BALTIMORE (June 13, 2013) – The Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) has released its annual Hospital Patient Safety Report, which analyzes the serious adverse events reported by Maryland hospitals in Fiscal Year 2012.

 Baltimore, MD (December 21, 2012) -- The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) today announced that through special molecular testing done on blood specimens at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), four more Maryland patients infected with Hepatitis C virus were found to have virus closely related to infections linked to David Kwiatkowski, a healthcare worker accused of diverting narcotics for personal use. The four were patients of Johns Hopkins Hospital during the time from July 10, 2009, to January 9, 2010, when Kwiatkowski was placed there by a medical staffing agency. The results are in addition to a previously identified and reported patient of the Baltimore VA Medical Center with closely related virus.

 Baltimore (December 20, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE) and the Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) today announced the launch of Maryland’s Access to Care program. The Access to Care program is designed to foster collaboration between the state, health insurers and safety net providers as each plans for newly insured Marylanders who will start to access healthcare services in 2014. This program is built on the requirement that network plans offered through Maryland Health Connection, the state-based health insurance marketplace, provide meaningful access to critical health services including primary, reproductive, HIV/AIDS and behavioral health care.

 Baltimore, MD (November 29, 2012) - The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Prevention and Health Promotion Administration recognizes December 1 as World AIDS Day, along with the World Health Organization, UNAIDS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and many local partners.

Holiday cheer isn’t the only thing that’s contagious this time of year. Winter months are prime time for the spread of colds and flu viruses. 

Baltimore -- (November 16, 2012) – Following an 18-month investigation into the safety of baby crib bumper pads, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) has published final regulations to ban their sale in Maryland effective June 21, 2013.

 ROCKVILLE, MD (November 13, 2012) – At Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) today released the 2012 Maryland Hospital Breastfeeding Policy Recommendations. The recommendations lay out evidence-based practices to help hospitals eliminate hidden barriers and support new mothers who choose to breastfeed.

 Baltimore, MD (November 5, 2012) -- The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) today announced the results of special molecular testing done at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on a blood specimen from a patient of the Baltimore VA Medical Center with hepatitis C infection. The special testing indicates that the Maryland patient’s infection is closely related to infections linked to David Kwiatkowski, a healthcare worker accused of diverting narcotics for personal use.

 Snow Hill, Md. – The Worcester County Homeless Committee will host a Community Resource Day for homeless people or people at risk of homelessness from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on December 5 at Stevenson United Methodist Church, 123 Main St. in Berlin

 Snow Hill, Md. – Kim Klump, a local leader and advocate for suicide prevention, was recognized for her distinctive volunteer efforts and contributions to the community at the annual Maryland Rural Health Association Conference in Solomons Island last week.

 Snow Hill, Md. – Fall in to fitness this November and participate in the inaugural Just Walk Berlin event to be held on Saturday, November 17 at Stephen Decatur Park, Rt. 113 and Tripoli Street, Berlin.  

 Snow Hill, Md. – November 15 is National Great American Smokeout Day.  For individuals thinking about quitting smoking, this may be the best day to do it.  The Great American Smokeout may offer just the support you need by knowing that other smokers are also giving up cigarettes for the day.  

 BALTIMORE, MD (October 19, 2012) - Seasonal influenza has officially hit in Maryland, with four confirmed cases, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) announced today. The first laboratory-confirmed cases of seasonal influenza have been diagnosed in four children in the Baltimore Metropolitan Region. One of the four was hospitalized, and all four are doing well. Three of the children had type A (H3N2) influenza, while one had type B influenza. Last season, the first confirmed case of influenza was reported on December 30, 2011.

 BALTIMORE, MD (October 15, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Prevention and Health Promotion Administration (PHPA) joins federal, state, and local partners around the country in the observance of October 15, 2012 as National Latino AIDS Awareness Day. This year’s theme is Hispanics United to End AIDS.

Baltimore, MD (October 9, 2012) - Governor Martin O'Malley announced today that the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) has earned a top score in public health emergency preparedness from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The annual review and evaluation process was conducted earlier this year.

Snow Hill, Md. (Oct. 5, 2012) – The Worcester County Health Department urges all residents age 6 months and older to get vaccinated for the 2012-2013 seasonal flu. 

 BALTIMORE (October 3, 2012) – Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Secretary Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein announced today the appointment of Dr. Gayle Jordan-Randolph to serve as the Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health. In this position, Dr. Jordan-Randolph will provide executive direction to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration, the Mental Hygiene Administration, the Developmental Disabilities Administration, and Forensic Services.