Health Care


NIOSH Blog Highlights Violence in Health Care Settings

Health care workers reported an estimated 9,200 workplace violence incidents requiring time away from work to recover during 2013, with the majority of these perpetrated by patients or their family members, wrote Dan Hartley, EdD, NIOSH workplace violence prevention coordinator.

Google, Johson & Johnson Collaborating on Surgical Robots

"This collaboration with Google is another important step in our commitment to advancing surgical care and, together, we aim to put the best science, technology, and surgical know-how in the hands of medical teams around the world," said Gary Pruden, worldwide chairman of the Global Surgery Group at Johnson & Johnson.

FDA Urges Manufacturers to Drop 'Latex Free' Claim

Labeling statements such as "latex free" or "does not contain latex" are not sufficiently specific, not necessarily scientifically accurate, and may be misunderstood or applied too widely, according to the agency.

There were 9,412 new TB cases reported in the United States during 2014, with an incidence rate of 3.0 cases per 100,000 persons. This was the smallest percentage decrease in a decade.

Decline in U.S. TB Cases Slowing, CDC Researchers Report

There were 9,412 new cases reported during 2014, with an incidence rate of 3.0 cases per 100,000 persons. This was the smallest percentage decrease in a decade.

DEA Issues Alert on Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a Schedule II narcotic used as a painkiller and anesthetic. It is the most potent opioid available for use in medical treatment; ingestion of doses as small as 0.25 mg can be fatal.

Nearly 11.7 Million Enrolled in Health Insurance Marketplaces

More than 4.1 million young people selected a plan or were re-enrolled, according to HHS.

Ice Cream Linked to Three Listeriosis Deaths

Blue Bell announced the products were made on a single production line in Brenham, Texas, and it has stopped production and distribution of ice cream products from that line and has removed them from stores and any other retail outlets.

FDA Releases Final Guidance on Reusable Medical Devices

A final industry guidance is aimed at helping device manufacturers develop safer reusable devices.



Nearly 70 Percent of Prescription Painkiller Users Don't Know Sharing is a Felony

An NSC poll found this to be true even though sharing narcotic opioid painkillers is the equivalent to selling heroin in most states.

Judge Enters Consent Decree Against Specialty Compounding LLC

Drugs manufactured by the company were found to be contaminated, according to the U.S. Department of Justice and FDA.

Phase III Trial Launched of Ebola Vaccine

"There has been massive mobilization on the part of the affected countries and all partners to accelerate the development and availability of proven interventions. If a vaccine is found effective, it will be the first preventive tool against Ebola in history," said WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan.

FDA Approves First Biosimilar Product

A biosimilar product is a biological product that is approved based on a relative relation to an already approved biological product.

FDA Releases Drug Shortages App

The app will provide the public with information regarding drug supply, shortages, and discontinued drug products.

WHO: H5 Flu Viruses Most Obvious Health Threat

The agency posted an update titled "warning signals from the volatile world of influenza viruses." It said the world is better prepared for an influenza pandemic.

CDC, Surgeon General's Office Do Well in Latest Harris Poll

Agencies with the lowest positive ratings were the IRS, the Securities and Exchange Commission, EPA, the Transportation Security Administration, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The new "smart" syringes WHO recommends for injections into the muscle or skin have features that prevent re-use. Some models include a weak spot in the plunger that causes it to break if the user attempts to pull back on the plunger after the injection.

WHO Urges Worldwide Use of 'Smart' Syringes

Syringes without safety features cost 3 to 4 cents apiece when procured by a UN agency for a developing country. "Smart" syringes cost at least twice that much. WHO called on donors to support the transition to these devices, anticipating that prices will decline over time as demand increases.

Reasonable suspicion drug testing is a critical safety measure.

Marijuana Use Raises Risk of Stroke: AHA

The American Heart Association posted a news release about it Feb. 19, saying "researchers found a link between marijuana use and stroke in a total of 64 stroke patients."

OSHA Fines Moving and Storage Company for Exposing Workers to Asbestos Hazards

Brantley Brothers Moving & Storage Co. Inc. was cited for 14 serious violations.

FDA Releases Draft Documents on Drug Compounding

The documents are applicable to pharmacies, federal facilities, outsourcing facilities, and physicians.

2015 #GraingerShow Opens, Biggest Yet

The eleventh event in the series has brought more than 17,000 attendees to attend seminars, network, and walk or work the 367,000-square-foot trade show floor inside the Orange County Convention Center.

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