Michael Johnson is 57. He’s from Dallas. He’s diabetic. He has a job in fast food. He rents a home. He gets by. Until recently, no one ever explained to him how hospitals, doctors and emergency rooms work. “My momma always told me when something’s wrong with you, go see the doctor,” Johnson said. The only way he knew to see a doctor was go to the emergency room at Parkland Hospital, which is why he racked up 31 ER visits in 24 months.
John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth issued a 'Code Yellow' on Tuesday, saying the emergency department is overwhelmed with a high number of patients. While the hospital remains in a 'Code Yellow,' patients that have a minor illness are encouraged to visit an urgent care facility close to your home, or even visit the JPS family health center for treatment, instead of the ER.
Baystate Health plans to close underutilized intensive care units in Westfield and Palmer and convert the six beds at each hospital to regular medical-surgical use with a lower level of care. It has also asked the state Department of Public Health to take the six pediatric beds at Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield off the institution’s license and close that ward, said spokeswoman Shelly Hazlett.
Power is back on at the Dayton Children's Hospital main campus after the hospital was running on generators through the night. Stacy Porter of Dayton Children's Hospital said power is back on for most of the main campus located at 1 Children's Plaza in Dayton.
Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion as well as feeling cynical, ineffective or unaccomplished at work, is bad for both employees and employers. For doctors and hospitals, though, the ramifications can be especially dire.
Claudia Martinez, 28, is a walking miracle. She's also a fourth-year medical student at the same hospital that has treated her throughout six brain surgeries. The Brawley, Calif., native who was raised in Houston, Texas wanted to be a doctor since she was a little girl but she never could have imagined the journey it would take her on, which she now describes as "a blessing in disguise."