Elective surgeries ready as Florida reopens for business

| 5/5/2020

Elective surgeries ready as Florida reopens for business

Another part of the phase one reopening plan allows for elective surgeries to return at health facilities statewide. And that’s welcomed news for patients and the hospitals that have lost millions of dollars during the coronavirus pandemic. Physicians statewide say, if you need surgery, it is safe to have it done now, so individuals won’t suffer from any irreparable damage. More from WINK, Health News Florida, and WESH

Coronavirus antibody tests to begin across Florida, Gov. DeSantis says

Florida will begin testing health care workers and residents for coronavirus antibodies, Gov. DeSantis said Sunday, as more drive-through testing sites begin to open at Walgreens, CVS and Walmart sites. DeSantis visited Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach Sunday, the day before hospitals will be allowed to do elective procedures for the first time since March. Hospital officials and doctors said they were ready to go when Phase 1 of the state’s reopening begins. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

National Nurses Week 2020: Deals and freebies for healthcare professionals

Restaurants and retailers are offering deals and freebies to nurses this year as they man the frontlines in the fight against the COVID-19 virus. The annual celebration, which this year starts on Wednesday and continues until May 12, honors health care professionals in all fields. [Source: WFTV ]

Central Florida college seeing more interest in healthcare industry programs

Florida Technical College is looking at a 25% increase in interest for their healthcare programs compared to this time last year. Officials there say they believe the higher numbers have a direct correlation with COVID-19. In addition to an increase in interest, comes an increase in applications for FTC's new Healthcare Heroes Scholarship. [Source: WESH ]

Department of Health quietly releases more specific data on nursing home deaths

The Florida Department of Health has started quietly releasing more specific data on COVID-19 coronavirus deaths at nursing homes and long-term care facilities in the state. The list includes a total number of verified deaths at each facility, including the number of seniors living at the facilities and staff members. Four of the Top 5 facilities with the most confirmed deaths are in the Tampa Bay area. More from WTSP and the Tampa Bay Times.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Tampa Bay area doctors seeing more routine appointments, but remain cautious [Tampa Bay Times]
Doctor and dentist offices are among the many businesses slowly reopening their practices to Florida residents this week under loosening COVID-19 restrictions. But many private practices are moving slower than restaurants or retail businesses, and instead maintaining the coronavirus-era precautions.

› Remdesivir, alreadybBeing tested in Sarasota patients [WUSF]
On Friday, a drug called remdesivir was green-lighted by the FDA for emergency use in hospitalized coronavirus patients after a preliminary trial by the National Institutes of Health showed the antiviral medicine helped them recover about 31 percent faster than patients who received a placebo.

› Florida ICU nurse says condo won’t rent to her, fears coronavirus [Orlando Sentinel]
A Florida nurse filed an equal opportunity complaint alleging her condo rental application was denied because her ICU job brings her in contact with coronavirus patients. Jennifer Piraino said she submitted an application to rent a two-bedroom, two-bath condo at Boca View in Boca Raton where she planned to live with her boyfriend and 9-year-old-daughter. A few days later, she said the condo association called and told her to pick up the paperwork and the $100 money order for a background check.

› Cancer center, after scandal, names new executive [Business Observer]
Moffitt Cancer Center named John Cleveland center director, a promotion from the interim position he's held since December, after several executives resigned due to alleged violations of conflict of interest rules in China. Cleveland, who joined Moffitt in 2014 as associate center director of Basic Science, was also named executive vice president at Moffitt.

Tags: Health Care eNews

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