Utah Personal Injury Blog - Miscellaneous

Straight Talk on Tort Reform from Texas

Bret Hanna — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:20:37 GMT

Texas passed sweeping tort reform legislation in 2003 that, to a great extent, eliminated medical malpractice cases in the Lone Star State. Jennifer Bard is the Alvin R. Allison Professor of Law and director of the Health Law Program at Texas Tech University School of Law and an adjunct associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University School of Medicine, and she incorporates the Texas experience with tort reform into her analysis which concludes that such measures do not reduce health care costs. Here is her piece which appeared Saturday in the Houston Chronicle:

It's not as rare as you think for President Barack Obama and Gov. Sarah Palin to be in complete agreement on an issue of national importance.

In August, she wrote on her Facebook page that “we cannot have health care reform without litigation reform.” Speaking to the American Association of family physicians a few weeks later, President Obama said, “I have talked to enough doctors to know that defensive medicine may be contributing to unnecessary costs. ... So I am proposing that we move forward on a range of ideas about how to put patient safety first and let doctors focus on practicing medicine.” Both of them are wrong. There is no evidence to suggest that limiting the rights of individuals to bring lawsuits will either lower the cost of health care or increase its quality. In fact, were this true, Texas would have the cheapest and best health care in the nation. The provisions of the tort reform legislation passed in 2003 have essentially eliminated medical malpractice suits. Indeed, things are so bad the lawyers for the insurance companies are complaining about the loss of business.

The only evidence we have that defensive medicine, defined as doing extra tests or surgery based on fear of litigation, drives up costs is from the least reliable source possible — the doctors themselves. Doctors' objections to law suits aren't financial — they are philosophical. Doctors are on the whole good people who devote their lives to helping others. Yet somewhere in their training they acquire the idea that this puts them beyond the constraints and hassles faced by every other professional. Lawsuits are time-consuming and embarrassing. They require explaining one's actions to a group of nondoctors, something doctors feel inappropriate. What doctors want isn't reform, it is an exemption. And that's just not how we do things in the United States.

As in all other cases involving a professional, every medical malpractice case depends on another physician's testimony that the offending doctor caused the patient's harm by acting below the standard of a reasonable physician in similar circumstances. To say that a jury isn't qualified to choose the testimony of one expert witness over another in a medical malpractice case is to say they shouldn't be allowed to do so in cases involving exploding tires because they are not automobile engineers. Unless Obama and Palin are interested in trading in our legal system for one with less citizen input — say one more like China's — then not only isn't litigation reform a necessary part of health care reform, it is no part of health care reform.

But don't throw out the baby with the bath water. Perhaps doctors are practicing defensive medicine, but that doesn't mean litigation reform will change their habits. First, it is hard to attribute overtesting to fear of litigation when the current payment system financially rewards doctors and hospitals for the number of tests they order and procedures they run, rather than on the time they spend talking to the patient to find out what's wrong. Second, it is entirely possible that those interested in selling them malpractice insurance have greatly inflated the risk. After all, given the relative rareness with which medical malpractice suits are brought, fear of litigation should no more be motivating a doctor's decisions than fear of alien abduction.

No one has ever suggested that civil litigation can directly reduce medical error. Reducing infection rates by adopting uniform protocols for hand-washing and instrument sterilization is not the same as pressuring a company to withdraw a defective product from the market. But our system of civil justice, as outlined in the United States Constitution, is not to blame for health costs or medical malpractice. Health reform can take place without litigation reform — both systems may be broken but they are not dependent on each other.

So perhaps if Obama and Palin really want to lower the cost of health care and improve its quality, they should be listening to economists and safety experts rather than either doctors or lawyers.

This analysis is spot on and from someone who does not appear to have "skin the game." Yes she is a lawyer, but not one that makes her living representing those injured by medical malpractice or working for the insurance companies that hire lawyers to defend doctors when claims are pursued against them for malpractice. We should consider her analysis in the objective light in which it is presented.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Silver Eagle Refinery Voluntarily Shuts Down

Bret Hanna — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:55:06 GMT

The Silver Eagle Refinery located in Woods Cross has agreed to follow a safety board recommendation to shut down indefinitely in the wake of a November 4th explosion. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board has been at the refinery since the explosion which damaged the plant and several nearby homes. The current investigation is on the heels of the board's investigation of a flash fire at the same refinery in January that severely burned two contractors.

The specific current concern is with the integrity of the pipes and processing units that run throughout the refinery. The recent explosion, which was powerful enough to knock at least one home in an adjacent neighborhood off its foundation, was caused by the rupture of one such highly pressurized pipes. The significant thinning of the pipe that caused the rupture was not detected by the refinery's mechanical integrity program.

The Silver Eagle Refinery is Utah's smallest with daily output of 8,500 barrels of processed crude oil, but 60 employees are affected by the closure. The refinery will not reopen until all pipes and processes are inspected and necessary repairs are made. Meanwhile, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board also has a current investigation open into an October 21st fire at the nearby Tesoro refinery.

Refineries in Utah are concentrated in one area just north of Salt Lake City along the congested and heavily traveled Interstate 15 corridor. Local communities have also allowed high density residential development in the areas adjacent to the refineries, so local residents literally live in the back yards of the refineries. Because so many people travel and live in the danger zones, and because worker safety has to be put first, safety must be the highest priority of the refineries and the agencies that regulate them. The refineries have dodged bullets recently insofar as no one has been killed by the fires and explosions, but let's hope all involved are taking a hard look at the refinery operations to ensure that future injuries, deaths and property damage do not occur.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Gun Safety Requires Constant Vigilance

Bret Hanna — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:51:12 GMT

A 9-year-old boy was critically injured Saturday when he was shot as he walked down a residential sidewalk in Roy. Braden Schroeder was walking on a sidewalk adjacent to a mobile home park located at 3800 South and 1900 West, when he was struck by pellets from a 12-gauge shotgun fired through a window from about 8 feet away. Pellets penetrated the young boy from his thigh to his neck. He remains in critical condition and it is anticipated that he will have to have surgery and will have a lengthy recovery.

The 28-year-old man who pulled the trigger was house sitting for his grandmother. He told investigators that he cleaned the shot gun and then "dry-fired" it. But this story just does not make sense. "Dry firing" is defined as:

Dry firing is the practice of "firing" a firearm without ammunition. That is, to pull the trigger and allow the hammer or striker to drop on an empty chamber.

This technique is often used to simulate actual firing when there is not a suitable place to practice with live ammunition. The primary benefit of this practice is refined trigger control. For most common cartridges, there are snap caps available to reduce the risk of damaging the firing pin. It is generally acceptable to dry fire more modern centerfire firearms without a cartridge or snap cap. However, dry firing a shotgun or rimfire firearm can damage the firing pin. Furthermore, damage can occur to the chamber mouth of a rimfire firearm.

Dry firing may also refer to the firing of a bow or other weapon without ammunition. Dry firing a compound bow may cause the cracking of the limbs of the bow, or may completely knock the string off causing possible injury to the shooter, or it may do nothing at all. It all depends on the draw weight, cam type, and bow type.

The problem is that the shooter admits he loaded the shotgun before he pulled the trigger. If he loaded it and then pulled the trigger, how could he be surprised that it fired or claim that it was "dry-fired?" Police suspect that alcohol was involved and that seems likes a much more plausible explanation for what happened.

The lesson here is clear - if you are going to handle firearms, be trained on safety issues and follow the rules you are taught. Lives, including your own, may depend on you doing so.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Don't Forget About Organ Donation

Bret Hanna — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:47:46 GMT

A race was held yesterday in Salt Lake City to raise awareness about the benefits of organ donation. About 100 people participated in the Donate Life Utah 2009 9k Run and nine-tenths-of-a-mile walk sponsored by The Quest for the Gift of Life Foundation. The number nine symbolizes the number of lives that one organ donor can save if they make the decision to donate. The event was a huge success if you consider setting a Guinness Book of World Records a sign of success - 203 new organ donors signed up in one day, crushing the previous record of 142.

Organ donation is critical and very easy to do. Utah, like most states, allows people to check a box when they get a driver's license which indicates their willingness to donate. But people often overlook the box when they get their first license, typically at age 16, because of their youthful perspective or lack of awareness. And if they don't affirmatively focus on the issue when they periodically re-new their license during the course of their driving career, the box may never be checked. Fixing the "problem," however, is easy. In Utah, visit www.yesutah.org or call 866.937.8824. Elsewhere, Google, Yahoo, Bing or use the search engine of your choice, to find information in your area about how to donate. Here's why:

6,000 people die each year waiting for a transplant, and the national transplant waiting list contains over 84,000 individuals waiting for transplants. The Foundation is committed to helping save these lives by doing "whatever it takes" to significantly increase the availability of life-saving transplant organs, eyes, and tissue.

Thanks to the help and determination of countless individuals, Utah now has over one million people registered as donors, the highest per capita of any state in the nation. Although much has been accomplished, there is still much to do. The Foundation invites every city, town, company, and individual to help save these lives.

Lori and Sid Williams, of Centerville, Utah, who lost their 10 year old daughter who became a donor, said of the experience: "While we will always grieve over Kristen's death, knowing that her organs gave life and sight to others has been a great comfort to us....How much more difficult it would be for a mother of a dying child whose life could have been saved, if only another family...had found the generosity to donate..."

People die of natural causes and of accidental causes. Regardless, when the time comes be in a position to potentially offer the gift of life to those left behind.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

House Explosion Injures Two

Bret Hanna — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:09:21 GMT

Two people were injured Thursday in Cache County after the house they were taking care of was obliterated by an explosion. Mary Sorensen, 23, and her brother Tony, 27, had been staying in the house located in College Ward, south of Logan, while their parents are out of the country doing volunteer work.

At about 10:30 a.m., the first explosion reduced the house to a pile of rubble. A few minutes later, a second explosion started a fire. Witnesses said that flames shot 30 - 40 feet into the air and that the concussion could be felt as far as a mile away. Neighbor Brandon Anderson was at home and when he felt the explosion. He rushed to the home where he found Mary Sorensen screaming and looking for her brother. Anderson and off-duty sheriff's deputy Shane Zilles, who was nearby and saw the mushroom cloud from the explosion, are among those who searched for Tony who was trapped inside the house. Mary was taken by ambulance to Logan Regional Medical Center and Tony was flown to University Hospital with burns over 65 percent of his body.

Although the ignition source of the explosion has not yet been identified, the fuel behind it was propane. A service technician was at the home Wednesday evening and he identified several minor leaks in the fuel line entering the house. The technician has indicated that the family told him that they would fix the leaks themselves. While do-it-yourself projects are always attractive, particularly in tough economic times, putting the repair off in this case, even for a day or less, was mistake.

According to propane101.com, do-it-yourself propane system projects pose the most important safety hazards to consumers.

Propane Repairs/System Modifications: Can I Do It Myself?
This is probably the single most important safety issue the propane industry battles on a daily basis. People constantly want to fix their own leaks or make changes to their gas system to save money or because the propane service technician isn't available for several days or weeks. Modifications to any part of a propane system is not advisable and unsafe. All repairs and modifications to any part of a propane system should be handled by a propane company or a licensed propane gas professional. In short, performing repairs and making modifications or additions to your propane system is not advisable. You will be safer in addition to it being cheaper in the long run.
Propane System Modification
The propane industry views modifications to a propane system as "additional changes" to an existing gas system. Quite often, modifications to a propane system performed by the homeowner result in an unsafe and illegal situation. In addition to not being safe, there are many things to take into consideration before any amendment is made to a gas system. For instance, you have a room in your house that you need to put a new space heater but there is no gas valve or connection so you figure you'll do it yourself. It's not just as simple as getting some pipe or tubing and running the line and attaching a valve in the room for the heater. Some questions come to mind that you probably don't know need to be answered:

How will this new gas outlet affect other appliances when in use?

Will the current regulator be sufficient for the total BTU load?

Are there any permitting requirements or local codes to be complied with?

Does the length of the pipe or tubing require a second stage regulator?

Is the regulator designed and/or legal for fixed propane piping systems?

What size tubing or pipe will be needed so that the heater will function properly?

Will the propane company still fill my tank if I don't repair this properly? What is properly?

Are flue gases an issue? What about appliance venting and is it required?

The propane company knows how to properly make additions to the existing system so that the entire system will function properly...Let the propane professionals handle it. Also, improper installation of a piping system can result in the incomplete combustion of propane. Carbon Monoxide is a deadly byproduct of incomplete combustion and can cause death within a matter of minutes if concentration levels are high enough.

Propane Troubleshooting and Repairs
Only propane companies and professionals have access to tools and equipment that can properly diagnose and identify problems within a propane gas system. They also have the experience. Buying tools, parts and supplies from the local hardware store to make household repairs is something we're all accustomed to because of the availability and convenience of large stores like Home Depot, Lowe's and others. Books about hazardous and dangerous household subjects such as electricity are readily available but finding a book on propane repairs or LP Gas troubleshooting is quite difficult. The reason being is that trying to repair your own propane system isn't advisable, nor is it safe. Some tools and parts that appear to be similar to the parts on your propane system can be readily found but if they aren't designed for LP Gas use, they can place your family in a potentially dangerous situation.
Moving Your Propane Tank
Along the same lines of modifying your own propane system is moving your own tank. The best way to move your propane tank is by calling a licensed propane company. Although it's not necessarily illegal to move a propane tank, the risks involved with moving it far outweigh the advantages. Too much can go wrong while using equipment such as a forklift or front-end loader to move the tank yourself. For instance, if the tank still has liquid propane in it, the lifting lugs can be damaged rendering them useless. And if the "do-it-yourselfer" goes a step further by welding on the tank, the tank may become completely unusable. Welding on any propane container is illegal unless the welding is done by a tank manufacturer or an approved tank fabrication and repair firm. If the tank rolls after hitting the ground, valves and fittings can be broken off allowing propane to vent dangerously into the vicinity creating a very hazardous situation. Too many things can go wrong by trying to move your own propane tank so be on the safe side and contact your propane company. Chances are, it will also be cheaper in the long run by doing so.

Our thoughts are with the Sorensen family and we hope for a full recovery for both Mary and Tony. Please let their experience serve as a reminder to play-it-safe and have professionals take care of potentially hazardous repairs like those needed at their home.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Utah Catholics Alter Practices in Face of H1N1

Bret Hanna — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:15:12 GMT

Bishop John C. Wester of the Salt Lake catholic diocese has ordered a change in the liturgy in the face of the spread of the swine flu. In a letter Thursday to parishes, schools and other Catholic affiliated entities, he conveyed that local catholics will temporarily abstain from using a common communion chalice, will not do the traditional hand-shake greeting at services, and will not have holy water to dip their fingers in at places of worship.

Also, those involved in giving communion are to use hand sanitizers discreetly when they can and are encouraged to offer the host in the hand rather than on the tongue as is often the custom. Most importantly, church members are encouraged to observe the now well known flu avoidance tips of washing hands often, sneezing into the arm, avoiding close contact and most importantly, staying at home if there is any sign of illness.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Iron Worker Sets Warehouse Ablaze

Bret Hanna — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:23:38 GMT

An iron worker cutting a hole in the roof of a warehouse under construction near 2100 South and 4250 West set the building on fire. The fire broke out at about 11:15 a.m., and the flames spreading quickly across the roof generated massive amounts of black smoke that could be seen across the Salt Lake Valley. Firefighters were able to get the blaze under control in fairly short order, but those close to the situation think that the fire was entirely preventable and that the iron worker should not have been on the roof with his welding equipment.

The heat of the torch used by the worker or the flames set the roof membrane on fire, and the flames spread quickly because of the flammability of the membrane material. The membrane is petroleum based which generated very black smoke and that, coupled with high winds, caused the huge smoke plumes that spread across the valley.

Because the membrane material used to finish the roof is so flammable, contractors familiar with this type of construction say that a welder should not be on such a roof once the membrane is down. About 30 workers inside the building were evacuated safely and although dollar estimates for the damage are not yet available, firefighters indicated that the damage is significant and that repairs will be expensive.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Friday is World MRSA Day

Bret Hanna — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:38:42 GMT

Friday is World MRSA Day. MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is nasty business. In 2006, the last year that MRSA cases were reported in Utah, there were 4,904 reported cases of MRSA in the state which made it the second most reportable communicable disease at the time.

MRSA information on the web abounds and it is generally accepted that there are two primary types:

Most MRSA infections occur in hospitals or other health care settings, such as nursing homes and dialysis centers. It's known as health care-associated MRSA, or HA-MRSA. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at most risk of HA-MRSA. More recently, another type of MRSA has occurred among otherwise healthy people in the wider community. This form, community-associated MRSA, or CA-MRSA, is responsible for serious skin and soft tissue infections and for a serious form of pneumonia. MRSA- an acronym for methicillin-resistant staph aureus is a type of bacterium often found on the skin and in the nose of healthy children and adults. Approximately 10% of the population is colonized with MRSA. MRSA can cause serious infections in wounds, the bloodstream an pneumonia.

And the causes are well documented:

MRSA is a strain of staph that's resistant to the broad-spectrum antibiotics commonly used to treat it.

Staph infections
Staph bacteria are normally found on the skin or in the nose of about one-third of the population. If you have staph on your skin or in your nose but aren't sick, you are said to be "colonized" but not infected. Healthy people can be colonized and have no ill effects. However, they can pass the germ to others.

Staph bacteria are generally harmless unless they enter the body through a cut or other wound, and even then they often cause only minor skin problems in healthy people. However, staph infections can cause serious illness. This most often happens in older adults and people who have weakened immune systems, usually in hospitals and long term care facilities. But in the past several years, serious infections have been occurring in otherwise healthy people in the community, for example athletes who share equipment or personal items.

Antibiotic resistance
Although the survival tactics of bacteria contribute to antibiotic resistance, humans bear most of the responsibility for the problem. Leading causes of antibiotic resistance include:

Unnecessary antibiotic use. Like other superbugs, MRSA is the result of decades of excessive and unnecessary antibiotic use. For years, antibiotics have been prescribed for colds, flu and other viral infections that don't respond to these drugs, as well as for simple bacterial infections that normally clear on their own.

Antibiotics in food and water. Prescription drugs aren't the only source of antibiotics. In the United States, antibiotics can be found in livestock. These antibiotics find their way into municipal water systems when the runoff from feedlots contaminates streams and groundwater.

Germ mutation. Even when antibiotics are used appropriately, they contribute to the rise of drug-resistant bacteria because they don't destroy every germ they target. Bacteria live on an evolutionary fast track, so germs that survive treatment with one antibiotic soon learn to resist others. And because bacteria mutate much more quickly than new drugs can be produced, some germs end up resistant to just about everything. That's why only a handful of drugs are now effective against most forms of staph.

As are the risk factors:

Because hospital and community strains of MRSA generally occur in different settings, the risk factors for the two strains differ.

Risk factors for community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA)

Young age. CA-MRSA can be particularly dangerous in children. Often entering the body through a cut or scrape, MRSA can quickly cause a widespread infection. Children may be susceptible because their immune systems aren't fully developed or they don't yet have antibodies to common germs. Children and young adults are also much more likely to develop dangerous forms of pneumonia, which can result from CA-MRSA, than older people are.

Participating in contact sports. CA-MRSA has affected sports teams. The bacteria spread easily through cuts and abrasions and skin-to-skin contact.

Sharing towels or athletic equipment. CA-MRSA has spread among athletes sharing razors, towels, uniforms or equipment.

Having a weakened immune system. People with weakened immune systems, such as those living with HIV/AIDS, are more likely to have severe CA-MRSA infections.

Living in crowded or unsanitary conditions. Outbreaks of CA-MRSA have occurred in military training camps and in American and European prisons.

Association with health care workers. People who are in close contact with health care workers are at increased risk of serious staph infections.

In addition to these risk factors, CA-MRSA is also spreading through certain groups of gay men. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found a new strain of MRSA spreading rapidly among gay men in Boston and San Francisco. For example, gay men in San Francisco were 13 times more likely to be infected than others in the city.

Risk factors for health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA)

A current or recent hospitalization. MRSA remains a concern in hospitals, where it can attack those most vulnerable — older adults and people with weakened immune systems, burns, surgical wounds or serious underlying health problems. This is particularly true if you have a hospital stay of more than 14 days. A 2007 report from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology estimated that 46 out of every 1,000 people hospitalized are infected or colonized with MRSA.

Living in a long term care facility. MRSA is also prevalent in these facilities. Carriers of MRSA have the ability to spread it, even if they're not sick themselves.

Invasive devices. People who are on dialysis, are catheterized, or have feeding tubes or other invasive devices are at higher risk.

Recent antibiotic use. Treatment with fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin or levofloxacin) or cephalosporin antibiotics can increase the risk of HA-MRSA.

And the treatments:

Both hospital- and community-associated strains of MRSA still respond to certain medications. In hospitals and care facilities, doctors often rely on the antibiotic vancomycin to treat resistant germs. CA-MRSA may be treated with vancomycin or other antibiotics that have proved effective against particular strains. Although vancomycin saves lives, it may become less effective as well. Some hospitals are already seeing strains of MRSA that are less easily killed by vancomycin.

In some cases, antibiotics may not be necessary. For example, doctors may drain a superficial abscess caused by MRSA rather than treat the infection with drugs.

On Friday, there will be a candlelight remembrance on the south steps of the Utah Capitol on behalf of survivors and their loved ones as a way to encourage patients and health care professionals to be aware of the risks and to focus on prevention:

Hospitals are fighting back against MRSA infection by using surveillance systems that track bacterial outbreaks and by investigating products such as antibiotic-coated catheters and gloves that release disinfectants.

Still, the best way to prevent the spread of germs is for health care workers to wash their hands frequently, to properly disinfect hospital surfaces and to take other precautions, such as wearing gowns and gloves when working with people infected with resistant bacteria.

In the hospital, people who are infected or colonized with MRSA are placed in isolation to prevent the spread of MRSA. Visitors and health care workers caring for people in isolation may be required to wear protective garments and must follow strict hand-washing procedures.

What you can do in the hospital
Here's what you can do to protect yourself, family members or friends from health care-associated infections.

Ask all hospital staff to wash their hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before touching you — every time.

Wash your own hands frequently.

Make sure that intravenous tubes and catheters are inserted under sterile conditions, for example, the person inserting them wears a gown, gloves and mask and sterilizes your skin first.

What you can do in your community
Protecting yourself from MRSA in your community — which might be just about anywhere — may seem daunting, but these common-sense precautions can help reduce your risk:

Wash your hands. Careful hand washing remains your best defense against germs. Scrub hands briskly for at least 15 seconds, then dry them with a disposable towel and use another towel to turn off the faucet. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol for times when you don't have access to soap and water.

Keep personal items personal. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, sheets, razors, clothing and athletic equipment. MRSA spreads on contaminated objects as well as through direct contact.

Keep wounds covered. Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with sterile, dry bandages until they heal. The pus from infected sores may contain MRSA, and keeping wounds covered will help keep the bacteria from spreading.

Shower after athletic games or practices. Shower immediately after each game or practice. Use soap and water. Don't share towels.

Sit out athletic games or practices if you have a concerning infection. If you have a wound that's draining or appears infected — for example, is red, swollen, warm to the touch or tender — consider sitting out athletic games or practices until the wound has healed.

Sanitize linens. If you have a cut or sore, wash towels and bed linens in a washing machine set to the "hot" water setting (with added bleach, if possible) and dry them in a hot dryer. Wash gym and athletic clothes after each wearing.

Get tested. If you have a skin infection that requires treatment, ask your doctor if you should be tested for MRSA. Doctors may prescribe drugs that aren't effective against antibiotic-resistant staph, which delays treatment and creates more resistant germs. Testing specifically for MRSA may get you the specific antibiotic you need to effectively treat your infection.

Use antibiotics appropriately. When you're prescribed an antibiotic, take all of the doses, even if the infection is getting better. Don't stop until your doctor tells you to stop. Don't share antibiotics with others or save unfinished antibiotics for another time. Inappropriate use of antibiotics, including not taking all of your prescription and overuse, contributes to resistance. If your infection isn't improving after a few days of taking an antibiotic, contact your doctor.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Logan Northern Canal Disaster - Tenth Installment

Bret Hanna — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:04:36 GMT

It has been awhile since I posted on the Logan Northern Canal disaster which occurred on July 11th. That is because nothing has been happening. It does not appear that state or local authorities have been doing much of anything to address the problems with Logan Northern Canal, or the approximate 6,000 miles of other canals in the state. There is a chance that may change but don't hold your breath.

An initiative was unveiled yesterday that is aimed at identifying "high hazard" areas of the canals. The idea is to correlate information already in databases maintained by the state Division of Water Resources with that of water conservation districts and others entities to "profile" trouble zones where failures can occur. Areas of particular interest will be canals in population centers, soil profiles that can indicate trouble, troubling slope profiles, and deteriorating infrastructure. After the relevant data is gathered, the canals will be physically inspected to determine if the data translates to actual hazards. In areas where it does, the idea is to develop risk management plans to address the hazards.

This all sounds good, but the question is whether the will is really in place to make this happen so the appropriate resources will be committed to make it happen. One estimate is that the state will have to commit approximately $200,000 over the next few years to move the initiative along. In these trying financial times, it will be interesting to see if the legislature commits that money to make it happen.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Sleepwalking Scare Highlights Danger

Bret Hanna — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:35:36 GMT

Early Sunday morning, a 12-year-old Vernal girl fell from a motel window while sleepwalking. The girl was staying in a third floor room with her family at a Hampton Inn in Orem, when she fell about 16 feet from a third floor window onto a second floor landing. She was hospitalized, but her mother has reported that she will be ok.

Sleepwalking can be dangerous for people of any age, but it can be particularly dangerous for children. The Center for Effective Parenting offers some excellent information for parents of children who sleep walk.

The main concern for parents with sleep-walking children should be safety. Sleep walkers do not have the judgment that people who are awake have, and they run the risk of getting hurt. It may be difficult for parents to protect their sleep-walking children. Often, sleep walkers don't make much noise, so it's difficult for parents to tell when their children are sleep walking. However, sleep walkers are in danger of getting seriously hurt. They may stumble or fall over something, which could result in a serious injury.

Though it can be difficult, there are ways for parents to protect their sleep-walking children. First of all, they should prepare for the episodes. Before going to sleep at night, parents should check their children's room for hazards. It's not a good idea for sleep-walking children to sleep on the top bunk of a bunk bed or in a bed that's high off the ground. It is a good idea to put away anything that sleep-walking children might trip over should they get up and walk around. Another idea is to close the bedroom door, and to lock all windows. This will help ensure that children stay in their rooms instead of wandering around the house. Another alternative is to install an alarm system on sleep walkers' beds or bedroom doors.

The only danger with sleep walking is the physical danger children are in while roaming around the house at night. Otherwise, sleep walking should not be a cause for concern. It is not linked with any physical or psychological problem. It usually stops by the time children reach adolescence. In the meantime, all that can be done is to take safety precautions to make sure that sleep walkers do not hurt themselves.

So if you suspect or know that your child is a sleepwalker, take steps to protect them. And if you need additional information on sleepwalking or other sleep related issues that can plague us all, the National Sleep Foundation is an excellent resource.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna