Yale Eye Center using "gold" standard for glaucoma treatment
Ophthalmologists at Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Yale Eye Center have are the first of currently only two university centers in the United States to use a new "gold shunt" drainage device for the treatment of glaucoma. Glaucoma, which is usually associated with elevated pressure of fluid in the eye, can lead to progressive, irreversible loss of vision that can progress to blindness. Glaucoma, nicknamed the "silent thief of sight," is the second leading cause of blindness in the world.
The gold shunt is only as thick as a human hair and is implanted through a single micro-incision. While the new gold shunt does not cure glaucoma, is designed to reduce pressure to safe levels to sustain the patient's current vision status. It is virtually undetectable by the patient and is intended to last indefinitely.
Journalists who would like to pursue this story or speak to Dr. Nils Loewen, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Yale Vascular Malformation Center is internationally recognized
The Yale Vascular Malformation Center's internationally recognized multidisciplinary team is dedicated to treating and understanding vascular malformations of the brain, nose, lung, GI tract and extremities that may occur spontaneously or as part of rare genetic syndromes such as Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu.
The Yale Center, which is the model for 27 HHT Centers worldwide, manages 3,000 patients with HHT including primary treatment and follow-up. Daily clinics for patients with vascular malformations, genetic counseling, evaluation and work-up for patients with gastrointestinal bleeding and liver, pulmonary and brain malformations associated with HHT are among the services offered. In addition to teaching within the United States and overseas, the faculty publishes the results of their research regularly in a variety of peer-reviewed journals. Yale founded a non-profit foundation for HHT in 1991.
Journalists who would like to pursue this story or speak to Dr. Robert White, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
August 4, 2011
YNHH offers Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) was previously considered a childhood disease, but with improving nutritional and other medical support, the median survival of CF patients is now 32 years and rising. Because pulmonary disease remains the primary cause of morbidity and mortality for these patients, this program works to transition pediatric CF patients to adult inpatient and outpatient care.
Our CF Center is the larger of two adult CF programs accredited by the CF Foundation in Connecticut. The Yale CF Center treats patients for the problems associated with CF, including pulmonary disease, sinus disease, pancreatic insufficiency and malabsorption, malnutrition, CF-related liver disease, CF-related diabetes and osteoporosis.
Post-transplant patients are also followed for surveillance and treatment of transplantrelated complications. To accomplish this goal, a multidisciplinary team has been established that includes CF-trained nurses, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, dietitians, social workers and physicians.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or speak to a physician, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
YNHH surgeon first in Connecticut to implant prosthetic hearing device
John Kveton, MD, section of otolaryngology, YNHH, recently implanted the first prosthetic hearing restoration device designed to help a patient's own ear hear better through probes inserted in the middle ear. The new procedure helps to enhance the connection between the inner ear and the brain. Yale-New Haven is the only medical center in the Northeast to offer this surgery.
Journalists who would like to pursue this story or speak to Dr. Kveton, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Find out about Smilow Cancer Hospital's bike ride fundraiser and what's new in cancer care
Dr. Thomas Lynch, physician-in-chief, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven, and Abe Lopman, VP and executive director of Smilow Cancer Hospital, recently appeared on WTNH News 8's mid-day magazine talk show "CT Style," hosted by health reporter Jocelyn Maminta.
Dr. Lynch and Abe Lopman discussed the September 10 Smilow Cancer Hospital Closer to Free bike and how people can get involved in either participating in the ride or providing other means of support, with proceeds going to Smilow Cancer Hospital. In addition, they will also be discussing what's new in cancer care at Smilow, new treatment options available to patients and evolving technology that is making Smilow Cancer Hospital among the elite cancer treatment centers in the United States.
For more information, visit rideclosertofree.org
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or speak to Dr. Lynch or Mr. Lopman, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Yale-New Haven Hospital broadcasts live interventional cardiology events
Yale-New Haven interventional radiologists have broadcast several live presentations and pre-recorded procedures from YNHH to physicians and nurses around the world. The team demonstrates their skills in the diagnosis and management of PAVMS, pulmonary arteriovenous malformations.
Dr. Robert White has spearheaded research and care for patients with vascular formations and helped establish 27 such centers worldwide modeled after the PAVMS center at YNHH.
Journalists who would like to pursue this story, speak to Dr. White, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Special bone densitometry unit test for osteoporosis and other metabolic bone disorders
Yale-New Haven's Bone Center has developed a unique Bone Densitometry Unit that goes well beyond the traditional measurement of a patient's bone density for patients who are at risk for or have with osteoporosis.
As part of the scanning procedure, the patient completes a thorough, six-page questionnaire detailing his or her medical and pertinent lifestyle history. Using that information, the clinician who analyzes the scan provides a narrative interpretation germane to the patient's particular condition and prepares a concise consult. This has proven especially helpful to physicians and specialists who refer patients to the Center for further diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, Bone Center therapists, specifically trained in the prevention and treatment of metabolic bone disorders, educate patients about ways they can improve their strength, maintain mobility and preserve a healthy skeletal system.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story and speak to the director of the Yale Bone Center, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Unique new treatment for patients with severe asthma
Yale-New Haven Hospital has become the first hospital in Connecticut to perform bronchial thermoplasty, a non-drug procedure for severe persistent asthma in patients 18 years and older whose asthma is not well-controlled with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists.
Bronchial thermoplasty is performed with a catheter-like device that delivers thermal energy (heat) to the lungs of patients with asthma in order to decrease the amount of smooth muscle in the lungs, the muscles that lead to bronchoconstriction and asthma symptoms. For this procedure, patients must undergo a bronchoscopy, in which a bronchoscope is inserted into the airways through the nose or mouth. Bronchial thermoplasty allows patients to gain better control of their asthma because the lungs are not able to constrict as much and react as vigorously to asthma triggers.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story and speak to a YNHH pulmonologist, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis often hard to diagnose
Inflammatory bowel disease is not uncommon, yet it is sometimes hard to make a definitive diagnosis, particularly of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. As many as 1.4 million Americans are affected with these inflammatory conditions which affect the colon and small intestine.
Along with standard imaging studies, Yale Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Program radiologists offer expertise in performance and interpretation of CT enterography and MR enterography.
Patients benefit from less radiation exposure with E3MR enterography.
Yale specialists provide cutting-edge treatment modalities, including minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, and as an alternative to conventional patient therapies, the Yale IBD
Program offers medications from clinical trials in the earliest phases of development.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story and speak to a YNHH gastroenterologist, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Yale Eye Center experts warn of UV dangers to the eyes
It is advisable to wear sunglasses. I recommend ones that are made out of shatterproof polycarbonate material that block UV light and wrap around the eyes.
There is good scientific evidence that
UV exposure:
- Causes damage that is cumulative over time
- Can damage the cornea, the lens and the retina of the eye
- Can promote an abnormal growth of the conjunctiva called "pterygium"
- Can promote cataract formation and macular degeneration
- May make Patients who had cataract surgery and had lens implants more susceptible to photo-damage to the retina
- Can cause acute phototoxicity ("snow blindness") - akin to a sunburn of the cornea and conjunctiva and very painful, although temporary
Other facts to know:
- In the summer we are much more likely to ocular trauma with all the outdoor activities.
- Any activity in water in the summer and snow in the winter means more light is reflected into the eye.
- Polycarbonate lenses offer very good protection for anyone active, especially children and mandatory for patients with only one eye.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story and speak to a YNHH ophthalmologist, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Special center at YNHH for asthma and airways disease
Yale Center for Asthma and Airways Disease (YCAAD) is a major referral source throughout southern New England for patients suffering from asthma and airways disease.
The center treats a broad spectrum of asthmatics, including patients with difficult-to-control asthma or chronic cough, those who are diagnostic dilemmas and those who may be significantly affected by co-morbid illnesses, such as gastroesophageal reflux, sinusitis, vocal cord dysfunction and atopy. The center also treats patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), ranging from those with mild symptoms to those in need of rehabilitation or assisted ventilation, or who are being considered for lung-volume reduction surgery or lung transplantation.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story and speak to a YNHH physician, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Holiday and summer safety
The 4th of July kicks off the summer "trauma season." Here's why:
Fireworks: Nealy 10,000 people were treated for fireworks-related injuries in hospitals across the United States last year, of which about 69 percent during the month surrounding the 4th of July holiday. The good news is, despite the number of people who misuse fireworks, the injuries caused each year has been gradually declining, while fireworks consumption has gone up. From 1990-2003, fireworks-related injuries have dropped from 12,000 to 9,300.
Water play: Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14.
Sunburn: Limit exposure to the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Even on cool or overcast days, apply water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher 30 minutes before going outdoors.
Heat illness: Heat stroke can occur within minutes and can be deadly.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story and speak to a YNHH physician, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Angioplasty with stents may be safe in long-term for low-risk heart patients
Heart bypass surgery is considered the gold standard for most patients with left main coronary artery disease, one of the most serious types of heart disease. But a new study, published in the journal Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions, reported that low-risk patients with coronary artery disease who underwent angioplasty with medication-coated stents, rather than bypass surgery, had more favorable long-term results.
Current national guidelines recommend angioplasty with stenting only for patients who are poor candidates for surgery. The results of this study may demonstrate the procedure's effectiveness in a wider range of patients - not just those who are at high risk for surgery.
Patients sought angioplasty with stenting instead of surgery preferred the more minimally invasive procedure as opposed to the higher risk of surgery, especially if they were older or had other health issues like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or a severely calcified artery.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story and speak to a YNHH physician, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Are people who suffer from migraines more prone to having a stroke?
According to a recent study, people who suffer from migraines are about twice as likely as people without the painful headaches to suffer a stroke caused by a blood clot. The precise cause of migraines is not fully understood, but the pain involves blood vessels in the brain constricting and then swelling.
One theory is that people with migraine may have dysfunction in the blood vessels throughout the body, which may explain the increased risk of stroke and, as some previous studies have found, heart attack.
People who suffer from "migraine with aura" might have double or triple the risk of stroke or heart attack, compared with those who don't get migraines. With individuals who get "migraine with aura," the headache is generally preceded by a range of symptoms: slurred speech, forgetfulness, feeling hot or cold, and lights flashing across the field of vision - or the aura.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story and speak to a YNHH physician, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Can you ride your bike 25 miles? How about 100 miles?
If you can, why not try the Closer to Free bike ride fundraiser for Smilow Cancer Hospital on Saturday September 10, 2011. Depending on whether you choose the 25- or 100-mile ride, the route will pass through up to 12 towns around greater New Haven and the shoreline area. The ride starts and ends at the Yale Bowl. Cancer survivors, patients, family, friends, trained athletes and riders or all skill levels and abilities over the age of 18 are encouraged to ride. Each cyclist must raise a minimum of $1,000 to ride. Anyone interested in riding or volunteering, visit www.rideclosertofree.org
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or test out their biking abilities by joining the ride, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Occupational and Environmental Lung Diseases Program
The Occupational and Environmental Lung Diseases Program, under the direction of
Carrie A. Redlich, MD, is a collaborative, multidisciplinary effort involving medical
specialists from pulmonary and critical care medicine, occupational and environmental
medicine and pathology. Patients with asthma, interstitial lung disease and other
pulmonary disorders are evaluated to determine whether environmental and/or
occupational exposures may be causing or worsening their lung diseases. Workplace
and home environmental assessments may be performed by a member of the
program's industrial hygiene team as part of the evaluation and plan for treatment.
This is the only such program in the country where specific inhalation challenge testing
is performed for diagnostic and research purposes.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview Dr. Redlich or another member of the Occupational and Environmental Lung Diseases Program, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Non-dermatologists miss many cancerous skin lesions
A new study by Yale School of Medicine finds that many cancerous skin lesions are missed in exams by non-specialists, and that only a total body skin exam (TBSE) by a dermatologist can ensure they will be detected. More than one million skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States, and one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Non-specialists, especially primary care physicians, are often the first to see skin lesions, initiating referral to dermatologists.
The study also suggested that the increasingly common use of teledermatology (in which non-specialists communicate skin conditions to a dermatologist long-distance via audio, video and data techniques) has the potential to miss many cancerous lesions.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview one of the Yale physicians involved in this study, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
An advanced team for pituitary tumors and disease
Yale-New Haven Hospital has one of the busiest pituitary surgery services on the East Coast. Patients are referred from throughout Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York for medical evaluations, endoscopic trans-sphenoidal pituitary microsurgery and radiation therapy using gamma knife.
Endocrinologists work in conjunction with neurosurgeons, who have an advanced neuro-navigation system and a 3T intraoperative MRI available for more complicated cases. A team of endocrinologists, neurosurgeons, otolarnyngologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, neuropathologists and experts in laboratory medicine meet monthly at a multidisciplinary pituitary tumor conference to review all cases referred.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview one of our endocrinologists or neurosurgeons, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
YNHH offers special services for hospitalized patient with diabetes
The Center's Inpatient Diabetes Management Team, the only one of its kind in Connecticut, conducts rounds daily on YNHH patients with high blood glucose who are hospitalized at YNHH to improve their glucose management. YNHH is a national leader in the development of protocols to ensure optimal glucose control during hospitalization. The Yale Insulin Infusion Protocol is now used by hospitals around the world to achieve meticulous glucose control in critical care units. The Glucometrics website, a collaboration with the Yale Center for Medical Informatics, is used by hundreds of hospitals to help measure and improve the quality of their inpatient glucose control.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a YNHH endocrinologist, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Yale-New Haven orthopedists offer advice on reducing back pain
Back pain, and especially lower back pain, is a very common problem for millions of people. According to Dr. James Yue, orthopedic surgeon at YNHH, as we age and the cartilage in all our joints start to deteriorate, back issues become more problematic. Studies show that incidents of back pain tend to be higher in industrialized countries because of sedentary lifestyles and a tendency to sit at desks without proper posture throughout the work day.
YNHH offers tips for reducing likeliness of back problems:
1. When sitting at your desk make sure your head is aligned with your shoulders and your lower back is supported, perhaps with a small pillow or a back support for your chair. Adjust the height of your chair so that your knees are even with your hips or slightly lower than your hips helps take pressure of key joints.
2. To help avoid injuries to your wrists like carpal tunnel syndrome, try to keep your wrists straight and your hands open and relaxed when using a mouse. Refrain from resting your wrist on the edge of your desk and only use a wrist rest when you're taking a break from typing.
3. Heavy lifting might be the number one problem because most people lift objects using their back and not their legs. If you must lift something very heavy or cumbersome, bend at your knees rather than your waist to help prevent back injuries. Always lift with your legs rather than your back.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview Dr. Yue, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Recovering surgical supplies for developing countries
An estimated $200 million worth of supplies can be recovered from U.S. hospital operating rooms each year, resulting in a 50 percent increase of medical aid sent from the United States to the developing world.
Gloves, sutures, drapes, gowns and many other items not used during a medical procedure are discarded because they are considered "un-sterile" even if there has been no contact at all with the patient.
These items can be sent to healthcare personnel throughout the developing world where they are desperately needed.
In 1991, Dr. Will Rosenblatt, an anesthesiologist at Yale-New Haven Hospital, founded REMEDY, Recovered Medical Equipment for the Developing World, a non-profit organization committed to teaching and promoting the recovery of surplus or unused medical supplies for the purpose of global aid while reducing solid medical waste from U.S. hospitals.
The REMEDY program has been replicated in hospital around the country, demonstrating the efficacy, cost-effectiveness, environmental ramifications, and usefulness of recovered medical supplies recovered. The REMEDY program at YNHH alone has donated more than 20 tons of medical supplies.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview Dr. Rosenblatt, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Yale-New Haven is first Connecticut hospital to offer video relay services for the deaf
Yale-New Haven Hospital is the first hospital in Connecticut to offer video relay service (VRS) telephones for deaf and hard of hearing patients, family members and visitors.
A video phone is now located in the hospital's main lobby for deaf and hard of hearing patients, family members and visitors to place calls using American Sign Language (ASL). The caller dials the number from the video phone and the call is handled by a VRS interpreter. The caller gives the number of the hearing recipient he or she wants to call and the interpreter facilitates the communication between both parties.
The hospital has also installed portable VRS phones on carts that can be delivered to the patient care units so that hospitalized patients may use them in the privacy of their rooms.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview our deaf and hard of hearing services coordinator, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
The benefits of minimally invasive valve surgery in older adults
One of every eight individuals over the age of 75 has moderate to severe valve disease, and the number is expected to double by 2030, as our population ages. Minimally invasive heart surgery offers older patients several advantages over open-chest procedures, including faster healing, less infection, reduced need for pain management, shorter hospital stays and faster return to normal activities.
Also called keyhole surgery, minimally invasive surgery is performed through small incisions, sometimes using specialized surgical instruments. YNHH cardiac surgeons have expertise with the full range of minimally invasive surgery, including the right minithoracotomy - a keyhole incision made between the ribs - and the partial upper sternotomy - a 2- to 3-inch skin incision to the upper breastbone. Operations that can be performed this way include valve surgery, beating heart coronary surgery and robotic assisted coronary bypass surgery, using the da Vinci Surgical System.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a physician, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Does your pediatrician know how to screen for early childhood developmental delays?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17 percent of children in the United States have a developmental or behavioral disability such as autism, intellectual disabilities, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In addition, many children have delays in language or other areas, which also impact school readiness.
Yet early developmental delays are often not identified in a timely way. Early identification is critical to the well-being of children and their families. All pediatricians and primary care physicians should be screening for developmental delays.
At Yale-New Haven Hospital, a multidisciplinary team of specialists that include pediatricians and child life specialists has created a developmental screening process that easily identifies at-risk patients and refers to Connecticut's early intervention program.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a physician, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
April 18, 2011
Can driving performance of older people be improved?
Richard Marottoli, MD, medical director of the Dorothy Adler Geriatric Assessment Center at Yale-New Haven Hospital, is one of the nation's leading experts on driving problems in older persons. He has identified a number of risk factors for crashes and moving violations and determined the impact of driving cessation on depressive symptoms in older individuals. He has demonstrated that both education and physical conditioning programs can improve the driving performance of older people.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview Dr. Marottoli, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Caring for children with cleft lip or cleft palate is a long-term challenge
Cleft lip and cleft palate (orofacial clefts) are among the most common birth defects. Each year more than 2,600 babies in the United States are born with a cleft palate and 4,400 babies are born with a cleft lip with or without a cleft palate. These children often have difficulties with speech, hearing, teeth, feeding and infections of the ear.
Cleft palate and cleft lip are both treatable birth defects. The most common form of treatment is surgery, which usually occurs between three and six months of life for infants with a cleft lip and nine and 15 months of life for infants with a cleft palate. At Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital, comprehensive care management, including diagnosis, surgical and postoperative treatment, are coordinated for the most complex and rare deformities, as well as frequently observed clinical problems such as cleft of the lip and palate.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a physician, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
YNHH is sole provider of Gamma Knife services in Connecticut
Smilow Cancer Hospital's departments of radiation oncology and neurosurgery have long been and remain the sole provider of Gamma Knife services in Connecticut. Our staff has the most experience in the state when it comes to treating patients with radiosurgery.
Gamma Knife offers an effective, non-invasive alternative to traditional brain surgery and is exclusively designed for the treatment of malignant and benign brain tumors, vascular abnormalities of the brain, head and skull base tumors, and trigeminal neuralgia. For more than 50 years, Gamma Knife has been used to treat more than 500,000 patients worldwide. It is regarded as the "gold standard" for intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery. At Yale-New Haven, more than 2,500 patients have been treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a physician, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Women's sports medicine specialist unique to U.S. hospitals
With the growing number of female athletes -- professional, collegiate, high school and casual increasing every year -- Yale-New Haven Hospital has created one of just a few women's sports medicine programs in the U.S. hospitals, designed to specifically diagnose, treat and better understand the esoteric physical and physiological demands placed on the female musculoskeletal system.
Within the department of orthopedics, the YNHH sports medicine program combines the best in inpatient treatment, outpatient care and rehabilitation and is recognized for outstanding orthopedic care and innovative research. The women's sports medicine program at YNHH is directed by Dr. Karen Sutton, a former three-time captain of the women's lacrosse team at Duke University and recently appointed team orthopedic surgeon for the United States under-19 women's national lacrosse team.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview Dr. Sutton, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Rough winter can mean early onslaught of allergy problems
After a rough winter, people are eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring. But that means a countdown for allergy sufferers, since the heavy winter snow is expected to create an early and aggressive pollen season.
Doctors at Yale-New Haven Hospital report that people can take precautions to minimize their suffering. They advise patients to have a plan in place to pre-treat symptoms before they occur, as allergy season generally starts weeks before tree pollen is visible. Allergy sufferers should try to eliminate or control indoor irritants, such as house dust mites. De-cluttering the home and especially the bedroom, as well as washing all bedding in very hot water, are great ways to kill dust mites and fend off other annoying allergens. Doctors also suggest replacing air filters in the home, especially homes with dogs that shed a great deal.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a physician, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Childhood obesity can lead to multiple health problems
According to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years, putting children at risk for diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and other health problems.
At Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital, a multidisciplinary team of clinicians care for children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes and other complications of childhood obesity, providing one-on-one counseling and a lifestyle intervention program. The pediatric endocrine program incorporates a varied approach to addressing childhood obesity through prevention, education and understanding its causes. A teen weight management program that includes counseling, healthy lifestyle recommendations, nutrition and cognitive therapy is led by experts in their respective fields.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a YNHH pediatric endocrinologist, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Haitian nurse will take YNHH training back to his country
When Haiti was devastated by an earthquake in January 2010, Yale-New Haven Hospital was one of the first in Connecticut to send supplies and staff. Now YNHH has found a new - and more long-lasting - way to help the people of Haiti.
Last May, Cynthia Mann, MD, an attending YNHH pediatrician, spent time volunteering in Haiti and met the president of a small hospital in Port-au-Prince. They discussed the enormous needs of the Haitian medical community. On her return, Dr. Mann spoke with administrators at YNHH to see if a medical professional from Haiti might be able to come to YNHH for training, then return to Haiti and apply that training to improve care.
Today, Rigan Louis, who works in the 34-bed Hopital Espoir - or Hope Hospital, which has 200 outpatient visits per day - is working at YNHH. He started with rotations in the adult and pediatric emergency departments, working closely with staff nurses and mid-level providers.
"My goal is to fill my brain with everything I can," said Louis on one of his first days at YNHH. When he returns to Port-au-Prince, a little of Yale-New Haven will be at work in Haiti, where care is so badly needed. Louis hopes to raise the level of nursing at his hospital and share the new techniques he is learning at YNHH.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview Rigan Louis, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Yale-New Haven pediatric cardiologists pioneer iPad use in delivering patient care
A pilot program spearheaded by Alan Friedman, MD, chief, pediatric cardiology, Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital, is using iPad technology to access, share, relay and discuss critical patient medical information right at the patient's bedside. YNHCH is one of just a few hospitals using iPads as a clinical and teaching tool with residents and patients.
Patients and families can now collaborate with the physician while reviewing the latest x-rays, CT and scan images, EKGs and other essential lab or test results that make the family experience more hands-on and direct. Access is password protected and encrypted for to ensure that patient information will be safe and confidential.
Said Dr. Friedman, "We are right at the bedside making and reviewing notes and seeing the most recent images. This has allowed us to be more engaged than ever before."
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview Dr. Friedman, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Left ventricular assist devices: a transplant alternative for patients with advance heart failure
According to the American Heart Association, about 5.7 million Americans have heart failure. Depending on their age and whether they have other medical conditions, not all heart failure patients may be able to receive a heart transplant. But some heart failure patients may benefit from a transplant alternative - a device that helps the heart pump blood throughout the body. Yale-New Haven Hospital Heart and Vascular Center recently received national certification to implant these devices - called left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) - as permanent treatment for heart failure patients who are not helped by medication and cannot receive a heart transplant. The certification to implant LVADs came from The Joint Commission, the national group that accredits and certifies hospitals. Most patients receiving a LVAD will receive the Heartmate II®, which is implanted into a patient's chest and connected to a battery-pack vest.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or speak with a physician about LVADs as as alternative to heart transplantation, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Incidence of Alzheimers can be increased by worry and stress
A recent study indicates that people who tend to worry or stress out a great deal are more likely to develop Alzheimers disease. The study also showed that that the relationship between stress, worry and Alzheimer's disease appears to be much stronger among whites than African Americans.
The nature of this connection seems rooted in chronic elevations of stress hormones that may damage regions of the brain that regulate both behavior under stress and memory. The study examined approximately 1,000 white and African American adults over 65 and their tendency toward worry and stress, and then re-examined them three to six years later. They discovered that people who appeared prone to feeling distressed were more than twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease within three to six years.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or speak with a physician about Alzheimers disease, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Chest pain is not the only signal of a heart attack
While chest pain is widely considered to be the hallmark symptom of a heart attack, doctors now warn that other vague "non-traditional" warning signs must be taken into consideration and evaluated as well. While chest discomfort is the chief component among nearly half of the patients who come to hospital emergency rooms with heart attack symptoms, less typical symptoms such as pain in left arm, jaw or neck as well as shortness of breath, dizziness, abdominal pain, excessive fatigue or nausea are also seen - and are more common in women and non-white populations.
The Yale-New Haven Chest Pain Center determines the exact cause of a patient's chest pain through careful and extensive serial assessments. In quick fashion, doctors in the Chest Pain Center can perform a series of tests, including the newest stress tests, and determine quickly what the next course of treatment should be.
Patients get personalized education about their heart attack risk factors so they can take active steps to prevent heart attacks in future. While the public has received extensive education to recognize chest pain as the cornerstone of a heart attack, both patients and the medical profession understand that other symptoms may be just as concerning.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or speak with a physician about chest pain, heart disease or the Yale-New Haven Chest Pain Center, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
New study questions lymph node removal for breast cancer patients
New research suggests that many women with early breast cancer do not need to undergo a painful procedure that has long been routine: removal of cancerous lymph nodes from the armpit. Patients who have lymph nodes removed may have lymphedema - fluid retention and tissue swelling of the limbs - nerve injury or decreased range of motion of their shoulder.
Now, researchers says that about 20 percent of breast cancer patients do not need lymph node removal because it does not improve survival or make the cancer less likely to recur This translates to about 40,000 women a year in the United States.
Dr. Anees Chagpar, director, of the breast center program at Smilow Cancer Hospital, has concerns about this new controversial study and is available to comment on lymph node removal and what it can mean for breast cancer patients.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview Dr. Chagpar, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Artificial pancreas holds promise of revolutionizing diabetes care for children
Children with diabetes have a range of technologies to help keep their blood sugar in check, including continuous monitors that test the concentration of glucose levels throughout the day and insulin pumps that can deliver the drug. At Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital, researchers say that the first generation of an artificial pancreas - an automatic delivery device designed to perform the same function as a real pancreas - may be available within the next few years. As renowned leaders in clinical and research accomplishments in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital's pediatric endocrine team is the region's leader in diagnosing and treating children with diabetes.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a physician, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
An uncommon heart condition with serious consequences
Sudden death in older individuals is a well recognized problem most often caused by coronary artery disease. However, when sudden death or heart failure occurs in the young, or in those without coronary artery disease, the underlying cause is likely to be related to cardiomyopathy - heart muscle disease caused by errors in our DNA.
The Cardiomyopathy Program at the Yale-New Haven Hospital Heart and Vascular Center offers patients the full range of clinical and genetic diagnostics, treatment and management services, in the context of an extensive multidisciplinary support team for adults and children with all types of cardiomyopathies.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview Dr. Daniel Jacoby, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
YNHH performs record number of liver transplants in 2010, with 100% survival rate
In 2010, the Yale-New Haven Transplant Center (YNHTC), under the leadership of Dr. Sukru Emre, performed 52 liver transplants, including 11 children. Of the 52 transplants, 16 were living donor liver transplants (LDLT), in which a portion of a liver from a healthy person is transplanted into a patient with liver disease. Although Yale-New Haven's waiting list for liver transplants continues to grow, LDLTs help compensate for the shortage of donated livers.
The quality of the program is excellent, with 100% patient survival for both children and adults. Because donor safety is crucial in living donor liver transplants, YNHTC has developed a Living Donor Center of Excellence program to provide patient education, a donor advocacy team, crisis control protocols and alternative pain and stress management options.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview Dr. Emre, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Concussions can have serious, long-term effects
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), each year, as many as 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related concussions occur in the United States. Concussions are traumatic head injuries that occur from both mild and severe blows to the head. Some head injuries may appear to be mild but research is finding that concussions can have serious, long-term effects, especially repeat head injuries or cumulative concussions. The CDC reports that among people age 15 to 24 years, sports are now second only to motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of traumatic brain injury.
At Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital, Dr. Michael DiLuna, a pediatric neurosurgeon, treats upwards of 25 concussions a week. Patients undergo a multidisciplinary evaluation that includes advanced imaging, neuropsychological and cognitive testing, and learning exams to determine the extent of the injury, as well as the patient's ability to return to school, work and/or the playing field.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview Dr. DiLuna, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Thyroid disease: not just an adult problem
Thyroid disease is usually thought to be an adult disease, but the truth is that children can suffer from the disease as well. Thyroid disorders called hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, which respectively cause underactive and overactive thyroid glands, can have a major effect on the development and well-being of children. Thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer can also affect children. Undiagnosed and improperly treated thyroid problems can results in major problems for children and effect growth, learning potential, and overall well being. The Yale Pediatric Thyroid Center is one of the only centers in the United States exclusively devoted to the care of children with thyroid conditions.
The Yale Pediatric Thyroid Center cares for infants, children and adolescents with a broad range of thyroid problems, including thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules, Graves' disease, hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis, hypothyroidism and congenital hypothyroidism. Because of the team's surgical expertise, Yale Pediatric Thyroid Center's operates on more children who need thyroid surgery than any other center in the US.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview Dr. Scott Rivkees, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
YNHCH Sleep Center identifies respiratory and sleep disorders in children of all ages
Sleep apnea is a common problem in children, and is often under diagnosed. According to the National Sleep Foundation, nearly 70 percent of children 10 and under experience some type of sleep problem. In both children and adults, untreated sleep apnea has been linked to cardiovascular problems and learning and memory deficits. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends an overnight sleep study called a polysomnogram to help identify sleep-related breathing problems.
Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital's accredited Sleep Center provides clinical evaluation, diagnosis, and management of children with all forms of respiratory and sleep disorders in infants and children up to 18 years. It is the only comprehensive sleep center in Connecticut dedicated solely to children. The Sleep Center is a significant resource to the local medical community and provides academic and scientific value in addition to the highest quality care for children suffering from sleep disorders.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a physician, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Yale-New Haven Hospital offers hypothermia treatment for patients after cardiac arrest
Hypothermia for cardiac arrest is becoming the standard of care in a growing number of hospitals and medical centers, and is endorsed by the American Heart Association. At Yale-New Haven Hospital (YNHH) a body cooling technique called therapeutic hypothermia is helping to save brain function in patients who remain unconscious after suffering cardiac arrest.
Cardiac arrest - where the heart loses its rhythm or stops beating - may follow a heart attack or strike without warning. A sudden loss of consciousness results as blood flow to the brain stops, and if the heart is not restarted quickly, death follows. According to the American Heart Association, only two percent of those who experience cardiac arrest survive. YNHH physicians also use therapeutic hypothermia in non-cardiac arrest situations such as patients with brain swelling from liver failure or hemorrhagic stroke.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a physician, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Smilow Cancer Hospital's Tumor Profiling Laboratory helps personalize medicine
As part of Smilow Cancer Hospital's vision of providing personalized medicine to patients, Yale-New Haven Hospital has developed a clinical laboratory capable of genotyping tumors for 60-80 gene mutations that can drive decisions about therapy for patients being treated for certain types of cancer. The Tumor Profiling Laboratory provides a "personalized medicine" approach to cancer treatment, in which the care of the patient is shaped by the gene mutations and characteristics. There are only a handful of Cancer Centers across the country that offer this service. As research continues to identify more actionable mutations, patients will have more targeted treatment options.
The YNHH tumor profiling laboratory, directed by Jeffrey Sklar, MD, PhD, processes tumor profiling tests on a wider number of mutations more efficiently, with greater sensitivity, and with less error than achieved with existing techniques. Initially, the lab will serve between 750-1,250 cases annually for patients with lung disease, but eventually it will offer full sequence analysis of tumor genomes for all patients treated at Smilow Cancer Hospital - up to 4,700 cases a year.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a Dr. Sklar, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
The Hand Program at Yale-New Haven Hospital helps prevent and treat stress and injuries to hands
Wrist and hand problems can often cause significant disability during everyday work and recreational activities. Joints that have been affected by arthritic changes can be damaged more easily than normal joints. Experts at Yale-New Haven's Hand Program evaluate, diagnose, and treat simple and complex conditions affecting the hands related to work, sports and everyday activities or trauma. They also offer follow-up for hand problems and suggest simple changes that can significantly decrease stress, prevent deformity, conserve energy and improve function.
For example:
• Rest books or newspapers on your lap or use a bookstand.
• Use pencils and pens with foam grippers.
• Use a flat hand when washing windows, countertops and other flat surfaces.
• Squeeze sponges on the side of the sink instead of wringing.
• Use electric can openers and scissors whenever possible.
• Use your forearms to carry heavier objects instead of your fingers or hands.
• Hold a cup with both hands.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a physician, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Yale-New Haven leading the way in minimally invasive treatments for coronary artery disease
For the millions of people living with coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO), chest pain, shortness of breath and fatigue are part of their everyday life. A CTO is an artery that has been completely obstructed for more than three months. At Yale-New Haven Hospital, a world-wide expert is changing the way patients with CTO are treated. Craig Thompson, MD, an interventional cardiologist, uses a minimally invasive retrograde wiring technique that eliminates the need for coronary artery bypass surgery. While many interventional cardiologists agree that using the retrograde approach to treat CTO provides unequaled advantages, it is a challenging procedure that many hospitals are unable to offer, due to a lack of proper equipment and expertise, and the advanced nature of the disease.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a physician, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Cold Hands Syndrome not just a winter-time ailment
For many, chronically uncomfortable cold hands are not just a winter-time problem. Recent studies have shown that the Cold Hands Syndrome is present today in 5 out of 40 people, among which three are women and two are men. A feeling of cold in the hands or sensitivity to the cold is a common complaint in people with a variety of medical conditions, including hypothyroidism, collagen vascular diseases such as lupus, arteriosclerosis, Reynaud's Disease and trauma.
For these patients, the cold sensitivity and cold extremities decrease after receiving appropriate treatment for their underlying medical condition. However, when cold hands persist despite adequate medical treatment, patients should be evaluated for Raynaud's Disease or another cause. In Reynaud's disease, there is a physical reaction to the cold resulting in a deficiency of blood circulation. Treatment for cold hands depends on the cause, and the options can include experts from many disciplines collaborating to provide a comprehensive assessment and care plan. Hand therapy to increase strength, prevent or reduce pain and alleviate muscle contractures can be one avenue. For some patients, surgery may be the best approach. Surgical options include: microsurgery to disengage nerves that cause vessels to constrict, stent placement to keep a vessel open, removal of clots that block blood flow, or a bypass to redirect blood flow around an obstructed vessel.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a physician, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Yale-New Haven pediatrician sees health benefits to removing adenoids and tonsils in children with asthma
A Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital (YNHCH) otolaryngologist has reason to believe that removing the tonsils and adenoids in some children with asthma appears to offer many health benefits including a drop in medication use and a reduction in missed schools days. David E. Karas, MD, director of pediatric otolaryngology at YNHCH suggests that an adenotonsillectomy, which provides improvement in the upper airway of children, may in turn lead to improvement of the lower airways of children, especially those with bronchial asthma. Asthma is the most common serious chronic disease of childhood, affecting nearly 5 million children in the United States. Characterized by coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and wheezing, asthma is the cause of almost 3 million physician visits and 200,000 hospitalizations each year.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview David Karas, MD, director of pediatric otolaryngology at YNHCH, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
Emergency Department expansion will mean greater care for more people
The Yale-New Haven Hospital adult emergency department, the busiest and largest in Connecticut, is undergoing a two-year, $52 million expansion that will provide an additional 18,000 square feet of patient care space. When the YNHH adult ED opened in 1983, it was built to accommodate 58,000 patients a year. Last year, it handled 77,000 patients. The project will increase the number of patient beds from 48 to 74, plus add new CT scanners, x-ray facilities, an ultrasound and fluoroscope, as well as additional waiting space for patients and families. Find out more how Connecticut's busiest ED is growing to greatly improve efficiency and patient care.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a physician who uses this technology, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
December 21, 2010
Emergency medicine professionals at YNHH warn of dangers of extreme cold weather and hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can make it. Hypothermia can result when you are exposed to cold air, water, wind or rain. Your body temperature can drop to dangerously low levels and if heat loss continues, it can quickly lead to unconsciousness or death. It is important to know the symptoms of hypothermia and get treatment quickly. If someone begins to shiver violently, stumble or can't respond to questions, suspect hypothermia and warm him or her quickly. Medical treatment for hypothermia depends on the severity. Treatment of mild hypothermia includes getting out of the cold or wet environment, using warm blankets, heaters and hot water bottles. Moderate to severe hypothermia is generally treated in the hospital, where health professionals can give warmed intravenous fluids and warm, moist oxygen in addition to other treatments to warm the core body temperature. Recovery is more difficult for babies and older, ill, or inactive adults. Hypothermia can even occur indoors, especially in babies and older or ill adults who are not dressed warmly enough.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a physician who uses this technology, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
December 16, 2010
Mitral valve repair — the surgical treatment of choice
Mitral valve repair is the best option for a leaking (regurgitant) mitral valve, also known as Barlow's disease or floppy valve syndrome. The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology strongly advocate valve repair over replacement whenever possible. Despite the known benefits of repair over replacement, only about 55 percent if mitral valves nationwide are repaired. The AHA and ACC also advocate that valve repair surgery be performed in a high-volume hospital like Yale-New Haven, where surgeons have the highest level of experience.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a physician who uses this technology, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
December 8, 2010
YNHH — the only Connecticut hospital to offer three bariatric surgery options — receives national accreditation
The Bariatric Surgery Program at Yale-New Haven Hospital has been accredited as a Level 1a facility by the Bariatric Surgery Center Network (BSCN) Accreditation Program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Yale-New Haven - the first and currently the only hospital in Connecticut that offers three different bariatric surgical treatments for obesity using minimally invasive techniques - underwent an on-site verification by experienced bariatric surgeons, who reviewed the center's structure, process, quality of data, and performance measures for treating obese patients. There are four categories of accreditation for inpatient facilities (Level 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b). Each category has specific criteria that must be met by a facility seeking that level of accreditation. More than 11 million people in the U.S. suffer from severe obesity, and the numbers continue to rise. Obesity increases the risks of morbidity and mortality because of the diseases and conditions commonly associated with it - diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, in particular.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a physician who uses this technology, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
December 3, 2010
YNHH physicians perform complex electrophysiology procedure while minimizing patient's exposure to radiation
With advances in medicine and technology, people are enjoying life longer. But living longer is often accompanied by the onset of health conditions that are more common in the elderly, including atrial fibrillation - commonly called A-fib or AF - a type of arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation is a major cause of stroke and is the most common sustained arrhythmia in humans, currently affecting millions in the US alone.
When medication is not effective in treating AF, a minimally invasive procedure called radiofrequency catheter ablation is used to treat areas of abnormal electrical signals in the heart that are responsible for triggering or perpetuating the arrhythmia. Doctors at Yale-New Haven are enhancing the safety of this procedure by using ultrasound technology to directly visualize the structures in and around the heart during ablation thereby eliminating the need for other imaging modalities such as computed tomography (CT) scans and significantly reducing patient exposure to radiation.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a physician who uses this technology, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
December 1, 2010
Avoiding holiday depression
The holiday season for most people is a fun time of the year filled with parties, celebrations, and social gatherings with family and friends. But for many people, it is a time filled with sadness, self-reflection, loneliness, and anxiety. Sadness is a truly personal feeling. What makes one person feel sad may not affect another person. Typical sources of holiday sadness include stress, fatigue, unrealistic expectations, overcommercialization, financial stress, and the inability to be with one's family and friends. Balancing the demands of shopping, parties, family obligations, and house guests may contribute to feelings of being overwhelmed and increased tension. Psychiatric experts at Yale-New Haven Hospital examine some of the warning signs of holiday depression and offer advice for recognizing it and treating it.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a physician who uses this technology, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
November 23, 2010
Yale-New Haven physicians using the world's smallest microscope to detect and treat G.I. diseases
Approximately 70 million people in the United States suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. A new microscopic technique called confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment of GI disorders such as cancer, reflux disease and inflammatory bowel disease.
Yale-New Haven Hospital is one of the first centers in the United States to use this new approach for GI cancers and other GI diseases, including those of the colon, bile duct, pancreas and esophagus. CLE can more accurately differentiate cancerous and precancerous tissue during colonoscopies, endoscopies and standard pancreatic and bile duct cancer detection procedures. This new tool, allows them to view living, moving tissue at the cellular level so they can precisely pinpoint tissue that should be removed or treated.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview a physician who uses this technology, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
November 17, 2010
Smilow Cancer Hospital: One year later
The doors to the Smilow Cancer Hospital opened officially on October 21, 2009, and with it, the avenues to advanced cancer research, treatment and care has been changed forever. With the world's most advanced technology available and in use, doctors at Smilow Cancer Hospital are now fulfilling their promise to deliver the best care in the country to all forms of both adult and pediatric cancer. The best clinicians, surgeons and researchers are arriving every day, enhancing Smilow's reputation among the nation's best. Doctors talk about what impact the opening of Smilow has meant to the patients and families, and how they have changed the landscape of cancer treatment. For journalists wishing to pursue this story or interview Thomas Lynch, MD, physician-in-chief of Smilow Cancer Hospital, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
November 11, 2010
Gaining weight in the colder months is avoidable say YNHH experts
Many people tend to gain weight during the winter months. In an increasingly sedentary culture where there is a growing focus on obesity and where more than half of all adults are overweight, factors that accelerate weight gain are a real concern. Those extra pounds acquired over the winter may stay on permanently, eventually contributing to health problems such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. People gain weight in the winter for different reasons. It helps to understand what factors contribute to this tendency, then plan accordingly. Simple changes in behavior often have enormous health benefits. Very soon, we'll be seeing holiday pies and cookies, not to mention alcohol that accompanies holiday parties. YNHH nutrition experts are available to discuss how to deal with winter weight gain and tips on how to handle the temptations. For journalists wishing to pursue this story, please e-mail us or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
November 4, 2010
Turning SAD to glad as the days get shorter
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression or winter blues, is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year repeatedly experience depressive symptoms in the winter. SAD was once regarded skeptically by experts but is now well accepted mental health disorder. According to some estimates, its prevalence in the adult population ranges from 1.4 percent in Florida to 9.7 percent in New Hampshire.
People with SAD experience a serious mood change when the seasons change. Symptoms might include difficulty waking up in the morning, a tendency to oversleep as well as to overeat, and a craving for carbohydrates, which leads to weight gain. Other symptoms include a lack of energy, difficulty concentrating on completing tasks, and withdrawal from family, friends and social activities. YNHH offers expert commentary on precautions and prevention.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story, please e-mail us, or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.
October 29, 2010
Flu season looms ahead for the prepared and unprepared
Experts at Yale-New Haven Hospital remind everyone of all ages that the best way to protect against influenza is to get vaccinated each year. Traditionally, flu season starts in October and peaks in January and February. However, the surprise last year was the H1N1 virus and the fact that it was predominantly in the fall - earlier than the usual flu season. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against the H1N1 virus, plus two other flu viruses, H3N2 and an influenza B virus. The protection you get from vaccination will last throughout the flu season. YNHH offers expert commentary on precautions and prevention.
For journalists wishing to pursue this story, please e-mail us, or call Mark D'Antonio, media coordinator, at 203.688.2493 or 203.506.5648. For regular YNHH news, follow us on Twitter, @ynhh.