I had heard about fires that break out during surgical procedures, but I thought that they were exceedingly rare. But according to a notification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), every year about 650 patients are injured by surgical fires. In some cases, the injuries are life threatening. In addition, more fires start […]
Fires in Surgery a Danger to Patients Read More »
Hospitals are filled with all different kinds of bacteria. As doctors and nurses move from patient to patient, the conscientious ones wash their hands before examining each new patient. That simple act of using soap and water is the single best way to prevent the transmission of bacteria from one very sick person to another.
Doctors and Nurses Can Transmit Deadly Bacteria Read More »
Results of a study just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggest guidelines for patients that could help keep them safer after carotid stenting. In fact, this advice might even save lives. A stent is a tiny tube that acts to keep an artery open, allowing blood to flow properly. Stents
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Three years ago, a family was blessed with a set of twin boys. One of the twins had difficulty from the moment they were born, suffering from respiratory distress and needing umbilical artery and vein catheters. At some point in his care, the boy was exposed to the deadly Bacillus cereus bacteria from contaminated alcohol prep pads, a lawsuit now claims.
Contaminated Alcohol Prep Pads Blamed for Child's Brain Damage Read More »
Before every injections…before every catheter insertion…before anytime the skin needs to be punctured, the first step is to wipe the skin with an alcohol prep pad. Those are the little packets of rubbing alcohol-soaked gauze that are ever-present in hospitals and doctors’ offices. The alcohol pads sterilize the skin so that an injection is as
Tainted Wipes Linked To Brain Damage, Deaths Read More »
Who has been looking at your medical records? According to an article in the News & Observer, you’ll soon be able to find out. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), medical records are supposed to be private and protected. Every time you go to see a new physician, you will be asked to
Are Your Medical Records Safe? Read More »
The Winston-Salem Journal recently reported the woman went in for the procedure and was released the next day, despite complaining of pain and having an elevated white blood cell count, a sign of inflammation and infection.
$7 Million Awarded To Family Of Botched Surgery Patient Read More »
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has placed restrictions on medications containing the diabetes drug Rosiglitazone, trade name Avandia.
Avandia Drug Pulled from Shelves Read More »
Yesterday’s online edition of The New York Times reported on the frightening rise of medication-related injuries. Between 2004 and 2008, the number of people treated in hospitals for medication errors rocketed up by 50%, from 1.2 million to 1.9 million individuals. People were hospitalized because of worrisome side effects after taking the medication as prescribed,
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In a special online publication by the British Medical Journal Quality & Safety, researchers report the results of a poll of doctors in the United States and Great Britain about various aspects of professional behavior. The results are surprising, and not all in a good way. The following are the answers given by the U.S.
Doctors Could Do More to Protect Patients’ Safety Read More »