Medical Journal Houston Vol. 10, Issue 11, February 2014

Legal Affairs: Court finds that physician with staff privileges qualifies as an employee under EMTALA, see page 4

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The Leading Source for Healthcare Business News
February 2014 • Volume 10, Issue 11 • $3.50

Special Report: Infectious Disease

Break cycle and spread of flu
INSIDE
▼
New Firefly Technology
lights-up da Vinci
see page 14

INDEX
▼
Financial Perspectives.......3
Legal Affairs......................4
Integrative Medicine.........6
Hospital Headlines...........8
Physicians’ Forum.............9
THA................................13
Technology......................14
Managed Care Corner.....15

BY Martie Moore,
R.N., MAOM, CPHQ,
Chief Nursing Officer,
Medline Industries, Inc.
We all know the flu is
unpredictable. And this year,
experts say adults typically
considered young and healthy should take
extra notice. Almost twice as many people
between the ages of 18 and 64 are being
hospitalized with flu-related symptoms this
year compared to last year – 61 percent
versus 34 percent. And it’s far from over.
According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), this year’s
flu outbreak recently reached epidemic
levels. Texas is among 41 states reporting
widespread activity. In fact, the Houston
Department of Health and Human Services
recently reported a six percent increase in
the number of flu test positives between the
second and third weeks of January.
Now, more than ever, people need to break
their cold and flu prevention routine.
When you think of flu prevention, thoughts
of flu shots and good hand hygiene probably
come to mind. But it shouldn’t stop there.
A new product called the Curad Antiviral
Face Mask is the first product of its kind
that actually inactivates 99.99 percent of

laboratory-tested flu viruses, including
imminent pandemic and seasonal strains
of influenza (flu) viruses, such as Avian flu,
H3N2 and H1N1, this year’s dominant flu
strain in the United States.

This new antiviral face mask is a new
line of defense offering more protection
than ever before. Three simple, safe and
Please see INFECTIONS page 16

...............................................................
Male obesity, testosterone,
and holistic primary care
see page 6

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Harris Health System opens senior-tailored Bayland
Geriatric Health Center
Older adults and seniors now have a
healthcare facility tailored for their needs in

southwest Houston as Harris Health System
recently opened the Bayland Geriatric
Health Center.

The facility located next to Bayland
Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet,
Houston, Texas 77074, offers seniors
wellness checkups, geriatric assessments,
social services and minor illness care.

“Normally a visit with your primary care
physician takes about 20 minutes,” says
Melvin Prado, director, Bayland Geriatric.
“A geriatric assessment (only performed
through a primary care physician referral)

is a more comprehensive examination that
complements the care a senior receives from
a primary care physician. The assessment
usually takes about an hour and looks
Please see BREAKING GROUND page 16

PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
HOUSTON TX
PERMIT NO 13187