New Rules Give Patients Better Access to Medical Records

A recent article in the New York Times explains new guidelines issued this month that aim to give patients easier access to their own medical information.  In our view, this is an extremely important development, because having access to medical information allows people to take control of their own healthcare, and to find and fix potentially dangerous errors in their records.  After a car accident that results in injuries, or an illness requiring hospitalization, it is important that people be informed about their care.

As the article notes, patients have long had the right to view their own medical records, but they frequently face obstacles that prevent them from exercising that right.

“Jump Through Hoops”

One of the most frequent complaints received by the Department of Health and Human Services is the difficulty patients experience in obtaining copies of their medical records. […]

Poorly maintained fields increase concussion risk

When it comes to concussions, does it matter what type of field the athletes are playing on?

Head injuries and life-threatening conditions such as CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) in athletes, especially football players, have been getting lots of (long overdue) attention in recent years. In an effort to help protect players,  we’ve seen sports leagues, coaches, trainers, medical professionals, and equipment manufacturers work to make the games safer — a better helmet design, teaching safer tackling techniques, greater enforcement of game rules, and earlier detection of head injury to avoid repeated blows. Little attention has been paid to the actual playing surface, even though 1 in 5 concussions involve a head-to-surface collision.

A recent study by the Concussion Legacy Foundation urges athletic organizations and groundskeepers to treat the field with the same care as they would any other piece of valuable equipment or safety technology, […]

How to stay safe on the scariest night of the year

Halloween can be one of the deadliest nights of the year.  Car accidents are among the biggest risks and children are the most vulnerable victims. Lots of adults going to and from Halloween parties and lots of kids on the streets and sidewalks after dark create an environment ripe for pedestrian accidents.

On an average day of the year, alcohol is a factor in about 1/3 of fatal car crashes. On Halloween, that percentage goes up to 1/2.

On Halloween, pedestrians account for one out of every four people killed in car accidents – double the average for the rest of the year.

In addition to car accidents, Halloween festivities can lead to a handful of other potential dangers that can ruin the fun of the holiday.

For parents and kids:

To help your child stay safe while trick-or-treating this year, […]

Use Your Head: Kids and Sports Concussions

School is in session, fall is on its way, and football season is upon us. Tonight is the first game of the NFL’s 96th season. It’s an exciting time of year.

If you have a child enrolled in youth sports programs, this is also a good time to educate yourself on the very real possibility of a sports-related head injury. We’ve been hearing of increasing evidence linking football to long-term brain damage, and there’s even a new movie coming out starring Will Smith as the doctor who first made that alarming connection.  But, the truth is that concussions can occur in all youth sports. We’re here to dispel some myths and share some practical knowledge on the subject so you can help keep your athlete safe.

What Are the Truths?

First, let’s address some common misconceptions. Think that only professional athletes who spend years playing contact sports are susceptible to sports-related brain damage? […]

Fatal ATV Accidents in PA: Tips to Avoid a Deadly Wreck

It’s becoming a problem:

A  number of recent ATV accidents in our area resulted in serious injury or death.  Three of those occurred within the last month.

All-terrain vehicles, also called four-wheelers or quads,  are popular among both kids and adults, but accidents involving these vehicles can cause severe injuries or loss of life. Children are able to drive an ATV long before they’re eligible for a learner’s permit to drive a car. There are laws governing ATV use in Pennsylvania, but because many people ride ATVs on private property or in the woods in rural areas, it’s very easy to break those laws. Usually, that’s how people get hurt.

To avoid a potentially devastating ATV accident, everyone who rides an ATV should have a basic understanding of PA’s ATV laws and these safety tips:

1. Alcohol was said to be a factor in one of the most recent fatal ATV wrecks in Northeast PA. […]