BladenOnline.com

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Category Posts : Health

General Surgeon joins SeHealth

General Surgeon DuBose Medlock, Jr., M.D., has joined Southeastern Surgical Center, an affiliate of Southeastern Health. Dr. Medlock earned his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston in 1986. He completed a surgical residency at Tulane University Affiliated Hospitals in New Orleans, La., in 1991. He is board certified in general surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Medlock is experienced in a broad range of surgical procedures including: diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy; open laparotomy; repair of abdominal hernias; comprehensive diagnosis and surgical treatment of breast, thyroid, and GI malignancies; thyroid and parathyroid surgery; and upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy. He …..

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Rouzer announces Opioid Symposium

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Rouzer announced details for the 7th District Opioid Symposium which builds upon his work to raise awareness, decrease the stigma, and inform members of the community on best practices throughout the district in an effort to curb the opioid epidemic. “The 7th District of North Carolina is comprised of nine counties with a wide range of communities from urban to very rural.  Throughout the district there are unique challenges presented by the opioid epidemic with a variety of initiatives that have been taken to address them.  The objective of the 7th District Opioid Symposium is to gather the best and brightest from across Southeastern North Carolina, those who have …..

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Blue Cross NC to invest $2 million in housing and health initiatives through NCCAA

DURHAM, N.C. – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) today announced that it is investing an additional $50 million into North Carolina community health initiatives this year, funded partially with $40 million in tax savings generated through the recently passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Additional tax law savings from this year will be invested into new consumer-facing technologies designed to improve the customer experience and help them navigate the health care system. Blue Cross NC will use the remaining tax law savings to provide one-time $1,000 bonuses to all non-officer employees of the company. With its next rate filing, Blue Cross NC will use future tax …..

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Measles signs and symptoms

By Marianne Valentiner, Health Educator Bladen County Health Department Measles is a serious respiratory disease (in the lungs and breathing tubes) that causes a rash and fever. It is very contagious. The symptoms of measles generally appears about seven to fourteen days after a person is infected. Measles typically begins with: *high fever *cough *runny nose (coryza) * red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis). Two or three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth. Three to five days after symptoms begin, a rash breaks out. It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the …..

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Hepatitis A and the Vaccine to Prevent It

By Marianne Valentiner, Health Educator Bladen County Health Department Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks, to a severe illness lasting several months. Although rare, hepatitis A can cause death in some people. Hepatitis A usually spreads when a person unknowingly ingests the virus from objects, food, or drinks contaminated by small, undetected amounts of stool from an infected person. Practicing good hand hygiene – including thoroughly washing hands after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food – plays an important role in preventing the spread of hepatitis …..

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Three N.C. prisoners sue the state for Hepatitis C treatment

By Taylor Knopf Three state prisoners sued the N.C. Department of Public Safety this month arguing that they were denied treatment for their Hepatitis C virus (HCV). The men claim that there is no medical reason to justify denying them medical treatment for HCV, a highly contagious virus that targets the liver. It’s spread by contact with infected blood, and the most common way people get it today is through injecting drugs. “DPS refuses to provide medically necessary treatment simply to avoid the associated costs,” reads the lawsuit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of NC and Prisoner Legal Serviceson behalf of the three prisoners. In the past, HCV treatment wasn’t always effective. But …..

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House advances opioid package to Senate

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, with the support of Congressman Rouzer, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act which makes reforms to Medicaid, Medicare, and public health programs and policies. “Opioid addiction is a horrific problem for North Carolina and the rest of the country.  Unfortunately, no community is immune to this epidemic.  This legislation, which was approved by the House, seeks to combat the opioid crisis by advancing treatment and recovery initiatives, improving prevention, protecting our communities, and bolstering our efforts to fight deadly illicit synthetic drugs, like Fentanyl, which is responsible for countless overdoses …..

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Southeastern Health celebrates first residency graduation

By Roxana Ross Southeastern Health celebrated its first medical residency graduates Friday, June 22. The ceremony, which was held at the Southeastern Agricultural Center, recognized the 26 graduating residents who completed their residencies at SeHealth in either emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, or a traditional rotating internship. “We are extremely excited and proud, yet humbled to present the first resident graduating class to the region,” said Vice President of Medical Education Dr. Patricia Matto. “Their sincere desire to improve themselves to better serve and care for their patients in this community cannot be overstated. Not only did they provide quality and compassionate healthcare, but they provided humanistic care to …..

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Heat Safety for Vehicles

Learn how the temperature outside may affect the temperature inside your vehicle. With the summer months upon us, now is the time to learn about the dangers of heatstroke and being trapped in a hot car. Heatstroke is dangerous and can be deadly. Never leave children, pets, or older adults unattended in a parked car. Use the following life saving tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to remind yourself and others to check the back seat before walking away from a vehicle. Children mistakenly being left in hot vehicles make up many of the tragedies reported each year. *Look Before You Lock. Get into the routine of always checking …..

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Cape Fear Teen Challenge conducts Open House

By Erin Smith Bladen County now has a treatment facility for women who suffer from addiction. Cape Fear Teen Challenge conducted an Open House Saturday to give Bladen County residents the opportunity to view the facility and to learn more about the program. Pastor Holly Loyer, with Teen Challenge, said the business owners and residents the staff has met as they prepared for the Open House have made them feel at home. “We have been made to feel so welcome by everyone,” said Pastor Loyer. Twelve women between the ages of 18 and 40 will be housed at Cape Fear Teen Challenge and there will be a staff member on …..

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Free medicine event planned for June 29

By Roxana Ross There will be a free giveaway of over-the-counter medicines and other medicine cabinet items on Friday, June 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Street United Methodist Church, which is located at 200 E. Eighth St., Lumberton. During the event, participants should arrive at the church sanctuary, where they will go through registration and a needs assessment. No identification is required, but participants must be at least 18 years old to receive items. After indicating top household needs across many common medicine cabinet items, a volunteer personal shopper will take the list to collect the supplies on hand, while they last. Each individual will receive …..

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Students Help Promote Summer Meals Programs

Students from Franklin, Harnett and Union County Schools received top honors Wednesday in the North Carolina Summer Nutrition Programs promotional materials contest, in which students design promotional materials to help increase the awareness of N.C. Summer Nutrition Programs. Student promotional materials contest winners were recognized at the opening session of the School Nutrition Association of North Carolina Annual Conference. The N.C. Summer Nutrition Programs, administered by NCDPI School Nutrition Services, provide meals at no cost to children and teens, ages 18 and younger, at almost 3,000 locations statewide during the summer months. Last summer, more than 5.2 million meals were served to children and teens through these programs, yet only 12 of …..

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Beware the Heat

By Dora Brogdon I’m sure everyone looked forward to summer as a kid. When summer came around that meant school was out and it was time to hang out with friends or to get a job during that nice long break. While that break was full of either sunny or rainy days, the heat was and still is something not to be ignored. It can and will cause heat-related illness that can take a serious toll on the body if one isn’t careful. A heat stroke is one of a few things heat can do to a person. It raises both the body’s temperature to 103 F or higher and …..

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Special Scholarship Presentations Made to West Bladen Seniors

Othella Santee Heflin and Becky Heflin presented scholarships to three West Bladen High School seniors on Tuesday, June 12th, in the media center. Glorimar Cuz Pagan received a $500 scholarship in honor of Rebecca (Becky) Heflin. Glorimar is pursuing a career in nursing. Nakayla Pridgen received a $500 scholarship in honor of Gladysteen Pait. Mrs. Pait’s son, Matthew, and his family, were on hand to receive the scholarship for Nakayla in her absence due to other commitments. Nakayla will also pursue a career in nursing. Ricardo Vazquez Ramirez was given a $500 scholarship in memory of Eddie Heflin for welding career interests. West Bladen was proud to have Mrs. Othella …..

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Wesley Pines Retirement Community Receives Award

Wesley Pines was recently recognized as the Top Performer in the 2016-17 Life Care Services (LCS) Life Plan Resident Satisfaction Survey in the areas of Overall Satisfaction, Accounting, Assisted Living, Communications, Executive Director, Extraordinary Impressions, Food and Beverage, Health Center, Marketing and Sales, Plant Operations, Security and Transportation. Rick Exline, Executive Vice President of Life Care Services shared, “We serve the customer first and foremost,” which is the very first Life Care Services Principle.  Life Care Services prides itself on delivering outstanding experiences to their residents.  “Congratulations to Wesley Pines for exemplifying this focus,” states Exline.  He also imparted that Wesley Pines set the bar for the other 130 communities …..

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Cape Fear Valley Wins Supply Chain Award

FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Health has been awarded a Supply Chain Excellence Award from Premier, Inc., an alliance of approximately 3,900 U.S. hospitals and more than 150,000 other provider organizations. The Supply Chain Excellence Award recognizes high-value purchasing practices of hospitals and facilities, which help maintain a healthy bottom line while meeting patient needs. Cape Fear Valley Health was one of just 14 hospitals nationwide to win the award for 2018, and the only winner in North Carolina. The award will be formally announced June 21 during Premier’s annual awards conference, held this year in Nashville, Tenn. Winners were chosen based on their supply expenses compared to total operating expenses, …..

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Diabetes Community Center helps patients take control

By Roxana Ross When Proctorville resident Constance Kirkland was first diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, she was very upset. She was also determined. Thanks to help and education from Southeastern Health’s Diabetes Community Center, Kirkland learned how to manage her condition and stay off insulin. Now 69 years old, Kirkland said she feels great and wishes more people took the time to learn how to control their diabetes without medication by visiting the center and heeding the expert advice offered by the professionals. “They let me know from the start, ‘You don’t have to worry, we are going to be right there with you,’ and it’s been over two years …..

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Bladen County Hospital Designated Lung Cancer Screening Center

ELIZABETHTOWN – Bladen County Hospital has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center designation is a voluntary program that recognizes hospitals and facilities that have committed to practice safe, effective diagnostic care for patients who are at the highest rick for lung cancer. Bladen County Hospital uses low-dose CT scans to help detect lung cancer at earlier stages, when patient treatment options are optimal. Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography scans, and appropriate follow-up care, significantly reduces lung cancer deaths. Experts recommend annually screening people age 55 to 77 who have smoked one pack a day …..

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Cape Fear Valley Receives STEMI Award

FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline STEMI Receiving Center Gold Plus Award for implementing specific quality measures to help treat heart attack patients. More than 250,000 people a year suffer an ST-elevated myocardial infarction, the deadliest type of heart attack. The attacks are caused by blood blockages to the heart. Restoring blood flow as quickly as possible is vital, either by mechanically opening blocked vessels or providing clot-busting medication. Mission Lifeline’s goal is to reduce system barriers to prompt treatment, from 911 calls to hospital treatment. Cape Fear Valley Medical Center was recognized for having an 85 percent adherence rate and …..

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Tyson Foods recalls frozen breaded chicken

Tyson Foods, Inc. is recalling more than 3,120 pounds of frozen breaded chicken. The recall states the chicken may be contaminated with blue and clear soft plastic. The company says the products were packaged on May 17, 2018. The recall applies to the 12 pound box containing 3 pound plastic bags labeled as “Uncooked, Breaded, Original Chicken Tenderloins” and they have lot code 1378NLR02. The company said they decided on June 8th to issue the recall after the manufacturer of the breading mix issued a recall due to the mixture being contaminated with miscellaneous substances. The company says the items were shipped to food service establishments nationwide and are not …..

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Social Security supports people with cancer

By Brenda Brown Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Fayetteville, NC In 2018, more than a million people will be diagnosed with cancer around the world. This alarming statistic affects people and families everywhere. On June 3, 2018, we observe National Cancer Survivors Day in the United States. In support of this day, Social Security encourages getting checkups to provide early detection, raise awareness through education, and recognize the survivors who have gone through this battle or are still living with the disease. Social Security supports people who are fighting cancer. We offer support to patients dealing with this disease through our disability program. People with certain cancers may be …..

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Community Health Assessment under way, your help needed completing survey

By Erin Smith A Regional Community Health Assessment/Community Health Needs Assessment is under way in Bladen County. The Bladen County Health Department is partnering with Cape Fear Valley-Bladen Healthcare to complete the assessments. This is a new partnership with East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine. The goal is to receive 380 responses. The Community Health Assessment and the Community Needs Assessment are required to be completed every three years. For the health department, the Community Health Assessment addresses accreditation standards and is tied to state funding. The results of the assessment assists agencies in devising action plans to address the concerns and needs identified in the survey. The document …..

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Health Grades

Let’s Eat Out, But Where?

It’s hard to believe, (since it took so long for spring to arrive), that May is already gone, but June is here and so is your monthly report on the health and sanitation scores achieved by the restaurants, cafeterias, daycare kitchens, and eateries we all frequent in Bladen County. As you know, the professionals over at the Bladen County Health Department take public health very seriously, and they perform inspections every month to ensure your food safety. And just like that, BladenOnline.com publishes the report that is generated every month because those fine folks are just as serious about serving the community. So check out the list below and be …..

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State of the County Health Report released

By Erin Smith The NC Department of Health and Human Services has released the Bladen County State of the County Health Report for 2017. The report identifies two priorities in the county in terms of health. The first priorities are substance abuse/misuse of tobacco/vapor products, alcohol and prescription drug abuse/misuse. The second set of priorities are identified as obesity/weight problems. The report also identifies teen pregnancy as a new and emerging issue. According to the report, heart disease was identified as the number one cause of death in Bladen County for 2017. Other cases death identified were Diabetes, cerebrovascular deaths such as high blood pressure and stroke, chronic lower respiratory …..

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Healthy Bladen collaborative learns about partnerships

By Erin Smith The Healthy Bladen Collaborative met on Tuesday morning at the Bladen County Health Department and heard about a partnership formed between the Healthy Bladen Summer Recreation and Bladen County 4-H. The Healthy Bladen Summer Kids Recreation program consists of The locations for this year’s program will be East Arcadia School, Bladenboro Middle School, Elizabethtown Middle School, Clarkton School of Discovery, and Tar Heel Middle School. The hours for this year’s program will be 9 a.m. until 12 noon. The camps will be offered over a four week period beginning June 25th and ending the week of July 4th. This year the Healthy Bladen Kids Recreation Camps will receive SNAP education from the Bladen …..

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Take Back NC Initiative, Bladen County Opioid Forum strive to raise awareness

  By Erin Smith On Monday, the Take Back NC Initiative unveiled a get tough plan for drug dealers. The plan calls for stiffer penalties for those caught dealing drugs and for those dealers whose products cause the death of a user to be charged with second degree murder. That theme was continued as the Bladen County Opioid Task Force met on Thursday evening to discuss the opioid epidemic on the local level. On Thursday, a panel of 20 individuals offered all manner of information from statistics to personal stories to upcoming events. Bladen County Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor said when he first began his duties with Bladen County Schools, he …..

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BCH Thanks Local EMS with a Surprise

In honor of EMS Week Bladen County Hospital surprised the local EMS team with their own office space at the hospital. Tommy Lindsay, Engineering Director, explained that the EMS team needed their own space to be able to work between calls. “This has been a plan of ours for quite some time and this week seemed like the perfect opportunity to make it happen.” David Howell, EMS Director, explained that when his team brings patients to the hospital this will give them a space to complete the necessary paperwork and re-equip their units which will provide quicker turn around times. David thanked Cape Fear Valley-Bladen County Hospital for the kind …..

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SeHealth and RHCC partner to provide health care services at storm damaged medical clinic

Officials with Southeastern Health (SeHealth) and Robeson Health Care Corporation (RHCC) met on Tuesday, May 22 on the grounds of the Dr. A.J. Robinson Medical Clinic to announce a partnership to provide health care services at the facility, which was closed following Hurricane Matthew in October 2016 because of extensive flooding and storm damage. The announcement included a new name for the facility, the Dr. A.J. Robinson Community Health and Wellness Center. SeHealth announced in November 2017 that funding had been secured to restore the facility, which is located at 800 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in south Lumberton. Through this new partnership announced today, once all restoration has been completed, RHCC …..

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Asheville company recalls kratom powder after tests by NCDA&CS show presence of Salmonella

Raleigh – Pious Lion of Asheville is voluntarily recalling kratom powder distributed in North Carolina. The company launched the recall after samples collected from a retail location by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Rapid Response Team tested positive for Salmonella, which may cause life-threatening illness. “This is a very serious issue and consumers should take immediate action if they have these products in their homes. Consumers are advised to discard these products and are warned not to consume them,” said Joe Reardon, assistant commissioner of regulatory programs. The following products are included in this advisory: Pious Lion Pure Premium Potent Limited Release Pink Bali, 1 oz Pious …..

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SRMC overhauls trauma code

A new process for responding to trauma patients in the emergency room, called Code Trauma, will start May 21 at Southeastern Health’s Southeastern Regional Medical Center. This new approach for organizing how different departments activate and serve patients arriving with severe injuries is designed to create a more effective response system and improve patient outcomes. “We want the community to know we are making great efforts to ensure that trauma patients are cared for as quickly and effectively as possible,” said SRMC Emergency Services Coordinator Keenya Locklear, who is one of the leaders of the new initiative. “Each department involved has goals regarding the speed of delivery for their services.” The new …..

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Public information session about GenX scheduled for May 29

RALEIGH – State officials announced an information session has been scheduled about the state’s ongoing activities related to the GenX investigation that originated at Chemours’ Fayetteville Works facility. The information session is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29, at St. Pauls Middle School, located at 526 West Shaw Street in St. Pauls. This will be the fifth information session held in an effort to provide updates and answer questions about GenX released by the Chemours’ Fayetteville Works facility. Topics will include drinking water well sampling results, air and rainwater sampling results, fish tissue sampling results, initial results from the carbon filter pilot project, alternative water options, and surface water sampling. WHAT: Information session about the …..

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Cape Fear Valley Launches Clinical Trials Program

FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Health has announced a partnership with Raleigh-based Wake Research (M3-Wake Research Associates, Inc.) to form Carolina Institute for Clinical Research. The addition expands on Wake Research’s coast-to- coast coverage of clinical research populations in the United States and incorporates communities of nearly 14 million people. “A robust clinical research program is an important part of an academic health system,” said Michael Nagowski, Chief Executive Officer of Cape Fear Valley Health. “Our physician residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, emergency medicine, family practice, psychiatry and general surgery will benefit greatly from this partnership. Our patients and community will also benefit from having access to …..

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North Carolina ranks 32nd overall in drug use

By Erin Smith With the nation in the grips of an Opioid Epidemic, President Donald Trump and US Attorney General Jeff Sessions are pushing for tougher sentences including the death penalty for some offenses.  The news was somber as it was revealed in a Wallet Hub study that North Carolina ranks 32nd for drug use by state. The state with the least incidents of drug abuse was Minnesota which was ranked number 51. Each state and the District of Columbia were looked at in three categories: Drug Use and Addiction; Law Enforcement; and Drug Health Issues and Rehab. Points were awarded in each category. The District of Columbia ranked number 1 …..

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Peterson awarded SeHealth’s highest nursing honor

SRMC Third Bed Tower Shift Supervisor and Registered Nurse Deborah Peterson was named Southeastern Health’s 2018 Baker Nurse of Excellence during a ceremony hosted by the organization’s Professional Growth Council on May 10 as part of National Nurses Week. “I have never had the honor and privilege to work with someone as thoughtful as Mrs. Deborah who truly sacrifices herself each and every day for others,” wrote SRMC Third Bed Tower Manager Magenta Smith in Peterson’s nomination application. “She is completely involved with the operations and functions of 3BT and staff admire her dedication, loyalty, and commitment to being the best. She exemplifies excellence in all measures and would be an excellent Baker Nurse …..

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Regional Community Health Assessment under way in Bladen County

By Erin Smith  The Bladen County Health Department is partnering with Cape Fear Valley-Bladen Healthcare to complete a Regional Community Health Assessment/Community Health Needs Assessment. This is a new partnership with East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine. The goal is to receive 380 responses.  The Community Health Assessment and the Community Needs Assessment are required to be completed every three years. For the health department, the Community Health Assessment addresses accreditation standards and is tied to state funding.  The results of the assessment assists agencies in devising action plans to address the concerns and needs identified in the survey. The document will give county health officials a better understanding …..

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Crisis Intervention Training set for June

Contributed A Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Course will be offered through Eastpointe MCO at the Southeastern Regional Mental Health Center in Lumberton from June 18 through June 22. The CIT training will cover topics such as identifying mental disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Trauma, Substance Use, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Mobile Crisis, Hearing Voices, Suicide Intervention, and De-escalation/Use of Force/Practice Role Plays. Those in attendance will also receive training on how to identify local resources, helpful information and alternatives to high-end services such involuntary commitment, petitions to the court, or psychiatric hospitals.  To register for the CIT Training event, click here. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 1-800-913-6109. Share:

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Bladen County Relay for Life today

By Erin Smith Cancer has touched many lives and many families in Bladen County. Bladen County Relay for Life will take place from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. today (Friday, May 4) at the Elizabethtown Middle School track.  There are 22 teams entered in the event. The fundraising goal for this year’s event is to raise $78,000 to help with cancer research. As of 11 a.m. Friday, they had raised $48,610 of that goal.  Festivities will include a luminary service as well as a survivor’s lap and a care giver’s lap. Everyone is encouraged to come out and cheer on the cancer survivors and their care givers as they make their lap around the …..

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Endometrial Ablation Procedure Performed at CFV

By: Dr. Allan Boruszak, OB/GYN Heavy menstrual periods, pain during your cycle? These are symptoms many women have during their lifetime. If can cause loss of work and income. It may limit your activities during the menstrual cycle. At times it can be heavy enough to lead to blood transfusions. In the past, this was treated with a surgical procedure known as hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). Hysterectomy is a major surgery, requiring an extended convalescence, and a risk of injury to the bladder or bowels. Nowadays, we have a simpler, safer procedure known as endometrial ablation. Endometrial ablation involves eliminating the endometrium, which is the part of the uterus …..

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Teen Challenge offers treatment options needed in Bladen County

By: Charlotte Smith The Opioid Task Force has been trying to find new ways to offer treatment and support for addicts in Bladen County. Back in January, Bladen County Commissioner and Chairman of the task force, Charles Ray Peterson said he had received a letter from Albemarle Teen Challenge. Peterson explained to the group at the January meeting the members with Albermarle Teen Challenge was requesting a meeting with the Bladen County Opioid Task Force. Since January, Teen Challenge has been raising money to apply towards the purchase of a home on Lula Long Road in Ammon. The Bladen County Teen Challenge, is a treatment program that will be offered to women, …..

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Cape Fear Valley To Hold Nurse Candlelight Walk

FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Health will once again hold its Nurses Candlelight Walk in observance of National Nurses Week. The annual walk will be held Thursday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. on the front lawn of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, off Owen Drive. The event will be held inside the hospital front lobby in case of rain. The public is invited to join the walk to honor or memorialize a nurse special to them. The walking course is roughly half a mile, circling the front grounds of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Free parking will be provided in the adjacent Cape Fear Cancer Center parking lot. National Nurses Week begins each year on May …..

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Bladen County Schools to offer Summer Feeding program

By Erin Smith Bladen County Schools is set to offer a summer feeding program this year. The program will consist of breakfast and lunch, according to Bladen County Schools Nutrition Director Amy Stanley. Stanley told the Healthy Bladen Collaborative the program is set to begin on June 18th and will continue through July 31st at Elizabethtown Middle School, Bladeboro Middle School, and West Bladen High School. Stanley said the West Bladen High School summer feeding program will most likely remain open until classes resume in August. Hours for the summer feeding program are 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The meals are free of charge.  Stanley said if you are operating a summer camp, Vacation Bible …..

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LCFH offers no cost grief group for those who have lost a loved one

WHITEVILLE, NC – Lower Cape Fear Hospice will offer a no cost grief program for those coping with the loss of a child. The group will meet Mondays, June 4-25 from 2-4 pm at Angel House Hospice Care Center, 206 Warrior Trail Road in Whiteville. Pre-registration is required; to register, call 910-515-6689. Most of us have loved and lost special people in our lives and we understand that coping with grief is a challenging process. If you and/or your friends and family are having difficulty dealing with the loss of a loved one, we are here to help. Throughout the year, we offer compassionate care, educational and enrichment opportunities that support many types of loss in …..

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Cape Fear Valley Earns Top Patient Safety Grades

FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Medical Center has been awarded an “A” for hospital safety by The Leapfrog Group. The grade was announced in a biannual survey of more than 2,300 hospitals nationwide by the Washington D.C.-based patient safety organization. The group’s rating system is considered the gold standard for patient safety. It is the first and only hospital rating system to be peer-reviewed by the Journal of Patient Safety. The Leapfrog survey analyzes 28 measures of publicly available safety data to produce a single A, B, C, D or F score for each facility. The grade represents a hospital’s overall capacity to keep patients safe from preventable harm. The ratings are important …..

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Cape Fear Valley Health Chooses Epic For Comprehensive Health Record System 

Contributed FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Health has selected Epic, the most widely-used comprehensive health record software in the U.S., to unite all of its hospitals and clinics under a single information-sharing platform. Moving to Epic ultimately benefits patients by providing a complete digital record spanning their entire continuum of care. It also improves patient access and engagement through Epic’s MyChart patient portal. Cape Fear Valley currently uses two Cerner software systems for record keeping. The switch to Epic will streamline services, such as scheduling, clinical applications, billing and population health initiatives. Many of the nation’s leading health systems already use Epic to exchange data, share best practices and promote innovation. “The benefits of …..

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Rebates May Help Some, But Are No Silver Bullet for High Drug Costs

By Mark Tosczak If you get your health insurance from Aetna or UnitedHealthcare, you might — with an emphasis on “might” — find some of your prescriptions are cheaper at the drug store next year. Both companies have announced in the last few weeks that in 2019 they will pass on any rebates they receive from drug manufacturers directly to consumers. But the new policy won’t benefit all patients. For starters, if you’re covered by a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina plan, you’re out of luck. Blue Cross, which last year received $227.4 million in rebates from drug companies, said it already uses those funds to reduce …..

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Eastpointe CEO updates board on Opioid Crisis

By Erin Smith In a recent meeting of the Eastpointe MCO Board of Directors, CEO Sarah Stroud updated the board regarding the Opioid Crisis in North Carolina and strategies being taken to combat the situation.  Eastpointe MCO serves a ten county area following the disengagement of Nash County in 2017 and Columbus County in March 2018. The counties currently being served by Eastpointe MCO include: Bladen, Duplin, Edgecombe, Greene, Lenoir, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Wayne and Wilson counties. Stroud told the board that as of February 2018, Eastpointe has distributed 1,094 Narcan kits in their service area. They began passing out the Narcan kits in July 2017. They have also hosted …..

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BCC Employees Participate in Walk Toward Wellness

Bladen Community College employees participate in the Walk Toward Wellness program on the Dublin campus. Pictured from left to right are Lucinda McKoy, Regina Valenta, Christine McDonald, Diane Vitale, Tiina Mundy, Mary Granger, and Brenda Malloy. Share:

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May 19 5K Trail Run & Walk

White Oak Family Worship Center’s College and Careers Group is hosting a 5k Trail Run and Walk at Jones Lake State Park, on Saturday, May 19. Jones Lake State Park is located at 4117 NC-242, Elizabethtown, NC . Admission is $25. For more information and registration details go to: payit2.com/event/100198. Share:

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NC Harm Reduction Program Meeting Tomorrow

By Greg Martin Please be reminded that our monthly Opioid meeting will be held tomorrow from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Health Department, 300 Mercer Mill Road, Elizabethtown. The primary focus of tomorrow’s meeting is the NC Harm Reduction Program, and it is being sponsored by Eastpointe. The following agenda items will be discussed: o Harm Reduction Overview o HIV, HCV, Sepsis, Endocarditis and Overdose in NC o Harm Reduction Laws in NC o Syringe Decriminalization and Syringe Exchange Programs o Overdose Prevention o Naloxone Utilization  Community  Law Enforcement o Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion o Methadone and Bupe o Why people have a tough time entering drug treatment o Reentry and drug use …..

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Let’s Eat Out, But Where?

By Cheryl Thurston Ahhh, Spring has finally arrived, with sunny days and mild nights. I love it. It makes me want to walk right out of the kitchen and go eat out. I may be still working off those 10 extra winter pounds but I can’t let myself starve. I remember when March used to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb, but the thing that I remember most about this March was how similar it was to March of last year. You may recall that this February was unseasonably warm and then March had some cold snaps in it. Just like last year. I hope …..

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This Week is National Public Health Week

By Marianne Valentiner Everyone deserves to live a long and healthy life in a safe environment. To make this happen, we must tackle the causes of poor health and disease risk among individuals and within our communities. Where we live, work, worship and play impacts each of use and can determine our health and how long we live. In the workplace, let’s partner across public and private sectors to make sure decisions are made with the public’s health in mind. Within our communities, let’s start new conversations with our neighbors and be advocates for positive change. Working together, we can build healthier communities and, eventually, the healthiest nation. But we …..

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Bladen County ranks 95th in County Health Rankings

By Erin Smith Bladen County is a great place to live, play and work, but there remains much room for improvement, according to the County Health Rankings published by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Bladen County ranked 95th among North Carolina’s 100 counties in the 2018 County Health rankings released recently. This is a slight drop from the 2017 County Health Ranking of 91st. Bladen County Health Educator Marianne Valentiner said the data used to calculate the numbers cover the period of 2014 to 2016, which is more than two years old. She pointed out there are programs and initiatives that are …..

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GI Specialist Joins SeHealth

Gastroenterologist Dr. Melissa M. Garrett has joined Southeastern Digestive Health Center, an affiliate of Southeastern Health. Dr. Garrett earned a medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, Va., in 2000. She completed an internal medicine residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., in 2003, and a gastroenterology fellowship at Duke University Medical Center in 2007. She is board certified in gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Before joining SeHealth, Dr. Garrett worked as medical director for PAREXEL, a contract research organization. She worked as an assistant professor for nine years and an instructor of medicine for one year, both at Duke …..

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Bladen County Health Department offering Pre-K and Kindergarten Physicals

Do you have a child starting Pre-K or Kindergarten this year?  If so, contact Bladen County Health Department today to schedule a physical exam. Appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. and Monday through Thursday from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.  Physical includes vision and hearing screening.  Immunizations may also be given at this appointment if needed. Don’t have a child starting school?  We see children from birth through 20 years of age for wellness checks and also offer sports physicals. Medicaid and insurance accepted.  Payment based on income is also available for those without insurance.  Call 910-862-6900 for appointments. Share:

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Health Grades

Let’s Eat Out, But Where?

By Cheryl Thurston So long, February. You were short, but sweet. You started with warm temperatures, even though Punxsutawney Phil called for more winter. You brought us sweets for the lovers, sales for the presidents, and lots of important Black History. I’ve often wondered why the maker of the calendar didn’t just take an extra day from a couple of the 31 day months to make February as long as the others. But I digress. The good folks at the Bladen County Health Department didn’t mind the shortness of February though. They went right on with their inspections of the kitchens, cafeterias, and restaurants we love to visit. Without their …..

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SeHealth honors Bladen employees for service

One hundred and thirty-four employees reached milestone years of service at Southeastern Health in 2017. These employees were honored Tuesday, Feb. 27 at Southeastern Health’s (SeHealth) annual service awards banquet. SeHealth’s Vice President of Talent and Culture, Dr. Patrick Ebri, led SeHealth Administrators and Directors as they presented service award certificates and gift cards to honorees in attendance during the after-dinner ceremony held in Southeastern Regional Medical Center’s dining room. Those in attendance made dinner selections from a variety of delicious entrees prepared by SeHealth’s Food and Nutrition Services staff. SeHealth Foundation Board Member and Vocalist Lisa Rust was accompanied by Mark Anderson on the piano as the evening’s entertainment. …..

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Online Opioid Training Classes for Providers Available Online At No Cost

1.25 CE Hours Available at No Cost  Online – take them anytime, anywhere Relias is your partner in finding solutions to the opioid crisis in the United States. Our opioid solution combines education and analytics to overcome rising opioid misuse and abuse and reign in healthcare costs. We are offering two best-in-class opioid courses to your providers at no charge for the week of March 4-10. Two free opioid training modules: Module Name: Opioid Use and Abuse Landscape Training Hours: 0.5 Accreditation: ACCME, ANCC, DC-RN, FL-MED, FL-PA, GA-RN, SC-RN Description: This course is an overview of the opioid epidemic and the role healthcare providers play in the solution by educating and helping dependent …..

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Lower Cape Fear Hospice offers Kids, Teens and Grief Workshop

 Kids, Teens and Grief is a no cost workshop offered by Lower Cape Fear Hospice. If you have a child or teen that is coping with the death of a loved one, join us Tuesday, April 10, from 3:00-4:30 p.m. at our Bladen County office, 116 W. Broad Street in Elizabethtown. This workshop reviews how children grieve and offers parents and other caring adults suggestions for helping children cope with death and grief. To register, call 910-515-6689. Because of our generous donors, these caring, no cost counseling services and programs are available to all. Your donation is always appreciated. “The death of a loved one is difficult for everyone, and children and teens feel …..

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Southeastern Medial Center

Lawson and George win Southeastern Health top honors

Accounting Manager Jeanine Lawson was named the 2017 winner of the John D. Drake Distinguished Service Award, Southeastern Health’s (SeHealth) highest employee honor, and Director of Clinical Care Cynthia George was named the 2017 winner the W. Reid Caldwell Jr. Distinguished Leadership Award during surprise presentations at SeHealth’s annual service awards banquet held Tuesday, Feb. 27, in Southeastern Regional Medical Center’s cafeteria. “Jeanine has been described by her co-workers as knowledgeable in every aspect of her job and the true definition of a leader,” said SeHealth President/CEO Joann Anderson, who made the surprise presentations. “She is recognized as a reliable asset by organizational leadership and is sought after for her professional …..

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Children’s Health of Carolina, PA Welcomes Danielle Chavis, PA-C to Lumberton Children’s Clinic

Children’s Health of Carolina, PA Welcomes Danielle Chavis, PA-C to Lumberton Children’s Clinic Children’s Heath of Carolina, PA proudly announces the addition of Danielle Chavis, PA-C to the Lumberton Children’s Clinic location. She will be accepting new patients starting March 1st . Completing her undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, she began her career as a Biology teacher at Scotland High School. In 2012, she completed a post-baccalaureate program at Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine and graduated from Methodist University’s Physician Assistant program in 2017. As a native of Laurinburg, Danielle enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, nieces and nephews, and is also a …..

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GoFundMe page established for Bladen County couple

A GoFundMe page has been started to assist a Bladen County family with medical expenses. Joelle Butler has been hospitalized with a serious, life threatening heart condition. She will have a long period of recovery and her husband Josh Butler will be out of work for several months to be with her, according to the GoFundMe page. She is also the mom of three boys. To help this family, go to https://www.gofundme.com/joellestrong. All proceeds will go to the family to assist with medical expenses during this time. Share:

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Giving Birth in North Carolina Is Still a Risky Business

Safe pregnancies and healthy babies are inextricably tied to the pre- and post-conception health of mothers. Data show that maternal health factors are a leading contributor to birth outcomes such as fetal viability and infant mortality. Unfortunately in North Carolina, barriers to affordable and consistent healthcare for women pre- and post-conception contribute to stubbornly high rates of fetal and infant death each year, despite advances in clinical care. In 2016, NC Child published a brief outlining the potential positive benefits of expanded health care coverage on infant mortality. This brief builds upon that work, exploring the similar potential of expanded women’s health insurance access and utilization to affect fetal outcomes …..

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Health Grades

Let’s Eat Out, But Where?

By Cheryl Thurston January usually starts off with a lots of parties, hopes and ambitions. We relish the chance to make fresh starts. The most common New Year’s Resolution is to loose weight, however, by the end of the month we are usually back to our old habits, whatever they may be. (It’s the same for me.) When people are getting back to work after a holiday break, and have to rush from one place to the next, checking items off of the lists, they fall back on convenience.  That’s January. All the more reason we need to know what we are fueling our bodies with, right? Well, here it …..

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Eastpointe Provider Rate Increase Effective on February 1

BEULAVILLE, NC – Effective for services provided on or after today, February 1, Eastpointe will provide a 3 percent rate increase for its network providers. This increase will apply to a substantial number of both state- and Medicaid-funded outpatient services. This rate increase was made despite a $12.8 million reduction in state funding and a 6 percent increase in the number of beneficiaries across Eastpointe’s 11-county service area during its 2017 fiscal year (ended June 30, 2017). Eastpointe CEO Sarah N. Stroud noted that, “We’re always looking for opportunities to help make the communities we serve stronger and healthier. Though our Medicaid system is in transition and funding is tight, we …..

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Healthy Bladen Collaborative hears about Hurricane Matthew housing

By Erin Smith The Healthy Bladen Collaborative learned on Tuesday Bladen County has received $25,000 from the North Carolina Emergency Management Division to assist individuals who are still without housing from Hurricane Matthew.  “We can assist them with deposits and two months rent,” said Janet Miller, Social Work Program Director.  She said she currently has two applicants who have applied to receive assistance. The criteria to receive assistance is as follows: the applicant must be someone who has been displaced by Hurricane Matthew and they must have submitted a prior application to FEMA for assistance. Miller said there are some individuals in Bladen County who still have FEMA applications pending …..

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BCC Welcomes Marcia deAndrade to Campus

DUBLIN – Marcia deAndrade has joined the faculty at Bladen Community College as a Nursing Instructor in the Allied Health Programs curriculum. deAndrade, a native of Elizabethtown, most recently served Harrell’s Christian Academy for eight years as the school nurse. She has worked as a Nursing Clinical Instructor for Sampson Community College, and as a registered nurse for Cape Fear Valley Bladen County Hospital. She is excited to bring her experiences as a clinical nurse to a student setting on a community college campus. “As a clinical nurse, each patient was different and I constantly had to adapt to what was being presented to me at the time,” explained deAndrade. …..

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Recall: Rich Products Corporation recalls beef products due to contamination

WASHINGTON, D. C.– Rich Products Corporation, a Vineland, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 3,420 pounds of beef meatball products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The ready-to-eat (RTE) frozen beef meatball items were produced on Dec. 17, 2017. The following products are subject to recall: *36-lb. cases containing six 6-lb. bags of “Member’s Mark Casa DI BERTACCHI ITALIAN STYLE BEEF MEATBALLS” with a “Best if Used By 17 DEC 2018” label and a lot code of 15507351 on the packaging. The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 5336” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped …..

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Cape Fear Valley And Beasley Media Will Stop The Music To Fight Opioid Abuse

FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Health and Beasley Media Group are stopping the music to fight the growing opioid problem in the region. North Carolina currently has four cities, including Fayetteville, identified as national hotspots for prescription opioid abuse. Fayetteville is ranked 18th highest on the list, according to a recent study. On Tuesday, Jan. 30, Cape Fear Valley and Beasley will broadcast Fayetteville Fights Back, a candid discussion about opioid abuse, on all Beasley radio stations in the Fayetteville listening area. The live talk show will air from 5 – 6 p.m. It’s an unprecedented move for Beasley. The program will be heard without commercials simultaneously on WKML 95.7, FOXY 99.1, …..

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Lower Cape Fear Hospice to offer grief and loss workshop

WILMINGTON  – Lower Cape Fear Hospice will offer a 90-minute grief workshop: Understanding Grief and Loss. It will take place from  3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 13th, at the Bladen County office, located at 116 W. Broad Street in Elizabethtown. There is no cost to attend; pre-registration is required. Call 910-515-6689 to register. “It’s been said, every loss is different and every loss is the same,” Melissa Rogers, LCFH bereavement counselor, said. “Though a person’s loss is truly unique, a person’s grief process probably shares some similarities with the grief process of others. This workshop will focus on those similarities and some tried-and-true coping skills those grieving can learn …..

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Southeastern Medial Center

SRMC at maximum capacity; asking patients to seek alternatives

Officials with Southeastern Regional Medical Center (SRMC) are urging the public to visit their family physician or use local clinics for all health conditions not requiring emergency care as currently all staffed beds at SRMC are occupied and patients seeking admission are facing delays. “We are urging our community to evaluate their health care needs to determine the most appropriate place from which to seek care at this time,” said Renae Taylor, chief nursing officer for Southeastern Health. “Persons with true emergencies, such as trauma or chest pain, should not hesitate to come in for emergency care. Patients who do seek care from SRMC’s emergency department will be treated in …..

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Bladen County Hospital restricting visits from children

Cape Fear Valley Bladen County Hospital is restricting children under age 12 from visiting the hospital to help minimize the spread of flu and other flu-like illnesses, the system’s chief executive officer Michael Nagowski announced Monday. Also, the emergency department is limiting visitors to one per patient, Nagowski added. “If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat or runny nose, please do not visit friends and family in the hospital,” Nagowski said. “Hand washing remains the number one way to reduce the spread of infection.” Cape Fear Valley Bladen has placed hand hygiene stations throughout the hospital and outside every patient room for use. The hospital reminds …..

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Southeastern Medial Center

Southeastern Health announces inclement weather schedule

Southeastern Health of Lumberton has announced the following inclement weather schedule:   Closed for Thursday, January 4th: Southeastern Health Primary and Specialty Clinics (except those listed below) Southeastern Cardiology and Cardiovascular Clinic Southeastern Psychiatry Clinic Southeastern Rehabilitation Centers   Open on Thursday, January 4th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Gibson Cancer Center Southeastern Medical Clinic Gray’s Creek Southeastern Health Mall Clinic Southeastern Home Medical Equipment Southeastern Radiology Associates Southeastern Urgent Care Pembroke Southeastern Wound Healing Center The Clinic at Walmart The Clinic at Lumberton Drug The Surgery Center at Southeastern Health Park   All Southeastern Health Fitness Centers will close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 4th.   Share:

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Food Lion Recalls Food Lion Brand Buttermilk Homestyle Biscuits

SALISBURY, N.C – Food Lion is voluntarily recalling all code dates of its Food Lion brand Homestyle Buttermilk Biscuits in an abundance of caution after being notified by its manufacturer today the product may contain listeria monocytogenes. While there have been no reports of illnesses to date, the product is being recalled as a precautionary measure after T. Marzetti Company, the manufacturer of the product, has indicated a possible contamination issue with Listeria monocytogenes at one of its plants. Food Lion has removed all affected product from its shelves and urges customers to return the product to their local Food Lion store for a full refund. Customers may also contact …..

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Next step in NC Opioid Action Plan takes place in new year

New rules that set limits on the quantity of opioids that can be prescribed take effect Jan. 1, 2018. The STOP Act, supported by Governor Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein, sets new initial prescribing limits and is part of the state’s multi-pronged effort to reduce the oversupply of prescription opioids that has contributed to increased addiction and unintentional overdose deaths. Nearly four people die every day from opioid overdose in North Carolina. Opioid-related deaths have risen from fewer than 200 in 1999 to 1,384 in 2016. “Smarter, safer prescribing is one tool among many that we’re deploying to combat the opioid crisis,” said Governor Cooper. “Setting initial limits …..

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Health Grades

Let’s Eat Out, But Where?

By Cheryl Thurston Happy December everyone. By now your Thanksgiving feast, (and all those left-overs) is just a pleasant memory. We all have a lot to be thankful for, like the fine folks at the Bladen County Health Department who work hard each month to ensure our safety when we eat away from home. As always, BladenOnline.com is serving the Mother county by publishing the results of the sanitation inspections that were performed last month. Check out the list below to see which restaurants and kitchens were inspected in November. Bon Appitité.   Share:

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Ex-mental health agency leaders ordered away from finances

  CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A court has told the former CEO and ousted board members of North Carolina’s largest regional mental health care agency to stay clear of the finances of Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Solutions since state officials have taken it over. A Mecklenburg County judge signed Wednesday an order preventing ex-chief executive Richard Topping and the former board from interfering with actions by the Department of Health and Human Services for 10 days. DHHS also wants something more permanent. The department took charge temporarily of Cardinal Innovations on Monday following recent audits chronicling what they called excessive spending, executive pay and severance packages. A state attorney provided to …..

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Sandra Cain

For Better Living: Let’s Talk Turkey

By Sandra R. Cain Purchase the right turkey Consider buying a fresh turkey from your grocery store.  There is no need to defrost it and no added fat or sodium as  in the self-basting, frozen birds.  For a small dinner with 6 or fewer people, you may want to consider purchasing a breast.  A bone-in turkey breast gives you a small turkey roast that can be carved in the traditional style without the excess fat and leftovers from dark meat. Purchase a half-pound of turkey for every guest.  Increase that to one pound if you want leftovers.  Turkeys heavier than 12 pounds yield more meat, so go with one-third pound per person.  …..

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Baldwin Branch Presents Diabetes Forum

November is National Diabetes Month. Diabetes is a complex disorder of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism that is primarily a result of deficiency or complete lack of insulin secretion by the beta cells of the pancreas or defects of the insulin receptors. In order to educate the community regarding this disease process Caitlin Dalton, Nutritionist/Life Coach, and the Health and Wellness Ministry of Baldwin Branch MBC will be offering the community an opportunity to improve their health. This educational opportunity will consist of a series of 16 classes.  Support our efforts to make Bladen County and surround areas a healthier community! Program participants at high risk for type 2 diabetes will meet …..

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Elizabethtown child honored at Duke Children’s Hospital

By Erin Smith An Elizabethtown boy has beaten the odds and was recently honored with a photo on the wall of Duke Children’s Hospital Neonatal ICU.  Jase High was born on November 19th, 2016, with a condition called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. His mother, DeShana High said the diagnosis means Jase was born with a hole in his diaphragm.  “Initially, before I had him, they didn’t know it was that severe,” said DeShana High.  It was only when Jase was born that doctors and DeShana High learned the exact nature of Jase’s issue. She said being a nurse, as well as a first time mom, she knew his condition was very …..

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Red Ribbon Week Photo Contest

By Erin Smith The week of October 23 through October 31st is Red Ribbon Week and this year’s theme is “Your Future is Key, So Stay Drug Free.” The idea behind Red  Ribbon Week is to encourage parents to begin a conversation with their teens about drugs and the dangers associated with them.  As part of the Red Ribbon Week Campaign, there is a photo contest you can enter for a chance to win an iPad and $1,000 for your school. There are two categories you can enter: Home decorations or school decorations. Entering is simple. Decorate your home’s front door, mailbox or fence with a double looped Red Ribbon, snap …..

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Members named to state Science Advisory Board to advise on emerging chemicals

Group of experts to hold first meeting Oct. 23 in Raleigh RALEIGH – The heads of the state environmental and public health agencies today announced the new members of the newly expanded Secretaries’ Science Advisory Board, which will examine new and emerging chemicals and their potential impacts to human health and the environment. The board of 16 experts in toxicology, public health, ecology, engineering and related fields will study ways to better protect North Carolina’s people and environment from new and emerging chemicals of concern, including GenX and hexavalent chromium. “We selected top talent from a robust pool of more than 50 candidates from across North Carolina,” said Michael Regan, secretary …..

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Sandra Cain

For Better Living: What is Dietary Fiber?

Sandra R. Cain Dietary fiber has become a household word. Most food labels in the supermarket now list dietary fiber. Even though fiber is not considered a nutrient, health professionals agree that most Americans don’t get nearly enough in their diet. Dietary fiber is found only in plant foods like fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes. Complex carbohydrates which are not digested but are excreted from the body are called dietary fiber. Small amounts of some dietary fiber may be broken down by bacteria normally found in the intestine. Two types of dietary fiber are soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water while insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water. …..

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Health Fair planned for Saturday

By Erin Smith The Bladen Community Collaborative for Bladen County will conduct a health fair at Leinwand Park on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be free food and activities for everyone. Come out and meet the agencies that serve your county. Share:

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Cardinal Innovations sues state over CEO compensation

By Erin Smith Cardinal Innovations has filed a lawsuit against the state of North Carolina in an effort to continue paying Richard Topping’s salary of $635,000 per year. The lawsuit protests the ruling of the Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) that the salary and bonuses paid to Cardinal Innovations CEO Richard Topping are out of compliance with the North Carolina General Statutes.  In 2001, the NC General Assembly legislation that reformed the methods through which mental health services are provided and created Local Management Entities (LMEs) and Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). As such, Cardinal Innovations was created and is tasked with the care for more than 850,000 clients in …..

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Let’s talk about Breast Cancer Prevention in PINKtober

By Erin Smith The month of October is a time to talk about Breast Cancer Awareness and the importance of screenings and early diagnosis. Wearing pink to show your support for breast cancer survivors and those receiving treatment is one way to mark the occasion.  The White House was illuminated in pink light on Monday night in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Many wear pink T-shirts or pink ribbons to honor those who are battling this disease and to bring the issue to the light.  Some other ways to show your support is through raising money for continued research for a cure or providing someone who is undergoing treatment …..

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Officials talk about Mental Illness Awareness Week

By: Charlotte Smith Mental Illness Awareness Week is October 1st though October 7th, 2017. BladenOnline.com along with Eastpointe and the commissioners want to help educate our community about the topic. Mental health is just as important as your physical health. Cheryl Harris, William Sellers, with Eastpointe and Charles Ray Peterson, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners spoke with BladenOnline.com General Manager, Erin Smith at Bladen Community College about mental health. Watch the video now. If you or someone you know needs assistance with mental health, please call: 1-800-913-6109. Share:

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Bladen County Opioid Task Force gets down to work

By Erin Smith The Bladen County Opioid Task Force met on Thursday and set to work discussing how to tackle the problem of opioid addiction in the county. Those in attendance at the meeting divided into five discussion groups to look at various aspects of the problem. Group discussions focused on: * resource awareness/education/communication to community; * gaps in resources and how to fill those gaps; * data/information gathering and tracking and what information needs to be tracked; * opioid education in the communities; * and preventing opioid abuse and addiction. Some of the ideas presented by the groups included education for seniors and parents regarding opioid safety, more drop …..

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Mental Illness Proclamation in Bladen County

By: Charlotte Smith One role of our government is to keep its citizens safe. Bladen County elected officials have to keep their citizens’ health and well being as a top priority as part of their role in maintaining citizen safety. The Bladen County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation to help bring awareness to mental illness. Charles Ray Peterson, the Chairman of the Board, gave a list of reasons why the board wanted to help bring awareness to mental health. One in five adults experiences a mental health problem in any given year. One-half of chronic mental illness begins by the age of 14 and three-quarters by age 24. Suicide is …..

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Monarch’s Facility-Based Crisis center in Lumberton celebrates expansion, open house Aug. 28

Robeson County man says his family and Monarch’s crisis facility helped him find the road to recovery On Monday, Aug. 28, approximately 50 community members, elected officials, representatives from the hospital, social services, school system, and Eastpointe, the region’s managed care organization (MCO), gathered at Monarch’s Facility-Based Crisis (FBC) center, 207 W. 29th St., Lumberton, for a grand reopening ceremony. The facility was recently renovated and expanded. The recently renovated crisis program provides in-patient treatment options for people with mental illness and substance use disorders requiring 24-hour secure and medically supervised care. Monarch received more than $2 million in support from Eastpointe and federal and state funding streams. The Cannon …..

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North Carolina State Officials to Chemours: Stop discharging two additional chemicals into river

By Erin Smith State officials have contacted Chemours officials and demanded they stop the discharge of two additional chemicals into the Cape Fear River. The two additional chemicals were identified in a report issued to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA report including test results performed on water samples submitted to the EPA laboratory in Research Triangle Park. The two compounds are identified as PFESA Byproduct 1 and PFESA Byproduct 2 (see report linked for full name of compounds). According to EPA’s report dated August 31, 2017, the chemicals were found in samples taken from the Chemours outfall and from finished water samples …..

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N.C. Rep. William Brisson talks GenX plan

By Erin Smith The N.C. House is expected to begin discussion on Thursday, August 31st, 2017 regarding a N.C. Senate plan which would give local officials the authority to begin work to improve the quality of the water in the Cape Fear River. The plan also calls for the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality to enforce the law against Chemours for the dumping of the chemical GenX into the river.  The N.C. Senate adopted the plan on Wednesday. N.C. Representative William Brisson said on Thursday morning he expects the N.C. House to discuss the bill later in the day. “The priority is to provide safe drinking water to the people …..

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Baldwin Branch to host 2017 Men’s Conference

Elizabethtown – The Laymen League of Baldwin Branch Missionary Baptist Church is sponsoring their 2017 men’s conference from Wednesday, September 13, 2017 through Sunday, September 17, 2017. The conference theme is “Empowering Men to Reach Men.” The highlight of the five-day conference is the men’s health seminar. The Men’s Health Network (MHN) reports that men die at higher rates than women. The Top 10 causes of death are heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, accidents, pneumonia and influenza, diabetes, suicide, kidney disease, and chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. This was a very successful venture last year. Several men of the community took advantage of the seminar by asking …..

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Owner of Home Health Agency Sentenced to 75 Years in Prison for Involvement in $13 Million Medicare Fraud Conspiracy

The owner and director of nursing of a Houston home health agency was sentenced today to 75 years in prison for her role in a $13 million Medicare fraud scheme. Acting Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Blanco of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez of the Southern District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner of the FBI’s Houston Field Office, Special Agent in Charge C.J. Porter of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Dallas Region and Special Agent in Charge D. Richard Goss of the Houston Field Office of IRS-Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI) made the announcement. Marie …..

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North Carolina unveils plan for managed care system; public comment sought

By Erin Smith The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has debuted a plan to begin moving towards a managed care system for Medicaid services. Bladen County Health and Human Services Director David Howard said here locally folks will notice few changes. Howard said what the plan will do is give the delivery of services over to pre-paid plans and change the system from a fee for service scenario to a fixed fee. He said the General Assembly is trying to create some predictability when it comes to costs. Funding for the Medicaid program is made up of federal and state funds. According to a release from the …..

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JBS USA INC. Recalls Beef Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

JBS USA, Inc., a Lenoir, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 4,922 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The ground chuck beef items were produced on July 15, 2017.  The following products are subject to recall: *2-lb. black Styrofoam plastic wrapped trays containing ground beef labeled “CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF GROUND CHUCK 80% LEAN 20% FAT” with a production date 7/15/17 and case code 541640. The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 34176” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to a distribution center in North Carolina for …..

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Sandra Cain

For Better Living: Balance Your Beverages to Stay Hydrated

By Sandra Cain Drink plenty of refreshing, calorie-free water. Water does the body good. Water has no fat, calories or sugar but it helps your muscles and brain stay hydrated for best physical and mental performance. It also keeps your stomach, intestines and kidneys working smoothly. This lets you digest your food and get rid of waste. How much water you need depends on your size and activity level.  You will need to drink more water when it is warmer and when you are more physically active.  Keep a water bottle handy in your car, at work, home or school. Drink nutrient-rich, fat-free milk three times a day. Milk isn’t just for …..

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STEFANO’S FOODS, INC. RECALLS MEAT PRODUCTS DUE TO MISBRANDING AND UNDECLARED ALLERGEN

Stefano’s Foods, Inc., a Charlotte, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 981 pounds of Stromboli products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The product contains eggs, a known allergen which is not declared on the product label. The frozen meatball Stromboli items, produced on June 24, 2017, were incorrectly packaged in a box labeled as pepperoni and Italian sausage Stromboli. The following product is subject to recall: *18.5-oz. boxes containing two pieces of “SCREAMIN’ SICILIAN PIZZA CO. STROMBOLI SUPREMUS MAXIMUS PEPPERONI & ITALIAN SAUSAGE” with an “Enjoy by: 2/19/2018” date and lot code of 70010117517. The products subject …..

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Sandra Cain

For Better Living: Grill It Safely

By Sandra Cain Grilling is a favorite method of cooking for many people. Men, especially, seem drawn to the open flame.  To help you enjoy your summer, remember these tips for safe grilling the next time you fire up the grill. SHOPPING *When shopping, choose meat and poultry last.  Be sure not to put them in the trunk. The temperature is too hot and bacteria will grow rapidly. Don’t leave meat  out of the refrigerator or cooler for longer than one hour during warm weather. If meat is out too long, bacteria can produce toxins that can cause illness and stay active even during cooking. *Refrigerate meat and poultry as soon as you …..

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DHHS Urges Caution During Extreme Heat

The hottest temperatures of the summer are forecast to hit parts of North Carolina over the next three days, pushing thermometers to the vicinity of triple digits and stressing people and pets. Temperatures in much of the state are expected to reach the upper 90s with heat indexes topping 100 degrees Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Emergency department visits for heat-related illness statewide hit 373 during the week of July 9-15, according to the North Carolina Heat Report. Seventy-seven percent of illness was among males, mostly ages 25-44. Most who were treated referenced working outdoors on landscaping and roofing projects, outdoor recreation such as gardening, hiking or attending outdoor events, alcohol use …..

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