Holiday Hours for July 4th Weekend
We will be open our regular business hours on Friday, July 2 (8am – 7pm) and Saturday, July 3 (9am – 2pm). We will be closed on Sunday, July 4th and Monday, July 5th in observance of Independence Day. We hope you and your family will have a safe and happy 4th of July!
« Previous Page Next Page »In-Home Sleep Diagnostics Now Available
Watermark Medical, the developer of the ARES(Apnea Risk Evaluation System) has recently contracted for services with Lacamas Medical Group to offer the latest technology available for In-Home Sleep Diagnostics. Recently, as a result of studies, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) changed their national coverage determination to include these devices for home sleep testing for sleep disorders including obstructive sleep apnea.
This marks a momentous step forward for the recognition of in-home sleep testing as an effective, cost efficient means of diagnosing sleep-related illnesses. Many people aren’t being tested or treated because of the cost and inconvenience of overnight lab testing and we are very excited to be in a position where we can now reach out to more people to help and fight these debilitating disorders. We believe that if sleep related illnesses are diagnosed sooner, patients will receive treatment which could improve their quality of life.
Sleep Apnea, which affects over 10 million Americans, with an estimated additional 10 million undiagnosed, is characterized by loud snoring interrupted by frequent episodes of totally obstructed breathing (obstructive sleep apnea). Serious episodes last more than ten seconds each and occur more than seven times per hour. Apnea patients may experience 30 to 300 such events per night. These episodes can reduce blood oxygen levels, causing the heart to pump harder and over time incur added risk levels for Stroke and Cardiac disorders. This new technology now offers patients a cost effective, easy to use, and reliable device for the home diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea, useful in diagnosing outcomes for the surgical and non-surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in adults and children. To schedule an appointment to discuss your eligibility for a sleep study, please call 360-838-2440.
« Previous Page Next Page »Memorial Weekend Hours
We will be open normal business hours Friday, May 28 (8:oo am – 7:00pm) and Saturday, May 29 (9:00am – 2:00pm). We will be closed Monday, May 31 in observance of Memorial Day.
Have a safe and happy Memorial Weekend!
« Previous Page Next Page »Headed to Haiti
With the support of our community, and in conjunction with Project Helping Hands, Lacamas Medical Group has raised enough money to send three people to Haiti. Scott Jonason, PA-C; Jenn Kauffman, MA; and Justine Mings, RN will be headed to Haiti for two weeks towards the end of March. One of our providers, Dr. Tan Pinney has recently returned from Haiti.
Team 1, accompanied by Dr. Pinney left on February 4th. To say the first trip has had its challenges is an understatement. The trip was put on hold until then due to the immense response from the medical groups from around the world. They literally had too many medical professionals trying to get into Haiti, and not enough functioning hospiatals or clinics to utilize them. Additionally, the only airport in Haiti has such a back log of airplanes, that they cancelled any commerical carrier until the 16th of February. So, Team 1 was forced to find an alternate route. To that end, they have secured travel to the Dominican Republic and then traveld by bus to Haiti.
Team 2 has also been put in a holding pattern. The medical needs of the Haitians will go on long after the initial wave of volunteers has been exhausted. To that end, we are committed to travel to Haiti to provide medical assistance.
« Previous Page Next Page »More H1N1 Vaccine Available!
Those who are interested in receiving the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine now have some more opportunities available to do so. Lacamas Medical Group has received a limited supply of the vaccine. Vaccinations are available by appointment only. Please call 360-838-2440 to schedule your appointment.
H1N1 vaccines will be offered to priority groups at vaccine clinics on Saturday, November 21 and Saturday, November 28 inside the Westfield Vancouver Shopping Center, 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Drive. The clinics are scheduled for 11am to 7pm directly across from the food court in the upper level of the former Mervyn’s Store. Doors to the mall open at 10 am. Five-thousand doses will be available at both clinics. Vaccinations will be provided and administered by Public Health and will ONLY be available to high-risk groups.
High-risk groups include:
- Pregnant women
- Healthcare workers
- Children ages 6 months through 19 years
- Parents and caregivers of children younger than 6 months
- People age 6 months through age 64 who have chronic medical conditions such as, but not limited to, heart, lung and kidney disease.
Vaccines will be administered free of charge on a first come, first served basis. People will be asked to show insurance cards so that public health can be reimbursed for administration fees. HOWEVER, no one will be turned away due to lack of insurance.
As vaccine production increases over the coming weeks, health officials expect enough vaccine will soon be available for everyone.
« Previous Page Next Page »Swine Flu Vaccine Clinics
The Clark County Health Department will be offering evening H1N1 vaccine clinics during the evening hours to accommodate working parents and prevent children from missing school. Evening clinics will be held Wednesday, November 4 through Friday, November 6 from 5p.m. to 8p.m. There will be no morning hours on those dates.The clinic is located at 6100 E Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver, Washington.
At this time, only a small amount of vaccine has been received, and only the following groups may receive vaccinations:
- Pregnant women because they are at high risk of complications from H1N1.
- Healathcare workers because they can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients and also because increased absenteeism among healthcare professionals reduce healthcare system capacity.
- Children ages 6 months through age 19 in group settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread.
- Parents and caregivers of children younger than 6 months so they don’t pass the virus to their infants.
As vaccine production increases over the coming weeks, health officials expect enough vaccine will eventually be available for everyone. For more information, visit the FluNews website or call 1-877-510-2772.
« Previous Page Next Page »Last Doses of Childrens’ Flu Vaccine Given
Our last doses of childrens’ flu vaccine were administered today. We are still unsure if and when we will receive another shipment. We will continue to update our website with information about our flu vaccines, so please check back.
« Previous Page Next Page »Important Flu Vaccine Information
While Lacamas Medical Group pre-ordered our flu vaccine in April, we were recently informed by our supplier that they have not yet received our lot of vaccine. They will contact us if and when they receive our order. We encourage our patients to get vaccinated. The American Lung Association website offers a flu clinic locator. You can access that tool here. For more information about influenza and prevention, please check the Washington State Department of Health website.
Check back for updated information regarding vaccination availability at Lacamas Medical Group.
« Previous Page Next Page »Children’s Vaccine Information
The State of Washington’s childhood vaccine program is transitioning from a universal system, in which the state supplied vaccines to all children regardless of insurance status to one that supplies vaccines only for children who qualify for the Vaccines For Children (VCF) program. Children who qualify for the VCF include: children who are enrolled in Medicaid, children with no insurance, children with insurance that doesn’t pay for vaccines, and children of American Indian and Alaskan Native descent. Beginning July 1, 2009, children with health insurance will no longer be eligible to receive the state supplied Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, also known as Gardasil®. Beginning May 1, 2010, children with private health insurance will no longer be eligible for any state supplied vaccinations. If your child does have private health insurance, he/she can still receive vaccines, but your insurance plan will be billed for the cost of the vaccine and the administration fee. If the insurance plan does not cover the vaccine costs, you will be held responsible for payment.
Before you bring your child in for a visit, contact your insurance company to see which immunizations are covered. When you bring your child in for their visit, please make sure to bring your insurance coverage information. This will help us to know if your child is eligible for the VCF.
« Previous Page Next Page »Summer Safety Tips
School is out and summer is here! Here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics to keep you and your family safe this summer.
1. Infants 6 months and under should avoid sun exposure as much as possible. If they must be exposed to the sun, dress them in lightweight pants, a long sleeved shirt and a brimmed hat. If adequate shade or clothing are not available, apply a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 to the baby’s face and other exposed areas.
2. Apply sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) at least 30 minutes before going outside, even on cloudy days. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating.
3. Peak sun intensity is from 10am to 4pm. Try to limit sun exposure during these times.
4. Don’t forget to protect your eyes! Wear sunglasses! (Looking cool is a bonus)
5. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t think you’re thirsty.
6. Use extra caution near water – it reflects sunlight, and you can burn easily.
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