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    Five stars, four years in a row

    For the fourth year in a row, Mills-Peninsula Health Services has received a five-star rating for bariatric surgery from HealthGrades, an independent health care ratings organization.

    The HealthGrades Fourth Annual Bariatric Surgery Trends in American Hospitals Study showed wide gaps in mortality rates, complication rates and lengths of stay for bariatric surgery among the nation’s hospitals.

    The study analyzes patient outcomes for the most common weight loss procedures.

    According to the study, Mills-Peninsula is one of 88 hospitals identified as a “top” performer (five-star rated), with mortality rates, complication rates and patient lengths of stay that are dramatically lower than poorly rated hospitals.

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    Breastfed babies win all around

    Breastfed babies get all the nutrition they need and a boost to the immune system right from the start. Mills-Peninsula’s Oh, Baby! photo contest applauds this healthy choice. The contest is held annually in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week. Visit www.mills-peninsula.org/ohbaby for more information.

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    Swine flu - we’re ready, are you?

    Mills-Peninsula is working closely with state and county agencies on preparations for the regular flu season as the H1N1 (swine) flu continues to spread across the country.

    “Although swine flu is spreading throughout the world, so far it is causing only a mild or moderate flu-like illness in most cases,” according to Kim Erlich, M.D., medical director of infection control at Mills-Peninsula. “However, people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, obesity and diabetes, as well as pregnant women and infants are at higher risk for more serious illness.”

    A new vaccine for H1N1 (swine) influenza should become available this fall, and will likely be given in addition to the seasonal flu shot, he said. “Your regular flu shot is still your best defense against getting sick with influenza, but it will not protect against swine flu.”

    Here are some additional precautions you can take:

  • Get your seasonal flu shot early
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand hygiene gel, especially after you cough or sneeze
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing by infected people
  • If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them
  • Don’t go to the Emergency Department for mild flu-like symptoms unless you are extremely sick

    For the most up-to-date information, visit www.smhealth.org/swineflu or call the county hotline 650.372.8572.

    Visit www.mills-peninsula.org/healthpoint for a podcast with Dr. Erlich.

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    Mom’s to-be can benefit from electronic records

    Women who are planning to deliver their baby at the Mills-Peninsula Family Birth Center now benefit from a comprehensive electronic record of their imaging results when they’ve had ultrasound exams done at Mills-Peninsula imaging centers.

    “Women who have all three ultrasound scans done at Mills-Peninsula can be sure that their patient history is at hand during delivery – which can be an added benefit for any special circumstances that might arise,” says Trish Entsminger, manager of imaging services.

    New mothers can also bring infants to the Women’s Center for hip ultrasound screenings.

    For more information, call 650.696.4140.
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