Health & Wellness

Death by drug overdose has tripled from 1990 to 2008. In 2008, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 36,450 people died from a drug overdose and 75% of overdoses were prescription drug related. Of the prescription drug-related deaths in 2008, the CDC reports 74% were opiate prescription drugs.

Expanding access to healthcare in rural communities requires innovation and collaboration. In remote areas like South Lake Tahoe with smaller populations, residents still expect high quality care and individual medical needs vary widely.

To increase specialty medical services available in our community, with consideration that unique medical conditions may not have the demand for a local office, Barton Health launched Telemedicine in 2009.

The facts are startling, and, for lack of a better work, sobering. Studies show that 11% of all alcohol consumed in the U.S. is done so by youth aged 11 to 20, below the legal drinking age.

Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the United States, more than tobacco and illicit drugs according to the Center for Disease Control, and is responsible for more than 4,300 annual deaths among underage youth.

The 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that among high school students, during the past 30 days:

39% drank some amount of alcohol.
22% binge drank.

How can you live a longer, healthier life? The answer is complicated and simple. “Experts” claim every conceivable option: cleanses, hormones, pills, exercises, diets, the list goes on. The options are dizzying, even to healthcare professionals.

Fatalities are up nationwide for unbelted vehicle occupants – the first time in five years according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2012, 10,335 unbelted vehicle occupants lost their lives. In Nevada, 41 unbelted vehicle occupants died last year.

During April's South Lake Tahoe Drug Take Back Day, over 50 pounds of prescription drugs were dropped off anonymously in the bins location in the Safeway parking lot. This is about a 27% increase over last year's efforts.

Getting unused prescription drugs out of the home is a major step in accomplishing two major goals of Drug Take Back Day: Keeping drugs out of the landfills and water systems and keep drugs out of the hands of people who they weren't prescribed for.

April 20 to 26 marks the 17th annual Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week. In 2014, 55,000 Americans will develop cancer of the head and neck. Though 13,000 people will die from this disease, most cases are preventable.

Causes of Oral, Head, & Neck Cancer
Tobacco use is the most common and preventable cause of head and neck cancer. Tobacco products include cigarettes, snuff and chewing tobacco. Switching from smoking to smokeless products only changes the risk of lung cancer to a risk of oral cancer.

Lake Tahoe children are invited to participate in the seventh annual Camp Sunrise. Camp Sunrise is a children’s bereavement camp, serving children ages 7 to 14, who have experienced the death of a loved one. Sponsored by the Barton Foundation and Home Health and Hospice, the grief camp takes place June 13 to 15 at Galilee Camp and Retreat Center in Glenbrook, Nevada.

The Nevada Highway Patrol recently stepped up enforcement of Nevada's Share the Road laws, pulling over 200 motorists who violated the law and issued them warnings.

Now its turn for the NHP to turn the tables and watch for bicyclists not in compliance.

Starting April 1, all Barton Health buildings became smoke free. The smoking and tobacco ban includes all Barton Health facilities, parking lots, grounds, and Barton Memorial Hospital. All patients, visitors, medical staff, vendors, and employees will not be allowed to smoke at Barton. This includes the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, marijuana smoking, and smoke-free tobacco products such as chewing tobacco. The one exception will be for the two current patients at the Skilled Nursing Center who smoke. No further smoking patients for the center will be accepted.

The March 31 deadline to sign up for health insurance is rapidly approaching. For those who haven't signed up yet, Barton Health is having an enrollment session on March 25 in the Lake Tahoe Community College Room D123.

Don't get caught with no insurance on April 1 as you'll be subject to penalties.

Meet with Barton's certified enrollment counselors (English an Spanish-speaking), determine eligibility and subsidy information, and get enrolled.

The session will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact Leanne Wagoner at 530-543-5537.

“The patient is our focus and that’s why we put the patient at the top of the pyramid,” said Dr. Clint Purvance. Today [March 5], Dr. Purvance, Barton Health’s Chief Medical Officer, as well as Barton employees and community members gathered to recognize Patient Safety Awareness Week at Barton Memorial Hospital. Dr. Purvance highlighted Barton’s “excellence in performance and commitment to patient safety.”

Tahoe Type 1 Diabetes Support Group

Led by medical professionals, Tahoe Type 1 is a support group providing
a place for those affected by Type 1 Diabetes. It is specifically designed to support one another and share ideas, experiences and resources.
All ages welcome!

When: First Tuesday of every month
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Barton Memorial Hospital Board Room
(Located inside Barton Memorial Hospital, 2170 South Ave., South Lake Tahoe, CA)
Contact: tt1thrive@gmail.com

Upcoming guest speakers include:
April 1 ~ Licensed Acupuncturist, Kimball Chatfield, OMD

Pedestrian and bicycle transportation and safety will be among the topics at the 12th annual Nevada Bicycle and Pedestrian Summit, scheduled for March 11 and 12 at the Atlantis Casino Resort in Reno.

Developed to augment statewide bicycle and pedestrian resources, the summit will provide the latest information on bicycle tourism, facility planning and design, safety, enforcement and education initiatives, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, as well as Safe Routes to School program information.

El Dorado County Animal Services in South Lake Tahoe has temporarily suspended dog adoptions at its shelter as a precaution after identifying at least two cases of parvovirus this week. The dog kennel area at the shelter will be closed until March 11, while shelter staff investigate, perform additional deep cleaning and disinfecting of all kennels and monitor the current dogs on site.

It takes collaboration and action to meet a community’s health needs. In March 2012, Barton Health engaged with the community to complete a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) of South Lake Tahoe’s health needs. Part of the Affordable Care Act, all nonprofit hospitals must identify health needs for vulnerable, often under-served, populations within their community and create an action plan to address these needs.

The Barton Wellness series continues with "Understand your breast cancer risk" on March 12 in the Lake Tahoe Community College Board Room from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Learn about breast cancer screening, prevention and detection. Both BRCA 1 and 2 gene mutations will be discussed as well as surgical treatment options.

Barton’s Health’s Outpatient Laboratory Services on South Avenue is moving to 1067 Fourth Street. Formerly the Tahoe Women’s Care building, this new spot will create an inviting, improved experience for our community and their laboratory needs.

The move will take a day or two, starting on February 20. Laboratory draws will be available for the public at the following two locations during the move: Barton Memorial Hospital (2170 South Avenue in South Lake Tahoe) and at Stateline Medical Center (155 Highway 50 in Stateline, Nevada).

Barton Health has launched a new community program in South Lake Tahoe, one that focuses on health, wellness and prevention. BWell offers services not covered by many insurances, including reduced cost lab draws, EKG tests, Lung Cancer screening and free lectures and a resource library.

Cholesterol Health, Presented by David Young, M.D., Barton Cardiology

Learn about cholesterol metabolism and how to understand cholesterol results. Discover natural ways to manage cholesterol and the risks and benefits of cholesterol therapy using "statins."

Attend any four of Barton’s 2014 Wellness Lectures and be entered into a drawing for a $150 gift certificate to a South Lake Tahoe business of your choice. Questions? Call 530-543-5537. Visit bartonhealth.org/lecture for the most up-to-date lecture information.

When: Wednesday, February 12, 6-7pm

Learn about minimally invasive hip treatments, arthroscopy, and anterior hip replacement. We will address hip tendinitis, bursitis, sciatic nerve compression, hip impingement, labrum tear, and hip arthritis. Presented by Robert Rupp, M.D., Tahoe Orthopedics Sports Medicine.

Attend any four of Barton’s 2014 Wellness Lectures and be entered into a drawing for a $150 gift certificate to a South Lake Tahoe business of your choice. Questions? Call 530-543-5537. Visit bartonhealth.org/lecture for the most up-to-date lecture information

When: Tuesday, January 14, 6-7pm

It’s not too late to enroll for the new healthcare exchange program, Covered California. Barton Health offers free Enrollment Sessions. Uninsured California residents can meet with Barton’s Certified Enrollment Counselors, visit the Covered California website, determine eligibility and get enrolled with insurance. For more information, call 530-543-5537. No reservation required. First come, first served. Spanish-speaking counselors available.

When: Tuesday, January 21, 9:00am-12:00pm
Where: Lake Tahoe Community College, Room D121, 1 College Dr

Barton Health’s Occupational Health Services has moved over to Nevada. Formally located at Barton Hospital, the medical office has relocated to the Stateline Medical Center at 155 Highway 50, in Suite 203 (second floor).

Occupational Health Services, OHS, provides services for businesses to help improve the health, safety and environment of people at work. Services include workers compensation treatment, physicals, and employment health tests and screenings. Preventative programs are also available, including educational seminars, wellness screenings, and work-related immunizations.

The 2014 monthly lecture series from UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center begins January 28 with a presentation on the dangers of radon. Eric Matus of the Nevada Radiation Control Program will lead a public lecture titled “Radon: What you don’t know could hurt you” beginning at 6 p.m. at the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences.