Husband and wife team return from Haiti

March 10, 2010 — 3:04 pm
Drs. Lindsay and Dan MacDougall volunteering in Haiti

Drs. Lindsay and Dan MacDougall volunteering in Haiti

The Group Health husband-and-wife team of Drs. Lindsay and Dan MacDougall are medical relief veterans with approximately 14 tours under their belt, returned last weekend from three weeks stationed just outside Port-au-Prince.

Dr. Dan MacDougall, who became involved in medical-relief missions after the 1986 Mexico City earthquake, asked me to share the following account and photos of their experience:

Drs. Lindsay MacDougall

Dr. Lindsay MacDougall

“The areas of P-a-P (Port-au-Prince) and the surrounding towns and villages were destroyed to a degree that even the pictures we have seen on TV gave little justice to. The collapsed buildings, the piles of rubble and trash, and the aimless crowds of victims who had lost just about everything they had, including family, was almost overwhelming. Many people lived in 4×6 plastic wrapped shelters or just under bed sheets.

Our primary job there with Medical Teams International was to run “mobile clinics” where we would go out to smaller villages or tent camps, taking all our own gear and medications in duffel bags. It was not unusual for 3 or 4 of us to see over 200 patients a day.
rubble
The problems ranged from minor skin eruptions, to severe infections, dehydration, malaria, and starving babies. And, a major element in all ages was the fear that the earthquake and the strong aftershocks caused.

The work was stressful, tiring, but extremely rewarding as we knew that we were the only medical help these people were likely to have for some time. It was not, however, without its failures as we saw patients (especially babies) that we could not save from the consequences of such loss, injury, and disease.
Dr. Dan MacDougall
Although Lindsay and I are experienced in disaster relief, this was the most desperate and disheartening place we have ever worked.

There will be plenty of need for more volunteers to go to Haiti and contribute whatever skills they have. We encourage doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel to consider volunteering with any of several organizations doing a variety of work there.”

Dr. Lindsay MacDougall

Dr. Lindsay MacDougall

For more information on where to volunteer:

  • American Red Cross
  • AmeriCares
  • Doctors Without Borders
  • Medical Teams International
  • Mercy Corps
  • Oxfam America
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    Views from Haiti and Dominican Republic

    March 3, 2010 — 1:52 pm
    Dr. Mary Wierusz in the Dominican Republic with a Hatian patient who needed a skin graft.

    Dr. Mary Wierusz in the Dominican Republic with a Hatian patient who needed a skin graft.

    What is it like to be on the ground, as a physician, helping as best as possible in such conditions? Reports from two physicians—one a new doc at Northgate and the other a retired Group Health physician—tell the story. View more of Dr. Wierusz photos here: Images from Dominican Republic

    “We cared for refugees who came to the Dominican Republic from Haiti, most with orthopedic problems—crush injuries, need for amputations, wound infections—but some tropical diseases such as malaria, too,” said Mary Wierusz, MD, a family physician at Northgate Medical Center, recently returned from 12 days in the Dominican Republic. “As a volunteer with Children of the Nations, I was one of five physicians on a medical team of three surgeons, and another family physician.” (more…)

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    Severe complications of diabetes are higher in depressed patients

    March 1, 2010 — 1:53 pm
    Dr. Elizabeth Lin MD, MPH, Group Health Research Institute

    Dr. Elizabeth Lin MD, MPH, Group Health Research Institute

    Depression raises the risks of advanced and severe complications from type 2 diabetes, according to a prospective study of nearly 4,000 Group Health primary-care patients.

    These complications include kidney failure or blindness, the result of small-vessel damage, as well as problems of major blood vessels leading to heart attack or stroke.

    The February 2010 Diabetes Care, a scientific journal of the American Diabetes Association, published these findings. Scientists from Group Health Research Institute, the University of Washington (UW) Schools of Medicine and of Public Health, and the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System conducted the study.

    “Systematic care for both depression and diabetes, as well as regular follow-up with patients’ primary care team, are essential to help control their depression and diabetes well,” said lead author Elizabeth Lin, MD, MPH, a Group Health family physician and GHRI affiliate investigator. “When patients with diabetes also have depression, they have significantly higher risks of developing complications such as amputation, vision loss, kidney failure, heart attacks, and strokes—and even of dying five to 10 years earlier.”

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    Dr. Jim Bergman and Aubrey Davis honored for commitment to health care

    February 26, 2010 — 11:01 am

    Bergman, James-5x7Congratulations to James (Jim) Bergman MD, of Group Health’s Factoria Medical Center for receiving the honor as the Outstanding Health Care Professional from Seattle Business Magazine at the event last night.

    Dr. Bergman is instrumental in implementing a new way for doctors to practice medicine, called the medical home. He was the first physician to practice at Factoria in 1988 and over the years he’s been a key figure in Group Health going from paper and pencil, to keystrokes and e-mailing patients.

    Dr. Bergman was in good company, past Group Health CEO and Trustee, Aubrey Davis was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment to shaping health care in our region and nation. (more…)

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    Hospitalization for acute or critical illness linked to greater likelihood of subsequent cognitive decline for older adults

    February 24, 2010 — 10:28 am
    MPH, executive director of Group Health Research Institute and senior author of the paper

    Eric Larson, MD, MPH, executive director of Group Health Research Institute and senior author of the paper

    Older patients hospitalized for acute care or a critical illness are more likely to experience cognitive decline compared to older adults who are not hospitalized, according to a University of Washington study conducted among older Group Health members and published in the February 24 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

    A large proportion of patients who are hospitalized for acute care or care of a critical illness are older adults. Some studies have suggested that many survivors of critical illness experience long-term cognitive impairment, but these studies did not measure cognitive function before a critical illness, according to background information in the article. (more…)

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    Group Health and community leaders bring vaccines to those in need

    February 23, 2010 — 4:48 pm

    Vaccine1Group Health and community leaders are creating a new system to ensure children and everyone in Washington state continues to have access to affordable vaccines without interruption.

    In 2009 Washington state eliminated funding for its universal purchase of vaccine program due to the state’s severe budgetary crisis. This change threatened to disrupt Washington’s efficient and cost effective system for acquiring and distributing childhood vaccine, potentially leading to even higher costs and administrative challenges. Funding was slated to be eliminated in May of 2010.

    When it became apparent that the program would be eliminated, Group Health began working on solutions that would maintain the low cost and easy access to vaccines for providers and families across the state.

    Group Health joined a group of community leaders, doctors, insurers, public health officials, and other stakeholders to explore ways to maintain the state’s universal purchase system. Recently the group agreed in principle to form a public private partnership that would continue universal purchase of vaccines with funding provided by insurers. One major benefit of maintaining the universal purchase program means that vaccines can be purchased at a discounted rate through the federal government.

    Proposed legislation will finalize an agreement reached by health insurers to continue universal purchase of vaccines effective May 1, 2010. Final details of the universal purchase program will be worked out in the coming weeks.

    The follow is a story about the cuts was recently featured on KING5 TV

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    Free training clinics for Bloomsday Run

    February 19, 2010 — 2:58 pm

    running

    Group Health and Providence are working together to provide FREE training clinics to help participants get in shape for Bloomsday™ — a Spokane area run that attracts more than 50,000 participants young and old from around the nation.

    Register now for seven free weeks of training at Spokane Falls Community College, 8:30 a.m. on Saturday mornings starting March 13.

    Every week, start inside Spokane Falls Community College gym, listen to training tips, warm-up with a personal trainer, and by 9 a.m. start your training! Walk or run at your own pace, starting with one mile, increasing one mile each week. Volunteers will be waiting for you at water stations with first aid, and crossing guards will encourage you to keep up the good work.

    Register in advance or at the clinics.
    The registration form is attached or you can go to www.phc.org to download a registration form, or call 509-482-2356 for further information.

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    Words from Haiti

    February 10, 2010 — 4:36 pm

    The following is a powerful message from Group Health Urgent Care Dr. Ken Elam, who just returned  from volunteering in Haiti. He shares his experience, sadness, joy and advice.

    Dr. Elam with nurse, and proud father

    Dr. Elam with nurse, and proud father

    Before on trips to Haiti, we often had trouble nailing down with patients when exactly symptoms started, probably a point of little relevance to those seeking treatment. Now, however,the tremblement de terre or earthquake is the starting point of all misery, injuries of course, but headaches, back pain and acid stomach too. With few new additional injuries, our focus in  an area of Port au Prince away from the worst destruction was on care of the scores with wounds often hastily covered the first days, and post op care for the many people with bones fixed in place surgically with metal rods and with amputations. The heart freezes, the breath gasps at the sight of every amputated child. (more…)

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    How Group Health is helping Haiti

    January 28, 2010 — 10:23 am

    As the tragedy in Haiti continues to unfold, Group Health Cooperative and Group Health Permanente are stepping up to assist.

    With the need for assistance likely to last for months, Group Health is sending both medical assistance and cash donations—as we did in the wake of the tsunami in Southeast Asia, and in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

    Medical assistance (more…)

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    Valentine’s Day Tea for people who have lost a spouse or partner

    January 25, 2010 — 11:33 am

    Group Health Home Health & Hospice will host its second annual Valentine’s Day Tea on Saturday, Feb. 6, 10:30 a.m.–noon, at the Weatherly Inn, 6016 N. Highland Blvd., Tacoma. The event is a grief support gathering for people who have lost a spouse or partner.

    To attend, RSVP to Janet Hedgepath, Tacoma/Kitsap coordinator of Bereavement Services, at 253-274-4627.

    Group Health Hospice Bereavement Services provides grief support gatherings in the greater Puget Sound Region throughout the year. Support groups and gatherings for special times of year are also offered.

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