New Vital Signs Report How has the prescription painkiller overdose epidemic grown in women

The prescription painkiller epidemic is killing more women than ever before. New data shows prescription painkiller overdose deaths among women have skyrocketed. Since 1999, the percentage increase in deaths was more than 400 percent among women compared to 265 percent in men.

"About 18 women die every day of a prescription painkiller overdose in the US, more than 6,600 deaths in 2010. Prescription painkiller overdoses are an under-recognized and growing problem for women."

To read more about this report click here: US CDC

Click here to read "Press Release: Prescription Painkiller Epidemic Among Women"

Read more about painkillers and workers' compensation:

Workers Compensation Insurance Company and PBMs Liability for

Oct 28, 2009

A pharmacy dispensed narcotic painkillers to a Patricia Copening, 35 year old doctor's office receptionist, who killed a 21 year old man in a fatal Las Vegas accident. A case is pending against the seven pharmacies (Wal-Mart, ...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Workers' Compensation: Opioid Use in Workers' Compensation

Jun 18, 2013

Labels: Drugs, opioids, pain killers, Prescription medication, workers compensation. Posted by Jon Gelman at Tuesday, June 18, 2013 · Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to Facebook · Newer Post Older Post Home ...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Florida, Oxycodone Trafficking, Workers Compensation and Blame

Oct 14, 2011

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that Schedule II prescription painkillers, like oxycodone, today cause more drug overdose deaths than cocaine and heroin combined. Oxycodone and ...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Workers' Compensation: Criminal Charges Urged Against Sedgwick

Jun 21, 2013

When a physician overprescribes painkillers and the patient dies, it's criminal. Similarly, when a workers' compensation insurance carrier acts the same way, it should be a criminal act,” said Singer. To read the entire letter to ...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Protecting Healthcare Workers

Kerri A. Thom, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, puts a spotlight on the healthcare environment and its role in spreading bacteria that cause healthcare-associated infections. She discusses this topic in context of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America(SHEA) spring meeting, where professionals in healthcare epidemiology and infection prevention are focusing on evidence-based research and policies to further identify the impact of the healthcare environment on healthcare-associated infections.

"At the meeting, several sessions examine motivation and behavior change techniques that

can optimize the efficacy of a good old-fashioned cleaning and disinfection. While hospital cleaning staff often focus on the disinfection of patient rooms’ bathrooms, other near-patient surfaces and equipment can be overlooked. SHEA believes educating staff on the role of the healthcare environment and optimizing worker performance can be one of the most effective measures to adequately disinfect patient rooms.

Click here to read more about the CDC initiative to protect healthcare workers.

What To Do Before A Major Snow Storm Strikes

As weather forecasters begin to label the impending Northeast Snowstorm as "The Snowstorm of the Century" employers and employees at taking preparations to avoid adverse exposures and serious injurieis during a time of cold and stress.The US Centers for Disease Control has announced a preparatory list of things to be done in advance of the storm.

Stock up on emergency supplies for communication, food, safety, heating, and car in case a storm hits.

Communication Checklist

• Make sure you have at least one of the following in case there is a power failure:
  • Battery-powered radio (for listening to local emergency instructions). Have extra batteries.
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio receiver (for listening to National Weather Service broadcasts).
    • Learn more about NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards
• Find out how your community warns the public about severe weather:
  • Siren
  • Radio
  • Television
• Listen to emergency broadcasts.
• Know what winter storm warning terms mean:
  
  • Winter Weather Advisory: Expect winter weather conditions to cause inconvenience and hazards.
  • Frost/Freeze Warning: Expect below-freezing temperatures.
  • Winter Storm Watch: Be alert; a storm is likely.
  • Winter Storm Warning: Take action; the storm is in or entering the area.
  • Blizzard Warning: Seek refuge immediately! Snow and strong winds, near-zero visibility, deep snow drifts, and life-threatening wind chill.
  • 
    

 Download Communication Checklist  [PDF - 54 KB] 

Happy Thanksgiving - Make It A Food Safe One

Food safety is especially important as you prepare a holiday meal. Within the last couple of years, CDC has investigated outbreaks of foodborne illness that were caused by bacteria in jalapeños, spinach, peanut butter, frozen pizza, frozen pot pies, and frozen beef patties. Many consumers are now more aware of the ongoing importance of food safety.

CDC is a food safety partner with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), which is responsible for the safety of meat and poultry. The FSIS has assembled preparation tips intended to serve as safety reminders to those who are already familiar with meat and poultry preparation safety and as guidelines for the first-time chef.

Turkey Basics: Safely Thaw, Prepare, Stuff, and Cook

When preparing a turkey, be aware of the four main safety issues: thawing, preparing, stuffing, and cooking to adequate temperature.

Safe Thawing

Thawing turkeys must be kept at a safe temperature. The "danger zone" is between 40 and 140°F — the temperature range where foodborne bacteria multiply rapidly. While frozen, a turkey is safe indefinitely, but as soon as it begins to thaw, bacteria that may have been present before freezing can begin to grow again, if it is in the "danger zone."

There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in a microwave oven. For instructions, see "Safe Methods for Thawing;" instructions are also available in Spanish.

Safe Preparation

Bacteria present on raw poultry can contaminate your hands, utensils, and work surfaces as you prepare the turkey. If these areas are not cleaned thoroughly before working with other foods, bacteria from the raw poultry can then be transferred to  other foods. After working with raw poultry, always wash your hands, utensils, and work surfaces before they touch other foods.

Safe Stuffing

For optimal safety and uniform doneness, cook the stuffing outside the turkey in a casserole dish. However, if you place stuffing inside the turkey, do so just before cooking, and use a food thermometer. Make sure the center of the stuffing reaches a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F. Bacteria can survive in stuffing that has not reached 165°F, possibly resulting in foodborne illness. Follow the FSIS' steps to safely prepare, cook, remove, and refrigerate stuffing; Spanish language instructionsare available.

Safe Cooking

Set the oven temperature no lower than 325°F and be sure the turkey is completely thawed. Place turkey breast-side up on a flat wire rack in a shallow roasting pan 2 to 2-1/2 inches deep. Check the internal temperature at the center of the stuffing and meaty portion of the breast, thigh, and wing joint using a food thermometer. Cooking times will vary. The food thermometer must reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F. Let the turkey stand 20 minutes before removing all stuffing from the cavity and carving the meat. For more information on safe internal temperatures, visit FoodSafety.gov's Safe Minimum Cooking Temperatures.

Following these cooking guidelines can help you prepare
a safe holiday dinner that everyone will enjoy.

 

More Information

• Holiday Food Safety [PODCAST - 3:29 minutes]
• Poultry Preparation, USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service
• Let's Talk Turkey: A Consumer Guide to Safely Roasting a Turkey, USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service
• Turkey Basics: Handling Cooked Dinners & Leftovers, USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service
• Turkey Basics: Safe Cooking, USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service (Spanish language Turkey Basics are available)
• CDC Foodborne Illness
• CDC Food Safety

Related articles

• Stuffing Deserves More Days on the Table (nytimes.com)
• Turkey basics: Cooking and thawing times from the USDA (seattletimes.com)

Click It or Ticket Campaign --- May 23--June 5, 2011

In 2009, motor vehicle crashes resulted in approximately 23,000 deaths to passenger vehicle occupants (excluding motorcyclists), and 2.6 million occupants were treated for injuries in emergency departments in the United States. Many motor vehicle accidents occur in the course of employment and are the subject of workers' compensation claims. Although seat belt use in the United States is now estimated at 85%, millions of persons continue to travel unrestrained. Using a seat belt is one of the most effective means of preventing serious injury or death in the event of a crash. Seat belts saved an estimated 12,713 lives in 2009, but almost 4,000 additional lives could have been saved if every occupant had been buckled up.

Click It or Ticket, a national campaign coordinated annually by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to increase the proper use of seat belts, takes place May 23--June 5, 2011. Law enforcement agencies across the nation will participate by conducting intensive, high-visibility enforcement of seat belt laws. Campaign activities will focus on young adult men (aged 18--34 years) and on nighttime travel. Additional information regarding Click It or Ticket activities is available from NHTSA at http://www.nhtsa.gov. Additional information on preventing motor vehicle crash injuries is available from CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety.

References
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Traffic safety facts 2009: early edition. Washington, DC: US Department of Transportation; 2010. DOT-HS-811-402. Available at http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pubs/811402ee.pdf . Accessed May 12, 2011.
CDC. WISQARS (Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System). Available at http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars. Accessed May 12, 2011.
Beck LF, West BA. Nonfatal, motor vehicle--occupant injuries (2009) and seat belt use (2008) among adults---United States. MMWR 2001;59:1681--6.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Lives saved in 2009 by restraint use and minimum-drinking-age laws. Washington, DC: US Department of Transportation; 2010. DOT-HS-811-383. Available at http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811383.pdf . Accessed May 12, 2011.

For over 3 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman  1.973.696.7900  jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.

Related articles

• CDC Urges Employers to Prohibit Cell Phone Use While Driving (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• Occupational Second Hand Smoke Exposures Continue in Some States (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• Nail Salon Workers at Risk for Occupational Exposures (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• OSHA To Fine Employers for Distracted Driving Accidents (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• Night patrols warn drivers to 'click it or ticket' (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• CDC Finds Annual Estimated Cost of U.S. Crash-Related Deaths Is $41 Billion (nlm.nih.gov)

NIOSH Proposes Special Cohort to Include Linden NJ Workers

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a notice of a decision to designate a class of employees for the Standard Oil Development Company in Linden, New Jersey, as an addition to the Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000. On June 18, 2009, the Secretary of HHS designated the following class of employees as an addition to the SEC:

All AWE employees of the Standard Oil Development Company in Linden, New Jersey, during the period from August 13, 1942 through December 31, 1945, while working for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days, either solely under this employment or in combination with work days within the parameters established for one or more other classes of employees in the SEC.

This designation will become effective on July 18, 2009, unless Congress provides otherwise prior to the effective date.

Federal Register: June 30, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 124 Page 31279-31280