Las Vegas HEALS News

It is that time of year to strengthen our immune systems by getting current on various vaccines, including flu, COVID-19, RSV, shingles, and more. The time to act is now, given that the spread of flu in Nevada has just reached high levels, according to UnitedHealthcare data. Here are some strategies to help people stay as healthy as possible during the holiday season:

• Get this year’s flu shot. While flu is most serious for older Americans and individuals with certain chronic conditions, it can affect people of all ages. Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and up, except for a few exceptions, such as people with severe allergies or individuals who are immunocompromised. Data shows the flu vaccine reduces the risk of the illness by up to 60%.
• Get this year’s COVID-19 shot. Like the flu, the coronavirus changes from year to year, which means the vaccine is reformulated annually to better target current strains. While almost 50% of the U.S. population received the flu vaccine last year, fewer (29%) got the COVID-19 shot. If you want protection from both, you can get the flu and COVID-19 shots at the same time, along with additional vaccinations.
• Get vaccinated against RSV and shingles. RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is another infectious disease that spreads this time of year and can lead to severe illness, especially for older adults and young children. The CDC recommends vaccination against RSV for people 60 and older and babies and toddlers up to 2 years old. For people 50 and older, it’s important also to get the shingles vaccine, something that only 18% of Americans in that age group have done. Shingles can cause significant, red, fluid-filled blisters, resulting in long-term pain or even hearing or vision loss.

UnitedHealthcare makes it easy to find many locations in your area offering flu shots. Just go to www.UHCFluLocator.com and enter your zip code.

The ER at South Summerlin, an extension of Summerlin Hospital, opened for patient care at 8 a.m. Monday, February 3, 2025.

Located at 10290 W. Flamingo Road, the ER at South Summerlin is near Hualapai Way and just east of the Clark County Fire Station 35. It is open for 24-hour emergency care every day of the year. It is staffed with the same types of medical personnel, including emergency medicine physicians, nurses and techs, and equipped with the same diagnostic technology that is available at the Summerlin Hospital’s main emergency department.

Diagnostic capabilities include an on-site laboratory, CT scanner and imaging equipment, along with multiple treatment rooms, exam rooms, a decontamination room with shower and entrances for both walk-in patients and ambulance arrivals.

“We are excited to provide increased access to emergency care to friends and neighbors in south Summerlin and neighboring communities,” said Rob Freymuller, CEO of Summerlin Hospital and, by extension, the ER at South Summerlin. “While we anticipate many patients can be treated and released from the ER, residents can have peace of mind knowing they can be transferred to Summerlin Hospital for additional pediatric and adult medical needs, whether it’s advanced cardiac care or additional care in our Children’s Medical Center.”

Additional Details
ER at South Summerlin
10290 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89135
Main Number: 702-545-3501
www.summerlinhospital.com

It is the first freestanding emergency department operated by Summerlin Hospital. The ER at South Summerlin represents the ninth freestanding emergency department within The Valley Health System. The others include:

Elite Medical Center, an extension of Valley Hospital
ER at Blue Diamond, an extension of Spring Valley Hospital
ER at Cadence, an extension of Henderson Hospital
ER at Desert Springs, an extension of Valley Hospital
ER at Green Valley Ranch, an extension of Henderson Hospital
ER at North Las Vegas, an extension of Valley Hospital
ER at Valley Vista, an extension of Centennial Hills Hospital
ER at West Craig, an extension of Centennial Hills Hospital

About Summerlin Hospital
Summerlin Hospital is a member of The Valley Health System, a network of acute care and specialty hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, outpatient services and physician practices, caring for patients throughout Southern Nevada and surrounding communities. Located in the master-planned community of Summerlin, the hospital offers emergency care, advanced cardiovascular care, women’s health, comprehensive maternity services, a level III neonatal intensive care unit, a children’s medical center, surgical services, oncology care for adults and children, and specialty programs in stroke, chest pain, advanced wound care and hyperbaric medicine, cardiac rehabilitation, and outpatient therapy services for adults and children.

Updated information about The Valley Health System can be found on:
Facebook: TheValleyHealthSystemLV
Instagram:  www.instagram.com/thevalleyhealthsystem
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/the-valley-health-system
YouTube: www.youtube.com/TheValleyHealthSystemLV

The theme for January’s Las Vegas HEALS Healthcare magazine is American Heart Month. We invite anyone interested in having content featured to send materials to Adriana. Those interested in placing advertisements can also email Adriana to send in materials, or ask any questions you may have.

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*All submissions must be received by the 10th of every month. If you need our assistance designing your ad, our designer can help (for an additional fee)

Program Begins March 14th at the UNLV Simulation Center

Personal Care Assistant (PCA) training program offered as a collaboration between Cleveland Clinic and UNLV School of Nursing. UNLV third year nursing students will provide this education under the guidance of UNLV Nurse Practitioner faculty at no-cost. I have attached a flyer and included additional details below. Whether you have caregivers requiring training or you may be interested in hiring our trainees, it would help fill our statewide gap in our caregiver shortages. We hope this program can serve as a pipeline program to not only train caregivers but also provide them with job opportunities after completing training. We will hold this training in the spring, summer and fall.

Program details are provided below:

• Scrubs and stethoscopes will be provided to participants at no cost.
• CPR certification is also included in the training at no-cost.
• UNLV nursing students will also work one-on-one with participants to create a resume and perform mock-interviews for job placement.
• We have relationships with home care agencies that could provide job opportunities for participants after graduation.
• This training meets state HCQC training requirements for PCAs.

Program rational:
Caregiving is a growing area of need in Nevada. As 10,000 people turn 65 years of age each day, aging in place or being cared for in a specialized care environment calls for trained and skilled staff to provide safe, effective, and trauma-informed care. Caregiving training is an unidentified specialized training area that addresses the high-risk aspects of seniors aging in place. To address harm reduction and improve living outcomes, caregiver training was developed to provide a framework that includes content related to the most common diagnosis, care associated with the conditions, and skills needed to provide safe, efficient, and appropriate care.

Requirements to participate involve a willingness to help others, attend and actively participate in the training and simulations, work as a team member, and grow and learn in a group environment and culture of caring. Most importantly, a commitment to providing safe, appropriate, and person-centered care for seniors.

Participants in our program not only gain valuable skills but also have the opportunity for personal growth. Past participants have rated the program highly for its learning opportunities, group work, and the chance to learn about the culture of caring from experienced nursing students who work with the Caregiver students one on one in a mentoring role.

To learn more, email ingalsk@ccf.org.

Download a PDF with all of the information about this program.

As a significant cold snap grips the nation and our state,  staying safe and warm can be a challenge no matter where you live. UnitedHealthcare shares five simple tips to help Southern Nevadans prevent and identify cold-related illnesses and staying safe and healthy during extreme cold and winter storms. Take a look, and be sure to share these insights with friends and family:

1. Cold temperatures don’t actually make you sick

People often think winter weather makes them sick, but the temperature isn’t to blame. While some research suggests the influenza virus may survive better in colder, drier weather, other factors are at play. Winter lifestyles usually mean spending more time inside in close quarters with others who may be sick, which makes it easier to contract things like the flu or a cold.

Consider these tips that may help strengthen your resistance to wintertime illness:

• Get the flu shot – the CDC recommends everyone 6 months of age and older should get the flu shot, with rare exception. To find a flu shot location near you, visit UHCFluLocator.com.
• Consider the COVID shot as well. You can get the flu and COVID-19 shots at the same time, along with additional vaccinations.
• The CDC also recommends a RSV vaccine for people 60 and older, as well as another option, a monoclonal antibody injection, to help protect babies and toddlers up to 2 years old.
• Eat healthy foods – fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients and vitamins like vitamin C, which is good for your immune system.
• Exercise – it can also help boost your immune system to better defend against infections.
• Get enough sleep – adults 18-64 should get 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
• Wash your hands – it helps remove germs and prevent infections.

2. You don’t lose most of your body heat through your head

If you’ve been yelled at as a kid for running outside without a hat on, it was probably justified with the fact that most of your body heat escapes through your head – but it’s not true. Heat loss really depends on what body part is exposed. It’s still recommended to wear a hat when outdoors, because prolonged exposure to cold temperatures may lead to frostbite or hypothermia.

To help avoid the risk of your core body temperature dropping below 95 degrees, be sure to wear:

• A hat
• A scarf or mask that covers your face and mouth
• A water-resistant coat
• Mittens or gloves
• Several layers of loose-fitting clothing
• Water-resistant boots

3. Lack of sunlight isn’t the only reason for SAD

The cold dreary winter months can bring on feelings of sadness, known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). But it’s not just due to the lack of sun. Wintertime can mean busy schedules, family stress and holiday spending, which all can trigger SAD.

If you think you have SAD, talk to your doctor. They will do a thorough evaluation and may offer medical treatment options. Consider trying some lifestyle and home remedies to help reduce stress and improve your mood:

• Brighten your environment. Open your blinds to let some natural sunlight into your home.
• Practice mindfulness. Yoga and meditation may help reduce your stress to help you cope with SAD.
• Go outside. Enjoy the fresh air by taking a walk or simply sitting outside. Even when it’s cold, bundling up and being surrounded by  nature almost immediately affects stress and may improve wellness.
• Exercise regularly. Your body will release endorphins, which help fight stress and can trigger positive feelings in your body.

4. Don’t jump into a hot bath after being freezing cold

Your first instinct after coming in from the cold may be to get warm as fast as you can. But avoid jumping into a scorching hot tub too soon, as it may cause a rapid drop in blood pressure if your body temperature fluctuates too quickly – which could make you feel faint or even become unconscious.

Instead, allow your body to gradually warm up. Throw on some more layers, a pair of fuzzy socks or slippers and cuddle up by the fire with a toasty seasonal drink.

5. Understand the difference between a cold and a flu

The common cold and the flu are both upper respiratory infections. However, they are caused by different viruses, and the symptoms may be more severe with the flu virus versus a cold.

Remember that symptoms alone may not be enough to tell the difference between the two.

• More than 200 viruses can cause a common cold (rhinovirus is the most common)
• The seasonal flu is caused by the influenza A or B virus. This is why a vaccine is available for the flu and not for colds.

Facts about the common cold

• Colds are usually milder than the flu.
• People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose.
• Symptoms usually include sneezing, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, watery eyes, headache, and fatigue.
• Symptoms usually last for 7 to 10 days and may last up to 2 weeks.
• Colds usually do not result in serious health problems such as pneumonia, infections, or hospitalizations.

Facts about the flu

• The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.
• The flu tends to occur in the colder months of the year.
• Symptoms of the flu are worse than the common cold and may include fever, chills, sore throat, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children).
• Fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common with the flu and more intense than when associated with a cold.
• The best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated annually.

Medical Maternity Pilot Home Program Designed to Improve Maternal and Prenatal Care Access for High-Risk Pregnancies in Rural Counties

To kick off National Maternal Health Awareness Day on Jan. 23, SilverSummit Healthplan, Nevada Health Centers, High Risk Pregnancy Center and Hera Women’s Health are announcing the launch of a program aimed at improving access to maternal and prenatal care for high-risk pregnancies in the city of Pahrump, in Nye County. The program expects to start seeing patients in late 2025.

Named the Medical Maternity Home Program, this collaborative effort will involve coordinated patient care and outreach, while leveraging maternal-fetal medicine; obstetrician-gynecologists; advanced practitioners; behavioral health providers; community health workers; Women, Infants, and Children services; and telehealth services to reach affected pregnant women in Nye County.

“We are grateful for SilverSummit’s vision, support, and partnership as we prepare to launch this program in Pahrump,” said Nevada Health Centers CEO Walter Davis. “Right now, women who are expecting must travel long distances to get prenatal care. This can be expensive and time consuming, and by offering OB services locally, in tandem with primary care and other wrap-around care, we keep people in their communities, getting the care they need and deserve.”

Pahrump has approximately 49,000 residents, including 8,000 women of reproductive age (15 to 50 years old). Access to comprehensive prenatal and postnatal care is severely limited, with the nearest facilities more than 60 miles away, creating significant barriers to timely and consistent care. *Key statistics include:

· In 2023, Pahrump recorded 344 live births with a preterm birth rate of 13.4% (national average: 10.4%), scoring an F on the March of Dimes Preterm Birth report card.

· The infant mortality rate is 8.22%, compared to the national average of 5.8%.

· Nye County is classified as a maternity care desert with limited access to care.

“Nye County is a maternity care desert, meaning that there are an insufficient number of maternity care providers,” said Dr. Steven Evans, chief medical officer for SilverSummit Healthplan. “This scarcity in maternity providers results in pregnant women needing to travel long distances to receive prenatal and postpartum care, which contributes to poor birth outcomes such as pre-term birth and low birth weight.”

“Our goal with the Medical Maternity Home Program is to bring together a multidisciplinary team of specialists to ensure every mother and baby in rural Nevada has access to the high-quality care they deserve,” said Dr. Brian Iriye, president of Hera Women’s Health. “By fostering partnerships and utilizing innovative solutions, we aim to overcome the challenges faced by underserved communities and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes across the region.”

The Medical Maternity Health Program will:

· Provide prenatal care and monitor pre-term birth rates.

· Implement evidence-based protocols to enhance quality and ensure proper maternal-fetal medicine referrals by following national guidelines and protocols. It will also utilize, SilverSummit Healthplan’s Project Guardian, which tackles the provider shortage by enabling remote health monitoring statewide. Using a cloud-based system, healthcare providers can track patient health via a synced app. If an issue arises, a nurse is alerted to coordinate care. This initiative integrates technology to enhance patient accessibility and care.

· Provide on-site consistent maternal care and obstetrical services at least two days a month.

· Provide maternal-fetal medicine consultation (in-person and or via telemedicine), high level fetal ultrasound, behavioral health (telemedicine), and treatment for opioid use disorder (telemedicine).

· Provide professional education (obstetrical emergencies) to family practice physicians and clinical support staff.

Nevada Health Centers will utilize its existing office space in Pahrump and provide complex case management delivered by registered nurses to at-risk women. The High Risk Pregnancy Center and Hera Women’s Health will provide various prenatal services, including ultrasounds, genetic counseling, behavioral health as appropriate by provider level, and delivery services. Funding for the Medical Maternity Health Program will be provided by the Centene Foundation, which will allocate $1 million over three years; an additional $100,000 will be provided by SilverSummit Healthplan.

For more information on the Medical Maternity Health Program, please contact 702.563.4600.

*Data sourced from United States Census Bureau; March of Dimes; American College of Physicians, Annuals of Internal Medicine 2020: Volume 172; Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

About SilverSummit Healthplan
SilverSummit Healthplan (SilverSummit) is a managed care plan that provides health insurance to the people of Nevada. Established in 2017, SilverSummit exists to improve the health of its members through focused, compassionate and coordinated care. SilverSummit is a Centene Corporation company. For more information, visit www.silversummithealthplan.com.

About Centene Foundation
Centene believes that successful corporate citizenship is defined by investments in community-based institutions and organizations that address the needs of communities while advancing initiatives that focus on inclusion, the whole person, and community development.

Since 2004, the Centene Charitable Foundation has sought to make a difference in the communities we serve by investing in innovative programs and services that embrace all populations regardless of ability, age, race or economic status. Centene believes in treating the whole person, not just the physical body. That belief inspires us to support community partners that bring the arts, education, and health and social services to every population regardless of barriers that may exist.

About Nevada Health Centers
Established in 1977, Nevada Health Centers (NVHC) is a non-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center program dedicated to providing access to quality healthcare throughout Nevada. NVHC operates 20 health centers; five mobile programs, including the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, Mammovan, Nevada Children’s Health Project, Mobile Medical Services, and Mobile Dental Services; and seven Women, Infants, and Children offices in southern Nevada. Our core services include family medicine, dentistry, behavioral health, and pharmacy, and we accept Medicaid, Medicare, Nevada Check Up, and most private insurances. We also offer a sliding-fee discount program based on family size and income. For more information, visit www.nvhealthcenters.org.

About High Risk Pregnancy Center
At the High Risk Pregnancy Center in Nevada, we are devoted to protecting the health of mothers-to-be and their unborn babies. As obstetric subspecialists, our highly trained and experienced maternal fetal medicine (MFM) doctors offer the most advanced testing and treatment options available for reducing pregnancy risks. In fact, our team has been on the leading edge of MFM (also known as perinatology) for more than two decades. Since then, we’ve introduced many new capabilities in Nevada and have made a substantial contribution to the modern standard of MFM care. Today, we still lead the way in technology, procedures, and commitment to the women in our care and their unborn babies. Learn more about the High Risk Pregnancy Center.

Programs offer education, support, recipes and other resources

As the new year gets underway, the Southern Nevada Health District begins its schedule of free diabetes self-management, education and support classes, offered in English, Spanish, in-person and online. The 2025 schedule of classes starts in mid-January.

Diabetes ranks as the eighth leading cause of death in the United States and is the primary cause of kidney failure, lower limb amputations and blindness. Individuals with diabetes are also at an increased risk of severe complications from flu and COVID-19. In 2023, 12.8% of adults in Clark County, or 238,102 people, were living with diabetes. In Nevada, approximately 283,700 people—11.3% of the state’s adult population—have been diagnosed with the condition. Nationwide, more than 38 million Americans have diabetes, with 8.7 million unaware of their diagnosis, putting their health at greater risk. Each year, an estimated 1.2 million Americans are newly diagnosed with diabetes.

The Health District’s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion offers diabetes classes throughout the year at the Main Public Health Center, 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107. Facilitated by trained health educators, participants learn how to manage their blood sugar, stay physically active and adopt healthier eating habits.

District Health Officer Dr. Fermin Leguen said the classes provide personalized services to help people manage diabetes. He said, “Participants can learn valuable, practical skills to fit diabetes care into their lives, while discovering what works best for their health.”

The Health District is currently accepting registrations for in-person classes that run through mid-May:

English:

February 19 and 26: 10 a.m.–noon

March 19 and 26: 10 a.m.–noon

May 15 and 22: 10 a.m.–noon

Spanish:

January 22 and 29: 10 a.m.–noon

February 20 and 27: 2-4 p.m.

March 17 and 24: 10 a.m.–noon

April 15 and 22: 2-4 p.m.

May 12 and 19: 10 a.m.–noon

To register, call (702) 759-1270, email gethealthy@snhd.org or complete the Diabetes Self-Management Interest Form. Registration for Spanish-language classes is available at the Viva Saludable website.

To learn more about diabetes resources in Southern Nevada, go to Get Healthy Clark County|Local Diabetes Resources or Viva Saludable|Recursos locales para la diabetes. For information about additional classes, events and programs offered by the Health District, visit the Get Healthy Clark County Community Calendar.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

2025 Task Force Meetings return on Thursday, January 16 at Viticus Group, with the HR Task Force Meeting is set for Feb 6th. Click on one below to get involved.

Viticus Center – Eastern Campus
5810 S Eastern Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89119
See Map

Legislative Task Force Meeting
Thursday, January 16, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Learn more + Register

Workforce Task Force Meeting
Thursday, January 16, 2025 | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Learn more + Register

Physician Engagement Task Force Meeting
Thursday, January 16, 2025 | 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM
Learn more + Register

HR Task Force Meeting
Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Learn more + Register

Nevada Donor Network (NDN) is excited to announce another record-breaking year. In 2024 over 2,500 lives were directly saved or healed through the donations of heroes who said yes to organ, eye, and tissue donation. The NDN team facilitated the recovery of lifesaving and healing gifts from 206 organ donor heroes, 924 tissue donor heroes and 1,444 cornea donor heroes last year. Additionally, NDN, with the help of the medical provider community and regulatory entities, an unprecedented1,706 heroic mothers graciously donated their birth tissue, a record-breaking increase of 450% over the prior year. As the only Nevada-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organ procurement organization (OPO), NDN serves millions of Nevadans and thousands of Americans across the country in the facilitation of organ, eye and tissue donation.

On behalf of the heroic donors and families they serve, NDN made the gift of life and healing possible through thousands of tissue grafts, 631 organs transplanted which represents a 28% increase from the prior year, and sight restoration to 2,400 recipients in 2024.

Using internationally recognized metrics, NDN leads the nation by reaching 73 organ donors per million of population served (DPMP) and 224 organs transplanted per million of population served (TPMP) based on the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and U.S. Census data.

“We are honored to serve the selfless donor heroes and their courageous families that make the gift of life and healing possible. I am proud of our team’s commitment to our lifesaving and healing mission, and we thank our community partners for collaborating with us to save and heal lives and build a pro-donation community,” said President and CEO Joe Ferreira. “We encourage all Nevadans to learn more about organ, eye, and tissue donation and register to become heroes.”

There are currently over 100,000 Americans, including more than 650 Nevadans, who are waiting for a lifesaving gift on the organ transplant waiting list.  One heroic organ donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation, can heal up to 75 lives through tissue donation, and can restore sight to up to two people through cornea donation.

About Nevada Donor Network

Nevada Donor Network is a federally designated 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organ procurement organization (OPO) committed to maximizing the gift of life and health through organ and tissue donation. Established in 1987, Nevada Donor Network is one of only 56 OPOs in the U.S. serving more than three million people in the state of Nevada and 100,000 potential transplant recipients across the country. They work collaboratively with hospital staff and community partners to promote research and provide a strong support network to courageous donor families who’ve turned loss into hope.

At Nevada Donor Network, they encourage Nevadans to help individuals in need of life-saving transplants through education, research and action. Nevada Donor Network is a member of Donate Life Nevada, an affiliate of Donate Life America, whose state-wide efforts encourage Nevadans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors. For more information, please visit www.nvdonor.org/.