However, at far too many hospitals in the country, preventing these infections continues to be a challenge. According to a new survey conducted by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), these infections continue to be a major challenge in the facility where they work.

The researchers found that a black person had a 67% higher chance of being hospitalized with severe sepsis, than a white person. Not only that, these severe infections also contributed to blacks having an 80% higher chance of dying from sepsis, than their white counterparts. Among black persons, the rate of severe sepsis that required hospitalization was 9.4 for every 1,000 population, while for white persons, it was 5.6 for every 1,000 population.

One of the most popular holiday fireworks is the common sparkler; a hand-held welding rod enjoyed by both adults and children. These glittering, fiery metal sticks can produce temperatures as high as 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. A third-degree burn can be caused by 220-degree temperatures. Safely using sparklers is critical to an enjoyable weekend. Safety is critical when using the bigger consumer fireworks, including assortment packages, aerials, firecrackers, fountains, roman candles, spinners, novelty items, and rockets.

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows high infection control deficiencies at these centers. The CDC surveyed 68 ambulatory surgical centers in three different states. The agency was basically looking at how these centers complied with hand hygiene, environmental cleaning standards and injection safety.

The most recent U.S. Coast Guard statistics indicate that boating while under the influence is still the leading factor in fatal boating accidents. Nearly 17% of boating fatalities are a direct result of alcohol or drug use. Alcohol and water fun does not mix. Detecting and stopping boaters who operate under the influence of alcohol and drugs is an important step to ensuring the safety to all who enjoy the rivers and lakes.

There are definitely more senior citizens driving today than in the past, but they are not contributing to more accidents, nor are they being fatally injured in accidents at a greater rate. If anything, accident and fatality rates for senior citizens are actually showing a downward trend. Fatal accident rates involving elderly drivers have dropped by as much as 37% over the past decade. In the case of drivers above the age of 80 - those you would think would have the most diminished driving abilities - fatal accident rates have dropped by as much as 47%.

There was very little good news in the survey, but plenty of enthusiasm to go around. The study found that seven out of every ten riders believed that they were experienced motorcyclists, and had been licensed motorcyclists for the past five years at least. However, at least 10 of these admitted to having been involved in accidents over the last five years, and 50% said these were single vehicle crashes. One of the reasons contributing to these crashes could be that just half of the motorcyclists said they had taken a motorcycle safety course before they began riding.

In recent years, Indiana and Federal legislators have added safeguards designed to reduce that risk. These safety measures include a requirement for drivers to reduce their speed, change lanes whenever possible, and always yield the right-of-way to personnel responding to an emergency and requiring personnel at the roadside to wear reflective gear.

The researchers have published the results of a study, that show that July is easily the worst month when it comes to medication errors. In fact, it's the worst month that you could choose to check into a hospital, simply because you're likely to be treated by inexperienced interns. The rate of medical errors in the month of July is 10% higher than in other months of the year.

In spite of this, there are few or no restrictions on the kind of foods that you can allow a three or four-year-old child to have. In contrast, there are a number of barriers between a child and a small toy, or a toy with detachable parts. This is in spite of the fact that many of the small toys that are believed to be a choking hazard, like small balls, are shaped and sized exactly like foods that can cause serious harm to a child, like gumdrops.

First, the agency is in the process of finalizing technological devices that can help prevent rear-ender tractor-trailer accidents. These accidents kill 165 people in the country every year, and injure more than 1,600 more. The agency is considering lighting systems that will alert approaching motorists to the tractor-trailer.

The first question - how does the industry plan to deal with a looming truck driver shortage that threatens as the recession ends?

The second question is linked to the first - will a driver shortfall mean that there will be more older, and thus less safe, truckers, on the highways?

Last week, several trucking groups and Reuters reported that as the recession loosens its grip on the trucking industry, there will be more opportunities in other areas for young men who would otherwise have turned to trucking. Historically, a good economy means more opportunities for potential trucking candidates.

Last month, Huffington Post carried a report on how the shift to electronic medical records is being accompanied by increasing numbers of errors. According to data from the Food and Drug Administration, there have been scores of reports of adverse incidents resulting from the use of the electronic systems.

And why not? There are far too many incentives for Hoosiers not to take to bicycling. Biking helps save precious dollars on gas, and reduces your carbon footprint. With a massive oil blob the size of Delaware inching towards the Louisiana coastline, the need for promoting eco-friendly means of transportation is clearer than ever. Besides, with health experts warning of an obesity epidemic continuing into future generations of Americans, biking is a healthy lifestyle choice more Hoosiers should be encouraged to make.

As Indiana personal injury attorneys, we believe visibility is of utmost importance for any bicycle rider. The ability to see potential dangers and to be seen by automobile and truck drivers can prevent serious injuries for the bike rider.