Chocolate is Good for You?

In honor of Valentine's Day (a little late:), see the link below for more information about the potential health benefits of chocolate. One recent study showed that moderate (a key word) consumption of chocolate may decrease stroke risk. More studies are needed to fully understand this concept.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35354279/ns/health-heart_health/ns/health-heart_health/

Stroke Carries a High Mortality Risk

As we noted in class, strokes are largely preventable -- mainly through blood pressure management, behavior modification, etc. According to a recent study (link included below), 25% of people who suffer a stroke will die within the next year! This level of mortality is quite significant -- but I wonder how many people would guess that it was that high? In another recent study, researchers found that many Americans rate their own health as higher than their peers. In fact, about 30% of the 2000 people surveyed gave themselves an "A" in health. Conversely, 92% of physicians gave the same subjects a grade of "C" or lower for health. Perhaps we are not as self-aware as we imagine ourselves to be!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35410389/ns/health-heart_health/

Big Brother May Be Watching

About a year ago, I first heard of an upcoming technology that could monitor whether or not health care workers washed their hands upon entering and exiting patient rooms. Now that technology is in place at at least one hopsital in Alabama. Staff at the hospital wear a badge that is enabled to wirelessly monitor handwashing habits of staff. Staff members can be reminded to wash hands via text or email -- and even the hospital CEO is notified of the results.

It is well known that handwashing, upon entering and exiting a patient room is one key to decreasing hospital acquired -- also known as nosocomial -- infections. Is this type of monitoring the right way to acheive imporoved compliance? Studies have shown that only 40% of healthcare workers follow proper hand hygiene techniques, despite repeated education, reminders, etc.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123139695&ps=cprs