In an effort to tackle the large number of slip and fall accidents reported in Palm Beach County, Florida, officials announced three senior health fairs in January. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue said 87 percent of the 911 calls they received in 2015 were regarding medical emergencies. The most common calls they responded to involved…
Hoverboard Travelers Are Hovering Over Danger
As the product reportedly catches on fire, a number of retailers are pulling the products from their sites, and the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission is conducting an investigation. [powerpress]
Diabetes drug may help treat preeclampsia in pregnant women
A diabetes medication considered safe for pregnant women could potentially be used to treat or prevent preeclampsia, a leading cause of maternal death. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that kills more than 60,000 women around the world each year. It occurs when an insufficient blood supply to the placenta causes the release of toxins into…
How a simple fall can lead to serious head injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of five slip and fall accidents results in a head injury, broken bones or other serious injuries. Hazardous conditions such as spills on supermarket floors and cracked sidewalks have the potential to cause slip and fall accidents that can lead to significant head injuries….
Simulation manikins gain popularity as medical training tool
Simulation using manikins is becoming an integral part of medical training around the country to help improve the quality of care for patients. Research indicates that simulated learning environments contribute to preparing medical staff for emergencies, enhance their skills and allow them to practice rarely used procedures. In addition, simulator training is credited with reducing…
Scientists to study impact of worn shoes on slip and fall accidents
University of Pittsburgh researchers received a $1.5 million grant from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health to develop techniques for predicting the wear rate of footwear in order to reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents. The study is titled “Impact of Worn Shoes on Slipping.” The university’s Swanson School of Engineering…
Florida Supreme Court declines University of Miami birth injury liability case
The Florida Supreme Court in December 2015 decided not to hear a dispute over whether the University of Miami could be held liable for the actions of two physicians it employed through its medical school. The case concerned a baby who sustained a brain injury during delivery in 1998 at Jackson North Maternity Center in…
Florida seeks to prevent wrong-way auto crashes
Florida officials are looking for ways to prevent wrong-way car crashes, which occur with alarming frequency in the state. In April, a study published by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) found that 75 people were killed in 280 wrong-way crashes between 2009 and 2013 on Florida highways. Miami-Dade County accounted for 60 of those…