Health
Riverside County infant who died tested positive for RSV, health officials say
An infant from southwest Riverside County who died earlier this month tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), health officials announced on Friday. The infant died at a local hospital after being taken there with respiratory difficulties. No other information about the infant is being released, officials said. “Public Health mourns the loss of any
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Meet Gian, the first baby born in the desert in 2024
A baby boy was born on January 1st, 4:04 a.m. at JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio. His name is Gian Navarrete. Proud father, Daniel Aguirre is stunned at his new son’s early achievement. Baby Gian Navarrete is the first baby born in the desert in 2024. “I was telling Stephanie that it’s gonna be history for
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Local health officials warn of recent spike in mpox cases
Valley doctors are warning of a comeback in mpox cases in Southern California. And in light of Greater Palm Springs Pride this week, they want to make sure people are vaccinated and take precautions. This month, two new cases were reported in Riverside County, the first since July. And there are 10 new cases in
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California’s new mental health court rolls out to high expectations and uncertainty
By JANIE HAR Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An alternative mental health court program designed to fast-track people with untreated schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders into housing and medical care — potentially without their consent — kicked off in seven California counties, including San Francisco, on Monday. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom created the new
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FDA advisers vote against experimental ALS treatment pushed by patients
By MATTHEW PERRONEAP Health Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health advisers voted overwhelmingly against an experimental treatment for Lou Gehrig’s disease at a Wednesday meeting prompted by years of patient efforts seeking access to the unproven therapy. The panel of Food and Drug Administration experts voted 17-1 that drugmaker Brainstorm’s stem cell-based treatment has not
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Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers authorize strike
Nearly 60,000 unionized healthcare workers across the state voted overwhelmingly to authorize their union to call a strike if labor talks break down with Kaiser Permanente. According to the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, the workers voted by a 98% margin in favor of a walkout of a labor contract can’t be reached.
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News Channel 3 In-Depth Report: The Need for Nurses
News Channel 3 has reported on the need for more teachers in schools, but there’s another national shortage that health officials say is getting worse: The nursing industry has been short-staffed for years, and it’s not just hospitals getting hit hard. The nursing shortage is also taking a toll on schools, including in the Coachella
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Desert Care Network names Dr. William W. Brien as Chief Medical Officer
Desert Care Network has named William W. Brien, MD, as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for the three hospitals and related outpatient clinics operated by Tenet Healthcare in California’s desert communities. In this new role, Dr. Brien will lead the hospitals’ efforts to advance clinical services and quality improvement initiatives with the physicians on the medical
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FDA approves first postpartum depression pill
By MATTHEW PERRONE AP Health Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials have approved the first pill specifically intended to treat severe depression after childbirth, a condition that affects thousands of new mothers in the U.S. each year. The Food and Drug Administration on Friday granted approval of the drug, Zurzuvae, for adults experiencing severe
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DAP Health successfully acquires Borrego Health, hopes to expand local healthcare services
DAP Health, a long-time healthcare service of the desert, has officially integrated with Borrego Health with approval from Bankruptcy Court and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The two organizations will now operate as one; with approximately 850 employees serving upwards of 100,000 patients of all ages, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. With the acquisition
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New General Surgery Residency Program comes to fruition at DRMC
The new General Surgery Residency Program at Desert Regional Medical Center (DRMC) has officially begun with six residents taking to the halls of the hospital. The program officially started July 1, 2023, as part of the hospital being declared a level one trauma center back in March. According to Dr. Dan Ludi, the program director,
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