In our day-to-day work, we may come into contact with products that contain potentially hazardous chemicals — for example, Sani-Cloth Plus germicidal disposable cloths used for disinfecting surfaces or alcohol prep pads used for medical procedures. It’s important to be aware of the chemicals we use and the safety measures we should take when using them.

A new infusion center is now open to patients on 1 South at CRMH.

The unit is located in space that was formerly occupied by CTaC, the Health Sciences Library and classrooms. It has eight infusion bays, including one negative-pressure room to treat patients who require airborne isolation precautions.

Extensive renovations are underway, both inside and outside Tanglewood Mall in Roanoke!

Officially known as the Carilion Children’s Tanglewood Center, the building is planned to be completed in August 2021, with an official opening in early October.

A research study, also called a clinical trial, is how we get information on the best ways to prevent disease, diagnose illness and treat patients. There are many clinical trials going on at any given time, each designed to help answer specific questions about possible new treatments or new ways of using treatments that are already available.

Our physicians, nurses and staff make unique discoveries every day through their work, research and continuous improvements. Sometimes, discoveries become innovations with commercial potential that can benefit patients in our communities.

The first phase of our Cures Act implementation will go live this Friday, Feb. 5, during the evening hours. The changes will include:

Recruiting for inpatient and outpatient clinical positions—like nurses, nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, virtual monitor techs and certified medical assistants—is difficult under the best situations. Add in a pandemic and it becomes even more challenging.

Our Talent Acquisition team has faced the situation head-on and successfully made hires that help us improve the health of the communities we serve.

In May, the federal government released new regulations focused on patient access, interoperability and information blocking. These regulations are related to the 21st Century Cures Act and the Interoperability and Patient Access final rule (CMS-9115-F). The regulations must be implemented by April 5, 2021.

Thirty-five percent of our patient population—or nearly 133,000 people—currently use MyChart for secure, 24/7 access to their medical information. With options to send messages to providers, track health records, renew prescriptions and more, MyChart improves the patient experience by providing an easy way for patients to manage their health care.

By combining a traditional operating room, cath lab and advanced imaging equipment, numerous surgeons, technicians and other providers can work together to complete separate surgeries on the same occasion.

A first for our region, it has allowed us to start doing new types of surgery, like TAVR. Since the first hybrid OR opened, the Structural Heart team has performed over 1,000 TAVRs.