New Approach to Breast Reconstruction May Reduce Pain and Weakness for Some

Undergoing surgery is a stress-inducing prospect for anyone, but children are especially vulnerable to anxiety prior to operations. To avoid using risky anti-anxiety medications on young patients, two anesthesiologists at the Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford have developed creative techniques to distract children from their forthcoming surgeries. They use toys and a unique low-cost video projection system called BERT-Bedside Entertainment Theater.

In order to address racial disparities in breast cancer survival rates, the Chicago-based Metropolitan Breast Cancer Task Force initiated a program to provide African American women with navigators. These navigators—who are a trained peer from the community rather than a credentialed professional—provide assistance with booking appointment, accessing services, and conversation with providers as well as emotional support. After 10 years of this program, the disparity has decreased 20%.

Enrolling local agents allows global partners to connect underserved and remote communities to healthcare. A partnership between Rwanda’s Health Ministry and the Boston-based nonprofit, Partners in Health, trains community-based health workers to communicate and connect people on the ground to health services across the country. Rwanda has also implemented reforms and services such as government-subsided healthcare, which has helped improve the life expectancy of its citizens.

Depending on location and socio-economics, treating childhood cancer looks different for many families. In Washington, organizations are cognizant of this gap and are aiming to eliminate barriers for these families by increasing access to resources.

In recent years, there has been a decrease in Canadian organ donors but a comprehensive effort by an Ontario hospital is changing that narrative. From increased specialized training for nurses to adding a donation coordinator to morning rounds, Sudbury’s Health Sciences North has become a model for increasing donor rates.

Many people addicted to opioids developed their addiction after being prescribed the drugs after surgery, so some states are changing protocols around the drug distribution. From increased counseling about drug safety to a cap on how many pills doctors prescribe, alternatives to the traditional protocol aims to decrease the likelihood of addiction.

Mozambique has a shortage of practicing surgeons, so medical technicians are being trained to fill their roles in various situations, especially in rural locations. Although there are challenges to using this tactic, the technicians-turned-surgeons have similar complication rates as those who are practicing surgeons.

The Children Living With Cancer Foundation organizes dance parties for children with cancer, to provide them with a sense of joy, encouragement, and community during times of need. The nonprofit also organizes community events and donations and works with local pharmacies to get patients the medicines they need at subsidized rates. So far, the Foundation has supported 300 childhood cancer patients and their families.

Annie’s Place is a childcare center on the Parkland Health and Hospital System campus that provides free, drop-in childcare to Parkland patients and backup childcare for Parkland staff. Run by the nonprofit Mommies In Need, Annie’s Place makes it possible for patients to get the care they need, whether it be simple check-ups or chemotherapy, by providing an affordable, easily accessible childcare option.

The SimpleVas Vasectomy Clinic is a mobile clinic that travels around to provide easy access to vasectomies by simplifying the entire process. The mobile clinic travels nearly 600 miles around the state every month and has even traveled out to New York City to spread awareness. Through raising awareness of the procedure, the doctor in charge of the clinic now performs about 600 to 700 vasectomies a year.