Mount Sinai Hospital

Mount Sinai Launches Medical-Legal Program to Address Health-Harming Legal Needs Among Patients

/in , /by

The Mount Sinai Health System announced today data from an innovative medical-legal pilot program that proactively identifies and provides free, civil legal services to patients in underserved communities who have unaddressed legal needs to improve their health outcomes. Developed by the Mount Sinai Medical-Legal Partnership (MSMLP) and Mount Sinai Health Partners IPA, LLC (MSHP) in collaboration with New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)’s LegalHealth Division (LegalHealth) and Healthfirst, the data-driven program offers a template for other healthcare systems to address health-harming legal needs (HHLN) facing the communities and patient populations they serve. read more

hospital bed

What to Do if the Hospital Is Discharging You Too Soon

/in , , /by

“The doctor just wrote your discharge orders – you’re ready to leave the hospital and go home.” That’s great to hear if you’re actually prepared.

Smiling senior man talks with a friendly nurse in a hospital hallway. The nurse is pushing the man in a wheelchair.

However, what if you’re stunned at the notion that you’re well enough, or well-prepared enough, to leave? You had surgery yesterday and there’s no one to change your bandage at home. You’re confused about which medications to take, or why. You don’t have a follow-up appointment, you’re not sure who to call if problems arise and you feel sick, weak and helpless. read more

who

World Health Organization launches new app for skin safety

/in , /by

The World Health Organization just launched a new app that you can think of as ‘another tool in the toolkit’ for your skin safety.

We caught up with Tampa resident Manuel Criollo as he spent the morning with his four granddaughters at their local splash pad.

They always use a lot of sunscreen.

“Before we go out and even when we are home and they play in the yard,” Criollo said.

He’s lived in Tampa for decades and takes skin protection seriously.

“It’s very important to me because of the damage the sun can do to the skin. Cancer nowadays, you’ve got to be aware of it,” he said.

Dr. Vernon Sondak, chair of Moffitt Cancer Center’s Department of Cutaneous Oncology, showed us how the new World Health Organization’s app called SunSmart Global UV works.

“We think that anything that brings attention to the dangers of overexposure to ultraviolet light from the sun is helpful,” said Dr. Sondak. read more

formula

FDA warns against using Plug Heist Trap House ‘homemade’ infant formula

/in , /by

The FDA has sent out an alert for parents and caregivers of infants who consume infant formula advising them to stop using “homemade” infant formula from Plug Heist Trap House.

The manufacturer was marketing this product as an infant formula with no product labeling and did not submit the required pre-market notification to the FDA. Homemade infant formulas have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety and may lack nutrients vital to an infant’s growth. read more

GE

U.S. FDA Classifies Recall of GE’s Ventilator Batteries as Most Serious

/in , /by

U.S. health regulators on Tuesday classified the recall of some backup batteries of GE Healthcare’s ventilators, which the company had initiated in mid-April, as the most serious type, saying that their use could lead to injuries or death.

The CARESCAPE R860 ventilator’s backup batteries, including replacement backup batteries, were recalled as they were running out earlier-than-expected, which could cause the device to shut down preventing the patient from receiving breathing support, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

The CARESCAPE R860 ventilators use the main power via a wall plug to operate and the device’s backup battery is meant to keep it running in situations such as patient transport. read more

vaccine

CDC approves Covid vaccines for youngest kids

/in /by

The wait is finally over.

On Saturday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky signed off on Covid vaccines for the youngest Americans. Her endorsement means shots can begin immediately, finally ending the two-and-a-half year wait on the part of parents of children under 5.

Walenksy accepted the recommendation within hours after the CDC advisory committee voted unanimously in favor of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for children as young as 6 months. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee on Saturday endorsed Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccines for the youngest children, the last step before CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky could issue her final sign-off. read more

Johnson & Johnson is recalling sunscreens due to low levels of benzene, a carcinogen

/in , /by

Johnson & Johnson said Wednesday that it is recalling five of its sunscreen products after some samples were found to contain low levels of benzene, a chemical that can cause cancer with repeated exposure. Traces of benzene were detected in dozens of popular sunscreens and after-sun products, according to tests conducted by online pharmacy and lab Valisure.

Read more…

OSHA issues long-delayed COVID-19 safety rules for healthcare workplaces

/in , /by

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued an emergency temporary standard Thursday that healthcare employers specifically must abide by to better protect workers from the spread of COVID-19.

Read more…

Violence and hate against Asian Americans is a health and safety crisis for everyone

/in /by

On my walks through pre-pandemic Shanghai in late September 2019, around every corner I stumbled upon everyday scenes of older people’s integration into the fabric of the city and community life.

People with full heads of gray hair rode bikes and sat in front of storefronts, chatting with neighbors and eating meals from large metal bowls. An old woman whizzed by in a motorized wheelchair alongside scooters in the street. At Fuxing Park, grandpas tended to grandchildren and older men bounced spinning disks in a game of diabolo.

Read more…

Covid Vaccine

Largest COVID Workplace Outbreak Doubles in Size, Despite Safety Measures

/in /by

The LA area plant that makes the iconic “Dodger Dogs” is experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19 that continues to multiply exponentially, according to LA County public health records examined by the NBC4 I-Team.

At least 779 workers at the Farmer John meat processing plant in Vernon have been infected with COVID. That’s double the number of cases reported just six weeks ago.

The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 770 — which represents most of the workers there — says more than half the plant has tested positive for the virus.

Read more…