Health news 12/18/07

Flu shots still available in Southeast Missouri

Though the Cape Girardeau Health Center no longer has flu shots available, other facilities still have a supply. Saint Francis Medical Center, Prompt Care in Jackson and Cross Trails Medical Center and Immediate Healthcare are a few places that still have flu shots for the public. Call your health-care provider to check for availability.

Luminaries for Life to benefit Children's Fund

Saint Francis Medical Center will hold "A Night of Remembrance" with the Luminaries for Life at 6 p.m. in the Saint Francis Healing Garden. The event features a display of more than 10,000 lights as guests gather to sing hymns and celebrate the lives of those who have inspired them. The Saint Francis Medical Center Foundation hosts the Luminaries for Life to raise money for different parts of the hospital each year. This year, the Saint Francis Children's Fund will receive the money from the donations. To make a contribution to Luminaries for Life or for more information, call the Saint Francis Foundation at 331-5133.

Hospital gets award from Heart Association

The American Heart Association gave Southeast Missouri Hospital the Get With the Guidelines -- Coronary Artery Disease Silver Performance Achievement Award for improved treatment of patients hospitalized with coronary artery disease. The hospital was commended for its risk-reduction therapies. The hospital educates patients about cholesterol-lowering drugs, aspirin, ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers. It also offers smoking cessation/weight management counseling before discharging a cardiac patient. The AHA estimates 565,000 people suffer a new heart attack and 300,000 experience a recurrent heart attack each year.

-- From staff reports