Surgical masks have always played an important role in preventive medicine. With the advent of Swine and Bird flu, surgical masks have gained even more significance in the world of medicine. Surgical masks were once only worn in hospitals by health care professional and patients. Surgical masks help protect health care workers from bodily fluids, blood, various lung secretions and reduce spread of microorganisms from patients to health care worker and vice versa.
Since the advent of influenza virus, two other airborne viruses have been discovered that have the potential to cause many deaths. Large-scale pandemics of bird and swine flu viral infections have led to use of surgical masks outside health care facilities. The availability of relatively cheap surgical masks has led to high usage among populations in South East Asia. In many Oriental countries, use of surgical masks is a frequent public site to help avoid spread of the common cold virus.
Since the Bird flu scare several years ago, surgical masks have become popular among the public in many parts of America, including Canada and Mexico. There is abundant clinical evidence indicating that surgical masks play an important role in protecting health care workers from contaminated body fluids and aerosol particles. Surgical masks are primarily worn in hospital to prevent inhalation of aerosolized particles including microorganisms.
Awareness of serious viral and bacterial infections has led to development of guidelines regarding use of surgical masks in many health care facilities. Today, surgical masks are advocated for health care professional by the following institutions:
- American National Standards Institute Practice for
Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection
- Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses
- Joint Council on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
- National Committee for Quality Assurance
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- The Food and Drug Administration
For more on surgical masks, please visit www.medexsupply.com
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Eye Protection in health care facilities: Part 2
What types of safety eye wear is available for hospital workers?
The presently available safety eyewear include:
- non prescription eye glasses
- prescription safety glasses
- goggles
- Face shields that are combined with a surgical mask
Eye goggles are easy to use and do provide an important protective function. Before buying a pair of eye goggles one should look for the following features:
- are the goggles lightweight
- are the goggles easy to wear and comfortable
- Do the goggles protect against fluid splatter
- Do the goggles easily fog up?
- Are the lenses strong?
- Are the goggles resistant to chemicals and fluids?
- Are the goggles scratchproof?
It is highly recommended that one wear eye protection if there is any potential for eye injury. Today, OSHA standards require that all health care facilities make available to their staff appropriate eye protection. To be useful, the eyewear must be of the correct type for the risk encountered and correctly fitted.
Eye protection devices must be maintained if one wants them to last. The lenses should be regularly cleaned – dented, scratched or and soiled lenses can diminish vision and may be a factor in causing injury
For more on eye protection devices, please visit www.medexsupply.com
The presently available safety eyewear include:
- non prescription eye glasses
- prescription safety glasses
- goggles
- Face shields that are combined with a surgical mask
Eye goggles are easy to use and do provide an important protective function. Before buying a pair of eye goggles one should look for the following features:
- are the goggles lightweight
- are the goggles easy to wear and comfortable
- Do the goggles protect against fluid splatter
- Do the goggles easily fog up?
- Are the lenses strong?
- Are the goggles resistant to chemicals and fluids?
- Are the goggles scratchproof?
It is highly recommended that one wear eye protection if there is any potential for eye injury. Today, OSHA standards require that all health care facilities make available to their staff appropriate eye protection. To be useful, the eyewear must be of the correct type for the risk encountered and correctly fitted.
Eye protection devices must be maintained if one wants them to last. The lenses should be regularly cleaned – dented, scratched or and soiled lenses can diminish vision and may be a factor in causing injury
For more on eye protection devices, please visit www.medexsupply.com
Eye Protection in health care facilities: Part 1
Protection of the eye is very important in health care facilities. Each year thousands of health care workers are exposed to sick patients, contaminated aerosolized environments, infected body fluids, and blood. Surgeons especially are always at risk from flying fragments and body fluids during surgery. Despite protection from prescription glasses, a number of health care workers develop various types of eye injuries. Moreover, besides direct injury to the eye, there is always a potential for coming into contact with infectious organisms or blood.
When the eye is injured or infected, one has to miss work. This adds to loss of manpower and adds more stress on the already overworked workman’s compensation program. There is no dollar figure that can entirely replicate the personal toll these injuries take on injured health professionals.
Eye experts indicate that proper eye protection can significantly reduce incidence of eye injuries in hospitals and related facilities.
What are common causes of eye injuries in a hospital setting?
- Flying objects especially during surgery (blood particles,
bone chips, metal particles)
- Chemicals
- Aerosolized particles
- Fumes
- Laser beams
How can one prevent eye injury at work?
Eye injuries can be very serious and thus a preventive approach is ideal. All individuals who work in a hospital environment should know the following:
- location of nearest emergency eye wash basin
- be aware of all potential causes of eye injuries in
the working environment
- wear proper eye protection
- be familiar with use of eye goggles
If there is any chance that the eye may be injured at work, one should wear eye goggles. There are many types of protective eyewear available today and most work well. The choice of eye goggles is strictly personal.
When the eye is injured or infected, one has to miss work. This adds to loss of manpower and adds more stress on the already overworked workman’s compensation program. There is no dollar figure that can entirely replicate the personal toll these injuries take on injured health professionals.
Eye experts indicate that proper eye protection can significantly reduce incidence of eye injuries in hospitals and related facilities.
What are common causes of eye injuries in a hospital setting?
- Flying objects especially during surgery (blood particles,
bone chips, metal particles)
- Chemicals
- Aerosolized particles
- Fumes
- Laser beams
How can one prevent eye injury at work?
Eye injuries can be very serious and thus a preventive approach is ideal. All individuals who work in a hospital environment should know the following:
- location of nearest emergency eye wash basin
- be aware of all potential causes of eye injuries in
the working environment
- wear proper eye protection
- be familiar with use of eye goggles
If there is any chance that the eye may be injured at work, one should wear eye goggles. There are many types of protective eyewear available today and most work well. The choice of eye goggles is strictly personal.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
HPV vaccine: Part 3
Finally the cost of HPV vaccine
Medicine is foremost a business and nothing is free. A single dose of Gardasil costs $120-$140. Each individual requires three doses over a 6-month period. Further, many physicians are also charging for a consultation fee, cost of syringe and office time. Thus, the average cost for the entire series of HPV vaccine amounts to about $500-$600 plus.
Not all health insurance plans cover Gardasil. Moreover, some insurance plans only cover the vaccine for females in-between the ages of 9-26, the age where the vaccine has been FDA approved. At present, there is no legislation mandating that insurance plans cover the cost of the vaccine.
The pharmaceutical giant, Merck now has released data that the vaccine is also useful in women up to the age of 45. If there is FDA approval for the vaccine for this older group of individuals, perhaps some insurance companies may cover the cost.
At the moment, Gardasil is covered under a federal program for those who have no insurance and to Medicaid eligible children under the age of 18. For those individuals who lack medical insurance, one can check with the physician or the local health clinic to determine if there is program to get the vaccine free.
Medicine is foremost a business and nothing is free. A single dose of Gardasil costs $120-$140. Each individual requires three doses over a 6-month period. Further, many physicians are also charging for a consultation fee, cost of syringe and office time. Thus, the average cost for the entire series of HPV vaccine amounts to about $500-$600 plus.
Not all health insurance plans cover Gardasil. Moreover, some insurance plans only cover the vaccine for females in-between the ages of 9-26, the age where the vaccine has been FDA approved. At present, there is no legislation mandating that insurance plans cover the cost of the vaccine.
The pharmaceutical giant, Merck now has released data that the vaccine is also useful in women up to the age of 45. If there is FDA approval for the vaccine for this older group of individuals, perhaps some insurance companies may cover the cost.
At the moment, Gardasil is covered under a federal program for those who have no insurance and to Medicaid eligible children under the age of 18. For those individuals who lack medical insurance, one can check with the physician or the local health clinic to determine if there is program to get the vaccine free.
HPV vaccine: Part 2
The one reason why Gardasil is not recommended for women over the age of 25 is that by this time it appears many women have already been exposed to HPV. However, there are studies that have documented safety of this vaccine in the older age group. At present, Gardasil is believed to be effective for at least 5 years after injection. Current research is trying to determine if a booster shot at the end of 5 years will extent protection from the vaccine.
All consumers should understand that getting the HPV vaccine does not eliminate the need for future doctor visits. Pap smears are highly recommended in all females when they become sexually active.
As far as side effects are concerned, both vaccines have proven to be quite safe. From the recent clinical trials, the most common side effects observed were redness and pain at the injection site. These transient side effects last for a few days.
Neither Gardasil nor Cervarix is recommended for pregnant women. Once injected with the HPV vaccine, more than 95-98 percent of women are protected from developing cervical cancer
All consumers should understand that getting the HPV vaccine does not eliminate the need for future doctor visits. Pap smears are highly recommended in all females when they become sexually active.
As far as side effects are concerned, both vaccines have proven to be quite safe. From the recent clinical trials, the most common side effects observed were redness and pain at the injection site. These transient side effects last for a few days.
Neither Gardasil nor Cervarix is recommended for pregnant women. Once injected with the HPV vaccine, more than 95-98 percent of women are protected from developing cervical cancer
What is all the fuss about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine?
Cervical cancer is quite common all over the world. The tragedy of cervical cancer is that it affects young females. Current estimates indicate that in America, approximately 11,000 women develop cervical cancer and there are about 3,000 deaths each year. Over the years, a strong link between the human papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical cancer has been established. Furthermore, HPV has also been linked to cancers of the mouth, vulva, anus, and penis. With more people engaging in sexual activities at an earlier age, a vaccine would be a great way to prevent these cancers associated with HPV.
At present two vaccines have been developed to prevent infection from HPV. Both vaccines are administered by an injection in three divided doses. The current injection guidelines recommend that the first injection be followed by the 2nd and 3rd dose, two and six months, apart.
So far, only one vaccine is currently available in North America. Gardasil is currently available and recommended for all girls and young women between the ages of 9 and 26. In different countries, the age of vaccination is slightly variable. For example in Australia, cervarix is recommended for all females between the ages of 10-45 and for boys in-between the ages of 9-15. Cervarix is currently in the clinical trials stage in North America but data indicate that it is just as effective and safe as Gardasil.
The most important factor with both vaccines is that one gets vaccinated prior to becoming sexually active. Current data indicate that if the vaccine is injected in sexually active individuals, it does not get rid of HPV infection and thus protection against cervical cancer is not a guarantee.
At present two vaccines have been developed to prevent infection from HPV. Both vaccines are administered by an injection in three divided doses. The current injection guidelines recommend that the first injection be followed by the 2nd and 3rd dose, two and six months, apart.
So far, only one vaccine is currently available in North America. Gardasil is currently available and recommended for all girls and young women between the ages of 9 and 26. In different countries, the age of vaccination is slightly variable. For example in Australia, cervarix is recommended for all females between the ages of 10-45 and for boys in-between the ages of 9-15. Cervarix is currently in the clinical trials stage in North America but data indicate that it is just as effective and safe as Gardasil.
The most important factor with both vaccines is that one gets vaccinated prior to becoming sexually active. Current data indicate that if the vaccine is injected in sexually active individuals, it does not get rid of HPV infection and thus protection against cervical cancer is not a guarantee.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Blood in urine: Part 4
Treatment
When hematuria occurs, the doctor has to treat the underling cause.
Urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics and within a few days both the symptoms and hematuria will disappear. In rare cases, one may need long-term treatment with antibiotics
Kidney stones generally pass spontaneously through the ureter when one drinks a lot of water and remains active. If this method fails, then there are several other options to reveal kidney stones. One is non-invasive use of ultrasonic shock waves to break up the stone. Other more invasive methods include Cystoscopy or surgery.
Enlarged prostate does require treatment when the patient has symptoms. There is no ideal treatment for enlarged prostate. Every treatment has some negatives. In general, one is treated with medications and these do work well, but they also have side effects. When medications fail, the other options are use of heat, laser, or ultrasonic waves to shrink the prostate.
Immunological kidney disease does require treatment. The treatment depends on the type of kidney disease.
Cancers of kidney and bladder are generally treated with surgery. These tumors generally do not respond well to radiation or chemotherapy. In most cases, surgery is combined with an assorted variety of chemotherapeutic drugs.
Inherited disorders of the kidney which cause hematuria, do not always require treatment. Some disorders may cause extensive kidney damage and dialysis may be the only alternative.
Prevention of blood in urine
Unfortunately, one cannot not prevent hematuria. Even then, one should lead a healthy life style. Drinking adequate water and urinating right after intercourse does help prevent some urinary tract infections
To decrease the risk of kidney stones drink lots of water, limit salt, excess protein, and foods such as spinach.
To decrease risk of cancer, stop smoking, avoid exposure to heavy metals or chemicals and get regular exams from a physician.
When hematuria occurs, the doctor has to treat the underling cause.
Urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics and within a few days both the symptoms and hematuria will disappear. In rare cases, one may need long-term treatment with antibiotics
Kidney stones generally pass spontaneously through the ureter when one drinks a lot of water and remains active. If this method fails, then there are several other options to reveal kidney stones. One is non-invasive use of ultrasonic shock waves to break up the stone. Other more invasive methods include Cystoscopy or surgery.
Enlarged prostate does require treatment when the patient has symptoms. There is no ideal treatment for enlarged prostate. Every treatment has some negatives. In general, one is treated with medications and these do work well, but they also have side effects. When medications fail, the other options are use of heat, laser, or ultrasonic waves to shrink the prostate.
Immunological kidney disease does require treatment. The treatment depends on the type of kidney disease.
Cancers of kidney and bladder are generally treated with surgery. These tumors generally do not respond well to radiation or chemotherapy. In most cases, surgery is combined with an assorted variety of chemotherapeutic drugs.
Inherited disorders of the kidney which cause hematuria, do not always require treatment. Some disorders may cause extensive kidney damage and dialysis may be the only alternative.
Prevention of blood in urine
Unfortunately, one cannot not prevent hematuria. Even then, one should lead a healthy life style. Drinking adequate water and urinating right after intercourse does help prevent some urinary tract infections
To decrease the risk of kidney stones drink lots of water, limit salt, excess protein, and foods such as spinach.
To decrease risk of cancer, stop smoking, avoid exposure to heavy metals or chemicals and get regular exams from a physician.
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