Allina News

[Star Tribune, Oct. 30, 2011] Three years ago, fewer than 10 percent of the nation’s doctors used electronic prescriptions. Today, about 52 percent have tossed aside their prescription pads and are reaching for the computer keyboard instead. Nearly all of these e-prescriptions are transmitted from doctor to pharmacy across a secure network that is fueled [...]

[Minnesota Public Radio, Oct. 27, 2011] A partnership between two rivals offers a glimpse of the future under a cornerstone of the federal health care overhaul. Allina Hospitals & Clinics and HealthPartners together tested strategies to improve care and reduce health costs for some 27,000 patients in the northwest metro area. Listen to the full [...]

[KMSP Fox 9 News, Oct. 27, 2011] A new study says mobile devices have become mini-pacifiers/babysitters for many wee ones: 52 percent of all children 8 and younger have access to mobile devices at home like a smartphone, video iPod, iPad or other tablet. Allina Medical Clinic – Coon Rapids pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Keis was [...]

[Minnesota Public Radio, Oct. 26, 2011] A day after a new study revealed that flu vaccines are not as effective as once thought, doctors report that their patients are asking questions about the findings. Still, it doesn’t appear that the downgrade in the vaccine’s effectiveness is altering many patients decision to get immunized against flu. [...]

[Isanti County News, Oct. 26, 2011] A new housing facility to assist homeless individuals and families in the Pine City area is one step closer to becoming a reality. On Wednesday, Oct. 12, the Board of Directors for ‘A Place for You’ homeless shelter received the deed and keys to the former Allina Medical Clinic-Pine [...]

[KMSP Fox 9, Oct. 25, 2011] A vaccine that was touted as a tool to help young girls guard against cervical cancer is now being recommended for boys as well to help combat the spread and effects of a sexually-transmitted disease called HPV. Allina Medical Clinic STD expert, Dr. Frank Rhame, says the recommendation by [...]

[KARE-TV, October 24, 2011] Move over beer and brats. New Ulm restaurants will soon be known for their veggies and fruit, too. A project to end heart attacks in New Ulm is entering a new phase in November. The Turner Hall restaurant is just one of many revamping its menu as part of the next [...]

[KARE-TV, October 21, 2011] As we age so can the valves in our heart. And until now, replacing those valves with open heart surgery has been considered risky for patients in their 80s or 90s, even if they are otherwise healthy. Well now a cutting edge but experimental procedure is being performed at Allina’s Abbott [...]

[Faribault Daily News, Oct. 23, 2011] The east lawn of Allina Medical Clinic-Faribault symbolized lots of vacant garage space from Faribault residents on Saturday. The lawn was engulfed in bikes. Comfort bikes, touring bikes, mountain bikes and pink bikes. Some with training wheels and water bottles, others with built in horns and even one with a [...]

[KARE11, Oct. 20, 2011] Use of antidepressant drugs has soared nearly 400% since 1988, making the medication the most frequently used by people ages 18-44, a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. Dr. Greg Plotnikoff, at Allina’s Penny George Institute for Health & Healing, says antidepressants are useful, but shouldn’t always [...]

[KSTP-TV5, October 15, 2011] Have a bike you’re not using? Allina Hospitals & Clinics and the nonprofit Free Bikes 4 Kidz are working together to find bikes for kids in need across Minnesota. You can drop off bikes at nearly 90 Allina locations on Saturday, October 22nd from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Last year, the program [...]

[KMSP Fox 9 News, Oct. 13, 2011] It’s official. Flu has arrived in Minnesota. The state department of health confirmed the first case today. Allina’s lead infection preventionist, Cindy Larson, says this is a bit early for the first flu case to be reported and all the more reason folks should get their flu shots [...]