ACHS Healthcare News
The latest healthcare updates from Dr. Sarah Young-Xu
ACHS Medical Director
Dear ACHS patients,

I hope you all had a nice summer and fall and got to enjoy some of our beautiful North Country weather and spend good time with friends and family. Now that school is back in session and winter is around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to reach out about a couple of updates. We are seeing a lot of respiratory viruses already and suspect that numbers will spike even more over the next several months.

Here are the top viruses facing us:

COVID---We still have a lot of COVID going around. Most people have either been vaccinated or had the virus or both, so it is less common to see life-threatening cases now. However, it still happens. We have a steady number of people hospitalized locally for COVID and there are still many deaths per week in New Hampshire. Therefore, it is important for everyone to know about the antiviral treatment, Paxlovid, which has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death in higher-risk people. COVID + patients who are 50 years and older and/or with chronic medical conditions may qualify.

There are several things we, as medical providers, need to evaluate to determine if you are a candidate, so the first step is for patients in this risk category to home test (we still have free kits at the office and in many local libraries!) for any cold-like symptoms or fever and if COVID positive, call us to set up an in-person or telehealth appointment.

Treatment must be started in the first 5 days of symptoms, so don’t wait to see how bad it gets! Healthy people under 50 should stay home for at least 5 days and treat themselves as if they had a regular cold or flu. If short of breath or otherwise sicker than usual, just call for an appointment.

There is a new COVID booster vaccine available for children and adults that is more specific to the omicron variant than the original vaccine was. The virus is changing rapidly, so it’s quite possible to get COVID after vaccination, but it does offer robust protection against serious and life-threatening cases. You can get vaccinated at your local pharmacy or during a regular appointment at ACHS.

RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (RSV)---is a virus that causes a common-cold like illness but is more likely to have coughing and wheezing. You need to see us if you are short of breath or, for infants, fast or labored breathing or trouble feeding. There is no vaccine available for RSV and we don’t recommend routine testing for it since it rarely changes the treatment plan.

SEASONAL FLU---Experts are predicting a more severe than average flu season this year. There is an antiviral available for influenza for high-risk people (age over 65, under 2 years old), with asthma, and other lung diseases, for example. See CDC guidance for a full list. If you are in one of these groups and think you may have influenza and qualify for treatment, you need to come in to be tested as there is no home test option.

Flu shots are recommended for everyone 6 months and up. There is a higher dose option that works better for seniors. See your local pharmacy for a vaccine or you may get one during your regular ACHS appointment (however we are out of “senior” flu). And remember, the best way to prevent illness is by washing your hands and covering your cough.
 
Healthcare is not limited to respiratory illness (although it seemed that way for a while!) and we are here to evaluate any of your other concerns as well as chronic and preventive care. 

We wish you all a wonderful holiday season and look forward to serving you in 2023!
Sarah
Sarah Young-Xu, MD
ACHS Masking updates
As a community health center, we see a lot of ill people. Masking still makes sense for all when you are sick, immune compromised, or if you want to avoid catching anything. You'll note that ACHS follows CDC guidance on transmission rates for the counties we serve: Grafton and Coos. We post these transmission rates on our door and this provides guidance to patients and staff on when to wear a mask. When county transmission rates are HIGH, patients and staff in patient-facing areas are required to wear masks. When transmission rates are SUBSTANTIAL, MODERATE, or LOW, masks are optional.
Behavioral health news
ACHS is thrilled to welcome two new Behavioral Health providers to the team. With the arrival of Daniel Miller LCMHC, LADC, and Ben Woo, LCMHC we are able to bring back our Behavioral Health K-12 schools program. This successful initiative allows our providers to treat kids in an environment where they feel comfortable - right at their school.

If you've visited the ACHS-Woodsville site, you may have seen our under-construction signs. We are happy to say that we have re-opened our newly improved primary care and behavioral health areas. The renovations are still ongoing but are part of the U.S. Health Resource Service Administration HRSA rescue grant with funds earmarked for capital improvements. We hope you enjoy this new space as much as we do!
Primary care updates
This year ACHS welcomed three new primary care providers and celebrated the return of another. Mary Hill, APRN joins Stephanie Olivares, APRN at the ACHS Littleton location. ACHS-Whitefield will welcome back Amy Page, APRN in January of 2023. Amy's former patients will be contacted by ACHS directly.
'Tis the season to help friends & neighbors
in need!
ACHS proudly serves nearly 11,000 patients in 26 towns across northern NH. As a federally qualified non-profit community health center, we serve ALL, no matter their insurance or socioeconomic status. Many of our patients have limited funds to pay even the smallest medical bill - especially vulnerable are the disabled, our seniors, and veterans.
Seniors & Veterans
most affected
That's where the ACHS sliding-fee payment scale comes in. For those who qualify, it helps reduce their healthcare costs and can make a difference in them getting the care they need or going without. Funds we receive go directly to this sliding-fee payment fund helping our most in-need patients get the quality care they deserve. Last year, ACHS gave out over $512,713 in value of discounted health care services provided to our patients. Won't you help ACHS support friends and neighbors in the north country? An online donation in any amount will help.
ACHS | Website