Emergency Psych

Over the past two years, Howard County General Hospital has seen a dramatic rise in the numbers of psychiatric patients arriving at its main Emergency Department. To ease bottlenecks and add privacy, the hospital opened a new psychiatric emergency unit on Feb. 7.

The separate unit is specially designed and staffed to treat up to 10 patients. “With its privacy and security, the new unit is a welcome change for patients and staff,” said Joseph Schwartz, medical director of the Psychiatric Department. “The calming environment supports treating patients during what is usually a difficult time for them.”

The psychiatric emergency unit is located in a newly constructed 1,920-square-foot addition to the hospital’s main Emergency Department. The hospital also has a 20-bed, inpatient psychiatric unit.

ID’s Top Ten

In April, Trish Perl, director of Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control, steps down as president of the Society for Health Care Epidemiology. To mark the occasion, daughter Dominique DeLisle has compiled a list of the top 10 greatest “infectious disease” hits. Here’s the countdown:

1. “Come Clean,” Hilary Duff
2. “Get Me Away from Here, I’m Dying,” Belle & Sebastian
3. “Hospital,” The Lemonheads
4. “The Remedy,” Jason Mraz
5. “Feel Good, Inc.,” Gorillaz
6. “Can’t Touch This,” MC Hammer
7. “Dirty,” Christina Aguilera
8. “Stomp,” King Jacob f. Murphy Lee
9. “Disease,” Matchbox 20
10. “Bad Medicine,” Bon Jovi

Green Action

Feeling guilty about not recycling paper and plastic as much as you should? Some School of Medicine students may inspire you to do better. Calling themselves the Leadership Initiative for the Environment (LIFE), the group is launching a massive recycling campaign. Their goal for 2007: to increase correct recycling of paper, bottles, cans and plastic throughout the School of Medicine by 10 percent. Supporting the effort is Facilities, which will provide additional recycling services across the campus. Info on LIFE or recycling: Rebecca Alvania, ralvania@gmail.com.

Pharmacy Perk

The new Johns Hopkins Outpatient Pharmacy at 1810 E. Monument St. wants your business. Employees are entitled to a $5 discount per prescription. While you’re waiting for them to be filled, shop the aisles for over-the-counter drugs and toiletries, all at a 10 percent employee discount. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WelchWeb Redux

The Welch Medical Library has updated its busy site, welch.jhu.edu. Streamlined content highlights the evolving nature of the library with information suites. Listings of books, journals and databases, some of which include online article indexes, are easily accessible. Info: Blair Anton, 410-502-7571 or banton2@jhmi.edu.

Diversity Recognition

The Johns Hopkins Diversity Leadership Council seeks nominations for its annual Diversity Recognition Award. Submit nominations to jhuaa.org/dlc (click on Events). Deadline is March 16. The fifth annual awards ceremony takes place May 2 at noon at the Mattin Center, Homewood campus.