Health

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By Chayden Pitzer, Student Pharmacist and Karen L. Kier, Pharmacist

Elvis Presley released the song Stay Away in February of 1968 as part of the soundtrack for the movie Stay Away, Joe.  This song only hit number 67 on the top 100 hits in the United States. This was unusual for the King of Rock and Roll since he had 18 number one hits and 40 top ten songs during his career. 

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By Heather Schalk

Many of us consider our pets as family members. They are usually loving creatures who are great at lending an ear and keeping us company. But pets offer more benefits to our health than simply being good companions. Pets trained to be therapy animals have been scientifically proven to provide physical and mental benefits to owners, patients and even children. 

“Pet therapy” is the umbrella term used to describe animal-assisted therapy and other animal-assisted activities. One of the increasingly popular ways to utilize therapy pets is in a healthcare setting. Pet therapy helps patients cope with physical health problems, anxiety or cancer. Specifically, for those in long-term care, pet therapy can reduce feelings of loneliness or isolation, encourage communication and socialization skills, and provide comfort during stressful times. Depression and anxiety levels usually decrease in patients who receive pet therapy. This is one reason utilizing therapy animals in extended care facilities has increased in popularity: the presence of therapy animals reduces stress and anxiety and increases happiness. 

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By Karen L. Kier, Pharmacist

In December of 1977, the Bee Gees released Stayin’ Alive, which was from the movie soundtrack for Saturday Night Fever. In 1979, the Bee Gees won a Grammy Award for the Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices. This would be the first of five Grammy Awards for the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. 

The Bee Gees were formed in 1959 combining the talents of brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The brothers were born in England, but their family moved to Australia where the group got their start. The Bee Gees were known for three-part tight harmonies. The brothers started in the pop genre, but morphed into disco in the early 1970s.

Of the 120 million records the Bee Gees sold globally, Stayin’ Alive may be the only one known to have saved peoples’ lives. Why is that?

Almost 500,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest each year with about 350,000 of these occurring outside of a hospital.  The American Heart Association reports the chance of surviving a cardiac arrest is doubled or tripled if immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is administered.

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By Lauren Studer, APRN-CNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Carey Primary Care

It's the most wonderful time of the year. It can be for some of us, while others totally dread the holiday season. The holidays are filled with seeing long-lost family and friends and maybe spending a little too much time with the family you are obligated to see. No matter what your family and friend situation may be, we all face the dreaded “holiday weight.” 

During this time of year, I hear my patients tell me that there are so many treats around the office, and they find themselves going to parties here and there, which is why they have put on weight. Once the new year rolls around, they will get back on the diet wagon. But my comeback question is always, “Why do you take a two-month break from your diet?” In this scenario, many people are letting bad habits form in that time, which makes them harder to break come January. 

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By Karen L. Kier, Pharmacist

On November 22, 1995, Disney-Pixar released the animated film Toy Story. The music for the film was created by singer, songwriter, arranger, pianist, conductor and composer Randy Newman. Since the 1980s, Newman has written songs for 18 Disney films including the Toy Story series and Monsters, Inc. In 2007, Newman was named a Disney Legend.  

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By Tina Powell, APRN-CNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Well at Work Occupational Health

The prevalence of needle stick and sharps-related injuries
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there are 385,000 needle stick and other sharps-related injuries sustained by hospital-based healthcare personnel and approximately 600,000 to 800,000 injuries from contaminated sharps each year in healthcare settings nationwide.

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