By Deanna Thompson In October 2019, Katelyn Hutchins was a bundle of nerves as she made her way to Mission Hospital McDowell. Not only was she about to become a mother for the first time, but “I had never been admitted to the hospital or had surgery before,” said Hutchins. “So, this was my first […]
By Cherry Odom, BSN, RN-BC Each summer, as more people visit the beautiful waterfalls of western North Carolina, there is an increase in related injuries treated in the emergency department. Waterfall Safety Tips “Perhaps people will heed warnings and follow safety guidelines, which may result in their enjoying the outdoors without suffering injuries,” said Dr. […]
Little ones look adorable holding those sparklers. Unfortunately, fireworks can lead to accidents for children, including burns and other injuries. This Fourth of July, take a little extra precaution to have a safe and happy event: Find a substitute for sparklers. Little arms are too short to hold sparklers, which can heat up to 1,200 […]
By Tracey Gates, RN June is National Car Safety Month, which is a good time to remind parents about the dangers of leaving children in cars when it’s hot outside. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019 there were 52 hot car deaths and in 2018 a record 53 deaths. The first […]
By Carolyn Comeau A common pediatric condition that Michelle Kiser, MD, a pediatric surgeon at Mission Children’s Specialists, saw plummet recently is pediatric appendicitis. Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes inflamed. According to Dr. Kiser, appendicitis is the most common disease that requires surgical treatment in children and adolescents, affecting up to 8 percent of […]
“Talking to Children about COVID-19” is the third Q&A in this three-part series where we provide expert advice about protecting children and helping families deal with COVID-19. Q: How should I answer these commonly asked questions? What is COVID-19? • COVID-19 is the short name for “coronavirus disease 2019.” It is a new virus. Doctors […]
“Helping Children Cope” is the second Q&A in this three-part series where we provide expert advice about protecting children and helping families deal with COVID-19. Q: How can I comfort my child in these unprecedented times? A: Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations, and children and teens are likely to respond more strongly. As public […]
“Caring for Children” is the first Q&A in this three-part series where we provide expert advice about protecting children and helping families deal with COVID-19. Q: How can I protect my family from COVID-19? A: At this time, there’s no vaccine for COVID-19, but there are ways to protect yourself and your family from exposure […]
By Carolyn Comeau Despite the many ways COVID-19 has turned life upside down, one of the things the virus cannot stop is timeless and universal: childbirth. As both National Nurses Week (May 6-12) and Mother’s Day are upon us, Labor and Delivery nurses at Mission Health like Liz Barker, RNC-OB, commit to ensuring a safe […]
By Cheri Hinshelwood Paige Wood was expecting a new baby in a couple of weeks, but what she wasn’t expecting was the phone call that came the last week in June. Wood learned her husband, Ryan Neff, had been in a traumatic skateboarding accident and was being flown to Mission Hospital with serious injuries. The […]
