Vaccine preventable disease rates are at all time lows due to diligent research, effective immunization systems, and outreach. This success has come from a collaboration of private and public sectors. Nonetheless, there are still barriers to optimizing immunization protection from vaccine preventable diseases. Prior to modern day immunizations, many diseases impacted countless numbers of children with disability and, unfortunately, mortality. In recent decades, there have been advances in vaccines broadening the protection net for children and adults. As vaccine preventable illnesses diminish, such as polio, measles, pertussis and even now haemophilus, pneumococcus, rotavirus and varicella, the public loses valuable memory of the devastation of these diseases. Yet outside of the United States one million deaths occur annually from measles alone. Complacency sets in from a lack of knowledge of natural diseases and fears of adverse events, including autism, further add to the barriers to protecting our children and adults. Idaho continues to struggle to obtain higher immunization coverage rates.
The Idaho Immunization Program, funded jointly by the State of Idaho and the Centers for Disease Control, has grown in the past decade improving our rates considerably. The Idaho Immunization Program hosted an Immunization Summit in the fall of 2007 inviting public and private health sectors to formulate the problems facing our State and potential solutions. The group discussed the successes of the Canyon Area Immunization Coalition and proposed a Statewide Coalition. Idaho is the only state in the Nation without a widespread or statewide Immunization Coalition.

This brings us to May of 2008. The AAP Idaho Chapter held an Immunization Congress, funded by a grant from AAP National. The congress succeeded in bringing public and private sectors together to launch what is now the Idaho Immunization Coalition. The coalition is a 501 c3 non profit organization to enhance the existing immunization system in Idaho. The goal is to protect adults and children from vaccine preventable disease in an efficient, safe and enlightened manner and to maintain the statewide immunization registry. The Coalition will have an Executive Committee with Keith Davis, MD, President of the Idaho Academy of Family Physicians and Tom Patterson, MD, President Elect of the Idaho American Academy of Pediatrics as co-chairmen. Subcommittees consisting of Education, Legislation and Vaccine Outreach will address specific issues. The state Immunization Program, the AAP, and AAFP Idaho Chapters are all on board to see the coalition to fruition. We have succeeded in many ways, though there is much work to be done to reach our goal of maximum immunization coverage in all populations.

RICE = Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate

The RICE method often helps with many types of joint and muscle injuries. The method will ease pain and help speed recovery. The RICE method is very helpfully if you use it right away after an injury.

REST - For most injuries, rest the area until the pain decreases. However, For simple sore muscles gentle stretching will reduce stiffness more quickly.

ICE - Ice is the most effective treatment for reducing inflammation, pain and swelling of injured muscles, joints and connective tissue. The cold helps keep blood and fluid from building up in the injured area, reducing pain and swelling. For the first 48 hours post-injury, ice for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 hours. More than 30 minutes doesn’t help heal the injury any faster, you can cause damage to the tissue.

COMPRESSION – Between icings, wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage to help control swelling and provide support. Begin wrapping at the farthest point away from the body and wrap towards the heart. The wrap should be snug, but not cutting off circulation to the extremity. So, if the extremity becomes cold, blue, or tingle, re-wrap!

ELEVATE – Raising the injured area for the first 24hours above your heart will allow gravity to help reduce swelling and draining excess fluid. The less swelling present, the faster an injury will heal.

I want to highly recommend Dr. Shane Andrew, an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at Saltzer Medical Group. In February of this year I broke my back in a horse riding accident. I was very impressed right from my first visit with Dr. Andrew. His extensive education and training on backs and spine gave me the confidence I needed to help in my recovery. He explained all of my options in a manner that was easy to understand. I thought for sure my recovery would require surgery, but Dr. Andrew instead suggested I try alternate treatment first. He recommended surgery only as a last resort if alternate treatment was not successful. After speaking with him and reviewing my options, I decided to try wearing a brace for awhile in order to avoid any surgery. While healing from my injury, I saw Dr. Andrew on a regular basis where he monitored my recovery and progress. I was afraid my accident would permanently limit my activities; however, I’m happy to report that it has been 4 months since my accident and I’m already back to riding horses and ATVs. All of this was accomplished without surgery. It was so easy to talk with Dr. Andrew…he has a kind nature and a great “bedside manner.” I am glad to see that we have doctors in our area that are more concerned about the patient’s well-being rather than “lining their pockets” through costly surgeries that are not necessary. I will definitely refer all of my family and friends to him without hesitation!

Here is an interview with Drew Taylor, Director of Saltzer Imaging. The interview was conducted by Justin Foster of Tricycle.

 

 Saltzer Imaging: An Interview: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download