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Bee and Wasp Stings in Children

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Being outside in spring and summer is terrific, but it does come with the risk of bee and wasp stings. It is important to know how to treat stings, what to watch for, and even better, steps you can take to decrease your child’s risk of being stung.

Most bees and wasps can sting multiple times since they do not lose their stinger. Honeybees have a barbed stinger, which remains embedded in the skin so they can only sting once. The honeybee stinger looks like a small black dot in the area of the sting.

The immediate symptoms of a sting are pain and burning; itching may follow. The area becomes red and swollen and this may increase over the next 3 days. A sting on the face can cause severe swelling including around the eye.

If there is bee allergy, anaphylaxis may occur within 15-60 minutes. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction which may be life threatening and needs emergency treatment with epinephrine, available only by prescription. Signs and symptoms include wheezing, hives, respiratory distress, throat tightness, nausea and vomiting, and swelling of the lips and/or tongue. There may be paleness and fainting. An allergic reaction typically happens after one has had previous stings though can happen with the first sting. Bee allergy occurs in less than 1% of children.

Home care of bee/wasp stings:

  • If you see a stinger, try to remove it by scraping gently with a credit card or fingernail. Do not squeeze or pinch as this can release more venom. Wash with soap and water.
  • Apply a paste of meat tenderizer or baking soda for 20 minutes. Aluminum-based deodorant on the area is another option.
  •  Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) helps discomfort. Topical or oral Benadryl (do not use these together as it can cause oversedation) helps with itching. 1% hydrocortisone also decreases itching, is available without a prescription, and may be used 2-3 times a day.
  • Cool cloths or an ice pack can help relieve the pain.
  • Use an epinephrine product (injection or nasal spray) as directed if your child has a history of bee allergy

When to call your child’s provider:

  • If there is increasing redness and swelling after 3 days
  • If your child was stung in the mouth or eye
  • If the area of swelling is more than 4 inches across

When to go to the ER/ call 911:

  • If your child has known bee allergy and was stung, even if you treat with an epinephrine product (only available with a prescription)
  • If there are more than 5 stings per 10 pounds of body weight (or more than 50 stings in a teen)
  • If your child appears severely ill

How to help prevent bee/wasp stings:

  • Avoid scented lotions and perfumes
  • Avoid clothes with a floral print or floral colors
  • Have your child always wear shoes since some bees live in the ground
  • Keep food and drink covered; make sure there are no bees in open drink cans or on a straw

more about The contributor

Dr. Elise Herman

Blog Posts
Profile

Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

Upcoming Parent/Family Events

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Park Ramble

Every Tuesday at 10 AM North Alder Street Park

Join us for a walk outside with other new families moving through this parenting journey.

Baby Club

June 14

Baby Club Registration

Peer support group for mother with babies 0-2 years. Childcare available with registration, walk-ins ok. Free!

Family Expressive Arts

June 19

Family Expressive Arts Support Group

  • Family wellness through creative art expression.
  • Free to families with babies 0-2 years.
  • Pizza dinner provided

4th Trimester Resource Center

The 4th Trimester Resource Center provides focused attention on mothers and infants during the postpartum period for timely education, care and assistance. As an extension of the KVH Family Birthing Place, the 4thTRC works in coordination with care providers and community partners in service of postpartum families.

4thTrimester@kvhealthcare.org

Postpartum 509.933.7593 / Lactation 509.962.7388

We are located to the right of the main hospital entrance. Just look for our front porch. 708 E Manitoba Ave, Ellensburg, WA 98926

KVH Staff Highlight: Deb Callins Appointed to County Advisory Board

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We love celebrating team members who make a difference both here at KVH and out in the community. Meet Deb Callins, who joined us in 2024 after spending much of her career serving rural communities in Idaho.

In March 2025, Deb was selected to serve on the Kittitas County Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Advisory Board. This board plays a vital role in reviewing and recommending funding for local programs that address mental health challenges, substance use treatment, and therapeutic court services. These initiatives are supported by a portion of local sales tax, which the county has designated to improve behavioral health outcomes.

One example Deb highlighted is the work of Comprehensive Healthcare, a local nonprofit that places case managers directly in the Emergency Department. These professionals provide real-time support to patients experiencing a mental health crisis and help connect them with the resources they need.

At KVH, we applaud Deb’s service and leadership. Her voice on the advisory board reflects our broader mission to build healthier communities through coordinated and compassionate care.

Full Facebook Post

When is it OK for Kids to Have a Smartphone?

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Seemingly everyone has a smartphone, and kids are drawn to these at a very early age. Parents do their best to supervise and set appropriate boundaries for their kids around phones, but may wonder when it is OK for their child to have their own phone. Making this decision can seem daunting, especially as younger and younger kids seem to have a phone in their pocket. According to Common Sense Media/Research, 43% of kids age 8 to 12 and 88% to 95% of teens up to age 18 have their own smartphone. If you are the parent of a 10-year-old, the begging may have already started. The general recommendation has been “Wait Until 8th (the end of 8th grade)”, but many kids get phones earlier.

Parents often see the benefit of staying in touch as a reason to give their child a phone. Other positives include use in an emergency and socializing. As kids get older, phones can help them stay connected to their friends and communicate about school work, sports, and other activities.

There is no perfect age for a child to have a phone. It may depend on the child’s maturity and sense of responsibility as well as family values. Is the child impulsive? Do they generally respect rules and limits? Are they generally honest? Are they good about following the rules regarding other tech, such as a Chrome book use at school? ATT and the American Academy of Pediatrics have partnered on an online ‘quiz’ to assess a child’s readiness (see resources, below).

The potential negatives of cell phones include less time spent with family, less physical activity, and sleep disturbance. Phones offer access to social media which can increase the risk of depression and anxiety. There is the possibility of kids oversharing, experiencing cyberbullying, and being victimized. Phone addiction is a concern for users of all ages.

On-line pornography poses significant risk to kids and teens. The average child is exposed to pornography by age 12 years. Pornography often portrays physical and verbal aggression and sexual violence, usually directed towards women, including women being choked, slapped and spit upon during sexual activity. It is horrific to note that free porn sites carry videos of child rape and assault. Early exposure to pornography is related to anxiety, depression, and difficulty forming healthy intimate relationships later on.

So how to navigate this complicated situation? Communication is key. Have open discussions with your child regarding the pros and cons of a smartphone. Take the “phone readiness quiz” and review the results with your child. Parental controls restricting the amount of usage as well as access to social media and inappropriate sites are vital. Discuss where and when the phone can be used (not at meals, not during family social time, not after bedtime, etc.) Your child should understand your concerns and the importance of respecting these limits when using other devices, for example, the phone of a friend who may not have the same restrictions.

As the parent, you should have your child’s password, be able to track their usage, and maintain the right to take the phone away if rules are not being followed. Having your child contribute to the purchase of the phone or service plan financially or by doing extra chores teaches responsibility.
As a trial, many families opt for a flip phone (calls and texts only) for a year to assess their child’s readiness. If connection to your child is most important, a smart watch, iPad, or tablet is a good way to start without the complications and potential risks of a smartphone.

Resources

Wait unitl 8th: https://www.waituntil8th.org Parents can join together, pledging to avoid phones for kids in elementary and middle school.

Phone Ready Quiz: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/Pages/PhoneReadyQuiz.aspx

more about The contributor

Dr. Elise Herman

Blog Posts
Profile

Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

KVH Joins TeamBirth: Elevating Communication and Safety During Labor and Birth

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At Kittitas Valley Healthcare, we believe that every birth story deserves care that’s not only safe and skilled, but deeply personal because life’s most meaningful moments should be met with compassion, clarity, and connection. That’s why we’re proud to announce our participation in TeamBirth, a nationally recognized initiative designed to improve communication and safety during labor, delivery, and postpartum care.

What Is TeamBirth?
TeamBirth is a best-practices program developed by Ariadne Labs, a health systems innovation center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. In collaboration with the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA), the program is now being implemented in hospitals across the state, including here at KVH.

The core idea behind TeamBirth is simple yet transformative: make sure everyone involved in a birth, the patient, their support team, and clinical staff—is on the same page. The program formalizes “huddles” at key points during the hospital stay, such as admission, any significant changes in condition, or when important care decisions are being made. These huddles take place in the patient’s room and are anchored by a shared whiteboard that clearly outlines care plans, preferences, and updates.

Why This Matters
Childbirth is deeply personal. It’s also unpredictable. By implementing TeamBirth, we’re creating a system where patients are heard and supported, and where care teams are aligned every step of the way. The program promotes shared decision-making and empowers the person giving birth to be an informed, active participant in their care.

We’re excited to join 11 other hospitals across Washington in this latest rollout—representing the fourth cohort of hospitals bringing TeamBirth to our communities. Since the program’s introduction in 2023, 38 hospitals in Washington and Oregon have already adopted the model. The goal: to achieve 100% adoption across Washington’s birthing hospitals by the end of 2025.

Looking Ahead
KVH’s participation in TeamBirth underscores our long-standing commitment to high-quality, patient-centered maternity care. It’s a step forward in ensuring that every family we serve feels safe, respected, and supported from their first contraction to their baby’s first cry.

We are honored to be part of this movement and look forward to sharing more about the program’s impact in the months to come.

Reference: Fourth Cohort of Washington Hospitals launching TeamBirth to improve communication, safety throughout labor and birth (by: WHSA)

PUBLIC NOTICE – RFQ

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Request for Qualifications (RFQ)- Architectural Services for Nursing Home to Administrative Office Remodel (pdf)

Public Hospital District – Ellensburg, WA

Public Hospital District No. 1, located in Ellensburg, Washington, is inviting qualified firms to submit qualifications to be considered for the continuation of renovation and construction services for a medical facility originally constructed as a skilled nursing facility. The facility is approximately 21,000 square feet, with 10,500 square feet already renovated.

The scope of the project includes, but is not limited to:
– Completion of design development
– Code compliance updates
– Space planning
– Interior finish selection
– Construction oversight
– Expansion of existing parking in accordance with city ordinance
– ADA access improvements

Approximately 50% of remodeling work has been completed, including select mechanical and structural components. Geotechnical and infiltration reports are finalized, with SEPA and city parking permits currently in process.

Interested firms may obtain the full RFQ packet and submission instructions by contacting:

Wayne Tivis   
Public Hospital District No. 1 
(509) 933-8625
KVHContractorSubmissions@kvhealthcare.org

Proposal submissions are due by midnight on 5/30/25, and must comply with all instructions in the RFQ packet.

The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive any informalities or irregularities in the process. This project is a public works project and subject to all applicable Washington State laws and regulations.

A Journey Towards Safer Healthcare: The Story of KVH’s Safety Committee

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In the bustling environment of Kittitas Valley Healthcare (KVH), safety is paramount—not just for patients but for the dedicated staff who work tirelessly within its walls. At the heart of ensuring a secure workplace is the Safety Committee, a group whose recent efforts have not only garnered them a prestigious award but have also sparked a renewed commitment to employee welfare. This is the story of their journey, as recounted by the committee members themselves.

Commitment to Safety

The Safety Committee has been instrumental in implementing strategies that reduce workplace hazards and promote a culture of vigilance. In 2023, KVH filed a total of 38 claims, with about 5 of these considered “near miss” incidents. The following year, 2024, saw a slight increase with 40 claims filed; however, 11 of these were classified as “near miss.” These numbers indicate an enhanced awareness and reporting culture within the organization, underscoring the committee’s success in fostering an environment where safety concerns are promptly addressed.

The proactive measures and continuous training programs initiated by the Safety Committee is designed to empower employees to identify and report potential hazards before they result in harm. This commitment to safety highlights KVH’s dedication to maintaining a workplace where staff feels protected and supported, ultimately contributing to better patient care and a more harmonious working environment.

Washington Hospital Services (WHS) Top Performer Program

The Washington Hospital Services (WHS) Top Performer Program is meant to capture best practices from WHS Member Hospitals as well as highlight those organizations that strive to continually improve their employee health and safety. The WHS Top Performer Program is open to all Washington Hospital Services Workers Compensation group members in good standing.

Nicole Hilderman, Trent Baker, Anahi Rodriguez, and Marlo Willis embarked on a project that stemmed from a suggestion by Mandee Olsen, KVH Chief Quality Officer. Mandee learned about an opportunity through the Washington Hospital Services (WHS). The project focused on enhancing safety protocols, specifically through root cause analysis.

Understanding Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

To strengthen their safety initiatives, the team turned to Root Cause Analysis (RCA), a proven method for identifying and addressing underlying risks. Initially, the team faced a crucial decision: whether to pursue the project, which could potentially earn them the Washington Hospital Services 2024 Top Performer award. However, the decision was clear—the project was not only an opportunity for recognition but also a chance to address gaps in their safety processes.

A Collaborative Effort for Safety Enhancement

The project required assembling a diverse team, including members from human resources and safety departments. Together, they reviewed existing processes and identified areas for improvement. As the project unfolded, the team began by examining the root cause of bloodborne pathogen exposure. However, they soon realized the importance of broadening their focus to investigate all types of workplace injuries, including near misses and potential hazards. This comprehensive approach aimed to create a safer environment for all employees, from medical staff to dietary workers.

Nicole Hilderman emphasized the importance of a safe workplace, saying, “Healthcare settings are a pretty high risk for injury and exposure. A safe workplace is an important service to provide.” The team’s collaboration was key, allowing them to divide tasks effectively and leverage each member’s unique skills.

Recognition and Motivation

In January 2025, the KVH team was recognized as a Top Performer.  As a result, they received a commemorative plaque, a cash award, and will be honored by the WSHA Board as a 2024 Top Performer at the annual WSHA Conference.  The group hopes to use the awarded funds to enhance the visibility of KVH’s Safety Committee members and the impact and effectiveness of the committee.

Earning the Top Performer award was a milestone, but for KVH, it was just the beginning of an even stronger commitment to workplace safety. The recognition served as a catalyst for further innovation and improvement within the hospital’s safety protocols. Trent Baker noted, “By identifying ways to reduce employee injuries, we create a safer work environment where our team feels supported and can focus on what they do best—caring for patients. When our employees stay healthy and on the job, they can serve patients more efficiently and effectively.”

Central to this success was the revitalization of the Safety Committee. By incorporating feedback from diverse perspectives, the committee fostered a culture of safety awareness and accountability. In the next month, we plan to launch an RCA toolbox, filled with commonly used terminology, forms/templates, and links to examples/case studies. If you are ever asked to participate in or are just curious about an RCA event, this would give you some insight into the process.

Trent Baker highlighted this effort, saying, “What we discovered is that we already had many of the necessary components—they were just scattered in different places. The idea behind the toolbox is to bring everything together into one unified location, making it easily accessible for everyone to reference and utilize.”

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, the Safety Committee aims to continue its efforts in promoting a safe workplace. Plans include enhancing communication channels, providing ongoing education, and ensuring all employees feel comfortable reporting potential hazards. “Our vision for the safety committee, as we reevaluate it, is to truly amplify the employee voice,” said Nicole Hilderman. “We want to reach a point where we’re anticipating potential issues ahead of time and proactively preventing them before they happen.”

Marlo Willis added, “It’s just about exposing risk and it’s just for anybody to do it.” The ultimate goal is to create an environment where safety is a shared responsibility and where every employee feels valued and protected.

Conclusion

The Safety Committee’s story is one of collaboration, innovation, and dedication. Through their efforts, they have not only improved safety protocols but have also instilled a sense of pride and commitment among their colleagues. The committee is dedicated to continuously fostering a culture of safety and excellence, ensuring KVH remains a place where both patients and staff thrive.

Dog Safety for Children

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Most kids have a natural attraction to dogs, but we need to teach our children to be safe around them. Of the roughly 4.5 million dog bites annually in the US, the most common victims are kids, and their injuries tend to be more severe. In general, people are most likely to be bitten by a dog they know as opposed to a stray. Talk to your child about dog safety (starting when they are very young) and be a good role model when interacting with dogs. Basic dog safety includes:

  • Always be gentle. This applies to all animals and is a valuable lesson for our kids. Keep voices calm and reassuring as raised voices or screaming are understandably upsetting to dogs and may cause unpredictable actions. Praise your child when you see calm, kind behavior towards any animal. Practicing gentleness at home with a stuffed animal makes kids more confident when interacting with the real thing!
  • Never disturb a dog when sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies. No grabbing at dogs, touching eyes, pulling on ears or tail- even the most patient dog has limits. Stay away from the food bowl, treats, or special toys as any dog can become protective.
  • Never leave a young child (under age 5 years or so) alone with a dog.
  • When out and about, greet a dog’s owner first, and ask about the dog’s temperament and tolerance for children. You or your child can then ask for permission to pet the dog and after greeting the dog by name, can offer the top of a closed hand for a sniff. Stand to the side of the dog and pet gently on the back or side. Keep interactions brief. Commend your child for behaving kindly and gently.
  • If your child is fearful, do not force an interaction. From a comfortable distance, you and your child can chat about the dog, its size, cuteness, etc., to encourage positive feelings.
  • Any treats should be offered with a flat hand. Never tease a dog by offering a treat and then whisking it away.
  • Notice body language: A tucked tail, laid back ears, and a stiff stance may indicate fear. If a dog is trying to hide behind its owner, it is not ready to be social. A wagging tail often indicates friendliness but, in some dogs, may signal being on alert.  If you have concerns, you can say, “It looks like this doggy isn’t ready to meet new friends. Let’s give him some space.”
  • Stay away from strays. If approached by a stray, turn away, avoiding eye contact with arms crossed. Sometimes saying, “Go home!” emphatically will work. Do not scream or run away.

It is important to teach our kids to be kind to animals, and dog safety is particularly vital given the fact that about 65 million US households include at least one dog. So even if you are dogless, your child will undoubtedly have lots of opportunities to interact with them—and you can help those interactions to be positive and safe.

Resources:

more about The contributor

Dr. Elise Herman

Blog Posts
Profile

Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.

Measles in Children

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The rise in measles cases recently has many people, parents included, very concerned, and with good reason. Measles is a viral illness that can be very dangerous especially for infants, children under age 5 years, pregnant women, and those with immune system problems. As of 2/26/25, there have been 165 cases in 10 states, including Washington, and sadly one child has died. Although the number of infected people does not sound very high, measles is one of the most infectious viruses known, so numbers are likely to grow. Measles infects 90% of those exposed if they are not vaccinated.

Measles starts with a fever (as high as 104), runny nose, cough, and red watery eyes. These symptoms usually start 7-14 days after exposure though it can take as long as 21 days to show signs. Two- three days later, small white spots inside the cheeks (Koplik spots) may show up. The typical measles rash starts on the face at the hairline about 3-5 days after symptoms begin. This rash consists of red, usually flat, spots that spread head to toe and may join together. Fever may spike to 104 when the rash appears. Diarrhea can also occur.

Complications are common with measles, especially in infants, children under age 5 years, pregnant women, adults over age 20 and those who have immune system deficits. Ear infections occur in 1 out of 10 kids with measles and pneumonia happens in 5% of all people infected. Brain inflammation (encephalitis) afflicts 1 out of 1,000 infected children and can cause brain damage, deafness, seizures, and death.  Nearly 3 in 1,000 kids with measles die, most commonly due to pneumonia or encephalitis. Pregnant women are at increased risk of delivering early and having a low-birth-weight baby.

There is a very rare complication that can occur 7-10 years after measles infection called Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE). It is a brain disorder related to the earlier measles for which there is no treatment and results in death within 3 years of diagnosis without exception.

The good news is that the measles vaccine (either as MMR [measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines] or MMRV (as above plus varicella [chickenpox] vaccine) is safe and effective. For kids it is a 2-dose series, given at ages 12-15 months and 4-6 years; adults who are unvaccinated may only need one dose. One dose of a measles vaccine is 93% effective at preventing infection, and 2 doses gives 97% protection. Common side effects include muscle soreness at the injection site, low grade fever, and a mild rash. Rarely there can be a brief harmless seizure due to fever, occurring in less than 8 kids per 10,000 vaccinated.

The Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, issued a statement on March 3, 2025, with the subheading “MMR vaccine is crucial to avoiding potentially deadly disease” and then noted “Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons.”

Earlier concerns about MMR vaccine and autism have been strongly disproved in multiple studies. The doctor who made those claims was found to have fabricated his ‘results’ and lost his medical license. Autism is often diagnosed at around the same age as when kids receive MMR vaccine, but the vaccine does not cause autism.

During a local measles outbreak, students who are unvaccinated are excluded from school for 21 days from the last measles rash identified in the community. If they are given the first dose of the MMR or MMRV series, they may return to school. If an unvaccinated child is exposed to measles, they should be immunized as soon as possible to decrease the risk of infection.

If you have questions about measles vaccination, contact your child’s health care provider. Measles is a very dangerous virus that is unfortunately also extremely contagious. Our best way of protecting our kids and our community is vaccination.

more about The contributor

Dr. Elise Herman

Blog Posts
Profile

Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.