MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report
-
MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Feb 2003
Case ReportsAmbulance crash-related injuries among Emergency Medical Services workers--United States, 1991-2002.
Ambulance crashes are one of many hazards faced by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. Although no complete national count of ground ambulance crashes exists, the total number of fatal crashes involving ambulances can be ascertained by using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). ⋯ This report summarizes these investigations, presents surveillance data, and discusses recommendations for prevention measures. NIOSH is identifying and testing alternative measures to reduce injury risk for EMS workers.
-
MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Jan 2003
Facilitating influenza and pneumococcal vaccination through standing orders programs.
Influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are underused for persons in the United States aged > or = 65 years (66% receive influenza vaccine and 55% pneumococcal vaccine), even among patients in nursing homes (68% for influenza and 38% for pneumococcal vaccine). Systematic literature reviews by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services and the Southern California Evidence-Based Practice Center-RAND have shown that standing orders programs improve vaccination rates. ⋯ Several studies have shown improved influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates through standing orders programs specifically in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and hospitals. Based on the strength of available evidence, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends the use of standing orders programs in both outpatient and inpatient settings.
-
MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Dec 2002
Case ReportsExophiala infection from contaminated injectable steroids prepared by a compounding pharmacy--United States, July-November 2002.
In the United States, pharmacists compound medications to meet unique patient drug requirements or to prepare drug products that are not available commercially. In September 2002, the North Carolina Division of Public Health (NCDPH) was notified of two cases of meningitis caused by a rare fungus in patients who had received epidural injections at outpatient pain management clinics. This report describes five cases of fungal infection associated with contaminated drugs prepared at a compounding pharmacy. Clinicians should consider the possibility of improperly compounded medications as a source of infection in patients after epidural or intra-articular injections.
-
MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Nov 2002
Progress toward poliomyelitis eradication--Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan, January 2001-October 2002.
Since the World Health Assembly resolved in May 1988 to eradicate poliomyelitis, the estimated number of polio cases globally has declined >99%. The number of countries in which polio was estimated to be endemic decreased from 125 in 1988 to 10 in 2001, and three World Health Organization (WHO) regions (American, European, and Western Pacific) comprising approximately 55% of the world's population have been certified polio-free. ⋯ This report describes intensified polio eradication activities in these countries during January 2001-October 2002, summarizes progress made, and highlights remaining challenges. Continued political commitment and financial support will be required to eradicate polio in these countries.
-
MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Nov 2002
Practice Guideline GuidelineUse of anthrax vaccine in response to terrorism: supplemental recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
In December 2000, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) released its recommendations for using anthrax vaccine in the United States. Because of recent terrorist attacks involving the intentional exposure of U. ⋯ These recommendations supplement the previous ACIP statement in three areas: use of anthrax vaccine for pre-exposure vaccination in the U. S. civilian population, the prevention of anthrax by postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), and recommendations for additional research related to using antimicrobial agents and anthrax vaccine for preventing anthrax