DiaMedical Journal

September marks National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, a time dedicated to highlighting the urgent need to address childhood obesity—a critical public health issue that affects millions of children across the United States. This month serves as a reminder for parents, educators, healthcare providers and communities to come together in promoting healthy habits that can help combat this growing epidemic.

Every year on August 31st, the world comes together to observe International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). This day is dedicated to raising awareness of overdose, reducing the stigma surrounding drug-related deaths and honoring the memories of those lost to this global crisis. It also serves as a call to action for society to educate, advocate and take meaningful steps toward preventing further loss of life due to overdose. Among the most powerful tools in this fight is healthcare education.

National Health Center Week (NHCW) is a time to recognize the vital role that Community Health Centers (CHCs) play in the healthcare system. These centers provide comprehensive, high-quality care to millions of Americans, making them essential to the overall health and well-being to communities all over the nation. This year's NHCW theme is "Powering Communities Through Caring Connections," highlighting the essential role CHCs play in building healthier communities.

In the realm of healthcare, where hygiene and safety are paramount, selecting the appropriate gloves is crucial. Whether it's for medical examinations, surgeries or handling hazardous materials, gloves serve as a barrier against infections and contaminants. However, with a plethora of options available, finding the right gloves for a healthcare facility can be a daunting task. We’ve simplified the process by outlining key factors to consider when making this critical decision.

American Heart Month serves as a crucial time to advocate for individuals affected by cardiovascular conditions, encourage the adoption of habits promoting heart health and drive progress in cardiac research. It's also a time to promote the advancement of cardiac education and training in healthcare education programs. In the United States, where heart disease stands as the primary cause of death and over 120 million Americans grapple with cardiovascular conditions, the demand for comprehensive training in both Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is more pressing than ever. Continue reading to discover effective teaching methodologies and key products that can bolster student engagement, performance and long-term retention in BLS and ACLS training programs.

Surgery can be a daunting experience, regardless of its nature or severity. The period following a surgical procedure, known as post-surgery recovery, is crucial for achieving the best possible outcome. While factors like rest, nutrition and pain management are widely acknowledged as vital, the role that medical mattresses play in recovery is often underestimated. In this blog, we will explore the significance of post-surgery recovery and how medical mattresses contribute to a smoother healing journey.

Medical mattresses are designed to meet specific quality standards to ensure patient safety, comfort and hygiene. These standards are established to address the unique needs of healthcare environments as well as the patients utilizing these mattresses. Some key quality standards for medical mattresses include:

Naloxone is the standard treatment for opioid overdose as it is able to reverse the effects of overdose when administered and in March 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Narcan for over-the-counter sale. Consumers can now purchase Narcan, 4 milligram (mg) naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for over-the-counter, non-prescription, use (1). The approval of naloxone nasal spray is intended to help increase access to the life-saving treatment as a means to combat the growing opioid epidemic.

American Heart Month is dedicated to supporting those with cardiovascular conditions, promoting healthy lifestyles, creating access to affordable care and advancing research in cardiac care. With heart disease being the leading cause of death in the U.S. and over 120 million Americans living with a cardiovascular condition, the need for proper training in Basic Life Support (BLS) as well as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) has never been greater. Continue reading to learn more about teaching strategies that can enhance student performance and knowledge retention in BLS and ACLS training courses.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2nd. After a seemingly routine tackle, the 24-year-old Hamlin stood up, took two steps and suddenly fell backward as he lost consciousness. Medical personnel immediately rushed to his side, started CPR and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to restore a normal heart rhythm. These interventions saved his life and he was discharged from a Cincinnati hospital one week later. Continue reading to learn more about how an AED could save your life or the life of a loved one.

An increasing demand for Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians has left the nation in a major employment shortage. This increasing demand has led to thousands of job openings and a limited number of recently graduated students to fill them. An astonishing 15% increase in jobs is expected over the next 7 years, according to the Bureau Of Labor & Statistics, and by 2026 there will be an estimated 37,000 more jobs for EMTs and Paramedics than there were in 2016.

Pride Month is a time to celebrate diversity, promote dignity and equal rights, and increase visibility for the LGBTQ community. That being said, it's important to openly discuss that people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) have importantly unique health needs that must be recognized and addressed by their healthcare providers. Culturally competent care is the key to overcoming LGBTQ health disparities and improving health outcomes for this population. Continue reading to learn more about health risks that are common to the LGBTQ community and how training programs are increasing awareness for providers.

Healthcare training programs expect manufacturer warranties to be included when they purchase medical equipment, even though extended warranties and preventative maintenance plans are not. These two options are often confused and many people wonder if they are worth the money. In this blog, we will explore what separates warranties from maintenance and how to keep important medical equipment in good working order.

Even though pressure injuries are most common in adult care units, there is an emerging awareness that acutely ill and immobilized children are also at risk. With relevant knowledge, however, clinicians can help prevent skin breakdown in pediatric settings. This article will describe risk factors for pediatric pressure ulcers and how therapeutic support surfaces can help prevent the development of decubitus ulcers in children.

Even though pressure sores are less common in maternity units than in other hospital areas, they can develop quickly in women during labor. For new mothers, this skin breakdown is a distressing complication. With relevant knowledge, however, clinicians can help prevent the development of pressure sores in the maternity setting. This article will describe risk factors for maternal pressure ulcers and how therapeutic support surfaces can help prevent the development of decubitus ulcers in obstetrical patients.

The days of plain gauze are long gone in favor of advanced materials that can absorb large amounts of drainage without the need for frequent dressing changes. Decubitus ulcer dressings provide optimal and advanced care for healing and protecting the wounds from worse conditions and infection. Some dressings can even provide thermal insulation, optimize the pH of the wound bed, and remove proteases from wound fluid. This article will provide a brief overview of the main types and their indications for use.

It is a common misconception among beginning nursing students that every medication listed for patient’s is safe to administer. What they don’t realize is that patient condition’s can change or mistakes can happen during order entry. Nurses must use their critical thinking skills during each step of medication administration to protect patients from dangerous side effects, drug interactions and contraindications. In this article, we will look at how instructors can add embedded errors into simulations to help prevent students from making medication errors in clinical practice.

At-home COVID tests are a useful tool as the world braces for the latest surge in cases. They sacrifice some accuracy for speedy results, but they can help people make decisions about when to isolate themselves. At-home testing is used with social distancing, masks and hand-washing to control the spread of COVID infection. In this blog, we will look at when at-home COVID tests should be performed, how they differ from PCR tests, and what the results mean.