About YRMC

  • Yavapai Regional Medical Center Launches Healthy Cooking Video Series

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Jul 20, 2015

    In keeping with its commitment to provide useful health and wellness information to our community, Yavapai Regional Medical Center has added a cooking show to its website. Your Healthy Kitchen is a series of brief, entertaining videos to help you learn how to prepare delicious, healthy, affordable dishes. The series is hosted by Rita Carey Rubin, a Registered Dietician and Certified Diabetes Educator at YRMC.

    Focusing on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and beans, Rita will take you step by step through various recipes while sharing valuable tips along the way. She’ll also invite local guests to share their favorite healthy recipes. In addition, Rita will take you into our community, to farmer’s markets, grocery stores, gardens, kitchens and farms to meet local folks who are growing and preparing fresh, healthy food.

    “A diet filled with foods that support good health and help us live a vital, active life, doesn’t have to be bland, boring, or expensive,” Carey Rubin says. “On the contrary, healthy meals can and should be affordable and packed with flavors that leave you feeling truly satisfied. This is what I strive to teach.”

    Videos will be updated regularly to the YRMC website, along with downloadable recipes, cost per meal and nutrition information. To find the videos, recipes and more, go to www.yrmchealthconnect.org, and click on Your Healthy Kitchen.

    For more information about Your Healthy Kitchen and other health and wellness programs at YRMC, contact the YRMC Community Outreach Department at (928) 771-5738.

  • YRMC’s Celebrate Life! Health Expo Attracts Record Turnout

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Jun 22, 2015

    Event Offers Fun, Learning, Wellness and Health

    Healthy living was the focus of Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s (YRMC’s) Celebrate Life! Health Expo. The fourth annual Expo took place Saturday, May 16 from 10 am to 2 pm at Prescott Gateway Mall.

    “The Celebrate Life! Health Expo is a community service YRMC provides to people throughout our region,” said Robbie Nicol, Executive Director, YRMC Community Outreach and Philanthropy. “This year’s Expo was filled with fun and learning for people of all ages. The children had fun, and the adults learned about the variety of healthcare resources our communities offer.”

    A record 2,500 participated in Expo 2015, including Quad Cities’ residents and people who traveled from Ash Fork, Flagstaff, Kingman and other cities from throughout the region.

    YRMC healthcare professionals were on hand to provide health screenings, offer information and answer questions about their respective services, including:

    Advanced Wound Care Center
    BreastCare Center
    Community Outreach and Philanthropy
    Corporate Compliance
    Emergency/Trauma Services
    Family Resource Center
    Infusion Therapy
    Nutrition Services
    Nursing/Surgical Services
    Physical Rehabilitation
    PhysicianCare – Family Medicine
    PhysicianCare – Cardiology
    PhysicianCare – Neurosurgical Medicine/
         Neurology/Physiatry
    Preventive Medicine
    Respiratory Wellness
    Volunteer Services

    YRMC recruited community partners to host six educational sessions that informed and educated Expo 2015 attendees throughout the day. Topics and sponsors included:

    Virtual Dementia Tours

    Sponsor – Second Wind Dreams

    The Wellness Paradigm – Eat Well, Move Well, Think Well

    Sponsor – HealthSource of Prescott       

    Healthy Legs Bootcamp: How to Manage Peripheral Vascular Disease

    Sponsor – YRMC

    Kick Start Your Motivation

    Sponsor – Kick Start Boot Camp

    Secrets to Maintaining Your Dental Health

    Sponsor – Cosmetic Family Dentistry

    Living with Pain? Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy May be the Answer

    Sponsor – YRMC         

    How Well is Your State of Being?
    Sponsor     – Body Language Studio

    The following organizations participated in Expo 2015:

    Abrio Cares
    Adult Care Services
    Alzheimer’s Association
    American Diabetes Association
    API Comprehensive Dental Rehab
    Caption Call
    Central Yavapai Fire District
    City of Prescott Police Department
    Coalition for Compassion and Justice
    Community Partnership for Comfort Care
    Count the Kicks
    doTERRA Essential Oils
    Good Samaritan Society/Legacy Home Health
    HealthHub Network
    HealthSource of Prescott
    Health Strategies for Life
    Home Instead Senior Care
    Jason C. Campbell Cosmetic Family Dentistry
    Juice Plus +
    Kick Start Boot Camp
    Life Line Ambulance
    LightWork 4 U
    Lions Club
    March of Dimes
    MATFORCE
    National Multiple Sclerosis Society
    Northern Arizona VA Health Care System
    Foster Veterans Program
    Health Promotion
    Women’s Program
    My Health-E Vet Program
    NAZCARE
    New Horizons
    Nourish Me Academy
    Nutritional Weight Loss Center
    People Who Care
    Prescott AA Intergroup
    Prescott Dystonia Support Group
    Prescott Meals on Wheels
    ResCare Home Care
    Senior Corps Yavapai CSI @ NAU
    Senior Peer Prevention Program
    Southwest Behavioral Health Services
    Suicide Prevention Coalition
    Susan G. Komen Central and Northern Arizona
    The Natural Healing Garden
    The Spot Museum
    West Yavapai Guidance Clinic
    Foundation
    Mental Health Awareness
    Yavapai County Community Health Services
    YCCHS – Well Woman Healthcheck Program

    “YRMC is very grateful to all of the organizations and vendors that participated in Expo 2015,” Nicol said. “It was an incredible day for everyone involved.”

  • YRMC Introduces Ablative Therapies

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Jun 16, 2015
    Non-Surgical Procedures Treat Certain Cancerous Tumors

    Ablative therapies – non-surgical cancer therapies with an excellent success rate for certain cancers – are now available at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC).

    “The literature on these procedures shows they are very effective and safe in treating tumors,” said Ben Paxton, MD, Vascular and Interventional Radiologist, YRMC. “For appropriate kidney tumors, ablative therapy has demonstrated the potential to achieve a long-term 95 to 100 percent cure rate.”

    There are two types of ablative therapies: cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation. Cryoablation uses extreme cold to eliminate tumors and radiofrequency ablation applies heat to remove tumors. The therapies treat tumors of the kidney, liver, lung and bone that meet certain size parameters. They’re also used to treat metastatic (cancerous) lesions. Which ablative therapy is used, depends on the size, type and location of the tumor.

    Ablative therapy takes place in the Imaging Services Department at YRMC West. Using CT image guidance, Dr. Paxton advances a needle electrode to the tumor. He then uses the electrode to either freeze or heat the tumor, which causes it to disintegrate. The procedure takes one to two hours, during which the patient is under conscious sedation or general anesthesia, if necessary.

    “Patients who undergo ablative therapy return home the same day,” Dr. Paxton said. “Recovery is minimal because of the small incision at the site.”

    Patients undergo follow-up CT scans three, six and 12 months following ablative therapy.

    Dr. Paxton – the only physician in the area who performs ablative therapies – studied ablative therapies during a vascular and interventional radiology fellowship at Duke University Medical Center.

    “I’m grateful to be able to bring this specialized training to our communities,” said Dr. Paxton, who attended medical school at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. “People can receive the treatment they need where they live, go to doctors they know, and be closer to family. This is better for our patients.”

    For more information about ablative therapies, contact Vascular and Interventional Specialists of Prescott at (928) 771-8477.

     

     

  • IceCure: New Therapy for Women with Benign Breast Tumors

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Jun 10, 2015
    Yavapai Regional Medical Center is among the first hospitals in Arizona to introduce IceCure, a procedure to remove benign (non-cancerous) breast tumors without surgery.

    “Breast fibroadenomas, as they are called, are not life-threatening, but they can be physically disfiguring, uncomfortable and cause women emotional distress,” said Nancy K. Ledoyen, RN, Director, the BreastCare Center at YRMC. “IceCure allows our breast surgeons to treat those benign tumors with minimal scarring.”

    Benign breast tumors up to four centimeters – about the size of a grape – are best for IceCure, but larger tumors may also be removed using the procedure.

    “IceCure has many advantages over traditional surgical excision for women with benign breast tumors,” Ledoyen said. “Some of the pluses include a minute incision, local anesthesia, and virtually no down time following the procedure.”

    During an IceCure treatment, YRMC physicians use an ultrasound monitor called the IceSense3™ console to guide a probe to the center of the benign tumor. Once there, the tip of the probe is cooled to extremely low temperatures. This turns the tumor into a small ball of ice and eliminates it. Typically, this takes about 15 minutes.

    To learn about IceCure treatment, contact Nancy Ledoyen at (928) 442-8647.

  • Platelet Rich Plasma Promotes Healing and Active, Pain-Free Living

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | May 06, 2015
    Western Yavapai County residents are healing their own arthritic joints, ligament strains, muscle injuries and more with help from Bradley Benson, DO, and a procedure called Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP).

    “PRP is a corrective treatment. It helps regenerate and rebuild tissue,” said Dr. Benson, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist, YRMC PhysicianCare’s Spine Center. “It’s also very safe because your body’s own cells do the healing work.”

    An increasingly popular procedure, PRP allows people to avoid surgery and for many it significantly reduces arthritis pain. It’s also a welcome replacement for steroid injections, which have side effects and can weaken tissue.

    “PRP helps people at any age, but the group that’s most interested are people who are 50 and older,” Dr. Benson said. “PRP is for anyone who wants to live without pain and pursue their leisure activities whether that’s golfing, hiking, gardening or enjoying their grandchildren.”

    Dr. Benson uses PRP to treat a variety of conditions and injuries, including:

    • Arthritis
    • Ligament, Muscle and Tendon Injuries
    • Shoulder Injuries
    • Tennis Elbow
    • Rotator Cuff Injuries
    • Meniscus Tears
    • Achilles Tendinitis
    • Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)
    • Plantar Fasciitis
    How does PRP work? First, it’s important to remember that blood contains red cells, white cells and platelets. Platelets are best known for clotting blood, but they also contain hundreds of proteins called “growth factors” that help heal injuries.

    PRP begins by taking blood drawn from the patient and separating the platelets from the other blood cells. This spinning process is called centrifugation and results in platelets that can be five to 10 times richer than usual.  The platelet rich plasma (extracted from the blood) is then injected into the injured tissue.

     “It can take several weeks for the healing to begin,” said Dr. Benson. “After that, the area will continue to improve over the next three to six months.”

    Most people only require one or two PRP procedures at a single site (e.g., elbow, shoulder, knee). Injections into several sites can be safely administered at the same time. Recovery from the procedure is fast with most people returning to their normal activity in a day.

    Dr. Benson performs the 45-minute PRP procedure at YRMC PhysicianCare’s Spine Center, 1001 Division Street in Prescott.

    For more information about PRP, contact YRMC PhysicianCare’s Spine Center at (928) 445-4818.

  • Community Comes Together for Celebrate Life Health Expo

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Apr 27, 2015
    YRMC Sponsors Major Health and Wellness Event

    People of all ages will find fun and educational activities for them at Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s (YRMC’s) Celebrate Life Health Expo. The Expo takes place:

    Saturday, May 16
    10:00 am – 2:00 pm
    Prescott Gateway Mall
    3250 Gateway Blvd.
    Prescott, AZ 

    “The Celebrate Life Health Expo is one way that YRMC supports health education and wellness in our community,” said Robbie Nicol, Executive Director of YRMC Community Outreach and Philanthropy. “There are wonderful exhibits and activities planned for people of all ages to enjoy including presentations and demonstrations by local healthcare experts. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about the extensive network of health and wellness organizations that serve our community.”

    Celebrate Life Health Expo attendees will have more than 70 exhibits to explore this year. These will feature interactive demonstrations, health screenings and informative displays.

    A series of presentations on May 16 will also feature area experts focusing on important topics, including:

    • Virtual Dementia Tours: Preregistration is required, call Natalie Brummer at (602) 578-7357 to register.
    • The Wellness Paradigm - Eat Well, Move Well, Think Well: Presented by Dr. Andy Nelson, HealthSource of Prescott.
    • Healthy Legs Bootcamp - How to Manage Peripheral Vascular Disease: Presented by Donna Hannah, OTR/L, CLT-LANA, Yavapai Regional Medical Center.
    • Kick Start Your Motivation: Presented by Sgt Steve Rosen, Kick Start Boot Camp.
    • Secrets to Maintaining Your Dental Health: Presented by Dr. Jason Campbell, Cosmetic Family Dentistry.
    • Living with Pain? Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy May be the Answer: Presented by Dr. Bradley Benson, Physiatrist, Yavapai Regional Medical Center.
    • How Well is Your State of Being? Presented by Cheryl Van Demark, Physical Therapist and Yoga Therapist, Body Language Studio.
    The following organizations will participate in the Celebrate Life Health Expo. For more information, contact YRMC Community Outreach at (928) 771-5738.

    Yavapai Regional Medical Center
    • Advanced Wound Care Center
    • BreastCare Center
    • Community Outreach and Philanthropy
    • Corporate Compliance
    • Emergency/Trauma Services
    • Family Resource Center
    • Infusion Therapy
    • Nutrition Services
    • Nursing/Surgical Services
    • Partners for Healthy Students
    • Physical Rehabilitation
    • PhysicianCare – Family Medicine
    • PhysicianCare – Cardiology
    • PhysicianCare – Neurosurgical Medicine/Neurology/Physiatry
    • Preventive Medicine
    • Respiratory Wellness
    • Volunteer Services

     Abrio Cares

    Adult Care Services

    Alzheimer’s Association

    American Diabetes Association

    API Comprehensive Dental Rehab

    Caption Call

    Central Yavapai Fire District

    City of Prescott Police Department

    Coalition for Compassion and Justice

    Community Partnership for Comfort Care

    Count the Kicks

    doTERRA Essential Oils

    Good Samaritan Society/Legacy Home Health

    HealthHub Network

    HealthSource of Prescott

    Health Strategies for Life

    Home Instead Senior Care

    Jason C. Campbell Cosmetic Family Dentistry

    Juice Plus +

    Kick Start Boot Camp

    Life Line Ambulance

    LightWork 4 U

    Lions Club

    March of Dimes

    MATFORCE

    National Multiple Sclerosis Society

    Native Air

    Northern Arizona VA Health Care System   

    • Foster Veterans Program
    •  Health Promotion
    •  Women Veterans
    •  My Health – E Vet

    NAZCARE

    New Horizons

    Nourish Me Academy

    Nutritional Weight Loss Center

    People Who Care

    Prescott AA Intergroup

    Prescott Dystonia Support Group

    Prescott Meals on Wheels

    ResCare Home Care

    Senior Corps Yavapai CSI @ NAU

    Senior Peer Prevention Program

    Southwest Behavioral Health Services

    Suicide Prevention Coalition

    The Natural Healing Garden

    The Spot Museum

    West Yavapai Guidance Clinic

    • Foundation
    • Mental Health Awareness

    Women’s Health & Healing Center

    YCCHS – Well Woman Healthcheck Program

    Yavapai County Community Health Services

    Yavapai Health and Wellness


  • YRMC Schedules Annual Meeting for Wednesday, April 29

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Apr 16, 2015

    The Yavapai Community Hospital Association, which does business and operates as Yavapai Regional Medical Center, will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, April 29, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Thumb Butte Room on the Campus of YRMC West in Prescott. The public is invited to attend.

    The purpose of YRMC’s annual meeting is to summarize the hospital’s achievements during the previous calendar year.

    • Rowle Simmons will present the Council of Electors’ Report and Introduction of New Trustees.
    • Clifford Morgan, M.D., will present the Chairman of the Board of Trustees’ Report.
    • Larry Owens, M.D., Chief of Staff, will present the President of the Medical Staff’s Report.
    • Nancy Thomes will present the Director of Volunteers’ Report.
    • John Amos will present the President and Chief Executive Officer’s Report.
    • In addition, two Yavapai Community Hospital Association members will be elected to one-year terms on the Council of Electors.

    Copies of YRMC’s 2014 Annual Report will be presented to members of the Board of Trustees and made available to members of the public.

    For more information on Yavapai Regional Medical Center’s annual meeting, contact the Administration Office at (928) 771-5676.

  • YRMC Introduces Procedure for Patients with Advanced Cancers

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Mar 30, 2015

    Chemoembolization Keeps People Home for Care

    A procedure that fights liver cancer and advanced cancer that has spread to the liver was recently introduced at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC).

    “Chemoembolization is a proven treatment. There are years of data that demonstrate it can stop or shrink tumors in the liver,” said Ben Paxton, MD, Vascular and Interventional Radiologist, YRMC.

    This is positive news for people with liver cancer or cancer that has metastasized (spread) to the liver. In about two-thirds of cases treated, chemoembolization can stop liver tumors from growing or cause the tumors to shrink, according to the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

    Chemoembolization combines anti-cancer drugs with an embolic agent to attack the cancer on two fronts. First, it delivers a high concentration of the drug therapy directly to the liver. This helps spare most of the liver’s healthy tissue. Second, the embolic agent – which includes small, synthetic particles – both blocks the blood supply to the tumor and traps the chemotherapy drugs in the tumor. This deprives the tumor of oxygen and nutrients to stop growth. It also delivers a high dose of anti-cancer drugs to the tumor for a longer period of time.

    “This procedure can be done in combination with other types of chemotherapy,” said Dr. Paxton, who studied chemoembolization during a fellowship at Duke University School of Medicine.

    How does chemoembolization work? Dr. Paxton – or his colleague, Vascular and Interventional Radiologist Matthew Dicker, MD – use imaging technology to guide a thin catheter into the liver. The physicians then take a series of x-rays that reveal the branches of the arteries that lead to the tumor. Once the catheter is positioned in the correct arteries, the physicians inject anti-cancer drugs and embolic agents. Because only a small skin incision is necessary for the 60-minute procedure, it’s called “non-invasive.”

    “Patients spend the night at YRMC West after chemoembolization for observation, which makes it even more important that this procedure is now available at YRMC,” Dr. Paxton said. “When people are dealing with significant illness, they need to be closer to home and near their loved ones.”

    The availability of chemoembolization at YRMC also simplifies follow-up for people of western Yavapai County. Dr. Paxton recommends a CT scan or MRI of the liver every three months following chemoembolization to monitor how much the tumors have shrunk and to check for new tumor growth.

    Chemoembolization can be repeated multiple times over the course of many years if necessary. If a second chemoembolization is necessary for optimal treatment, the average time to this second procedure is between 10 and 14 months, according to ACR and RSNA.

    In addition to primary liver cancer, chemoembolization is used to treat cancer that has spread to the liver as a result of:

    • colon cancer
    • breast cancer
    • ocular melanoma (cancer found in or around the eye)
    • carcinoid tumors (tumors that occur in the digestive tract or pancreas)
    • islet cell tumors of the pancreas
    • sarcomas (cancer that develops in certain tissues, like bone or muscle)
    • vascular primary tumors

    For more information about chemoembolization, contact Vascular and Interventional Specialists of Prescott at (928) 771-8477. 

  • Safeway Foundation and Local Store Employees Support YRMC BreastCare Center

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Feb 16, 2015

    The fight against breast cancer in western Yavapai County recently received a significant boost thanks to a generous donation from the Safeway Foundation and local Safeway employees.

    The Safeway Foundation has donated $30,000 to Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) Foundation – its third since 2012 – to help uninsured and underinsured women undergoing advanced diagnostics at The BreastCare Center at YRMC. In addition, Safeway employees and customers from the 7720 E. Highway 69 store in Prescott Valley have raised $500 through the Heart of Safeway Volunteer Award program. The employees selected The BreastCare Center at YRMC for the gift.

    “Safeway is dedicated to supporting the communities we serve,” said Nancy Keane, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for the Phoenix Division of Safeway, Inc. “In the Quad Cities, we’re pleased to partner with our customers, employees and the YRMC Foundation to help women who need breast care services but are unable to afford it.”

    The Safeway Foundation funds target a significant need: uninsured or underinsured women in western Yavapai County who require follow-up care to determine if an abnormality detected during a breast exam is cancerous or benign. The Safeway Foundation donation helps women who don’t qualify for any financial assistance programs and who lack the resources to cover the cost of these services. The funds will cover a range of diagnostic services, including:

    • Biopsies
    • Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
    • Breast Ultrasound
    • Consultations with Oncologists
    • Digital Mammography

    “These are our mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and neighbors. They are women in our communities and they’re in need of important healthcare services,” said Robbie Nicol, Executive Director, YRMC Community Outreach and Philanthropy. “We’re so grateful to the Safeway Foundation and the Prescott Valley Safeway employees for stepping forward to offer their support to ensure these women receive the diagnostic services they need.”

    For more information about The BreastCare Center at YRMC and services available as a result of the Safeway Foundation contribution, please contact YRMC’s Community Outreach and Philanthropy Department at (928) 771-5686.

  • The Infusion Center: Comfort and Convenience in a State-of-the-Art Center

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, 928-771-5686 | Feb 10, 2015

    Western Yavapai County residents undergoing antibiotic therapy, chemotherapy and other healing therapies now have access to The Infusion Center, a state-of-the-art facility at Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) in Prescott Valley.

    “Infusion therapy can often be administered over weeks or months during individual outpatient therapy sessions and each session can last hours,” said Alana Yoerger, RN, Manager, YRMC Infusion Therapy. “People want – and need – a comfortable, pleasant environment for such therapies. The Infusion Center provides that along with state-of-the-art equipment and a skilled, knowledgeable, caring staff.”

    Originally called Infusion Therapy Services, The Infusion Center replaces the outpatient unit at YRMC West in Prescott. The Infusion Center has nearly triple the amount of space as its previous location. It also includes a total of 12 new state-of-the-art infusion bays, two with bariatric chairs.

    The Infusion Center also features:

    • Convenient parking, with a covered drive for patient drop-off and pick-up.
    • A private entrance.
    • On-site registration and scheduling (with the exception of evenings, weekends and holidays).
    • Comfortable infusion chairs with personal televisions and basic cable as well as connections for laptops and tablets.

    The Infusion Center serves patients:

    • 8:00 am-10:30 pm, Monday-Friday.
    • 8:00 am-2:00 pm and 7:30-10:30 pm, weekends or holidays for people undergoing continuous therapy.

    “We’re delighted that The Infusion Center is available for the many people of our communities who need ongoing therapy services,” said Yoerger.

  • YRMC Family Resource Center Introduces a Free Car Seat Distribution Program

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Jan 21, 2015

    The Family Resource Center at Yavapai Regional Medical Center has partnered with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to offer a car seat distribution program to their Healthy Families and First Steps participants.

    Healthy Families offers parents and children free home visits from highly trained support specialists. Information on healthy pregnancy and bonding with one’s baby, along with developmental screenings and connection to community resources are provided. Now, thanks to the Governor’s Office grant, the Healthy Families team can offer free safety seats and supporting education to help keep children safe inside their family’s vehicles too.

    Recipients must be currently enrolled in the YRMC Healthy Families program and meet certain requirements, such as having a vehicle with working seat belts and attending a child safety seat class. Those not enrolled in either program will be looked at on a case by case basis and could also be referred to other community resources providing this service. The classes are taught by nationally certified Child Passenger Safety technicians.

    Upon successful completion of the child safety seat class, parents will receive one car or booster seat, depending on their needs. Parents are given time to install their new seats, using the information they have learned, and the seats are then checked by the class instructor to ensure proper installation.

    Keeping your child safe when riding in a vehicle is one of the most important jobs that parents have. YRMC’s Healthy Families and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety have just made it easier for many of our families in the Quad City area. For more information, please call Candace at the Family Resource Center at (928) 771-5651. 

  • Flu Season Prompts YRMC to Restrict Young Visitors

    by Community Outreach and Philanthropy, (928) 771-5686 | Jan 21, 2015

    Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) is restricting hospital visitors due to a recent spike in patients diagnosed with flu - influenza A and B - as well as a number of cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

    Until the flu season ends, children under age 12 will not be allowed to visit patients at YRMC West in Prescott or YRMC East in Prescott Valley. Siblings of newborns in YRMC’s Family Birthing Center are included in these restrictions.

    “Our first priority is always the health and safety of our patients,” said Robbie Nicol, Executive Director, Community Outreach and Philanthropy. “We believe these short-term restrictions will help prevent flu in hospitalized patients, many of whom have weakened immunity. Also, we believe this will help prevent further spread of the flu in our communities.”

    YRMC also is asking people of all ages with flu-like symptoms not to visit hospitalized patients. Flu symptoms include:

    • Fever
    • Headache
    • Extreme tiredness
    • Dry cough
    • Sore throat
    • Runny or stuffy nose
    • Muscle aches
    • Stomach distress

    “These visitation restrictions are temporary. They will be lifted when the flu season ends,” Nicol said. “We very much appreciate the support of the community as we strive to protect patients from this virus.”

    Understanding the Flu

    The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe illness. Flu complications can lead to hospitalization and even death. Flu can be particularly dangerous for older people, young children and people with certain chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. Healthy individuals with no chronic medical conditions may suffer from complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, ear infections or sinus infections that require additional medical treatment.

    RSV is another infection of the lungs and respiratory tract that can be particularly severe in premature babies and infants with underlying health conditions. RSV can also become serious in older adults, adults with heart and lung diseases, or anyone with a very weak immune system.

    Protecting Yourself from the Flu

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months of age and older get a yearly flu vaccine. Here are other tips to reduce your chances of getting the flu:

    • Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub, if soap and water are not available.
    •  Avoid close contact with people who are ill with the flu.
    • If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
    • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
    • Avoid spreading germs by not touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
    • Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects to keep them as germ-free as possible.