Behavioral and Mental Health, Pediatric Services

Red flags and diagnostic criteria for eating disorders

Diagnosing eating disorders can be challenging because telltale behaviors typically are hidden, even from those closest to the patient, according to Andrea L. Krause, M.D., who heads the team involved with the medical stabilization of eating disorder patients at Norton Children’s Hospital. Eating disorders listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)…

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Pediatric Services

Intraoperative conduction mapping locates bundle of His in congenital heart surgery

A new intraoperative technique during complex congenital heart surgeries allows us to map the location of conduction tissue. This is important, because damage to the tissue during surgery can result in a condition called heart block, where the heart does not revert to its preoperative rhythm. Children with heart block may require pacemakers for the…

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Pediatric Services

Tele-echo network nearly triples rate of prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We know babies with a congenital heart condition have a much better chance of survival if they are born near a pediatric surgical center. The challenge has been detecting these conditions before birth. Prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) has been a problem over the years, with detection in our region in the early…

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Pediatric Services

Improving extubation failure rate in neonate cardiac patients

Often, after lifesaving cardiac surgery for congenital heart defects, neonates require help with breathing using a breathing tube and a mechanical ventilator. Deciding when to extubate, or remove the breathing tube and ventilator, after cardiac surgery is an extremely important decision with profound health implications. Extubation failure in this patient population has been associated with…

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Pediatric Services

Study of Paxlovid for children with COVID-19 underway at Norton Children’s Research Institute

Norton Children’s Research Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, is involved in a study to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (authorized as Paxlovid in older children and adults) in symptomatic pediatric outpatients with COVID-19 who are at risk of progression to severe illness. All participants will receive the study medication,…

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Adult Services, Obstetrics

Low-dose aspirin (LDA) prophylaxis during pregnancy can prevent, delay preeclampsia

Low-dose aspirin (LDA) prophylaxis is a safe and effective method to help prevent or delay preeclampsia in at-risk patients. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor carries anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet properties that can support a patient’s health during pregnancy. “Norton Women’s Care has recommended to all providers low-dose aspirin therapy for all pregnant women at risk for hypertensive disorders…

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Adult Services, News, Orthopedics, Spine

Norton Healthcare receives first Advanced Orthopedic & Spine Center of Excellence designation in country from DNV

Norton Healthcare has been named the first Advanced Orthopedic & Spine Center of Excellence in the country by DNV, a national accrediting body. This designation is given to organizations that demonstrate excellence in diagnostic services, surgical services and therapies related to orthopedic and spine care. To receive the Advanced Orthopedic & Spine Center of Excellence…

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Pediatric Services, Urology

Elisha N. McAlmont, APRN, joins Norton Children’s Urology

Elisha N. McAlmont, APRN, a nurse practitioner for nine years, has joined Norton Children’s Urology, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine. Elisha most recently worked in pediatric emergency medicine and had been a registered nurse at Norton Children’s Hospital since 2005. She received her Master of Science in nursing from Spalding University in 2013…

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Adult Services, Spine

Considering the whole patient before spinal surgery

Even though I’m a neurosurgeon specializing in spine, I spend a lot of time talking to my patients about issues other than their backs. Rarely do I see back pain in isolation. Before they undergo spinal surgery, patients who are obese or who have osteoporosis or have poorly controlled diabetes all have risks we need…

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Adult Services, Pediatric Services, Sports Health

Myocarditis in athletes after COVID-19

It is hard to find a group not been adversely affected by COVID-19 and all its variants in the last two years. One such group that has seen lingering and sometimes fatal effects of COVID-19 infection is athletes — everyone from professional players and student-athletes to semiprofessional athletes and people who simply enjoy exercising. Discussed…

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Adult Services, Pediatric Services, Research

Clinical research: Asking questions, sharing answers

Clinical research drives progress for every element of health and requires global collaboration. At Norton Healthcare alone, our research teams lead and contribute to studies about pediatric medicine, cancer, infectious diseases, cardiology, neurology, the spine, orthopedics and many other specialties. Research requires meticulous attention to detail and a strong commitment to ethical integrity, not to…

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Adult Services, Oncology/Hematology

Clinical Update: Defeating cancer with multidisciplinary care, discoveries and customized care

Each year, as we look back over our progress and program highlights, we are struck by a singular fact. Time and again, what we are able to achieve is the result of exceptional teamwork. Our dedicated and innovative medical and radiation oncologists are specialists in their fields who work alongside others with expertise in cancer…

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