Today’s NewsStand

Today’s NewsStand

By Iowa Hospital Association|
|May 18, 2022

Iowa news

ChildServe nears opening of 23,000-square-foot rehabilitation unit

ChildServe will soon open its new inpatient rehabilitation unit, Jojo’s Pediatric Rehabilitation Unit. The 14-bed unit, which replaces a smaller inpatient rehabilitation unit that has operated since 2007 at ChildServe’s Johnston medical campus, provides the only free-standing, comprehensive pediatric inpatient rehabilitation program for children and teens in Iowa. As a specialty pediatric health care provider, ChildServe provides more than 30 services to over 5,200 children across Iowa. The nonprofit provides care for children and teens, from birth to 21, who have experienced medical conditions related to brain injury, spinal cord injury, orthopedic rehabilitation, and burn and wound care, as well as providing follow-up care for neo-intensive care unit infants after they leave the hospital. (Business Record)

Winnebago board approves essential service declaration

The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors have approved a resolution that declares emergency medical services as an essential service. The move was prompted by staffing and funding issues being experienced at all EMS hubs in Winnebago County. The supervisors will now organize an advisory board comprised of representatives from all county cities to research the viability of a county-controlled and funded EMS. The advisory board will look into staffing, funding and the viability of all three hubs in Winnebago County. The advisory board also will take a look at how the programs should be funded, whether through a levy or additional taxation on Winnebago County residents. (KIOW-FM)

UnityPoint Health Hospital Officially Opens

The new UnityPoint Health hospital in Marshalltown has officially opened after moving the emergency room and medical/surgical unit. The new hospital features a $38.4 million expansion of the existing medical park. It is located just south of the intersection of highway 30 and 14. The new hospital has retained all services provided by the old hospital. (Healthcare Facilities Today)

National news

Christus Health blocks ransomware attack

Dallas-based Christus Health system has successfully blocked a ransomware attack, keeping patient data safe so far. The attack was carried out by ransomware group AvosLocker, which claimed credit for the attempted cyberattack across the system with more than 600 facilities. Christus Health system became aware of unauthorized activity in one of its regions in early May. (Becker’s Hospital Review)

Second COVID-19 booster for most vulnerable offers benefits

The World Health Organization says there may be some benefit in giving a second booster dose of coronavirus vaccine to the most vulnerable people amid the continuing global spread of omicron and its subvariants. The United Nations health agency says there is “a growing body of evidence about the value of an additional booster dose” for groups including health workers, people over 60 and those with weak immune systems. (Modern Healthcare)

As COVID-19 cases rise, officials plead for more funding

Biden administration officials are warning that without additional funding from Congress, the U.S. cannot purchase essential vaccines, treatments and tests for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases in the fall. The plea came as cases and hospitalizations are once again rising nationwide. Cases have reached a seven-day average of about 94,000, up more than 25% from last week. (NBC News)

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