CDPH Offers Food Safety Tips for Holiday Feasts

With the holiday season fast approaching, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Ron Chapman today reminded consumers about the importance of safe food handling to prevent foodborne illness.

“Bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and others can be present in foods, such as meat and poultry, and can cause illness due to insufficient cooking, inadequate cooling and improper food handling practices,” Chapman said.  “Properly prepared and handled foods can assure us all a safe meal every day of the year.”

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations, and 3,000 deaths annually in the United States are related to foodborne diseases.

Foodborne diseases can be prevented by simple safety steps in the kitchen. Wash hands with soap and warm water before and after food preparation, and especially after handling raw foods. Clean all work surfaces, utensils and dishes with hot soapy water and rinse with hot water after each use. Be sure to cook foods thoroughly and to refrigerate adequately between meals. Consumers can find more information about food safety tips on the CDPH’s website. 

Bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 are responsible for many foodborne illnesses, caused by eating contaminated foods. Contamination usually occurs as a result of poor food handling practices at the farms, factories, restaurants or homes.

Symptoms of foodborne disease include fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea which may be bloody. Most infected people recover from foodborne illnesses within a week. Some, however, may develop complications that require hospitalization. Young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with a weakened immune system are at highest risk for potentially life-threatening complications.

Additional resources for information on food safety include the Federal Food and Drug Administration Food Information line at 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854). Consumers can also access the national Partnership for Food Safety Education’s “Fight BAC” (bacteria) Web page.

Sutter Amador Hospital Certified as “Kid-Qualified”

JACKSON - Sutter Amador Hospital (SAH) in Jackson has been rated as “Kid-Qualified” by Valley Emergency Physicians (VEP), the physician group practice that provides emergency services at SAH and 35 hospitals in California and across the country. SAH’s Emergency Department treats approximately 3,000 children each year.

SAH received the “Kid-Qualified” certification on November 11, 2013, after a rigorous confirmation process that required the Emergency Department to demonstrate availability of a multitude of pediatric services, as well as substantial quality and safety measures for children. This includes incorporating best practice guidelines established by the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Emergency Nurses Association for the care of pediatric patients in emergency departments.

“This certification validates all of our hard work,” says Paul Beatty, M.D., Emergency Department medical director at SAH. “It demonstrates to the community that our physicians and nurses are fully prepared to serve the community and provide outstanding pediatric care.”

Ronald Dieckmann, M.D., VEP Director of Pediatrics and Professor Emeritus of Pediatric and Emergency Medicine for the University of California, San Franciso and Rob Wyman, M.D., VEP Vice President of Quality presented the certification to Anne Platt, SAH CEO at a recent ceremony at the hospital. “We’re honored to receive this recognition,” says Platt. “As a mother, I know how anxious a parent feels when their child is in the emergency room. This certification will provide an extra level of comfort to parents who bring their young ones to our Emergency Room—they’ll know they are in good hands.”

SAH’s Emergency Department has implemented a number of innovative treatment methods, such as a rapid method of pain relief for children presenting with painful conditions like burns, fractures and cuts. Children tend to be uneasy around needles, so the staff at SAH is trained to administer powerful pain killers through a special syringe that aerosolizes the medication into the nose without the need for an injection or IV needle stick.

“Our goal is to be an ‘ouchless ER’”, says Nancy Leland, R.N., Emergency Department Manager, who helped lead the hospital’s campaign to become “Kid-Qualified”.

Another cutting-edge innovation now in the ED is a powerful software database called PEMSoft. Time is of the essence in an emergency and this database allows doctors and nurses to instantly access vital diagnostic and treatment information on over 1,000 conditions. “PEMSoft helps reduce the possibility of error when treating patients and this is especially important when treating young patients,” adds Dr. Beatty. “The highly graphic software program is part of a national trend toward physician use of easy-to-access, computerized medical information to assist in the care of complex, critical patients.”

Sutter Amador Hospital is proud to be certified as “Kid-Qualified”. “This reflects our ongoing commitment to compassion, collaboration and creativity. We strive to provide the best possible care to all our patients—and our young patients hold a special place in all our hearts,” continues Platt. 

PHOTO:

Pictured left to right:

Back Row - SAH ED Physician Kurt Popke, M.D., VEP Vice President of Quality Rob Wyman, M.D., SAH ED Physician Drew Hood, M.D., SAH ED Physician Ron Hood, M.D., SAH ED Physician Brad Chew, M.D., SAH ED Physician Shawn Brady, M.D.

Front Row – SAH CEO Anne Platt, SAH ED Director Nancy Leland, VEP Director of Pediatrics Ronald Dieckmann, M.D., SAH ED Medical Director Paul Beatty, M.D.

Sutter Amador Hospital Foundation Raises Nearly $50,000 Benefitting the Family Birth Center

JACKSON – The Sutter Amador Hospital Foundation raised approximately $48,000 during their second annual Theme Ball, which took place on Oct. 19, 2013, at Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort. Proceeds from the event will help purchase valuable equipment for the hospital’s Family Birth Center, including a fetal heart monitor.

 “There was a real sense of community and creativity throughout the entire event,” said Sutter Amador Hospital Foundation Chair David Carlson. “It was a great way to come together and for a very worthwhile cause.”

Robert Young, M.D., longtime OB-GYN, spoke at the event and expressed his appreciation to those in attendance. Dr. Young said that everyone’s contributions can make a real difference in the lives of our youngest patients and their families.

The near sell-out crowd of 279 embraced this year’s theme of “Memorable Moments in History.” Guests were encouraged to pick a memorable moment in history and create a centerpiece for their table representing the moment they chose. Or, if they were feeling especially competitive, guests could arrive in costume representing their historical moment. Winners included Jackson Creek Dental for their centerpiece representing The Gold Rush era and Sutter Amador Hospital Surgery Staff and TSPN TV for their costumes representing NASA’s Apollo 11 lunar landing.

The Sutter Amador Hospital Foundation would like to thank all those who helped support the event, including the Sutter Amador Hospital Board of Directors; event judges David Melniczek, M.D., Michael Ingram, M.D., and Judge Steve Hermanson; auctioneer Seth Seever; and top event sponsors American Legion Ambulance, Sound Physicians, Thompsons and Toyota & Thompsons Buick GMC and the lengthy list of other businesses and community members who contributed to the success of the event. The Foundation is looking forward to partnering with the community again for next year’s theme ball in October 2014 – the theme will be “Heroes and Villains.”

The Sutter Amador Hospital Foundation supports Sutter Amador Hospital’s mission to enhance the well-being of the communities we serve through a non-for-profit commitment to compassion and excellence in health care services. Board members dedicate their time inspiring people to make charitable gifts that change and save lives right here in Amador County and the surrounding communities. They also lead by example through personal gifts and pledges. Current Sutter Amador Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees members are: 

Paul Beatty, M.D.

Jody Boetzer, SAH Philanthropy and Marketing Manager
David Carlson, Chair
Richard Forster
Marv Hampton
Anne Lintz
David Melniczek, M.D.
Paul Molinelli, Jr.
Brett Moore, SAH CFO
Anne Platt, SAH CEO
D’Arcy Porter
Loretta Porteous
Colleen Riordan, RN
Betty Saterlie
Pat Simonsen
Cathy Smith
Paul Sobon

Prostate Cancer Information and Support Group Meeting - Tues Nov 12

The Amador County Prostate Cancer Information and Support Group will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday November 12, 2013 starting at 6:00 pm. The location is Sutter Amador Hospital in the Oakview Conference Room on the second floor

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The group was formed to support men and their families and others who wishes to know more about Prostate Cancer. Meetings are open to all and includes men who have recovered from Prostate Cancer as well as those recently diagnosed, and those in treatment. The types of treatments range in scope from taking a watchful waiting active surveillance approach to radiation or surgery. Periodically meetings offer guest speakers, videos and updates on research

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The meetings have information with regards to nutrition and prostate cancer. We encourage anyone who wants to learn more about cancer and nutrition to attend

For more information about the group and its meetings contact Jerry Trottier, 223-9133.

Thank You

Jerry Trottier

(209)223-9133

trottier@volcano.net

Mental Health First Aid Class offered by NAMI - Mon Nov 18

Dear NAMI Members, Friends...

We want to make you aware of this excellent program for all members of the public that provides an amazingly full overview of mental illnesses and substance abuse, along with how to respond and information about referrals and treatments.  The manual alone is worth a great deal, and this is offered free as a public service.

The second day, Monday November 18 is still available and contact information is on the flyer.  For NAMI members and Friends, it is a wonderful tool for talking with family members who need to know more about mental illness.  It's a good refresher for those who may have taken Family to Family class some time ago, or who may never have had the chance to do so.  

We urge you to make room for this class - it may not be offered again very soon.