Welcome to The Pulse, a weekly roundup of health-focused news. Each Thursday, we bring you updates on health policy, community surveys, new clinical studies, programs and services in Southwest and Southside Virginia.
Got a tip or story idea? Email me at emily@cardinalnews.org.
LewisGale opens simulation lab in Roanoke
LewisGale Regional Health System celebrated the opening of its new clinical simulation center last week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The 5,700-square-foot HCA Healthcare Center for Clinical Advancement in Roanoke allows nurses and other health care professionals to practice patient care in realistic hospital rooms using high-fidelity mannequins that simulate medical emergencies and a range of illnesses.
The center supports training for new graduate nurses, experienced nurses, graduate medical education learners and interdisciplinary care teams across LewisGale’s regional network, according to a news release from the health system.
The facility includes seven dedicated learning spaces, including classrooms, simulation labs, skills bays and debriefing rooms. Multiple training sessions can run simultaneously, expanding access for approximately 900 nurses and clinicians across Southwest Virginia.
LewisGale, part of HCA Healthcare, invested about $2.4 million in the new training center.
“This is more than a classroom. It is a place where nurses and interdisciplinary teams can safely practice complex patient care scenarios, strengthen teamwork and build confidence before caring for patients in real-life situations,” Erin Keister, HCA Healthcare capital division chief nursing executive, said in the press release.
“The HCA Healthcare Center for Clinical Advancement reflects our commitment to investing in nurses through professional development, clinical excellence and leadership growth, while giving our teams the resources they need to continue delivering exceptional, compassionate care.”
Bristol methadone clinic serves nearly 100 patients in first 3 months
A new methadone clinic in Bristol has treated nearly 100 patients during its first three months of operation, with about 89% completing at least 30 days of treatment, according to a press release from Cedar Recovery.
The Tennessee-based outpatient addiction treatment provider opened the Bristol clinic in March, marking the first opioid treatment program in this part of Virginia, according to the release. Before it opened, patients seeking methadone treatment often had to drive more than an hour round trip into Tennessee or about two hours to another Virginia clinic.
Cedar Recovery estimates that about 2,000 people in the region are living with opioid use disorder. Among Medicare beneficiaries, about 5.5% of Bristol residents have opioid use disorder, compared with a national average of 3%. In nearby Scott County, the rate is about 10%, according to the organization.
“The need is not theoretical. It’s documented,” Laurie Street, Cedar Recovery’s Bristol program director, said in the press release. “And yet until now, not a single OTP [opioid treatment program] existed in this part of Virginia.”
Methadone is a long-acting medication used to treat opioid use disorder by reducing cravings and preventing withdrawal symptoms. In addition to medication, Cedar Recovery provides individual counseling, medical care, transportation assistance, employment support and hepatitis C treatment.
The clinic accepts walk-in patients, offers same-day intake, has no waiting list and accepts Medicaid and most private insurance plans.
“Within a month, most of my clients are finally able to function,” Alena Oliver, a staff counselor with the recovery program, said in the press release. “Their days are no longer spent sick or trying to secure drugs. They have time to get a job, get their license back, spend time with their families. Treatment provides a foundation of stability that benefits the patient, their family, and the larger community.”
Southside Health District to host measles outreach clinic
The Southside Health District will host a measles outreach clinic in Halifax County on July 27.
The clinic will run from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Triangle Volunteer Fire Department, 1051 Mortons Ferry Road in Nathalie.
The clinic will offer blood tests to check immunity levels, measles education and vaccinations. Costs for testing and vaccination may vary based on the patient’s insurance coverage.
Virginia has reported multiple measles cases this year, including an outbreak that began in Buckingham County in April and later spread to Cumberland County. The Virginia Department of Health has also confirmed cases in Lynchburg and Bedford County.
State health officials report that about 95% of Virginia kindergarteners are vaccinated against measles. However, some communities have lower vaccination rates, increasing the risk of outbreaks because measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases.
