Download UCH in the News - University of Colorado Hospital

Volume 6 | Issue 24 | through June 18, 2013
Mentions in the media almost
always have unforeseen consequences. Although we never really
know how they will work, we
work to get positive mentions in
the media to help attract patients
and gain attention to our clinical
outcomes, our advanced facilities and, not least, the enormous
benefits to a patient that academic
medicine can bring.
UCH in the News
Notable mentions of the hospital, its people and its community.
Center to aid trauma victims.
Aurora Sentinel, 5/23
People harmed directly and indirectly by the
July 20, 2012 Aurora Century 16 theater shootings
will find help at the Aurora Strong Resilience
Center, set to open at the now-vacant Hoffman
Heights Library building on Peoria Street next
month. It will ultimately be available to all
residents affected by trauma and tragedy. Kevin
Everhart, PhD, quoted. Story.
Interested in the hospital’s media
relations efforts? Have an idea
you think the media may like?
Want to see the stories behind
the stories?
Contact Dan Weaver
•E
mail him at
[email protected]
•C
all him at 720-848-7852
Times not to have heart failure.
UPI.com, 5/28
People with heart failure admitted to the hospital
in January and on Friday nights have the worst
chances of survival, says David Kao, MD. Hospital
admissions tended to be highest during these
times, Kao learned after examining some 1 million
medical records. “The fact that patients admitted
right before the weekend and in the middle of
the night do worse and are in the hospital longer
suggests that staffing levels may contribute to the
findings,” Kao said in a statement. Story.
Vitamins in moderation.
Fox31, Denver, 5/29
Vitamin supplements can help people with specific
nutrient needs, such as pregnant women, the elderly
and those with a diagnosed deficiency, such as
vitamin D. But simply adding supplements blindly
can lead to toxic buildup, says Joseph Vande Griend,
PharmD. Vitamins can also interfere with prescription
medications, he said. Story.
Menopause: always a hot topic.
Fox31, Denver, 5/29
The old nemesis of women causes hot flashes,
night sweats and other uncomfortable symptoms.
Treatments include estrogen, a variety of herbal
supplements, acupuncture, yoga, and lifestyle
changes, such as diet, stress reduction and rest.
But treatments will vary depending on the individual,
says Nanette Santoro, MD. Story.
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Volume 6 | Issue 24 | through June 18, 2013 | Page 2
Breast cancer testing not for everyone.
Examiner.com, 5/30
The recent revelation that actress Angelina Jolie underwent
a preventive double mastectomy after she learned she had
mutations of two key genes linked to breast cancer has spurred
an explosion of interest in genetic testing. But Lisen Axell, a
genetic counselor at UCH, says only about one in 10 breast cancers
have a genetic component and only about half of those involve
the mutations discovered in Jolie. Women should closely examine
the health histories on both sides of their families before asking
for the expensive tests, Axell said. Story.
The eyes have it.
Fox31, Denver, 5/31
Blurry vision may be more than a sign of fatigue or a need for
glasses. Problems with vision can often be a sign of conditions
elsewhere in the body, most notably high blood pressure and
diabetes, says Leonard Seibold, MD. Story.
Treatment leaves tumors out in the cold.
7News, Denver, 6/3
University of Colorado Hospital is the only medical center in the
state to use a procedure that treats esophageal tumors with a
freezing spray. Cryoablation is an alternative to heat therapy or
resection of tissue, says Norio Fukami, MD. For more on this story,
see this issue of the Insider. Story.
Driving lessons for the elderly.
9News, 6/4
Physicians often wait too long to discuss driving abilities with their
elderly patients, according to a new study from the CU School of
Medicine and the College of Nursing. Providers frequently talk
about restrictions only after there has been “red flag,” such as
an accident or near mishap, says Marian Betz, MD, MPH. Other
studies show people generally outlive their ability to drive safely
by six years. Story.