December 16th, 2008
We all are very well aware that not everything we read in the media is true. This is especially the case when we are being directly advertised to, but can also apply to seemingly unbiased reporting. Unfortunately, it was the case three days ago right here on the healthyrockford section of the Register Star. Hopefully, readers could see through the hype and easily tell that they were being led to draw unfounded conclusions; certainly any middle-school writing teacher could have.
What am I referring to? Melissa Westphal’s article entitled “Health Deal Seen as Beneficial”. Let me first make clear that I have no affiliation with either entity in this potential merger, and really don’t have a strong desire to see the merger either succeed or fail. The problem lies in Ms. Weshphal’s opening sentence “Merging Rockford Health System with Advocate Health Care could offer the community greater access to cutting-edge health care and research, health experts say”. As a member of the local health community, I believe that other than organ transplantation, there is very little “cutting-edge” care not available in Rockford. Thus, I was intrigued to know who the health experts were and just what new care would be made available. Unfortunately, even though this claim is the opening statement and apparent thesis of the article, IT IS NOT ADDRESSED ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE PIECE.
It appears that an article which would likely have gotten a very poor grade if submitted for seventh grade english composition was somehow written by a professional journalist, and approved by a professional editor. Does this leave any doubt about what bias the Register Star wishes to create with regard to the quality and level of care provided by the two hospitals that are NOT considering a merger with Advocate? Not in my mind it doesn’t.
December 8th, 2008
Abuse of prescription pain relievers creates a huge barrier in prescribing and use of morphine or morphine-like substances (known as opioids in the medical world and narcotics in the legal world) to manage pain effectively. This fear of abuse involves healthcare providers, such as doctors and nurses, as well as patients and families/significant others.It is a fact that abuse of prescription drugs has been on the rise. From 1992-2003, prescription drug abuse increased 94% and a 2005 survey revealed that 19% of teens abuse drugs (that’s 1 out of 5 teens); as reported in a 2006 update by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. Every day 2500 teenagers are first time users of a prescription drug. The biggest reason for the rise in prescription drug abuse is easy access. The latest happening at parties is called “pharming.” Kids are bringing prescription drugs out of their home medicine cabinets and dumping them all together in a bowl, then grabbing a few pills or a handful and taking them. This is a dangerous practice, but many people seem to think it is safer to use these prescription drugs rather than drugs off of the street. This practice involves prescription pain killers and also sedative or anti-anxiety prescriptions.Following is a list of what we can do to prevent irresponsible drug use or misuse if you are prescribed these medications:1. Talk to your teens about the danger of using these drugs. Do this before misuse could begin and repeat often.
2. Never take a prescription pain medicine unless it is prescribed to you.
3. Lock up prescription pain medications and count the number of pills left in the bottle. Prevent the easy access, do not leave bottles of prescription pain killers in plain sight or in a medicine cabinet.
4. Never share prescription pain medicines with others, this is illegal.
5. Do not take higher or more frequent doses than prescribed. Call your physician for unrelieved pain.
6. Do not take prescription pain medicines with alcohol, which can cause bad side effects.
7. Do not combine sedatives or anti-anxiety drugs with pain medicines; this can increase toxicity.
8. Do not use opioid medications as sleeping pills; this can suppress breathing during sleep.
9. Dispose of unused or expired prescription pain medicines in “yucky stuff” such as used kitty litter or used coffee grounds.
There is a major prescription pain medicine abuse and diversion problem, but it is highly unlikely that a person in pain will abuse prescription pain medicines. The abuse occurs when these drugs get into the hands of others. When doctors are hesitant to prescribe opioids to people experiencing moderate to severe pain, due to possible abuse, it has been said that the “war on drugs becomes the war against pain.” Be responsible with your prescription pain killers.
Go to www.painfoundation.org and www.notinmyhouse.com to learn more.
