Salt Lake City Personal Injury Lawyer

Prescription Pain Medications Can Kill - Use Only As Directed

Bret Hanna — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:26:19 GMT

Utah ranks 4th in the nation for prescription drug abuse and that abuse kills more Utahns each year than car accidents do. The problem is not limited to Utah, given that 48 million Americans have used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes. The problem is widespread but there is a campaign in Utah to curb abuses.

The website Use Only As Directed is aimed at identifying the problem and detailing ways to address the situation. The site outlines the problem in this way:

Currently, the number one growing concern in Utah is non-medical use of prescription pain medications, due to their easy availability. According to the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), more than one-third of Utahns had received a prescription for pain medication. Many of these people keep their leftover medication, which can be a risk for misuse, abuse and unintended poisoning. Also, 90% reported obtaining a prescription pain medication, without a doctor’s prescription, from a friend or family member. The most recent 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports an estimated 5.3 million persons used pain relievers non-medically in the surveyed month.

The following is offered for safe use of prescription pain medications:

Never take prescription pain medication that is not prescribed to you.

Never take prescription pain medication more often or than in higher doses than prescribed.

Never drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medications.

Never share your prescription pain medications with anyone.

Taking prescription pain medications with other depressants such as sleep aids, anti-anxiety medications, or cold medications can be dangerous.

Properly dispose of all expired and used prescription pain medications.

Tell your healthcare provider about ALL medicines and supplements you take.

Safe storage while you have prescription pain medication is key:

Store prescription pain medications out of reach.
Keep track of your prescription pain medications at all times.
Keep prescription pain medications in original containers, with labels and safety caps in place.
Keep track of how many pills you have been prescribed and how many you have taken so you know if any are missing.
Dispose of all unused and expired prescription pain medications properly.

For tips on how and where to safely dispose of prescription pain medications generally and in Utah specifically, click here.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

The Cost Of Appendix Removal Ranges From $1.5K to $180K - How Can That Be?

Bret Hanna — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:26:05 GMT

Appendectomies are very common and straightforward procedures that are performed every day. Why, then, are there such discrepancies in how much patients pay for them?

A California study found that the cost of appendectomies across the state ranges from $1,500 to $180,000 with the average cost being $33,000. Interestingly, the authors of the study could not find any discernable rhyme or reason to explain the findings. Some disparities were attributed to treatment location. Differences led to some patients having more imaging studies or longer inpatient hospital stays. But those variables do not account for roughly one-third of the cost variances.

The study focused on data reported by hospitals in 2009 concerning 19,368 patients between the ages of 18 and 59 years old. For consistency purposes, researchers only looked at appendectomy cases without complications and with in-patient hospital stays of less than four days. To determine cost, the study focused on what the patients were billed, not what they were paid by insurance if there was any. The costs were highest for-profit hospitals, non-profits hospitals were next and County hospitals, who typically cannot turn patients away charged the least amounts for the procedures. The costs for uninsured patients and those covered by Medicaid were slightly higher than those patients with private health insurance.

The study conveys interesting statistics but compelling questions remain - why the discrepancies and what can be done to impose rational cost determinations across the board. Any ideas?

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Medical Implants That Have Never Been Tested For Safety

Bret Hanna — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:25:25 GMT

According to a press release recently issued by Consumer Reports, an investigation conducted by the consumer watch dog organization reveals that some very common medical devices have never been tested to determine whether they are safe. This is an alarming finding given that nearly one in five adults in the U.S. has an implanted medical device.

The investigation and resulting report focused on four primary medical implant devices - surgical mesh, Lap-Bands, metal hips and cardiac devices. Here is what the investigation reveals about each:

Surgical mesh: No testing. Tens of thousands of women have been implanted with transvaginal mesh for prolapse repair and bladder support. Despite thousands of reports of adverse events, repeated alarms by women’s-health and consumer-health advocates, and multiple lawsuits, these products are still being sold and are still classified as “moderate risk” devices. How did the manufacturers get their products into the marketplace? They took advantage of a loophole in the law that allowed them to grandfather their products onto the market without any advance safety testing.

Lap-Band: Minimal testing. More than 650,000 have been sold worldwide, according to the 2010 annual report from its manufacturer, Allergan. Approval for Lap-Bands was based on a lone study of 299 people. Of those participants, 51 percent reported nausea, vomiting, or both, and 25 percent had their bands removed before the end of the three-year study because of complications or failure their bands removed before the end of the three-year study because of complications or failure to lose enough weight. “Imagine if a car had a recall rate that high,” says John Santa, M.D., M.P.H, director of the Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center. “Consumers and regulators would be up in arms. But in the world of medical devices, these things often stay hidden.”

Metal hips: Missed alarms. The artificial hip introduced in 2005 by DePuy, the orthopedic division of Johnson & Johnson, was cleared by the FDA without clinical testing. Instead it went to market based on “substantial equivalence” to earlier devices, though metal-on-metal hips such as this one had long been on the agency’s high-priority list for requiring advance clinical trials. DePuy recalled all 93,000 of these hips worldwide in 2010. Evidence suggests that metal-on-metal hips fail far more often than average and can cause metal poisoning and tissue destruction, leading to a litany of medical problems for the patient.

Cardiac devices: Significant problems. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators are just one of three types of cardiac devices described in the Consumer Reports investigation that have had significant problems. Since 2009, the FDA has received reports of close to 29,000 deaths or injuries from these devices, by far the most for any device type, according to CR’s analysis of a federal database. The most troublesome aspect of the devices are the leads—wires that connect them to the heart.

Safety testing is the bailiwick of the Food and Drug Administration and it does not have a stellar track record to rely on when it comes to medical device testing. That said, the FDA website is a good place to start when it comes to researching medical devices if implantation has been recommended. The medical device "tab" on the FDA can be found here. You can find information concerning warnings, recalls and complaints that have been lodged concerning specific devices. You should also consult your physician about specific information on testing and safety issues and about device brand and model specific information so you can do some research on your own. Information is the best defense against a bad outcome so time spent on such investigation is time well spent.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Brain Injuries Are More Common Than You Think

Bret Hanna — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:38:35 GMT

People suffer approximately 5 million brain injuries, also known as traumatic brain injuries or "tbi"s, in the U.S. every year and about 2 million of those result in permanent damage to the victim. Those injuries also equate to approximately 50,000 deaths and 235,000 in-patient hospital stays annually. Such injuries can be very costly to treat and are also very prevalent in certain fields, such as the military, so it is imperative that we focus on diagnosis and effective treatment to ensure best outcomes.

In cases of non-fatal brain injuries, trauma results in injury processes rather than a one time "event." The injury processes can result from primary lesions that cause "structural" damage to the brain, and secondary lesions that interfere with molecular mechanisms after the injury. That means early understanding of the full nature of the injury and the resulting symptoms and damages is critical in terms of treating and minimizing them.

A brain injured person often does not have visible external or physical injuries. In other words, a person can appear to be just fine physically when in reality, their cognitive processes and behaviors reveal a brain injury. Signs to look for include headaches, thinking difficulties, memory problems, attention deficits, mood swings and frustration. It is important to recognize these signs after a person is injured and when they are recognized, it is important to take advantage of available resources to help the injured and their families.

Since early intervention and intensive rehabilitation are critical factors when it comes to dealing with brain injuries, knowing where to find the resources that offer them is key. Here is a partial but helpful list:

If a brain injury is a possibility with you, a co-worker, a friend or family member, please dial into these resources and get help as early as possible.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Hospitals Not Necessarily Safe Havens

Bret Hanna — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:39:42 GMT

According to a bulletin recently issued by AARP, hospitals can be very dangerous places. One highlighted statistic notes:

The number of patients who die each year from preventable hospital errors is equal to four full jumbo jets crashing each week. If airline tragedies of that magnitude were occurring with such frequency, no one would tolerate the loss.

That is simply shocking.

To be sure, modern medicine involves incredible complexities that go along with 13,600 potential diagnoses and 4,000 medical and surgical procedures and 6,000 drugs to deal with them. One method to address the medical error problem that seems to be gaining some traction is very simple - checklists. Checklists have proven invaluable to the air transportation industry as pilots use them to make sure that everything is considered when it comes to flying safely. As a patient, however, you can't necessarily rely on the hospital providing your care using best practices to ensure your safety. So, you need to look out for yourself.

AARP offers the following suggestions to maximize your safety during an inpatient stay:

1. Get to know your nurses and aides.

Nurses are the human face of technology-driven care. Your nurse is your day-to day point person and coordinates your daily care plan. She or he can be a powerful ally and helpful guide in navigating the foreign terrain of a hospital and its system and ways.

Aides handle many of the daily personal-care issues that are crucial to your comfort but they generally do not dispense medications or perform other nursing duties.

Each hospital has a different nurse/patient ratio, but nurses can always use more help. Understand that your nurse is caring for many sick patients but don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it.

Make sure you have the phone number for the nurses' station in case your call bell is not answered in a timely fashion and you really need assistance, especially at night, when there is less staff on hand.

2. Make names a must in all hospital interactions.

Names are the first thing to go in the hospital setting: "Oh, that's Bed 19, the bypass." Using names is the best defense you have against feeling anonymous and dehumanized. Names are a reminder to everyone that you are a person first and a patient second.

Using names encourages the essential human connection — the key to collaborating with your care team. Get to know your doctors' names— don't let them remain strangers to you at this most crucial time.

3. Consider your hospital room your temporary home.

Find out how to work the TV, the phone, the bed and the call button. Make sure that everything actually functions properly.

Climate control is essential to your comfort. Being cold slows healing and increases vulnerability to infections by suppressing the immune system. Make sure you have enough blankets to stay warm.

Real estate is everything in a hospital. Just a modicum of sunlight, a quieter room or a sliver of privacy can make a world of difference to a patient. If you're going to be in the hospital for more than a day, and you're very uncomfortable with your room or bed assignment, ask for a change.

You might want to bring a portable entertainment device such as an iPod containing music or audio books. However, keep in mind that hospitals are not responsible for personal effects so keep track of items like this.

Place multiple sets of earplugs and a sleep mask on the bedside table within easy reach.

Put pens and a notebook in an easily accessible place so you can make notes and write down observations.

Place a bottle of hand sanitizer on your bedside table within easy reach for your own use. You may be bedbound and not able to wash your hands very often. Facial wipes and mouthwash or mints are also good items to have on hand.

You can take your care into your own hands and you can make a difference in the outcome of your stay. It is worth your time and effort.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

15 Passenger Vans in the News Again - Not in a Good Way

Bret Hanna — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 22:17:40 GMT

Since 2001, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTHSA) has issued 8 consumer warnings concerning 15 passenger vans. The most recent, issued March 22nd, comes in the wake of yet another fatality resulting from a 15 passenger van rollover accident.

On March 1st, an 18 year old East Lansing High School (MI) student was killed in a rollover crash as his church choir group was returning from a performance in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The student was one of 17 people in a 2002 Chevrolet Express van traveling along I 96 in southern Michigan when the left rear tire failed. The driver lost control, the van rolled, and several passengers were severely injured in addition to the one fatality.

The number one risk concern cited by NHTSA in the most recent consumer advisory? Overloading the vehicle. But what does that mean? Unfortunately, NHTSA does not elaborate on that risk point. But, here is the entire list of safety tips the agency does offer:

Never overload the vehicle.
If you are a passenger, make sure you buckle up for every trip.
If you are an owner, make sure the vehicle is regularly maintained.
Owners should have suspension and steering components inspected according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule and replace or repair these parts as necessary.
Owners should ensure that vehicles are equipped with properly sized and load-rated tires.
Owners should also make sure drivers are properly licensed and experienced in operating a 15-passenger van.
Before every trip, drivers should check the tires for proper inflation, and make sure there are no signs of wear or damage. Correct tire size and inflation pressure information can be found in the owner's manual and on the door pillar.

The vans are often used by local schools, colleges and churches for group transportation, but larger families and others use them regularly as well. Regardless, if a trip in a 15 passenger van is in your or future or that of a family member or friend, please speak up so that safety is a primary concern for all involved.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Aspirin Good for More than the Heart

Bret Hanna — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:21:37 GMT

Daily aspirin therapy may lower the risk of heart attack and stroke, but two new studies suggest that such therapy may also reduce the risk of many cancers and prevent some tumors from spreading. One study conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford found that after three years of daily aspirin use, the risk of developing cancer dropped by 25 percent compared to a control group that did not take aspirin. Taking the study out five years demonstrated a 37 percent reduced risk of developing cancer.

A second set of British studies conducted over 61/2 years demonstrated that daily aspirin use reduced the risk of developing metastatic cancer by 36 percent and the risk of adenocarcinomas, common cancers such as lung, prostate and colon cancers, by 46 percent. The study also showed that daily aspirin use reduced the risk of cancers spreading to metastatic disease. The studies were published in The Lancet and The Lancet Oncology.

While there may be benefits from daily aspirin therapy for heart health and cancer prevention, it is not without risks and it is not for everyone. Aspirin interferes with blood's clotting action so the biggest risks are gastrointestinal bleeding and hemorrhagic bleeding. Risk factors such as prior heart attack or stroke, or a high risk of either, will weigh in favor of such a regimen, while conditions such as bleeding and clotting disorders, asthma, heart failure and stomach ulcers will dictate against such a regimen. That's why it is imperative that you consult with physician for a risk factor analysis before you begin any daily aspirin therapy.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

"Pink Slime" Maker Slows Production in Response to Public Uproar

Bret Hanna — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:37:31 GMT

On Monday, Beef Products, Inc., the maker of the derisively named "pink slime" beef ingredient, suspended production of the product at three of its four plants in the wake of a negative social media uproar over the process used to manufacture the product. The affected plants are in Amarillo, Texas; Garden City, Kansas; and Waterloo, Iowa. About 200 employees at each plant will receive full salary and benefits during what is expected to be a 60 day suspension of operations. The plant located at the company's headquarters in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, will continue operations as usual.

The uproar over the product has been driven by worries that the beef filler ingredient is treated with ammonia hydroxide to kill such bacteria as E. coli and salmonella. The end product is used in processed meat products such as sausages and hamburgers. A major focus of the social media dust up was an online petition aimed at removing pink slime from schools. In response, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a release indicating that school districts can stop using the product. Some retail chains have also pulled products that contain the ingredient from shelves.

The manufacturer and federal regulators have long maintained that the ingredient, known in the industry as "lean, finely textured beef," meets food safety standards. Beef Products, Inc. is in the process of developing a strategy to promote that claim and to rebuild business. Part of that strategy is to highlight the company's contention that the product is "all beef." The production process involves collecting fatty bits of beef left over from other cuts which are heated and spun to remove most of the excess fat. The remaining product is pressed into blocks and treated with ammonia hydroxide. The result, according to the company, is a product that is up to 97 percent lean beef. That may be true, but all consumers need to make an informed choice about whether they want to include such a product in their diet and that of their families.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Early Detection Test Parameter Highlights for Men and Women

Bret Hanna — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:37:57 GMT

For women, new guidelines for Pap tests to detect cervical cancer are age dependent as opposed to the former gold standard of one test per year for women over the age of 21. Several groups had been pushing for a protocol of Pap tests every three years for women between the ages of 21 and 65. But new test protocols issued by the American Cancer Society, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force and others suggest parameters that starting at age 30, women should be tested for the cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV) and have Pap tests every 5 years.

The recommendations do not require a 5 year interval for Pap tests, but suggest that women over 30 can stick with a 3 year interval and be safe. But, the guidelines suggest that if women choose a Pap test plus HPV combination test option and the results of both are negative, the time line can be pushed out to 5 years for the next cervical health test regimen. The reasoning is that certain strains of HPV cause most cervical cancer, but the infection must persist for years for it be precursor to cervical cancer.

For men, a new study of men in Europe offers insights into the value of PSA blood tests to screen for prostate cancers. Study results suggest that PSA blood tests every four years do cut the risk of death from prostate cancers, but the study also reveals that screening does not make a difference in the number of people who actually die from those cancers. Why? Prostate cancers grow slowly and most men die of something else first.

The problem is there is no good way to predict which prostate cancers will kill and those that won't. This problem is compounded by the fact that if cancer is detected with a PSA blood test, treatments can cause incontinence, impotence and other problems that seriously detract from a man's quality of life. Men should consult with their doctor and carefully consider a risk-benefit analysis to decide when and how often to have PSA blood tests.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna

Utah Transit Authority as Big Brother?

Bret Hanna — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 22:06:20 GMT

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) wants to outlaw pedestrians who are distracted around their TRAX and FrontRunner trains in an effort to protect such people from themselves. The move is in response to a rash of train related accidents over the past year that have been widely publicized. From January 2011 through today, there have been 10 train -pedestrian accidents, including 6 fatalities, although three of those were ruled suicides.

The idea? The UTA board is drafting an ordinance to ban such distractions as texting, talking on cell phones, listening to music with headphones and using electronics such as readers. Under state law, UTA, like towns and cities, has the power to enact ordinances that UTA police can enforce by issuing tickets punishable by civil fines. As currently drafted, first violations would result in a fine of $50 and subsequent offenses would cost $100 each.

In addition to the distractions issues, UTA has turned its attention to pedestrians and drivers who try to beat trains by rushing through gates or who move through crossings with flashing warning lights or downed gates. It appears that UTA views these transgressions as more egregious because it has proposed $300 fines for first offenses and $500 for subsequent offenses.

Do these proposed ordinances demonstrate that UTA believes it knows best for you and me? Perhaps, but the increased number of injuries and deaths suggests proper motives and that assessment is bolstered by the implementation of a high-profile advertising campaign aimed at raising safety awareness around UTA's tracks. UTA offers the following safety tips on its website:

Pedestrians and Bicyclists

- Before you cross railroad tracks or enter a TRAX or FrontRunner platform:

* always watch for trains—look both ways

* take off your head phones

* put your cell phone down—no texting or phone calls

* hop off your bike or skate board

* hold smaller children’s hands

* walk across the tracks or onto the platform when it is safe

* never cross between train cars—always walk around to a designated safe crossing

- Always stand away from the yellow tactile strip when trains approach the platform.

- Never walk or play on tracks or the rail corridor; even for short cuts. It could be deadly and is trespassing, punishable by a $100 or greater fine.

- Never go around a lowered gate or try to outrun a train. Just wait for the train to pass, the gates to lift and lights to stop before crossing the track.

- Never throw things at the train or place things on the track; you could get hurt or even derail the train.

Motorists

- When you approach a rail crossing, be sure to stop and clear the intersection if lights start flashing.

- Never go around lowered gates or try to cross a raised median. The gate and media are there to prevent you from going across the tracks when a train is coming.

- If you are driving in a lane shared with TRAX (like shared left-hand turn lanes in Salt Lake City) do not enter the lane if the train warning light is on.

You can also find a UTA safety and security fact sheet here.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Bret Hanna