In October of 2013, a 66-year-old retiree was treated for congestive heart failure. After her treatment, she was discharged with eight prescriptions for continued care, one of which was a diuretic called metolazone. However, instead of metolazone, the pharmacy technician wrote methotrexate on the prescription, a harsh medication usually prescribed to cancer patients. Methotrexate...
Read MoreWhat Does the Virginia Newscaster Shooting Tell Us About Workplace Safety?
Since news reporter Alison Parker and photojournalist Adam Ward, employees of CBS affiliate WDBJ in Roanoke, Virginia, were shot to death in August while conducting a live television interview, questions have been raised regarding workplace safety. At a news conference the day after the shooting, the station manager of WDBJ was asked if the station could have done anything more to keep...
Read MoreAggressive Driving Causes Most Traffic Deaths
Long commutes for drivers and congested urban streets can lead to instances of aggressive driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines “aggressive driving” as the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property. Some examples of aggressive driving are speeding, rapid lane changing,...
Read MoreWelcome to Brain Injury Awareness Month
Did you know that, according to the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), approximately 1.7 million people suffer a brain injury every year in the United States? That alarming number resulted in March becoming Brain Injury Awareness month across the country. What the BIAA hopes to accomplish...
Read MoreBicycle and Automobile Collisions
Even the most careful bicyclist is prone to injuries on the road. While wearing a safety helmet minimizes the risk of head injury, cyclists can also suffer broken bones, burns, and spinal cord injuries in vehicle collisions. Unfortunately, a bicycle offers no protection from the impact...
Read MoreHow Effective are Bicycle Helmets in Preventing Head Injuries?
The unusually warm winter and lack of snowfall might have you taking your bicycle out earlier than usual this year. No matter what time of year you ride your bicycle, it is extremely important that you wear a safety helmet. Unfortunately, many bicyclists do not wear helmets because they lack an appreciation for the...
Read MoreDefective Drugs and Drug Recalls
If a defective prescription drug has the potential to harm consumers, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the regulatory body that issues a recall notice to the public. The purpose of the recall is to get the drug off the market as quickly as possible. Drug...
Read MoreStudy Sheds Light on Construction Site Fires
A study by the U.S. Fire Administration found that there are approximately 4,800 construction site fires every year in the United States. Each fire causes about $35 million in property loss, according to the study. In addition, arson and open flame cause the majority of...
Read MoreWhy You Should Consult a Doctor Immediately after a Car Crash
After a car accident, some people might feel minor aches and pains and make the mistake of thinking they got away without any serious injuries. This is the wrong thing to do. Some people who do not feel immediate symptoms find that they wake up a day...
Read MoreWhat is a Hardcore Drunk Driver?
One of our blogs earlier this week discussed “buzzed driving” and .08. However, there is a class of drivers that safety experts refer to as “hardcore” drunk drivers. These are the drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .15 or greater. What separates these drivers from the rest is that they usually...
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