Department of Health

Block Island Nurse Mary Donnelly Honored by the State

John Bender — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:18:30 +0000

In commemoration of National Nurses Week a celebration was held today at the State House in honor of Block Island nurse, Mary Donnelly.

Donnelly retired from her position as a state nurse on the island after more than 55 years of work. She recalled the beginning of her career, when there was no doctor on the island.

“Best time of my life was when there was no doctor. Do you know? Because you had to use your head, use whatever you could to help a person. And that was innovation I’ll tell you, to work that way.”

Another RI Doctor Sanctioned for Prescribing Practices

Kristin Gourlay — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 20:38:12 +0000

In the past year and a half, according to Rhode Island Department of Health records, seven physicians have been disciplined--some even forced to stop practicing medicine--for improperly prescribing narcotics.

RI Dentists Sue Health Dept. Over Investigations

Kristin Gourlay — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:37:35 +0000

The Rhode Island Dental Association has filed suit in Superior Court against the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Board of Examiners in Dentistry. The suit alleges the state is abusing its power to regulate the dental profession.

The dentists’ group claims that state investigators illegally raided some dentists’ offices, interrupting one surgery in progress. The complaint also alleges that the state’s Board of Examiners in Dentistry failed to give dentists a clear set of regulations for handling anesthesia, controlling infection, and other practices.

State Officials Sign Off on Westerly Hospital Sale

Kristin Gourlay — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:39:56 +0000

Rhode Island regulators have given their final approval for the sale of Westerly Hospital to the New London-based Lawrence & Memorial Hospital.

The head of Rhode Island’s Department of Health and the state's Attorney General have signed off on the deal to sell Westerly to L&M. Now, the deal is expected to close June first. Westerly Hospital has been in receivership since 2011 and under the leadership of a special master. L&M spokesman Michael O’Farrell says the special master will stay on through the closing date.

Landmark Deal Stalls Again; Missing Info from Prime

Kristin Gourlay — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:18:09 +0000

Rhode Island’s Attorney General and Department of Health officials say they’re suspending their review of Prime Healthcare’s application to buy the Woonsocket-based Landmark Medical Center.

URI Grant Winner Hopes to Spread Vaccine Awareness

John Bender — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:53:32 +0000

A professor of pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island has just received a grant from the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer; the grant will be used to boost the rate of pneumonia vaccines in the state.

According Dr. Kerry LaPlante there has been a rise in cases of invasive pneumonia in RI, reaching 11.9 percent of the population, about 3 points higher than the national average.

LaPlante and her team plan to use the $700,00 grant to increase awareness and availability of the vaccine to those most at risk.

Warning for homes with well water

Bradley Campbell — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:57:08 +0000

The Rhode Island Department of Health is reminding residents with private wells to take precautions. The melting snow could make the well water dangerous to drink.

Mandated flu vaccines?–UPDATE

Kristin Gourlay — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 04:00:00 +0000

UPDATE: As of today, October 5, 2012, the Rhode Island Department of Health has issued a ruling that it will mandate flu vaccines for all health care workers and volunteers. You can get a medical exemption with a note from your doctor, or fill out a form saying you refuse to get the shot but understand you’ll have to wear a surgical mask when interacting with patients during flu season. Link to the state regulation (it’s a .pdf).