The Most Common Hospital-Acquired Infections

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

Many patients arrive at the hospital seeking treatment for deadly infections — but some acquire infections at the hospital. The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) account for nearly 100,000 deaths every year. Below, we offer insight into a few of the most common HAIs: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Better known as MRSA, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is arguably the most well-known hospital-acquired health problem. The staph bacteria is notoriously resistant to common antibiotics. Thankfully, research indicates that hospital-acquired MRSA is on the decline. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal…

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Physician Burnout: A Deep Dive (Part II)

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

Physician burnout is one of the most concerning and least understood issues in the health care industry. We’re here to shed light on this alarming phenomenon. In the first half of our series on burnout, we explored the scope of the problem and explained why it’s getting worse. Now, we’ll show you how physician burnout impacts patients — and what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones. Physician Burnout and Healthcare Outcomes In a Stanford analysis of a national physician study, over ten percent of respondents confessed to committing major medical errors in the last three months….

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Physician Burnout: A Deep Dive (Part I)

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jan 04, 2019

Few professions are mentally or physically more taxing than medicine. Physicians, in particular, face long hours and considerable stress. With over one-quarter of doctors working between 61 and 80 hours per week, it’s easy to see why burnout is at an all-time high. In this two-part article, we’ll investigate the prevalence of burnout and the reasons behind its dramatic rise in the medical profession. How Common Is Physician Burnout? In 2016, the Mayo Clinic published a physician study in which 54.4 percent of respondents admitted to suffering at least one symptom of burnout in 2014. Sometimes, this burnout proves fatal;…

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Parents: Here’s How to Prepare for Flu Season This Year

Posted By Regan Zambri Long PLLC | Posted on: Dec 07, 2018

It is officially flu season. Between the months of October and May, the influenza virus peaks and infects adults and children, although symptoms and severity may vary significantly. The flu is far more dangerous for younger children than the common cold, which is why the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges parents to prepare. Listed below are some helpful tips for parents during flu season: Get vaccinated. An annual flu vaccine is one of the most effective ways to protect your family from the flu. The vaccine has been proven to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization…

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Doctors Who Abuse Drugs And Alcohol: By the Numbers

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Dec 04, 2018

The medical profession is notoriously stressful, especially for physicians and other high-level employees. Unfortunately, many self-medicate in hopes of managing the constant barrage of anxiety. This leaves both medical professionals and the patients they’re charged with protecting at risk. Below, we shed light on the scourge of drugs and alcohol in the health care industry: Prevalence of Abuse Abuse is shockingly common among doctors; in a notable study published in the American Journal on Addictions, 15.3 percent of surveyed physicians met diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependency. Likewise, research indicates that benzodiazepine and opiate abuse rates are higher among doctors than…

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Common Clerical Errors That Cause Medical Injuries: Part II

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Nov 28, 2018

Clerical mistakes are one of the most common — and least reported — issues in the medical industry. In our last post on the relationship between clerical errors and medical mishaps, we discussed a few of the most common types of mistakes that can harm patients. Now, we dive in deeper with additional examples and statistics — several of which involve modern medical technology. Issues With Electronic Health Records Although designed, in part, with the intention of avoiding clerical issues, electronic health records (EHR) actually cause their fair share of mishaps. Often, these issues arise when transferring information from traditional…

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Common Clerical Errors That Cause Medical Injuries: Part I

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Nov 27, 2018

Typically, when people picture medical malpractice, they think of obvious errors made during surgery. Often, however, the most harmful mistakes occur at completely unexpected points in the medical process. Clerical errors, in particular, are to blame for a shocking number of medical malpractice cases. Read on to learn about the most common types of clerical errors — and why they’re so dangerous: Mislabeling Whether it occurs in the lab or at the pharmacy, mislabeling can cause huge problems. This common error takes many forms; medical professionals may accidentally mislabel test results, diagnoses, or prescriptions. One wrong number or abbreviation can…

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The Subtle Dangers of Low-Level Falls

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Nov 26, 2018

If you’ve ever slipped off a curb or stumbled while descending the final step on a flight of stairs, you’ve probably laughed it off as ‘not a big deal.’ But while low-level falls don’t always result in severe injuries, they can be surprisingly dangerous — particularly among seniors or those with pre-existing injuries. Unfortunately, low-level falls are becoming increasingly common. Recent analysis of data from the National Trauma Data Bank suggests that the rate of fatal falls among elderly adults increased by 55 percent between 1993 and 2003. Based on this research, experts believe that 30 percent of adults over…

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Thanksgiving Travel Dangers — And What to Do About Them

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Nov 20, 2018

Thanksgiving is almost here — and you’re eager to hit the road. Whether you plan on driving for a few minutes or a few hours, your journey may be more perilous than you suspect; data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates an uptick of 19 percent in traffic accidents during the Thanksgiving holiday. Read on to learn about the most significant Thanksgiving travel dangers — and what you can do to stay safe. Increased Traffic Traffic isn’t just a workweek phenomenon; Thanksgiving can spark truly frustrating jams. Combine the usual pitfalls of traffic with drivers determined to arrive…

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Are You Vulnerable to Lead Exposure? What to Know Before Working With Contractors

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Nov 13, 2018

It is currently common knowledge that lead exposure can cause severe health problems — particularly for young children. But while lead-based paint has long been banned in new construction, it remains a considerable risk in millions of homes built before lead was widely recognized as a threat. In pristine condition, lead-based paint does not necessarily harm homeowners — but that all changes when general contractors enter the picture. Read on to learn how you can protect yourself and your loved ones as you proceed with home renovation projects: Lead-Safe Certification Issued in 2008 and recently reaffirmed, the EPA’s Renovation, Repair…

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