Local Health Officials Respond to Increase in Whooping Cough Cases

School District 181 and Adventist Hinsdale Hospital employees are reminding parents to keep their kids updated on vaccinations in light of a rise in whooping cough cases.

In response to a recent increase in cases of pertussis in DuPage County, more commonly known as whooping cough, School District 181 and Adventist Hinsdale Hospital are reminding parents to make sure their kids are up-to-date on vaccinations and practice good respiratory hygiene. "[Children] as they get into the school-age years and adults have waned immunity," said Barbara Kratochvil, RN, manager of infection prevention at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital. "These vaccinations don't provide lifelong immunity." The Center for Disease Control recommends that children get five doses of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine, one dose at each of the following ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months and 4 to 6 years old. …

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Hinsdale Preschoolers Share a Little Thanksgiving Joy

Hinsdale Adventist Academy students perform Thanksgiving songs for the residents of The Birches in Clarendon Hills.

Students from the Hinsdale Adventist Academy's Little Lambs Preschool kicked off the holiday season Tuesday by performing a recital of Thanksgiving songs for the residents of The Birches Retirement Community in Clarendon Hills. The children, who make up the preschool and pre-K programs at the school, entertained The Birches' residents, then received gift bags of candy and Thanksgiving treats from their audience. Lisa Lawrence of The Birches was grateful for the visit from the Little Lambs staff and students. "Our residents love kids," she said. "All of them got something out of [the recital] today." Cherie Jackson, the director of Little Lambs Preschool, appreciated the opportunity to give back to the elderly members of our community. "…

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From the Hinsdale Police Blotter

Man Faces Felony Charges for Punching Paramedic

What would have been considered a misdemeanor is being charged as a felony, because of the circumstances of the case.

A 68-year-old man is facing felony charges after punching a paramedic, while in the waiting room of Adventist Hinsdale Hospital. According to police, Kishor Ajmere, 68, of 906 Valencia Drive in Shorewood was with a member of his family who was received by the emergency room at the hospital. Police say Ajmere became "very agitated" while in the waiting room and punched a Pleasantview paramedic. Hospital officials say that incidents like this can occur in the emergency room, but the hospital is prepared to handle them. "Patient safety is our top priority, and we do have a security team at the hospital 24/7 for incidents like this," said Lisa Parro. "We work very closely with the Hinsdale Police Department." "The motive was not identified," …

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Stanley Cup Stops at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital

Former Chicago Blackhawk Marty Lapointe takes the Stanley Cup through a trip through Hinsdale.

The stormy weather might have slowed it down for half an hour, but the Stanley Cup arrived at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital to enthusiastic applause on Tuesday morning. Fans lined up to meet former Chicago Blackhawk Marty Lapointe. Those waiting munched on Blackhawk-themed cookies, and got to walk away with hockey pucks, the hospital had made for the occasion. This isn't the first time the Stanley Cup has visited the Hinsdale Hospital. Blackhawks defensemen Brett Sopel brought the cup with him to the ER in August for a surprise visit with his children. Not many staff members were able to see the cup during its short stay in the ER, but many doctors, nurses, and hospital staff were on hand Tuesday for the cup's second trip to Hinsdale …

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Hinsdale Hospital Happenings

New Pediatric Sleep Facility Available at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital

Poor sleep can contribute to behavioral and emotional problems, as well as scholastic underachievement.

Doctors agree that we should get at least eight hours of sleep every night. Kids need more sleep—10 to 11 hours a night from ages seven to 12. The younger they are, the more sleep children need. Poor sleep can contribute to behavioral and emotional problems as well as scholastic underachievement. One in four children have a correctable sleep disorder. Many children have insomnia, difficulty falling or staying asleep. If they snore, they also may have an obstructed breathing pattern. This can be difficult to identify. Other symptoms of poor sleep are often dismissed as "acting up," or misdiagnosed as attention deficit disorder or depression. Successful treatment of the disorder involves engaging the entire family and addressing the child's …

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Dozens Gather for Hinsdale Hospital Groundbreaking

Foundation announces fundraising effort for hospital expansion.

The Hinsdale Hospital Foundation held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday night to kick off its fundraising campaign for a new Patient Pavilion to be added onto Adventist Hinsdale Hospital over the next 18 months. This new construction project, which is the first addition to the hospital building in more than 40 years, will be a 100,000-square-foot wing of private patient rooms. The wing will help provide comfort to patients by adding overnight accommodations for visitors, convenient access to a chapel, and high-tech advances such as Wi-Fi access for new birthing suites. Susan King, executive director of the Hinsdale Hospital Foundation, believes that the hospital's expansion will benefit future generations upon its completion.  "The new …

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