Getting Ready for Swimming Pool Season? A Few Things to Know Before Pool Season. . . .

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: May 25, 2018

As we approach Memorial Day, many thoughts turn to our favorite summer activities. Playing in the pool and lounging by the pool are extremely popular among children and adults. However, when improper attention is paid to the people in the pool or to the pool itself, serious accidents or tragedy can occur. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2005-2014, an average of 3,536 deaths by drowning each year occurred. Often those injured are young children who are still learning how to swim. A pool which has poorly trained staff, dangerous equipment, or not well-maintained conditions…

Read More

What to Know About Central Line Infections

Posted By Regan Zambri Long PLLC | Posted on: May 24, 2018

Central line blood infections are responsible for thousands of deaths each year. Also known as a central venous catheter, central lines are placed in veins near the chest, neck or groin. A central line is inserted into a vein close to the heart to provide medicine or collect blood. These are not to be confused with IVs, which are generally placed near the arm or hands to provide fluids or medicines. A blood infection can occur when pathogens (a virus or bacteria) enter the bloodstream through the central line. There are multiple reasons why central-line infections may occur. Poor sanitation….

Read More

Most Common Nursing Errors and How to Avoid Them

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: May 23, 2018

Nurses have one of the most grueling (and often thankless) jobs in America. They deal with cranky patients, field countless distractions, frequently work 12-hour shifts and often suffer from fatigue—which unfortunately also makes them susceptible to making mistakes. While most nurses have the best intentions toward their patients (even the cranky ones), the best among them sometimes fail to provide the best care—which is why patients and their families must be watchful and diligent. Let’s look at a few of the most common nursing errors to watch for. Medication Errors Administering medicine incorrectly is one of the most common nursing…

Read More

Memorial Day Weekend Safety Reminders for 2018

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: May 22, 2018

Memorial Day weekend hails the unofficial start of summer, and millions of people will be hitting the highways, airports, campgrounds and beaches to celebrate the occasion. However, here’s a startling statistic: Memorial Day weekend is also one of the deadliest times to be on the roads. According to CBS News, thanks to an average of 312 traffic fatalities annually, you’re four times more likely to die in a car crash during this particular holiday weekend than at any other time of year. Ironically, Memorial Day isn’t the heaviest drinking holiday—New Year’s Eve has that distinction—but it is one of the…

Read More

What are Common Medical Mistakes in Emergency Rooms?

Posted By Regan Zambri Long PLLC | Posted on: May 22, 2018

Emergency rooms are one of the most important pillars of our nation’s health care infrastructure. In fact, more than 100 million people are treated in US emergency rooms each year. While emergency rooms are a critical aspect of our national health care system, they are also facilities that may be rife with medical errors. Common medical mistakes in emergency rooms include but are not limited to: Diagnostic errors. You could receive an incorrect diagnosis in an emergency room. These medical facilities may be overloaded with patients and understaffed. As a result, doctors may not spend as much time with patients….

Read More

Writing a Parent/Teen Prom Night Contract? Some Dos and Don’ts

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: May 21, 2018

For high school students, prom night represents a rite of passage; for parents, it often represents a long night of worry. Without supervision and self-restraint, a night of celebration often turns into a nightmare, with the ongoing threats of drugs, alcohol, drunk driving, STDs and more. To bring added peace of mind and hopefully reduced risk, some parents in recent years have begun creating a parent/teen prom night contract and having their children sign it. While it’s not an ironclad deterrent, it does sometimes help children remain mindful and accountable—but even so, some approaches to these contracts can be more…

Read More

Slip-and-Fall Accidents While Intoxicated: Can You Recover Damages?

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: May 21, 2018

Scenario: You get together with some friends at a bar across town. It’s an older neighborhood, and the sidewalks outside are uneven due to years of tree roots growing underneath. While you were in the bar, a light snow shower left a coating of snow outside, covering a patch of black ice underneath. You’ve had several drinks and you’re a bit tipsy, so when it’s time to go, you step outside to hail a cab home. You slip on the patch of ice in front of the bar, fall and break your arm. The question: Can you recover slip-and-fall damages…

Read More

What Could Cause a Breast Cancer Misdiagnosis?

Posted By Regan Zambri Long PLLC | Posted on: May 18, 2018

An estimated one in eight women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. Breast cancer is common in the US and throughout the world. Women who receive an early diagnosis of breast cancer can begin treatment when the disease is still in its early stages. Early treatment leads to better outcomes. A delayed diagnosis of breast cancer could allow the cancer to metastasize to other parts of the body. There are cases where women (and men) with breast cancer receive a delayed diagnosis. Possible reasons for a delayed diagnosis of breast cancer include but are not…

Read More

How Fatigue Can Affect Your Doctor’s Judgment—And What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: May 17, 2018

The medical profession has some glaring gaps when it comes to patient safety—and one of the biggest is the lack of protections against doctor fatigue. Hospital physicians and nurses are among the most overworked and under-rested people in our work force today. Studies repeatedly show that adults require 7-9 hours of sleep per night for optimum health. When you consider that resident doctors typically work 80-100 hours a week and frequently work for up to 28 hours at a time, you realize that they aren’t getting anywhere near these amounts of sleep. Under these conditions, even the most competent doctors…

Read More

Statewide Program in Virginia to Improve Teen Driving Safety

Posted By Regan Zambri Long PLLC | Posted on: May 14, 2018

Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety and Virginia State Police have launched a competitive program to improve teen driving safety. The “Arrive Alive” program began on March 19 and will run through May 4. Arrive Alive is being offered to schools and youth organizations throughout the state. As part of the program, students at participating Virginia schools will compete by developing social media campaigns that encourage safe driving. The program’s goal is to help teenagers develop safe driving and passenger behaviors. Spring and summer are the deadliest time of year for teenager drivers. The AAA Foundation for Traffic…

Read More