William L. Henrich, MD, MACP, president, UT Health San Antonio

“We have to respond with measures to lower the curve … and save lives.” — William L. Henrich, MD, MACP

SAN ANTONIO (PRWEB)
June 30, 2020

UT Health San Antonio’s president, William L. Henrich, MD, MACP, today called for San Antonio and communities nationwide to intensify their commitment to safe behaviors. San Antonio, the nation’s seventh-largest city, has seen a marked increase in COVID-19 cases since mid-June.

“As health care leaders, we are committed to our patients and communities during this pandemic,” Dr. Henrich said. “Our front-line health care providers are doing all they can to help San Antonio and surrounding communities stay healthy. Today, because of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, I am announcing ‘We Can Stop the Spread,’ a public education initiative aimed at sustaining and increasing the simple behaviors that will keep us all safe.”

San Antonio and Bexar County reached 5,142 cases of COVID-19 on June 17, according to the COVID-19 dashboard of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. Hospitalized patients stood at 241, including 91 in an intensive care unit (ICU).

In only 12 days, by June 29, the San Antonio dashboard showed 10,787 cases. Hospitalized patients totaled 881, with 274 patients sick enough to be treated in ICUs. The surge is exponential in the nation’s seventh-largest city.

“We Can Stop the Spread is a most important undertaking,” Dr. Henrich said. “Our scientific experts are encouraging everyone to do their part by continuing to wash hands often, wearing a face covering in public, practicing social distancing and staying away from large social gatherings.”

Models of COVID-19’s impact on Bexar and surrounding counties suggest the number of hospitalized patients could continue to climb through August.

“We have a number of models that are guiding us in planning for hospitalizations and preparing for a surge of COVID-19 patients,” Dr. Henrich said. “Hospitals are obligated to keep a certain number of beds open to meet the demands of this possible public health emergency.”

The models are estimates based on variables such as the number of COVID-19 cases, deaths and the number of tests in an area.

“Back in March, April and May, we had a bump in our cases that was largely related to nursing homes and jails, and we didn’t have much community spread,” Dr. Henrich said. “But now what’s happening is we have a lot of community spread and the number of cases is increasing.

“The rapid increase is a cause for concern,” he said. “What I’m urging everyone to do now is to return to being careful about mask usage, personal hygiene with your hands, and staying out of crowded environments, especially crowded environments indoors.”

‘We’ve let our guard down’

More people are shopping, working, getting together for family or social gatherings, and carrying on with daily activities. And it seems fewer people are wearing masks out in public.

“We have what I refer to as ‘COVID virus fatigue’ with regard to our social interactions,” Dr. Henrich said. “We’ve let our guard down. We must counter this by wearing masks and returning to what thwarted the virus in the first place.”

San Antonio does not want to repeat what happened in Seattle, and later on a much bigger scale in New York, where the health care system was overwhelmed with the number of hospitalized people needing specialized care. Stress on the number of available ICU beds, the number of mechanical respirators and the available experts to treat the patients proved to be significant challenges.

“The whole idea is to not reach that threshold,” Dr. Henrich said.

The health care system needs flexibility to take care of other patients.

“Remember that heart disease, cancer, stroke, dementia and all the diseases that we usually focus on are still there,” Dr. Henrich said. “We want to be able to take care of those individuals and not have to squeeze the system with all of these infected COVID-19 patients.”

Young people are not immune

Patients of all ages are at risk of infection, and it is not only senior adults who are proving to be susceptible to COVID-19. A severe form of the disease has been seen in children. Meanwhile, young people in their teens, 20s and 30s are being treated in ICUs nationwide.

“COVID-19 is not a discriminator of age,” Dr. Henrich said. “It is being seen in all age groups.”

Upcoming summer activities make masking and social distancing even more necessary. Only safe behaviors can prevent a new peak of cases and hospitalizations from occurring in August.

To prevent this, members of the public must return to the basics:

• 
  Everyone should wear a mask or bandana. Do something that interrupts transmission of COVID-19 via aerosols from the mouth and nose.
• Be meticulous in the way we wash our hands and how we touch surfaces. Try to avoid touching the face, eyes and nose. Use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid crowded indoor venues, especially a party atmosphere. Parties lead to relaxed close contact. “You don’t know if the person you’re talking to has inadvertently become infected, is a silent case and is shedding the virus,” Dr. Henrich said.

These basics work. We can stop the spread.

“We have to respond with measures to lower the curve, keep the medical system intact, take good care of the people who get sick, and save lives,” Dr. Henrich said.

“If we don’t, then we will be in a place where we have more collateral effects from the disease and heaven forbid, we will lose more people.”

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Data sources: San Antonio Metropolitan Health District.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, also referred to as UT Health San Antonio, is one of the country’s leading health sciences universities and is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. With missions of teaching, research, patient care and community engagement, its schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions and graduate biomedical sciences have graduated more than 37,000 alumni who are leading change, advancing their fields, and renewing hope for patients and their families throughout South Texas and the world. To learn about the many ways “We make lives better®,” visit http://www.uthscsa.edu.

Stay connected with The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

To see how we are battling COVID-19, read inspiring stories on Impact.

RS-4i® Plus Sequential Stimulator with Intersperse®, by RS Medical

The RS-4i Plus provides pain relief that patients can easily administer themselves at home, whenever they need it.

VANCOUVER, Wash. (PRWEB)
June 30, 2020

RS Medical, a leading provider of life-enhancing electrotherapy pain relief devices, announced today that its FDA-approved RS-4i® Plus Sequential Stimulator with Intersperse® is now available for consumers to purchase directly from RS Medical at RSMedical.com. This is the first time patients have been able to easily purchase the RS-4i Plus since the first version was introduced to the medical community in 2010.

The RS-4i Plus combines prescription-strength high frequency (5000 Hz) interferential therapy (INF) for long-lasting pain relief, with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for muscle rehabilitation in a patent-approved technology called Intersperse. In a single uninterrupted 35-minute treatment session, the RS-4i Plus both excites the body’s natural endorphin production to relieve pain, and provides rehabilitative muscle therapy that reduces muscle spasms, increases circulation, and prevents disuse atrophy. With over 10,000 patients self-reporting, half of patients see a 50% reduction in pain.

Now in its fifth series, the RS-4i Plus still requires a prescription to purchase, and treatment should be overseen by a physician or care provider. The benefit to patients directly purchasing the RS-4i Plus is that they do not need to visit their provider in person in order to access the device. They can secure a prescription through virtual visits or direct messaging, if not in person, then upload the prescription to the RS Medical website to complete the transaction, including one-on-one virtual patient instruction.

“Our country’s opioid crisis confirms that pain is experienced by a large swath of our population, and that drug-free options are a must,” said Bill Carroll, chief scientific officer of RS Medical. “Fifty percent of patients have reported pain relief lasting 4-plus hours, similar to a narcotic, but with no risk of addiction. The RS-4i Plus provides pain relief that patients can easily administer themselves at home, whenever they need it. Patients want access to options that eliminate the need for pain medications and invasive procedures. Direct access to the RS-4i Plus with Intersperse is particularly meaningful in the current pandemic––when pain persists but access to in-clinic services like physical therapy is limited.”

About RS Medical

Headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, RS Medical was founded by Rick Terrell in 1990 to improve the quality of life for patients by combining affordable, independent, specialty electrotherapy pain relief and rehabilitation treatment options with timely and effective service. Electrotherapy products manufactured by RS Medical include RS-4i®Plus, Wearables and Pronex®. For more information go to RSMedical.com.

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T50 Basic TUFF™ Rubber Color-Coded Cutting Board

Not only does the T50 help both commercial prep cooks and home chefs keep knives precision-sharp, but it also makes it easy to separate food safely and in accordance with the highest industry standards.

CHICAGO (PRWEB)
June 30, 2020

NoTrax, a global leader in matting products, announces the launch of the T50 Basic TUFF™ Rubber Color-Coded Cutting Board. The company’s most advanced foodservice cutting board to date, the T50 is specially designed to prevent the cross-contamination of food through an advanced multi-colored system recommended by HACCP International, the commercial food industry’s leading body specializing in the certification of food-safe equipment and products.

“This is the cutting board that germaphobes have been waiting for,” said Mark McElhinny, the President and CEO of the Justrite Safety Group, the parent company of NoTrax. “Not only does the T50 help both commercial prep cooks and home chefs keep knives precision-sharp, but it also makes it easy to separate food safely and in accordance with the highest industry standards.”

HACCP International recommends color-coding cutting boards to minimize food tainting. The T50 doesn’t absorb odors, which means strong flavors such as from fish won’t be transferred to more delicately flavored foods. The board is reversible and can be refinished easily to look brand new each time. Despite that technology, no special oils or cleaners are required — Just dish soap.

The boards come in four colors: blue (seafood), green (vegetables and fruit), red (raw meat), and yellow (poultry). Each board is a half-inch thick. Three sizes are available: 1/2″ x 12″ x 18″; 1/2″ x 15″ x 20″; and 1/2″ x 18″ x 24″.

“The modern food industry is understandably establishing greater diligence regarding food preparation in order to keep everyone safe, in both the kitchen and the dining room,” said McElhinny. “The T50 is part of that change. It is the cutting board that serious kitchens need now.”

About NoTrax:

NoTrax is a global leader in manufacturing a range of ergonomic, entrance, anti-fatigue, and safety mats for industrial, commercial and food service environments. Today, NoTrax is recognized as one of the largest integrated manufacturers of floor matting products in the world. Based in Chicago, Illinois, NoTrax manufactures its own products in ISO certified facilities and offer global distribution capabilities with distribution centers throughout the United States and in Europe. NoTrax is owned and operated by the Justrite Safety Group.

https://notrax.com

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While the initial goal was to help with the current pandemic here at home, we quickly realized that this technology could be applied at a larger scale with the ability to help humanity around the world, especially with third-world countries who can’t afford expensive ventilators.

MONTEREY, Calif. (PRWEB)
June 30, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has abruptly disrupted formal education for millions of students, including many who participate in the MATE ROV competitions.

Grant Kahl and Eric Love are two former members of Kepler Enterprises who stayed connected with their MATE ROV competition teammates when they were forced to return home from college. All 10 members of Kepler Enterprises got together to create a self-directed project-based learning experience that no instructor or classroom could replicate.

When the team saw a desperate need for ventilators in the United States, they took their shared passion for robotics and engineering to design, build, and program a low-cost Ambu Bag Ventilator System. And coincidentally, by “engineering a solution to a global problem”, these students inherently followed the tagline of this year’s MATE ROV Competition.

They aimed to create their machine with easily sourced materials and referenced an MIT graduate paper on how to make low-cost ventilators as a guide. The team spent 12 to 16-hour days prototyping their machine in self-quarantine. They began developing a ventilation system on March 30th and by April 14th, they were applying for a patent on the machine and simultaneously developing themselves as business owners for Kepler Enterprises, LLC.

The team’s coach, Dr. Jeffrey Kahl, CEO of Robotics Clubs USA, has supported and helped guide the team throughout the entire process saying, “It is awesome to see the team use this experience to further and broaden their horizons; inventions, discovery, business, technical teamwork, and many other new skills…MATE provided a platform for these students to explore their technical skills, organize as a company and share and present their technology.”

These students overcame the obstacle of configuring and programming regulators for mandatory breathing and responsive breathing, one that has stumped many novice engineers. While they might not be creating solutions to the problems the MATE ROV competitions present underwater, they’re keeping the MATE philosophy and theme of engineering solutions to real-world problems.

“While the initial goal was to help with the current pandemic here at home, we quickly realized that this technology could be applied at a larger scale with the ability to help humanity around the world, especially with third-world countries who can’t afford expensive ventilators,” Grant said. “While the end goal has been shifted, our motivation has never changed, and we want to make a difference in the world.”

About the MATE ROV Competition:

The MATE International Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Competition is a global underwater robotics competition that challenges students to learn and creatively apply scientific, engineering and technical skills in a way that inspires creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, entrepreneurship and innovation. The competition consists of a network of 40 (and growing) regional competitions that take place around the world and feed into an annual world championship. The competition is administered by MATE Inspiration for Innovation (MATE II), a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, and its sister organization, the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center, a center of excellence established with funding by the National Science Foundation in 1997.

For more information on MATE II and the MATE ROV Competition, visit https://mateii.org

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SAN FRANCISCO (PRWEB)
June 29, 2020

Help.org, a trusted online resource for individuals who struggle with addiction and their loved ones, has announced the Best Rehab Facilities in San Francisco, California for 2020. The informational guide recognizes the top 10 rehab facilities based on cost, treatment options, location, accompanying services and more.

According to recent studies, drug overdose is the leading cause of death among people under age 50. In San Francisco, deaths related to opioid abuse increased significantly from 2011 to 2015. Substance abuse among adolescents is also escalating in San Francisco with 55 percent of high school students reported using alcohol, 38 percent reported using marijuana, 8 percent reported using prescription drugs without a valid prescription, and 2 percent reported using heroin. With the growing need for accessible and high-quality rehab programs, Help.org has developed a unique ranking process to help connect individuals with treatment providers that meet their needs.

The Help.org research team analyzed thousands of facilities across the country and then identified the most cost-effective and highest rated programs in larger cities like San Francisco. Each facility was evaluated based on rehabilitation services, treatment approaches, cost, special programs for unique demographics and ancillary services. The website also provides information about drug use and side effects as well as educational articles. For a detailed listing of the Best Rehab Facilities in San Francisco, California please visit https://www.help.org/drug-and-alcohol-rehab-centers-in-san-francisco-ca/

2020 Best Rehab Facilities in San Francisco, California (in alphabetical order)

Adolescent Counseling Services Adolescent

Substance Abuse Treatment Programs    

643 Bair Island Road, Suite 301 Redwood City, CA 94063

650-424-0852

El Centro de Libertad (The Freedom Center)    

500 Allerton Street, Floor 2 Redwood City, CA 94063

650-599-9955

HealthRIGHT 360 Asian American Recovery Services    

1563 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94103

415-762-3700

Horizons Unlimited of San Francisco, Inc.    

440 Potrero Avenue San Francisco, CA 94110

415-487-6700

Jelani Inc.: The Family Program

1638 Kirkwood Avenue San Francisco, CA 94124

415-671-1165

Marin Treatment Center Outpatient Services

1466 Lincoln Avenue San Rafael, CA 94901

415-457-3755

Mission Council Family Day Treatment    

154 A Capp Street, Room 10 San Francisco, CA 94110

415-864-0554

PRC Joe Healy Detoxification Program

170 9th Street San Francisco, CA 94103

415-777-0333

Star Vista Insights Adolescent Treatment Program

609 Price Ave, Suite 205 Redwood City, Ca 94063

650-366-8436

West Oakland Health Community Recovery Center

7501 International Boulevard Oakland, CA 94621

510-835-9610

ABOUT HELP.ORG

Help.org is an online resource for individuals who struggle with addiction and their loved ones. The website provides the latest research through scientifically proven methods, community recovery resources as well as information about local financial assistance. Help.org’s team of researchers, activists and writers work together with addiction counselors and other professionals to offer useful and accurate resources to help individuals seeking recovery. To learn more, visit https://www.help.org/.

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