Da Vinci Robotic Surgery: Medical Marvel or Medical Menace?
One of the hottest trends in medicine over the last decade has been the rise of minimally-invasive robotic surgery. As of March 31, 2014, there were 2,116 da Vinci Surgical Systems installed in United States health care facilities and there are currently 11 facilities in West Virginia that have da Vinci Surgical Systems. Intuitive Surgical, […]
Do I Have a Case for Nursing Home Negligence?
Nursing Home Neglect vs. Nursing Home Abuse While there are many similarities between nursing home neglect and nursing home abuse, there is a key difference between the two. Abuse implies a specific intent to harm, but neglect is a breach of duty or a form of sub-standard care that results in harm. Negligence can occur […]
Benzene Exposure: What It Is and What It Does
Many Workplace Environments Use Benzene Benzene is a solvent used in a variety of industrial operations. It is a naturally occurring chemical found in wild fires, volcanic eruptions, and other similar processes. Benzene is one of the most widely used chemicals in the United States. Benzene is used in processes of making several materials, including: […]
Talc Powder Use Linked to Ovarian Cancer – Baby Powder Lawsuits on the Rise
Conventional wisdom regarding talc powder is that it’s marketed as baby powder so it must be safe. However, recent lawsuits have alleged that long-term genital talc use is linked with ovarian cancer. The link between talc powder and ovarian cancer dates back to the 1970s when researchers discovered talc particles embedded in ovarian and cervical […]
Radioactive Remains of Gas Drilling Dumped in West Virginia Landfills
In the natural gas industry, waste left over after horizontal drilling operations is colloquially referred to as “drill cuttings”. These cuttings typically contain significant levels of radiation emitting materials such as radium, uranium, and radon. Radium, a substance known to increase the risk of lymphoma, bone cancer, and blood disorders, is known to be particularly […]
Nursing Home Infections on the Rise
A recent Columbia University School of Nursing five-year study of infection rates in American nursing homes found that a greater percentage of residents are experiencing infections, many of which are life-threatening. The study found increased prevalence of pneumonia, urinary tract infections, viral hepatitis, septicemia, wound infections, and multiple drug-resistant organisms. In fact, the study found […]
Airborne Dust from Mountaintop Mining Linked to Lung Cancer in Nearby Communities
Researchers from West Virginia University’s Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center have recently published findings that reveal a causal link between mountaintop mining operations and lung cancer rates in nearby residential neighborhoods. While it has long been speculated that abnormally high rates of lung cancer in mountaintop mining communities are attributable to poor air quality, there […]
Severe Form of Black Lung Returns to Threaten Appalachian Coal Miners
A severe incarnation of black lung disease, Progressive Massive Fibrosis (PMF), affects nearly ten-times more Appalachian coal miners today than it did in the 1970s. Recent data analysis from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has revealed that the potentially lethal effects of PMF are currently afflicting 3.2% of miners in the […]
Medical Malpractice Reform Has Little Effect on Healthcare Costs
It is a common idea: healthcare costs are so high because doctors are forced to order unnecessary tests to protect themselves from liability in medical malpractice lawsuits. Although this notion is widely held in society, a recent study indicates that laws making it harder to sue doctors for medical negligence do not reduce the amount […]
Types of Chemical Exposures and How to Prevent Them
How can you be exposed to dangerous chemicals? You may encounter any number of hazardous chemicals while on the job or at home. Safety education, training, warning labels, and instructions are readily available and required by law in most circumstances. Understanding the general principles of chemical exposure and prevention may not only help you protect […]
