Miscommunication between hospital staff regularly puts patients at risk, a new study says. Poor communications between health care workers contributed to 25% of hospital incidents that put patients’ safety at risk, researchers reported April 14 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. What’s more, miscommunication was the sole cause of patient endangerment in 1 out of… read on > read on >
It’s a common notion that overuse of smartphones, tablets, laptops and other digital devices is rotting people’s minds. But the opposite appears to be true – regular use of digital technology seems to protect the brain against decline and dementia, at least among those present at the dawn of the tech revolution. Everyday use of… read on > read on >
New strategy aims to enhance drug safety, expedite evaluation process, and decrease animal experimentation read on >
When officials in Wisconsin’s largest city asked the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for help dealing with high levels of lead in city schools, the answer wasn’t what they expected. The CDC said no — because it no longer has the staff to help. “I sincerely regret to inform you that due… read on > read on >
Fisher-Price has recalled 253,000 baby stroller toys in the U.S. because of a choking risk, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). An additional 4,500 toys sold in Canada have also been recalled, according to a report from CBS News. The recall involves the “Brunch & Go” stroller toy, a set of make-believe… read on > read on >
Health officials in Hood River County, Oregon, are investigating three cases of a rare and fatal brain disease known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Two people in the county, which has a population of about 24,000, have died from the illness, and a third case is still being reviewed, Oregon Live reported. CJD is caused by… read on > read on >
Home-delivered meals tailored to people’s chronic illnesses can prevent hospitalizations, help folks remain healthy and save billions of dollars each year, a new study says. In “Food Is Medicine” programs, people with conditions like diabetes, heart disease or cancer receive prepared meals that are crafted to help protect their health. More than 14 million Americans… read on > read on >
Natural disasters fueled by climate change might wind up increasing cancer deaths, a new study suggests. Rates of colon cancer diagnoses dropped during and after Hurricanes Irma and Maria hit Puerto Rico two weeks apart, as well as during the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers reported April 14 in the journal Cancer. However, late-stage colon cancer diagnoses… read on > read on >
Worried about taking the ADHD meds you’ve been prescribed because they might harm your heart health? There’s no need to fret, according to a new evidence review. ADHD medications generally have just a small effect on a person’s blood pressure, heart rate and heart electrical activity, researchers reported in The Lancet Psychiatry. What’s more, there… read on > read on >
Women with sickle cell disease often have pain crises around the time of their period, and researchers now think they know why. Inflammation increases significantly in women during their period, and that could be contributing to sickle cell pain events, researchers reported. “The amount of inflammation is significantly elevated in the follicular phase, or first… read on > read on >
