PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Children are Being Exposed to Unnecessary Radiation

While over-radiation of anyone can cause burns and an increased risk of cancer, those concerns are amplified in children.

2011-05-27
May 27, 2011 (Press-News.org) The most vulnerable of human beings are sometimes the most mistreated. Such is the case with premature infants. In 2007, doctors at State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn discovered that hospital staff repeatedly over-radiated premature babies during X-rays and CT scans. For example, when chest x-rays were ordered for one newborn, he underwent 10 full body X-rays without being covered by a protective shield.

The Lack of Standardized Regulation

It is the responsibility of each state to set its own regulatory standards for radiological workers. However, several states have no regulations in place at all. That means that in many parts of the country workers are not required to possess any formal minimum qualifications before they begin irradiating people.

Fortunately, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists has long been lobbying Congress to pass the CARE bill, which is supported by 26 organizations that represent over half a million American health care professionals. The CARE bill mandates nationwide regulation of radiological workers. The regulation focuses on minimum educational and certification standards for entry into the radiological profession as well as continuing education requirements to ensure competent behavior.

The United States Senate passed the CARE bill at the end of 2006, but despite its 135 co-sponsors in the House, Congress adjourned before the House could vote and the bill died. While support for the bill has not waned, powerful leadership has yet to be found to push the issue back into the mainstream political discourse.

Safety Concerns Over-Radiation

While over-radiation of anyone can cause burns and an increased risk of cancer, those concerns are amplified in children. Children's cells divide quickly, which makes them more vulnerable to the negative effects of radiation. Because radiation is being used in an increasing number of diagnostic and treatment procedures, children are being exposed to an increasing amount of radiation.

Other potential side effects of radiation exposure include:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Flaky skin
- Hair loss in the area of exposure
- Reddened and inflamed mucous membranes
- Dry, sticky mouth and cough
- Urinary and bowel irritation
- Low blood count

Experts believe the negative effects of radiation are cumulative, meaning that the more radiation one receives, the higher the risk of cancer. This reality is especially concerning for premature infants whose development is constantly monitored through radiological exams. At Downstate Medical Center, it was discovered that babies' entire, unshielded bodies were being imaged instead of "coning" (limiting) the radiation to the specific area of the body being examined. Only time will tell how these babies' bodies will be affected as a result.

The Case for Medical Malpractice and Other Lawsuits

As widespread concerns regarding over-radiation of infants, children and adults comes to light, more cancer patients will undoubtedly wonder whether their condition stems from excessive radiation exposure. Patients and their attorneys will increasingly need to analyze the images from any previous exams to determine the extent of their radiation exposure. Problematic results may be grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Hospitals may be legitimately blamed for not properly training and monitoring their radiological staff, especially if commonly known procedures and techniques are not, or were not, being properly employed. For example, Dr. Donald Frush, chief of pediatric radiology at Duke University School of Medicine, said that "coning" radiation "is something that technologists are quite aware of and has been emphasized for decades."

Additional ammunition for medical malpractice claims may stem from radiologists' violations of city and state health codes. For instance, radiological technologists at Downstate were not shielding young patients' gonads, organs which are especially sensitive to radiation, as required by code.

Finally, states themselves may be in the hot seat for failing to establish the kinds of educational minimums, certification standards and continuing education that the CARE bill seeks to impose. Christine Lung, vice president of government relations for the technologist association, said, "It's amazing to us, knowing the complexity of medical imaging, that there are states that require massage therapists and hairdressers to be licensed, but they have no standards in place for exposing patients to ionizing radiation."

For Further Reference

There is no way of calculating the full extent of reckless over-radiation in medical diagnoses and procedures. However, it is coming to light that because of lax state regulations and careless hospital management, a great number of people have been over-exposed. Over-exposure can lead to immediate effects such as burns, but can also serve as a catalyst for conditions such as cancer.

If you or a loved one may have been over-exposed to radiation during medical diagnosis or treatment, contact a knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney to discuss your situation and ensure that your rights are protected.

Article provided by Caravona & Czack, LLC.
Visit us at www.caravona-czack.com


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Florida Senate Bill 408 Becomes Law

2011-05-27
On May 17, Senate Bill 408 - a controversial overhaul of Florida's property insurance system - became law with Governor Rick Scott's signature. Although Governor Scott promises the bill will result in a more stable, more competitive private insurance market in Florida, critics of the law argue that it may lead to big problems for Florida homeowners. Sinkhole Coverage a Particular Concern One of the more controversial elements of the initial version of the bill was related to mandatory sinkhole coverage. The insurance industry claimed that fraudulent sinkhole claims ...

Texas Texting Ban Passes House, Awaits Senate

2011-05-27
Campaigns against distracted driving have become widespread throughout the U.S. and, due to a lack of national legislation, many states and municipalities have passed laws banning the use of phones and texting while driving. The Texas House of Representatives passed House Bill 243 on April 8, 2011, which would ban sending a text, email or IM while driving in Texas. Those in violation of the ban would face fines up to $200. House Bill 243 HB 243 was passed in a 124 to 16 vote and was sent to the Senate on April 11. The bill was sponsored by Representative Tom Craddick, ...

Feds Eye Bus Safety Regulations After New York Crash

2011-05-27
A recent tour bus accident in New York has renewed calls for tougher federal safety regulations over motor coaches, including setting basic driver qualification and training standards and requiring buses to come equipped with seatbelts. This past March, a motor coach transporting gamblers back to New York City from a casino in Connecticut crashed, killing 15 people. The bus driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel. Witnesses reported seeing the bus swerve off of I-95 several times before it went through a guardrail and smashed into the support pillars of an overpass ...

Police Misconduct Forces Division Between Police Departments and Communities They Serve

2011-05-27
Police misconduct, particularly allegations of police brutality, is a divisive topic. Some, particularly those in law enforcement, believe that legitimate cases of police misconduct are few and far between and that most officers take their oaths to serve and protect seriously. They argue that their jobs are dangerous ones and that they have to be able to protect themselves and the public, which may require the use of force. Others, however, particularly those living in communities that have been subjected to questionable if not illegal police practices, believe that ...

Risk of Birth Injuries During Prolonged Labor

2011-05-27
A birth injury is any type of injury sustained by a newborn during or as a result of the birth process. Many birth injuries are temporary, relatively minor concerns that have no long-term impact on the child's life. But other birth injuries can cause significant impairment that leads to lifelong disability, such as cerebral palsy. Long Labor Birth Injury Birth injuries most often occur when the mother's pregnancy is too short or too long--typically when pregnancy or labor complications occur. One major risk factor for birth injuries is a prolonged labor. According ...

Texas Legislature Set to Act Soon on Bill to Ban Texting While Driving

2011-05-27
In a culture built on speed and, increasingly, electronic interconnectivity, texting while driving and unsafe cell phone use pose daily dangers on the road. That's why 30 states have outright bans or substantial restrictions on the use of electronic devices behind the wheel. The goal is to get people to pay attention to the road, and prevent motor vehicle accidents caused by distracted driving. Texas is not one of those 30 states, but the legislature is seriously considering making it one. House Bill 243, a bill to ban texting while driving, is now before a key committee ...

Minimizing Hospital Risks: Patient Safety Organizations in Rhode Island

2011-05-27
According to a study by the Institute of Medicine, nearly 100,000 patients die and another 1 million are injured each year due to medical errors. While the United States arguably provides the highest standard of medical care available, the study revealed that there is still substantial room for improvement. In 2005, Congress established Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs) to review hospital mistakes that resulted in harm to patients. Medical mistakes can happen a variety of ways, including: - An object being left behind after a procedure - An infection resulting from ...

Wake Up Call for Sleep-Deprived Surgeons and Their Patients

2011-05-27
When headed for surgery, many people research the procedure and any alternatives, their surgeon, the hospital and the anesthetist. They know the probable recovery time and the chances for adverse effects. What they almost certainly do not know is how much their surgeon has slept before the operation. A recent New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) article has people close to the issue debating whether this information should be made available to patients. The perspective piece cites a previous study that showed a significant increase in the risk of surgical errors in daytime ...

National Bike Safety Month Follows Fatal MN Accidents

2011-05-27
May is National Bike Safety Month and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and AAA have partnered to launch Roll Model: a campaign to prevent bicycle accidents resulting in injuries and fatalities. Of all traffic fatalities, two percent are bicyclists, 17 percent of whom are age 14 or younger. The campaign asks parents and guardians to set a good example for their children by exhibiting safe behavior on the road. Bicycles cause more injuries to children than any product besides motor vehicles. Bicycle Safety Tips Child bicycle fatalities increase ...

Kuoni and World Market Travel Celebrate Their New Relationship

2011-05-27
Kuoni, the luxury travel brand, has announced it is now represented by World Market Travel, a leading Independent travel agency in Bath. The new relationship was officially announced at the launch event held in April at the elegant Roman Baths, where guests were treated to a tour of the museum followed by drinks, canapes, and a string quartet. Just under 200 guests attended the event including Joanna Edmunds, Kuoni UK Managing Director, Derek Jones, Kuoni UK Distribution Director, and Tim and Peter Giles, joint owners of the World Market Travel store. A guest ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Signs identified that precede sudden arrhythmic death syndrome in young people

Discovery of bacteria's defence against viruses becomes a piece of the puzzle against resistance

Pre-eclampsia is associated with earlier onset and higher incidence of cardiovascular risk factors

Warwick astronomers discover doomed pair of spiralling stars on our cosmic doorstep

Soil conditions significantly increase rainfall in world’s megastorm hotspots

NK cells complexed with bispecific antibody yield high response rates in patients with lymphoma

Planetary health diet and mediterranean diet associated with similar survival and sustainability benefits

Singapore launches national standard to validate antimicrobial disinfectant products

Molecular stool test could improve detection of tuberculosis in adults with HIV

Suspected fibrocartilaginous embolus in Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus)

Enhancing heat transfer using the turbulent flow of viscoelastic fluids

Exercise as an anti-ageing intervention to avoid detrimental impact of mental fatigue

UMass Amherst Nursing Professor Emerita honored as ‘Living Legend’

New guidelines aim to improve cystic fibrosis screening

Picky eaters by day, buffet by night: Butterfly, moth diets sync to plant aromas

Pennington Biomedical’s Dr. Leanne Redman honored with the E. V. McCollum Award from the American Society for Nutrition

CCNY physicists uncover electronic interactions mediated via spin waves

Researchers’ 3D-printing formula may transform future of foam

Nurture more important than nature for robotic hand

Drug-delivering aptamers target leukemia stem cells for one-two knockout punch

New study finds that over 95% of sponsored influencer posts on Twitter were not disclosed

New sea grant report helps great lakes fish farmers navigate aquaculture regulations

Strain “trick” improves perovskite solar cells’ efficiency

How GPS helps older drivers stay on the roads

Estrogen and progesterone stimulate the body to make opioids

Dancing with the cells – how acoustically levitating a diamond led to a breakthrough in biotech automation

Machine learning helps construct an evolutionary timeline of bacteria

Cellular regulator of mRNA vaccine revealed... offering new therapeutic options

Animal behavioral diversity at risk in the face of declining biodiversity

Finding their way: GPS ignites independence in older adult drivers

[Press-News.org] Children are Being Exposed to Unnecessary Radiation
While over-radiation of anyone can cause burns and an increased risk of cancer, those concerns are amplified in children.