Category: Alaska Native Medical Center

ANMC opened a discharge lounge in the Quyana House last week. The new discharge lounge has been designed to improve efficiency with hospital flow while providing a comfortable place for our patients to relax while waiting for transportation back home. The lounge is available for patients 18 years or older being discharged from ANMC and waiting for a ride or travel papers. Our patient’s escort is also welcome to wait in the lounge with them. The newly remodeled lounge is ...

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) identified a cluster of invasive Group A Streptococcus infections caused by a new strain (emm-type, emm-26) and released an Alaska Public Health Advisory notice.  This strain was recently described in several media stories and has led to 4 deaths in Fairbanks and Anchorage. A predominant number of these cases have affected the local Anchorage homeless population. Group A Streptococcus (Strep) may cause a wide range of illness, including colonization without illness, ...

Each year, the March of Dimes (MOD) Alaska Chapter honors Alaska’s exemplary registered nurses whose leadership and contributions make a significant impact in their community and in the profession of nursing by giving Nurse of the Year Awards. ANTHC leadership is proud to announce that Elizabeth “Dawn” Geest, RN Case Manager in the ANMC Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic, earned Nurse of the Year honors in the category of Case Management/Care Coordination, recognized as a nurse who uses a collaborative process ...

The first phase of construction to replace the flooring in the ANMC front entrance and gathering area is complete and the front entrance is now open for regular use. The Information Desk and Central Registration have also moved back to their original locations near the front entrance. Construction work will continue in front of the craft shop and a detour will be necessary to access the main elevators. This project removes the uneven slate tile flooring and replaces it with ...

ANMC celebrated American Pharmacists Month in October by recognizing our talented pharmacy staff. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are an integral part of the health care team and offer an array of education, prevention and wellness services to help our people improve their health. The month was a time to recognize our more than 100 pharmacy staff for the vital contributions they make to health care through improved medication use and advanced patient care. Special events were held throughout the month ...

As flu season begins, it is important to know the health benefits of getting an annual flu shot versus myths about the vaccine. Myth: I am healthy, so there is no need for me to get a flu vaccine. Fact: It is true that the flu vaccination is routinely recommended for people who have a chronic illness. But anyone – even healthy people – can benefit from being vaccinated. Current guidelines suggest that children ages 6 months to 19 years ...