Telemedicine brings stroke expertise to Lake City

A web-based telemedicine service is bringing the expertise of Palmetto Health and USC School of Medicine neurologists to stroke patients at Lake City Community Hospital.

The telemedicine service, known as REACH, began at Lake City in December.

The REACH computer and camera are rolled to the bedside for examination via high-resolution video conferencing. The physicians at Lake City Community Hospital then consult with the neurologists from Palmetto Health to make recommendations. The patient is transferred to Palmetto Health Richland only if a higher level of care is needed.

Palmetto Health’s Stroke Center is led by Dr. Souvik Sen, medical director of the Palmetto Health Stroke Center and chair of the department of neurology at the USC School of Medicine.

“The web-based telemedicine solution provides hospitals with specialists they would otherwise not have access to,” Sen said. “Allowing for consult and diagnosis in a timely fashion makes all the difference in the world to the outcome of a stroke victim.”

Drug control officers serve dual qualifications

Did you know the state health department has law enforcement officers on its staff?

The drug control inspectors investigate the illegal use of legal drugs for the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Bureau of Drug Control. They are tasked with both regulatory and law enforcement responsibilities.

The agency’s two newest drug control inspectors — Judith Pierce and Eddie Black — graduated from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy in December. They have dual qualifications now as registered pharmacists and law enforcement officers.

Initiative prods hospitals to encourage breastfeeding

The latest push in the state’s Birth Outcomes Initiative provides incentives for hospitals that encourage new mothers to breastfeed their babies.

The S.C. Department of Health and Human Services established an incentive pool of $1 million to pay to hospitals who reach “Baby-Friendly” status by promoting breast milk as the standard for infant feeding.

At Baby-Friendly hospitals, all infants should be considered breastfeeding infants unless, after giving birth and being offered help to breastfeed, the mother has specifically stated that she has no plans to breastfeed.

The breastfeeding initiative comes on the heels of a successful effort to convince hospitals to cut early elective deliveries. Every hospital in the state agreed to encourage mothers to carry babies to 39 weeks, and HHS has cut funding for early elective deliveries.

Overwhelming evidence indicates children born at 39 weeks are healthier than those born in weeks 36, 37 or 38. Studies also indicated babies fed with breast milk are healthier.

USC diet study looking for participants

A study at the Arnold School of Public Health at USC might be able to help New Year’s resolution-makers who want to eat healthy and shed pounds.

The New DIETs for Weight Loss study is recruiting participants for an eight-week approach to weight loss.

The study will explore how each of the following diets can improve health and enhance weight loss:

•  Vegan: fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains

•  Vegetarian: eggs, cheese, fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains

•  Pesco-vegetarian: fish, eggs, cheese, fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains

•  Semi-vegetarian: limited red meat and poultry; fish, eggs, cheese, fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains

•  Omnivorous: all foods but choosing healthier portions.

Participants must be ages 18-65, have access to a computer with internet capabilities and be overweight with a body mass index of 25-49.9. Participants must able to attend up to seven weekly evening meetings at USC starting in late January.

Those who qualify will receive a free weight loss program and be randomly assigned to follow one of the five dietary approaches. Participants will receive $20 at completion of the eight-week trial.

Information: www.newdietsstudy.com, email brie@sc.edu or call (803) 777-3932.

Compiled by Joey Holleman