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• New Warning on Guidant Heart Defibrillators

  Matthew Bergmann | August 05, 2006 2:30 PM | 0 CommentsTopeka, KS

  The Boston Scientific Co. has issued a warning to doctors that another 996 defibrillators made by its Guidant unit may be defecitve, placing receiptents of the deivice at high risk for sudden cardiac death.No deaths or injuries have been linked to the battery failures, the Natick, Mass.-based company said Monday. The defect, a faulty low-voltage capacitor, was confirmed in 30 defibrillators...

• Obesity Affects Physical and Financial Health of Workers

  Matthew Bergmann | July 29, 2006 11:18 AM | 0 CommentsTopeka, KS

  A recent study has found that obesity not only affects the physical health of workers, but their financial health as well, with medical and pharmacy costs rising steadily for employees with above-normal body weight. The body mass index (BMI) of nearly 36,000 autoworkers and their spouses were calcuated to analyze the relationship between body weight and health care costs. For those who started...

• High Hazard Industries in Kansas Targeted by OSHA

  Matthew Bergmann | July 26, 2006 10:34 AM | 0 CommentsTopeka, KS

  Local emphasis has been placed on high-hazard industry workplaces in Kansas. To combate the potential of on-the-job injuries OSHA's office in Wichita, Kansas is beginning a campaign to evaluate businesses with 10 or more employees who have not completed a comprehensive OSHA inspection since 1995.Charles Adkins, CIH, OSHA regional administrator in Kansas City, said that the agency hopes to...

• Search Continues for Vehicle in Deadly Hit and Run Case

  Matthew Bergmann | July 24, 2006 1:39 PM | 0 CommentsTopeka, KS

  Local law enforcement continues to search for a vechile involved in a hit-and-run accident last week. Topeka police have determined that a 1990s model Chevrolet van or van-type vehicle was involved in death of Eric Schneider, 53, of Topeka, last week. The department's Accident Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate the accident that killed Schneider. Scheider was found lying in the...

• F.D.A. Hands Down Warning on Antidepressants and Headache Drugs

  Matthew Bergmann | July 23, 2006 10:03 AM | 0 CommentsTopeka, KS

  A new warning could be placed on prescriptions for Prozac and similar antidepressants if drug manufactures follow the recent request of the Food and Drug Administration. The F.D.A. has asked that additional information be added about a rare but potentially fatal lung disorder that can affect babies born to mothers who take the drugs during pregnancy.A warning was also made about the risk of...

• Jefferson County Man Killed in Motorcycle Accident

  Matthew Bergmann | July 21, 2006 1:27 PM | 0 CommentsTopeka, KS

  The intersection of US-59 and K-16 highways was the scence of fatal accident yesterday. Nathan High O'Neill (21)was pronounced dead at the scene after the motorcyle he was riding sturck the back end of a semitrailer. Tha accident occured about 10:34 a.m. when O'Neill, a Winchester native, was driving his motorcyle northbound on US-59 and merged to the southbound lanes to yield to a...

• Millons Hurt By Drug Errors

  Matthew Bergmann | July 20, 2006 1:51 PM | 0 CommentsTopeka, KS

  Fox News has recently reported that more than 1.5 million Americans are injured every year by drug errors in hospitals, nursing homes and doctor's offices. That number has the potential to be even higher if patients' own medication mix-ups were added to the mix. A staggering report from Instiute of Medicine has called for major steps to increase patient safety when dealing prescription drugs. ...

• Ketek Antibiotic Linked to Liver Failure and Death

  Matthew Bergmann | July 20, 2006 9:30 AM | 0 CommentsTopeka, KS

  The heavily debated antibitoic Ketek has been recently linked to liver failure and possibly death. That was the warning given last month as the Food and Drug Administration issued a statement that the drug could, in rare circumstances, cause serious liver damage. Dr. John Jenkins, director of the Food and Drug Administration's Office of New Drugs stated that there is a serious risk of liver...

• Should Video Be Allowed in the Delivery Room?

  Staff Writer | July 03, 2006 3:09 PM | 0 CommentsTopeka, KS

  A recent article in The Kansas City Star highlights the issues associated with having cameras in the delivery room during childbirth. Some hospitals have started banning this practice, fearing that footage and photographs of the actual birth could be used against them in a medical malpractice case. Others say cameras could cause distractions that hinder patient care. However, some doctors and...

• Ex Cop Sues Taser Company

  James B. Biggs | May 15, 2006 12:14 PM | 0 CommentsTopeka, KS

  A lawsuit has been filed against a leading manufacturer of stun guns, alleging that the company has mislead law enforcement officers about possible dangers that could occur during training exercises. A former Kansas City, Kan., police officer has filed a lawsuit against Taser International Inc., contending an electrical shock from a Taser stun gun during a training exercise caused muscle...