“Scoliosis, a common, sometimes hereditary spinal condition, is a curvature of the spine that affects 2% to 3% of the population in the United States, or an estimated 6 million to 9 million people.  “If your child has scoliosis, don’t be afraid of it,” Vitale says. “The key is being aware of it and getting the diagnosis early so you can begin treatment. When treated early, there’s a lot of hope for stopping curve progression and allowing kids to live a perfectly active, normal life.”.

(https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/8-facts-know-about-scoliosis)

Columbia University Irving Medical Center Dr. Michael G. Vitale                  (https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/8-facts-know-about-scoliosis)

“On an airplane, an oxygen mask descends in front of you. What do you do? As we all know, the first rule is to put on your own oxygen mask before you assist anyone else. Only when we first help ourselves can we effectively help others. Caring for yourself is one of the most important—and one of the most often forgotten—things you can do as a caregiver. When your needs are taken care of, the person you care for will benefit, too.”.

Family Caregiver Alliance

Safety Tips for Health Givers in Hospitals and Long Term Care Facilities through All American Homecare:

1 – Medical facilities such as hospitals and long-term care facilities will have people that maintain the grounds and buildings. However, as an at-home caregiver, you’ll be visiting patients’ homes that are in a variety of conditions. Be sure to watch your step while approaching the home, making sure that you don’t trip on uneven concrete and keep an eye out for rotting wood.

Once inside, do not remove your shoes, or change into a pair of shoes that you only wear indoors (it is important to keep your safety in mind while also respecting the wishes or culture of your patient). Your shoes will protect you from slipping or stubbing a toe.

Also be mindful of slippery hard surfaces, open cupboards, and other things that can cause injury when you are engrossed in helping your patient.

2 –When visiting patients, keep your guard up and be aware of your surroundings. Unlike the controlled environments of hospitals and other facilities, the homes of patients can be unpredictable.

Trust your instincts and never go into a situation that makes you feel unsafe. Be sure to call your supervisor to figure out how to proceed in these situations. Also learn to recognize warning signs and if you feel threatened, immediately leave and inform your supervisor of the situation.

3 – It’s vital that you use safe lifting practices each time you transfer a patient. This will help reduce incidents of back injury and muscle strains. Here’s a refresher on proper lifting techniques:

• Keep your head and neck in proper alignment with your spine
• Maintain the natural curve of your spine; bend with your hips and knees, not your spine
• Avoid twisting your body when carrying the person
• Always keep the patient being moved close to your body
• Keep your feet shoulder-width apart to maintain your balance
• Use the muscles in your legs to lift and/or pull

4 – There are plenty of tools for home healthcare workers to aid them in their daily tasks. These can include lifting and transfer aides. If you are helping a patient change a light bulb, don’t stand on a chair to do it; instead, use a step stool.

5 – Your uniform (often scrubs or a pair of slacks and a polo) ensures that you are properly dressed for the job. If you don’t have a company uniform, ensure that your clothing allows you to move freely. Also, wear close-toed shoes with good traction and support.

6 – Household spills and incontinence accidents increase the risk of falls for both the caregiver and the patient. Clutter can also lead to tripping and falling. Clean up these and other safety hazards immediately.

7 – Many of your patients will have pets. Not only can animals cause you to become distracted or interfere with your work, even the friendliest pet can turn on you. Your best bet is to avoid the animals in the home and focus on your patient.

8 – One of the biggest risks to home healthcare workers is going past their limits. Make sure that you know your limits. If a patient is too heavy for you to transfer on your own, ask for help. Also, pace yourself and build flexibility into your schedule. Injury-inducing shortcuts just aren’t worth it!

Taking time to stretch throughout the day can help reduce muscle fatigue and strains. When it’s time to take a break, take it. Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day and eat a meal and snacks. Being dehydrated and not eating can lead to feelings of tiredness and making dangerous mistakes.

9 – Here are a few other basic safety protocols you need to follow:

• Confirm with your clients by phone before you visit.
• Have detailed directions to your client’s home or use a GPS device.
• Keep your vehicle in good working condition and fill up your gas tank.
• Don’t text or talk on the phone while driving.
• Keep your car doors locked and your windows closed.
• Lock your bag and other possessions in the trunk of your car.
• Most importantly, make sure that someone knows where you are at all times.

By following these safety guidelines, you’ll be able to provide better care for your patients and have a satisfying career that you enjoy each day!

“Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of conditions that affect the red blood cells. Normal red blood cells are round and flexible. A person with sickle cell disease has red blood cells that are hard, sticky, and crescent-shaped like crescent moons or sickles. People with sickle cell disease often experience intense pain and anemia because of their abnormal red blood cells.

SCD is one of the most common hereditary disorders in the United States, affecting 1 in 1,900 infants. Of the 66,000 infants born in Minnesota annually, about 25 infants are born with SCD and more than 1,000 infants are born with a sickle cell trait (SCT).

Currently, the only known cure for SCD is a blood or marrow transplant (BMT). A blood or marrow transplant is a procedure that takes healthy stem cells from a donor and puts them into someone else”

Department of Health in Minnesota (https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/sicklecell/about.html)

“Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is a rare disease similar to smallpox caused by a virus. It’s found mostly in areas of Africa, but has been seen in other regions of the world. It causes flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills, and a rash that can take weeks to clear. There’s no proven treatment for mpox, but it usually goes away on its own.

For decades, mpox was mostly seen in Africa. But it’s occasionally found in other countries, including the United States.

In the summer of 2021, a case of mpox was found in a U.S. resident who had traveled from Nigeria to the United States. Then, 2022 brought outbreaks to regions outside of Africa, including Europe, the Americas and Australia.”

Cleveland Clinic (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22371-monkeypox)

Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence the name ‘monkeypox.’ The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox. Since then, monkeypox has been reported in people in several other central and western African countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, and Sierra Leone. The majority of infections are in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

There are two distinct genetic clades of the monkeypox virus – the Central African (Congo Basin) clade and the West African clade. The Congo Basin clade has historically caused more severe disease and was thought to be more transmissible. The geographical division between the two clades has so far been in Cameroon – the only country where both virus clades have been found.

Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms very similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe. Monkeypox virus is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family.   With the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and subsequent cessation of smallpox vaccination, monkeypox has emerged as the most important orthopoxvirus for public health. Monkeypox primarily occurs in Central and West Africa, often in proximity to tropical rainforests and has been increasingly appearing in urban areas. Animal hosts include a range of rodents and non-human primates.

Various animal species have been identified as susceptible to monkeypox virus.. This includes rope squirrels, tree squirrels, Gambian pouched rats, dormice, non-human primates and other species. Uncertainty remains on the natural history of monkeypox virus and further studies are needed to identify the exact reservoir(s) and how virus circulation is maintained in nature.

Monkeypox cases in people have occurred outside of Africa linked to international travel or imported animals, including cases in the United States, as well as Israel, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

The natural reservoir of monkeypox remains unknown. However, African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) may harbor the virus and infect people.

Symptoms of Monkey Pox:

People with monkeypox get a rash that may be located on or near the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus (butthole) and could be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.

• The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
• The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.

Other symptoms of monkeypox can include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Exhaustion
• Muscle aches and backache
• Headache
• Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)

Monkeypox symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later.

“For Workplace safety, employers who show they care about the safety of their employees see improved morale, increased productivity, lower costs and fewer injuries.  Workplace safety culture begins with a well-trained workforce. Employees trained in NSC safety programs make their workplaces safer for everyone. NSC offers a variety of training options to fit your needs.”.

National Safety Council NSC (https://www.nsc.org/workplace/national-safety-month)

“June is National Migraine & Headache Awareness Month (MHAM), an opportunity to raise awareness about migraine and other headache diseases. Migraine impacts forty million people in the United States, one billion people across the globe, and is recognized as the #2 cause of disability worldwide. Currently, about 16 million people with migraines in the U.S. are undiagnosed. Approximately 400,000 Americans experience cluster headaches, recognized as one of the most painful diseases a person can have.”

National Headache Foundation (https://headaches.org)

“Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem. PTSD can only develop after you go through or see a life-threatening event. It’s normal to have stress reactions to these types of events, and most people start to feel better after a few weeks or months. Learn about PTSD symptoms and treatments to help you get better. There are currently about 8 million people in the United States with PTSD.”.

U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs (https://www.ptsd.va.gov)

“Males experience more traumatic events on average than do females, yet females are more likely to meet diagnostic criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), according to a review of 25 years of research reported in the November issue of Psychological Bulletin, published by the American Psychological Association (APA).

From the review, researchers David F. Tolin, PhD of the Institute of Living and Edna B. Foa, PhD, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that female study participants were more likely than male study participants to have experienced sexual assault and child sexual abuse, but less likely to have experienced accidents, nonsexual assaults, witness death or injury, disaster or fire and combat or war. Sexual trauma, the authors conclude, may cause more emotional suffering and are more likely to contribute to a PTSD diagnosis than other types of trauma. Women’s higher PTSD rates were not solely attributable to their higher risk for adult sexual assault and child sexual abuse, explained Tolin. PTSD rates were still higher for women even when both sexes were compared on the same type of trauma. PTSD may be diagnosed more in women in part because of the criteria used to define it. Cognitive and emotional responses to traumatic events make a diagnosis of PTSD more likely.”.

American Psychological Association