Pneumonia

By ELLEN LYON Staff Writer Gloria Cloud, a resident of Potomac Towers in Hagerstown, doesn't get an annual flu shot. "I just figured that I've been doing fairly well without it," Cloud, 71, said. "Sometimes I think maybe I should," she said, but she has also heard of people experiencing side effects from the yearly vaccination. Washington County Health Department officials worry that attitudes like Cloud's help account for the county's above average death rate from influenza and pneumonia among residents aged 65 years and older.

WASHINGTON -- Maryland excels in some areas of health care, such as breast cancer screening and in-home care, but lags in others, such as pneumonia treatment and the number of HIV-related deaths, according to a new study. The National Healthcare Quality Report, released last week, is an annual checkup on the quality of health care across the country, first ordered by Congress in 2003. Overall, the quality of Maryland's health care falls between weak and average, according to the agency that publishes the report, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Loyalton to offer flu, pneumonia shots Flu and pneumonia shots will be available at Loyalton of Hagerstown, 20009 Rosebank Way, Oct. 5 and Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shots are available to people who are at high risk of complications from the flu, live or work with high-risk individuals or just want to reduce the chances of contracting the flu. The cost is $25 for flu shots and $35 for pneumonia shots. Medicare Part B is accepted with no co-pay. For information, call 301-733-3353.

HAGERSTOWN - In a year when the Maryland General Assembly pushed for increased reporting of hospital-acquired infections, Washington County Hospital has refused to publicly release its own data. Legislation now requires that the Maryland Health Care Commission develop a system for infection statistics for all hospitals, said Pam Barclay, director of the center for hospital services for the commission. She said a technical advisory committee has formed to work on that task. "Maryland hospitals and the Maryland state government have been working together to decide what types of health-care associated infections will be reported to the state," hospital spokeswoman Maureen Theriault said.

By MARLO BARNHART Staff Writer While the first two cases of Influenza A have been confirmed in Kent County, Md., for the 1997-98 season, there are still no reported cases in Washington County. Linda Humbert, director of nursing at the Washington County Health Department, said Friday that 4,700 flu shots and 570 pneumonia shots were administered during a number of recent clinics. "We are still giving pneumonia shots," Humbert said. Anyone wishing to get a pneumonia shot can call 301-791-3210 for an appointment.

Carl Harbaugh, former sheriff of Frederick County, Md., speaks to an audience of dialysis patients and their families from the region at a Beyond Dialysis luncheon Oct. 4 in the Ballroom at Duffy's on Potomac. Harbaugh was first diagnosed with kidney failure, pneumonia and heart problems in 2003. He underwent dialysis at the DaVita Dialysis Center in Frederick and eventually received a kidney transplant in 2008. He told his story to the more than 100 guests at Beyond Dialysis and encouraged them to find ways to enjoy a full life even while undergoing dialysis three times a week for four hours each time.

LPN students from Hagerstown Community College will hold a two-day health education event for older adults at Homewood at Williamsport on April 24 and 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Community Exercise Room. The free event is open to the public. Information will be available on foot care, blood glucose testing, prevention of pneumonia, safe exercise for seniors, blood pressure clinic, home safety and heart health. To learn more, please contact Homewood's wellness coordinator, Shelby Vaughn, at 301-582-1750.

LPN students from Hagers-town Community College will hold a two-day health education event for older adults at Homewood at Williamsport on Tuesday, April 24 and Wednesday, April 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. in Homewood's Community Exercise Room. The event is free and open to the public. Information will be available on foot care, blood glucose testing, prevention of pneumonia, safe exercise for seniors, blood pressure clinic, home safety and heart health. To learn more, please contact Homewood's wellness coordinator, Shelby Vaughn, at 301-582-1750.

Hagerstown City Councilman N. Linn Hendershot has been hospitalized since Monday, when he checked himself in for symptoms he is suffering from the arthritic condition gout. Hendershot, who did not attend Tuesday's City Council meeting, said Thursday he plans to be ready to attend the Nov. 2 meeting. "I'm okay ... I had no problem staying up to watch the (baseball) game," Hendershot said from his room at Washington County Hospital. Hendershot is wheelchair-bound and uses a respirator to aid his breathing, both resulting from a polio bout nearly 60 years ago. He said for most of his life he used crutches.