In the previous two posts, our blog has discussed some basic background information about heart attacks, including the symptoms, the reasons why people delay securing the necessary treatment, and why it’s so important to get to the hospital as soon as possible if any of the aforementioned symptoms manifest themselves. The unfortunate reality, however, is […]
Last time, our blog began providing some basic background information on the risks posed by heart attacks, a condition the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says strikes an estimated 715,000 Americans each year. In today’s post, we’ll continue to examine this important topic, including why it’s so important to secure immediate treatment if you […]
Every year, thousands of people throughout Pennsylvania — and many more across the nation — endure unimaginable pain and fear due to the onset of a sudden heart attack. The good news is that thanks to medical advancements, the proper treatment administered in the proper timeframe can greatly reduce the risk of a heart attack […]
A few weeks ago, the Joint Commission, the renowned non-profit which certifies and accredits health care facilities across the U.S., issued one of its Sentinel Event Alerts concerning a piece of medical equipment that can be found in virtually every hospital room across the nation. The medical equipment in question is the tubing used for […]
Last time, our blog discussed how surgical site infections — or SSIs — are not only relatively common, but also potentially deadly. Indeed, statistics reveal that the U.S. sees upwards of 400,000 SSIs every year and that roughly 100,000 result in the loss of a patient. We also discussed how the danger posed by SSIs […]
Anyone who follows our blog knows that we frequently discuss the dangers posed by hospital-acquired infections such as MRSA, CRE and C. diff, and the steps that medical facilities can — and should — take to address this growing epidemic. While there is no denying the deadly nature of HAIs, it’s important to know that […]
Anyone who has been a hospital patient for an extended period of time knows from firsthand experience that the people responsible for providing medical care change shifts on such a frequent basis that it can often be difficult to keep names and faces straight. While this unavoidable reality of “patient handoffs” or “care transitions” can […]
It goes without saying that most technological breakthroughs in the medical world are ultimately utilized by physicians, nurses, radiologic technologists or other health care professionals who are specially trained in the complex art of keeping patients healthy and safe. Interestingly enough, however, hospitals here in Pennsylvania have started implementing a remarkable new medical technology that […]
It may come as a shock to many people to learn that medical errors are currently one of the leading causes of death here in the United States. However, it may come as an even bigger shock to learn that the vast majority of these deaths attributable to medical errors were altogether preventable. Indeed, statistics […]
Last week, our blog discussed how CDC statistics revealed that catheter associated urinary tract infections — or CAUTIs — are among the most common types of hospital-acquired infections, comprising over 30 percent of total infections. We also discussed how untreated CAUTIs can evolve into potentially deadly bloodstream infections, while even CAUTIs treated with antibiotics can […]
