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Care During Crisis

Virus Changes How Clinics Reach Patients by TIM CRAIG It didn’t take long for Central Florida Health Care CEO Ann Claussen to realize that the COVID-19 virus was going to change the way they do things. Claussen says that in early March, Polk County’s first confirmed case of the virus was diagnosed through the group’s…
Pitching In

Florida Polytechnic University Using 3D Printers to Make Face Shields by PAUL CATALA When the opportunity to help patients affected by the coronavirus arose, Matt Bohm says it was the perfect time to share with those in need. Along the way, the current health crisis has allowed faculty such as Bohm, staff and students at…
Made With Love

Residents-Turned-Seamstresses Help Fill Demand With Homemade Masks by MARY TOOTHMAN Before COVID-19 changed daily life, it was usual to grab keys, sunglasses, wallet — and walk out the door to run an errand. But with concerns about the contagious virus spreading as fast as the virus itself, another item has been added to the list…

Gaining a Better Understanding of Pacemakers and Defibrillators

Pacemakers and defibrillators have become so common. Everyone has questions and concerns about these. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers. What are pacemakers and defibrillators used for? Pacemakers are used when the heart rate is too slow or stops and the patient is symptomatic: dizziness or blackouts usually. Conversely, defibrillators are for the…
Use of Opioids as First-Line Treatment a Slippery Slope

What do Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, and Chris Farley have in common? These are celebrities who developed dependence on prescription drugs that started with legitimate use after injuries or procedures. They subsequently developed an addiction, which culminated in their unfortunate and untimely deaths due to unintentional overdose. Just a few examples of other celebrities who…
Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-Related Macular Degeneration, AMD, is a leading cause of vision loss in adults over the age of 50. It destroys the macula, which is the small central area of the retina that provides detailed, central vision. With AMD, you lose the ability to see fine details, both close-up and at a distance. Due to the…