988 crisis helpline arrives this week. Florida mental health advocates hope they're ready

| 7/12/2022

988 crisis helpline arrives this week. Florida mental health advocates hope they’re ready

The nationwide 988 hotline goes active July 16. When people call the number for help with suicide prevention or a mental health or substance abuse crisis, they’ll reach trained call-takers who can refer callers to behavioral health providers, or send a mobile response to help de-escalate the crisis and provide further services. [Source: WKMG]

Orlando Health plans new Florida hospital in Pasco County

Orlando Health announced plans for the new hospital in the northeast quadrant of the intersection of State Road 56 and Wiregrass Ranch Boulevard. It is under contract to purchase the site and expects to close on the property later this year. Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch will offer emergency and specialty services as well as inpatient care. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]

Rule halting Medicaid coverage for transgender treatment draws raucous response

The state Agency for Health Care Administration rolled out the proposed rule in June, drawing harsh criticism from national and state legal and LGBTQ advocacy groups. Friday’s meeting in Tallahassee drew more than 150 people, with supporters of the proposed rule — many of them sporting “Let Kids Be Kids” decals and making biblical references — vastly outnumbering opponents. [Source: WUSF]

Tampa General Hospital to provide new option for acute care at home

Tampa General Hospital (TGH) has created the TGH Hospital at Home program to allow patients to receive hospital-level treatment while remaining in their homes. TGH patients now have a new option for care that combines the expertise of a world-class facility with the comfort of their own home. TGH's Hospital at Home program combines expert care and innovative technology with a focus on the needs of the patient. [Source: Tampa General Hospital]

A mass fentanyl overdose event in Gadsden is drawing statewide attention

Nineteen people overdosed on the drug over the Fourth of July weekend and nine of them have died. The situation was so alarming it drew the attention of nearly every state agency to the county during a recent roundtable. “To have that number in such a short span, we were afraid we’d wake up in a week’s time and have 30, 40, 50 people dead. That’s a lot of people for Gadsden County. We only have 46,000 people in the county," said Gadsden Sheriff Morris Young. [Source: WUSF]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› As deadly meningitis outbreak worsens, some are mourning losses [WMFE]
More than 26 people have fallen ill, and at least 7 have died in Florida from a deadly meningitis outbreak that is mostly impacting gay and bisexual men.

› A Florida nursing home lost its Medicare benefits. Residents lost a home. [Tampa Bay Times]
Raydiant Health Care of Brandon lost its federal benefits because of poor patient care. About 87 elderly residents were forced to find new housing.

› Big Olaf Creamery recalls ice cream products after multistate listeria outbreak [NBC News]
One death and one fetal loss have been linked to the outbreak from the products, which are manufactured in Florida.

› New waiting room unveils at SMH as part of $3.9 million renovation [Business Observer]
As part of the renovation project at Sarasota Memorial Hospital — Sarasota campus, a new pediatric waiting area has been added to the Emergency Care Center.

Tags: Health Care eNews

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