On March 1, the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) will launch an improved quitline service for smokers. 1-800-Quit-Now is a national quitline system that refers callers to free resources in their local communities. The program currently helps 45 million Americans who use tobacco.
With...
On Friday, a child from Cumberland was admitted to Hasbro Children’s Hospital with elevated levels of mercury. The child was treated and is being monitored by physicians. Staff at the Department of Health (HEALTH) traced the source of the exposure to the family’s residence and then worked with...
For mothers enrolled in the WIC program, breastfeeding upon returning to work or school may now be just a little bit easier.
WIC’s recent expansion of its breast pump program now provides hospital-grade breast pumps to eligible mothers at no charge. The hospital-grade breast pumps help...
The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) advises consumers that a sample of Northeast Spring Mix salad mix sold at McQuade’s Market in Jamestown has tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is an organism that can cause serious or fatal infections in young children, elderly or...
As of December 21, 2010, UnitedHealthcare (United) and Care New England Health System (CNE) have not reached an agreement on their contract that is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2010.
If United and CNE do not reach an agreement by December 31, 2010, patients will still be able to use CNE...
The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) has received reports that several restaurants throughout the state have received telephone calls from someone stating he or she is from the Department of Health. The caller often is requesting personal information so an inspection can be scheduled....
Wrapping presents. Decorating the house. Visiting family and friends. With the holiday season upon us and the fact that the flu virus has officially arrived in Rhode Island this year, the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) strongly encourages anyone who has not already received a flu shot...
In Rhode Island, the average influenza vaccination coverage rate for hospital employees is 61%. Of employees who provide direct patient care, the state average for is 56.4% for CNAs, 56.5% for nurses, and 58.4% for physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.
During the 2009-2010...
The 11th annual The Health of Rhode Island’s Hospitals (2009), published by the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH), shows that overall, the financial performance of the 13 acute-care hospitals in the state has improved. In 2009, hospitals as a whole in Rhode Island improved their...
On September 30, the Department of Health (HEALTH) received notification from Women & Infants Hospital of two separate cases of a patient with a retained foreign object (RFO) after surgery.
The first incident occurred on July 24 when a piece of rolled gauze was left inside a patient following...
