENT BURISH NAMED CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER HCA FLORIDA ST. PETERSBURG HOSPITAL
He now serves as CEO for both HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital and HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital
Tampa, FL – January 3, 2024 – HCA Healthcare West Florida Division is pleased to announce that Brent Burish has been named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital effective today. Burish had been serving as Interim CEO for the facility since September 25, 2023 while continuing as CEO of HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital. He will now serve as CEO for both St. Petersburg hospitals.
“Brent has been instrumental in laying the groundwork for St. Petersburg Hospital’s ongoing growth and success in the coming year,” said Jyric Sims, president of HCA Healthcare West Florida Division. “His passion for quality, growth and community involvement are driving stability and aligning strategies across our south Pinellas market.”
Burish has more than 17 years healthcare leadership experience joining Pasadena Hospital as CEO in August 2022. Burish completed a $10 million renovation project and has been a strong advocate for community engagement, serving on the Board of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce and the Pinellas County Emergency Management Medical Control.
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CAPE CORAL HOSPITAL’S INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (ICU) EXPANSION COMPLETED AND PREPARING TO OPEN FOR SERVICE
Growth of the ICU Increases Access to Critical Care for the Cape Coral Community
Cape Coral, Fla. – January 5, 2024 — Lee Health’s Cape Coral Hospital has expanded to 34 patient beds in the ICU. It has also increased its dialysis from four to six units.
The expanded ICU will bring more options for critical care to the growing Cape Coral population and beyond. The expansion added 11,190 square feet of vertical space over an existing MRI and ultrasound area.
In addition to adding 12 ICU rooms and staff support areas with a tie-in to the existing second floor, there will be a first-of-its-kind HVAC pandemic mode that allows the new addition to become its own negative pressure wing, expanding isolation patient space in the event of a widespread infectious disease occurrence.
“Cape Coral has been growing at a rapid pace and this expansion is a longtime coming. We are pleased to be able to provide more access to critical, lifesaving care to support the Southwest Florida community,” said Dr. Larry Antonucci, president and chief executive officer of Lee Health. “There is nothing more important than access to quality, compassionate healthcare for our friends, neighbors and loved ones.”
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LEE HEALTH FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES BOARD OF TRUSTEES
FORT MYERS, Fla. – January 2, 2024– Lee Health Foundation has announced its board of trustees. Returning trustee Joseph R. Catti will continue to serve as chairperson.
Catti is chairman and chief executive officer of FineMark National Bank and Trust and FineMark Holding, Inc. He is a graduate of Florida International University and has been a FineMark Director since 2006. Catti has received the Lee County Philanthropist of the Year award in the area of fundraising, the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen of the Year award for Lee and Collier Counties, was selected as one of Gulfshore Life Magazine’s Men and Women of the Year in 2010 and was inducted into Junior Achievement’s 2015 Business Hall of Fame for Lee County.
Trustees help guide philanthropic initiatives for Lee Health Foundation. Since 1995, the Foundation, its supporters and trustees have made it possible for Lee Health to serve a growing community with comprehensive medical services close to home.
“We count on and are grateful for the guidance and support of leaders throughout Southwest Florida to help the foundation support the growth of nonprofit Lee Health to meet the needs of the community,” said Chris Simoneau, Lee Health’s chief development, marketing and communications officer. “Philanthropic support is critical for developing and enhancing Lee Health’s cancer, heart and musculoskeletal institutes, as well as developing and expanding services in Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Naples and other areas as Southwest Florida grows.”
Returning to their roles are Dr. James W. Orr, Jr. as vice chairperson, Dominic Cameratta as treasurer and Jenny Gezella as secretary.
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FORT MYERS, FL ALZHEIMER’S EVENT USES LUMINARIES TO REMEMBER, AND HONOR THOSE LIVING WITH OR CARING FOR A PERSON WITH A DEMENTIA-RELATED DISORDER
January 4, 2024 – Every year, a powerful message is delivered at one of Southwest Florida’s most emotionally impactful and visually inspiring events to help raise awareness for dementia-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
The 2024 event will be held on January 18th at Bell Tower shops in Fort Myers when the Dubin Center welcomes family and friends who want to remember or honor an individual with Alzheimer’s disease. “A Light to Remember”, now in its 26th year, is sponsored by local philanthropist, Ellie Fox. Mrs. Fox sponsors the event each year in remembrance of her late husband, Edward Fox, for whom she took close and attentive care for 26 years after he was diagnosed at age 55 with early onset Alzheimer’s.
A special performance will be given by the Intermezzo Choir, the only known program of its kind in Southwest Florida serving individuals with dementia. Active participation allows for some much-needed camaraderie for participants and respite for care partners. After a special ceremony, as the suns sets, the luminaries will light up the Bell Tower Center Court.
Florida is home to one of the fastest-rising rates of Alzheimer’s dementia. The 2023 Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures from the Alzheimer’s Association projects that nearly 750,000 people in Florida will have Alzheimer’s dementia by 2025.
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CULLEN BROWN NAMED AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT HCA FLORIDA POINCIANA HOSPITAL
New CEO named for 94-bed HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital, serving Osceola and Polk counties
Poinciana, FL – January 3, 2024 – HCA Florida Healthcare announced today the appointment of Cullen Brown as chief executive officer of HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital, effective December 29, 2023. In his new role, Brown will oversee the 94-bed acute care hospital in Poinciana, which has served Osceola and Polk counties for more than 10 years. Brown has more than a decade of experience in healthcare, having served in various leadership roles at HCA Healthcare.
“Cullen is a leader of great integrity with a strong commitment to fostering a culture of caring like family for our patients and colleagues,” said Brian Cook, president, HCA Healthcare North Florida Division. “We are excited to welcome Cullen and his family to Florida and I have every confidence he and the team at HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital will continue our company’s legacy of caring like family for our colleagues, patients and our communities in Central Florida for years to come.”
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DR. ASHIN SHIVAKUMAR JOINS HCA FLORIDA TRINITY HOSPITAL AS CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
January 3, 2024 – HCA Florida Trinity Hospital has named Ashwin Shivakumar, MD, MSPH, FACP, SFHM, CPE chief medical officer for HCA Florida Trinity Hospital.
Dr. Shivakumar has 15 years of hospital clinical experience along with 12 years of progressive leadership experience with hospital operations. He has spent the past 14 years with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in Washington serving as a hospitalist physician, lead hospitalist physician, associate regional medical director for hospital medicine and for the past six years as division director of inpatient services. During this time he improved provider satisfaction, increased team clinical productivity, decreased annual staff turnover and championed the establishment of a medicine residency program. Dr. Shivakumar also served as the chair of the National Hospital Medicine Clinical Council with Commonspirit Health where he led leaders representing about 140 acute care facilities.
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CHRONIC DISEASE SELF-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM “IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU”
Fort Myers, Fla. – January 4, 2024— Lee Health’s “It’s All About You,” Chronic Disease Self-Management Program” a Self- Management Resource Program with the SMRC is offering a research based Chronic Disease Self-Management program for the community.
The program is designed for people 18 years of age or older with chronic health conditions to help them learn ways to better manage their chronic conditions and the symptoms that often accompany chronic health conditions. Participants will receive a complimentary copy of the book, “Living a Healthier Life with Chronic Conditions.”
The workshop is held once a week for 6 weeks and it is FREE.
Workshop will be offered on:
Thursdays beginning Feb. 1, from 1-3:30 p.m. in person held at CSS Training Room
4211 Romeo Lane, Fort Myers
For more information or to register, please call 239-424-3121.
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HSS STUDY REVEALS CONCERNING LINK BETWEEN GROWTH HORMONE THERAPY AND GROWTH PLATE FRACTURES IN CHILDREN
Parents and Physicians Should Discuss this Potential Complication of Growth Hormone Treatment for Active Children and Adolescents
January 4, 2024- Human growth hormone has long been used to treat certain medical conditions in children. New research from surgeon-scientists at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) shows that there may be a previously unknown complication.
The HSS investigators found that the odds of taking human growth hormone therapy were 15 times higher among children who experienced a fracture to the growth plate of the upper shinbone compared with a matched comparison group who experienced midshaft tibia fractures, according to a new study published December 21 in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.
In children, human growth hormone therapy has been used for decades to treat growth hormone deficiency due to underlying medical conditions such as Turner syndrome, very small weight at birth, Prader-Willi syndrome and chronic renal insufficiency. However, in 2003, its use became more widespread in children, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it for the treatment of short stature with no known cause, called idiopathic short stature.
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SEMAGLUTIDE ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER RISK OF SUICIDAL IDEATIONS COMPARED TO OTHER TREATMENTS PRESCRIBED FOR OBESITY OR TYPE 2 DIABETES
NIH-funded analysis finds patients treated with semaglutide had 49% to 73% lower risk of suicidal ideation than those given other medications
January 5, 2023 – Semaglutide, a highly popular medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat obesity and manage type 2 diabetes, was associated with a 49% to 73% lower risk of first-time or recurring suicidal ideations compared to other medications for controlling obesity and type 2 diabetes that work via different mechanisms. These findings provide evidence that semaglutide – which helps regulate appetite and insulin levels by targeting glucagon-like peptide 1 receptors (GLP1R) in the body – does not appear to increase the risk of suicidal ideation, contrary to the claims of some anecdotal reports. Published today in Nature Medicine and paired with a related Research Briefing(link is external), the study(link is external) was co-led by scientists at Case Western Reserve University and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health.
Outside of anecdotal and case reports, this association had not yet been explored by comprehensive studies. Recently, patients prescribed the medication for obesity (brand name Wegovy) or type 2 diabetes (brand name Ozempic), have anecdotally reported suicidal ideations resulting from semaglutide, and this has spurred European regulatory agencies(link is external) to investigate this potential association.
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INTERVIEW WITH DR RACHEL DOCEKAL, CEO OF THE HANLEY FOUNDATION
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PHYSICIAN DISABILITY INSURANCE – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW – PART 1
PRESENTED BY EDWARD DABDOUB, J.D., MBA MANAGING PARTNER WITH DABDOUB LAW FIRM, DISABLILITY INSURANCE & ERISA ATTORNEYS WITH HOWARD WOLKOWITZ, PARTNER WITH LIFEINSUREASSURE.COM AND HOSTED BY CHARLES FELIX, CPA, PUBLISHER OF SOUTH FLORIDA HOSPITAL NEWS & HEALTHCARE REPORT – DECEMBER 2023
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EXCLUSIVE HOSPITAL LEADERSHIP INTERVIEWS BY SOUTH FLORIDA HOSPITAL NEWS & HEALTHCARE REPORT |
Interview with Dr. Rachel Docekal, CEO of The Hanley Foundation
CLICK HERE interview with K. Scott Wester, FACHE, President & CEO of Memorial Healthcare System CLICK HERE
Interview with John D. Couris who is President and CEO of Florida Health Sciences Center and Tampa General Hospital CLICK HERE
Interview with Shane Strum President/CEO of Broward Health by Charles Felix from South Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report - February 2023 CLICK HERE Interview with Matthew Garner CEO of Broward Health North by Charles Felix from South Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report in February 2023.
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ARTICLES AND ADS FOR THE FEBRUARY 2024 will focus on the following topics:
“Annual Salute to Cardiology”*
“Cardiology & Heart Health Month”
“Education Update – Evolving Opportunities in Healthcare for 2024”
“Malpractice Products & Challenges for 2024”
“Doctor and Healthcare Professional Burn-Out”
“Overlooked Revenue Source – PIP Collections and Other Sources”
“Outsourcing of Services in 2024”
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ANNUAL MEETING AND INSTALLATION DINNER FEBRUARY 15, 2024
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25 BCMA Board of Directors, 6:30 pm via Zoom |
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BCMA AND NSU BOOT CAMP SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024 |
EMERGE AMERICAS PARTNERS WITH JACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM AND UHEALTH – UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI HEALTH SYSTEM – TO DEBUT THE HEALTHTECH INNOVATION HUB
The Hub Will Connect Healthcare Providers, Healthtech Companies and Investors to Drive the Patient Experience of the Future
Miami, FL. – December 12, 2023 – eMerge Americas, the premier technology conference and expo shaping the future of tech, is thrilled to announce its partnership with Jackson Health System and UHealth – University of Miami Health System on the launch of the Healthtech Innovation Hub. The highly-anticipated Healthtech experience will make its debut at the eMerge Americas 2024 Conference and Expo, which takes place on April 18 + 19, 2024 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Jackson Health System and UHealth on the Healthtech Innovation Hub debuting at eMerge Americas 2024. Given the massive acceleration and growth that we have seen in the healthtech sector over the last several years coupled with Jackson and UHealth as innovative leaders in this space, we are certain that this new partnership and initiative will offer an important perspective on the future of healthcare and the important role technology plays in it,” said Melissa Medina, CEO and President of eMerge Americas. “To say we are excited to work together on something like this is an understatement!”
Powered by Jackson Health System and UHealth – University of Miami Health System, this expansive pavilion will highlight the extraordinary intersection of technology and medicine, bringing life to the Patient Experience. Interactive exhibits and thought-provoking content connect healthcare providers, healthtech companies and investors fueling the advancement of health technology to deliver better patient outcomes. The program will feature an exclusive Executive Track for healthcare senior leaders and the Health Hub Theater dedicated to providing expert insights and revolutionary ideas aiming to improve the patient journey.
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JANUARY 3, 2024
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CANNABIS NEWS FLORIDA
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Over 867,000 Patients in Florida are using Cannabis as their Medicine FOR LATEST OMMU REPORTS FROM OFFICE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA HERE Highlights from JANUARY 5, 2024 CLICK HERE FOR PDF OF THE REPORT
BY THE NUMBERS Qualified Patients: (Active ID Card):
Jan 05 2024- 867,072 Dec 29 2023 - 864,816
Dec 22 2023 - 864,662 Dec 15 2023- 863,373
Dec 08 2023- 862,824 Dec 01 2023- 862,155
Patients Added Last Week: 2,256
Qualified Ordering Physicians: 2,748
New Doctors added Last Week: +0 Reporting Period:
Dec 29 - Jan 4 2024 Amount of Medical Marijuana Dispensed - (mgs THC) 306,307,850
Amount of Low-THC Cannabis Dispensed - (mgs CBD ) 2,638,346 -Amount of Marijuana in a Form for Smoking (oz) 102,457.540 Approved Dispensing Locations: 616 Green Dragon - Dayton Beach
Added Last Week: 1 |
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