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The FDA just released a new list of over 500 medications that are in short supply or are on back order.  Many patients are having a hard time getting their medications, due to new FDA regulations.   Please follow the below link and if your medications are on the list, speak with your physican to see what can be done.     Also please leave a comment on this page. Do you think the FDA and  Drug companies should come up with other ways of providing medications that are on backorder or short supply?   
Drugs/DrugSafety/DrugShortages/ucm050792.html

2011-2012 Flu Vaccine


Below is a excerpt of the article on what this year’s flu vaccine will
include. 

The seasonal flu vaccine is a trivalent vaccine (a three-component
vaccine) with each component selected to protect against one of the three main
groups of influenza viruses circulating in humans. 

Three vaccine viruses are chosen to maximize the likelihood that the
influenza vaccine will protect against the viruses most likely to spread and
cause illness among people during the upcoming flu season. WHO recommends
specific vaccine viruses for influenza vaccine production, but then individual
countries make their own decisions for licensing of vaccines in their country.
In the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration determines what
viruses will be used in U.S.-licensed vaccines. 

What flu viruses are included in the Northern Hemisphere seasonal
vaccine for 2011-2012?

WHO recommended that the Northern Hemisphere's 2011–2012 seasonal
influenza vaccine contain the following three vaccine viruses: 
 
an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus; 
an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus; and


·        a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.


These are the same viruses that were selected for the Northern
Hemisphere for the 2010-2011 influenza vaccine.


What flu viruses are included in the Southern Hemisphere seasonal
vaccine for 2011?


On September 29, 2010, in Geneva, Switzerland, WHO recommended that
the Southern Hemisphere's seasonal influenza vaccine contain the following three
vaccine viruses:


·        
an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus;


·        
an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus;* and


·        
a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.


*Note: A/Wisconsin/15/2009 and A/Victoria/210/2009 are
  A/Perth/16/2009-like viruses.


These are the same virus strains that the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) selected for inclusion in the Northern Hemisphere vaccine being used in
the United States during the 2010-2011 season.


http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccine-selection.htm

2011-2012 Flu Vaccine


Below is a excerpt of the article from the CDC  on what this year’s flu vaccine will
include.


The seasonal flu vaccine is a trivalent vaccine (a three-component
vaccine) with each component selected to protect against one of the three main
groups of influenza viruses circulating in humans.


Three vaccine viruses are chosen to maximize the likelihood that the
influenza vaccine will protect against the viruses most likely to spread and
cause illness among people during the upcoming flu season. WHO recommends
specific vaccine viruses for influenza vaccine production, but then individual
countries make their own decisions for licensing of vaccines in their country.
In the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration determines what
viruses will be used in U.S.-licensed vaccines.


What flu viruses are included in the Northern Hemisphere seasonal
vaccine for 2011-2012?


WHO recommended that the Northern Hemisphere's 2011–2012 seasonal
influenza vaccine contain the following three vaccine viruses: 
 
an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus; ·        
an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus; and·        
a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.


These are the same viruses that were selected for the Northern
Hemisphere for the 2010-2011 influenza vaccine.


What flu viruses are included in the Southern Hemisphere seasonal
vaccine for 2011?


On September 29, 2010, in Geneva, Switzerland, WHO recommended that
the Southern Hemisphere's seasonal influenza vaccine contain the following three
vaccine viruses:         
an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus;·        
an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus;* and        
a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.


*Note: A/Wisconsin/15/2009 and A/Victoria/210/2009 are
  A/Perth/16/2009-like viruses.


These are the same virus strains that the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) selected for inclusion in the Northern Hemisphere vaccine being used in
the United States during the 2010-2011 season.


http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccine-selection.htm

To all our East-West Safety Friends and Followers, I have posted the MCCS Hurricane Preparedness & Resource Guide.  As Hurricane Irene makes her presences known, and the South East braces for her impending arrival, I thought this was a good time to share this very valuable booklet.  Feel free to print it off, copy it to your friends, but whatever you do READ IT !!!  This information can save your life.     Please share your comments, or questions.

As the Fourth of July approaches, lets take a few minutes to look at safety tips, to keep your family safe.   Fireworks can cause blindness, amputations, burns and in some cases even death.   While it is safer to let the professionals set off the fireworks below are few tips to ensure that you are safe while lighting fireworks. 
▪▪ Always read directions.

▪▪ Always have an adult present.

▪▪ Use fireworks outdoors only.

▪▪ Never use near dry grass or other flammable materials.

▪▪ Light one at a time.

▪▪ Keep a safe distance.

▪▪ Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

▪▪ Never experiment with fireworks.

▪▪ Have a bucket of water and a hose handy.

▪▪ Never attempt to re-light or “fix” fireworks.

▪▪ Do not wear loose fitting clothing.

▪▪ Never carry fireworks in your pockets.

▪▪ Fireworks are not toys.
 Have a safe and Happy Fourth of July.   Thanks to all the veterans of

After Tornado Cleanup.

 

East-West Safety would like to offer our prayers to the families of those who lost loved ones and property during the recent tornados.  

During the clean up phase of the tornados operations we must still be on the lookout for  Lacerations, Contusions(bruising), Puncture wounds and in some instances heat Exhaustion.    I will post below a little blog on each as a refresher on what to do for each of these injuries.  

If you are involved in the cleanup stage, Please remember to wear, gloves, long sleeves and boots to protect you from sharp objects.   Take breaks to rehydrate your body and to prevent heat exhaustion.   

Heat Exhaustion:

 Heat exhaustion occurs when you are exposed to high temperatures for a long period of time and lack fluids.  Those most prone to heat exhaustion are those who work in the heat for a long period of time, the elderly and those who suffer from high blood pressure.
What are the signs of heat exhaustion?

1.        Heavy sweating

2.        Paleness

3.        Muscle cramps

4.        Tiredness

5.        Weakness

6.        Dizziness

7.        Headaches

8.        Nausea or vomiting

9.        Fainting

10.     Fast pulse rate

11.     Skin will be moist and wet

12.     Fast and shallow breathing

 Should you see these symptoms, put the patient in a cool place and help them to cool off. This can be done by putting the patient in an air conditioned room, give non alcoholic beverages, remove heavy clothing, and apply cool cloths to the wrist and back of neck.   Failure to cool the patient down could lead to heat stroke.  If the above symptoms last longer than 1 hour seek medical attention.

Control Bleeding from Lacerations and Puncture Wounds:

The first priority of wound care is to control bleeding.   Major blood loss can cause the blood pressure to fall dangerously low; this is known as cardiovascular shock.   Shock occurs when the body’s tissues do not receive enough oxygenated blood.  The steps below are guidelines to help when you come across a wound. Always seek medical care if bleeding cannot be controlled, wounds are deep and if infections are present.

To control bleeding follow the steps below.

1.       If possible, wash your hands  with soap and water before caring for a wound
2.       Ask the victim to sit or lie down. Fainting reactions can happen

3.       3. Expose the wound. Remove any clothing barrier. Do not cut the clothes unless absolutely necessary.
4.       Put on medical gloves to protect against bloodborne infections. If gloves are not available cover hand with a plastic bag or similar material.   If not available you can have the victim assist you by holding pressure on the bandage and wound.
5.       Place a sterile gauze pad over the entire wound and press evenly for 5-10 minutes. Direct pressure stops almost all bleeding.  Wounds of the scalp, hands and feet bleed more profusely because of their rice blood supply.
6.       If bleeding is from an extremity, elevate the injured area above the level of the heart to reduce blood flow while continuing to apply direct pressure on the bleeding site.
7.       If bleeding persists after you have maintained pressure on the wound for at least 10 minutes, press harder over a wider area.
8.       Apply a pressure dressing. This will allow you to attend to other injuries.  You can make a pressure bandage by covering the wound with a thick layer of gauze or the cleanest material available, and then wrap a bandage over the dressing, extending above and below the site. Do not cut off circulation.  
9.       If dressings become soaked with blood, place a fresh dressing on top of the soaked one.   Never remove a blood soaked dressing from the wound until all bleeding has stopped.

According to a study by  Los Angeles County public health officals, a  drug resistant bacterium is spreading to patients in a Southern California Hospital.  More than 350 cases of the carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae or CRKP for short have been reported at healthcare facilites in Los Angeles County. According to Mercury News  Fifty-three percent of the infections came from acute care hospitals, 41 percent form long-term acute care hosptials and six percent from nursing homes.  Most of those affected are elderly patients at skilled nursing or long term care facilities.   Reports of CRKP have also been reported in North Carolina , New York and New Jersey. CRKP has been found to infect those who are on ventilators or those who are taking a prolonged course of antibotics.      Health officals are warning the public not to panic over the superbug as it has been confined to patients that are in the hospitls and no reports  of the virus have been found in the general public.  

To prevent the spread of this superbug. Healthcare workers are strongly encouraged to wash their hands between each patient .  Patients can ask their healthcare provider to wash their hands before touching them.  Patients are also encouraged to wash their hands after touching any surface while in the hosptial and before eating. 

 Last week the at the International Stroke Conference it was announced that people younger than the age of 35 has seen an increase in strokes while those over the age of 45 has seen a decrease in strokes.  Researchers are blaming the increase of obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes as the cause for the increase. While more research is needed we need to watch not only the older adults for signs of stroke but also the younger generations.  
Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke:
1. Sudden onset of numbness or weakness of the face, arms or legs, especially on one side of the body.
2. Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
3. Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
4. Trouble walking, dizziness, Loss of balance or Coordination.
5. Severe Headache with no known cause.

If someone is experiencing the above symptoms, Call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance.  
 Remember the acronym for FAST:
F- Facial paralysis or drooping. Ask the victim to smile. If they are unable to smile, they may be having a stroke.
A- Arms, ask the victim to raise both arms above their heads. If they normally can raise both arms, and are unable, stroke is a possible cause.
S- Speech difficulties. if the person has normal speech and is unable to form words or sentences,
T- Time is important for someone having a stroke. Immediate transport to the local Emergency Department is needed. Do no Delay in calling 9-1-1 for someone who you suspect of having a stroke.