Health Care


USFA Releases EMS Medical Directors Handbook

The handbook covers topics ranging from occupational health and safety to liability issues.

Lead Exposure, Excessive Noise Leads to $106,600 Fine

An investigation that began on Oct. 24, 2011, found that employees were exposed to noise levels surpassing 85 decibels, as well as excessive airborne levels of lead and copper.

Fatigued Workers Led to Cause of 2011 Train Collision in Iowa, NTSB Says

In April 2011, BNSF coal train collided with the rear end of a standing BNSF maintenance-of-way equipment train near Red Oak, Iowa. Both crewmembers had fallen asleep, which led to their failure to comply with the signal indication requiring them to operate at a restricted speed and stop short of the standing train.

USFA Releases Document on Funding Alternatives for EMS, Fire Departments

The document includes sources of federal funding as well as other new and innovative funding sources not discussed in previous editions.

EPA Orders Hospital Disinfectant's Sales Halted

ZEP Formula 165 is not effective against Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, contrary to its labeling claim, according to the agency.

Eating Low-Fat Dairy Foods May Reduce Your Risk of Stroke

The benefits of low-fat dairy foods are likely due to the vitamins and minerals they contain: calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin D.

Body Cooling Cuts In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Deaths Nearly 12 Percent, Study Says

The goal of therapeutic cooling is slowing the body's metabolism and preventing brain damage or death.

ACOEM Checklist Addresses Indoor Environmental Hazards

The checklist focuses on household environmental hazards such as tobacco smoke, radon, asbestos, lead, combustion gases, water pollution, household chemicals and pesticides, allergens, and food poisoning.



WHO Releases Fact Sheet on Oral Health

Worldwide, 60-90 percent of school children and nearly 100 percent of adults have dental cavities.

Hospital-Linked Infections Down, CDC Says

Twenty-one states had significant decreases in central line-associated bloodstream infections between 2009 and 2010, according to the report.

DOT Announces Final Rule on Training for Medical Examiners

The rule requires health care professionals who perform medical examinations for interstate truck and bus drivers to be trained, tested, and certified on the specific physical qualifications that affect a driver’s ability to safely operate the vehicle.

Sunlight, Lime Juice Make Drinking Water Safer, Study Says

Researchers found that adding lime juice to water that is treated with a solar disinfection method removed detectable levels of harmful bacteria.

AHA Develops New Program to Increase Cardiac Arrest Survival

Early and effective CPR, along with early access to defibrillation to shock the heart to restore a normal rhythm, is essential to patient survival.

Michigan Could Deregulate 18 Occupations, Eliminate 9 Boards

"The Advisory Rules Committee carefully considered the public health and safety benefits of 87 different occupations. We found that there were at least 18 occupations that did not require regulation," said Shelly Edgerton, deputy director of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

Worker's Compensation Medication Trends Report Released

The report reveals key factors that may influence future expenditures, such as chronic pain, product mix, and government activity.

$2 Million Prize in DARPA Robotics Challenge

The challenge will launch in October 2012, but the agency holds a workshop on April 16 to outline it for interested parties.

Cal/OSHA Launches 2012 Heat Illness Prevention Campaign

The agency will conduct inspections geared to ensure that employers comply with the heat standard by providing adequate water, shade, rest breaks, worker training, and emergency preparations at outdoor worksites.

Becton, Dickinson Sponsoring Safe Handling Webinar

The free, CE accredited webinar on April 20 is sponsored by Becton, Dickinson and features experts from Illinois, Washington state, and Texas.

Stroke Risk Considerably Higher if Sibling Had Stroke, Study Says

The study found that if your sibling was 55 or younger at the time of the stroke, your risk of having one at 55 or younger is almost doubled, said Erik Ingelsson, M.D., Ph.D., senior author of the study.

WHO Warns Dementia Cases to Triple

By 2050, an estimated 115.4 million people worldwide will be living with it, the agency predicted April 11 as it called dementia a public health priority.

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