Page 8 - SOUTH FLORIDA HOSPITAL NEWS DEC 2021

Improving Hospice and Palliative MIAMI DADE COLLEGE-

Care for Patients, VITAS® MEDICAL CAMPUS:

Healthcare Launches Opioid New Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) in

Dosage Conversion Tool Health Science with a Concentration in
Medical Laboratory Science and a Track in

VITAS Healthcare recently Histotechnology to Meet Workforce Demands
launched the industry’s first compre-
hensive opioid conversion tool.
Introduced during National Hos - Miami Dade College is the diseases causing the
pice and Palliative Care Month, the only public institution of abnor malities. Graduates
newest feature of the award-winning higher education in South of the Medical Laboratory
VITAS mobile app is designed for Florida that currently pro- Science track in Histo -
patients with advanced illness. duces graduates in the Histo - technology program are
Healthcare professionals caring for technology field. Accord ing eligible to sit for certifica-
patients eligible for hospice and pal- to the Bureau of Labor tion by the American
liative care can use the tool to pre- Statistics, overall employ- Association of Bioanalysts
scribe opioids, manage pain effective- ment of Medical Laboratory (AAB), American Society
ly and respect the unique needs of technologists and techni- for Clinical Pathology
patients nearing the end of life. cians is projected to grow 7 (ASCP), and American
“Pain management for hospice percent from 2019 to 2029, Medical Technologist
patients can be a complex practice faster than the average for all BY DR. ERIKA DI (AMT).
that differs greatly from the treatment occupations. An increase in PORTO Under the current state
of other populations,” said Dr. Joseph the aging population is and federal rules for labo-
Shega, executive vice president and expected to lead to a greater need to diag- ratories, only laboratory personnel with a
chief medical officer for VITAS. “We nose medical conditions, such as cancer bachelor’s degree can assess the technical
consider a variety of non-pharmaco- or type 2 diabetes, through laboratory competencies of other laboratory person-
logical and pharmacological options procedures. Additional factors driving nel, or become licensed in the State of
to help alleviate pain with minimal employment growth include retirement of Florida as a supervisor. This degree would
side effects and give patients the comfort and quality of life they deserve.” the aging workforce, increase in demand provide graduates the needed educational
This in-app converter combines personalized health information with the thera- for laboratory services, changes in the credentials to progress in the workplace.
peutic needs of hospice patients to identify optimal opioid options, delivery methods practice of medical laboratory science due Employment options for graduates of the
and dose titration. More than a drug-to-drug calculator, it integrates input from pre- to technology advances, and an increase BAS-HS-MLS (Histotechnology) program
scribing clinicians related to a patient’s unique symptoms, underlying medical condi- in population growth. As a result, the are lucrative and can be found in hospi-
tions and health status. rapid advancement of knowledge in the tals; physicians’ offices; research facilities;
The opioid converter is based on clinical evidence, published clinical studies and field of medical laboratory science is nec- private and public health laboratories;
best practices from over 40 years of VITAS experience with this special patient pop- essary in order to satisfy the growing industrial quality control; veterinary clin-
ulation. The tool provides real-world evidence to ensure opioids are used safely while industry need for highly skilled and ics; pharmaceutical laboratories; and sales
mitigating the risks of inconsistent practices and protocols among providers. knowledgeable Histotechnologist. and service of health care equipment.
“We’ve made our opioid conversion tool available at no cost to all healthcare pro- To allow for advancement within the Miami Dade College, School of Health
fessionals because we are committed to sharing best practices and elevating the stan- Medical Laboratory profession Miami Sciences is committed to answering the
dard of care for all patients as they approach the end of life,” said Dr. Shega. “The tool Dade College, School of Health Sciences is workforce needs of our healthcare indus-
is intuitive, efficient, secure and updated on an ongoing basis to provide the latest offering prospective students a Bachelor try partners and our community by pro-
information on guidelines and changes in medication status.” of Applied Science in (B.A.S.) in Health viding highly skilled healthcare profes-
The opioid converter is the latest feature available in the VITAS Healthcare mobile Science with a concentration in Medical sionals trained in our state-of-the-art facil-
app, a free platform for healthcare professionals seeking accurate, easy-to-use hospice Laboratory Science (BAS-HS-MLS) with ities by our distinguished faculty.
information to support prognostication. The 2019 MUX-award-winning app provides two tracks one for Clinical Laboratory Providing students with educational
guidance on hospice eligibility using two interactive assessment tools and accepts Science technologists and technicians and opportunities for advancement into a
24/7 seamless and secure in-app referrals. the other for Histotechnologist to accom- rewarding in-demand healthcare careers
Download the app, available for iOS and Android devices, at VITASapp.com. modate the unique demands for advance- is what we pride ourselves on here at
ment within the health science industry. Miami Dade College, School of Health
Histotechnologist work with patholo- Sciences.
gists and other laboratory professionals in
E-mail Your Editorial Submissions to performing and analyzing laboratory test- For more information, visit
ing used for the diagnosis, treatment, and www.mdc.edu/health-sciences
editorial@southfloridahospitalnews.com prevention of disease. Histotechnologist or call (305) 237-4303. Dr. Erika Di Porto
process patient samples for the detection is Chairperson, School of Health Sciences at
of tissue abnormalities in order to deter- Miami Dade College.
mine the best treatment options for the

Psychology Alumnus Raises Funds

for Cancer Awareness
West Palm Beach, Florida
Matthew Jalazo, a College of Psychology alumnus, is seek-
ing widespread support throughout Nova Southeastern
E
BELONG. BEL IEVE. BECOME. University for his national virtual walk on December 4 to
BEGI N YOUR benefit the Colon Cancer Coalition and its efforts to promote
O
awareness of the importance of early screenings.
“I believe that this advocacy movement (borne from my
CEESS STORY
SUCCCE
S U CC ESS STOR Y Y close friendship with Crystal, a fellow NSU alum and psy-
chologist who was stricken with Stage 4 colon cancer) can
BUSINEESS, NURSING, HEAL
T
DEGREES IN B S THCARE,
AND COUNSE LING help many people, given the universally positive reception it
has received throughout the South Florida community and
ERSITY.
SOUTHUNIVE Y .EDU
across the country,” Jalazo said.
866.242.1840
0
Crystal Ortner and Jalazo, both cancer survivors, have Matthew Jalazo and
forged a strong friendship through the years. To date, Jalazo
has raised more than $11,000 for charity and hopes to raise Crystal Ortner
significantly more by the time his fundraising efforts con-
clude next month.
l
Programs, cre dential levels, technology , and scheduling options vary by school and ar e subject to change. Not all pr oggrams ar e available to r esidents of all U.S. states.
a
y
South Univers ity , W est Palm Beach, University Centr e, 9801 Belveder e Rd., Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411. © 2021 South h University . All rights r eserved. “Crystal and I are on a lifesaving mission. We hope to make a powerful difference
S
nationwide, and make our university proud!” he said.
8 December 2021 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News