Friday, May 10, 2013
The cost of colonoscopies, MRIs, CT scans and mammograms can shift a lot from county to county.
It costs $280 more on average to get an MRI at Baltimore County hospitals like MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center than in neighboring Baltimore City, but far less than the statewide average. That's according to data from New Choice Health, a private company that encourages people to become smarter healthcare consumers. The study found MRIs, CT scans and mammograms were also less costly than statewide figures. Patients in Baltimore County hospitals will be charged an average of $2,100 for a CT scan, a figure that climbs to $2,650 on average statewide. A colonoscopy, according to the data, is $270 more expensive than in Baltimore City, but also well below statewide numbers. These big regional differences have been in the news lately: As…
Thursday, April 18, 2013
George Garmer was inducted into the Dean's Hall of Fame for Distinguished Community Pharmacists at an event last week.
A Hawthorne pharmacist was honored last week by his alma mater. The University of Maryland's National Community Pharmacists Association student chapter honored George Garmer, owner of Halethorpe Pharmacy in Halethorpe and Independent Drug in Middle River, by inducting him and an employee into the Dean’s Hall of Fame for Distinguished Community Pharmacists. The award was presented at the group's annual banquet at Martin's West on Friday. In an email, Garmer called the honor a "great surprise." Sherry Butler, a clinical pharmacy specialist at Halethorpe Pharmacy, was also honored. A 1991 graduate of UM's school of pharmacy, Garmer became co-owner of Halethorpe Pharmacy in 2000 and owner of Independent Drug in 2004, according to a feature on …
Thursday, February 14, 2013
A Patient First spokesman offers advice.
Friday, February 8, 2013
The Ravens wide receiver talked about the importance of healthy eating.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith was a surprise guest Friday morning at Chase Elementary School, joining fifth graders for breakfast and talking to the entire student body about the importance of drinking milk, the experience of the Super Bowl and what it takes to become a professional athlete. Read our story on Smith's appearance.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
State officials released tips for avoiding cold-related illnesses, following a hypothermia-related death in Frederick County earlier this month.
State health officials on Thursday confirmed Maryland's first hypothermia-related death of the winter, and took the opportunity to remind residents how to protect themselves. State officials said the death of a Frederick County man aged 65 or older was confirmed sometime between Dec. 18 and 24. The release said no further information on the man would be released for privacy reasons. By this time in 2011, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in the Thursday release from state officials, Maryland had recorded one hypothermia-related death, and 15 for all of last winter. Though hypothermia is commonly associated with cold weather, it actually occurs when the body's temperature drops below 95 degrees. Frostbite occurs when …
Thursday, November 1, 2012
The clinic will be held on the campus of CCBC.
This weekend, you'll have the chance to get something from a drive-thru that's better for you than those $1 fries. Franklin Square Medical Center will be hosting a free drive-thru flu shot clinic Sunday on the Essex campus of the Community College of Baltimore County. The clinic, for anyone ages 6 months or older, starts at 9 a.m. and runs while supplies last. You can bring the whole family, but Franklin Square asks that you leave pets at home.
County officials tell residents who need services to go to offices in Dundalk or Towson.
Baltimore County officials said Thursday that the Department of Social Services office in Essex is closed due to a power outage. In a statement, health department officials said people who would normally visit the Essex District Office on Eastern Avenue can call 410-853-3000 or visit the social services offices in Dundalk (1400 Merritt Boulevard, Suite C) or Towson (6401 York Rd.).
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Flu season typically begins in October and can run through May. Find out what you need to know to protect yourself and your family.
It's officially flu season in Maryland. State health officials are reporting the first cases of the seasonal flu for the 2012 season. Local health officials are doling out hundreds of free vaccines. But, are you guaranteed to get the flu if you don’t get vaccinated against it? Of course not—but here’s why getting a flu vaccine just might be worth your while. Influenza, or the "flu,” is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses infecting the nose, throat and lungs. Symptoms include muscle or body aches, headaches, cough, sore throat, fatigue, fever or chills, and vomiting and diarrhea (the latter two are more common in kids). The flu can also worsen chronic medical conditions or cause death. Unfortunately, flu viruses can spread …
Thursday, September 27, 2012
The state's mosquito control program for Baltimore County is without a home, forcing officials to prioritize efforts.
In a particularly active year for mosquitos, and a deadly year for the West Nile Virus, one might think that parts of Maryland with plenty of water—like eastern Baltimore County—might be first in line for a state mosquito spraying program. "We know that the waterfront's always prone to mosquito activity," County Councilwoman Cathy Bevins said in an interview in her Towson office early this week. "I just don't understand it." Earlier this month, state crews sprayed for mosquitos in Catonsville and Pikesville, with one more spraying scheduled for Pikesville on Oct. 1. So why haven't they sprayed on the east side? The answer boils down to priorities and logistics. Mike Cantwell, program manager for the mosquito control section in the Maryland…
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
The event is part of National Falls Prevention Week.
Essex Senior Center's newest health awareness program includes hearing screenings, vision tests and a dash of Tai Chi. The senior center will observe National Falls Prevention Week with a program called "Gait Way to Better Balance" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. The event will feature free vision screenings from Katzen Eye Group and hearing screenings from St. Joseph Medical Center in Towson. Issues with hearing and vision are often contributing factors to falls, said Essex Senior Center Director David Lesane. "The screenings kind of tie into falls and the way to prevent them. Balance is one thing, so there will be a Tai Chi demonstration for balance," he said. "They're all tied into prevention methods for falls." Local pharmacies and …
Doug
2:09 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
Awesome! Go, Chase Elementary! more ›