Healthy Directions is introducing a Personal Patient Portal — an online application that enables patients to securely exchange information with their certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs) and medical assistants (MAs) through the Internet. The confidential site helps patients:

• complete intake forms before their arrival for faster registration
• manage their personal health record
• review lab and diagnostic reports
• view summaries of their visits
• communicate with Healthy Directions’ professional medical staff regarding non-urgent medical matters

“Since people are more health conscious today, they are taking active roles in managing their health care,” said Conni Miller, R.N., B.S.N. director of operations for Healthy Directions. “Our Patient Portal is a great resource for keeping health records and information up-to-date.”

The medical staff at Healthy Directions provides convenient, walk-in treatment for common non-urgent illnesses as well as health physicals. CRNPs see patients every day of the week including weekends. Lab hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon. For more information, visit mvhhealthydirections.com or call 724-348-6699.

When people visit Healthy Directions for evaluations, diagnosis, physicals, immunizations or lab tests, they can ask a member of the staff to give them access to the Personal Patient Portal. Anyone who has received medical care previously from the professionals at the Finleyville Giant Eagle can call Healthy Directions for private access at 724-348-6699.

By Kathleen Ganster

“You are never too old to be up-to-date on your immunizations,” said Sharon Silvestri, Chief of Allegheny County Health Department’s Infectious Disease Program.

While many people are familiar with keeping their children up-to-date on immunizations, adults are often not as aware regarding what immunizations they should have. Immunization rates are over 97% in Allegheny County for school aged children is due to school immunization regulations but adult immunization rates are lagging nationally compared to children.

“That is why immunization education continues to be an important part of what we do at the Allegheny County Health Department,” said Silvestri.

Because there are successful vaccination programs in the United States, some people no longer see vaccine preventable diseases as a concern, according to Silvestri.

Sharon Silvestri

“Sometimes parents may think that just because we don’t see the diseases that they have pretty much gone away, but that isn’t the case,” said Silvestri. “We must continue to vaccinate and keep our immunization rates high. Vaccine preventable diseases still exist in this country and can be imported from foreign countries.”

Whooping cough, measles and chicken pox are all childhood diseases that used to be fairly common before vaccines became available.

“Every time a parent says ‘no’ to vaccine for their child they are saying ‘yes’ to disease; leaving our communities vulnerable to outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases,” said Silvestri.

She continued, “Chicken pox is usually no big deal for most people; however in some cases people may have serious complications requiring hospitalization. Measles can cause blindness and hearing problems and whooping cough is called the ‘100 –day- cough’ for a reason.”

Some parents are also concerned about side effects of immunizations. A study a few years ago by a British doctor proclaimed MMR vaccine caused autism. This study caused great alarm world-wide. The physician’s findings have been discredited and his license suspended. Unfortunately, some of the rumors still exist.

“Parents may hesitate to vaccinate because of a lack of knowledge, misinformation, and a celebrity who blames her child’s autism on vaccinations,” said Silvestri.

Parents should consult with their child’s health care provider or the Allegheny County Health Department on necessary vaccinations and concerns.

Travelers Beware

Before traveling outside of the country, travelers should see what vaccinations are recommended not only to protect them, but to prevent bringing a disease back into the United States.  The department’s website has information for travelers at  www.achd.net.

“We say that many diseases are a plane or boat ride away. In 2011, we saw 222 cases of measles which is the highest rate since 1996. It was considered eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but then we believe it was imported back into the country,” said Silvestri.

It isn’t just traveling to Third World countries. According to Silvestri, Spain, France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom are all countries that travelers should be aware of for measles concerns.

Adult immunizations

There are numerous immunizations that are important for adults, particularly seniors, according to Silverstri. All adults should receive immunizations for influenza and Tdap, a vaccine to prevent tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).

Additional recommended vaccines include pneumonia, shingles, chicken pox if one never had the disease, hepatitis A and B, HPV for adults up to age 26, and others.  For a list of recommended immunizations, consult a physician or the Allegheny County Health Department.

Allegheny County Health Department

The Allegheny County Health Department provides immunizations for many diseases for families and travelers. The Health Department is open Monday, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays, from 1 to 8 p.m. to provide immunizations. No appointment is necessary.

There are also clinics through-out the county that offer immunizations on a sliding-fee for those concerned about costs.

For more information about immunizations, traveling and services, visit www.achd.net  or 412-687-ACHD.   

Her Holistic Weight Loss TeleSeminar begins May 29. For more details, visit http://wholehealthresources.com/services/BeYourOwnWeightLossGuruTeleSeminar.html.

Pittsburgh has a number of year-round Farmers Markets, and American HealthCare Group wanted to share some upcoming Farmers Markets happening in our region.

Friday, May 18
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Farm to Table Lunch & Learn – Free event
Pittsburgh Public Market
Our monthly Farm to Table Lunch & Learns at the Pittsburgh Public Market feature Erin Hart’s Eating Local presentation that highlights retailers, restaurants and resources that utilize local farm products. Alice Julier, PhD, from Chatham University’s Food Studies program will join us.
Click here to Register

Friday, June 1
12 noon – 4:00 pm
Friday Farmers Market Event – Free event
Pittsburgh Public Market
Come to the market to learn about Farmers Markets in your neighborhood. We will have several resources available to find a local market. Local Farmers Markets who are interested in attending should contact us. You can RSVP on our Facebook Event Page to get updates.

Saturday, June 23
10 am – 3 pm
Hometown Homegrown
Heinz History Center
Tickets available at the door
Come and celebrate Pittsburgh’s passion for Food! Farm to Table will have a resource table available at the event featuring Farmers Markets. Vendors who would like to attend to feature your local Farmers Market should contact us.