One of the first skills learned in nursing school is how to properly wash your hands. It sounds easy enough, but there is a proper technique that is used to effectively destroy any organisms. There are thousands of studies out there supporting the importance of proper handwashing in order to stop the transmission of these organisms. However, recent studies have moved further to focus on the contamination of bacteria on nurses’ clothing and in the environment in which they work.

Halloween can be a difficult time for you and your family to stay healthy. It's the start of the holiday season that tests our resolve for a healthier lifestyle. There's no reason for these habits to disappear until New Year's! Try these tricks for a healthier Halloween:

Since the Revolutionary War, nurses have been an indispensable force throughout American history. What began as an unofficial group of women that were forced or coerced into wartime nursing service during the Revolutionary War grew into a force of 65,000 well-trained military nursing corps members.

What causes an infusion pump alarm to sound? It may be tricky to differentiate between an actual problem and blockage in the tubing. A pump can beep for various reasons. Most frequently the alarm will sound if the line is occluded, meaning it is pinched off or there is air backed up in the cassette. The two most common infusion alarms you’ll find are Occluded – Patient Side, and Air-in-Line. Here are a few causes of alarm beeping, and a few tips to help reduce it.

Everyone knows that it's important to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables but a recent study has revealed a new reason. The study found that young adults who ate seven to nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily were significantly less likely to have calcified coronary artery plaque two decades later than those who consumed less fruits and vegetables. According to lead author Dr. Michael D. Miedema, this is the first research to suggest that the consumption of fruits and vegetables early in life could affect heart health much later in life.

If you ask Merriam-Webster, the definition of First Aid is “Emergency care or treatment given to an ill or injured person before regular medical aid can be obtained.” Now, if this definition seems a little vague, that’s probably because it is. The art of First Aid is far too broad a topic to be accurately summed up in a one-sentence definition, and each of the countless techniques are a unique avenue for literally saving lives. Whether you are bandaging a popped blister, or splinting a fractured limb, knowing the proper first aid technique can make all the difference to an injured individual.

The Star of Life (Pictured above) is a symbol of that almost every person can recognize. That said, few understand the depth of what it means to EMTs, paramedics, and emergency health care providers everywhere.

Green tea is well known for it's plethora of health benefits from reducing your risk of Alzheimer's to a short-term rev of your metabolism. The majority of these health benefits are from green tea's high quantity of antioxidant polyphenols – specifically catechins, which are one of the most powerful antioxidants. Even though green tea, black tea and oolong tea come from the same plant, green tea is processed much less which greatly increases the amount of antioxidants. However green, black, white and oolong teas all contain antioxidants at differing levels.

Ever wondered when should I call 911? When facing a medical emergency, every second counts. Thankfully, wherever you are, Emergency Medical Services can be reached by dialing 911. That said, whether or not to call an ambulance can be an incredibly difficult decision, and all too often the tell-tale signs of tragedy are ignored until it’s too late. Use the following guidelines to ensure you make the proper decision when facing a potentially life threatening medical situation.

Despite being marketed as energy boosters or vitamin powerhouses, many so-called “functional drinks” get a bad reputation for their high sugar content. But sugar may not be the only problematic ingredient in these products. A new study analyzing 46 beverages with and without sugar found that many contained vitamins B6, B12, niacin, and vitamin C in quantities “well in excess” of the average daily requirements for young adults. Eighteen of the drinks contained more than triple the daily requirement for B6, 11 had more than triple the requirement for B12, and six had more than triple the requirement for niacin or riboflavin.