Healthcare Provider Information
Notes: December 2009- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Previous Notes
For PDF Version of these Webnotes Click Here
Medical Forum on Prescription Drug Abuse
Friday, December 18, 2009 7 -10 a.m Community Services Bldg. Garrett County Memorial Hospital. A light breakfast will be offered.
Discussion of the problem from various points of view, and identification of strategies to recognize, prevent, intervene and/or treat drug addiction.
A panel of speakers will lead off in the first hour representing physicians, pharmacists, the emergency department, courts, and treatment in the jail and the community. The Medical Director from the state Drug Abuse Program will report on efforts to have a state-wide prescription monitoring program available to prescribing physicians in Maryland.
Trends generally seem to be on the decline except for reported cases nationally of pediatric deaths. It continues to be important to consider the effects of delayed reporting and incomplete reporting.
All schools have returned to baseline absenteeism levels.
Garrett County School Absenteeism Percentage Period 10/19/2009 to 11/24/2009
Maryland H1N1 deaths now stand at 34; hospitalizations are sharply decreasing.
Nationally: Weekly Hospitalizations and Deaths continue to decline. 34 additional pediatric deaths were reported in week 46, compared with 21 new cases in the previous week.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/weeklyarchives2009-2010/AHDR46.htm
However, the above confirmed reports are only a fraction of the actual cases. In a press briefing on Nov. 12, Anne Schuchat gave the following estimates of the total cases by age group:
|
Cases |
Hospitalizations |
Deaths |
Children Under 18 |
8 million |
36,000 |
540 |
Adults 18 to 64 |
12 million |
53,000 |
2900 |
Adults 65 & older |
2 million |
9,000 |
440 |
Totals |
22 million |
98,000 |
3900 |
Recommendations are to continue to distribute H1N1 vaccine to at risk groups as the vaccine becomes available, whether or not a person may have thought they already had the flu. The possibility of future waves of this same illness is still there, a possible shift back to the seasonal variety, or a change in the genetic make-up of the new virus which could lead to another round of disease, possibly of greater severity.
The Garrett County Health Department is continuing H1N1 immunizations for at risk groups throughout the county by appointment at the health department four days a week. There is no charge for the H1N1 immunizations at the health department. We now have adequate H1N1 vaccine to open up to all persons, but are awaiting clearance from the state to proceed.
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine: The health department will also be returning to all pre-school and elementary school locations during January 4 to administer second doses to children under 10 who have already received a first dose. Our seasonal influenza nasal spray vaccine will expire after that date, and we have less than 100 doses of injectable seasonal influenza vaccine available for administration in January. Fortunately, there is no evidence yet that the seasonal influenza will be returning this winter.
International Co-circulation of 2009 H1N1
and Seasonal Influenza
(As of November 21, 2009)
Regular Reports: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -Previous Reports
Infection Reports:
GCMH updated December 2009
WMHS Clinical Newsletter (August 2009) "What's with Whipple's?"
WMHS Clinical Newsletter Supplement (August 2009) "CDC Immunization Update 2009"
References:
Advanced Directives/Living Wills
Quick Guideto Protecting Yourself and Your Family
Four Simple Things You Can Do to Protect You and Your family
GCMH Antibiogram, July 2006-June 2007
GCMH Antibiogram, July-December, 2007
Immunization Schedules and State Regulations
Maryland Lead Follow-Up Recommendations
