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Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida Featured on WPLG, Channel 10

November 21, 2012

Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida (PCCSF) was recently featured on the local South Florida ABC affiliate, WPLG, Channel 10, for their work with premature infants.

Doctors at PCCSF use a family-centric approach to care in which parents and families are not only included in each and every step of the treatment, but are also trained to provide care at home once the patient is released.

In and out of hospitals since he was born in February 2011, Colin Guanella entered the world at 25 weeks weighing slightly less than one pound.

His mother, Amanda, was trained by PCCSF doctors to learn how to work with a ventilator, clean and change tracheal tubes, change breathing tubes, provide CPR and help resuscitate him whenever necessary.

The best treatment for children is to get them well enough to go home.  The end result is not only better for children, but an overall cost savings for families.

Learn more about what PCCSF is doing by watching the Channel 10 segment below.

Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida Featured on WPLG, Channel 10

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SIDS – Learning the Risk Factors

November 05, 2012

p>SIDS, which stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is the death of an infant who is under 12 months old that occurs without warning or symptoms.

Although SIDS rates have dropped sharply since 1992, tragically, it is the number one cause of death for babies who are under a year old, especially those between 2 and 4 months of age. SIDS affects boys more than girls and most cases occur during the winter.

SIDS is usually diagnosed after a thorough case investigation has ruled out all other possibilities. In most SIDS cases, parents check on their child, only to find them, unexpectedly, lifeless.

While the cause of SIDS remains unknown, experts believe that certain behaviors can increase the risk.

Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida (PCCSF) recommends that parents and caregivers keep the following guidelines in mind in order to reduce the risks associated with SIDS:

  • Reducing the risk of SIDS starts before a baby’s arrival. Premature birth is a major risk factor for SIDS. It is important that pregnant women seek medical care as early in their pregnancies as possible, preferably within the first trimester, and then at regular intervals throughout their pregnancy
  • SIDS is highest among infants born to teenage mothers. SIDS decreases as the age of the mother increases. Also, the shorter the time between pregnancies, the higher the SIDS rate
  • Infants who sleep on their stomachs and sides have higher rates of SIDS. Parents and caregivers should always place a baby in a crib, on their backs on a firm mattress without excessive clothing, pillows, bumpers, or toys. Babies should never sleep in an adult bed and an infant’s crib should be as close as possible to a parent’s room
  • It is recommended that babies be breastfed whenever possible, studies have shown that babies who have been breastfed experience a lower rate of SIDS
  • Infants should never be exposed to tobacco smoke, or to people with respiratory infections, mild colds, or gastrointestinal infections, such as vomiting and diarrhea
  • Experts believe that pacifiers reduce the risk of SIDS because they may allow an infant’s airways to open further, or the pacifier prevents them from going into a deep sleep

To learn more about SIDS, please visit the following websites:

National SIDS Resource Center: http://www.sidscenter.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): http://www.cdc.gov/sids/

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Oberhausen Marketing & Public Relations Named Agency of Record for Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida

October 16, 2012

Oberhausen Marketing & Public Relations (www.obrmarketing.com) was named agency of record for Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida (PCCSF), a group of leading pediatric intensivists who specialize in the treatment of hospitalized children.

“We hired Oberhausen Marketing & Public Relations for their marketing and public relations expertise,” said Gerald Lavandosky, M.D., Managing Partner, Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida.  “We look to them to enhance the visibility of our pediatric intensive care units and our family-centered care approach, in which parents and families are not only included in each and every step of the treatment, but are also trained to provide at-home care once the patient is released.”

Oberhausen Marketing & Public Relations will provide PCCSF with public relations and marketing counsel to increase awareness of their pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, FL; their family centric approach to in-hospital and at-home care; and their pediatric critical care services and specializations such as sedation medicine, pre- and post-operative cardiac care, dialysis and transport medicine.

“Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida is one of the premier providers of pediatric critical treatment in the state of Florida,” said Josh Oberhausen, Principal of Oberhausen Marketing & Public Relations. “We look forward to sharing their story through strategic media relations and marketing that reaches parents and referring pediatricians in South Florida’s tri-county area and beyond.”

About Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida

Founded in 1985, Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida (PCCSF) is a group of leading pediatric intensivists who are board-certified and fellowship-trained in pediatrics and pediatric critical care medicine. They are one of the premier providers of pediatric critical care, pediatric sedation and pediatric transport medicine in the state of Florida. With a growing team of intensivists, nurses, therapists and specialists, PCCSF currently operates the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, FL, and North Naples Hospital in Naples, FL. For more information, visit www.pccsf.com or call (954) 454-5131.

About Oberhausen Marketing & Public Relations

Oberhausen Marketing & Public Relations is a full-service marketing and public relations firm based in Miami Beach. The firm’s team of seasoned, progressive professionals has well-developed expertise in the hospitality, architecture, real estate, healthcare, entertainment and design industries. Oberhausen Marketing & Public Relations provides personalized service and solutions and has substantial media and lifestyle relationships that they leverage for clients. Some of the agency’s services include brand development, media relations, online marketing, social media campaigns and website development. For more information, call (305) 532-1212 or visit www.obrmarketing.com.

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Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida Receives Honorable Mention from Society of Critical Care Medicine

October 02, 2012

Family-Centered Care Innovation Award Honors the Best ICU Throughout the World

Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida (PCCSF), one of the premier providers of pediatric critical care in Florida, recently received an Honorable Mention from the 2013 Family-Centered Care Innovation Award for their work at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, the leading children’s hospital in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

The award, which is bestowed by the Society of Critical Care Medicine, honors excellence among pediatric and adult intensive care units in over 100 countries. Recipients must demonstrate novel, effective methods of providing care and comprehensive services to critically ill and injured patients, their families, and their loved ones.

Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida manages the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood and North Naples Hospital in Naples.

“We are extremely honored to receive this coveted recognition,” stated Gerald Lavandosky, M.D., Managing Partner, Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida. “We strive everyday to offer patients and their families’ unsurpassed care. This prestigious recognition acknowledges our hard work, success, and determination to make family-centered care a priority in every patient encounter.”

Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida doctors use a family-centric approach to care, in which parents and families are not only included in each and every step of the treatment, but are also trained to provide at-home care once the patient is released.

The medical staff members of Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida are trained in advanced pediatric critical care medicine, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), the newest modes of mechanical ventilation, all forms of pediatric dialysis, and post-operative cardiac care.

The Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) is the largest multiprofessional organization dedicated to consistency and excellence in the practice of critical care. It consists of approximately 16,000 members in over 100 countries, and is the only organization that represents all professional components of the critical care team.

Founded in 1985, Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida (PCCSF) is a group of leading pediatric intensivists who are board-certified and fellowship-trained in pediatrics and pediatric critical care medicine. They are one of the premier providers of pediatric critical care, pediatric sedation, and pediatric transport medicine in the state of Florida. With a growing team of intensivists, nurses, therapists and specialists, PCCSF currently operates the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Florida and North Naples Hospital in Naples, Florida. For more information, visit www.pccsf.com or call (954) 454-5131.

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The West Nile Virus, Children and Pregnant Women

September 20, 2012

There has been a spike of West Nile Virus cases in the United States this year. As of now, over 2000 cases have been reported and over 100 people have died, the highest number since the virus was first detected in the United States in 1999.

The number may be even higher because mild cases go unreported, and West Nile Virus symptoms sometimes go unrecognized. Twenty-five percent of people infected will become ill, and less than one percent infected will develop severe symptoms.

The virus is usually found in the summer, peaking in late August and early September, with cases continuing to arise through October.

Although people over 50 years of age are the most vulnerable to the virus and severe cases are uncommon in toddlers and children, children can still be victims of the West Nile Virus, especially those with certain types of advanced cancer and those who are immunocompromised.

Currently, all states except Alaska and Hawaii have found the West Nile Virus present in people, birds or mosquitoes this year.

Over 70% of this year’s cases have occurred in six states – South Dakota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Michigan, and almost half have been from Texas alone.

Following are some steps that Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida recommends that parents take to keep their children safe from the West Nile Virus.

Prevention:

Since the virus is spread through mosquitoes, and not through person-to-person, contact, basic preventive measures are recommended during mosquito season.  Insect repellants with ingredients that include DEET, picardin, oil of lemon, eucalyptus, and IR3535 are preferable.

Experts agree that bug zappers, sonic devices, and mosquito traps are not effective and are not suggested.

Insect repellants with DEET and picardin are safe for pregnant women, and breastfeeding women can also use DEET.

Symptoms:

The most common symptom of the West Nile Virus is “West Nile Fever”. Its signs include fever, headache, tiredness, back pain, muscle aches, decreased appetite, rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.  These symptoms can last from a few days to several weeks.

More severe cases of the virus develop symptoms that include disorientation, seizures, muscle weakness, neck stiffness, coma, and paralysis.

All possible symptoms of the West Nile Virus should be promptly evaluated by a healthcare provider. A blood test can confirm the diagnosis, although it may be falsely negative in the first week of the illness.

Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding:

Pregnant women and mothers who are breastfeeding need to take precautions against the virus by following the same preventive guidelines that have been issued for the general population, and a detailed and thorough examination of a newborn should take place in an infant born to a mother infected with West Nile Virus.

The risk that West Nile Virus may present to a fetus or an infant infected through breast milk is still being evaluated. Experts, however, continue to recommend breastfeeding for woman known or suspected with West Nile Virus.

Fortunately, fetal abnormalities from the West Nile Virus infection are uncommon.

For more information on the West Nile Virus and the latest up-to-date information, please visit the Center for Disease Control’s website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm.

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