Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/389845
TheAssociatedPress WASHINGTON An Amer- ican doctor who was ex- posed to the Ebola virus while volunteering in Si- erra Leone was admitted Sunday to a hospital at the National Institutes of Health near the nation's capital. The patient, who was not identified, arrived at NIH's Clinical Center about 4 p.m., NIH said in a statement on its web- site. NIH said that out of "an abundance of caution," the physician was admitted to a special isolation unit. NIH infectious disease chief Dr. Anthony Fauci wouldn't discuss details about the patient but said that in general, an exposure to Ebola doesn't necessar- ily mean someone will be- come sick. "When someone is ex- posed, you want to put them into the best possi- ble situation so if some- thing happens you can take care of them," Fauci said. "NIH is taking every pre- caution to ensure the safety of our patients, NIH staff and the public," the agency said in a statement. Four other American aid workers who were sick- ened by Ebola while volun- teering in the West African outbreak have been treated at hospitals in Georgia and Nebraska. One remains hos- pitalized while the others have recovered. An Associated Press photographer saw a per- son dressed in a white pro- tective suit get off a plane and walk to a waiting am- bulance at the Frederick Municipal Airport in Mary- land about 3:30 p.m. Sun- day. The plane's tail number matched that of the aircraft that has been used previ- ously to transport other Eb- ola patients to the United States from overseas. NIH spokesman John Burklow confirmed that the plane carrying the patient landed at Frederick. PATIENT USdoctorexposedtoEbolavirusadmittedtoNIH ASSOCIATEDPRESS This Jan. 14 file photo shows Daniel Bennett quarantined in an isolation unit at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Md., during research for a better flu vaccine. An American doctor was admitted to the hospital Sunday. By Lindsey Tanner AP Medical Writer CHICAGO Teen girls who have sex should use IUDs or hormonal implants — long-acting birth control methods that are effective, safe and easy to use, the nation's most influential pediatricians' group rec- ommends. In an updated policy, the American Academy of Pe- diatrics says condoms also should be used every time teens have sex, to provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases that other forms of birth control don't provide, and to boost chances of preventing preg- nancy. Condoms alone are the most common birth con- trol choice among teens, but with typical use they're among the least effec- tive methods at prevent- ing pregnancy. Both long- acting methods are nearly 100 percent effective, with lower failure rates than birth control pills, patches and injections, the acad- emy says. IUDs and hormonal im- plants cost more, usually hundreds of dollars, be- cause inserting them in- volves a medical procedure typically done in doctors' offices. But they're less ex- pensive in the long run than over-the-counter con- doms or prescription birth control pills, said Dr. Mary Ott, an adolescent medicine specialist and associate pe- diatrics professor at Indi- ana University. She is the policy state- ment's lead author, Teens have to remember to use pills and condoms consistently. By contrast, IUDs typically work for three to 10 years after in- sertion, while implants typ- ically last three years. The new guidance was published Monday in Pedi- atrics. It echoes 2012 rec- ommendations from the American College of Obste- tricians and Gynecologists. The policy emphasizes that abstinence is 100 per- cent effective at preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases and says pediatricians should encourage teens to delay sexual activity "until they are ready." But since many teens don't heed that ad- vice, the policy also says pe- diatricians need to provide birth control guidance. IUDs — intrauterine devices — are small, T- shaped devices contain- ing hormones or copper that are inserted into the womb to prevent preg- nancy. Hormone-contain- ing birth control implants are matchstick-size plastic rods placed under the skin of the upper arm. "All methods of hormonal birth control are safer than pregnancy," Ott said. These include pills, patches and injections. The academy's new ad- vice updates a 2007 birth control policy that didn't recommend specific meth- ods other than condom use. For the first time, the new policy addresses obese teens because pediatricians are seeing increasing num- bers of patients whose ex- cess weight may affect birth control effectiveness, Ott said. For example, hor- monal patches may be less effective in girls weigh- ing more than 198 pounds, the policy says. Also, obese girls are more likely to gain weight with hormonal in- jections than with birth control pills. BIRTH CONTROL Pediatricians urge IUDs or implants for teenage girls Online: American Academy of Pediatrics: HTTP://WWW.AAP.ORG By Matthew Daly Associated Press WASHINGTON The Vet- erans Affairs Depart- ment said Monday it has reached financial settle- ments with three employ- ees who faced retaliation after filing whistleblower complaints about the trou- bled Phoenix VA hospital. The employees were among the first to report widespread wrongdoing at the Phoenix hospital, in- cluding chronic delays for veterans seeking care and falsified waiting lists cov- ering up those delays. Sim- ilar problems were soon identified at other VA med- ical facilities across the country in a scandal that forced the ouster of former VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and a new law overhaul- ing the agency and mak- ing it easier to fire senior officials. Dr. Katherine Mitch- ell, a former co-director of emergency care at the Phoe- nix hospital; Paula Pedene, the hospital's former chief spokeswoman; and Damian Reese, a program analyst, all filed retaliation com- plaints with the indepen- dent Office of Special Coun- sel. The counsel's office and the VA announced the set- tlements Monday in sepa- rate statements. The three employees will remain with the VA and re- ceived what the special counsel's office called "full and fair relief." Exact terms of the settlements were not disclosed. Mitchell and Pedene have accepted new assignments, while Reese will continue as a program analyst at the Phoenix hospital. Mitch- ell will oversee the hospi- tal's quality of patient care, while Pedene will work in the communications office of the Veterans Health Ad- ministration, which over- sees VA health care. "Dr. Mitchell, Ms. Pedene and Mr. Reese followed their consciences and re- ported wrongdoing, and their efforts have improved care and accountability at the VA," said Special Coun- sel Carolyn Lerner. Lerner applauded VA Secretary Robert McDon- ald and other VA leaders for acting quickly to resolve the Phoenix cases and taking steps to change the agency's culture, which she said has allowed and even encour- aged retaliation against those who filed complaints. By allowing the three "courageous employees to return to successful careers at the VA," the agency's cur- rent leaders are "sending a clear message: Whistle- blowing should be encour- aged, not punished," Lerner said. McDonald said in a sep- arate statement that the VA takes whistleblower complaints seriously and will not tolerate retaliation against those who raise is- sues that may enable VA to better serve veterans. "We depend on VA em- ployees and leaders to put the needs of veterans first and honor VA's core values of 'integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect and ex- cellence,' " he said. Pedene was removed from her $106,000-a-year job in December 2012 and transferred to the hospital library. In April, she was assigned to work in a win- dowless basement where she had few if any duties. "A horrible way to live" is how she described the ex- perience in a phone inter- view Monday. "I was humiliated ev- ery day," Pedene said. "Al- though I am looking for- ward to new opportunities I feel saddened I am not going to be able to do my public affairs role as I have done in Phoenix for the past 20 years." VETERANS' HEALTH VA settles complaints by three Phoenix whistleblowers www.lassenmedial.com RedBluff 2450 Sister Mary Columba Drive (530) 527-0414 Red Bluff & Cottonwood Locations 9am-1pm • October4th • October 18th • November 1st • November 15th LASSEN MEDICAL FLU SHOT CLINICS Lassenmedical.com Cottonwood 20833 Long Branch Drive (530) 347-3418 HEALTH » redbluffdailynews.com Tuesday, September 30, 2014 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A4