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On the Front Line

Charge Nurse Describes New Normal Caring for COVID-19 Patients by TERESA SCHIFFER As coronavirus deaths rise around the world, Central Florida is rushing to meet the increased demand on the healthcare system. David Coicou is on the front line of the medical field’s fight against this illness, working as a charge nurse at AdventHealth Orlando…
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…

Healthy Cook: The truth about ‘negative calorie’ foods

Some things just sound too good to be true. You lose more calories eating a food than the food has in it. That’s called “negative calories” and it sounds like digestive snake oil to me. It would be died-and-gone-to-heaven for dieters. But there is a modicum of truth in it. Some cold foods that are…
Ask a Nurse: Popping pain pills?

Americans make up ~4.6 percent of the world’s population, yet have been consuming 80 percent of the global opioid supply and 99 percent of the global hydrocodone supply1! According to the CDC in 2008, 14,800 died of an opioid overdose… more than heroin and cocaine COMBINED2. Opioids like morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and fentanyl…
PCMA Letter: Don’t let an active lifestyle be a chore this summer

It’s fairly common amongst the general population to want to live a long, healthy, and happy life. Remaining physically fit is imperative to this way of life. Staying in shape helps you live longer and prevents illnesses. This is why the doctors of the Polk County Medical Association (PCMA) bring you the fitness edition this…