More Companies Recall Inclined Sleeper Cribs

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Aug 16, 2019

Dorel Juvenile Group USA has become the third company to voluntarily recall inclined sleeper crib models after reports of infant fatalities in similar products. The voluntary recall through the Consumer Product Safety Commission affects about 24,000 units sold by juvenile product stores such as Target, Kmart, Ross, Marshalls, TJ Maxx. Reason for Recall As we have previously highlighted, inclined sleepers are unsafe for children and do not follow the guidelines for safe sleep supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics. In April, Fisher-Price recalled 4.7 million Rock ‘N Play sleepers that have been linked to 30 deaths and Kids II…

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The Amazing Power of the Coronary Heart Artery Calcium Test

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Aug 14, 2019

As the leading cause of death for both men and women, heart disease looms large in the United States. What many people don’t realize, however, is that this condition is often entirely preventable. An early understanding of risk factors is critical — hence the importance of coronary calcium tests. How Coronary Calcium Tests Work Coronary calcium tests harness the power of computed tomography (CT) scanners. These machines take several pictures of thin sections of the heart, ultimately combining to form a view capable of revealing specks of calcium situated in the arteries. Known as calcifications, these specks form one of…

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How Self-Driving Vehicles Endanger Pedestrians: Part II

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Aug 09, 2019

In the first part of our series on self-driving vehicles, we examined a few of the main factors that underlie pedestrian-related accidents. Now, we’ll take a closer look at the latest statistics in the interest of determining how these vehicles are already impacting those traveling on two feet. Pedestrian Deaths on the Rise For years, American automakers and drivers have consistently made design and purchasing decisions that benefit drivers and passengers while placing pedestrians at risk. As a result, deaths have declined dramatically for vehicle occupants, while pedestrian and cyclist fatalities have seen a dramatic upswing. Federal data suggests that…

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How Self-Driving Vehicles Endanger Pedestrians: Part I

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Aug 07, 2019

Self-driving vehicles are poised to take over our roads in the near future. While preliminary research suggests that they will reduce accidents by removing human error from the equation, they remain far from perfect. Pedestrians, in particular, could be at risk as these vehicles become more prevalent. Below, we examine the many ways in which self-driving cars can prove dangerous: Poor Detection Detection issues often lie at the heart of self-driving accidents. Autonomous vehicles simply cannot respond appropriately to pedestrians if they are not detected quickly enough. Unfortunately, detection issues abound. Research from the Georgia Institute of Technology suggests that…

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Children At Significant Risk of Contracting Contagious Diseases at Petting Zoos

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Aug 05, 2019

When parents show their children animals, the first thought on a parent’s mind is usually safety. Since barnyard animals are usually harmless and are loved by young children, petting zoos are popular destinations for family outings in some areas. But, parents should consider the threat posed by animal-borne pathogens at petting zoos and other similar activities. Regular Outbreaks The danger posed by exposure to pathogens found in petting zoos was highlighted recently with the death of a two-year-old, who died after he and three other children contracted E. coli at a petting zoo near San Diego. Outbreaks like these occur…

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How to Know Whether Your Hospital Is Great, Bad, or Somewhere In Between

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Aug 01, 2019

United States hospitals vary dramatically in quality. Some maintain an exceptional standard of care, while others exhibit shocking negligence on a daily basis. Don’t assume that your hospital is the former. The following suggestions will help you determine whether you should continue with the status quo or find a new facility: Take Advantage of Hospital Ratings Numerous scales are available to help you determine how your hospital stacks up compared to other options. Each rating scale holds different criteria; examine several to get a well-rounded take on your hospital. Top options include: Leapfrog Medicare’s Hospital Compare Hospital Safety Grade Hospital…

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Doctors And Nurses Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol: Part 2

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jul 30, 2019

Substance abuse is a shocking epidemic in the health care industry — and it places both patients and professionals at risk. In the previous blog from this two-part series, we examined the prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse among doctors and nurses. Now, we’ll take a closer look at how these substances impact vulnerable patients: Increased Risk of Surgical Errors Perhaps the scariest implications of substance abuse on the job involve surgery. This niche requires exceptional precision; even slight impairment could lead to devastating outcomes. While medical professionals have been known to successfully perform surgery under the influence (with some…

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Doctors And Nurses Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol: Part 1

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jul 29, 2019

It’s no secret that rates of drug and alcohol abuse are alarmingly high among doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals. But while we typically think of health care workers as indulging in harmful coping mechanisms exclusively at home, these substances appear to have an increased presence in the workplace. Read on to discover just how prevalent substance abuse is in health care settings: Drug And Alcohol Issues Are Shockingly Common The stressful nature of health care work drives many professionals to seek solace in drugs or alcohol. Hence, the concerning results of a University of Washington study, which revealed that…

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Summer Camp Hazards: How Parents Can Protect Their Kids

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jul 26, 2019

Summer camps help your children gain confidence, independence, and lifelong friendships. Unfortunately, this environment can also be highly dangerous — especially when you’re not around to monitor your children. Don’t let fear get in the way of a life-changing experience; take these steps to keep your children safe: Invest in Swimming Lessons Summer camp activities are often based around lakes. While some camps offer swimming lessons, it’s best to develop this crucial skill long before you send your kids to camp. Once your children are capable of swimming a full 50 yards on their own, you can feel confident as…

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Look Out For Parasite “Crypto” in Drinking and Swimming Water This Summer

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jul 23, 2019

Cryptosporidium, or “crypto,” is a water-borne parasite that causes a disease called cryptosporidiosis. Crypto is the leading cause of diarrhea caused by contact with water. Summer is the worst season for crypto, as the hot temperatures create ideal conditions for the virus to thrive. Over the past decade, the number of reported crypto cases has been rising as outbreaks become more frequent. Here are some tips for how to avoid catching this water-borne pathogen. Crypto Facts Listed below are some statistics from the CDC about the scope of the crypto problem: The number of outbreaks increased approximately 13% on average…

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