Healthcare
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Abington Scientist/COVID-19 Vaccine Researcher Sees Great Potential in mRNA Technology
While even the majority of scientists working on mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 were shocked by its effectiveness, Katalin Karikó, an Abington biochemist and one of the pioneers of mRNA technology research, did not expect anything less, writes Stephen Buranyi for WIRED. “There was no nail biting,” she said. “I expected the vaccines to be very…
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Retirement Home Employee Honored for Pandemic Service, Facing ‘Great Risk’ But with a Smile
Pine Run Retirement Community housekeeping associate Wilfredo “Willie” Macatantan was named Staff Member of the Year by LeadingAge PA, a nationwide nonprofit devoted to aging advocacy. The organization recognized Macatantan for his work excellence during COVID-19. More than his assigned duties, the honor cited his above-and-beyond actions. When the pandemic hit, Pine Run shift coverage became a challenge, as it did at senior homes nationwide. Macatantan volunteered…
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Current Bucks County COVID-19 Case Numbers: Lowest Since the Onset of the Pandemic
Not since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic have Bucks County new-infection rates been so low. The good news comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Health via a Bucks County press statement. The county reported just 116 new infections for the week of June 6. That’s 90 percent lower than the level reported as recently as May 1. …
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U.S. News and World Report Names Local Hospital Second-Best Hospital in America
For the third consecutive year, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has ranked second on U.S. News and World Report’s annual list of the country’s top children’s hospitals, writes Hannah Kanik for the Philly Voice. To determine these rankings, U.S. News and World Report gathered clinical data from close to 200 medical centers, measuring patient safety,…
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Bucks County Nurses, Weary From Fighting COVID-19, Got Some TLC of Their Own
Nurses’ daily heroics — especially considering 16 months of above-and-beyond responsibilities related to the coronavirus outbreak — were celebrated in Bucks County throughout May’s National Nurses Month. Bucks Local News reported on nearly 800 luminarias that lined the driveways of St. Mary’s Medical Center. Each paper bag was candlelit from inside, illuminating the name of one staff nurse. The touching tribute also remembered the hospital’s…
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Doylestown Health Opens New Outpatient Care Center in Wrightstown
Doylestown Health increased its Bucks County footprint this week. The health system opened an outpatient care center in Wrightstown, reports John George for the Philadelphia Business Journal. The 2,600-square-foot specialty and ambulatory care center offers a range of services including neurology, urology, vascular surgery, and colorectal surgery. Doylestown Health expects the outpatient center, created within an existing building at…
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COVID-19 Hit More than Just Local Patients and Families; Hospital Finances Ailed, Too
COVID-19’s influence on hospital finances across the state is evident in light of analyses by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PCH4). Operating margins across the Commonwealth decreased by 1.89 basis points. Joe Martin, PCH4 executive director, commented: “Many hospitals will face serious financial challenges as Pennsylvania works to mitigate the fiscal impact of the epidemic.” Bucks County hospital performance, measured by…
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Bucks County COVID-19 Cases Down 87 Percent, Lowest Stat Since Late Summer Last Year
The long-term strategies to beat coronavirus infections throughout Bucks County have quelled the outbreak to encouraging lows. The progress in putting the pandemic behind us for good was covered by a county press statement in Bucks Local News. May ended with a seven-day average of only 23 new cases countywide. That’s an 87 percent drop from April’s statistics. The…
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Take It from a Local Family That Knows: A Quick Body Check after Being Outside Can Be Lifesaving
It’s something you can pick up without even knowing it. On a daily dog walk. While weed pulling. Even during a round of golf. It’s a deer tick bite. And although Lyme disease is its most obvious danger, it’s not the only one, reports Abby Alten Scwartz for The Sentinel Source. Jeff Naricchia of Newtown Township was an outdoorsy guy. He regularly hiked Tyler State Park, adjacent to his property. “He was active, healthy,” said his wife,…
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Clearest Sign Yet of Coronavirus Victory: Mass Vaccination Site in Bristol Closes
It’s working. The months-long drumbeat of COVID-19 prevention tactics — especially the call to get vaccinated — is dropping caseloads across Bucks County. In response, officials are closing its vaccination site at the Bristol Campus of Bucks County Community College on May 29. The county’s other four sites will continue offering shots: Bucks County Community College, Perkasie Bucks County Community College,…
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Video Veterinarians: Merger with Bucks County Practice Unleashes Telemedicine for Pets
BetterVet, a Boston-based veterinary care service, has merged with Bucks Mercer Mobile Vet to gain a toehold among the region’s pet owners, reports Kennedy Rose for the Philadelphia Business Journal. The online business was the brainchild of founder-veterinarian Bruce Herzfelder. He theorized that if technology offers a more convenient, less stressful diagnostic experiences for children, why not pets? BetterVet seeks to improve animal medical care. The business…
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Pennsylvania Ranks Among Top Five States with Best Response to COVID-19
Now that the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. has started its downward arc, analyses are emerging about state-by-state responses. SYKES, a business process outsourcing company, has rated Pennsylvania’s actions as one of the top five in the nation. To determine the most effective mitigation strategies, SYKES looked at eight key metrics: Average COVID-19 case rate…
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Vaccination Incentive Is Not Exactly a Shot and a Beer but Is Rather Sweet Nonetheless
COVID-19 vaccine rates in Bucks County are beating back the numbers. But the level of participation is slowing. To maintain the momentum, there’s a “sweeet” incentive on the table, reports the Bucks County Press Office. The Bucks County Commissioners announced a $30,000 partnership with Rita’s Italian Ice to encourage vaccinations for residents. Get a shot from a county-run clinic, get a voucher for…
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Two Bucks County Hospitals Achieve an ‘A’ for Best-Practice Adherence
The Leapfrog Group’s hospital safety grades, an employee-driven healthcare rating system, has awarded top marks to two Bucks County hospitals, writes Harold Brubaker for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Leapfrog, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit watchdog organization, collects data to ensure better value for the $700-plus billion that employees spend each year on healthcare. In its advocacy role, it collects, analyzes,…
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Inoculating Bucks County’s Homeless against COVID-19 Is a Boots-on-the-Ground Effort
Administering healthcare to the homeless is tough in a big city like Philadelphia. But it can be even more daunting in widespread geographies like Bucks County. Aubrey Whelen, in The Philadelphia Inquirer, examined the unique challenges of vaccinating a nomadic, suburban population. Homelessness in the suburbs tends to be more of a solo existence. That separateness complicates healthcare delivery — including COVID-19 vaccines. Success requires more diligence in…
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Pennsylvania Eases COVID-19 Restrictions Further Two Weeks before Full Lift
Pennsylvania further relaxed state COVID-19 restrictions this week. In another 14 days, most coronavirus-related mitigation measures (except for masking) will also go, write Erin McCarthy and Rob Tornoe for The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Keystone State has increased the capacity for indoor events to 50 percent from 25 percent, and the capacity for outdoor events to…
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Girl Born Without Rib Cage Continues to Defy Odds, May Be Going Home Soon
After being born two months early and without a rib cage, London Kelly, who is nearing her first birthday, may soon be able to leave the hospital. Her mom, Kristy Thompson, will be relieved of not only worry but also the difficult logistics surrounding her care, writes Kelly Rule for FOX29. Thompson is a single…
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Three Weeks Running, Bucks County’s COVID-19 Numbers Drop
ZIP Code analysis of this week’s COVID-19 new-infection rates show continued progress, according to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The countywide inoculation rate of 32 percent for fully vaccinated residents (47 percent for one-dose) is driving numbers down. The encouraging trend emerged over the past three weeks specifically. Late-March, early-April statistics showed something…
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