Asian-Americans More Likely to Die in Hospitals After Heart Attacks

Asian-American heart attack patients are twice as likely to die in a hospital as similar Caucasian patients, according to a new study sponsored by the American Heart Association (AHA). In hospitals that adopted a new quality improvement program, racial disparities in patient deaths gradually decreased. “Health disparities are a serious public health concern in the …

Government Fraud a Concern to Chicago Residents

Wasteful government spending has been a problem for many years, and it will probably always be an issue.  Whether it is the bridge to nowhere or spending $175 million a year so a federal agency can maintain buildings it doesn’t use, including a pink, octagonal monkey house, one does not have to look far for …

How Do You Avoid Being The Victim Of Medical Malpractice? Ask Questions; Demand Answers

Medical professionals are busy people. Doctors have patients in the hospital for whom they need to round, they have office hours where they are seeing outpatients, they have research to complete, medical students and residents to teach, and you or your loved one is just a piece of his or her practice. So how do …

FDA Reports Actos Users May Be At An Increased Risk of Bladder Cancer

According to the website MedPage Today, an ongoing FDA review finds that patients taking pioglitazone, more commonly known as Actos, may be at an increased risk for bladder cancer. Initial reports in 2011 of the potential drug-cancer connection came just days after at least two European countries banned use of the drug. Five-year data show …

The Surprising Cost of Alcohol Consumption

The price of alcohol abuse is early death. When considering the world’s worst killers, alcohol likely doesn’t come to mind. Yet alcohol kills more than 2.5 million people globally each year, more than AIDS, malaria or tuberculosis.  It was reported today that the World Health Organization (WHO) has meticulously documented the extent of alcohol abuse …

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard Hires New Associate

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard recently hired Beth Heffernan as an associate to join the law firm’s Chicago office. Ms. Heffernan received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Child Development from Arizona State University and earned her Juris Doctor along with a Masters of Law in Taxation from The John Marshall Law School. About Salvi, Schostok …

Thousands Of Defective Car Seats Recalled

Britax Child Safety, Inc., a maker of car seats, is recalling more than 14,000 child safety seats because of harness straps that may not adequately secure a child. In a consumer advisory on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website, NHTSA said that defective rivets could cause infants to be improperly secured during collisions. …

Protecting Nursing Residents From…Other Residents?

Another day, another prominent Chicago newspaper publishes an article about nursing home abuse.  This time the culprit is Oak Park HealthCare Center in Oak Park, Illinois.  According to the article published in the Chicago Tribune, the nursing home failed to report to the state health department a deadly altercation between an Alzheimer’s patient and another …

Doctors Admit Lying to Patients about Medical Mistakes: Survey Reveals

Most physicians paint overly optimistic prognoses for their patients and many have told lies or withheld information concerning their medical mistakes and financial relationships with drug companies and device manufacturers, according to a national survey conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers. The 2009 survey of nearly 1,900 doctors, published today in the journal Health Affairs, …

Illinois Announces $21.7 Million for Safe Routes to School

Governor Pat Quinn has announced $21.7 million in federal grants for the Illinois Safe Routes to School program.The grants provide funding for 229 projects that improve traffic safety around Illinois schools. “These projects enhance roads, sidewalks, and other infrastructure within communities, which is important in keeping both drivers and pedestrians safe,” Governor Quinn said. “Encouraging children …