Clay County Fire Rescue, now has the latest advanced technology available to quickly, easily and painlessly determine if a person is suffering from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.  It’s called the Masimo Rad-57 Pulse CO-Oximeter and it uses multiple wavelengths of light to measure the level of carbon monoxide poisoning in a person’s blood on the spot, without a painful needle stick or blood draw. The department utilized grant funding to purchase Masimo Rad-57s to test for carbon monoxide poisoning in persons at the scene of emergencies, as well as those who present with the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, including firefighters and EMS personnel.

Yesterday a surgical team at Orange Park Medical Center, led by cardiothoracic surgeon Nathan Bates, M.D., became the first in North Florida and South Georgia to perform a procedure called a lung lobectomy with robotic assistance. A lobectomy is a surgical procedure done to remove part of a patient’s lung because of lung cancer.

Robot-assisted surgery is not new, however, using the robot for thoracic (chest) surgery is a relatively new surgical advancement for the treatment of lung cancer. The traditional surgery to open the chest and remove all or part of a lung, is called a thoracotomy. To perform this procedure, the surgeon makes a large incision in the patient’s chest to access the lungs. Since muscles of the chest wall are cut, patients usually experience significant post-operative pain and a long recovery.

Dr. Bates made three small incisions, about 8 millimeters long, in the side of the patient’s chest to insert the robotic-controlled tools he used to operate and a tiny high-definition camera that allowed him to see inside the patient’s chest.

If you did not get what you wished for over the holidays, you may have a second chance -- with your blood donation!  The Blood Alliance invites you to start the New Year with a resolution to save lives and win!  “Resolutions for Life” blood drives will be held from January 10 - 15 at participating donor centers (Bloodmobiles and mobile drives are NOT included).  Donors who attempt to donate and give the gift of life at participating centers will be entered for a daily drawing to win Blu-ray players and a grand prize drawing for a 40-inch HDTV.  Everyone who registers to donate will also be eligible to win a 2010 Smart car from the Smart car Center Jacksonville, A Brumos Company.