What Is HIV? HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. In the U.S., about 1.2 million people are living with HIV or AIDS. Of those people, about 250,000 have HIV but don 't know it. This year, about 40,000 new people will become infected with HIV in the U.S. How Do People Get HIV? HIV can be passed from persons with the HIV virus through: Blood Semen Vaginal secretions…
What are the key steps to a healthy weight? Make Wise Food Choices Follow the Food Guide Pyramid to make wise food choices, including the following: Limit the fat in your foods. Avoid fried foods, whole milk, and extra sauces and gravies. Remove the skin from chicken and turkey. Cut off extra fat on other meats. Baked, broiled, or grilled meats are best. Avoid too many sweets. Cakes…
Risk for Injury More than 235,000 adults and 17,000 children in the U.S. were injured by lawn mowers in 2010, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Boys sustain 80% of lawnmower injuries, which most often occur on the arms or the hands. Riding lawn mowers cause more injuries each year than push mowers, because they tip and roll over, placing a child at risk of being run over…
What is Lead? Lead is a naturally occurring metal found in the environment. It does not have a particular taste or smell. Human bodies do not need lead. When a person is exposed to lead by eating, drinking or breathing contaminated particles, it can be absorbed into the body. This can potentially cause health problems, especially with the brain, nervous systems and kidneys. Children, infants…
Playgrounds can be wonderful places for families to exercise and play. They are also the source of hundreds of thousands of emergency visits to the emergency department for preschool and elementary aged children. (Between 2001 - 2008, an average of 218, 851 preschool and elementary children received emergency department care for injuries that occurred on playground equipment. Forty deaths were…
Falling down is not just part of getting older. It is serious problem and one that impacts 33% of adults, age 65 and older. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries, and annually lead to more than 500,000 hospitalizations a year. In 2010 alone, the estimated direct medical costs were $30 Billion. The risk of falling does increase with age, but age is just one risk factor.…
Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It is transmitted in the saliva through the bite of infected animals. Rabies in Colorado In Colorado and throughout the United States, many different wild animal species can carry rabies. Skunks and bats are the most significant sources of rabies in Colorado, but other wild animals can also be infected. Domestic animals,…
You can prevent snake bites by being aware, safe, and cautious. Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes commonly found in Colorado. Be Rattlesnake Aware You are most likely to encounter a rattlesnake when walking, hiking, climbing, or camping. You're likely to find rattlesnakes around rocks, shrubs, tall grasses, and brush. They like hot surfaces and you'll often see them sunning themselves…
Sick of smoking and trying to quit? Call the Colorado QuitLine for free support from a Quit Coach and free nicotine patches. Free Support and Quit Plan This includes a personal quit plan from a Quit Coach, plus tips and support that improves your chances of quitting for good. Free Nicotine Patches A free supply of nicotine patches that helps control your cravings will be mailed to you. In…
Winter Sports Injury: Snow Skiing According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 144,000 snow skiing-related injuries treated in hospitals, doctor's offices, and emergency rooms in 2010. Injuries associated with snowboarding were even greater: 148,000. Common Ski Injuries: Knee injuries are very common, particularly injuries of the anterior cruciate…
Sledding Safety Sledding down a snowy hill has long been a favorite winter activity. While the bumpy ride can be thrilling, it can also be dangerous. Every year thousands of people are injured sledding in parks, streets and recreational areas. Most of these injuries are preventable. In many ways, sledding is more dangerous than skiing or snowboarding. These sports are typically performed…
For most people, snow removal is an expected chore. But, for some, the risk of a heart attack or back injury is a reality. If you are not in good physical condition or have existing heart disease or a personal history of stroke, you are at a higher risk for injury. Snow removal can be especially dangerous if you do not exercise regularly. Heart Health The combination of colder temperatures…
Snow Thrower Safety Snow throwers are wonderful devices for helping us clear away the heavy Colorado snow. However, they can also cause serious injuries. The Orthopedic Experts at Denver Health encourage you to be smart when using these powerful tools. Each year, thousands of people suffer deep cuts, loss of fingers and toes, crushed and broken bones, joint injuries, burns, infections, other…
Winter Sports Injury Prevention Tips: Snowmobiling More than 1.5 million snowmobiles in the United States will venture into the back country each winter. The majority of snowmobile accidents involved collisions with fixed or moving objects such as fence posts, barbed wire, trees, cars, and other snowmobiles. Last year, the National Safety Council recorded about 156 deaths associated with…
A completed suicide occurs when an individual ends their own life. It is a serious public health issue that can have a huge impact on a family, an office, a school or even an entire community. Talking about suicide is a difficult conversation that many just avoid, and some feel that not talking about the subject will make the problem disappear. However, suicide and suicidal thoughts impact…
Each year in the United States, an estimated 3 billion toys and games are sold. In 2009, an estimated 185,900 children ages 14 and under were treated in an emergency department for a toy-related injury. 45 percent of toy-related injuries were to the head or face. General Safety Tips: Remove and dispose of all unnecessary toy packaging and gift-wrap as soon as possible. Piles of…
Trampoline jumping is a common backyard sport and recreational activity. It is now experiencing a resurgence of popularity in commercial recreation trampoline jump facilities. Hospital emergency physician's treat hundreds of thousands of trampoline-related injuries each year. The costs of medical, legal, insurance and disability expenses exceed four billion dollars. Injuries are significant…
Keep your family safe around water this summer. Always supervise children near water in a pool, tub, bucket or ocean. Designate a "Water Watcher" to maintain constant watch over children in the pool during gatherings. Always wear a life jacket in open water. Always swim with a buddy. Keep a phone at poolside so that you never have to leave the pool to answer…
What is Folic Acid Folic acid is a B vitamin found in multivitamin supplements Folate is the form of folic acid found naturally in foods Who Needs Folic Acid? Everyone needs some folic acid Women who are of child-bearing age need extra folic acid Pregnant women, especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy need more folic acid Why is Folic Acid Important? Folic…
Each year we hear the unfortunate news of a toddler being injured or killed after falling from a window. A study cited by Safe Kids Worldwide says children under the age of five rack up 3,300 injuries from window falls each year in the United States. Window falls occur most often during the spring and summer months when windows are open. Most window falls are from first, second and third story…
Winter Fall Prevention When winter snowflakes fall, so do people. One of the most threatening winter hazards is the potential to slip and fall on patches of ice and snow, causing serious injuries including lacerations, broken bones, and even traumatic brain injuries. Prevention Tips Plan ahead. Plan your trips out around the weather. If you don't need to go out, don't. Wait…
Winter Sports Injury Prevention Winter means cold temperatures, snowstorms, and fun winter sports for millions of people. For most winter sports, proper and well-fitting equipment, good physical conditioning, common sense, and good sportsmanship can help eliminate many injuries. Winter Sports Related Injuries More than 440,000 people were treated at hospitals, doctor's offices, and…
Zumba! It's a high energy aerobic workout that uses dance steps borrowed from the merengue, salsa and other dances. The Zumba exercise craze continues to grow in popularity as more than 12 million fitness buffs worldwide participate. Before beginning Zumba, as with any new exercise program, check with your doctor. If you are pregnant or have a major cardiovascular, pulmonary or metabolic…
Pain management among hospitalized patients can be challenging. Patients may have unrealistic notions about how their pain should be controlled, while physicians carry their own biases and experiences that influence pain management strategies. Control of patient-perceived pain is an important quality indicator for hospitals, and patient-reported metrics are used to calculate federal incentive…
As a practicing hospitalist in a safety net hospital, I am on the front lines battling the opioid epidemic. In the past five years, I have seen an increase in the number of hospitalized patients with heroin-related medical complications, including abscesses, cellulitis, infective endocarditis and overdose events. My personal experiences reflect national statistics, which reveal a 64% increase in…
For more than 150 years, Denver Health has served the Denver metro community – with integrated services and a team-based approach to your health care needs. Learn more about Denver Health's history – and see how far we've come. Then The Denver Health Paramedics Division has upgraded beyond its horse-and-buggy days. Today, our Paramedics boast more than 300…
Editor's Note: A version of this article first appeared in the December issue of the SGIM Forum. Mr. T* was back in the hospital for the eleventh time that year. From the doorway we could see the pulsations in the superficial veins of his forehead portending a left ventricular ejection fraction of less than ten percent. Attempts to manage his heart failure with more aggressive interventions…
Editor's note: In 2017, the New England Journal of Medicine featured a piece entitled "Letter to a Young Female Physician," in which Dr. Suzanne Koven writes to her younger self at the point she would begin residency training, before embarking on a 30-year career in medicine. The value of this type of self-reflection is that the author is able to impart what they feel to be their…
I am a hospitalist at a safety-net hospital. Through my work I have come to understand how our daily decisions – filtered through our own biases – influence how healthcare is implemented, and I had a personal teacher in my first year as an attending. Soon after starting my job, I met Mr. K. He was in his 40s, well kept, soft spoken and had the good habit of looking people in…
By: Sansrita Nepal, M.D., Marisa Echaniz, M.D. and Joseph Walker Keach, M.D. The Night Shift – it’s a crucial part of a resident physician’s training given hospitals’ 24-7 patient care delivery. It is also an opportunity to better educate our residents, develop camaraderie and improve patient care. Changes in resident physician work hours have prompted many internal medicine residency programs to…
By: Sansrita Nepal, M.D., Marisa Echaniz, M.D. and Joseph Walker Keach, M.D. The Night Shift – it's a crucial part of a resident physician's training given hospitals' 24-7 patient care delivery. It is also an opportunity to better educate our residents, develop camaraderie and improve patient care. Changes in resident physician work hours have prompted many internal…
How Actors Manipulate Their Voice, Speech and Language The 90th Academy Awards got me thinking about how actors and actresses can manipulate voice, speech and language to capture the authenticity of a character. If you are not a speech pathologist (or married to one), you may be asking yourself what the difference is between voice, speech and language? A brief crash course might include the…
We've all been hearing about the opioid epidemic. According to the CDC, in 2014, there were more drug overdose deaths in the U.S. than ever before. But, how has this epidemic affected adolescents? Adolescents certainly aren't immune. From 1999-2013, drug overdose deaths among 12-25 year olds increased from 3.1 to 7.3 deaths per 100,000 (Source: Trust for America's Health). Here are…
What Keeps Doctors Happy and Productive Everybody in medicine is talking about burnout. We all have our favorite hypotheses about what could be to blame: tight schedules, too much computer time, tough administrators, know-it-all politicians, RVU's (Relative Value Units), difficult patients. Doctors seek to understand causes so that we can find cures. It's the diagnose-and-treat…
Awareness is the key to improving communication The month of May is packed with celebrations like 'May the 4th be with you' and Cinco de Mayo. In Colorado, May means no more snow and the start of biking, shorts and outdoor BBQ's. In the world of medicine, May celebrates nurses, trauma care, mental health providers and better hearing and speech. For the American Speech-Language…
The Role for Structured Debriefing After Adverse Patient Outcomes Clinical work can take an emotional toll on health care providers. Especially, when despite our best intentions; one of our patients gets sicker unexpectedly or as a result of the care that we have provided. This can be difficult and, at times, traumatic not just for the family and friends of the patient, but for those involved in…
By: Chi Zheng, M.D., Patrick Ryan, M.D. and Marisa Echaniz, M.D. How Providers Are Working Together to Bridge the Divide As hospitalists, we build bridges quickly. We build bridges with our patients when they are admitted, with the myriad of nurses they encounter in different departments throughout the hospital, with the emergency department and with our consultants. However, the important…
Concussions in sports, whether mild or serious, must all be taken seriously. Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a blow or jolt to the head or to the body, causing the brain to shake within the skull. The impact does not have to be directly to the skull; it can be to the upper body or part of the head. Concussions can affect the way the brain normally works. These…
Fireworks during the 4th of July are part of the American tradition. Unfortunately, thousands of people (mostly children and teens) are injured while using consumer fireworks. In 2017, Denver Health Paramedics responded to 344 calls on the 4th of July, according to Lt. Julia Arellano. The typical calls are for alcohol intoxication, unconsciousness, falls and traffic accidents, but fireworks…
Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand this, too, was a gift." -Mary Oliver Suicide is a major public health concern and is the 10th leading cause of death for Americans. Even more sobering, it's the second leading cause of death for youth, adolescents and children. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there were twice as…
"Thank you very much but I'm afraid I must decline your kind offer." A good long time ago I was frustrated. Frustrated about the myriad of social problems, the endless procession of patients suffering from the ravages of addiction. Imperfect solutions. I was, in retrospect, burned out. So I did what any normal professional would do. I went looking for a new job. At the…
M. Juliana Hopman, FNP is a Nurse Practitioner at Denver Health. She has worked at Denver Health for 13 years. When she first started her career, she worked mainly in the bariatric surgery program. We recently sat down with her to talk about what a nurse practitioner does and how she helps patients at Denver Health. What do you do as a nurse practitioner? Before the patient goes into…
One day, I was walking down 6th Avenue and a woman shouted in Spanish, "Are you an interpreter?" I said, "yes, I am, do you need help?" The woman explained that her daughter was very sick and, as a mother, she felt scared because she didn't speak English. She had no idea how she was going to explain to the doctor what was wrong. She told me that once she got to the…
With a high number of reported flu cases in Colorado this season and plenty of people calling in sick to school and work, we wanted to answer a question that we know a lot of you probably have – "just how serious is the flu this season?" For the answer, we asked our infectious disease doctor,
The Post-it Note, or sticky note. It's small, simple, circumspect and found by the multi-pack in every office supply closet in the country. These notes are foot soldiers in the daily battle for memory of phone numbers, deadlines and coworkers' birthdays. Also? They're my secret weapon. As an Denver Health psychologist Trina Seefeldt, Ph.D. uses sticky…
Throughout the history of the United States of America, there have been 43 presidents who have governed our nation (45 presidential terms because Grover Cleveland served twice). With only four former presidents and one current president alive today, Denver Health experts dived into how our past Commanders-in-Chief died and how we would treat them now. Eric Lavonas, M.D. a physician in Denver…
The Motion Picture Association of America nominated the movie “The Favourite” for an Academy Award for best picture. If you’ve already seen this movie, you will have noticed the main character, Queen Anne (played by Oscar-nominated actress Olivia Coleman), suffered from an on again/off again painful joint condition called gout. Because of its prominent role in the Oscar-nominated film, people…
Dehydration Facts: Can You Really Get Dehydrated in Winter? Anyone who has lived through a Colorado winter comes to know that they need two staples to make it through until spring: lots of lip balm and gallons of moisturizing skin cream. Although Colorado air is dry all year long, it gets a whole lot worse in winter and the effects that has on us are, while mostly annoying, can also have real…
Home Treatments for the Common Cold and Cough from a Medical Perspective It's cold and flu season, and almost everyone has a family or "home remedy" for the common cold. Here are the top five best home remedies we gathered from our Denver Health employees, along with some less effective home remedies and some solid medical advice for how to treat a cold. Top Five Home Remedies…
Debuting in January 2019, the popular Netflix show “Tidying up with Marie Kondo” promised to help families decrease chaos and “spark joy” within their homes. Although the notion of watching stressed-out families organize their belongings is baffling to some, Kondo’s approach fits well with popular cultural movements emphasizing minimalism and mindful consumerism. Given the popularity of Kondo’s…
Calling all Superheroes! This Sunday, April 28 is National Superhero Day which was created in 1995 by Marvel Comics employees in order to recognize both real and fictional superheroes. Here at Denver Health, real superheroes are seen in every form – from doctors, nurses, EMTs, support staff and in the behavioral health programs. Superhero Therapy at Denver Health In the
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and in recognition of that, I want to talk about the Emergency Department and later becoming a
I get a lot of questions in the
The shooting on May 8 at STEM School Highlands Ranch that killed one student and injured eight others has some parents and students feeling anxious, upset and outraged – which are all normal feelings to have after a tragedy. It's important for parents/guardians/family members and students to be aware of their feelings and take care of their mental health after an event like this…
A Denver Health Physician's Perspective More than 700 cases of measles have been recorded across the country since January. But only 89 percent of kindergarten-aged children in Colorado have been vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Low vaccination rates put vulnerable community members, such as infants too young to receive vaccinations, the…
By now most of us are aware that we need to protect our skin from the sun. However, while sunscreen is commonly seen by the pool or at the beach, recent data shows that most American adults do not use it regularly throughout the year, if at all. The confusion is real. Which sunscreen is best? Which sunscreen does not irritate my skin or cause me to break out? Should I use a water-resistant…
Denver Health se enorgullece en brindar atención médica de la más alta calidad para todos, sin importar quién eres o de dónde vienes. Nuestra misión es cuidar a la gente de Denver y la región de las Montañas Rocosas. Nuestra atención medica se extiende a todos nuestros pacientes, sin importar su estado social o económico…
Denver Health is proud to provide Denver Health employee Rose Andrews enjoying Denver PrideFest. Alex John Boyle, Emergency Department Tech: "As a seasoned veteran of PrideFest, it's hard to overlook the fact that an individual's health can be socially determined by the community in which an individual resides. Coming together as a…
This is MyChart webpage to fill out a form for permanent proxy access. All this week, Denver Health staff will be on site at our nine Family Health Centers and at clinics at the main hospital to sign patients up and answer questions about MyChart. To find out how to sign up, talk to your caregiver or visit MyChart.DenverHealth.org to download the MyChart app.
Denver Health would like to congratulate the USA Women's National Soccer Team for securing their fourth Women's World Cup title on Sunday! In honor of the team's fourth World Cup and for the women we all love in our lives, here are four tips for women who want to stay healthy: Keep moving! Move like a champion! One in four women in the United States dies from heart disease…
More than 15 million American adults struggle with alcohol abuse, according to the most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health. It can be especially tough to control those addictions around the holidays. Studies show alcohol consumption typically goes up during the summer and with the Independence Day holiday coming up this week, it's worth sharing the story of a Denver Health…
Blue skies and sunshine are standards of living in Denver. Biking down your favorite mountain or relaxing in one of the parks is a big perk of summer in our state, but this can also mean dangerous sun and heat exposures, especially during the middle part of the day when the sun is the strongest. With the temperature set to hit 100 degrees this week, it is time to be aware of heat dangers and how…
When you or a loved one is suddenly injured or feeling very sick, there's a critical decision to make – do you need to go to emergency room? Denver Health is here for you, 24 hours a day, seven days a week with an Emergency Department and a same convenient location in the heart of Denver. We also have convenient urgent care locations in Winter Park and NurseLine at 303-739-1211…
After a long summer of lazy days and not-so-strict bedtimes, no homework and not having to pack lunches, going back to school can be a stressful time for both families and their students! Staying healthy is a major factor in a student's success at school, so here is a short checklist of what every family should talk about now that school is back in session. Sleep, sleep, sleep Sleep…
August is National Breastfeeding Month Did you know that each August, the world celebrates World Breastfeeding Week from August 1-7, and that August is National Breastfeeding Month in the United States? All month long, attention is drawn to the importance of breastfeeding and the continued need to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. So why does breastfeeding need a month-long…
"Relax!" "Calm down!" "Chill out!" When you are stressed out, and you hear these words from co-workers, friends or family, have you ever noticed that they often do not have the intended effect? Your emotional experiences may stick around – whether they are anxiety, stress or irritability. You may even notice the opposite response when you attempt to…
Sept. 23-27 is Malnutrition Awareness Week. In 2018, Denver Health's registered dietitians identified over 524 hospitalized patients with malnutrition. What is malnutrition? The World Health Organization defines malnutrition as "deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person's intake of energy and/or nutrients." In basic terms, the state of malnutrition is the lack of…
With summer now winding down – we can reflect on the memories of having fun: water slides at Elitch Gardens, basketball and kickball in the park, riding bikes and scooters around town and skateboarding. Every once in a while during those activities, you may twist an ankle or fall on an arm, which leads to a broken bone. As a doctor in Denver Health's Adult Urgent Care Center. He…
Suicide Awareness Month and World Suicide Prevention Day September is Suicide Awareness Month and today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicide is an especially relevant topic in Colorado, which is the 10th leading state in the country for suicide prevalence. In 2017, Colorado had 1,181 deaths by suicide, or 20.3 deaths per 100,000 people. The national average is 14 suicides per 100,000 people…
From time to time, we come across interesting and inspiring stories about our more than 7,000 Denver Health team members. Nurse manager Tina Van Winks has an incredible story of transformation to tell. She lost 57 pounds in seven months and has improved her life both at home and at work. Van Winks manages one of our acute care units, specializing in
As we welcome the fall weather, changing leaf colors and start of the fall season, we have the opportunity to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. From September 15 – October 15, several Latin American countries celebrate independence, and in America, we can celebrate the wonderful culture influence those with Hispanic ancestors contribute to our society. Within the Hispanic community,…
Weight-loss surgery, medically known as bariatric surgery, has been proven as an effective way to help patients find a new lease on life. It is recommended to those who weigh more than 100 pounds over their ideal body weight or those who are considered severely obese with a medical complication, such as Type 2 diabetes (aka adult onset diabetes). The success of weight-loss and bariatric surgery…
It's flu season once again and we have already seen the virus surface here in Denver. While it's a little early to talk about how severe the flu season is going to be this year, we can address one of the most common questions we get from our Denver Health patients this time of year: "How Do I know if I Have the Flu vs. A Cold?" Denver Health pulmonary and critical care…
Information for Parents on World Diabetes Day At Denver Health, we are proud to care for adolescents at multiple facilities throughout our system: including at the main hospital, family health centers and our 18 school-based health centers across Denver.
MyChart makes it easy to manage your health care journey at Denver Health – including your prescriptions at Select "medications" while using MyChart. Refill A Prescription Online Click on "medications" Find the medication you want to refill Click on the "refill" button You will then choose…
The most common way to take asthma medicine is with an inhaler. The medicine from an inhaler is sprayed out and needs to be breathed deep into the lungs. In order to get the medicine all the way into the lungs, you need to use a spacer. If you don't use a spacer, less than half of the medicine will make it into the lungs – most will stick in your mouth and throat. The…
About two and a half years ago in a small rural town near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, an 18-year-old girl had just started using her first electronic cigarette (e-cigarette). She was not too different than any other teenager in Denver. She attended high school and worked part-time at as a hostess at a local restaurant. She had no idea how her life would soon change and that in a few weeks she would…
According to a survey at Denver Health's nine Family Health Centers, one of the biggest questions patients have is how to get their lab and test results. MyChart makes it easy to manage your health care journey at Denver Health – including getting those test results sent to you, right on your computer or mobile device. Here's how to do it. Sign Up For MyChart There…
The most common way to take asthma medicine is with an inhaler. The medicine from an inhaler is sprayed out and needs to be breathed deep into the lungs. In order to get the medicine all the way into the lungs, you need to use a spacer. If you don’t use a spacer, less than half of the medicine will make it into the lungs – most will stick in your mouth and throat. The following is a step-by-…
As part of Denver Health's celebration of Black History Month, we asked a few of our employees to introduce themselves, tell us why diversity is important at Denver Health and what Black History Month means to them. Here is just one of those responses: Hey y'all, my name is Joe Kanzangu. I am a Patient Navigator at Denver Health with the
The most common way to take asthma medicine is with an inhaler. The medicine from an inhaler is sprayed out and breathed deep into the lungs. Inhalers are made of medicine and propellant (the thing that carries the medicine out). When an inhaler is new, has not been used for seven days, or has been dropped, steps need to be taken to make sure the medicine is mixed in with the propellant. This…
We recently asked some of the team members at Denver Health's nine family health centers to give us a list of the most common reasons patients call the clinic. At the top of that list is wanting to speak with their doctor or provider about a health issue or ask follow-up questions from a recent visit. In most cases, there is a much simpler and more convenient way to get in touch with your…
When your child gets sick or injured and you cannot get an appointment with their pediatrician right away, taking them to urgent care is a good option to make sure they get the care that they need. At the new check-in online.
Think the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can't survive cold weather? Think again! With the snow and cold weather we're seeing for the next couple days, a lot of Coloradans are thinking about what happens with coronavirus and snow. We talked to our chief medical officer,
Denver Health has and will continue to see patients infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Our staff is vigilant about identifying those patients, isolating them and getting them the proper treatment, because we are committed to helping to stop the spread of the virus in our community. We asked Denver Health Chief Medical Officer and infectious diseases physician Learn more about what…
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is causing a lot of stress. It is disrupting our finances, health, social interactions and much more. Stress, in turn, affects our mental health. How Stress Affects Mental Health People without mental health conditions may notice that they are not quite themselves. They may have trouble sleeping, be more irritable, and feel anxious. People with mental…
You've heard a lot about how the symptoms of the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, Chief Medical Officer Connie Price, MD explains, "the newly emerged COVID-19 virus spreads more quickly than influenza." Dr. Price also pointed out the differences in the fatality rate between the two illnesses…
Anyone who has symptoms of the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, or believes they may have been exposed to COVID-19 is encouraged to contact their health care provider, who can determine if you need to be tested for the COVID-19 virus. Those symptoms include a cough with a fever and shortness of breath. If it is determined that you need to get tested, your provider will write an order…
This is our second of two blogs comparing the 1918 pandemic flu to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). In this blog, we focus on a second wave of cases which led to a record-setting new spike in deaths, claiming more lives in Denver than all Coloradans killed in World War I. It is an important lesson to keep in mind as we as a society consider how and when to go "back to normal" after the…
It's been more than 100 years since the world has seen a pandemic on the scale of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). 102 years ago, the world was stricken by the influenza pandemic which commonly became known as 'Spanish Influenza' or 'Spanish Flu' and Denver, just like many other cities around the world, took drastic measures very similar to what we are doing through…
For 160 years, Denver Health has been providing care in the heart of Denver. In all that time, we've stayed true to our mission to care for all and put our heart into that mission every day. The heart of our mission has never been as important as it is now, during the COVID-19 pandemic. That's why we've chosen to showcase a lot of hearts in this week's edition of our "…
The Heroes of Denver Health during the COVID-19 epidemic include our doctors, nurses and providers, but also some of the other behind-the-scenes unsung heroes of the hospital, including our food service workers, volunteers, medical students and human resource professionals. All of these tireless workers and others continue to come in every day, taking the proper precautions to prevent further…
Phone and Video Doctor's Appointments During COVID-19 and Beyond A lot of things have changed during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but one thing that remains the same is your ability to get the quality health care you need from Denver Health. In response to the continued recommendations from our public health officials to stay at home when possible and practice social…
Update April 6, 2020: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends everyone wear a homemade, non-medical grade face mask or cloth face covering to stop the spread of COVID-19. Original article: As part of Denver Health's commitment to keeping you informed and safe in the face of the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, we wanted to share a list of tips to help prevent…
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what's going on throughout Denver Health, on what has become known as the COVID-19 unit, inside Pavilion A. These are just a few of the photos captured during one week's time. We will continue to post blog updates weekly or as we get them – Denver Health nurse Brittany Baker, RN returns a…
When we talk about front line workers in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the top of that list are the heroes who, in many cases, come in contact with infected patients before anyone else does – our paramedics. The Denver Health Paramedics are facing some of the most uncertain and unnerving working conditions right now. Their leaders are working with Denver Police and Denver…
Struggling Through The Stigma of Getting the Novel Coronavirus and Recovering We are now several weeks into the reality of COVID-19 being here in Colorado. I knew that working in a hospital setting would increase my chances of getting the virus, so my mind and body had already braced for the likelihood of me possibly getting the virus. But when I actually got COVID-19, to be honest I didn'…
Denver Health is proud to provide care for all in our community, especially at this time when we are experiencing the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We provide the same quality care, no matter what language our patients speak, with the help of native-speaking patient navigators as well as our telehealth appointments to all patients in all languages – which is a doctor's…
For several weeks now, we've been hearing the advice to practice social distancing to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Denver Health has been at the forefront of getting that message out to the community because there is currently no vaccine for COVID-19 and our health experts know that the only way to slow its spread is to avoid being exposed. Social distancing is the…
Our health care heroes are working all over Denver Health during the COVID-19 pandemic -– some of them are seen by our patients while others are working hard behind the scenes or working from home if they do not directly care for patients. No matter what physical location they work in, a lot of things have changed across Denver Health to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus and keep…
