09
May
2011
Public Health

Sensing Potential Problems with Electronic Eye Faucets
14
Apr
2011
Child Care
by Joan B. Rose, PhD

Microbiologist Mom Addresses Daycare Disinfection

It’s a recurring dream:  I am dashing through the house in preparation for a work day that begins with dropping my children at daycare.  Finally, everyone’s dressed and ready to go and we pull out of the driveway only to return minutes later for my forgotten lecture notes, or more urgently, a treasured stuffed animal.... Read More »
18
Feb
2011
Public Health
by Ralph Morris, MD, MPH

Hand Drying: Here’s the Rub

It’s no secret that hand washing is critically important to reducing the transmission of pathogens.  We in the healthcare profession strive to remain vigilant about hand washing and we advise our patients to do the same, especially before and after handling food, using the bathroom, or when we or others are in contact with sick... Read More »
11
Feb
2011
Preventing Infection
by Water Quality & Health Council

Reducing Deaths from Hospital Infections

How effective are check lists?  Pilots know they are effective and now medical experts do too, according to a new study published in the British Medical Journal.  A refreshing culture change in Michigan hospitals, including adherence to a simple, five-part check list is associated with reduced infections and a 10 percent reduction in infection-related deaths... Read More »
21
Jan
2011
Food Safety
by Barbara M. Soule, RN, MPA, CIC

Re-estimating Foodborne Illness Rates

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced last month that it has updated and improved its 11-year old estimates of the prevalence of foodborne illness in the United States. According to the new statistics, each year 48 million people, or one in six Americans, contract foodborne illnesses; 128,000 Americans are hospitalized and 3,000... Read More »
21
Dec
2010
Public Health
by Nancy Bock

Good Health Starts with Clean Hands

A guest blog written by Nancy Bock, American Cleaning Institute® Frequent and proper hand hygiene can stop germs and illness in their tracks.  Why are clean hands important?  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the single most important thing we can do to keep from getting sick and spreading illness to others... Read More »
15
Dec
2010
Norovirus
by Joan B. Rose, PhD

Norovirus Outbreak in UK

According to officials at Great Britain’s Health Protection Agency (HPA), the norovirus is spreading rapidly across the UK and causing many major outbreaks.  In the last month health officials have received twice as many positive samples submitted to laboratories, while hospitals have experienced more outbreaks than usual. Since the beginning of November, the number of... Read More »
10
Dec
2010
Food Safety
by Linda Golodner

My Holiday Kitchen

I love the holidays that bring families and friends together as the calendar year winds down. I recently spent a lovely, long weekend with Michigan family and friends, enjoying four of the eight nights of Hanukkah with gifts for the children and traditional holiday foods. In days gone by, the kitchen was the warm hub... Read More »
03
Dec
2010
Public Health
by Water Quality & Health Council

Health Risks Associated with Body Art

According to a recent article in Medical News Today, tattooing and body piercing are becoming increasingly popular, but these procedures can increase the risk of contracting a number of serious blood-borne diseases. A 2001 survey published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that 51 percent of college students had piercings and 23 percent had... Read More »
15
Nov
2010
Food Safety
by Linda Golodner

Thanksgiving: Full Stomachs, Happy Memories, No Foodborne Illness

Thanksgiving is a big deal in the Golodner household.  I’ll be serving about 30 relatives from California, Michigan, and New York and several friends and family from the local area.  This is one of my favorite times of the year— tried and true recipes are resurrected, new ones tried, ingredients gathered, cooking and baking planned…all... Read More »