School Kids Healthcare is happy to announce the new 2012 catalog is hot off the press. It’s been a long time coming and well worth the wait.

The new 176-page School Kids Healthcare catalog is filled with all the must haves including first aid supplies, diagnostic equipment, pharmacy items, health room supplies and so much more.

Check out some of the newest products including finger cots, cotton terry towels and washcloths, the Nonin Onyx Vantage 9590 Finger Pulse Oximeter, and the VeraTemp+™ Non-Contact Thermometer, just to name a few.

Peruse the online interactive School Kids Healthcare catalog or request a copy of your own to be mailed.

The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that more than 3 billion needles and other sharps are used in homes across the United States every year. Yet after being used, many sharps end up in home or public trash cans, or flushed down toilets, instead of being disposed of properly. Here’s a list of the dos and don’ts of proper sharps disposal:

Do:

• Immediately place used sharps in a sharps disposal container to reduce the risk of needle-sticks, cuts or punctures from loose sharps.
• If a sharps disposal container is not available an alternative would be to use a heavy-duty plastic household container. The container should be leak-resistant, remain upright during use and have a tight fitting, puncture-resistant lid, such as a plastic laundry detergent container.
• Keep sharps and sharps disposal containers out of reach of children and pets.
• Call your local trash or public health department to find out about sharps disposal programs in your area.
• Follow your community guidelines for getting rid of your sharps disposal container.

Do Not:

• Throw loose sharps into the trash.
• Flush sharps down the toilet.
• Put sharps in a recycling bin (they are not recyclable).
• Try to remove, bend, break or recap sharps used by another person.
• Attempt to remove a needle without a needle clipper device.

By following these dos and don’ts you’ll lower the risk of needle stick injuries or infection with viruses such as Hepatitis B and C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Source: fda.gov

Today, November 17, marks the American Cancer Society’s 36th Great American Smokeout.  Take a moment to encourage a smoker to make a plan to quit, or even go for the gusto and make a pact to quit today.

Quitting smoking is an important step towards a healthier life.  Tobacco use is the largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S.  It makes you wonder why more than 46 million Americans are still smoking.  It may not be easy to quit smoking, but with the proper help and support system you can successfully do it.

To learn about the available tools to quit, call the American Cancer Society at 800.227.2345.

Source: cancer.org

Year after year thousands of children are hospitalized, or even die, from taking medicine that is not intended for them. To a toddler those colorful pills may resemble candy. To a teen prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs could be the big hit at a party.

Prescription and OTC medicine can be as harmful as using illegal drugs. Take a preventative measure and lock up your prescription and OTC drugs. Check out this Consumer Update video from FDA pharmacist Connie Jung for more info:

It’s only the start of the 2011 hurricane season, and while we hope for the best, it’s wise to prepare for the worst. Here are five hurricane safety tips to help you prepare in the event of a hurricane.

1. Stock up – should you become trapped or stranded you’ll want to have the necessities handy. The National Hurricane Center has a suggested list of supplies which includes a first aid kit, food, water, and comfort items to pass the time.

2. Watch the weather – the most dangerous storm is the one that’s unexpected. If you’re tracking the weather you’ll know when and where (or where not) to go.

3. Shield your windows – whether you choose to stay or leave your home you need to barricade your windows. Take advantage of “hurricane shutters” or plywood. Anything that is not tied down should be brought inside as well (furniture, decorations, garbage cans, etc.).

4. Make a family plan – a simple, thought out plan will help keep your family organized. This plan should incorporate nearby families and friends too. Have an escape route. Have a meeting place. Have a means of communication.

5. After it’s over, be careful – once a hurricane moves on it doesn’t mean all is safe and sound. There are ramifications whether it is environmental hazards, physical or emotional trauma.

Be prepared and work together.

Source: yahoo.com

Its summer and it’s hot! One of the season’s most popular pastimes is swimming. There are a few basic safety tips that you should follow whether you are in, or around, water.

Make Water Safety Your Priority

• Swim in an area that is supervised by a lifeguard
• Use the buddy system, never swim alone
• Learn how to swim
• Do not leave children unattended by water
• Have inexperienced swimmers wear a life jacket
• Establish and enforce rules based on each person’s abilities
• Be aware of your surroundings even if you do not plan on swimming
• Avoid the use of alcohol

Prevent Unsupervised Access to the Water

• Install (at least) 4’ high barriers, gates that open away from the pool, alarms and safety covers to your pool or hot tub
• Remove access ladders, as well as outdoor furniture, playground equipment, etc., when the pool is not in use
• Keep toys that are not in use away from the pool to detract attention

Maintain Constant Supervision

• Designate a responsible adult to monitor children around or in water
• Always stay within arm’s reach of children around or in water

Know What to Do In an Emergency

• If a child is missing, check the water first
• If you own a pool or hot tub have water safety equipment on hand as well as a first aid kit
• Take pool safety, water safety, and first aid and CPR/AED courses

Source: redcross.org

Every parent is no doubt proud of their child. Some parents may even think their child is gifted. There are some developmental guidelines that often indicate giftedness in children. Check out these signs to take note of.

Retains Information – actually retains a wide variety of information and is able to recall it at a later time.

Variety of Interests – displays an interest in an array of topics.

Writes and Reads Early – having the ability to read and write early on without formal teaching.

Musically or Artistically Talented – drawing things to perspective, has perfect pitch, or other higher art perception.

Periods of Intense Concentration – gifted children are able to have longer periods of intense concentration.

Great Memory – some gifted children are able to recall events (unprovoked) from when they were much younger.

Advanced Vocabulary – learning to speak early on is one sign, as well as a child who has a vast vocabulary and is speaking in complete, detailed sentences.

Detail Oriented – a keen eye for detail such as returning things to exactly where they retrieved them from or noticing if something is out of place.

Self-Critical – gifted children are often most critical of themselves.

Complex Understanding – Highly intelligent young ones are often able to understand complex concepts, perceive relationships, and think abstractly as well as consider solutions.

Source: shine.yahoo.com

Whether you’re a school nurse or a nurse at a doctor’s office finding a nursing job can be difficult. Check out these Top 25 Twitter Feeds for Finding Nursing Jobs. Browse Twitter feeds for anything from general nursing, to specific nursing jobs, to tips and more.

Source: lvntorn.net

Today, Wednesday, May 11, 2011 is National School Nurse Day and this year’s theme is “Vision, Voice, Visibility: Setting Sail Toward Healthy Horizons”.

It’s no secret school nurses work very hard with limited recourses. It’s also no surprise that school nurses show a reflection of the overall positive impact on the health and well-being of students.

Check out these school nurses in action:

Have you thanked your School Nurse today for all that they do?

Source: schoolnurseday.org, youtube.com

Tomorrow, May 11, 2011, is National School Nurse Day. Have you thought about how you’re going to show appreciation to the School Nurse in your life?

Here are a couple of ideas if you’re stumped: send an official NASN School Nurse Day postcard to your favorite school nurse. Post the official NASN “Meet Your School Nurse!” poster around the community to highlight school nurse’s daily contributions. Maybe even host a recognition ceremony or celebration breakfast.

The options are endless, so don’t miss this opportunity to thank your school nurse.

Source: nasn.org