Last updated 5 months ago
This page from EatRight.org provides some simple tips for portion control and healthy holiday eating.
Keep your children safe this holiday season and acquaint yourself with this toy safety fact sheet from the Safe Kids Worldwide foundation.
Read this news release from the CPSC for more holiday toy shopping tips.
A hip replacement is common procedure for those suffering from limited mobility in their hip joints, but preparing for surgery can be a harrowing experience. This guide from the AAOS website provides some tips on preparing for joint replacement surgery.
Do hip replacements actually work? Read through this article from the Arthritis Foundation to find out.
The HCA Far West network consists of nine hospitals and seven surgical centers throughout California and Nevada, several of which are in the top 18 percent of Joint Commission hospitals. Each of our facilities offers the highest standard of patient care and advanced medical treatment. Contact our 24-Hour Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line to learn more about your specialty treatment options in an HCA hospital nearest you.
Last updated 6 months ago
Although relatively few children die from toy-related incidents, an average of 168,000 children 14 and under requires hospitalization due to toy-related injuries each year. You may buy gifts during the holidays with the best intentions, but it’s important to consider the age and skill level of the recipient. Keep your loved ones safe this month with this primer on toy safety from us here at HCA Far West:
Shop for Age-Appropriate Toys
Healthy children experience several developmental milestones during their early years. It may be tempting to spoil a new child or “buy for the future,” but the risk of toy-related injuries increases with inappropriately rated toys. Smaller components may pose a choking hazard, long pullstrings and electrical cords can pose a strangulation or burning hazard, and riding toys require strict supervision (especially around roads and water).
Avoid Small Parts and Hazardous Materials
Keeping children from potentially dangerous items is easier said than done, particularly when they come in the form of seemingly innocuous decorations. Singing cards and fragile toys often contain button batteries, which are extremely dangerous if swallowed. Balloons pose a choking hazard when popped, and balloon strings and wrapping ribbons pose a further strangulation hazard.
Check for Product Recalls
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is a government agency which issues recalls for products that pose a significant enough health hazard. While stronger federal regulations and enforcement are making toys safer each year, consider checking for product recalls via their online database if you are uncertain about a specific toy.
If and when your family requires a trusted healthcare provider, we here at the HCA Far West network are here to provide reliable emergency care; in fact, Sunrise Hospital/Sunrise Children’s Hospital have been nationally recognized as one of the leading medical institutions in Las Vegas, NV. Download our free iTriage app to stay updated on the latest ER wait times in your area, or consult with a registered nurse by calling our 24-Hour healthcare referral line at (855) 422-9378 today.
Last updated 6 months ago
The CDC estimates that there are approximately 128,000 hospitalizations every year due to foodborne illnesses. When planning special holiday dishes, it is important to prepare and preserve your food properly in order to prevent illness. Brush up on home food safety for Handwashing Awareness Week with this brief video.
Washing your hands both before and after food prep will get rid of harmful bacteria. Prevent bacterial cross-contamination by separating raw foods from fresh foods. Cook all food thoroughly and refrigerate any leftovers at a chilly 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Between holiday cooking and seasonal illnesses, the HCA Far West Division of healthcare providers is here to keep you and your family safe. Stay prepared with our free iTriage app for iOS devices to check symptoms and ER wait times. For more healthcare information, call our 24-Hour Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (855) 422-9378 today
Last updated 6 months ago
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and every year heart attacks claim more than 600,000 lives. Fortunately, thousands of people survive and continue to lead fulfilling lives, but prompt emergency care could mean the difference between a complete recovery and severe injury or death. Keep your family safe and brush up on the most common signs of a heart attack with this primer from the family of HCA Far West Chest Pain Centers:
Symptoms
Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of a heart attack, but one study referenced by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute reported that as many as one-third of heart attack patients experienced no chest pain. Pain can manifest in the upper back, neck, stomach, jaw, and arms without spreading to the chest. Other atypical heart attack symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, cold sweats, or vertigo.
Onset
Heart attacks can—but don’t always—strike as suddenly and severely as they do in Hollywood dramatizations. Symptoms can take hours, days, or even weeks to manifest into a full-blown heart attack. A heart attack itself is symptomatic of coronary artery disease (CAD), a condition which poses a wide range of health complications. Even if you’ve already experienced a heart attack, the symptoms and onset may vary from one event to the next.
Severity & Diagnosis
A heart attack is an event in which the blood supply to the heart is interrupted, resulting in tissue damage. Their severity and duration vary between individuals, and some events may exhibit no more symptoms than mild chest pain. Only a medical professional can diagnose a heart attack and determine its underlying cause.
The HCA Far West System features the highest standard of cardiovascular care from California to Nevada. From emergency response to surgical treatment, our team is prepared to provide specialty care for a wide range of conditions. Call our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (855) 422-9378 to schedule a professional consultation at an HCA Chest Pain Center nearest you.
Last updated 6 months ago
Our medical team in the HCA Far West network is working diligently to provide high-quality emergency care and specialty treatment for the entire family this holiday season. Check out these informative resources below for tips on healthy living, holiday eating, gift shopping, and more:
Heart attacks remain a leading cause of death in the United States, but they aren’t always as sudden as Hollywood dramatizations. Take a look at this page from the NHLBI to learn about some lesser known heart attack symptoms.
Women are more likely than men to experience atypical heart attack symptoms. Get more heart attack statistics in women from this article on HeartHealthyWomen.org
Conditions such as coronary artery disease (CAD) and atherosclerosis often develop with no noticeable symptoms, which is why the AHA suggests that recommended heart screenings begin around age 20. Follow the link to learn more.
A nutritional diet is a great way to manage your blood pressure, but eating healthily isn’t always easy during the holidays. Take a look at this chart from the NHLBI covering low-fat alternatives to common foods.
Is your diet providing your body with all of the nutrients it needs? Take a look at this chapter from the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans booklet to find out.
