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ChristianaCare’s Union Hospital has been recognized by Healthgrades as a 2023 Patient Safety Excellence Award™ recipient. This distinction places Union Hospital, part of ChristianaCare’s Cecil County Campus in Maryland, among the top 10% of all short-term acute care hospitals as evaluated by Healthgrades. Union Hospital is one of only five hospitals in Maryland to receive the 2023 Patient Safety Excellence Award™. “At ChristianaCare, we commit to being exceptional today and even better tomorrow,” said Kert F. Anzilotti, M.D., MBA, FACR, system chief medical officer. “We are proud that Healthgrades has recognized our deep commitment to excellence in patient safety. This award belongs to all our Union Hospital caregivers.” Among the most important ingredients to Union Hospital’s success in patient safety has been standardization of evidence-based practices. Examples include a standardized process for central line insertion that reduces the risk of central line infections, and standardized patient handling processes that help to prevent falls. Union Hospital also established a multidisciplinary committee that standardized caregivers’ approach to skin assessment to prevent pressure injuries. Safe care saves lives During the 2019-2021 study period, 164,592 potentially preventable patient safety events occurred among Medicare patients in U.S. hospitals.* Healthgrades’ analysis revealed that patients treated in hospitals receiving the Healthgrades 2023 Patient Safety Excellence Award were, on average: 61.4% less likely to experience an in-hospital fall resulting in hip fracture than patients treated at non-recipient hospitals.* 52.7% less likely to experience a collapsed lung resulting from a procedure or surgery in or around the chest than patients treated at non-recipient hospitals.* 66.1% less likely to experience pressure sores or bed sores acquired in the hospital than patients treated at non-recipient hospitals.* 67.3% less likely to experience catheter-related bloodstream infections acquired in the hospital than patients treated at nonrecipient hospitals.* Healthgrades noted that if all hospitals, as a group, performed similarly to the 2023 Patient Safety Award recipients then 95,880 patient safety events could have been avoided on average.* “Through our 2023 Patient Safety Excellence Awards, we seek to recognize hospitals that excel in providing top-quality care for their patients while preventing serious injuries during hospital stays,” said Brad Bowman, M.D., chief medical officer and head of Data Science at Healthgrades. “We are proud to name ChristianaCare’s Union Hospital as a 2023 Patient Safety Excellence Award recipient and look forward to their continued efforts to make patient safety a top priority.” Consumers can visit healthgrades.com for more information on how Healthgrades measures hospital quality and to access the complete methodology. *Statistics are calculated from Healthgrades Patient Safety Ratings and Excellence Award methodology which is based primarily on AHRQ technical specifications (Version 2022.0.1) for MedPAR data years 2019 through 2021 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only.
A recent survey conducted on behalf of CAA Insurance Company has found that a growing number of Ontarians have significant concerns about vehicle theft. The findings indicate that almost half of respondents (47 per cent) are very concerned about auto theft. That number increases to 57 per cent for those living in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). In contrast, those who live in either Northern (14 per cent) or Southwestern Ontario (10 per cent) were less worried about auto theft. "As an organization, we are deeply concerned about the rising trend of auto theft in Ontario and across the country. The survey results highlight the urgency of taking comprehensive action to protect our communities," says Elliott Silverstein, director of government relations CAA Insurance Company. Many Ontarians have a false sense of security. While many of those surveyed are concerned about the increase in vehicle theft, far fewer (30 per cent) are worried that their vehicle is at risk of getting stolen. This discrepancy suggests that many Ontarians may have a false sense of security when trusting that their cars are not at risk of being stolen. In most cases, basic auto theft prevention does not go far enough. According to the Solicitor General of Ontario, a car is stolen every 48 minutes. From 2014 to 2021, there was a 72 per cent increase in auto theft across the province, with a 14 per cent increase in the last year alone. While many people are diligent about locking their doors, basic auto theft prevention does not go far enough. Eighty-two per cent of drivers are ensuring their vehicle is always locked. Seventy-seven per cent of drivers ensure valuables are out of sight. Nearly 50 per cent of drivers park their cars in locked garages. Six per cent of drivers use a steering wheel lock, and only 8 per cent use a Faraday box to block the transmission of RFID signals. "Auto theft can happen to anyone, and drivers need to do more than just lock their doors to make their vehicle difficult to steal. We are urging Ontarians to take additional preventive measures to safeguard their vehicles, making them less appealing targets for thieves," adds Silverstein. Tips that can help deter vehicle theft As car-related thefts in Ontario have risen dramatically. Here are tips that can help deter vehicle theft: Secure your parked vehicle with an anti-theft deterrent such as a steering wheel lock, brake pedal lock or wheel & tire lock device like "The Club" Store your key fob in a Faraday box/pouch to block its signal from being hacked Lock your doors, and if you have a garage, park your vehicle inside If you have multiple vehicles, park the less expensive one closest to the street Install motion sensors on your driveway and a camera to capture any activity Cover the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) so that it’s not visible on the dashboard Store an Air Tag in your vehicle to track your vehicle should it be stolen Ensure items are out of sight, and do not leave valuables in your vehicle at all Never leave your vehicle running Share any suspicious activity with law enforcement CAA Insurance believes that to combat auto theft properly; it will require collaboration with the government, insurers, vehicle manufacturers, and others, including Canada Border Services Agency. About This Survey The survey conducted for CAA Insurance Company is a representative sample of 2,000 Ontarians balanced and weighted on age, gender, and region. Comparative margin of error = +/-3.1%
#Expert Research: Can CBD effectively impede growth of heterotopic lung cancer?
Lung cancer is the most chronic form of cancer and the leading cause of cancer mortality in the world, according to studies by the American Lung Association. Despite recent advances in medical oncology, metastatic lung cancer remains incurable; however, a new discovery by Augusta University researchers has brought new hope to tackling the illness. That discovery, which stems from a joint preclinic study conducted by scientists from the Dental College of Georgia and the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University and Medicinal Cannabis of Georgia, LLC, was published in the May 2023 issue of Human Cell. The study was led by Babak Baban, PhD, associate dean of research, immunologist and professor at DCG and one of the founders of Medicinal Cannabis of Georgia, an Augusta-based biomedical research and developmental company. The study revealed for the first time that inhalant cannabidiol, commonly referred to as CBD, can effectively impede growth of heterotopic lung cancer. “The central core of our research has been studying inflammatory diseases and for that we picked two different directions: one is centered around chronic inflammation in our system and the other is neurologic diseases such as dementia. Because of their impressive anti-inflammation effects, CBD, CBC and other cannabinoids have attracted our attention,” Baban said. “We have had some exciting findings before, and based on those, we built a new model of lung cancer. This is the first time the effect of the CBD has been assessed in inhalant format using an inhaler. This makes it more translatable into humans and more accurate,” he said. “Obviously, we are just as excited about our discoveries on mechanisms by which CBD worked. They help advance our understanding of the pathophysiology of lung cancer. We have seen some effects on plasticity and cancer stem cells, which appear to be crucial for tumors to regenerate and renew themselves.” Unlike most anti-angiogenesis drugs, inhalant CBD at the experimental dosage did not show any detectable side effects or toxicity. The findings support the notion that inhalant CBD has enough beneficial effects as a viable complementary modality to be included in combination with current standard treatments for lung cancer. Additionally, inhalant CBD delivered using a precisely metered dose is non-invasive, and has high translational value, warranting further research through clinical trials for lung cancer and possibly some other malignancies. “The cannabis plant has over 113 cannabinoids, two of which are very famous: THC and cannabidiol, or CBD. We have conducted extensive research on medicinal cannabis since 2014, but cannabis has been utilized for medicinal purposes for over 1,000 years,” Baban said. “It is not until recently we have started understanding a little better mechanisms how cannabidiols like CBD work.” Babak Baban is a professor, immunologist and associate dean for research at the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University where he has served for 13 of his 20 years as a translational and clinical immunologist. Babak is available to speak to media about this important topic - simply click on his icon now to arrange a time to speak today.
Extreme heat is stretching the United States' electricity infrastructure to maximum capacity, and the reported disjointedness of the country's three electric grids has made it more difficult to deliver wind and solar power as reinforcements. Willett Kempton, professor of marine science and policy at the University of Delaware, led the development of a way to use electric car batteries to make grids more stable and resilient. Kempton advocates using electric storage through V2G technology to make electricity more reliable at a lower cost today and to enable the grid to use more renewable energy in the future. Kempton, associate director of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology for UD's Center for Research in Wind (CReW), pioneered technology for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) vehicles, which are capable of absorbing excess energy when demand for power is low and returning some back to the electric grid when the demand for power is high.
Conscious Couture: Unraveling the Ethics Behind Fast Fashion's Costly Threads
Sheng Lu didn't have to do any research to see the impact of Shein, the China-based fast fashion behemoth. He simply looked around his classroom and saw his Gen Z students clicking through the app for low-priced, high-quality clothing that could get made and delivered with lightning speed. But through years of analysis of the fast fashion industry, Lu, associate professor of fashion and apparel studies at the University of Delaware, is well aware of the catch: the company has been accused of wasteful use of textile and employing questionable labor practices. He can discuss the impact of Shein and other fast fashion retailers as well as questions surrounding their success and business practices. Lu has also been working with traditional retailers to promote sustainable practices. Under his guidance, a group of UD graduates collaborated with leaders at Macy’s in sustainability, sourcing, product development, raw materials and design. The students' research, conducted during their senior year, aimed to identify the challenges and opportunities associated with the company's shift toward a more sustainable future. By focusing on expanding the use of recycled content in Macy’s private brands, the work reflects a shared commitment by both UD and Macy’s to drive positive change in the fashion industry.
Baylor Expert: Día De Los Muertos - A Celebration of Life and Death
Día De Los Muertos – or Day of the Dead – has grown in popularity in the United States over the past decade, with the 2017 Disney/Pixar film, Coco, bringing greater attention to the holiday and its colorful sugar skulls and skeleton decorations. Although these decorations can be found in stores next to Halloween items, this unique Mexican holiday – celebrated Nov. 1 through Nov. 2 – isn’t another version of Halloween but a way for families to honor and remember their loved ones who have died, said Baylor University death studies scholar and author Candi Cann, Ph.D. It’s importance to world culture as recognized in 2008 when UNESCO inscribed the holiday in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Cann, who is an associate professor of religion in the Honors College at Baylor, said it’s not surprising that the holiday is becoming popular outside of Mexico. There are no other traditions in the United States about death that are not mournful. The opportunity to celebrate loved ones in a way beyond the funeral process resonates with people, Cann said. “It’s a beautiful tradition that helps people with the grief process,” she said. Día De Los Muertos is time for past and present generations to come together. Unlike Halloween, interacting with the dead isn’t scary, but more like a family reunion, Cann said. “On that day, the dead return to visit the living,” she said. “It is a time to have fun and celebrate our connection to our ancestors.” Traditional Día De Los Muertos Celebrations can include: Calaveras – The most recognized symbol of the holiday, sugar skulls are offered as gifts to both the living and the dead. A representation of the La Calavera Catrina, the skulls are decorated with colorful icing, sequins or feathers. The Ofrenda – Families will set up altars in their house or at the grave site to honor their family members. The Ofrenda is colorfully decorated with pictures of the deceased along with paper banners, candles, marigolds, small gifts, favorite foods and calaveras. Costumes – Colorful costumes with vibrant skull makeup reminiscent of the Calaveras are another way to celebrate Día De Los Muertos. Children and adults alike can dress up in Calaveras makeup. The purpose is not to look macabre but to be a festive way to celebrate all members of the family living and dead. Food and Drink – This not only is an offering to the deceased but a way for the living to come together and share a meal with their loved ones. Traditional dishes included tamales, Pan de Muerto (or “Bread of the Dead”) and Pan dulce. Cann suggests if you are interested in celebrating Día De Los Muertos, start by finding a community festival or parade, such as Saturday’s Día De Los Muertos Parade & Festival at Indian Spring Park in downtown Waco. “This is a great way to learn more about the holiday and how you can celebrate with your family,” Cann said. “Most importantly, keep the focus on the family. The heart of the holiday is on remembering and honoring our loved ones.”
Frequent tanning can signal excessive concern over image and vulnerability to taking health risks, researcher says Getty Images People who often sunbathe or use tanning beds are more likely to try risky weight-loss methods and have cosmetic surgery, as well as get tattoos and piercings. But while people who seldom tan also may try unsafe diets and cosmetic surgery, they rarely opt for tattoos or piercings, according to a Baylor University study. "When compared to infrequent tanners, frequent body-tanners — regardless of whether they are tanned by ultraviolet light from the sun, ultraviolet light from a tanning bed or methods such as tanning sprays that do not involve UV light — showed significantly higher behavioral intentions to engage in risky appearance-related behaviors overall," said Jay Yoo, Ph.D., associate professor of family and consumer sciences in Baylor's Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences. "Safer tanners, on the other hand, are more concerned about modifying their bodies in ways such as tattoos and piercing that may carry a stigma," Yoo said. Most skin cancer prevention campaigns have emphasized avoidance of getting sunburned, reducing UV exposure and applying sunscreen, but they have neglected the individual's experience with social and appearance concerns, he said. But "Excessive tanning can serve as a possible sign of overt concern over body image, with vulnerability to greater health risks," Yoo said. His research article — "A Study of the Relationships between Tanning Methods and the Intention to Engage in Risky Appearance-Related Behaviors" — is published in Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal. Data for the study was collected from an online survey of 395 female college students in the southern United States. The major contributor to skin cancer is frequent exposure to ultraviolet rays, with skin cancer the most common — and one of the most preventable — types of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Ironically, previous research has found that many people choose to tan because they believe a tan makes them look thinner and more fit, Yoo said. Tanning has gone in and out of fashion, Yoo noted. Tans at one time were associated with lower classes who worked outdoors — in contrast with the Southern belles of more than a century ago, who used parasols to protect their skin and to look pale and refined. In the 1920s, fashion designer Coco Chanel started a fad after accidentally getting sunburned while visiting the French Riviera, Yoo said. Tanning remained popular, with high-fashion models often sporting tans, whether from UV exposure or sprays and bronzers. And these days, some people sport tattoos along with their tans, he said. The study found that: Frequent tanners who expose themselves to UV rays through sunbathing or tanning beds have the strongest intentions to engage in a wider range of risky appearance-related behaviors when compared to infrequent tanners or spray tanners. Such behaviors include extreme weight control methods, such as diet pills, self-induced vomiting, laxatives and diuretics; cosmetic surgery and Botox injections; spa treatments, such as hair removal by waxing (which has been associated with rashes and infections) and gel nail polish (done with UV curing and associated with DNA damage to the skin that can result in premature aging and possibly cancer; and tattoos or piercings. Infrequent tanners, as well as "safe" tanners who seek to achieve an ideal tan without ultraviolet methods (sprays, lotions or bronzers) are much less likely to engage in behaviors that may convey certain stereotypes, such as tattoos or piercings with visual symbols or messages. But they are willing to try other risky appearance-related behaviors. Yoo suggested that intervention strategies adapted for healthcare providers to reduce UV exposure and skin cancer could use stigmatization — perhaps through images of tattooed or pierced individuals who also are tanned. "A negative stigma attached to UV exposure can create ambivalence in our society about achieving a tanned appearance," Yoo said. "This could decrease the popularity of tanning in much the same way the negative stereotyping of smoking and education about its health risks have reduced the number of people who smoke." He noted that in the 1940s and 1950s, smoking was idealized, especially in Hollywood movies, but "there has been a cultural shift," he said. "One way to change the appeal of tanning would be to make it un-cool," Yoo said. "If I tan and people look at me funny, I'm not going to tan anymore." While another way to stigmatize tanning would be to stress the health consequences, "for young people it may be more effective to emphasize the appearance," Yoo said. "The tanning that makes me attractive now may be counteracted for the long haul because at 50 or 60, I may have leathery skin. "Given that tanning emerged as a fashion trend, gradual attitudes toward dangerous tanning can be made possible in a similar fashion," he said.
Five Tips to Choose Sustainable Fashion
Getty Images Fast Fashion is the most popular trend in retail fashion today. Fast Fashion isn’t a specific style but rather clothing produced quickly and cheaply to respond instantly to consumer demand. Low prices and popular online retailers allow people to purchase clothing more often but at a devastating cost to the environment. According to EarthDay.org, the fashion industry is one of the largest global polluters, creating 4% of all greenhouse gas emissions, 40 million tons of landfill waste and 35% of microplastics in the ocean. According to fashion expert Jay Yoo, Ph.D., associate professor of apparel merchandising in the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences at Baylor University, consumers are learning more about the environmental impacts of fashion and searching for better options. Fashion expert Jay Yoo, Ph.D., associate professor of apparel merchandising in the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences at Baylor University Fashion expert Jay Yoo, Ph.D. Yoo’s research shows that purchasing apparel products that help reduce negative impacts on the environment has emerged as a lifestyle. “Fashion-conscious consumers are ready and willing to forgo fast fashion for more sustainable options produced in an ecologically and socially responsible way,” said Yoo. Yoo recommends five ways you can use your purchasing power to support sustainable fashion. Choose natural fibers - organic cotton, linen or hemp. Avoid clothing that requires dry cleaning. Donate to and shop at resale stores. Purchase from retailers that are committed to sustainability. Encourage your friends to join you in supporting sustainable fashion. Although fashion is often understood to center on apparel choices, fashion impacts nearly every aspect of human lives, Yoo said, including health, social responsibility and environmental issues involving consumptive behaviors. His additional research interests include appearance-related behaviors and their implications for individual and social well-being from consumer perspectives, from body-tanning behaviors, body image and quality of life among cancer patients, retail therapy and mental health, and irrational shopping and extreme body modification.
CorpusCast with Dr Robbie Love: Dr Clyde Ancarno & Professor Insa Nolte on Anthropology
Hello, hello, hello, everyone! Welcome back to Corpuscast, the podcast that brings you the fascinating world of Corpus Linguistics. Can you believe it? We're already on episode 19! Since our launch in January 2022, we've been exploring the incredible impact of Corpus Linguistics on society. And trust me, today's episode is going to blow your mind! As always, I'm your host Robbie Love, a linguist from Aston University. Today, we dive deep into the realm of anthropology, the study of human societies and cultures. Get ready for an engaging discussion on the origins of humanity, the evolution of civilizations, and the incredible diversity that exists across our world. Our special guests for today's episode are none other than Professor Insa Nolte, a leading anthropologist from the University of Birmingham, and Dr. Clyde Ancarno, a brilliant corpus linguist and senior lecturer in Applied Linguistics and Education at King's College London. Together, Insa and Clyde collaborated on a groundbreaking research project in Southwest Nigeria, exploring how members of different religious groups coexist peacefully. Their findings shed light on the intricate social structures that maintain harmony within diverse communities. Join us as we delve into the thought-provoking questions that shape our understanding of humanity. Who are we and where do we come from? How have civilizations transformed throughout history? What factors contribute to the functioning of our societies? This captivating conversation will unveil the incredible insights brought forth by Corpus Linguistics and its intersection with anthropology. Discover how language and culture intertwine to shape our identities and communities. Don't miss out on this enriching episode! Tune in to Corpuscast below, and let's embark on this captivating journey together. Subscribe to Corpuscast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts, for more thought-provoking episodes exploring the boundless possibilities of Corpus Linguistics in education, health, technology, and beyond. Stay curious, stay inspired! ? #Corpuscast #Anthropology #CorpusLinguistics #Humanity #Culture #Diversity #Podcast #LanguageResearch
Nicholas Petrelli, M.D., Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Nicholas Petrelli, M.D., Bank of America Endowed Medical Director of ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana. Petrelli is a 1973 graduate of the school. Dr. Petrelli, center, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from Julius L. Levy, Jr., M.D., past president, Tulane Medical Alumni Association, left, and Lee Hamm, M.D., senior vice president & dean of the School of Medicine, and the James R. Doty Distinguished Professor and Chair, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana. The award recognizes an alumnus of the school who has made significant contributions to the field of medicine and has offered outstanding leadership in the community. Under Petrelli’s leadership at ChristianaCare since 2001, the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute has become a national model for multidisciplinary cancer care and a top enroller in U.S. clinical research trials. The Graham Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program and one of only five hybrid academic community cancer centers in the nation. Through the work of the Graham Cancer Center and partnerships with health care providers, community organizations and the state to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, Delaware’s cancer mortality rate has dropped twice as fast as the national rate. In addition, the state is outpacing the nation in reducing deaths from a number of cancers. Delaware has gone from number one in cancer mortality 22 years ago to number 17 today. Petrelli has numerous achievements in cancer care and research. He has established several firsts for Delaware, including a multidisciplinary disease center site, the Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research, a tissue procurement center, an adult genetic counseling program, a statewide high-risk family cancer registry consisting of more than 500,000 individuals and an innovative oncology express unit to provide patients with cancer a way to address urgent care needs without having to go to the emergency department. Among his accomplishments on the national level are the first primary care practice established at a cancer center and the first gene editing research program integrated into a community cancer center. Through a unique research partnership with the Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center of The Wistar Institute, he has brought cutting-edge cancer treatments and diagnostics to Delawareans. And in a ground-breaking collaboration among the government, community organizations and the Graham Cancer Center nearly 10 years ago, Delaware ended the disparity between Black and white people for colorectal cancer screenings and mortality, which continues to this day. Petrelli has received numerous awards and has authored 360 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 31 book chapters. He has served on advisory panels of the National Cancer Institute, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Cancer Society and the Society of Surgical Oncology. He was president of the Society of Surgical Oncology from 2007 to 2008. In 2013 he received the Order of the First State Award, the highest honor in the state, from Delaware Gov. Jack Markell. In 2019 he received the James Tilton award (named for the first U.S. Army Surgeon General) from the Medical Society of Delaware.
