Common Mistakes Hospital Administrators Make — And How They Can Affect You

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jun 15, 2019

Hospital administrators are responsible for keeping facilities running seamlessly. It’s not an easy job — opportunities for errors abound. Unfortunately, these errors can prove deadly for vulnerable patients, who depend on the skill of hospital administrators as much as they do on nurses and doctors. Detailed below are among the most common — and deadly — hospital administrator mistakes: Hiring Decisions Often, hospital administrators are responsible for overseeing facility personnel. This may mean making final decisions regarding hiring or employee termination. Those who fail to vet new employees appropriately place patients at risk of being cared for by incompetent workers….

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Buying Used Tires Not Worth the Safety Risks

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

New sets of tires can be expensive, but purchasing used tires for their cost savings is not worth the risk. Although used tires are cheaper than new ones, opting to purchase used is not the same as making a similar decision when shopping for other expensive items. Hidden Risks of Used Tires While many consumers believe that finding a used tire with good tread depth implies it is safe to drive, there are many hidden factors in buying tires used. Tires degrade more quickly if they are driven for long periods of time while underinflated, overinflated, overloaded, or at high…

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2 Recent Fires in DC Homes Highlight Danger of Broken Smoke Detectors

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jun 13, 2019

Two homes in DC were burned after fires broke out on Tuesday, June 4th. Both fires broke out in buildings with non-functioning smoke detectors. One woman died from her injuries after being rescued by firefighters, and a dog was found dead after the other fire. These fires demonstrate the danger of having broken or absent smoke alarms in the home. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states that households without functioning smoke alarms have double the death rate from fires compared to households with a sufficient amount of working smoke alarms. Here are some tips from the NFPA about how…

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Fisher-Price Recalls Popular Inclined Infant Crib After Series of Deaths: Crib Never Properly Tested for Safety

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jun 12, 2019

The Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper, developed as an alternative to cribs, elevates the baby’s head to a 30 degree inclined position. The intended use is for infants to lie on their backs on the padded frame as if it were a recliner. The design of the sleeper was inspired by incorrect assumptions about infant sleep that overlooked updated safety guidelines. Concerns were raised after a recent Consumer Reports study linked the crib to infant deaths. The news of this study was followed by a statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics calling for the recall of the crib. After…

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Summer 2019 Metro Closures Highlight Traffic Dangers

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jun 11, 2019

This summer, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), is shutting down six Metro stations on the blue and yellow lines south of Ronald Reagan National Airport. These stations include Braddock Road, King Street-Old Town, Eisenhower Avenue, Huntington, Van Dorn Street, and Franconia-Springfield. The Washington Post estimates that 17,000 daily commuters are affected by these station closures. Increased Traffic Volume The displacement of passengers affected by the station closures will likely increase traffic in the District and surrounding areas over the summer, especially during rush hour. Commuters not affected by the station closures should still be aware that they might face denser…

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3 Warning Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

Posted By Regan Zambri Long PLLC | Posted on: Jun 10, 2019

Nursing home abuse may be one of your worst fears. When you place your loved one in a nursing home, you want to know that they are being well cared for. Yet often nursing home abuse and neglect takes place without the loved ones ever knowing about it. Here’s what you need to look for when you visit your loved one to determine if they are being abused or neglected. Signs of Elder Abuse One of the biggest signs of elder abuse is change in behavior. Your loved one may suddenly display symptoms similar to dementia, with mumbling, sucking their…

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Federal Appeals Court Rules Amazon Not Liable for Defective Third-Party Products

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jun 10, 2019

In 2014, a Maryland couple’s house was burned down by a headlamp purchased on Amazon. The couple sued Amazon for damages, but Amazon asserted that the Chinese company that manufactured the product was at fault. A Maryland judge sided with Amazon, stating that Amazon was only the platform for selling the product and never actually owned the product. The couple appealed the ruling, but the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond agreed with the original decision. Amazon and Product Liability This isn’t the first time Amazon has had trouble with product liability allegations. In 2016, a Tennessee family’s…

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The Surprising Dangers of Spring Allergies — And What to Do About Them

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

Seasonal allergies might seem like a minor annoyance, but they have a greater impact than you suspect. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that allergies are the sixth most common chronic condition in the United States — and that they cost the nation’s economy over $18 billion per year. Some patients only experience mild symptoms, but others suffer severe heart and respiratory issues due to high pollen counts. No matter the extent of your allergy symptoms, it’s important to get the issue under control as soon as possible. Your allergies impact your quality of life, making…

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How Medical Software Glitches Can Hurt You

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jun 06, 2019

Medical advances promise to take us into a new age of possibility, in which facility visits are more convenient and patient records are more secure. Used correctly, medical software can have a positive impact. Glitches, however, are far from uncommon — and they place you and your fellow patients at risk. Below, we explain why these technological issues cause so much harm. Delayed Patient Results Every moment counts when treating severe health conditions. Unfortunately, while technology promises to speed up the process, glitches can prompt significant roadblocks. In Canada, for example, 2017 issues with electronic health records (EHR) software from…

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How Patients Can Evaluate Different Hospitals

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

An alarming disparity exists among hospitals and other health care facilities in the United States. Some hospitals provide stellar care, while others see continued medical errors or may be breeding grounds for infection. Clearly, where you stay can have a huge impact on both your current symptoms and long-term health. If possible, you’ll want to assess local options while you feel healthy to ensure that you make the right decision in the event of a medical emergency. The following are a few of the many factors worth considering as you select the best possible location for treatment: Look at a…

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