Safety First - Think Twice!

DECEMBER SAFETY: RADIATION

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Think Twice before insisting on that CAT-scan or MRI. Medical tests such as CT-scans, X-rays and MRI’s are important tools used by physicians to diagnose a variety of medical conditions. However, like everything, they do have risks. Sometimes things are discovered on these tests that “might” be abnormal, leading to further tests or treatments, each of which have their own risks, and in the end everything would have been better off left alone. Some tests expose the patient to high doses of radiation or to dyes that occasionally cause kidney damage or allergic reactions. In the U.S. we spend a lot more on health care than other countries, but are no healthier. So the next time your doctor advises you against a certain test, if you trust him or her, listen. Often there is a safer approach. Sometimes less is more.

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Christmas & Hannukah Business Gifts

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The holidays are coming sooner than you think. If your business gives gifts to customers or if you just need to stock up on some stocking stuffers, please consider THINK TWICE: MORE LESSONS FROM THE ER. It’s the perfect gift and it helps keep your customers safe, so they can stay your customers.

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Welcome to GotSafety.ORG

dont try this at home

GotSafety.ORG is devoted to keeping people safe and out of the Emergency Department (ED). The tips contained in the Monthly Newsletters and Safety Books have been collected from the medical literature, from health literature for the public and from the care I have provided to thousands of patients in the ED.

You can support GotSafety.ORG by spreading the word, by subscribing to our Monthly Newsletter or by purchasing Safety Books for yourself or friends (They make great gifts). In addition, please consider making a $20 donation. Each donation “buys” a copy of the pocket version of Think Twice: More Lessons from the ER for 10 patients that day.

Sincerely,

Brady Pregerson, MD

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NOVEMBER SAFETY: ADULT VACCINES

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This post brought to you courtesy of my uncle who wanted more people to know about the shingles vaccine and other adult vaccines.

Flu shots have been available since October 1st. If you haven’t had yours yet, ask your doctor. For most of us the benefits far outweigh any risk. Contraindications include allergy to eggs.

If you haven’t had the pneumonia vaccine or Pneumovax in the past 5 years and you are older than 65 or have immune compromise, you should ask your doctor. It can prevent pneumococcal disease which is probably the most common cause of fatal pneumonia and meningitis.

The Shingles vaccine is relatively new and is now recommended for adults over the age of 60 by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Shingles is an extremely painful reactivation of the virus that causes Chicken Pox. If you have never had Chicken Pox, keep reading. The same committee has also recommended the Varicella vaccine for adults without evidence of immunity to this virus. (ask your doctor).

HPV vaccine: This vaccine is indicated for females age 11-26 to aid in the prevention of cervical cancer.

Other vaccines for adults: Hepatitis B, Varicella, Tetanus
Travel Vaccines to consider: Hepatitis A, Japanese Encephalitis, Lyme, Rabies, Typhoid, Yellow fever.

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OCTOBER: HEART ATTACK?

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A patient of mine who stayed at home all night while having a mild heart attack, and finally came to the Emergency Department (not Emergency Room) in the morning wanted me to put the following advice into print:

If you have chest pain, even if it is mild, and it radiates to both arms, go to the ED immediately.

Most people worry more if they have symptoms in their left arm along with chest discomfort. Radiation to the left arm may or may not increase the risk. However, if the symptoms radiate to BOTH arms, the chance that the discomfort is due to a cardiac condition becomes very high, regardless of symptom intensity.

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Can a flu shot prevent more than the flu? Possibly. As of October 1st, flu shots are available. Ask your doctor if you should have one.

How many hours should you sleep each night for optimum cardiac health? Click here for the answer provided by a recent study

Daylight savings time and Halloween are coming. Here are some important safety tips for trick-or-treaters and their parents.

Be Crosswalk Safe: When holding a child’s hand crossing the street make sure you are holding their hand rather that the other way around. If they are holding your finger or part of your hand, they could let go. If you have your hand around theirs, then you are in control and they are safer. A little life could depend on it.

Be Street Safe: Avoid dark costumes. Choose light colors or add reflective material to costumes. Carry flashlights. Avoid masks that obscure peripheral vision or teach your children to keep the masks tipped up and back until they ring the doorbell. Stay out of the street except for crosswalks and even then be very careful.

Be House Safe: Check your property yearly, if not more often, for tripping hazards, poor lighting or low branches that could injure a running teen or child. What better month to do this than in October, when on the 31st many strangers may be walking up and back from your front door? Also make sure your pets are not going to put anyone at risk. We see as many injuries from dogs causing trips and falls as we do from bites.

Be Fire Safe: Try to use battery powered lights rather than candles. Avoid costumes with low hanging material or that are not flame-resistant. Teach your children how to “Stop-Drop-and-Roll” (Dropping is the most important part of this)

Be Food Safe: Prepare a large wholesome meal so your family doesn’t overindulge. Inspect candy before your children eat it. Allergies to unfound peanut products are the number one cause of ER visits from halloween candy.

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SEPTEMBER: SKIN CANCER

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Summer is coming to a close, but protecting your skin from the sun needs to be a life-long habit. 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer during their lifetime and 1 in 33 will get melanoma. One American dies of melanoma every 65 minutes. Protecting yourself and your family prevents skin cancer and premature aging of the skin.

SUNSCREEN:

Make sure your sunscreen protects against both UV-A and UV-B rays.

Look for the American Academy of Dermatology’s “AAD Seal of Recognition”. This is new. So far they like Aveeno Continuous Protection. Consumer Reports’ top picks include Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 45 and No-Ad Sunblock Lotion SPF 45.

Apply sunscreen generously and re-apply every 2 hours or sooner if you sweat or swim.

Avoid combo products that contain insect repellant.

OTHER PROTECTION:

Seek shade, especially between 10am and 4pm.

Wear a hat, sunglasses and as much clothing as comfortable.

Use extra caution near snow, water or sand as these surfaces reflect sunlight well

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