Health
JFK Memorial Hospital CEO Gary Honts to retire; Karen Faulis names to take over position
JFK Memorial Hospital CEO Gary Honts announced his retirement after 10 years at the hospital. Karen Faulis, CEO of Hi-Desert Medical Center, will expand her role to become CEO of JFK Memorial Hospital effective Jan. 30, officials with the Desert Care Network announced. “In his 10 years at JFK Memorial Hospital, Gary has done so much to advance the healthcare
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FDA moves to ease rules for blood donations from gay men
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is moving to further ease restrictions on blood donations from gay and bisexual men and other groups that typically face higher risks of HIV. The Food and Drug Administration on Friday announced draft guidelines that would do away with the current three-month abstinence requirement for donations from men who have
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Eisenhower Health’s Chief Medical Officer discusses issues at hospital caused by blood shortages
LifeStream Blood Bank, the community’s blood supplier, cannot meet the needs of area hospitals. Approximately 90% of hospital Type O orders are going unfulfilled. According to LifeStream, seven area hospitals have zero or low Type O inventory on their shelves, and LifeStream does not have the supply to meet patient needs. Video message from the LifeStream
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Local company using touts early disease detection
A new Coachella Valley company is using state-of-the-art technology to help save lives with early disease detection. Halo Diagnostics promises rapid and precise results for patients. News Channel 3’s Peter Daut spoke with the chief medical officer Dr. John Feller.
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Hi-Desert Medical Center now a Level IV Trauma Center
The Hi-Desert Medical Center in San Bernardino County is now a Level IV Trauma Center. The designation is being celebrated Wednesday at the Joshua Tree campus. The hospital serves the communities of Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, and Twentynine Palms. Being named a Level 4 Trauma Center means the facility meets the criteria for a level
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Desert Healthcare District and Foundation unveils new mobile medical clinic
The Desert Healthcare District and Foundation unveiled a brand new, 26-foot mobile medical clinic. The $336,500 mobile clinic was purchased earlier this year with $175,000 in grant support from Coachella Valley Resource Conservation District. Adding up construction and operation costs, it’s about a million-dollar investment. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday on the Desert Regional Medical
Continue ReadingHere’s how to know when your child is too sick for school
By Madeline Holcombe, CNN A sniffle, a sneeze or a cough can set off alarm bells these days for families with young children. Mother of two Vickie Leon said her kids, ages 4 and 2, can sometimes go a month or two without bringing anything back from day care. Then there are times when it
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Eisenhower Health talks flu, COVID and RSV effects on hospitals
Check out our report on the recent high volume of patients amid the “tripledemic”
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RivCo COVID hospitalizations climb over 200 as local hospitals see a high volume of patients amid ‘tripledemic’
Local hospitals are seeing a surge of patients during the ‘tripledemic’ of the flu, coronavirus, and RSV. On Tuesday, COVID-19 hospitalizations across Riverside County surpassed 200 patients for the first time since the start of August. As of Nov. 30, Riverside County has a total of 215 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, including 23 in the ICU.
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Be prepared for longer wait times as Urgent Cares, ERs see an influx in patients
At Executive Urgent Care in Indian Wells, a packed lobby led people to wait outside. “Really busy, really hectic a lot going on,” said Jennifer Melchor, a medical assistant at Executive Urgent Care. “It’s been super busy. It’s almost as busy as an emergency room would be or just the smaller setting kind of just
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Orange County declares health emergency due to viruses
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — A health emergency has been declared in Southern California’s Orange County due to rapidly spreading virus infections. The county health officer issued the declaration Monday due to record numbers of pediatric hospitalizations and daily emergency room visits, the OC Health Care Agency said in a press release. “Additionally, a Proclamation
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Seniors are recommended to get a revved-up flu vaccine this year
By LAURAN NEERGAARDAP Medical Writer Doctors have a message for vaccine-weary Americans: Don’t skip your flu shot this fall — and seniors, ask for a special extra-strength kind. After flu hit historically low levels during the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be poised for a comeback. The main clue: A nasty flu season just ended in
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New American Lung Association report highlights health benefits of transitioning to zero-emission trucks
A new report released today from the American Lung Association looks at the health benefits if all new medium and heavy-duty vehicles sold in California are zero-emission by the year 2040. The report focuses specifically on counties with major trucking corridors, including riverside. Will Barrett, co-author of the study, said switching to zero-emission vehicles could
Continue ReadingNumber of heat-related illness and deaths rises as Coachella Valley sees more frequent heat waves and hotter days
Under the blistering sun, on a 117 degree day, it can feel like your skin is burning as you toil without shade. It’s why farmworkers in the East Coachella Valley wear long sleeves, drenched in sweat they can never seem to replenish fast enough. “It start in the lips, don’t speak good,” said Vidal Mendoza Fonseca, a farmworker who
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