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Latest articles on Safety

Common Geriatric Syndromes Can Often Be Resolved

"Our mission is to enhance and maximize older patients' functions from a mental, cognitive, emotional, and physical perspective," says Dr. Paul Hankwitz. "To me, maximizing function in those areas equates to improved quality of life."   

Stop Heat Illness Before It Becomes Serious

We usually cool down by sweating, but when it's too hot or humid, or in situations that put us at risk for overheating, our internal temperature control system can become overloaded. Knowing the signs can prevent emergencies.  

Local Background Checks, Fewer Gun Deaths

States that performed state-level or local-level background checks were found to have substantially lower rates of firearm suicides and homicides.  

Storm Surge

This has already been a deadly weather season - and it's just getting started. You can't stay safe from all storms, but you can stay smart about what to do if and when they strike.  

"In the Event of an Event:" Providers Prepare for the Worst

"Health care surge is an important issue," says Ralph Schapira, MD. A natural disaster or a terrorism event could bring hundreds or even thousands of patients to a few hospitals, quickly overwhelming the healthcare system.   

Tanning=Skin Damage

Even if you are one of the "lucky" ones who always get the perfect tan, years from now, the wrinkles, age spots or skin cancer from chronic sun exposure won't seem so glamorous.  

With Better Habits, Sleep-Deprived Teens Can Wake Up

Adolescents and teenagers ages 11-17 should get about 9 hours of sleep each night, but most are getting far less. Medical College of says Lynn A. D'Andrea, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin Associate Professor of Pediatrics.  

Not If, But When: Preparing for the Next Flu Pandemic

"One of the lessons learned from those earlier flu episodes was the importance of being prepared for future public health disasters that challenge the medical system's ability to provide care," says Ralph M. Schapira, MD.  

Before Traveling Out of Country, See Your Doctor

Dr. Deidre Faust notes that even within small countries, diseases such as malaria might be a risk in one city, but not in another, so it makes a difference to know exactly where you will be going and what you will be doing.   

Injury Prevention: The Case for Fire-Safe Cigarettes

Fire-safe cigarettes are designed to self-extinguish when left unattended. At this time, 14 states have passed fire-safe cigarette laws, and 20 others have introduced such legislation.  

Injury Research Center Receives $4.5 Million to Continue Its Work

"The accomplishments to date by our nationally recognized physicians and scientists in biomechanics, epidemiology and health services research have been a major factor in the renewal," said Stephen W. Hargarten, MD, MPH.  

Workplace Injuries and Deaths Continue to Decline

Although there were more than 5,700 deaths from job-related injuries last year, the positive side of that grim total is that it translates to a rate of 3.9 deaths per 100,000 workers, down from a rate of 4.0 per 100,000 in 2005.   

Thunder and Lightning: The Facts

All thunderstorms are dangerous, and every thunderstorm produces lightning. Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms.  

Suicide Risks, Crises, and Prevention

September 9-15 is National Suicide Prevention Week, and organizations throughout the country are working to help people understand long-term risk factors and how to deal with a suicidal crisis.   

Mild Concussions Don't Often Lead to Permanent Brain Damage

Medical College research indicates that most mild-to-moderate sports related concussions are recovered from fully, with minimal likelihood of permanent brain damage unless another concussion occurs before symptoms from the first have gone away.   

Health and Safety Training Focuses on Outreach Workers

"People providing outreach services are very concerned about the health and well being of those they serve, but often overlook their own health, and their own health is very important to those they serve," says Leslie F. Martin, MD, MPH.   

Traumatic Brain Injury: Therapy, Rehabilitation, and Recovery

"Traumatic Brain Injury is more common than most people think," says Dr. Mark Klingbeil. While some patients go on to make a full recovery, more than five million Americans currently live with disabilities due to TBI.  

Traumatic Brain Injury, Part I: Diagnosis and Treatment

More than 5 million Americans alive today have had a TBI resulting in a permanent need for help in performing daily activities. They are often left with significant cognitive, behavioral, and communicative disabilities.  

Medical Mistakes: Where Do We Go from Here?

All systems have errors, but in the field of medicine, events such as miscommunication between staff members or between patients and their health care providers can have serious or even fatal consequences.  

Sudden Infant Deaths Decline; but Causes Remain a Mystery

"In all populations, the biggest identified risk factor for SIDS was sleeping on the tummy," says William H. Gershan, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin Associate Professor of Pediatrics.   


 
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