It has been a bad year for the flu. Just ask Wanda Blanford, who has been at Norton Hospital for three days. Influenza triggered her chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and caused atrial fibrillation. Blanford’s illness came on quickly and started as chills and fever. Within a day she began having trouble breathing. “I’ve…
In honor of American Heart Month, Theresa Byrd, coordinator for the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Women’s Heart Program, shares why she wears red to raise awareness each February. I wear red for my brother, Michael Brown, who at the young age of 40 experienced a severe hemorrhagic stroke. We were driving to Michael’s home…
NBC’s “Today” broadcast from the emergency department at Norton Brownsboro Hospital Monday morning, Feb. 5, encouraging viewers to take the flu seriously, get the vaccine and keep their hands clean. The flu can be diagnosed quickly with a test administered by a health care provider. “I do think there are people that unfortunately don’t take…
Cardiology and neurology specialists at Norton Healthcare knew there was a growing body of evidence suggesting that the underlying cause for many cryptogenic strokes is atrial fibrillation (A-fib). However, many A-fib patients do not receive additional cardiac monitoring, leaving them at risk for a recurrent stroke. To address this issue, a new multidisciplinary cryptogenic stroke…
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) recently unveiled its recommendations for reducing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in the knee. It includes specific exercises and guidelines on how athletes should implement an injury prevention program to improve their chance of avoiding an injury. The recommendation supports calls from sports medicine professionals and provides training recommendations…
Norton eCare visits have more than doubled since October when flu season began. Norton eCare offers two types of “virtual care” — eVisit and video visit. “We’re seeing a lot of patients right now who have flu-like symptoms,” said Rachel Alexander, APRN, Norton eCare. “But we’re also seeing many other patients with health concerns who…
The big game is this weekend! Anything could happen, from halftime show hijinks to breathtaking finishes. Could all the excitement give you a heart attack? During the National Football Conference (NFC) divisional playoffs, the Minnesota Vikings secured a last-minute, nail-biting win over the New Orleans Saints. Some fans were so excited their Apple Watches thought…
When it comes to treating stroke patients, there’s a saying: “Time saved is brain saved.” “For every minute you do not treat a stroke, you lose 2 million brain cells,” said Lynn Hundley, APRN, director, Clinical Effectiveness and Stroke Care. Hundley has worked to bring down the door-to-needle time at Norton Healthcare hospitals. That’s the…
Patients with severe strokes caused by occlusion of large vessels or bleeding are more likely to survive when they’re taken to a Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC). That’s why the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recommend emergency medical services (EMS) take these stroke patients to a Comprehensive Stroke Center, even if it means traveling…
Emergency physician Jeff A. Spain, M.D., has seen firsthand what a difference tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can make in the treatment of ischemic strokes. Spain witnessed a stroke patient suffering from hemiplegia able to regain the use of his limbs before leaving the emergency department. “The main thing is rapid assessment,” Dr. Spain said. “The…
September 2018 will mark the 10th anniversary of Bike to Beat Cancer, a fundraising event to support cancer care in the Louisville area. Gina Morrison, nurse navigator with Norton Cancer Institute, is already gearing up for her second year riding. Last year, she formed “Team AYA” (Adolescent and Young Adult) and participated as a Bike…
In 2014, at age 35, Mike Gorena was living a good life. He had a good job, a beautiful wife, Ang, and a sprightly young daughter, Aza. They had just made an offer on their dream home and, to add to the excitement, had just found out they were expecting their son, Gideon. When life…