VA Health Initiative is Reducing MRSA Cases
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) a serious problem in hospitals throughout the country. That is why an initiative by the Veterans Health Administration looks so promising. At a recent conference, the VHA reported a reduction in “Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections by 89 percent over four years in a Veterans community living center (CLC) in North Carolina.”…
Read MoreAnother Physiomesh Lawsuit Moves Forward
Gary Goodson thought he was going into the hospital to repair a recurrent hernia. Instead, since his hernia surgery, he has had continuous complications. In May of 2017, he filed a suit in the Southern District of Illinois against Johnson & Johnson and Ethicon, Inc., stating, “the multi-layer coating prevented adequate incorporation of the mesh…
Read MoreJury Awards $17.6 Million Medical Malpractice Verdict for Overprescribing Opioid Pain Killers
Brian and Michelle Koon won a $17.6 million medical malpractice lawsuit against Dr. Henry D. Walden and St. Louis University for overprescribing opioid pain medication. Koon was a city parks employee who went to see Dr. Walden for back pain. Dr. Walden prescribed three different kinds of opioids: Oxycontin, Vicodin and Oxycodone. Koon became addicted,…
Read MoreHospital-Acquired Infection in NICU from Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Caused by Contaminated Tap Water
Hand hygiene has become a vital tool in preventing the spread of infection in a health care setting. But what happens when the water used to wash those hands is contaminated? A story in the journal Healio highlights the findings of a report published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. There was an outbreak of…
Read MoreCould an EPA Staffer Have Colluded with Monsanto About Shutting Down Glyphosate Investigation?
A story in the politics section of the Huffington Post reveals that the Inspector General (IG) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is looking into possible collusion between an EPA staffer and Monsanto. Documents and emails that have been released because of a lawsuit against Monsanto, manufacturer of the herbicide glyphosate, mention Jess Rowland, who…
Read MoreIs AT&T Overcharging You?
A recent CBS story reported that AT&T and DirecTV might be overcharging its customers for promotions on cable and Internet services. The investigation revealed over 4,000 complaints from disgruntled customers about their bills being higher than they agreed. The catch? When they signed up for a promotional deal, the fine print has them signing away…
Read MoreEisenhower Medical Center Sees Three Patients Test Positive for Tuberculosis
California has seen an uptick of tuberculosis cases lately. On June 1, 2017, News Channel 3 reported that “Health officials are urging about 500 patients and employees of Eisenhower Medical Center to be tested for tuberculosis after three patients were diagnosed with an active form of the respiratory illness.” The report says that the three…
Read MoreFormer Employee of Insys Therapeutics to Plead Guilty of Wire Fraud Conspiracy
Reuters has reported that Elizabeth Gurrieri, a former employee of Insys Therapeutics, is expected to plead guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy. As per the report, Gurrieri’s “agreement to cooperate came as Insys works to reach a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department in connection with the investigation.” She is the second employee…
Read MoreWestminster, Maryland Daycare Facility Facing Lawsuit over E. Coli Outbreak
Parents of children who attended Chelsea’s Gentle Care Child Development Center in Westminster, MD have filed a lawsuit alleging that the center is responsible for at least one child, and as many as 23 children, contracting a strain of E. Coli. According to the Town of Morningside Maryland, a “child developed gastrointestinal distress and a…
Read MorePolice Officer Accidentally Overdoses on Fentanyl Just by Touching It
During a routine traffic stop, East Liverpool, OH Officer Chris Green had worn gloves and a mask; there was white powder throughout the car, and he didn’t want to contaminate evidence. He had finished the search and removed his gloves, when another officer pointed out some powder on Green’s shirt. Without thinking, he brushed it…
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