IDNs in the News

1. Midwest: University hospitals, Cleveland Clinic join forces to prevent substance misuse and overdose deaths

Substance misuse and unintentional overdose deaths continue to be serious problems in the United States. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed most misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from a home medicine cabinet.

The best way to dispose of unused or expired medications is to take them to an official disposal location. As part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 30, University Hospitals (UH) and Cleveland Clinic are partnering to host collection efforts at 17 locations throughout Northeast Ohio in addition to promoting collection at two police stations.

“University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic have formed a collaborative alliance to advance the health of our communities by focusing on Northeast Ohio’s most pressing public health needs. Preventing substance misuse and overdose deaths are chief among these issues,” said Champ Burgess, Chief Pharmacy Officer at UH. “This Drug Take Back Day is just one example of our joint approach to mitigating the opioid epidemic and reducing unintentional drug overdose deaths because medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.”

This event gives the public an easy way to rid their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescriptions and overthe-counter drugs. Many of these medical disposal locations are open year-round.

“We are proud to be working with University Hospitals on a variety of initiatives to control the opioid epidemic in our communities. Collaboration makes us stronger and benefits the health of our communities,” said Samuel Calabrese, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Cleveland Clinic.

“Providing the public with a safe and convenient way to remove unused medications from the home is an important step in reducing the risk of accidental drug exposures as well as preventing drug misuse. That is why we are committed to making drug disposal locations accessible on Drug Take Back Day and every day.”

2. South: Baylor Scott & White Health appoints Steven Newton as chief growth officer

Texas-based Baylor Scott & White Health has tapped Steven Newton to serve as EVP and chief growth officer, effective April 25. In this role, Newton will drive enterprise growth, creating and enhancing customercentric partnerships that help the organization advance its strategy.

Newton has nearly 35 years of healthcare experience – including almost 20 years in several of the system’s key geographies. He most recently led two North Texas regions, including six hospitals, and served as president of Baylor University Medical Center, one of the health system’s flagship academic medical centers. Since joining Baylor Scott & White in 2004, he has also served as president of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Grapevine

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and Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth.

“Steve is known as a trusted and progressive leader with an unrivaled knowledge of our markets,” said Baylor Scott & White CEO Pete McCanna. “His understanding of competitive opportunities across the state will guide us as we expand access to high-quality care for the millions of Texans we serve.”

Over the course of his tenure, Steve has led the development and implementation of high-performing regional growth plans, guiding his teams to improve patient experience and clinical outcomes.

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3. West: Intermountain Healthcare and SCL Health complete merger

Utah-based Intermountain Healthcare and SCL Health, two leading nonprofit healthcare organizations, have completed their merger, creating a model health system that provides high-quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare to more patients and communities in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and Kansas.

This combination employs more than 59,000 caregivers, operates 33 hospitals (including one virtual hospital), and runs 385 clinics across seven states while providing health insurance to 1 million people in Utah and Idaho. With the close of this merger, Intermountain Healthcare is the eleventh largest nonprofit health system in the United States.

Mike Leavitt will serve as the new Board Chair for the combined organization. In previous roles, he served in the Cabinet of President George W. Bush as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and Secretary of Health and Human Services and as a three-time elected governor of Utah.

The Board includes representation from the pre-merger boards of both Intermountain Healthcare and SCL Health. The most recent Intermountain Healthcare Board Chair, Gail Miller, and most recent SCL Health Board Chair, Michael L. Fordyce, will continue as members of the combined board.

Fordyce will serve as Board ViceChair of the Intermountain Healthcare Board and as Board Chair of the Intermountain region board based in Broomfield, Colorado, and Miller will serve as Board Chair of the new region board based in Salt Lake City.

The new organization, named Intermountain Healthcare, is headquartered in Salt Lake City, with regional offices in Broomfield, Colorado, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Navigating Today’s Ever-changing COVID-19 Landscape with Comfort and Care

Children’s lives have been turned upside down by the pandemic. Between remote schooling, wearing masks, canceled playdates and birthday parties, and our regular routines looking anything but routine – it’s essential to realize that the effects of the past two years aren’t over.

And, as our lives increasingly return to normal, much remains unknown about the toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on everyone – especially children.

While some may say their children thrived through the pandemic, enjoying more time at home and the benefits of added screen time through virtual lessons, others suffered from the lack of academic, social, and emotional support, especially when viewed through a socio-economic lens.

Seeing a 20-30% spike in emergency mental health visits, experts recognize children and adolescents are showing signs of stress from trauma experienced during the pandemic. And as masks come off and summer camps open back up – it’s essential to learn how we can support our younger population during a shift that may often feel overwhelming.

It’s important to remember that while we endured the pandemic, our children grew up in it, and the transition back to normal may take more time.

Many children have become used to having their parents or caregiver by their side at all hours of the day. For some infants, it’s all they’ve known. And as we supported our children through those early days of uncertainty in 2020, we must have the same level of care today.

Plan ahead, but allow for flexibility

Planning ahead gives children a sense of safety and security. While making plans for some much-needed family fun, include your children in the discussion to help lessen anxiety.

Take it step-by-step

Big changes can often result in big feelings. Emphasize that reopening is a gradual process. Take it one step at a time, recognizing your child’s comfort level in each new setting.

Validate fears

When faced with an anxious child, let them know you recognize their feelings and take steps to help them manage them. Taking the time to answer any questions they have will allow you to correct any misinformation and help them overcome any fears or uncertainties.

Be alert to signs of something more serious

Mood changes, sleep changes, or avoiding activities may signify your

child is having trouble adjusting to the quickly changing landscape. Take time to talk and reach out for services if they need more support.

Overcome vaccine anxiety

When recognizing post-pandemic anxiety in children, we should also recognize vaccine-associated anxiety. At least two-thirds of children and onefourth of adults have a fear of needles, and when heading to an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination, that fear can often result in a tearful meltdown.

With everyone over the age of 5 approved by the CDC for a COVID19 vaccine, both healthcare providers and parents can help reduce patient anxiety in children. Parents and guardians can provide comfort by holding their child, bringing a stuffed animal, creating a distraction, and helping their child take deep breaths. Clinicians can help reduce anxiety by providing children with a positive patient experience. This includes redirecting the child's attention, familiarizing children with the tools and equipment they'll be using, and including childfriendly themes and distractions.

Dukal’s line of licensed bandages offers patients fun characters and designs while offering practitioners

By replacing traditional adhesive bandages, character bandages improve patient experience, reducing anxiety and allow children to wear their vaccine with pride.

our trusted Stat Strip® technology. By replacing traditional adhesive bandages, character bandages improve patient experience, reducing anxiety and allow children to wear their vaccine with pride.

Dukal realizes the collective role we all play in helping our children as their world reopens, and it is our hope our pediatric line of medical disposables can bring added comfort and care.