Morehouse General Hospital

At Morehouse General Hospital, we want to recognize that January is National Blood Donor Month, a time to highlight how important donating blood is. Blood transfusions are lifesaving, especially for children with serious illnesses like cancer. Kids undergoing treatments like chemotherapy often need many blood transfusions to stay strong. O negative blood is in high demand because it can be given to anyone, and it's used in emergencies when there's no time to check a person's blood type. The American Red Crosss plays a big role in ensuring that hospitals have enough blood to help patients in need. Donating blood is easy, and most people can do it—even those with conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. The American Red Cross makes sure that donations are safe and helps keep hospitals stocked with blood. When you donate, you’re helping to provide life-saving support for people in accidents, surgeries, or treatment. It only takes a little bit of time, but it can make a huge difference. This January, consider donating blood and giving others the chance to heal and thrive. #MorehouseGeneralHospital #NationalBloodDonorMonth #DonateBlood #SaveLives #AmericanRedCross #BloodDonation #GiveBack https://lnkd.in/eMd9EntK

At Morehouse General Hospital, we want to help you get healthier this new year. Did you know that heart attack deaths go up in winter? It's important to know the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest happens when the heart stops beating suddenly, and it's an electrical problem. A heart attack happens when blood can't flow to the heart, and it's a circulation problem. Both can be very serious, so it's important to know the signs. If you feel any symptoms, call 9-1-1 right away! Learn how to save a life with Hands-Only CPR at Heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR. #HeartHealth #CardiacArrest #HeartAttack #CPR #NewYearHealth #SaveALife American Heart Association https://lnkd.in/gucAqrwP

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and Morehouse General Hospital encourages everyone to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations for cervical cancer screening. Women should start getting Pap tests at age 21 to check for early signs of cancer. If you're 30 or older, you can talk to your doctor about combining a Pap test with an HPV test, or getting just an HPV test. These tests can help detect precancerous changes in the cervix, which is important for preventing cervical cancer. Regular screenings help keep women healthy and can catch problems early when they are easier to treat. If you're 21 to 29, you should have a Pap test every three years. For women 30 to 65, there are different options, including getting an HPV test alone, a Pap test alone, or both. Depending on your results, your doctor will tell you when to come back for your next screening. Women over 65 may no longer need to be screened if they have had normal results for many years. We encourage everyone in the Morehouse General Hospital community to talk to their doctor about when to start screening and make sure to keep up with regular checkups. Early detection can save lives! #CervicalCancerAwareness #PapTest #HPVTest #CancerScreening #HealthyWomen #MorehouseGeneralHospital https://lnkd.in/g27VDeZ4

A new study from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) shows that an artificial intelligence (AI) model can predict if people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) will develop Alzheimer’s disease within six years. The AI system looked at the way people spoke during cognitive tests to make this prediction. The study included 166 people who were part of the Framingham Heart Study, Boston University School of Medicine, a long-running study on heart health. The AI was able to predict Alzheimer’s with 78% accuracy by analyzing just the words and sentence structures in their speech, not how they spoke. This research is part of a bigger effort to use AI to help diagnose dementia. The AI could make it easier and cheaper to test for Alzheimer’s from a distance, and it might be more accurate than other tests. The researchers believe this could help doctors and clinical trial managers find people at risk of developing Alzheimer’s. However, the study mostly involved White participants, so the researchers want to include more people from different backgrounds in future studies. #ArtificialIntelligence #AlzheimersResearch #CognitiveImpairment #SpeechAnalysis #DementiaDiagnosis #ENDALZ https://lnkd.in/gJGRsjkz

In her final article of 2024, Judy George, Deputy Managing Editor of MedPage Today, covers new guidelines to help doctors check for cognitive issues or dementia, especially from Alzheimer's. The guidelines suggest a three-step process to evaluate the patient's memory, behavior, and possible causes. This includes gathering medical history, doing tests, and using brain scans to give the most accurate diagnosis and care plan. The guidelines also stress the importance of involving a caregiver to help the patient understand and manage the process. Created by experts from the Alzheimer's Association®, these updates aim to improve diagnosis and treatment, ensuring better care for patients. #AlzheimersCare #DementiaEvaluation #ClinicalGuidelines #CognitiveImpairment #MedicalPractice #ENDALZ https://lnkd.in/getbEXaa

In her article, Carlie Kollath Wells highlights the growing flu season in Louisiana, where the state is currently experiencing some of the highest flu activity in the U.S., according to the CDC. December is National Flu Vaccine Awareness Month, and Morehouse General Hospital encourages families to get their flu shots to protect themselves and others. While most flu cases can be treated at home, some can become severe and even lead to hospitalization or death. The article also points out that childhood flu vaccinations are down this year, with many families hesitant about vaccines. This decline in vaccination rates could lead to more flu-related illnesses, including a record number of pediatric flu deaths in the 2023-24 season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a significant drop in childhood flu vaccine coverage compared to last year, especially in Louisiana. Morehouse General Hospital urges everyone, especially children, to get vaccinated to help prevent the spread of flu and protect against serious illness. Getting the flu shot is the best way to stay safe this flu season, especially during a time when other respiratory illnesses, like RSV and pneumonia, are also on the rise. #FluVaccine #FluSeason #GetVaccinated #NationalFluVaccineAwareness #LouisianaFlu #ChildhoodVaccination #VaccinesSaveLives https://lnkd.in/ghgQ_6Ft

In her article for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sheila Poole discusses the challenges families face during the holidays when caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. The holiday season, with its changes in schedules and increased social activities, can be overwhelming for those with dementia. Experts say this confusion can lead to wandering, where individuals with dementia may leave their home and get lost, sometimes in dangerous situations. Kim Franklin from the Alzheimer's Association® explains that these changes make it hard for those with dementia to process what's happening around them, increasing the risk of wandering. Poole also highlights the efforts of organizations like Georgia Emergency Search and Recovery, which work to locate people who have gone missing, especially those with dementia. The article shares how families and search teams rely on technology and trained search dogs to help find missing individuals. Dogs like Maverick, a Labrador retriever, play an important role in tracking wanderers. The article stresses the importance of acting quickly by calling 911 when someone with dementia goes missing to increase the chances of finding them safely. #Alzheimers #DementiaAwareness #HolidayStress #Wandering #CaregiverSupport #ENDALZ https://lnkd.in/gqZfmUrr

December is National Vaccination Awareness Month, and Morehouse General Hospital wants to remind our community about the importance of the flu vaccine. According to HealthDay News in an article shared by Physician's Weekly, only 37% of children have received their flu shot this season, compared to 43% at this time last year. Pediatricians are worried as flu cases are already rising, and many illnesses could be prevented with vaccination. Dr. Kristina Bryant, a pediatric infectious disease expert, explained that flu season often brings illness and suffering for kids, which vaccines can help avoid. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that last flu season had the lowest child vaccination rate in 12 years. Flu shots are vital for protecting children, especially since this year’s vaccine targets the most common strains, H1N1 and H3N2, which can be dangerous. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot each year to stay safe. Let’s work together to protect our families and community by getting vaccinated! #NationalVaccinationAwarenessMonth #FluSeason #GetVaccinated #HealthyKids #FightTheFlu #MorehouseCares https://lnkd.in/g5CYWgHV

In this exclusive video, Elmore Patterson, CEO of Morehouse General Hospital, shares how the hospital has embraced cutting-edge telehealthcare through Beam Healthcare’s innovative inpatient program. By leveraging tele-specialty services and hospitalist care, Morehouse General has enhanced patient access to specialized care, reduced costs, and improved outcomes for its community. Beam Healthcare has redefined the way healthcare is delivered to critical access hospitals, micro-hospitals, and clinics, bringing top-tier specialists directly to patients via HIPAA-compliant video conferencing. This collaboration between Beam and Morehouse is an example of how telemedicine can drive better healthcare experiences for both patients and providers. Tune in to hear how Beam's services are making a tangible difference at Morehouse General, one of the most forward-thinking healthcare providers in rural America. Watch the full video now to learn more about the transformative work happening at Morehouse General Hospital with the help of Beam Healthcare! #Telemedicine #HealthcareInnovation #HospitalCare #MorehouseGeneralHospital #BeamHealthcare #RuralHealthcare #Telehealth #PatientCare #CommunityHealth #HealthcareLeadership #HealthTech https://lnkd.in/gEECfBdK

Paul Ian Cross, PhD, reports for Medical News Today that millions of Americans are at risk of dementia, but early testing and lifestyle changes can help delay or reduce it. A new study shows that factors like not exercising, having diabetes, or not working much can predict dementia years before symptoms appear. Making cognitive tests more affordable and available could help more people get early treatment and plan for the future. Staying active, healthy, and engaging in new hobbies can also help lower the risk of dementia. #Dementia #BrainHealth #EarlyDetection #HealthyLiving #CognitiveHealth #Alzheimers #ProactiveCare #ENDALZ https://lnkd.in/grbtWx5b