Hurricane Wilma's Death Toll 21 in Fla.
The Associated Press
WILTON MANORS, Fla. -- The death toll from Hurricane Wilma rose to 21 in Florida, after state emergency officials reported seven more deaths Saturday in storm's aftermath. Some people died during cleanup, others were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning or traffic accidents during power outages, Florida emergency officials said.
Average Age Of Nurses Increases
Southeast Missourian
America's hospitals increasingly rely on older nurses who run the risk of back injuries on the job and who may soon retire, one of the nation's top nursing experts said Friday. That could pose a staffing problem if more young adults don't go into nursing, said Peter Buerhaus, nursing professor and senior associate dean for research at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in Nashville, Tenn.
Study Will Look At Nursing Shortage
Buffalo Business First
The underlying reasons behind the nation's nursing shortage will be the focus of a study undertaken in part by the University at Buffalo. The five-year national study will survey 5,000 recent graduates of registered nurse programs periodically over the first four years of their careers to track the reasons for their work decisions.
Nursing Responds to Shortage
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Amid a statewide nursing shortage, the College of Nursing hopes to relieve part of the crisis by doubling its student enrollment by 2007. The college launched a new program to fight the shortage and has expanded its facilities to accommodate the resulting increase of students, Brown said. Marjorie Isenberg, dean of the college, kicked off the Accelerated Partnership Program two years ago, which allows holders of a bachelor's degree in any field to acquire a nursing degree within 14 months.
Midland Hospital Feeling Effects Of Nursing Shortage
MyWestTexas.com
With the ongoing nationwide nursing shortage, Midland Memorial Hospital is also feeling the pinch, board members were told Wednesday. President and Chief Executive Officer Russell Meyers said there are about 44 chronically vacant positions. "We're still hiring virtually every graduate from Midland College. We're struggling to keep the positions filled," he said.
Bush To Unveil Plan On How To Battle Super-Flu
The Buffalo News
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration's long-awaited plan on how to fight the next super-flu will likely include beefed-up attempts to spot human infections early, here and abroad. Expect recommendations on how to isolate the sick. Governors and mayors are on notice to figure out who will actually inject stockpiled vaccines into the arms of panicked people.
Exxon-Mobil Workers Receive Fake Flu Shots
Macon Telegraph
HOUSTON -- As many as 1,000 Exxon Mobil employees and 14 residents of a senior citizens home were injected with fake flu vaccine, authorities said Friday, and the owner of a home health care company was arrested. Preliminary tests indicated the syringes were filled with purified water, U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg said. And no ill effects from the shots were reported.
Pentagon Striving for More Affordable Health Care
American Forces Press Service
The Defense Department is working to stem the rising cost of its military health system, which has essentially doubled since 2001, a senior defense health official said. In 2001 military health system spending was about $18 billion; today it is more than $36 billion. And in the next four to five years, it is likely the total budget will exceed $50 billion, Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., assistant Defense secretary for Health Affairs, told the military personnel subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee during a hearing Oct. 19.
Prenatal Exposure To Alcohol May Cause
Visual Problems In Infants, Study
Medical News Today
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), a disorder that is indicated by distinct facial characteristics, growth retardation, and poor intellectual and attentional function, can occur when mothers drink alcohol heavily during pregnancy. A new study in the October issue of The Journal of Pediatrics shows that prenatal alcohol exposure can also affect an infant's visual acuity or sharpness of vision.
Sharp Increase in Sleeping Pill
Use by U.S. Children and Teens
Health Central
The use of sleeping pills by children and very young adults in the United States increased by 85 percent between 2000 and 2004, says a study by the managed-care company Medco Health Solutions. The study also found that about 15 percent of people under age 20 who took sleeping pills were also being prescribed drugs to treat attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), The New York Times reported.
Defense Rests in Second Vioxx Trial
The Associated Press
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- The defense has rested in the second Vioxx product liability trial after defendant Merck & Co. presented a cardiology expert as its final witness. Dr. John Michael Gaziano, a Harvard Medical School professor, told jurors Wednesday that he believes there is no link between Vioxx and heart attacks, even with long-term use.
