Baby products do not prevent SIDS according to FDA

Parents will do anything to help their infants sleep safely through the night. This includes purchasing infant positioners marketed on the premise that it keeps your baby safe while sleeping. According to the FDA, there are no products that you should buy including the infant positioners. The new NICHD Back to Sleep Campaign website offers even more information about SIDS and what action you can take.

Take a look at the following Safe Sleep Top 10. Are you following all of them to keep your baby safe?

1. Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night. The back sleep position is the safest, and every sleep time counts.
   
   
2. Place your baby on a firm sleep surface, such as on a safety-approved* crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet. Never place your baby to sleep on pillows, quilts, sheepskins, or other soft surfaces.
   
   
3. Keep soft objects, toys, and loose bedding out of your baby's sleep area. Don't use pillows, blankets, quilts, sheepskins, and pillow-like crib bumpers in your baby's sleep area, and keep any other items away from your baby's face.
   
   
4. Do not allow smoking around your baby. Don't smoke before or after the birth of your baby, and don't let others smoke around your baby.
   
   
5. Keep your baby's sleep area close to, but separate from, where you and others sleep. Your baby should not sleep in a bed or on a couch or armchair with adults or other children, but he or she can sleep in the same room as you. If you bring the baby into bed with you to breastfeed, put him or her back in a separate sleep area, such as a bassinet, crib, cradle, or a bedside cosleeper (infant bed that attaches to an adult bed) when finished.
   
   
6. Think about using a clean, dry pacifier when placing the infant down to sleep,but don't force the baby to take it. (If you are breastfeeding your baby, wait until your child is 1 month old or is used to breastfeeding before using a pacifier.)
   
   
7. Do not let your baby overheat during sleep. Dress your baby in light sleep clothing, and keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for an adult.
   
   
8. Avoid products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS because most have not been tested for effectiveness or safety.
   
   
9. Do not use home monitors to reduce the risk of SIDS. If you have questions about using monitors for other conditions talk to your health care provider.
   
   
10. Reduce the chance that flat spots will develop on your baby's head:provide "Tummy Time" when your baby is awake and someone is watching; change the direction that your baby lies in the crib from one week to the next; and avoid too much time in car seats, carriers, and bouncers.

For more information on the topics - check out these resources:

American Academy of Pediatrics:The Changing Concept of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Diagnostic Coding Shifts, Controversies Regarding the Sleeping Environment, and

New Variables to Consider in Reducing Risk

National Institutes of Child Health and Development-Safe Sleep for Your Baby: Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

200,000 kids injured in playground injuries

According to the CDC, emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger for playground-related injuries costing on average $1.2 billion each year.

Where They Happen:

• About 45% of playground-related injuries are severe–fractures, internal injuries, concussions, dislocations, and amputations (Tinsworth 2001).
• About 75% of nonfatal injuries related to playground equipment occur on public playgrounds (Tinsworth 2001). Most occur at schools and daycare centers (Phelan 2001).
• Between 1990 and 2000, 147 children ages 14 and younger died from playground-related injuries. Of them, 82 (56%) died from strangulation and 31 (20%) died from falls to the playground surface. Most of these deaths (70%) occurred on home playgrounds (Tinsworth 2001).

My own experience tells me it probably happens more than the numbers show. Many children get home based care with ice and over the counter medicines. In my own family, we have had cut feet (glass in the park), cut cheek (stitched in ER), scooter hit in back of head (stitched in head), golf club to the head (ice at home), fall off monkey bars (ice and motrin), and on and on. Sometimes the circumstances produce a decision to go immediately for care, and sometimes it's a wait and see.

Here are following are tips that can be used to prevent children from sustaining injuries on playgrounds:

Play safely. Check to make sure playground equipment your child uses is properly designed and maintained and there’s a safe, soft landing surface below.

Supervision is key. Supervise young children at all times around fall hazards, such as stairs and playground equipment, whether you’re at home or out to play.

Do you have any experience with playground injuries? Do you think the 200,000 annually represents injuries on U.S. playgrounds?

15,000 people die from prescription pain overdoses each year

Yesterday, the CDC concluded that "One in 20 people in the United States, ages 12 and older, used prescription painkillers nonmedically (without a prescription or just for the "high" they cause) in 2010." And they also warn that the misuse of painkillers is at epidemic proportions.

Did you know that ...

Prescription painkiller overdoses killed nearly 15,000 people in the US in 2008. This is more than 3 times the 4,000 people killed by these drugs in 1999.

Nearly half a million emergency department visits in 2009 were due to people misusing or abusing prescription painkillers.

Nonmedical use of prescription painkillers costs health insurers up to $72.5 billion annually in direct health care costs.

Here are some recommendations the CDC offers to consumers

1. Use prescription painkillers only as directed by a health care provider.
2. Make sure they are the only one to use their prescription painkillers. Not selling or sharing them with others helps prevent misuse and abuse.
3. Store prescription painkillers in a secure place and dispose of them properly.

Need help for yourself or a loved one? Don't wait.

Contact a health care provider who can help you.

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Alcohol and Substance Abuse Providers now in Where To Find Care.com

Know someone looking for help from health care providers specializing in Alcohol and Substance Abuse? WhereToFindCare.com can help.
We have just added thousands of providers from across the country for patients and families to consider when seeking professional help for alcohol and substance abuse diagnosis.

WhereToFindCare.com offers comprehensive information on these providers including outpatient versus inpatient, whether they provide care for criminal justice clients, the type of client they server- substance abuse and or mental illness, and the types of insurance plans if taken.

You can check it out here: wheretofindcare.com and enter your zip.

Let us know if these newest providers are helpful to you.

Reminder-A little flu prevention goes a long way

Flu Season is here, unfortunately. The last thing you want is the flu. As a reminder, here are a few helpful tips for you and your family to avoid spreading the flu:

1. Place bottles of anti-bacterial hand gel around the house - especially by the heavily used areas:
a. Right in front of the family room computer keyboard
b. Kitchen table/island (next to the fruit bowl)
c. Next to the box of tissues (when they grab a tissue - they will see the gel)
d. Next to the TV remote control
e. By the land-line (phone) and/or answering machine

2. Restock your favorite anti-bacterial hand soap (many scents and moisturizers at Bath and Body Works). Place at all sinks in your house.

3. Keep repeating "wash your hands", "cover your mouth" - not only is it a great reminder of forming good habits, but years later tell their own kids the same thing and thank you for caring.

4. Use Disinfectant sprays- According to Lysol: Laboratory tests have shown that many LYSOL® products, when used according to label instructions, are effective against similar strains of Influenza virus H1N1.

5. Clean all common places with disinfectant wipes including:
Handles: Doors (Inside and Outside), Closet, Mailbox, Cabinents
Appliances: refrigerator, freezer, washer, dryer, dishwasher, microwave
Handrails: Stair, porch, bath/shower area

6. Buy an upright toothbrush holder to help keep toothbrushes away from each other. Remember to have them rinse the toothbrush with hot water. See CDC for more toothbrush care tips.

7. Open your windows - weather permitting.

8. Don't share cups or straws. Sharing of utencils is also a no-no.

9. Refrain from kissing - Alternatives can be: Hugging (Bear Hugs are great), Blow a kiss, and a peace sign.

Wayne County (MI) Offer Flu Shots for $15

Thinking about getting your flu shot. Wayne County Health Department is ready to help. They are offering residents flu shots for only $15. Some centers are taking appointments but many offer the shot on a walk in basis. To learn more - click on the inks below.

Wayne County Health Department -

Van Born Road

Appointment Schedule

Walk-in Schedule

Taylor Health Center

Eureka Road

Appointment Schedule

Walk-in Schedule

Redford Area Health Office

Telegraph Road

Appointments Only

Is Michigan's Governor Snyder Taking the Wrong Approach Towards "Curing" Obesity ?

Recently, Michigan's Governor Rick Snyder announced his special message on Health and Wellness. Snyder reiterated his two objectives on health : Obesity and Infant Mortality. Both can be found on the Governor's dashboard, giving indicators on how well/not well the state is meeting suggested targets relative to these issues. To gather interested lawmakers and key stakeholders, there have been 2 summits to address each of the aforementioned issues. The Obesity Summit took place in September, and the Infant Mortality Summit will take place October 17th. Each of these Summits has been charged with "develop[ing] practical, implementable policy recommendations that will improve Michigan’s health" (Snyder, 2011). Has that happened in the case of Obesity?

The Obesity Summit started as a day full of promise but quickly turned into examining the same strategies we've known for decades. Snyder has announced he will be promoting the use of the state's website to monitor BMI for not only himself and MDCH Director, Olga Dazzo, but will start monitoring Michigan Children's BMI through the MICR. Once the state's immunization registry, the MICR system is now being used as a data warehouse to hold a plethora of information regarding the health of children and adults, who have been included in the data since MICR's inception. MICR information is not only available to Pediatricians, but to daycare providers, school officials, Public Health Workers, Hospitals, and Health Plans as well as others. This means we're assigning yet another number to children, an inaccurate measure on many counts.

Furthermore, suggestions arising from this Summit focused on a sin tax on "unhealthy foods", a regressive tax which will disproportionately affect the poor (an increasing segment of our population in Michigan) while not addressing the root of the problem. Rather than focusing on what we currently are and telling us what to buy (or not buy), why don't we give children and adults the opportunity to lead healthier lives? Use the carrot rather than the stick to induce healthier behaviors and lifestyles. How about instead of stigmatizing the overweight and obese by making our BMI public, we work towards achieving HEALTH AT EVERY SIZE? We don't need to be shamed into submitting, but only give us the tools and we will decrease our health risks.

Possible alternatives to a fat tax:

1. Promote 2 15-minute breaks each day in partnership with public and private enterprise to provide the opportunity to walk/exercise and enjoy the fresh air
2. Subsidize and fund ONLY healthier nutrition options in schools to children
3. Endorse Farm-to-School and School Garden Initiatives
4. Encourage families to engage in outdoor activities
5. Incentivize growth of youth farm stand projects and healthy corner stores in places with limited food resources
6. Provide low-cost equipment to schools for physical activity (i.e. jump ropes, balls, etc)
7. Set an example by having healthy foods at office celebrations
8. Advocate walking groups at workplaces, schools, churches, etc.
9. Reinvest in our schools' physical education through mandating gym class EVERY DAY
10. Push for healthier foods for all institutionalized populations (i.e. hospitals, mental facilities, prisons)
11. Champion Safe Routes to Schools, Walking School Buses, Complete Streets, and Bike/Walking Paths

These are just a few options of which there are many to promote health without causing stigma and shame for those who are overweight and obese. By looking at the problem on such a superficial level as only weight and BMI, we feed a preoccupation with being thin rather than healthy.

Please feel free to share your suggestions as progress towards leading Healthier lifestyles!

Extra Help With Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs

Are you aware that there is a program to help people with Medicare get extra help to pay for the monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and co-payments related to the Medicare Prescription Drug program?

The program is through the Social Security Administration Office. You can apply online or call(1-800-772-1213) for help in completing the application. You must be enrolled in a Medicare Drug Plan, live in one of the 50 state or District of Columbia and meet income guidelines.

Your combined savings, investments, and real estate are not worth more than $25,260, if you are married and living with your spouse, or $12,640 if you are not currently married or not living with your spouse. (DO NOT include the home you live in, vehicles, personal possessions, burial plots, irrevocable burial contracts or back payments from Social Security or SSI.)

If you have more than those amounts, you may not qualify for the extra help. However, you can still enroll in an approved Medicare prescription drug plan for coverage.

EXCEPTION: Even if you meet these conditions, DO NOT complete this application if you have Medicare and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicare and Medicaid because you automatically will get the extra help.

Here is the link to get more information and get started.
https://secure.ssa.gov/i1020/start

FDA offers 7 Tips for Cleaning Fruits, Vegetables

Are you one of the more than 48 million people that are sickened by contaminated food this year?

Use these helpful tips to avoid sickness, suffering, and health care costs.

1. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap before and after preparing fresh produce.

2. Cut away any damaged or bruised areas before preparing or eating.

3. Gently rub produce while holding under plain running water. There’s no need to use soap or a produce wash.

4. Wash produce BEFORE you peel it, so dirt and bacteria aren't transferred from the knife onto the fruit or vegetable.

5. Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers.

6.Dry produce with a clean cloth or paper towel to further reduce bacteria that may be present.

7.Throw away the outermost leaves of a head of lettuce or cabbage.

You can view the entire article using this link.

Hospital billing contractor shares private health information on 20,000 Stanford ER patients

This release of private health data should make you very concerned and eager to know more about your health care provider's security measures for your private health information. The exposed are unsuspecting Emergency room patients at Stanford Medical Hospital who had their information shared on a website call Student of Fortune (a pay for tutoring website). The information was shared publicly for 11 months and had names, diagnosis codes, account numbers, admission and discharge dates, and billing charges for patients seen at Stanford Hospital’s emergency room during a six-month period in 2009. Here is the original article for your review.

Concerned? You should be! Who knows who possesses this data, but the company website that hosted that information should definitely be able to tell who accessed it and how many times over the 11 month period.

Who's to blame? If Stanford had a written contract with Multi-Specialty Collection Services to protect the privacy of protected health information, the fault appears to rest with Multi-Specialty Collection Services according to this HHS Article.

Especially interesting though, is this section on the Health and Human Services Website:

How Is This Information Protected

• Covered entities must put in place safeguards to protect your health information.
• Covered entities must reasonably limit uses and disclosures to the minimum necessary to accomplish their intended purpose.
• Covered entities must have contracts in place with their contractors and others ensuring that they use and disclose your health information properly and safeguard it appropriately.
• Covered entities must have procedures in place to limit who can view and access your health information as well as implement training programs for employees about how to protect your health information.

It begs the question - why is a diagnosis needed for a billing contractor? Is it necessary to have that information (diagnosis code) in order to collect payment due for services? If it was the company that submits information to the insurance carriers, most definitely it would need it this data. However, this company sounds like a collection agency that is engaged to contact patients after the insurance portion has been paid or for remaining balances. So, does this flip the blame toward Stanford for giving too much information to a contractor?

What do you think about this latest breach?