Seasonal blues may become serious depression

SHORT, GRAY DAYS got you down? With the holiday season behind us, the winter blues are normal this time of year. But for some people, the blues turn into something bigger, seasonal affective disorder. SAD symptoms include loss of energy and interest in things, social withdrawal, increased sleepiness, overeating, weight gain and difficulty concentrating.

Such depression is the leading indicator of suicidal thoughts, which can be treated through a combination of counseling and medication, according to the Spokane Regional Health District.

“Suicide is among the top 10 causes of death in Spokane County,” said Dr. Kim Thorburn, county health officer.

From 1998 to 2002, the county saw 291 deaths from suicide, including 17 deaths of people 10 to 19 years old, according to the health district. In those four years, there were 1,303 hospitalizations from suicide attempts, including 269 people under the age of 19. Three of those were children under the age of 10.

Spokane County’s suicide rate of 15 deaths per 100,000 people is higher than the state’s (13.4) or the nation’s (11).

Symptoms of depression include changes in sleep patterns, appetite, behavior or mood; withdrawal, guilt or loss of concentration and interest in things; feelings of loneliness and rejection; and alcohol or drug abuse. If you or someone you know is showing signs of severe depression, the health district advises you to call the national suicide prevention hotline at (800) 273-TALK, or to contact a counselor, pastor or health care provider.

Virtual health lab at SCC

Spokane Community College is one of 40 schools in the nation chosen as a pilot site for a virtual health information technology lab, Carol Riesnberg, dean of instruction for health and environmental sciences, said in a news release.

Starting winter quarter, the lab will provide access to about 11 health information management software programs, preparing SCC students for the increasing use of health records systems. The software includes a master patient index, electronic document management, electronic patient tracking and registration systems.

The virtual lab pilot project will continue through August.

Commission members sought

The Washington state Department of Health is accepting applications for appointments to the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission.

Members will be appointed by the governor to a four-year term beginning July 1, and have the responsibility of making policy, writing opinions and rules, reviewing investigations, participating in disciplinary hearings and providing technical assistance to students and licensees.

The commission meets for one or two days about six times a year. Its members are paid $250 a day, plus travel expenses.

For information, contact Terry West at (360) 236-4712 or e-mail terry.west@doh.wa.gov.

First-response training

Wilderness Medical Associates is offering a course in medical training for disaster situations to outdoor professionals and other first responders Feb. 22 through March 1 in Skamokawa, Wash.

“Recent earthquakes, hurricanes and West Coast tsunami alerts are stark reminders of our need for trained first responders in both urban and wilderness situations,” said Mark Whitaker, of the Skamokawa Center.

The first-responder course includes training in real-life scenarios, including dealing with trauma in remote areas where the “golden hour” to definitive care is not possible. For course information and prices, contact Mark Whitaker at (888) 920-2777 or e-mail skamokawacenter@aol.com.

No clowning around

The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile provided more than $108,000 worth of medical and dental services to 942 children during the last half of 2005, according to the Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing, whose nurse practitioners operate the mobile pediatric unit.

The most in-demand service was dental care, including screenings, cleanings and fluoride treatments, said Chris Riebe, mobile care manager.

The $300,000, 40-foot mobile pediatric clinic is an outreach of the nursing school and Inland Northwest Health Services and receives support from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane, local McDonald’s restaurants and other local partners. Its staff is funded in part through a 2002 Health Resources and Services Administration grant.

Plan D assistance

Student volunteers from Washington State University’s doctor of pharmacy program continue to offer help through Feb. 28 in reviewing prescription benefit options under Medicare Part D.

So far they have handled more than 200 inquiries from Medicare recipients and health care providers.

For an appointment, call Cris DuVall at (509) 389-9922 or e-mail her at ckduvall@wsu.edu.

Blood Center honored

Fifth District U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris visited the Inland Northwest Blood Center last week to present its staff with a copy of a House resolution she co-sponsored honoring America’s Blood Centers.

“I am proud to recognize Inland Northwest Blood Center for helping to meet the increased need for blood and for being a valuable part of our health care system in Eastern Washington,” McMorris said in a news release.

Inland Northwest Blood Center is part of a network that supplies 3,300 hospitals and more than 150 million Americans with blood supply and responds to national emergencies such as Hurricane Katrina.