Adena News and Press Releases

What is norovirus? 

Norovirus is a serious gastrointestinal illness that causes inflammation of the stomach and/or intestines. This inflammation leads to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Norovirus is extremely contagious (easy to spread) from one person to another. Norovirus is not related to the flu (influenza), even though it is sometimes called the stomach flu. Anyone can get norovirus, and they can have the illness multiple times during their lifetime. 

Norovirus causes approximately 21 million illnesses each year. It is the leading cause of illness and outbreaks related to food in the United States. Symptoms start between 12 to 48 hours after being exposed and can last anywhere from one to three days. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and/or stomach pain. Dehydration is a big concern for people with norovirus, especially in the elderly and the very young, and a major reason for people being hospitalized. People are most contagious when they are actively sick and for the first few days after getting over the illness. 

How serious is norovirus? 

Norovirus is a serious illness that makes people feel extremely ill and vomit or have diarrhea. Most people get better within one to two days. Norovirus can be very serious among young children, the elderly, and people with other illnesses, and can lead to severe dehydration, hospitalization, and even death. 

How does norovirus spread? 

It generally spreads when infected food service workers touch food without washing their hands well or at all. Norovirus spreads from: 

• Person-to-person (e.g., shaking hands, sharing food or eating from the same utensils, or caring for someone who is ill with norovirus). 
• Touching contaminated surfaces or objects, and then touching your mouth, nose, and eyes. 
• Eating contaminated food or water. 
• Not washing hands before preparing food or eating, or after using the bathroom or changing diapers. 

 Why is norovirus so contagious? 

Norovirus spreads so easily because it can be in your feces (poop) before you start feeling sick, and it can stay for two weeks or longer after you’re feeling better. Combine that with people not doing a great job of washing their hands and you have big potential for spreading this virus. Norovirus can spread quickly in closed places such as daycares, nursing homes, schools, and cruise ships.

How can you protect yourself from norovirus? 

• Wash your hands often and well. Wash your hands carefully with soap and water, especially before preparing or eating food, using the restroom or changing diapers. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not a substitute for washing with soap and water. 
• Use precautions in the kitchen. Always wash fruits and vegetables and cook food thoroughly before eating. 
• Do not prepare food if you are sick. People who are infected with norovirus should not prepare food for others while they have symptoms and for three days after they recover from their illness. 
• Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces thoroughly. After an episode of illness, such as vomiting or diarrhea, immediately clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces by using a bleach-based household cleaner as directed on the product label or a 1:10 solution by mixing 1/4 cup of bleach to 2 1/4 cups of water. Bleach is very caustic and emits potentially lethal fumes, so it should never be used full strength; mix in a well-ventilated area and use caution to prevent splashing. 
• Wash laundry thoroughly. Immediately remove and wash clothing or items that may be contaminated with vomit or fecal matter. Handle soiled items carefully. Wash laundry with detergent for the longest cycle time available and then machine dry. 

 Is there treatment for norovirus? 

There is no vaccine to prevent infection with norovirus. There is no specific drug available to treat people with norovirus illness. Antibiotics will not help you if you are sick from the virus. This is because antibiotics fight against bacteria, not viruses. 

Hydration is key for infected individuals. They must drink plenty of fluids to replace fluids lost through vomiting and diarrhea. In some cases, hospitalization is required for intravenous fluids (fluids given in your vein). The best thing to do is contact your doctor, treat symptoms (especially dehydration), and stay home. If you suspect you have norovirus, contact your healthcare provider immediately. 

 Provided by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology 

Sign-up today for the next session of Family Fit, a fun-filled, family-oriented program that helps families with children, between the ages of six and 14. Family Fit is sponsored by Adena Health System and the YMCA of Ross County.

The next Family Fit session begins Wednesday, September 9 and runs through Wednesday, October 14. Classes are held at the YMCA, located at 100 Mill St., Chillicothe. Each session of Family Fit brings families together for two hours, one day a week, for six weeks. Classes include: cooking demonstrations, meal planning, exercise, and behavior counseling taught by Adena dietitians.

The goal is to enhance family health and activity through fun, games and hands on learning. As a family lifestyle program, Family Fit works when children take part with their parents to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

The cost to join Family Fit is just $50 per family. This includes all materials and a three-month family membership to the YMCA of Ross Co. for families that attend each of the six sessions. For more information about Family Fit, or to register call (740) 779-7520.

A caregiver at Adena Pike Medical Center, located in Waverly, has been diagnosed with Pertussis, also known as Whooping Cough. As a precaution, people who were inpatients in the facility on days when the caregiver was working over the past two weeks, have been notified by phone and offered antibiotics at no cost to them. In addition, staff working closely with the caregiver have also been started on an antibiotic regimen.

“The majority of people in the U.S. have been immunized for pertussis, but as we get older, the effectiveness can wear off,” said Julie McCray, Adena’s Manager of Infection Prevention. “Adults who do come down with the illness tend to have symptoms that are less severe than those of a child or someone who may not have been immunized.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Pertussis is considered a highly-contagious respiratory disease. It is caused when an infected person coughs or sneezes on someone or in close proximity, and the person breathes in the pertussis bacteria. Symptoms can develop within five to 10 days after exposure. However, it can take up to three weeks before a person shows symptoms.

Whooping cough starts with cold-like symptoms that may include: a mild cough, runny nose, low-grade fever, and a pause in breathing in infants. After one to two weeks, those symptoms will develop into a severe cough. Because the symptoms first present like the common cold, whooping cough is usually not suspected until it reaches the severe coughing stage. According to the CDC, infected people are most contagious up to about two weeks after the severe cough starts.

Whooping cough is generally treated with antibiotics, which treat the symptoms and help control the spread of the disease. Parents of infants should be sure their babies are immunized on schedule to prevent them from contracting the disease, which can have severe effects for very young children.

For more information about Pertussis, visit www.cdc.gov.

Start the New Year off right by helping your family adopt healthy eating and exercise habits. Sign-up today for the next session of Family Fit, a fun-filled, family-oriented program that helps families with children, between the ages of six and 14. Family Fit is sponsored by Adena Health System and the YMCA of Ross County.

The next Family Fit session begins Wednesday, Feb. 25 and runs through Wednesday, April 1. Classes are held at the YMCA, located at 100 Mill St., Chillicothe. Each session of Family Fit brings families together for two hours, one day a week, for six weeks. Classes include: cooking demonstrations, meal planning, exercise, and behavior counseling taught by Adena dietitians.

The goal is to enhance family health and activity through fun, games and hands on learning. As a family lifestyle program, Family Fit works when children take part with their parents to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

The cost to join Family Fit is just $50 per family. This includes all materials and a three-month family membership to the YMCA of Ross Co. for families that attend each of the six sessions. For more information about Family Fit, or to register call (740) 779-7520.

Adena Pharmacy is leading the community in the fight against prescription drug abuse. Experts held a free webinar earlier this month sharing ways parents can educate their children of the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

The educational program is part of Adena’s partnership with the Cardinal Health Foundation, which awarded the Adena Pharmacy grant funding to promote drug abuse education in our region.

Adena Pharmacist Richard Ash developed the idea for adult outreach after recently presenting his prescription drug abuse education program to local middle school students.

“I was surprised by the number of students who have been involved or witness to someone who abuses medications or illicit drugs,” said Ash. “I knew there was more we could do to try and educate the public to help fight this epidemic in southern Ohio.”

The webinar is primarily focused on educating parents, and topics included prescription drug abuse, misuse and drug safety. You can view a recording of the webinar at http://connect.adena.org/p4ktu25oefs/ 

Adena Health System, first responders and area health leaders recently gathered to discuss plans and procedures that are in place for treating patients with highly communicable diseases, such as Ebola. Including many Adena experts, others in attendance for the discussion were representatives of: the Ross County Health Department; the Ross County Sheriff’s Department; EMS; Ohio State Highway Patrol; VA Medical Center; and funeral directors. The group discussed recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in managing patients showing symptoms of Ebola, isolation and quarantine requirements, transportation to other facilities, and care for deceased patients with the disease.

The Ebola outbreak is centered in western Africa, but a Liberian man recently returned to Dallas, Texas from Liberia carrying the disease, and died.  Those mainly at risk for Ebola are people who have traveled to western Africa within the past several weeks, and those who have been in close contact with them. Ebola is spread through close contact with blood or other bodily fluids. The virus is not spread through the air or indirect contact (such as a door knob).  Symptoms of Ebola include: fever, muscle pain, vomiting and sometimes bleeding.

While it is highly unlikely that a case of Ebola would present in southern Ohio, the healthcare community, law enforcement and first responders are confident the protocols that are in place would be effective in identifying a patient with the disease, isolating that patient, and protecting healthcare workers and the community as a whole

For more information about Ebola and CDC recommendations, visit www.cdc.gov.

The heat of summer can be a dangerous time when the temperatures start to rise. Because of the excessive heat and humidity, it’s harder for the body to cool itself. 

Those 65 and older, children 4 and under, people who are overweight, suffer from a heart disease or other illnesses are at greatest risk for heat related illness. It’s important to recognize the symptoms of heat exhaustion and the more serious heat stroke.

According to the Centers for Disease Control heat exhaustion can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and not enough fluids. These are the symptoms you need to watch for: heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, feeling tired or weak, headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting and fainting.

If you think you are suffering from heat exhaustion drink cool fluids, preferably water, take a cool shower or bath and rest in an air conditioned room.

If the symptoms of heat exhaustion are not treated it can escalate to the more serious heat stroke.

These are the warning signs of a heat stroke: extremely high body temperature, skin that is red, hot and dry to the touch, but person is not sweating, rapid , strong pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea , confusion, and unconsciousness.

If you recognize any of these signs seek immediate medical attention.

Adena Health System is seeing a sharp increase in the number of flu cases being seen at its facilities, and is stressing caution for those planning to visit patients at locations in Chillicothe, Waverly and Greenfield. While Adena is not limiting visitors at this time, people are being asked to voluntarily not to come to the hospital to visit patients if they have been recently exposed to the flu, or are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

The increased flu activity in our region has resulted in nine people being hospitalized with influenza thus far; and an average of three or more cases confirmed daily in Adena’s Laboratory over the past week. Influenza A is the predominant type of flu being reported in the region, with three confirmed cases of the 2009 H1N1 strain. To date, there have also been two confirmed Influenza B cases.

“It is vitally important that people take extra precautions to avoid contracting influenza,” said Dr. Wael Haidar, Adena’s Infectious Disease expert. “This includes limiting contact with those who may have influenza, increasing their hand washing and sanitizing routine, and if they have not yet had an influenza vaccine for this season, to do so immediately.”

It is not too late to receive a flu vaccination. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends flu shots for anyone six months of age and older. Flu shots are still available at most primary care physician offices, local health departments or clinics, and at many local pharmacies.

It’s anticipated there are many more unreported cases of influenza in our community. Symptoms include: fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headache, nausea, and fatigue. People are reminded to be diligent about hand washing and protecting themselves during this flu season. Influenza can be transmitted before people show signs or symptoms.

Father’s Day reminds us of the importance of the men in our lives. Whether fathers, husbands, sons or special friends, every man should be aware of essential screenings that could save his life. Many diseases can be detected and treated if found early.

However, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality says men are 24 percent less likely than women to visit their doctor each year, and they are more prone to ignore symptoms, seeking care only when they end up in crisis. Ladies, it is often up to you to make sure your special guy takes good care of himself.(image)

Some of the most common health issues facing men can be detected with simple screenings or tests. These include:

• Prostate cancer.  The second most common cancer found in U.S. men.  Screening can find the disease early, even before you experience symptoms.
• Colorectal cancer. The second most common cause of death from cancer. Colon cancer is often preventable with colonoscopy screening and the removal of colon polyps.
• High blood pressure.  Age, weight, lifestyle and family history all contribute to high blood pressure (hypertension). Hypertension can lead to severe physical complications without any prior symptoms. If your blood pressure is high, work with your doctor to manage it.
• High cholesterol.  A high level of LDL causes sticky plaque to build up in the walls of your arteries. Over time it can lead to heart attack, stroke and increased risk for heart disease. Lifestyle changes and medications can reduce LDL cholesterol.
• Type 2 diabetes.  Often called the “silent killer,” 1/3 of Americans have diabetes and don’t even know it. However, if found early, diabetes can be controlled with diet, exercise, weight loss and medication.

Talk to a physician or provider about scheduling essential screening tests for yourself or the man in your life.  Having the right screening performed at the right time is one of the most important things a man can do for his health and his family.

Do you need a primary care provider? Use our physician search tool to find one today!

Kevin M. Murphy has joined Adena Health System as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He has more than 22 years of experience as a healthcare CFO in the health care industry.

Murphy most recently served as Senior Vice President & CFO for Hurley Medical Center, located in Flint, MI. There he led efforts to affect financial turnaround, yielding positive operating margins following five proceeding years of loss. Murphy also served as Vice President of Finance/CFO for the Middletown Regional Health System, located in Middletown, OH. He represented the hospital in negotiations with Premier Health Partners, resulting in a joint-operating agreement that provided Middletown with an $80 million equity infusion. Murphy was also the responsible executive overseeing the development of the health system’s 2007 Atrium Medical Center development project.

“Kevin brings a strong background in health care financial management to Adena,” said Adena President and CEO Mark Shuter. “I’m confident he has the expertise to assist Adena in financially navigating today’s changing health care climate, while offering the maximum potential for future success.”

Murphy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from St. Anselm College (Manchester, NH); a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Notre Dame; and a Master of Business Administration from Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He and his wife plan to make their home in Chillicothe.