The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP®) has recognized Ventura County Medical Center as one of 83 ACS NSQIP participating hospitals that have achieved meritorious outcomes for surgical patient care in 2017. As a participant in ACS NSQIP, Ventura County Medical Center is required to track the outcomes of inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures and collect data that assesses patient safety and can be used to direct improvement in the quality of surgical care.

The ACS NSQIP recognition program commends a select group of hospitals for achieving a meritorious composite score in either an “All Cases” category or a category which includes only “High Risk” cases. Risk-adjusted data from the July 2018 ACS NSQIP Semiannual Report, which presents data from the 2017 calendar year, were used to determine which hospitals demonstrated meritorious outcomes. Ventura County Medical Center has been recognized on the “All Cases” Meritorious list.

Each composite score was determined through a different weighted formula combining eight outcomes. The outcome performances related to patient management were in the following eight clinical areas: mortality, unplanned intubation, ventilator, renal failure, cardiac incidents (cardiac arrest and myocardial infarction); respiratory (pneumonia); SSI (surgical site infections-superficial and deep incisional and organ-space SSIs); or urinary tract infection.

The 83 commended hospitals achieved the distinction based on their outstanding composite quality score across the eight areas listed above. Seventy-one hospitals were recognized on the “All Cases” list and 71 hospitals were recognized on the “High Risk” list; the 71 hospitals represent ten percent of the 708 ACS NSQIP participating hospitals for calendar-year 2017.

Fifty-eight hospitals were recognized on both the “All Cases” and “High Risk” lists; 12 other hospitals were on just the “All Cases” list, and 13 other hospitals were on the “High Risk” list only – yielding 83 hospitals in total.

The Ventura Family YMCA is encouraging residents of Ventura to learn their risks for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes and to take preventive steps to potentially reduce their chances of developing the disease.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that more than one in three Americans (84 million people) has prediabetes. Prediabetes is a condition in which a person’s blood glucose is elevated, but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Only 10 percent of those with prediabetes know they have it but with awareness and simple actions, people with prediabetes may prevent the onset of diabetes. Learning how to prevent prediabetes can reduce the chances of getting diabetes even more, making it a slim possibility. Small changes to diets and routines can help save peoples lives.

“As one of the leading community-based charities committed to improving the health of Ventura, the Y wants to all people to understand their risk for prediabetes and steps to take to avoid developing type 2 diabetes,” said Margo Byrne, Chief Operations Officer for the Channel Islands YMCA. “Developing type 2 diabetes impacts the lives of millions of people and their families each year physically, emotionally and financially.”

Individuals can assess their risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes by taking a simple test at YMCA.net/diabetes. Through this assessment, visitors can also learn how lifestyle choices and family history help determine the ultimate risk for developing the disease. Several factors that could put a person at risk for type 2 diabetes include race, age, weight and activity level. If a person is at risk, a diabetes screening conducted by a physician can confirm a diabetes or prediabetes diagnosis.

The Ventura Family YMCA also offers its members Y Fit appointments, three complimentary one-hour sessions with a Y Fit expert. During these appointments, members can discuss health concerns and develop a fitness plan and solutions with their expert in order to meet their specific needs and goals.

One diabetic Y member details their story of transformation, “Since joining the YMCA, I came in at 230lbs, diabetic, insulin dependent and generally unfit. After 18 months, I have dropped 35lbs, lost 6 inches off my waist. I am now insulin free, and my blood pressure is back to normal. I have been coming seven days a week to workout & swim. It has become a new way of life for me.”

Thanks to the Y programs, the people of Ventura Family YMCA are able to improve their heath

Making some basic lifestyle changes that contribute to weight loss and healthy living can decrease the risk for type 2 diabetes. Among these are:

• Eat fruits and vegetables every day.

• Choose fish, lean meats and poultry without skin.

• Aim for whole grains with every meal.

• Be moderately active, getting at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week.

• Choose water to drink instead of beverages with added sugar.

• Speak to your doctor about your diabetes risk factors, especially if you have a family history or are overweight.

Thanks to charitable donations from the community, the Y can continue to offer health programs to individuals and families in need of financial assistance. To learn more about the Ventura Family YMCA’s programs, please contact Sherry Maresca at [email protected] or 642.2131 ext 20.

Tingling and burning sensations in the hands and feet will be the focus of a free seminar Community Memorial Health System seminar.

This condition, known as peripheral neuropathy, affects an estimated 20 million people in the United States. Symptoms can range from numbness and tingling to burning, pricking and even muscle weakness.

At the seminar, Dr. Neda Heidari, who specializes in neurophysiology and neurology, will discuss ways to manage symptoms and help alleviate the discomfort. Dr. Heidari is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and an active member of the medical staff at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura.

The seminar will begin at 6 p.m. on Nov. 8, in the eighth-floor Nichols Auditorium at Community Memorial Hospital, 147 N. Brent St.

Registration is free but reservations are required. To secure reservations, please visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp or call Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006.

CMHS Hosts Free Thanksgiving Program on Nov. 16: “Stories of Life’s Joys & Challenges”

Donations of toys, food, diapers and toiletries also sought for Ventura County charities

How do we cope with the good and bad things we face in life? Everyone must overcome hardships like illness, natural disasters, job loss and the deaths of loved ones.

There are lessons to be learned about recovering and thriving after challenging experiences. At this time of year when people give thanks, Community Memorial Health System is sharing personal and inspiring stories that help teach others how to build resilience, strength and hope during trying times.

“Stories of Life’s Joys and Challenges: A Thanksgiving Program” is a free Ethics in Healthcare event and part of Community Memorial Health System’s 2017 Speaker Series. The program starts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Museum of Ventura County. James Hornstein, M.D., CMHS Bioethics Committee Chair, will serve as moderator.

Attendees are encouraged to bring donations of toys, food, diapers and toiletries for three charity efforts: Ventura County’s FOOD Share food bank; Gabriel’s House, a transitional support organization for women and children; and the Ventura County Fire Department’s Spark of Love toy drive, which collects unwrapped toys for needy local children.

There will be raffles for prizes throughout the evening program, and those who make donations will receive reusable tote bags.

Registration is free but reservations are required. To secure reservations, please visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp or call Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006. Program sponsors are KVTA radio, the Accountable Care Alliance of Ventura, SCAN and Ventura Care Partners Apc.

The tough choices and tradeoffs the United States may have to make to find a workable solution in healthcare will be the focus of a free Ethics in Healthcare event that Community Memorial Health System is holding as part of its 2017 Speaker Series. The seminar starts at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the Museum of Ventura County.

James Hornstein, M.D., CMHS Bioethics Committee Chair, will moderate the latest Ethics in Healthcare event, titled, “How Healthcare Controls Us: Reform Efforts in Uncertain Times.”

In addition to Hornstein, featured speakers will include Gary Wilde, CMHS president and CEO; and Lucien Wulsin, J.D., health policy expert and author of “California at the Crossroads: Choices for Healthcare Reform.” The seminar will address the following topics:

• · Is private insurance becoming unaffordable?
• · Is a single-payer system the solution?
• · Are healthcare costs out of control?
• · Are the health insurance exchanges working?
• · What are your options right now?

Registration is free but reservations are required. To secure reservations, please visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp or call Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006.

What’s the risk of my child getting infected with “super lice,” and what’s the best way to treat them?

by James M. Steckelberg, M.D.The Mayo Clinic

Treatment-resistant head lice aren’t a new problem. Dubbed “super lice,” these lice are simply head lice that are becoming more resistant to the active ingredients in many common head lice treatments.

Unless resistance has been seen in the community, medications containing 1 percent permethrin or pyrethrins should be the first choice of treatment for active lice infestations. It’s important to understand that although some over-the-counter (OTC) treatments may no longer be as effective as they once were, these first line treatments still work the majority of the time when used correctly.

Common reasons head lice treatments may not work include:

Not using the treatment correctly. Reapplying the treatment too soon, too late or not at all may result in continuous infestation. Follow treatment instructions carefully.

Misdiagnosis. What appears to be a lice infestation may actually be dandruff, scabs or clothing fibers. An itchy scalp may be a sign or symptom of dry skin or another skin condition.

Reinfestation. Although you or your child may have been treated correctly, you or your child may become infested again from another infested person.

If the correct use of an OTC treatment has failed and you’re still finding lice and their eggs, your health care provider may prescribe a stronger treatment regimen, as this may be a sign of treatment-resistant head lice.

A number of home or natural remedies are used to treat head lice infestations, but there is little to no clinical evidence of their effectiveness.

For parents looking at alternative treatment methods, the Lice Clinics of America uses a Food and Drug Administration-cleared machine that uses one application of hot air in an attempt to kill head lice and their eggs through dehydration. The machine requires special training and is currently available only at professional lice treatment centers. A regular hair dryer should not be used to accomplish this result as it’s too hot and could burn the scalp. The machine uses air that is cooler than most hair dryers and at a much higher flow rate to kill the lice by drying them out. For more info please visit www.LiceClinice805.com