Health Care

Hospitals’ IV fluid shortage may impact surgeries for weeks

Surgery schedules around the country may be washed out for several more weeks while a crucial IV and sterile fluids factory remains shut down for hurricane-related damage. People often plan non-emergency surgeries in the fall and early-winter months when their insurance coverage will pick up more of the bill, but they may have to wait

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Health Care

Kaiser mental health workers go on strike in Southern California over staffing, workloads

LOS ANGELES (AP) — More than 2,400 Kaiser Permanente psychologists, therapists, social workers and other mental health workers in Southern California began an open-ended strike Monday over increased workloads and staffing shortages that their union said have created a “substandard” system of care. The National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents the employees, is negotiating

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Health Care

Polio is rising in Pakistan ahead of a new vaccination campaign

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Polio cases are rising ahead of a new vaccination campaign in Pakistan, where violence targeting health workers and the police protecting them has hampered years of efforts toward making the country polio-free. Since January, health officials have confirmed 39 new polio cases in Pakistan, compared to only six last year, said Anwarul

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