SMYRNA (October 16, 2023) – The Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill (DHCI) in Smyrna is asking members of the community to sponsor a resident for the holidays. DHCI is a licensed Skilled Nursing Facility, operated by the Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities, dedicated to comprehensive nursing home services for Delawareans who have no other options for their care.

Many residents of DHCI have little family involvement or support. The nursing home relies on the generosity of community members including neighbors, local businesses, community organizations, and volunteers to help fulfill resident wishes at the holidays through the Adopt-A-Resident Program.

“The Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill is truly grateful for the continued generosity and kindness of those who step forward to make a difference for our residents over the holidays and throughout the year,” said Melissa Smith, director of the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities.

Members of the community, as individuals or as groups, can participate in Adopt-A-Resident at Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill in one of three ways:

• Adopt-A-Resident: Sponsors are provided with the identification code and the wish list of a resident. The sponsor is asked to buy the wish list items and deliver them unwrapped in a gift bag to the Medical Administration Building Lobby Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, located at 100 Sunnyside Road in Smyrna.
• Monetary donation: Donate by gift card or check and leave the shopping to staff at DHCI. Donations may be mailed to the Volunteer Services Office: Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, 100 Sunnyside Road, Smyrna, DE, 19977.
• General donation: Buy items from the list of suggested gifts that coordinators will email to you. During the holidays, these items are used to fill gift bags for residents who have not been adopted, and during the rest of the year they are used to fill resident birthday bags and special requests for residents.

To participate in Adopt-A-Resident, please email Tina.Wagner@delaware.gov or call (302) 223-1011 and let us know how you wish to help. Please also leave your name and the best way to contact you.

NEW CASTLE – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), in a coordinated effort with fellow government agencies, community partners, and Delaware residents, today announced the launch of the new, redesigned, and revamped HelpIsHereDE.com, available in English and Spanish.

Designed after months of listening sessions and focus groups, the new HelpIsHereDE.com is the state’s comprehensive resource for those seeking help for substance use disorder or mental illness, along with their family members, community organizations, and health care providers.

“Today, we are excited to share the revamped HelpIsHereDE.com website,” said Delaware Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, PhD, RN, and Chair of the Behavioral Health Consortium. “Delaware’s a small state, but that means we are uniquely poised to bring people together to get things done. The behavioral health and substance use crisis impacts all of us – regardless of Zip code, background, experiences – and we need to continue to address it with urgency and action. Connecting Delawareans to resources is critical and that is exactly what this redesigned website will do. I encourage you to take time to review this website and share the information with your audiences, members, friends, and loved ones. Together, we can provide hope and help to families and communities.”

This year, Delaware is yet again experiencing a high number of drug overdose deaths. As of Sept. 21, 2023, a total of 360 people have died from a suspected drug overdose.

“This new and improved website is the result of months of listening sessions with community members, support groups, and substance use professionals,” said DHSS Cabinet Secretary Josette Manning. “Through these focus-group sessions and one-on-one interviews, we heard what was needed, and we developed a website with those needs and concerns at the forefront.”

In addition to an easy-to-navigate design, the new website offers comprehensive resources for those seeking help for substance use disorder or mental illness — for themselves or those they love. This includes lists of treatment providers and facilities, with information on where to find an open bed nearby. There is also free and easy access to Narcan®, a lifesaving over-the-counter drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, along with training on how to use it.

“Creating this website was a joint effort,” Secretary Manning said. “And now we need a continued joint effort to ensure anyone in Delaware who is struggling with substance use disorder or mental illness, as well as their loved ones, is aware of this potentially lifesaving resource.”

Find updated data on suspected drug overdose deaths at My Healthy Community.

As the temperatures start to drop and the leaves begin to change, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) marks the start of 2023-2024 influenza (flu) season. Infection with flu can cause mild to severe illness, and sometimes even death.  As a possible signal of what we might expect, the U.S. often looks at what Australia and New Zealand experienced in the Southern Hemisphere during their flu season in our summer.  This year, the countries had a particularly active flu season.  As the spread of RSV and COVID-19 variants continue, and the possibility that an active flu season is ahead, the DPH recommends Delaware residents get their flu vaccines as soon as possible.

Each year, everyone who is 6 months of age or older should receive a flu vaccination. It is strongly recommended that children under the age of five, older adults, pregnant women and individuals with chronic underlying medical conditions get vaccinated against the flu as soon as possible. Additionally, DPH emphasizes vaccination for those who live or work with infants under six months of age, as well as for those who live or work in congregant settings such as long-term care and correctional facilities.

Updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna were recently rolled out in response to the emergence of new variants of the COVID-19 virus. DPH wants to let the public know that both the flu and COVID-19 booster shots can be safely administered together. The RSV vaccine is available for people 60 years of age and older, and it can be combined with flu and COVID-19 vaccines. However, the CDC recommends discussing RSV vaccination with your primary care provider to determine if it is appropriate for you and your medical situation. As with COVID-19, DPH will make flu data available on its My Healthy Community data portal on October 10. 

“COVID-19, influenza and RSV are all hitting at the same time this year, making it challenging for everyone,” said DPH Medical Director Dr. Robert Rosenbaum. “Don’t wait until you’re infected with one of these diseases; get vaccinated as soon as possible. The flu is contagious and can cause serious illness and even death, but a flu vaccine can reduce your chance of ending up in the hospital. Getting the flu shot every year is the best line of defense to prevent severe illness from the flu.”

As antibodies against influenza virus infection can take up to two weeks to develop in the body after vaccination, it is vital to get vaccinated as soon as possible. People who get the flu vaccine now will also be protected throughout the entire flu season. Find information about the flu and where to get it at flu.delaware.gov.

Pharmacies (including those within grocery stores) as well as participating medical provider offices, Federally Qualified Health Centers (for their patients) and Division of Public Health clinics are all offering flu vaccines. DPH provides flu vaccines at locations where DPH mobile units also provide health care.

Symptoms of flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills and fatigue. COVID-19 and the flu share some signs and symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, a runny or stuffy nose, headaches, and body aches, chills and fatigue. You can determine which illness you have with the help of testing. Flu vaccination is strongly recommended for children, older adults, and those with chronic underlying medical conditions. When sick with the flu, people should remain at home and not return to work, school, or other gatherings until they are fever-free – without fever-reducing medications – for at least 24 hours.

In addition, people with flu symptoms should avoid close contact with others in their household and stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water and other clear liquids. While over-the-counter medications can relieve symptoms, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications to hasten recovery and prevent serious complications if you suspect you have influenza. In cases of acute illness, pregnancy, or chronic medical conditions, it is particularly important to contact your primary care provider.

 Remember the four key ways to keep respiratory illnesses in check this season:

• Get vaccinated for COVID, flu, and RSV if eligible,
• Stay home if you’re sick to keep others safe,
• Seek treatment if you test positive for any of the illnesses, and
• Consider wearing a mask if you or someone close to you is at higher risk of illness.

DPH will again share flu-related messaging through radio, print and social media messaging and distribute a toolkit to schools, community-based organizations and medical providers to help encourage flu vaccination through their networks.

For more information about the flu and where to get vaccinated, visit flu.delaware.gov or call 1-800-282-8672.

Amidst a shortage of prescription stimulants, concerns have been raised about the potential increase in illicit drug use. With many individuals relying on prescription stimulants to manage conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the shortage has left many struggling to access the medication they need. This has led some individuals to turn to illicit drugs as an alternative, which can have serious health consequences.

The shortage of prescription stimulants has been attributed to a variety of factors, including supply chain disruptions in the fall of 2022 and increased prescribing and dispensing. Due to the shortage, it is essential that stimulants be prescribed responsibly. Prescribers should assess the risk of misuse, abuse and addiction prior to prescribing stimulant medication. To prescribe stimulant medications, providers must follow Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria to confirm ADHD diagnosis. Prescribers must cross-reference prescription information with information available in state-run prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), as well as limit the number of pills and frequency of pills prescribed. Patients and their family members should be educated on how to safely store and dispose of prescription stimulants and the potential risks of misuse, addiction and overdose.

It is important for providers to be aware that there is a greater risk of diversion when prescription stimulants are scarce. Approximately 56-80% of the population reported that stimulants were obtained from friends or family members. The most vulnerable population for nonmedical use of prescription stimulants was the 18-25 age group, and reported misuse of stimulants was for improving academic or work performance, followed by recreational or social use.

These drugs are easily accessible through the internet and social media, posing as prescription drugs such as Adderall and Xanax. Those websites are targeted at youth at risk of diversion, misuse and shortages. According to a report published by the Centers for Disease Control in December 2022, overdose deaths among youth aged 14-19 increased significantly from 2019 to 2021. Over 25% of the deaths were caused by counterfeit pills, which mimicked prescription medications but contained deadly fentanyl.

Illicit drugs can have a range of negative effects on both physical and mental health and can lead to addiction and overdose. Over 50.6 million fake pills were seized by the Drug Enforcement Administration in 2022. There was a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl in six out of 10 pills containing the drug. In Delaware, 85% of the 537 overdose deaths involved fentanyl. The number of overdose deaths caused by illicit stimulants is also on the rise. Last year, 44% of overdose deaths contained cocaine and 12% methamphetamine.

It is important to screen patients for stimulant use disorders. To find more information on screening and assessment go to HelpIsHereDE.com//health-care-providers.

It is crucial for individuals to prioritize their health and safety by seeking out alternative treatments or working with their healthcare provider to find a solution. For free 24/7 counseling, coaching, and support, as well as links to mental health, addiction, and crisis services call the Delaware Hope Line at 1-833-9-HOPEDE. To search for treatment and recovery services in Delaware or nearby states, visit HelpIsHereDE.com.

NEW CASTLE – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) announced today enhancements to the CostAware website, designed to help Delawareans understand how their health care dollars are spent by comparing the variation of average costs for different episodes of care and medical services based on actual medical and pharmacy claims in Delaware.

The newest CostAware enhancements include cost comparisons for brand and generic prescription drugs by drug category and payer type (commercial insurance, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage). Also added in this update are average cost comparisons for imaging procedures (head CT, lumbar spine MRI, and screening mammography) by provider organization.

• Prescription Drug Costs compares the average daily cost of brand and generic drugs in Delaware by category and payer type based on 2021 pharmacy claims data. Prescription drugs are identified by National Drug Code (NDC) and grouped into categories assigned based on the condition the drug is intended to treat.
• Imaging by Provider Organization shows the average cost of imaging procedures by payer type, claim year and provider organization. Estimates reflect both the facility cost (taking the image) and professional cost (reading and interpreting the image).

“Delawareans can now compare costs for prescription drugs by drug category and imaging procedures by provider organization to help them make better decisions around their health care,” DHSS Secretary Josette Manning said. “CostAware has served as a valuable tool for Delawareans since its launch in April 2022. These additional data enhancements will bring another layer of transparency around the health care dollars being spent by Delawareans and their insurers.”

In addition to the prescription drug and imaging procedure cost reports, the most recent version of CostAware includes:

• Average cost estimates for episodes of care including C-section births, emergency department visits, knee and hip replacement, and vaginal delivery reported for Delaware hospitals.
• Estimates of the average cost per visit for medical services including child wellness visits, mental and behavioral health services, diabetes care, cardiac procedures, adult doctor visits, and lab tests (blood and urine tests).
• Results reported by care setting including hospital outpatient facility, outpatient lab, professional office, urgent care facility, and telehealth.
• Multiple years of data: Results are reported for 2019, 2020 and 2021.
• Filtering of results by insurance category (Commercial insurance, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage) and patient age range and gender (as appropriate).

The CostAware website was developed by DHSS and the Delaware Health Care Commission (DHCC) in collaboration with Delaware Health Information Network (DHIN).

In early 2020, DHSS and DHCC began working with DHIN to develop and implement various health care cost and quality analyses. These analyses leverage data in the Delaware Health Care Claims Database (HCCD), which was established through legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2016. DHIN manages the claims database and DHSS uses it to inform and support a variety of policy initiatives.