SafetyIssues Personal and Public Safety News Articles: Health Needlestick Safety Remains Top Concern for Healthcare Professionals in the New Year ================================================================================ Courtesy of sacbee.com on 02/09/12 11:16:00 Despite legislation and continued focus across the U.S. to improve sharps safety, needlestick injuries (NSIs) resulting in the exposure to infectious disease continue to be a major issue facing all healthcare professionals. Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI, who has more than 35 years experience in infusion nursing and adult education, addressed this topic during a B. Braun Medical Inc. (B. Braun) showcase session held during the Association for Vascular Access (AVA) 2011 Annual Scientific Meeting in San Jose, Calif. Meningitis - what you should know? ================================================================================ Courtesy of LifeExtension on 11/21/11 06:08:00 Meningitis is inflammation of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (the meninges). Reports of the illness date to the 16th century, and the disease was first accurately described in 1805 (Rosenstein NE et al 2001). Meningitis is characterized by swelling of the meninges; increased pressure inside the skull blocks the flow of blood to the brain, starving the brain of nutrients and oxygen. Encephalitis, which is actual inflammation of the brain, can occur along with meningitis. Amtrak Passengers Warned of Possible Measles Exposure ================================================================================ Courtesy of aboutlawsuits on 08/23/11 01:28:00 Health officials are warning Amtrak passengers who rode from Boston to Virginia last week that they may have been exposed to measles. According to a press release from the Virginia Department of Health, a man traveling on Amtrak Regional train #171 on August 17, had measles but did not know about his infection until later, meaning anyone who rode the train with him was potentially exposed. He boarded the train at Philadelphia and rode it into Virginia. The train left Boston at 8:15 A.M., stopping in Pennsylvania, Maryland, D.C. and Virginia before ending its journey in Lynchburg at 8:36 p.m. Virginia health officials say anyone who contracted measles from the train ride would begin showing symptoms of the disease between August 24 and September 7. Going into hospital far riskier than flying-WHO ================================================================================ Courtesy of Reuters on 07/22/11 07:19:00 Millions of people die each year from medical errors and infections linked to health care and going into hospital is far riskier than flying, the World Health Organisation said on Thursday. "If you were admitted to hospital tomorrow in any country... your chances of being subjected to an error in your care would be something like 1 in 10. Your chances of dying due to an error in health care would be 1 in 300," Liam Donaldson, the WHO's newly appointed envoy for patient safety, told a news briefing. Heart Disease and Congestive Heart Failure ================================================================================ Courtesy of WebMed on 03/21/11 10:54:00 Elizabth Taylor dies of Congestive Heart Failure. What is heart failure? Following is the article by WebMed - Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working. Rather, it means that the heart's pumping power is weaker than normal. With heart failure, blood moves through the heart and body at a slower rate, and pressure in the heart increases. As a result, the heart cannot pump enough oxygen and nutrients to meet the body's needs. The chambers of the heart respond by stretching to hold more blood to pump through the body or by becoming stiff and thickened. This helps to keep the blood moving for a short while but, in time, the heart muscle walls weaken and are unable to pump as strongly. As a result, the kidneys often respond by causing the body to retain fluid (water) and sodium. If fluid builds up in the arms, legs, ankles, feet, lungs, or other organs, the body becomes congested, and congestive heart failure is the term used to describe the condition. Is the H1N1 Virus Going to Worsen? ================================================================================ Staff writer for SafetyIssues on 05/22/09 07:34:00 The current epidemic of the H1N1 virus is relatively benign, although there have been some fatalities. While this may seem like a blessing, it is wise to remain very cautious about the epidemic. Drug-Coated Stent: Should It Be Used? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/05/07 05:45:00 A study has asked heart surgeons to be cautious when deciding whether they should use drug-coated stents on heart-attack patients. The report was presented Tuesday, Sept 4, at the European Society of Cardiology conference in Vienna, Austria. Do Vitamins Really Protect Against Cancer? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 11/22/08 07:16:00 Many people swallow mega doses of vitamins in the belief that these enhance the capability of their bodies to capture dangerous free radicals that could cause cancers and cardiovascular diseases, but the results of scientific researches published in recent months show that vitamins may not be able to do as they are expected. The Right Diet Helps Fight Common Cold ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 11/01/08 11:26:00 With winter coming soon, colds cannot be far away. The common cold may give you the same familiar symptoms but it has many more causes than most diseases — any one of 250 different types of viruses can result in the common cold. SARS Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ================================================================================ Megan Markey on 05/30/03 05:35:00 What is that itch you have had in your throat recently? Does your cough occur mysteriously after watching the Six O'clock news? Don’t worry because it is unlikely that your cough is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, and even if it is, it is much more likely that you will be successfully treated and survive. Less Pleasure From Eating Leads To Obesity ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/18/08 03:11:00 A study on the brain activity of obese and lean women shows that the obese get less pleasure from the food they eat but then eat more high-calorie food to compensate, and the cause may be a variation in the gene related to the body’s pleasure response. Cell Phones Causing Skin Rashes? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/19/08 01:51:00 Cell phone users who spend a lot of time on their mobiles may develop a skin rash if nickel is present on their phones, warns the British Association of Dermatologists. High Blood Pressure, If Left Untreated ... ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/13/08 08:18:00 The percentage of Americans having high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) appears to be growing, and this is partly due to the widespread obesity epidemic, according to a new study by researchers from the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Overeating Confuses Brain ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/02/08 03:41:00 Overeating can confuse the brain’s immune system, upsetting the functions of normally inactive parts of its hypothalamus region, according to researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Long Wait-Times Causing ER Deaths ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/27/08 10:45:00 The waiting times at hospital emergency rooms (ER) are getting even longer. Members of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) say they have long warned about difficult operational problems confronting ER units across the country. The physicians all want to care for their patients as best they can, but they simply are swamped by sheer volume. Prevent Colds, Flu: Wash Your Hands ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/26/08 10:26:00 Americans are no longer washing their hands as regularly as they should, according to the fourth Clean Hands Report Card from the Soap and Detergent Association (SDA). Do Inhaler Drugs Raise Heart, Death Risks? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/24/08 02:06:00 The findings are not conclusive, but a new study warns of the possibility that inhaler drugs could increase slightly the risk for heart attacks. Doctors Show Little Empathy for Patients ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/23/08 05:41:00 If you’re a cancer patient and are looking for some form of emotional support from your doctor, don’t count on getting it. Your doctor may not have the disposition to provide it. Why Are There No Safe Tans? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/18/08 08:59:00 Scientists made a startling announcement Thursday: safe tans do not exist. This conclusion was found in research reports that reviewed published scientific studies on tans and skin cancer. The three separate but closely related reports were prepared by researchers from the U.S. and the U.K. Asthma Risks Rise After Storm ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/17/08 06:02:00 As homeowners in areas hit by Hurricane Ike return to their flooded homes, particularly those in Galveston, Texas, they will have to be careful about mold allergies and asthma. Does Fish Oil Stall Heart Failure? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/03/08 12:30:00 Fish oil supplements taken daily may reduce deaths and hospitalizations due to heart failure, according to a study published in the medical journal, The Lancet. Should Earwax Be Removed? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/31/08 01:27:00 Everything in the body has a purpose, even the earwax that seems to horrify people when they find out they have it in their ears. Respiratory Cancers Rise with Incense Use ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/26/08 09:56:00 People with long-term exposure to incense may face an increased risk of cancers in the squamous cells of the respiratory tract, according to researchers at the Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen, Denmark. Obesity Rates On The Rise ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/28/07 03:25:00 The obesity epidemic shows no signs of being whipped into shape. The fourth annual obesity report released by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) reveals that adult obesity rates increased in 31 states — and no state even showed a decrease. Have You Had Your Vision Checked? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/15/08 05:34:00 Vision problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, affect half of all Americans 20 years or older, said a research team at the National Eye Institute. Do Antacid Drugs Raise Risk of Fractures? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/12/08 09:28:00 Acid blocking drugs prescribed to relieve chronic acid reflux may be good for the stomach but increase the risk of bone fractures, according to a study published in the journal of the Canadian Medical Association. Sleep Apnea Linked To Higher Death Risk ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/03/08 12:15:00 People who suffer disrupted breathing during sleep may be four to six times at higher risk of death than those without the condition, according to two research reports published Friday in the journal Sleep. Are E.R.s Leaving Patients to Die? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 07/27/08 09:20:00 Esmin Green had been committed, without her consent, to the Kings County Hospital psychiatric E.R. in Brooklyn, New York. She was left sitting on a chair and waiting for a hospital bed for more than 24 hours. Want Faster Weight Loss? Keep A Food Diary! ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 07/10/08 10:21:00 If you have been spending a significant amount of money on weight-loss techniques that somehow don’t seem to work, it may be time to consider something more simple: keep a food diary. Are You Getting Enough Cardio Exercise? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 07/23/07 10:40:00 It’s summer, and everyone’s going outdoors and doing all sorts of physical things to enjoy the sun and good weather. It should also be the perfect time to go out and do some cardiovascular (cardio) exercises. West Nile Virus Could Hit Flooded States ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 06/23/08 02:18:00 As summer comes, Americans will have to contend once again with the West Nile virus. For the flooded states in the Midwest, the West Nile could pose real problems as the standing water becomes ideal breeding ground for thousands of mosquitoes – the transmitters of the virus. Are You Sleep Deprived? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 06/17/08 04:20:00 Majority of Americans are having much less sleep than what the body needs to be healthy and have normal functioning, according to a physician doing research for the American Sleep Association. This is corroborated by many surveys and research studies undertaken in recent years. Can Sleep Deficit Be Recouped? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 11/26/07 04:15:00 Most people in the US now sleep less than seven hours a night — which is about one hour less than the average sleep time 40 years ago. They usually hope to make up for lost sleep at some point during the week, say, the following day or the weekend. Are Hospital Errors On The Rise? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 11/22/07 04:05:00 In a repeat of a case in Indiana last year, in which three babies died, the newborn twins of a well-known actor were administered an overdose of heparin, a generic drug used as blood thinner. Is A New Lethal Virus Coming? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 11/16/07 03:55:00 The US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control reported Thursday that a mutation of a virus that causes common cold has killed 10 people in the 18 months since May 2006. Is Organ Transplant Safe? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 11/14/07 04:50:00 Four patients in Chicago who received organ transplants from the same donor were found positive for HIV. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the last time HIV was reportedly transmitted through infected organs was in 1986. Do Antibacterial Soaps Produce Super Bugs? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 11/13/07 03:25:00 According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend nearly $1 billion each year on antimicrobial products, typified by the antimicrobial hand wash with the active ingredient, triclosan. Risk of Lung Cancer Equal for Both Sexes ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 06/16/08 10:04:00 A study that involved over 460,000 men and women has found that women and men smokers have equal chances of getting lung cancer. The results of the study have been published online in The Lancet Oncology. Know the Signs of Sudden Heart Attack ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 06/15/08 05:47:00 Politicians and journalists were shocked at the sudden death Friday of a popular and beloved journalist, Tim Russert. He had collapsed in his network’s Washington office and died suddenly. The cause: plaque that had built up in his artery had ruptured the blood vessel, resulting in a coronary thrombosis. Mercury Dental Fillings Get FDA Warning ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 06/08/08 03:54:00 The FDA agreed to update its website to inform consumers that the mercury in metal dental fillings can pose a risk to the health of pregnant women, fetuses, and children. Obesity Increases Breast Cancer Death Risk ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 12/09/07 04:15:00 Patients already diagnosed with breast cancer should keep their weight in check in order to improve their survival odds, according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Does Lack of Sleep Increase Diabetes Risk? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 01/03/08 02:05:00 A new study has reported that healthy people who do not get enough deep sleep may lose their ability to process sugar which, in the long term, could contribute to weight gain and, ultimately, diabetes. The study reports that three nights’ lack of good sleep led to a drop in metabolism equivalent to a weight gain of 17 to 28 pounds. Hospitals Late Responding to Heart Cases ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 01/04/08 02:50:00 A new study has determined that hospital staff is late in responding to one-third of sudden heart attacks in the hospital, causing added risk of brain damage and death. Thousands of deaths a year result from these delays. Do Antipsychotic Drugs Really Work? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 01/08/08 01:25:00 Antipsychotic drugs were originally developed to treat schizophrenia, but many doctors have routinely prescribed them to pacify aggressive behavior in various situations: for children with attention-deficit problems, for teenagers suffering from depression, for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, and also for intellectually handicapped people. Smoking, Drinking Hasten Alzheimer’s Onset ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 04/18/08 03:20:00 People who drink or smoke heavily develop Alzheimer’s disease a few years sooner than those with more moderate habits, according to a new study presented to the participants of the American Academy of Neurology in Chicago on Wednesday. When Do Safety Checks Become Research? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 01/18/08 10:15:00 Nearly eight years ago, the U.S. Institute of Medicine released a report, bearing the title To Err Is Human, which said that about 98,000 patients a year in the U.S. died from preventable medical errors. Is Treated Sludge Really Safe? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 04/17/08 07:30:00 A Senate committee is set to investigate a research study funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency on the possibility that sewage sludge might be useful in preventing lead poisoning. Safety Problems Cited in Clinics ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 03/05/08 02:55:00 A Nevada clinic linked to an outbreak of hepatitis C may be just an indication of a much bigger problem involving safety procedures at clinics throughout the rest of the country, warned the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tattoo, Carving and Health Issues ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 04/10/08 12:10:00 Tattooing once was the mark of the extreme rebel against social conventions, the ultimate means of self expression. Not anymore. Young girls and grandmothers love to show off tattooed figures and characters on their bodies. Tattooing is no longer unconventional. Convention Attendees Hit By Norovirus ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 04/05/08 06:05:00 Sixty-five (65) people were stricken with stomach flu at the Reagan National Airport, as they were waiting for their flights home. They had just attended a medical convention Thursday held at the new Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Prince George’s County, Maryland.