Healthcare Violence: Bigger Risk Than You Think
The average rate of violence (and other injuries by persons or animal) that resulted in days off from work across all industries in 2014 is 6.8% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, healthcare and social assistance blew all the other industries’ rates out of the water with the highest rate of 135.2%. In the healthcare industry, patients don’t go through metal detectors or security, nor are they screened for their...
Post-Halloween Patients: What to Expect
You’ve officially conquered this year’s Halloween, hopefully. The ghosts and ghouls are back in the closet and the skeletons have returned to their graves. However, it’s possible you’ll still experience a few frights walking into the doctor’s office, so make sure to be on the lookout for these ailments to make their way into your practice. Food Allergens The eight common food allergens responsible for 90% of reactions are milk, eggs,...
Stroke Patient Recovery: The New Therapy
A new device geared towards stroke patient recovery could quickly be making its way to the market in the near future. With thousands of people struggling to recover from strokes and other brain traumas every day, this new technology could help patients regain mobility in their limbs. Neuroscientists at Newcastle University have developed the device, the size of a mobile phone, which delivers a series of small electrical shocks...
Microbots: Surgeons Small Enough to Swallow
Just like the 1966 film Fantastic Voyage, scientists are now well on their way to performing surgeries with the help of microbots. Although they aren’t exactly shrinking humans and submarines down to the microscopic level, developments in microfabrication and other areas are pushing the limits of the size and capabilities of medical instruments. Over the past 10 years, an assortment of interesting designs for these microbots...
The Real Problem With Elder Abuse
Emergency departments across the country receive more than 23 million older adults every year. According to a recent study, only 1 in 7,700 national emergency visits from older adults results in a formal diagnosis of elder abuse from emergency providers. With elder abuse as common as 1 in 10, are ERs missing an opportunity? The problem with elder abuse, besides how common it is, is the fact that is difficult to detect. Bones and blood...