Op/Ed: Safe nursing staffing rules save lives

By Leah Cosgrove, Special to The Times Leah Cosgrove Today, nurses are burnt out and at their limit. There are no mandated staffing ratios in Pennsylvania. Our nurses are being spread dangerously thin in taking care of too many patients. Implementation of mandated staffing ratios will create safer patient care and happier nurses. Imagine that you’re a barista with a line of customers. One is allergic...

LCH moving annual fundraiser to virtual event for 2020

LCH Direct service staff pose in front of LCH Kennett Square KENNETT SQUARE — La Comunidad Hispana (LCH) will host their fourth annual Amigos and Amigas of LCH event this year on Friday, November 13th from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.  Like many other nonprofits, LCH is choosing to hold their event in a virtual format this year. “Every part of LCH has had to make adjustments in the pandemic, including fundraising,”...

Best way to fight COVID-19? Don’t be stupid

By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times When contemplating my column for this month, I looked over the columns of years past and thought about how different things are now.  As I write this I am sitting in my office with the sound of the newly installed localized negative pressure units humming away as my hygienist is working with a patient. It sounds more like I am in a vacuum cleaner...

By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times As we dip our toes into the “new normal” of the world of the COVID-19 pandemic we have a lot to consider. Every single person has had their lives and or livelihoods affected in some way.  As a dentist and what some would call a “quasi-essential” healthcare provider we have a very complicated web of concerns to address.  I thought...

PHAN to hold listening sessions on healthcare

WOODLYN – The Pennsylvania Health Access Network and Philadelphia Health Partnership, at the request of the Department of Human Services, along with the support of the University of Pittsburgh’s Medicaid Research Center, will host a series of listening sessions to understand the experiences of older adults and people with disabilities covered by Pennsylvania’s new Medicaid program, Community...

The changing face of healthcare

By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times You know what they say… all good things must come to an end.   Nothing is more true than when we look back at the good old days of family healthcare. Recently, I was attacked with a bout of spring cleaning.  I took a few minutes to clean out a very overstuffed desk drawer.  I found a lot of things that I thought at some point I needed to...

Costello, Smucker appear to buck Trump, back bipartisan healthcare plan

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Two local congressman — Lloyd Smucker and Ryan Costello — say a moderate, bipartisan group of House members they belong to, the Problem Solvers Caucus, have reached an agreement on a package of fixes for the Affordable Care Act, a package that could provide a framework for a true bipartisan fix for the healthcare marketplace. After the U.S. Senate rejected a series...

Do’s and don’ts for preparing your child for a dental visit

By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times As a parent, I always want to make things easier for my kids. However, as a dentist, sometimes I see very well-intentioned moms and dads inadvertently make things more difficult. Here’s what you should know. Don’t promise a reward for good behavior. Most kids have dental visits that are completely free of discomfort and by promising them a...

Letter: Healthcare contributions to Pitts are unethical

To The Editor:  Candidates for public office filed their fundraising reports this week and I was shocked by the report submitted by Congressman Joe Pitts. Mr. Pitts is the Chair of the House Subcommittee on Health. As such, he has oversight and regulatory powers over the health care industry. Yet Mr. Pitts’ filing revealed that he accepted contributions from 29 organizations representing corporations...

Op/Ed: Protecting patients from one-size-fits-all healthcare

By Mian A. Jan, M.D. Mian A. Jan As a board certified cardiologist and a practicing physician for over 25 years in Chester County with a diverse group of patients from a variety of different backgrounds, I believe no two patients are the same. I strive to give the very best care depending on the patient’s specific case. I apply a one-on-one relationship model to the treatment and care of all my patients. It...