Help Noah Have a Special Last Christmas

We're touched by Noah Biorkman's story. This five-year-old has terminal cancer and isn't expected to survive through the holidays. His family is trying to gather as many Christmas cards as possible for him to help make his last Christmas special. Can you send a card and bring a smile to his face? Cards can be sent to:

Noah Biorkman

c/o 99.5 WYCD

2201 Woodward Heights Blvd.

Ferndale, MI 48220-1511

(photo: wycd.com)

Unused Medicines: To Flush or Not To Flush?

The FDA recently launched a new Web page designed to let consumers know which unused medicines are safe to toss out with the trash and which need to go down the sink or toilet.

According to the site, almost all medicines can be safely thrown out with household trash after they are mixed with something unpalatable (i.e., kitty litter or used coffee grounds) and sealed in a container such as a plastic bag. However, there are some medicines that are especially harmful or even fatal in a single dose if they are taken by someone other than the person for whom the medicine was prescribed. These medicines should be flushed down the toilet or rinsed down the sink to eliminate the possibility that they could be swallowed by a child, pet or other household member.

You can also contact your local government to find out if your community has a drug take-back program and which drugs are accepted.

Click here for a list of drugs that the FDA recommends flushing. You can also visit Drugs @ FDA for specific drug labeling product information. Click here for Drugs @ FDA.

New MRSA Strain Is Deadlier, More Focused on Elderly

Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital have found that a particular strain of MRSA is five time more lethal than other strains - and it seems to be targeting older patients.
The strain is also more resistant to vancomycin, the potent drug used to treat MRSA.

The average age of patients with the strain, known as USA600, is 64. The average age of patients with other MRSA strains is 52. According to the study, USA600 has unique characteristics that could possibly be linked to the high mortality rate. The study found that 50 percent of patients who were infected with the strain died within 30 days, compared to 11 percent of patients with other strains of MRSA.

The majority of MRSA infections occur in hospitals and other healthcare settings, but a growing number are being acquired by otherwise healthy people outside of those settings.

NAWC Launches Redesigned, Reinvigorated Web Site

The National Alliance of Wound Care has launched its redesigned Web site, and it's packed to the gills with timely, valuable info for wound care certified (WCC) nurses.

One of the site's hottest additions is its Job Resource Center, which allows users to post their CVs anonymously for employers who are looking to hire WCCs. It also offers a glimpse at open positions.

Other site features include:
- A new look and user-friendly design
- Instant WCC certification verifications
- A networking search that connects WCCs
- Answers to FAQs
- Links to wound care resources
- Downloadable handbooks for certification and recertification candidates

America's Best Nursing Homes Named

U.S. News & World Report has released its annual ranking of America's Best Nursing Homes. How does your facility measure up?

Residents Have Achy Knees? Try Tai Chi!

A recent study conducted at Tufts revealed that tai chi can reduce pain and improve physical function, self-efficacy, depression and health-related quality of life for seniors with knee osteoarthritis.

The study examined 40 patients with a mean age of 65, all of whom had knee osteoarthritis. The subjects who were randomly assigned to 60 minutes of tai chi twice weekly for 12 weeks reported a significantly greater reduction in pain than those assigned to the control group.

Congrats to Gary Hill, a Team ProMed First-Time Grandfather!

Team ProMed would like to congratulate Gary Hill, Senior Key Accounts Manager, on becoming a first-time grandfather! His grandson, Landyn, was born on October 30 and weighed in at 8 pounds, 7 ounces. His proud parents are Meghan and Brent Miller.

Congratulations to Gary and Landyn's entire family!