Surprise, surprise

Yes, according to the CDC, five things cause most of the deaths in the United States.

I found it funny that alcohol is not mentioned in the unintentional injuries section. At least, it's recognized as a cause of 1 in 4 spinal cord injuries.

More later...enjoy your weekend wherever you are. It's gorgeous (except for that pollen) in RehabLand.

In the news - TGIF edition

Happy Friday! Since I'm off, I'm still reading everything I can get my hands on (including stuff about drain cleaners).

The power of nursing, cultural influences, and changes ahead in 2014 were in the news this week.

How about an IV, Mrs. Park?

This NY Times article discusses the how IVs are used in the Asian community there and how infection rates related to them are having devastating results.


Changes in 2014

If you're like me and you can't keep up with everything changing due to the new healthcare laws, have a look here for more information.


The power of nursing

Sepsis may become a thing of the past in ICUs if this tool is implemented according to CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). And yes, the power of nursing's "hunches" are coming true, and they have the data (and a system) to back it up. Wish Flo could see it now!

You can see how public service announcements can make a difference in this Stop Sepsis video:

Dear Rand Paul

You should be scared. And every single one of your fellow Senators and Congressmen and women.

If you have taken any economics classes, you must have forgotten some of the key tenets:

1. People tend to be rational actors, but markets may not.
2. Printing money does not solve any problems.

To put it simply:

1. If you tell people you will pay them back, you pay them back.
2. If you do not, they send in the collection agency to take anything of value.

I'm sorry, I don't want the Chinese coming to get our national monuments, etc., if we don't pay them back.

I worry about Aunt Mabel, who has T-bills, if she doesn't have the full faith in credit in the U.S. government she will starts sewing money back into the curtains. This has happened in her lifetime, and I've seen money with those holes from the thread of an electric sewing machine.

All 80+% of us Americans who are mad as hell want two things:

1. You do your job and reopen the government.
2. You take care of the debt ceiling so the US Treasury department can pay the U.S. government's bills.

Remember this tomorrow, while you are off and getting paid, and the rest of the government employees are furloughed.

Here's hoping your Christmas presents (an economics lesson, a clue and a pink slip) get delivered early.

Sincerely not,

RehabRN

Inquiring minds...

Want to know if their US Congressman(woman) or Senator is taking their paycheck during the government shutdown.

I do, so I found this list.

Here they are...

Seven senators say they plan to keep their salary. 
Those senators are:
Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma;
Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut;
Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa;
Tom Harkin, D-Iowa;
Roy Blunt, R-Missouri;
Patty Murray, D-Washington.

Nine House members, however, say they're keeping their salary: 
Mike Thompson, D-California;
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida;
Rep. Danny Davis, D-Illinois;
Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Indiana;
Rep. William 'Lacy' Clay, Jr., D-Missouri;
Rep. Howard Coble, R-North Carolina;
Rep. Susan Brooks, R-North Carolina;
Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-North Carolina;
James Clyburn, D-South Carolina.


Some people aren't going to be too happy come the next election. I only have one vote, but I urge all of you out there to use yours, too.

Send these bozos packing. Every.single.one.

If we can't pay research scientists who work on cancer cures, people who take care of little kids, and other "non-essential people" who help veterans get compensation, small businesses run or students like me study (PubMed, my favorite resource, is also under shutdown), then why pay a do-nothing politician.

Remember: nurses (and many other medical personnel) are "essential" and get to show up for work in military and VA hospitals for no pay until legislation is enacted.

Just my $0.02.

More to come...

Yes, it is

This really was the saddest thing I read about the government shutdown.

My cousin's post that both she and her husband got furloughed today was the other sad one. They are both healthy and prepared, so while it's not fun, they will endure.

I just wonder if those kids will, too.

More to come...

Now, time for a PSA*

*Public Service Announcement

I found a really good infographic that discusses organ transplantation recently.

It's become a bigger deal around our house, because one of Dahey's relatives is now on the transplant list. He/she fits the profile noted on this infographic.

One thing I learned: maybe the US needs to go to an opt-out system versus opt-in, if it will increase the numbers of organ donors.

Transplantation waiting and aftercare is not always the easiest, but neither are the alternatives.

Please consider organ donation. It really is the gift of life for someone.

More to come...