Health Field
- Happy Nurses Week!
- Plastic Bottles Recalled
- Does Everything Cause Cancer?
- Flu Season Was Worst in Years
- Do You Know CPR?
- Health Care Offers Many Choices
- HGH May Not Enhance Performance
- Health Care Jobs Continue to Grow
- Mental Health Parity Within Reach!
- Nurses Week Themes Set
Posted by
Kathy Quan
Kathy Quan
Take time to say thanks to nurses who have made a difference in your life.
Nurses Week begins tomorrow, May 6 (Nurses Day) in the U.S. and on May 12 (Nurses Day) in Canada. In Australia, it begins today with International Midwives Day and continues through May 12 which is International Nurses Day. Join in the celebration of nurses everywhere!
There is a tremendous shortage of nurses throughout the world and it is only going to worsen as the population grows and ages and demands more and better health care.
It is hoped that by bringing attention to the nursing profession during Nurses day and Nurses Week celebrations that more young people will consider nursing careers, and others will consider a second or third career opportunity in nursing.
Issues of pay and working conditions have long been problems for nurses and affected retention of staff. Improvements have come a long way in recent years, but there is still more to be done.
Improving patient safety and reducing medical errors has long been a goal of the entire health care industry. Nurses fight the battle of safe staffing ratios everyday. The U.S. Congress has taken up the issue of safe staffing with the Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2007 (S. 73/H.R. 4138).
The American Nurses Association urges all U.S. nurses to honor themselves and their colleagues this week by contacting their legislators and asking them to co-sign these bills. Private citizens can honor nurses by doing the same. Email, call or FAX your legislators today! Thank you!!!
Nurses worldwide should also be encouraged to contact their government officials and ask them to honor nurses by working to improve working conditions and patient safety by implementing safe staffing laws.
More about Nurses Week....
There is a tremendous shortage of nurses throughout the world and it is only going to worsen as the population grows and ages and demands more and better health care.
It is hoped that by bringing attention to the nursing profession during Nurses day and Nurses Week celebrations that more young people will consider nursing careers, and others will consider a second or third career opportunity in nursing.
Issues of pay and working conditions have long been problems for nurses and affected retention of staff. Improvements have come a long way in recent years, but there is still more to be done.
Improving patient safety and reducing medical errors has long been a goal of the entire health care industry. Nurses fight the battle of safe staffing ratios everyday. The U.S. Congress has taken up the issue of safe staffing with the Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2007 (S. 73/H.R. 4138).
The American Nurses Association urges all U.S. nurses to honor themselves and their colleagues this week by contacting their legislators and asking them to co-sign these bills. Private citizens can honor nurses by doing the same. Email, call or FAX your legislators today! Thank you!!!
Nurses worldwide should also be encouraged to contact their government officials and ask them to honor nurses by working to improve working conditions and patient safety by implementing safe staffing laws.
More about Nurses Week....
Posted by
Kathy Quan
Kathy Quan
As being Green becomes more necessary as well as popular, we need to carefully examine what is Green and what is safe.
Plastic water bottles are just one example of this. Baby bottles being recalled is one of the most frightening issues involved with this.
Being healthier and drinking more water lead to the onslaught of the polycarbonate water bottles which are now being recalled for their carcinogen properties. The plastics used in disposable water bottles are also under scrutiny.
Some plastics are safe and others are not. They aren't always Green because of the oil used in the production. We have to weigh the pros and cons. Plastic products are used everyday in the health care industry and make for a safer patient experience. Again we have to use common sense and be mindful of overuse and waste.
IV tubing and infusion sets, syringes, feeding tubes, as well as patient supplies such as water pitchers, drinking cups, and bathing basins are just a few examples of the plastics used. They save on the costs of sterilization of reusable products and eliminate the possibility os contamination in the process. But will this issue be reconsidered in the future? Quite possibly. Again, we need to weigh safety when it comes to being Green.
Being healthier and drinking more water lead to the onslaught of the polycarbonate water bottles which are now being recalled for their carcinogen properties. The plastics used in disposable water bottles are also under scrutiny.
Some plastics are safe and others are not. They aren't always Green because of the oil used in the production. We have to weigh the pros and cons. Plastic products are used everyday in the health care industry and make for a safer patient experience. Again we have to use common sense and be mindful of overuse and waste.
IV tubing and infusion sets, syringes, feeding tubes, as well as patient supplies such as water pitchers, drinking cups, and bathing basins are just a few examples of the plastics used. They save on the costs of sterilization of reusable products and eliminate the possibility os contamination in the process. But will this issue be reconsidered in the future? Quite possibly. Again, we need to weigh safety when it comes to being Green.
Posted by
Kathy Quan
Kathy Quan
Are we sweating the small stuff too much? And how do we know what to believe?
Everyday there's something new in the news about a cancer causing agent such as coffee, cell phones, deodorants, lipstick, and shampoos. Seemingly the next thing you know some of these substances are thought to be cures for cancer or something else that ails us.
Coffee for instance has been beaten to death and yet, massive numbers of people aren't dying from coffee and Starbucks is still thriving.
If all the time and money spent on the small stuff was poured into research to find actual cures for cancer, we wouldn't have to worry about whether we can use our cell phone and have a cup or two of coffee tomorrow and make it to dinner without developing cancer.
Anything done to excess is not good for you. That includes eating sleeping and exercise. Drinking too much water in a short period of time can kill you. Moderation is the key we hear all the time. Moderation and common sense are what we need to remember especially when perusing the tabloids or listening to the sensational news casts. Before you throw out your coffee maker or shampoo, do a little research of your own. How large was the study, how long, and what were the actual results?
The major funded studies aren't finding that shampoo causes cancer or that deodorants or antiperspirants cause breast cancer, so until they do give it some thought before you decide to not wash your hair or expose your co-workers to you without deodorant.
Coffee for instance has been beaten to death and yet, massive numbers of people aren't dying from coffee and Starbucks is still thriving.
If all the time and money spent on the small stuff was poured into research to find actual cures for cancer, we wouldn't have to worry about whether we can use our cell phone and have a cup or two of coffee tomorrow and make it to dinner without developing cancer.
Anything done to excess is not good for you. That includes eating sleeping and exercise. Drinking too much water in a short period of time can kill you. Moderation is the key we hear all the time. Moderation and common sense are what we need to remember especially when perusing the tabloids or listening to the sensational news casts. Before you throw out your coffee maker or shampoo, do a little research of your own. How large was the study, how long, and what were the actual results?
The major funded studies aren't finding that shampoo causes cancer or that deodorants or antiperspirants cause breast cancer, so until they do give it some thought before you decide to not wash your hair or expose your co-workers to you without deodorant.
Posted by
Kathy Quan
Kathy Quan
The flu season for 2007-8 began slowly, peaked in mid-February and is still lingering in some areas. The last time a flu season was this bad was 2003-4.
To no one's surprise the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) announced today that this has been the worst year for flu in at least four years. The problem is that the flu shot was ineffective against two of the three strains which caused the majority of flu cases this year.
The CDC does report that the flu vaccine did offer a 44% protection overall for those who received it and cautions that faith should not be lost. Although it is somewhat of a guessing game each year, most of the time the flu vaccine is effective against flu viruses. In fact the effectiveness is usually in a range between 70 and 90 percent effective.
Recent research has begun to show that over time a specific strain of flu begins in Asia, moves into Europe and then into North America, and finally into South America where it seems to disappear forever. With this new data, it should be easier for scientists to predict which strains to include in the vaccine for the following year.
It is also important to remember that the flu is a respiratory illness and not a gastrointestinal illness. Flu symptoms come on quickly and begin with a scratchy throat, hacking cough and fever. A headache and sore throat can develop as well as muscle aches and pains. Fatigue is also a symptom of flu.
Many people experience a "stomach flu" in the same time frame an blame it on an ineffective flu shot. The flu vaccine does not offer any protection from a gastrointestinal virus. Vomiting and diarrhea are not symptoms of the flu.
Effective handwashing and avoiding crowds will help you to avoid catching or spreading the flu as well as other germs and viruses.
The CDC does report that the flu vaccine did offer a 44% protection overall for those who received it and cautions that faith should not be lost. Although it is somewhat of a guessing game each year, most of the time the flu vaccine is effective against flu viruses. In fact the effectiveness is usually in a range between 70 and 90 percent effective.
Recent research has begun to show that over time a specific strain of flu begins in Asia, moves into Europe and then into North America, and finally into South America where it seems to disappear forever. With this new data, it should be easier for scientists to predict which strains to include in the vaccine for the following year.
It is also important to remember that the flu is a respiratory illness and not a gastrointestinal illness. Flu symptoms come on quickly and begin with a scratchy throat, hacking cough and fever. A headache and sore throat can develop as well as muscle aches and pains. Fatigue is also a symptom of flu.
Many people experience a "stomach flu" in the same time frame an blame it on an ineffective flu shot. The flu vaccine does not offer any protection from a gastrointestinal virus. Vomiting and diarrhea are not symptoms of the flu.
Effective handwashing and avoiding crowds will help you to avoid catching or spreading the flu as well as other germs and viruses.
Posted by
Kathy Quan
Kathy Quan
The CPR guidelines were recently changed and may offer many more opportunities for lives to be saved.
I am very pleased to see that the American Heart Association has introduced new guidelines for a Hands-Only CPR. For the would be rescuer who hesitates because they might have to do mouth-to-mouth breathing, this new option opens opportunities for lives to be saved.
The research shows that in many instances the hands only approach is just as effective in the field as using chest compressions with mouth-to-mouth breathing. For those who are also unable to perform rescue breathing, this option may also prove to be a life saving event.
The use of AED defibrillators in the home setting has not shown to be an effective process where as having them available in public places like airports and shopping malls has.
This new CPR is not for use with children as most life saving events for children involve breathing issues and not cardiac arrests.
Homeowners who have backyard pools should always learn CPR for adults as well as infants and children, and be prepared to provide mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing. Drowning is an issue involving the loss of oxygen issue and not a cardiac arrest. Each year, over 250 children drown in backyard pools, and over 2500 are treated for near-drowning episodes.
Drowning is a silent event. It isn't usually accompanied by lots of splashing and screaming as most parents expect it would be. Be safe. Be aware and know CPR. Here are a few tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The research shows that in many instances the hands only approach is just as effective in the field as using chest compressions with mouth-to-mouth breathing. For those who are also unable to perform rescue breathing, this option may also prove to be a life saving event.
The use of AED defibrillators in the home setting has not shown to be an effective process where as having them available in public places like airports and shopping malls has.
This new CPR is not for use with children as most life saving events for children involve breathing issues and not cardiac arrests.
Homeowners who have backyard pools should always learn CPR for adults as well as infants and children, and be prepared to provide mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing. Drowning is an issue involving the loss of oxygen issue and not a cardiac arrest. Each year, over 250 children drown in backyard pools, and over 2500 are treated for near-drowning episodes.
Drowning is a silent event. It isn't usually accompanied by lots of splashing and screaming as most parents expect it would be. Be safe. Be aware and know CPR. Here are a few tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Health Care Offers Many Choices
Posted by
Kathy Quan
Kathy Quan
In considering a career in health care you also need to think about where you live or are willing to live.
If you live in a smaller or rural community, your job opportunities may be limited as well. There may only be a need for a few doctors, dentists, veterinarians, nurses, and maybe only one or two X-ray technicians.
If you have your heart set on becoming an ultra sound technician, you may need to move to a larger community where there are job openings and opportunities, otherwise you may have to sit and wait for the sole proprietor of that job in your community to retire or move on.
In 2006, the health care industry in the U.S. provided 14 million jobs. Of those, 13.6 million were wage and salary occupations and 438,000 were self employed workers or unpaid family workers such as caregivers for parents or children requiring health care assistance.
The largest communities and states have the most need for health care professionals and workers at all levels. California, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas provide the best opportunities for health care occupations.
Health care jobs include many ancillary positions such as office support personnel, business managers and administrators, medical records personnel, medical coders and billers and transcriptionists. There are also jobs for medical librarians, medical writers, illustrators and photographers.
There are roles for patient representatives and health advocates in clinics, hospitals and with insurance companies. Biomedical engineers help to design equipment, and devices to help practitioners diagnose and treat patients as well as to assist patients to have an improved quality of life.
The health field offers many career opportunities. Many jobs require little education beyond a high school diploma and some on-the-job training, while on the other end of the spectrum, physicians and other health care practitioners are some of the most educated professionals. Health care jobs are growing and will continue to do so at least well into the next decade.
If you have your heart set on becoming an ultra sound technician, you may need to move to a larger community where there are job openings and opportunities, otherwise you may have to sit and wait for the sole proprietor of that job in your community to retire or move on.
In 2006, the health care industry in the U.S. provided 14 million jobs. Of those, 13.6 million were wage and salary occupations and 438,000 were self employed workers or unpaid family workers such as caregivers for parents or children requiring health care assistance.
The largest communities and states have the most need for health care professionals and workers at all levels. California, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas provide the best opportunities for health care occupations.
Health care jobs include many ancillary positions such as office support personnel, business managers and administrators, medical records personnel, medical coders and billers and transcriptionists. There are also jobs for medical librarians, medical writers, illustrators and photographers.
There are roles for patient representatives and health advocates in clinics, hospitals and with insurance companies. Biomedical engineers help to design equipment, and devices to help practitioners diagnose and treat patients as well as to assist patients to have an improved quality of life.
The health field offers many career opportunities. Many jobs require little education beyond a high school diploma and some on-the-job training, while on the other end of the spectrum, physicians and other health care practitioners are some of the most educated professionals. Health care jobs are growing and will continue to do so at least well into the next decade.
HGH May Not Enhance Performance
Posted by
Kathy Quan
Kathy Quan
Human Growth Hormone may not be the wonder drug of choice for athletes seeking to cheat and become stronger even though it's undetectable in urine tests.
Are some of baseball's scarred legends going to get a break now? In a report released by the Annals of Internal Medicine on Monday March 17, 2008, HGH (Human Growth Hormone) may have no athletic performance enhancing effects.
In fact, HGH may actually worsen athletic abilities, according to Dr. Hau Liu, lead author of the review. Dr. Liu and colleagues from Stanford University studied the results of published reports on 27 studies involving 440 participants. They concluded that there is no evidence that muscle strength or exercise stamina was enhanced by the use of the drug.
Of course none of the studies included any of the athletes recently accused of doping in the Mitchell Report. None of the participants were given HGH at the dosage and frequency alluded to in this report, and it's not likely any studies will subject participants to this level of HGH use. The long term effects are also unknown at this point as well.
For some athletes such as Andy Petite who admits to using HGH only once or twice after an injury, this study may help to show that it is unlikely he had any physical enhancement from the drug.
Human growth hormone is naturally produced in the body by the pituitary gland. Its function is to promote growth. Synthetic versions of this hormone have been available since the 1980's but are restricted for use in treating specific conditions in children and adults. Some of those conditions include wasting from AIDS, growth hormone deficiencies and short stature.
In fact, HGH may actually worsen athletic abilities, according to Dr. Hau Liu, lead author of the review. Dr. Liu and colleagues from Stanford University studied the results of published reports on 27 studies involving 440 participants. They concluded that there is no evidence that muscle strength or exercise stamina was enhanced by the use of the drug.
Of course none of the studies included any of the athletes recently accused of doping in the Mitchell Report. None of the participants were given HGH at the dosage and frequency alluded to in this report, and it's not likely any studies will subject participants to this level of HGH use. The long term effects are also unknown at this point as well.
For some athletes such as Andy Petite who admits to using HGH only once or twice after an injury, this study may help to show that it is unlikely he had any physical enhancement from the drug.
Human growth hormone is naturally produced in the body by the pituitary gland. Its function is to promote growth. Synthetic versions of this hormone have been available since the 1980's but are restricted for use in treating specific conditions in children and adults. Some of those conditions include wasting from AIDS, growth hormone deficiencies and short stature.
Health Care Jobs Continue to Grow
Posted by
Kathy Quan
Kathy Quan
If you want to recession-proof your employment status, become a nurse or other health care worker.
Despite the economic downturn, in the U.S. health care jobs continue to grow. According to figures released on March 7, 208, by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in health care grew by 36,000 in February, 2008.
The health care jobs counted are in areas of ambulatory health care services such as physician offices, clinics, outpatient centers and home health care; hospitals, nursing homes, residential care facilities and day care.
At the same time, jobs in manufacturing declined by 52,000 jobs, construction declined by 39,000 jobs, and the retail industry lost 34,000 jobs. Unemployment was at 4.8% for February, 2008.
Health care jobs are projected to continue to grow well into the next decade independent of any recession or other economic changes. The population is aging and will continue to grow. The BLS has projected that the population in the U.S. will have increased by 23.9 million from 2004 to 2014. By 2014, the largest segment of the population known as the Baby Boomers will range in age from 50 to 68 and will be demanding more and better health care.
The current workforce is aging as well and for example, the average age of nurses by 2010 will be over 45. The average age of graduate RNs today is 31. As this workforce continues to age and retire the need for replacements will continue to grow.
The health care jobs counted are in areas of ambulatory health care services such as physician offices, clinics, outpatient centers and home health care; hospitals, nursing homes, residential care facilities and day care.
At the same time, jobs in manufacturing declined by 52,000 jobs, construction declined by 39,000 jobs, and the retail industry lost 34,000 jobs. Unemployment was at 4.8% for February, 2008.
Health care jobs are projected to continue to grow well into the next decade independent of any recession or other economic changes. The population is aging and will continue to grow. The BLS has projected that the population in the U.S. will have increased by 23.9 million from 2004 to 2014. By 2014, the largest segment of the population known as the Baby Boomers will range in age from 50 to 68 and will be demanding more and better health care.
The current workforce is aging as well and for example, the average age of nurses by 2010 will be over 45. The average age of graduate RNs today is 31. As this workforce continues to age and retire the need for replacements will continue to grow.
Mental Health Parity Within Reach!
Posted by
Kathy Quan
Kathy Quan
Crucial legislation which would help end health insurance discrimination and barriers to health care for individuals suffering with mental illness will be voted on soon.
Tomorrow, March 5, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to take up the issue of H.R. 1424 also known as the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act.
In September 2007, the U.S. Senate historically passed this Mental Health Parity Act (S. 558) by unanimous consent. Now it is the House of Representatives turn to pass their version.
Mental illness affects us all. For example, you don't have to look far to find the homeless. The fact is that not all, but a significant number, of the homeless suffer from mental illness and have lost their jobs, homes and families because they could not get treatment.
Mental illness encompasses a broad range of disorders from addictions to post partum depression to eating, panic, and anxiety disorders. It includes depression, bipolar disease and schizophrenia. These and all of the many aspects of mental illness are treatable and sufferers can lead full and productive lives, but without treatment, many of these illnesses take control of the life and destroy it.
It is time to encourage legislators to heal this crisis. You can call, FAX or Email your Representative today. If you're not sure who your legislator is, go to Congress.org and enter your zip code. This will bring up a list of your local and national legislators. Click on your Congressman/woman and select the tab "contact". This will provide you with their address, phone number, FAX and website. You can Email them from their website.
You can also call Toll Free 1-866-727-4894 and ask the operator to connect you with the office of your member of Congress.
Encourage your Representative to vote FOR H.R. 1424, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health & Addiction Equity Act.
March 6 UPDATE: This measure PASSED!!!
In September 2007, the U.S. Senate historically passed this Mental Health Parity Act (S. 558) by unanimous consent. Now it is the House of Representatives turn to pass their version.
Mental illness affects us all. For example, you don't have to look far to find the homeless. The fact is that not all, but a significant number, of the homeless suffer from mental illness and have lost their jobs, homes and families because they could not get treatment.
Mental illness encompasses a broad range of disorders from addictions to post partum depression to eating, panic, and anxiety disorders. It includes depression, bipolar disease and schizophrenia. These and all of the many aspects of mental illness are treatable and sufferers can lead full and productive lives, but without treatment, many of these illnesses take control of the life and destroy it.
It is time to encourage legislators to heal this crisis. You can call, FAX or Email your Representative today. If you're not sure who your legislator is, go to Congress.org and enter your zip code. This will bring up a list of your local and national legislators. Click on your Congressman/woman and select the tab "contact". This will provide you with their address, phone number, FAX and website. You can Email them from their website.
You can also call Toll Free 1-866-727-4894 and ask the operator to connect you with the office of your member of Congress.
Encourage your Representative to vote FOR H.R. 1424, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health & Addiction Equity Act.
March 6 UPDATE: This measure PASSED!!!
Posted by
Kathy Quan
Kathy Quan
Have you or someone close to you been helped by a nurse? Chances are you have many times over.
Each year the International Council of Nurses designates a theme for International Nurses Day which is May 12 in honor of the birth date of Florence Nightingale an iconic pioneer of the nursing profession.
Did you know that as she collected statistacal data to support her theory about sanitarty conditions contributing to the death of wounded soldiers during the Crimean War in Turkey that Florence Nightingale also developed the PIE chart?
She used this new format to help prove that the decline in deaths of wounded soldiers under her care was due to the fact that she had taught the 38 nurses she brought with her to Sculari to use improved sanitary methods in caring for the wounded soldiers.
Infection control is just one area of specialty in the nursing profession today. Nurses Day and Week celebrations are to honor nurses for all that they do in their jobs and in service to their communities as well as to encourage young people to become nurses.
The general public can help to honor nurses by establishing and participating in Nurses Day and Week activities throughout their communities.
Honor local nurses by raising awareness of the nursing profession. Here are a few suggestions:
Did you know that as she collected statistacal data to support her theory about sanitarty conditions contributing to the death of wounded soldiers during the Crimean War in Turkey that Florence Nightingale also developed the PIE chart?
She used this new format to help prove that the decline in deaths of wounded soldiers under her care was due to the fact that she had taught the 38 nurses she brought with her to Sculari to use improved sanitary methods in caring for the wounded soldiers.
Infection control is just one area of specialty in the nursing profession today. Nurses Day and Week celebrations are to honor nurses for all that they do in their jobs and in service to their communities as well as to encourage young people to become nurses.
The general public can help to honor nurses by establishing and participating in Nurses Day and Week activities throughout their communities.
Honor local nurses by raising awareness of the nursing profession. Here are a few suggestions:
- Take a group of nurses to lunch and learn about what they do in their particluar jobs
- Establish and promote local scholarship campaigns to help new nurses become nurses, and active nurses continue their education
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