’s
June 28, 2013 edition
The Pulse
Your regular check up on SCKMC activities Share your thoughts, story ideas, and comments by e-mail to claytonp@sckrmc.org.
Fireworks Safety Tips: •Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. •Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper. This is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers. •Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don't realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals. •Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. •Never try to re-light fireworks that have not ignited fully. •Never point or throw fireworks at another person. •Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap. •Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly. •Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers. •After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire. •Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
Like Us On facebook www.facebook.com/sckmc SCKMC Receives Concealed Carry Exemption South Central Kansas Medical Center has filed for an exemption to the new concealed carry law signed by Gov. Sam Brownback earlier this year. The law goes into effect on July 1st and requires most public buildings to allow anyone with a concealed carry license to carry a gun into the building if that building is not protected by "adequate security measures," such as metal detectors and guards at all public entrances. However, the legislation allows state agencies and local governments to continue banning concealed weapons through 2017, but it requires them to declare publicly they have developed plans for adequate security for their buildings. SCKMC has posted updated information at all public entrances, notifying visitors and staff that no weapons will be allowed within the facility at this time.
Healthy Living: Have You Been Tested? June 27th marked the 19th annual National HIV Testing Day. More than one-million people are living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) in the United States, but 1 in 5 don’t know they are infected. In April 2013, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released HIV testing recommendations that everyone aged 15 to 65 should be screened for HIV infection; teens younger than age 15 and adults older than 65 also should be screened if they are at increased risk for HIV infection; and all pregnant women, including women in labor who do not know if they are infected with HIV, should be screened for HIV infection. CDC recommends an HIV test once a year for people at increased risk—such as gay and bisexual men, people who inject drugs, or people with multiple sex partners. Regular testing allows people who have HIV to know their status, get life-saving treatment and care, and prevent HIV transmission to others. It’s easy to get tested. Ask your doctor for a test, or find a nearby testing site through National HIV and STD Testing Resources. Home test kits are also available. Two FDAapproved tests are available online or from drugstores, and in both cases, testing is anonymous and the manufacturer provides confidential counseling and referral to care. When you know your status, you can take care of yourself. If you find out that you are infected with HIV (if you test positive), you can seek medical care and get treatment, which helps people with HIV live longer, healthier lives and also lowers the chances of passing HIV to others. If you don’t have HIV (if you test negative), take steps to stay negative. Remember that if you have unprotected sex or share needles for drug use after your test, you need to get tested again to make sure you are still HIV-negative. For more information on this topic visit www.cdc.gov.
Goatley Retires from Bus. Office Dianne Goatley retired from SCKMC’s business office today after 8 years of service. She celebrated with a luncheon and small reception held within the department. Dianne plans to eventually return to the department on a PRN basis.
Procedure Room Meets Breathing Room. Our Open MRI, just one example of the advanced technology now available locally. People worry that a MRI scan might be confining and uncomfortable. Our new equipment takes your comfort and ease into consideration. Panorama open MRI is the widest, most open, high field MR system made today. It not only provides detailed images for your doctor, but also wide-open space for you. So you can breathe easy. Call or visit us on-line to learn how our advanced technology can help your doctor to detect, diagnose, and treat disease earlier and more accurately.
For more information on this service contact us or schedule an appointment with your family physician.
Find out more about our services at www.sckmc.org