Nurses Notes » Health Alert

Exercise 101: A 40-second Reminder

Nurses Notes — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 10:23:39 +0000

Busy with work? No time for exercise because you are too bent on making money Please don’t walk your way towards donating all your money to hospital bills. You’ll end up poor while your doctor shows off his brand new Mercedes Benz. If you’ve got no time, make time! Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, which is why we ought to take good care of it.

HIV and its Transmission

Nurses Notes — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:30:37 +0000

In response to the e-mails that we have received regarding HIV and since it is a rising issue and point of argument every February, we have decided to republish this fact sheet that’s originally prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to correct a few misperceptions about HIV.

Research has revealed a great deal of valuable medical, scientific, and public health information about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The ways in which HIV can be transmitted have been clearly identified. Unfortunately, false information or statements that are not supported by scientific findings continue to be shared widely through the Internet or popular press.

How HIV Is Transmitted

HIV is spread by sexual contact with an infected person, by sharing needles and/or syringes (primarily for drug injection) with someone who is infected, or, less commonly (and now very rarely in countries where blood is screened for HIV antibodies), through transfusions of infected blood or blood clotting factors. Babies born to HIV-infected women may become infected before or during birth or through breastfeeding after birth.

In the health care setting, workers have been infected with HIV after being stuck with needles containing HIV-infected blood or, less frequently, after infected blood gets into a worker’s open cut or a mucous membrane (for example, the eyes or inside of the nose). There has been only one instance of patients being infected by a health care worker in the United States; this involved HIV transmission from one infected dentist to six patients. Investigations have been completed involving more than 22,000 patients of 63 HIV-infected physicians, surgeons, and dentists, and no other cases of this type of transmission have been identified in the United States.

Some people fear that HIV might be transmitted in other ways; however, no scientific evidence to support any of these fears has been found. If HIV were being transmitted through other routes (such as through air, water, or insects), the pattern of reported AIDS cases would be much different from what has been observed. For example, if mosquitoes could transmit HIV infection, many more young children and preadolescents would have been diagnosed with AIDS.

All reported cases suggesting new or potentially unknown routes of transmission are thoroughly investigated by state and local health departments with the assistance, guidance, and laboratory support from CDC. No additional routes of transmission have been recorded, despite a national sentinel system designed to detect just such an occurrence.

The following paragraphs specifically address some of the common misperceptions about HIV transmission.

HIV in the Environment

Scientists and medical authorities agree that HIV does not survive well in the environment, making the possibility of environmental transmission remote. HIV is found in varying concentrations or amounts in blood, semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, saliva, and tears. (See page 3, Saliva, Tears, and Sweat.) To obtain data on the survival of HIV, laboratory studies have required the use of artificially high concentrations of laboratory-grown virus. Although these unnatural concentrations of HIV can be kept alive for days or even weeks under precisely controlled and limited laboratory conditions, CDC studies have shown that drying of even these high concentrations of HIV reduces the amount of infectious virus by 90 to 99 percent within several hours. Since the HIV concentrations used in laboratory studies are much higher than those actually found in blood or other specimens, drying of HIV-infected human blood or other body fluids reduces the theoretical risk of environmental transmission to that which has been observed—essentially zero. Incorrect interpretation of conclusions drawn from laboratory studies has unnecessarily alarmed some people.

Results from laboratory studies should not be used to assess specific personal risk of infection because (1) the amount of virus studied is not found in human specimens or elsewhere in nature; and (2) no one has been identified as infected with HIV due to contact with an environmental surface. Additionally, HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host (unlike many bacteria or fungi, which may do so under suitable conditions), except under laboratory conditions, therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host.

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Households

Although HIV has been transmitted between family members in a household setting, this type of transmission is very rare. These transmissions are believed to have resulted from contact between skin or mucous membranes and infected blood. To prevent even such rare occurrences, precautions, as described in previously published guidelines, should be taken in all settings “including the home” to prevent exposures to the blood of persons who are HIV infected, at risk for HIV infection, or whose infection and risk status are unknown. For example,

Gloves should be worn during contact with blood or other body fluids that could possibly contain visible blood, such as urine, feces, or vomit.
Cuts, sores, or breaks on both the caregiver’s and patient’s exposed skin should be covered with bandages.
Hands and other parts of the body should be washed immediately after contact with blood or other body fluids, and surfaces soiled with blood should be disinfected appropriately.
Practices that increase the likelihood of blood contact, such as sharing of razors and toothbrushes, should be avoided.
Needles and other sharp instruments should be used only when medically necessary and handled according to recommendations for health-care settings. (Do not put caps back on needles by hand or remove needles from syringes. Dispose of needles in puncture-proof containers out of the reach of children and visitors.)

Businesses and Other Settings

There is no known risk of HIV transmission to co-workers, clients, or consumers from contact in industries such as food-service establishments (see information on survival of HIV in the environment). Food-service workers known to be infected with HIV need not be restricted from work unless they have other infections or illnesses (such as diarrhea or hepatitis A) for which any food-service worker, regardless of HIV infection status, should be restricted. CDC recommends that all food-service workers follow recommended standards and practices of good personal hygiene and food sanitation.

In 1985, CDC issued routine precautions that all personal-service workers (such as hairdressers, barbers, cosmetologists, and massage therapists) should follow, even though there is no evidence of transmission from a personal-service worker to a client or vice versa. Instruments that are intended to penetrate the skin (such as tattooing and acupuncture needles, ear piercing devices) should be used once and disposed of or thoroughly cleaned and sterilized. Instruments not intended to penetrate the skin but which may become contaminated with blood (for example, razors) should be used for only one client and disposed of or thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each use. Personal-service workers can use the same cleaning procedures that are recommended for health care institutions.

CDC knows of no instances of HIV transmission through tattooing or body piercing, although hepatitis B virus has been transmitted during some of these practices. One case of HIV transmission from acupuncture has been documented. Body piercing (other than ear piercing) is relatively new in the United States, and the medical complications for body piercing appear to be greater than for tattoos. Healing of piercings generally will take weeks, and sometimes even months, and the pierced tissue could conceivably be abraded (torn or cut) or inflamed even after healing. Therefore, a theoretical HIV transmission risk does exist if the unhealed or abraded tissues come into contact with an infected person’s blood or other infectious body fluid. Additionally, HIV could be transmitted if instruments contaminated with blood are not sterilized or disinfected between clients.

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Kissing

Casual contact through closed-mouth or “social” kissing is not a risk for transmission of HIV. Because of the potential for contact with blood during “French” or open-mouth kissing, CDC recommends against engaging in this activity with a person known to be infected. However, the risk of acquiring HIV during open-mouth kissing is believed to be very low. CDC has investigated only one case of HIV infection that may be attributed to contact with blood during open-mouth kissing.

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Biting

In 1997, CDC published findings from a state health department investigation of an incident that suggested blood-to-blood transmission of HIV by a human bite. There have been other reports in the medical literature in which HIV appeared to have been transmitted by a bite. Severe trauma with extensive tissue tearing and damage and presence of blood were reported in each of these instances. Biting is not a common way of transmitting HIV. In fact, there are numerous reports of bites that did not result in HIV infection.

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Saliva, Tears, and Sweat

HIV has been found in saliva and tears in very low quantities from some AIDS patients. It is important to understand that finding a small amount of HIV in a body fluid does not necessarily mean that HIV can be transmitted by that body fluid. HIV has not been recovered from the sweat of HIV-infected persons. Contact with saliva, tears, or sweat has never been shown to result in transmission of HIV.

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Insects

From the onset of the HIV epidemic, there has been concern about transmission of the virus by biting and bloodsucking insects. However, studies conducted by researchers at CDC and elsewhere have shown no evidence of HIV transmission through insects—even in areas where there are many cases of AIDS and large populations of insects such as mosquitoes. Lack of such outbreaks, despite intense efforts to detect them, supports the conclusion that HIV is not transmitted by insects.

The results of experiments and observations of insect biting behavior indicate that when an insect bites a person, it does not inject its own or a previously bitten person’s or animal’s blood into the next person bitten. Rather, it injects saliva, which acts as a lubricant or anticoagulant so the insect can feed efficiently. Such diseases as yellow fever and malaria are transmitted through the saliva of specific species of mosquitoes. However, HIV lives for only a short time inside an insect and, unlike organisms that are transmitted via insect bites, HIV does not reproduce (and does not survive) in insects. Thus, even if the virus enters a mosquito or another sucking or biting insect, the insect does not become infected and cannot transmit HIV to the next human it feeds on or bites. HIV is not found in insect feces.

There is also no reason to fear that a biting or bloodsucking insect, such as a mosquito, could transmit HIV from one person to another through HIV-infected blood left on its mouth parts. Two factors serve to explain why this is so–first, infected people do not have constant, high levels of HIV in their bloodstreams and, second, insect mouth parts do not retain large amounts of blood on their surfaces. Further, scientists who study insects have determined that biting insects normally do not travel from one person to the next immediately after ingesting blood. Rather, they fly to a resting place to digest this blood meal.

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Effectiveness of Condoms

Condoms are classified as medical devices and are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Condom manufacturers in the United States test each latex condom for defects, including holes, before it is packaged. The proper and consistent use of latex or polyurethane (a type of plastic) condoms when engaging in sexual intercourse—vaginal, anal, or oral—can greatly reduce a person’s risk of acquiring or transmitting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection.

There are many different types and brands of condoms available—however, only latex or polyurethane condoms provide a highly effective mechanical barrier to HIV. In laboratories, viruses occasionally have been shown to pass through natural membrane (“skin” or lambskin) condoms, which may contain natural pores and are therefore not recommended for disease prevention (they are documented to be effective for contraception). Women may wish to consider using the female condom when a male condom cannot be used.

For condoms to provide maximum protection, they must be usedconsistently (every time) and correctly. Several studies of correct and consistent condom use clearly show that latex condom breakage rates in this country are less than 2 percent. Even when condoms do break, one study showed that more than half of such breaks occurred prior to ejaculation.

When condoms are used reliably, they have been shown to prevent pregnancy up to 98 percent of the time among couples using them as their only method of contraception. Similarly, numerous studies among sexually active people have demonstrated that a properly used latex condom provides a high degree of protection against a variety of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection.

For more detailed information about condoms, see the CDC publication “Male Latex Condoms and Sexually Transmitted Diseases.“

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CDC’s Response

CDC is committed to providing the scientific community and the public with accurate and objective information about HIV infection and AIDS. It is vital that clear information on HIV infection and AIDS be readily available to help prevent further transmission of the virus and to allay fears and prejudices caused by misinformation.

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/transmission.htm

Haiti Needs Our Help

Nurses Notes — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:48:58 +0000

As of today, it is estimated that more than 500,000 are already noted dead in Haiti because of the massive earthquake that happened last January 13, 2010. They need our help. If we can be of any help, let’s do it. What if it happened to us or to our country? To know that there are concerned citizens overseas is overwhelming and an act no one can ever pay because it’s coming from our own hearts. Even a prayer would mean a lot. Let’s pray for their economy’s faster recovery and their people too.

To residents of the United States of America, please send the word “HAITI” to “90999″. For every SMS sent, you will be donating $10 and it will all be gathered by the American Red Cross for rehabilitation of the people in Haiti.

To people outside US, you can still make a donation to American Red Cross using your debit or credit card accounts. Please go to: http://american.redcross.org/supporthaiti

For any international help, please go to: http://www.cidi.org/incident/haiti-10a/

For any Donation/Volunteer Related inquiries, please call: +1 703-276-1914

For any Media-related inquiries, please call: +1 202-821-1983

For any information, please go to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/01/13/help-haiti

The Common Human Responses

Nurses Notes — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:39:25 +0000

Vital Signs

TEMPERATURE
■ Afebrile: Oral: 97.5–99.5F and rectal: 0.5–1.0F↑ than oral route
■ Hyperthermia: 99.5F; hypothermia: 97.5F

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PULSE
■ Normal: 60–100bpm
■ Tachycardia: 100bpm; bradycardia: 60bpm
■ Thready:Weak, feeble; bounding: forceful, full
■ Dysrhythmia: Irregular pattern
■ Pulse deficit: Difference between radial and apical rate

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RESPIRATIONS
■ Eupnea, normal: 12–20bpm
■ Tachypnea: 20bpm; bradypnea: 12bpm
■ Apnea: Absence of breathing
■ Hyperventilation: ↑Rate and depth
■ Kussmaul: Deep and rapid, associated with metabolic acidosis
■ Cheyne-Stokes: Rhythmic waxing and waning from very deep to very shallow and temporary apnea
■ Orthopnea: Upright position to breathe
■ Dyspnea: Difficulty breathing

BLOOD PRESSURE
■ Normal: SBP 120 and DBP 80
■ Prehypertension: SBP 120–139 or DBP 80–89
■ Stage 1 hypertension: SBP 140–159 or DBP 90–99
■ Stage 2 hypertension: SBP ≥160 or DBP ≥100
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Key Terms:
BPM: Breaths per minute / Beats per minute
DBP: Diastolic Blood Pressure
SBP: Systolic Blood Pressure

Asthma in all forms

Nurses Notes — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 09:50:56 +0000

■ A stimulus → inflammation, which ↑mucus, mucosal edema, and bronchospasm. This traps air in lungs → chronic tissue irritation, scarring, and hyperinflation

■ Peak expiratory flow rate, the maximum flow of air forcefully exhaled in 1min, decreases

■ Occurs secondary to allergens (mold, pollen, dust mites, cockroach allergen) or nonimmunological stimuli (infections, exercise, cold air, odors, smoke, stress, dairy products)

■ Characterized by remissions and exacerbations. May be mild and intermittent to severe, persistent and intractable (status asthmaticus)

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

■ Dyspnea, dry cough, prolonged expirations with wheezing, sternal retractions, flaring nares, barrel chest

■ Prodromal S&S of exacerbation: Rhinorrhea, low-grade Temp, itching on neck/chest/upper back, anorexia, headache, irritability, restlessness,

fatigue, chest tightness, anxiety

■ Progression of exacerbation: Frothy, clear, gelatinous sputum, productive cough, ↑R, SOB, pale or malar flush with red ears, lips dark red

progressing to cyanosis, tripod/orthopneic position, chest hyperresonance on percussion, breath sounds coarse with sonorous crackles

■ Imminent ventilatory failure: SOB with absence of breath sounds

TREATMENT

Removal of stimulus and medications:

■ Long-term control meds (preventor meds): Corticosteroids (↓inflammation), cromolyn and nedocromil Na (block mediators of type I allergic reactions)

■ Quick-relief meds (rescue meds): ↓Exacerbations; -adrenergics, anticholinergics (↓bronchospasm)

■ Emergency protocol: 3 treatments with short-acting -adrenergic spaced at 20–30min, systemic prednisone, and an anticholinergic; hydration with caution to prevent pulmonary edema, O2 with caution to prevent CO2 narcosis

NURSING

■ Support child and parent in coping with chronic illness and fear related to SOB

■ Prevent exacerbations: Avoid triggers (dairy, animals); allergy-proof home (eliminate carpets, drapes, down bedding; wet-mop floors). Assess status via peak expiratory flow meter

■ Care during an exacerbation: Provide a calm presence; monitor cardiopulmonary status; place in ↑Fowler’s position; encourage pursed-lip

breathing; give ordered meds

How to use a peak expiratory flow meter (PEFM):

■ Measures respiratory volume with 1 breath

■ Begin with indicator at bottom of scale, stand straight, place mouthpiece in mouth, blow out as hard and fast as possible

■ Note result on scale

■ Repeat 3xs, record highest value

◆ Green: Under control

◆ Yellow: Exacerbation and may ↑maintenance dose of meds

◆ Red: Severe airway narrowing and give rescue med

How to use a metered dose inhaler (MDI):

■ Delivers premeasured dose of aerosolized med

■ Shake inhaler, place canister/spacer mouthpiece in mouth with lips sealed (closed method) or 2–4cm from mouth (open method)

■ At end of exhalation, depress canister while inhaling slowly through mouth (3–5sec)

■ At height of inhalation, hold breath 5–10sec and then exhale through nose

■ Wait 1min between puffs, document results, rinse mouth and equipment after

■ Use a spacer particularly with steroids to ↓oral yeast infections

■ Take the bronchodilator first to open airway before a corticosteroid

How to use a nebulizer:

■ Delivers aerosolized med over several min

■ With mask, place over nose and mouth, take slow deep breaths through mouth

■ With handheld nebulizer, place between teeth with lips sealed around mouthpiece. Take slow deep breaths; hold inhalation for several

seconds, continue until med in chamber is gone

What is Multiple Sclerosis

Nurses Notes — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:58:07 +0000

Here is the concept you need to know about Multiple Sclerosis. Spread the awareness of this Neurologic Disorder.

Etiology and Pathophysiology
■ Autoimmune response → demyelination of CNS neurons and formation of sclerotic plaques → ↓impulse conduction
■ Remissions and exacerbations with downward plateaus
■ S&S vary depending on nerves involved

Risk Factors
■ Caucasian race 20-40yr old
■ Female gender

Signs and Symptoms
■ Charcot’s triad (intention tremor, nystagmus, scanning speech)
■ Visual disturbances (diplopia, visual field deficits)
■ Fatigue, paresthesias of face and/or extremities, incoordination, slurred speech, spasticity
■ Bladder dysfunction

Treatment
■ Disease modifying therapy (interferon beta-1a and -1b, glatiramer acetate)
■ Meds: Corticosteroids, antispasmodics (baclofen)
■ Palliative care

Nursing Care
■ Monitor S&S, balance activity/rest, provide cool environment, ↓fat diet
■ Safe mobility: Wide base of support, assistive devices
■ ↓Pressure ulcers: Change position q1-2hr, skin care, pull sheet to ↓shearing, pressure relieving devices
■ Improve elimination pattern: Respond to urge, follow bowel and bladder toileting schedule, ↑fiber and fluids, ascorbic acid to acidify urine if ordered
■ Emotional support: ↑Ventilation of feelings, refer to National Multiple Sclerosis Society

How YOU can help

Nurses Notes — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:25:52 +0000

The Philippines is still in need of your help. Those that were affected by the tropical storm Ketsana (local name: Ondoy) has to start from scratch. Rich and poor society are all called victims of this calamity. And in an effort to spread the word on how anyone can help, please click the link below:

How You can help – A compilation of MLQ3

We will highly appreciate your gift of time, effort, and kindness. Let us help one another especially at this time when almost everyone is in dire need of your help.

Sincerely,

Nurses Notes team

List of Rescue Hotline Numbers and Donation Centers for Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) Victims

Nurses Notes — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:01:52 +0000

Rescue Operations

National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) (+632-9125668, +632-9111406, +632-9115061, +632-9122665) Help hotlines: (+65 734-2118, 734-2120)ndcchelpdesk@gmail.com
Philippine Coast Guard (+632-5276136)
Air Force (+63908-1126976, +632-8535023)
Metro Manila Development Authority (136)
Marikina City Rescue (+632-6462436, +632-6462423, +632920-9072902)
Pasig Rescue Emergency Number (+632-6310099)
Quezon City Rescue (161)
San Juan City Hall Command Post (+632-4681697)
Bureau of Fire Protection Region III (Central Luzon) Hotline: (+63245-9634376)
Senator Dick Gordon (+639178997898, +63938-444BOYS, +632-9342118, +632-4338528)
Senator Manny Villar (+639174226800. +639172414864, +639276751981)

Civil Society/ Media

Philippine National Red Cross (143, +632-5270000)
Philippine National Red Cross Rizal Chapter operations center hotline: (+632-6350922, +632-6347824)
Go to GMA Facebook page & post complete addresses and names of people in need of immediate help.
ABS-CBN Typhoon Ondoy Hotline: (+632-4163641)
Jam 88.3: (+632- 6318803) or SMS at JAM (space) 883 (space) your message to 2968
GMA Kapuso Helpline: (+632-9811950-59)

All calls for help, please help us by filling out information here at the Rescue InfoHub Center.

Sahana Disaster Management System needs IT volunteers.http://sahana.kahelos.org. Email sahana@kahelos.org.

Rubber Boat, 4×4 Trucks, Chopper Requests

NCRPO (+632-8383203, +632-8383354)
Private citizens who would like to lend their motor boats for rescue please call emergency nos: +632-9125668, +632-9111406, +632-9122665, +632-9115061)
You can also text (+632917-4226800 or +632927-6751981) for rescue dump trucks.
For those who are able to lend 4×4 trucks for rescue: Please send truck to Greenhills Shoppng Center Unimart Grocery to await deployment, Tel No. (+632920-9072902).
Petron & San Miguel Corporation are lending choppers for rescue operations, call/text: (+632917-8140655) ask for Lydia Ragasa

Power Supply

Meralco (+63917-5592824, 16211, +63920-9292824) If you want service cut off to your area to prevent fires and electrocution.

Relief Aid and Donations

URGENT:

Donations of heavy duty flashlights needed for rescue operations in Cainta area. Contact Cielo at (+632918-8824356)

Businesses/ Commercial Establishments

Aranaz Stores in Rockwell & Greenbelt is accepting donations of any kind for Payatas communities affected by Ondoy
Aunt Genie’s Breadhouse in Cebu – 1279 Talamban, Cebu City In front of the Talamban Sports Complex – drop off point
Binalot at Greenbelt 1, call Tetchie Bundalian at (+632922-8573277)
Brainbeam Events, Inc. 2/F MB Aguirre Cornerhs Bldg,15 Pres Ave cor Elizalde Sts, BF Homes Pque across the old Caltex in BF. Will accept relief goods.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will be accepting canned goods, water, clothes, blankets, towels, medicine, and emergency supplies (no cash) in all our branches on behalf of the victims of Typhoon Ondoy starting today until Friday. Your generosity will be much appreciated during this difficult time for our brothers and sisters in need.
Every Nation, FORT will accept donations for Red Cross esp. purified water, canned goods, and infant formula. Location @ 32nd St cor University Pkwy across Market Market.
Junior Chamber International Manila Baypark Tent, Roxas Blvd. will accept goods starting Monday.
Luca stores (Rockwell, Shang-rila, Eastwood, or GA towers): Send your old clothes & donations (no cash pls).
Manor Superclub, Eastwood City will accept goods and other emergency items starting Sunday at 10 am.
Ministop IBARRA (Espana cor. Blumentritt, Sampaloc Manila) is also accepting relief goods, Food (non-perishable goods only) Clothing, Medicines, Beds, Pillows, Blankets, Emergency Supplies to help Typhoon Ondoy victims.
Moonshine boutique in Rockwell also accepting relief good to help Ondoy victims in Marikina and Cainta.
Myron’s Greenbelt will accept relief goods
Papemelroti stores in 91 Roces Ave. / Ali Mall Cubao / SM City North EDSA / SM Fairview / SM Megamall / Glorietta 3 in Makati / SM Centerpoint / SM Southmall are accepting relief goods (canned goods / milk / bottled water / clothes ? NO CASH pls.)
PowerPlant Mall accepting donations for ABS-CBN foundation. Dropoff at admin office, P1 level.
R.O.X. Recreational Outdoor eXchange is accepting donation for relief good for Typhoon Ondoy victims. You can bring it in the store located in B1 building Bonifacio High St., Tel. No. (+632-8564638/39)
Shell gas stations – drop off point
Total gas stations- drop off point
Petron – drop off point
Team Manila stores in Trinoma, Mall of Asia, Jupiter Bel-Air and Rockwell shall be accepting relief goods (Canned Goods, Ready-to-drink Milk,Bottled Water and Clothes) for distribution by Veritas.
Whitespace 2314 Chino Roces Ave Ext as a Makati drop-off for relief goods.
Jollibee branches in Metro Manila – drop off point
McDonald’s branches in Metro Manila – drop off point

Government/ Civil Society/ Movements

Victory Fort is opening its doors to those affected by the typhoon. Call 813-FORT.
ABS-CBN through Banco de Oro account number 56300-20111 account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Incorporation
Akbayan?s taking donations, call 433-69-33/433-68-31 to donate or volunteer.
Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC): Relief goods for typhoon victims being accepted at 72-A Times St., West Triangle, QC. Tel (+632-9299820/22)
Corporate Network for Disaster Reponse bank account no. 0031 0654 02 BPI Ayala Paseo Branch for cash donations
Sen. Kiko Pangilinan is accepting donations @ AGS Bldg Annex, 446 EDSA Guadalupe Viejo. Contact Vina Vargas at (+632917-8081247)
Kabataan Partylist - Drop off donations or volunteer at 118-B Sct. Rallos QC.
09266677163 or kabataanpartylist@gmail.com
Luzon Relief: Donations can be brought to RENAISSANCE FITNESS CENTER, 2nd Floor, Bramante Building, Renaissance Towers Ortigas, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City starting MONDAY (Sept.28) / 9am ? 7pm Contact Person: Warren Habaluyas (+632929-8713488) or email at luzonrelief@gmail.com
Miriam Quiambao drop off point: One Orchard Road Building in Eastwood, or message http://www.twitter.com/miriamq for more details.
Move for Chiz is asking for volunteers and donations at Bay Park Tent, along Roxas Blvd., beside Max Restaurant and Diamond Hotel in Manila, or at Gilas Minipark at Unang Hakbang St., Gilas Q.C.
NoyMar Relief Operations: Clare Amador (+639285205508) or Jana Vicente at +639285205499). Drop off for relief donations is at Balay Expo Center across Farmers Market Cubao.
Operation Rainbow (Zac Faelnar Camara) at Ayala Alabang Village needs Canned Goods, Ready-To-Eat Food, Bottled Water, Ready-To-Drink Milk/ Juice, Clothing, Blankets, contact (+632-4687991)
Philippine Army Gym inside Fort Bonifacio or GHQ Gym in Camp Aguinaldo are now distributing donations for Ondoy Victims.
Philippine National Red Cross different ways to Donate.
Red Cross Load Donations: Right now the easiest way to make donations from the seat of your chair is via mobile phone load. The Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. Text: REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)
Relief Efforts for Pasig at Valle Verde 1 Village Park, contact (+632916-4945000, +632917-5273616)
Relief Operations Center at AGS Annex, #446 EDSA Guadalupe Viejo after PET Tower contact Ares at 0917.855.4935 or Rachel at 0918.924.1636
Sagip Kapamilya hotlines (+632-4132667, +632-4160387) #13 Examiner St. West Triangle, QC. and Scout Mayoran, cor. Morato, near Alex III.
Tulong Bayan hotlines for donations and volunteers are (+632908-6579998) Marilyn, (+632939-3633436) Jenn (+632-9137122, +632-9136254 & +632-9133306).
TXTPower now accepts donations via SmartMoney 5577514418667103, GCash 09179751092 and Paypal http://is.gd/3GvuN
World Vision partners with Phil Coast Guard and kind individuals for relief distribution to 3k families. Call (+632-3747618 local 242) or text (+632917-8623209) to help.
Worldvision Foundation is also accepting donations/volunteers to pack relief goods in QC. For $-donations, BPI:USDacct #4254-0050-08

Religious/ Schools & Universities

Assumption College San Lorenzo is now accepting donations. Please drop them off at the AC guardhouse.
Ateneo de Manila University is now accepting donations for the victims of Ondoy. Donations can be dropped at MVP Lobby. For those stranded/those who need help: To all students who need help or know of people who need help. Please text the name, location, and contact number to (+6329088877166). ATENEO, which is now an open shelter, accepts refugees. Call (+632917-8952792)
Caritas Manila Office at Jesus St., Pandacan Manila near Nagtahan Bridge (+632-5639298, +632-5639308)
CCF St Francis Mall, Ortigas is now accepting goods for donation.
CFC Center Ortigas is now open for donations in cash or kind. Call (+632-7270682 to 87) or text (+632922-2542819)
De La Salle University-Manila – The Sagip Metro relief operation will start to accept donation for Ondoy victims starting Monday @ 8:30 am. Please bring goods to the South Gate of DLSU-Manila.
De La Salle Zobel will be accepting donations tomorrow at Gym 5 (Near Gate 7 in Molave St.)
DLSU Medical Center will accept canned goods, blankets, clothes, water. Location is at Congressional Avenue, Dasmarinas, Cavite. Telephone lines are at(02) 844-7832 and (046) 416-4531
Hillsborough Village Chapel ? Water, blankets, shoes, and clothes may be sent to Hillsborough Village Chapel in Muntinlupa City. These will go to families whose houses were washed out in the nearby sitios.
La Salle Greenhills for Greenhills/Mandaluyong/San Juan Area, if you want to help out with the rescue and relief operations, you can drop off your donations (clothes, food, etc..) at LSGH Gate 2 or volunteer from 9am to receive, sort, repack the donations.
Our Lady of Pentecost Parish (+632-4342397, +632-9290665) per Gabe Mercado, donations are very much welcome. The Parish is located at 12 F. Dela Rosa corner C. Salvador Sts., Loyola Heights, Quezon City.
Playschool International in Better Living is open to receive relief goods. Feel free to drop it there for your convenience. No Cash Pls.
Radio Veritas at Veritas Tower West Ave. Cor EDSA (+632-9257931-40)
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan Task Force Noah, a disaster response arm of the Jesuits, is accepting donations. Please drop it off sa Ateneo Cervini Dorm.
St. James Church Multi-Purpose Hall – Drop off point
St. Pedro Poveda College is now accepting relief goods. call the Social Action Center 6318756 loc. 121
UA&P Please contact Dae Lee [SEB EVP] @ 09178323533 needs donations and volunteers.
UP College of Arts and Letters (CAL) is accepting goods and cash. Donation center at CAL/text 0929-6454102.
UP Diliman USC is collecting food, clothing and/or cash. Contact TITUS 09178001909, JOSE 09273056607 and TIN 09154906106
Katipunan Avenue. Contact Erica Paredes at (+632917-4741930) ? they need bread, packed juice, sandwich filling (tuna, chicken, anything) You can help her make them, deliver the sandwiches to her house, or help her distribute! Call for more details.
Xavier School in San Juan is now accepting donations, please bring to Multipurpose Center (MPC).

Private Citizens

MAKATI: 5729 Calasanz St., Olympia Makati City or call for pick up at (+632-5017405 or +632-7290530) c/o Omel Santos
SOUTH: Accepting relief goods in SOUTH AREA. Please contact Anne at (+632915-2854240)
Karen Ang (that’s me)
3 Kagandahan corner Kabutihan Streets, Kawilihan Village, Pasig
0920-9520900
Will forward donated relief goods to Red Cross

People Tracker (using your phones, get your friends and family to turn on their finderservice for you)

FINDERSERVICE. For Smart, text wis to 386.
FINDERSERVICE. For Globe, text find to 7000.

E-Donations

SMS: text RED to 2899 (Globe) and 4483 (Smart)
G-Cash: text DONATEAMOUNT4-digit M-PINREDCROSS to 2882
TXTPOWER.org: Paypal, Smart Money (5577-5144-1866-7103), G-Cash (0917-9751092)

Philippine National Red Cross

Please send cash or check donations to the PNRC National Headquarters in Manila. Checks should be made payable to The Philippine National Red Cross. They can arrange for donation pick-up.
METROBANK Port Area Branch
Peso Acct.: 151-3-041-63122-8
Dollar Acct.: 151-2-151-00218-2
Type of Acct. : SAVINGS
Swift Code: MBTC PH MM
BANK OF THE PHIL. ISLANDS Port Area Branch
Peso Acct.: 4991-0010-99
Type of Account: CURRENT
BANK OF THE PHIL. ISLANDS UN Branch
Dollar Acct.: 8114-0030-94
Type of Account: SAVINGS
Swift Code: BOPI PH MM

Note: For your donations to be properly acknowledged, please fax the bank transaction slip at nos. +63.2.527.0575 or +63.2.404.0979 with your name, address and contact number.

For Credit Cards: Please fax the following info to +632.404.09.79 and +632.527.0575: Name of card member, billing address, contact nos. (phone & mobile), credit card no., expiration date, CCV2/ CVC2 (last three digits at the back of the credit card), billing address, amount to be donated. For online donations you may also visit our website at www.redcross.org.ph .

Most urgent needs

Food items: Rice, noodles, canned goods, sugar, iodized salt, cooking oil, monggo beans and potable water
Medicines: Paracetamol, antibiotics, analgesic, oral rehydration salts, multivitamins and medications to treat diarrheal diseases
Non-food items: Bath soaps, face towels, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, plastic mats, blankets, mosquito nets, jerry cans, water containers, water purification tablets, plastic sheetings, and Laundry soap

FOR THOSE OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY WHO WANT TO DONATE:

TXTPower.org has set up a paypal account for donations. Your money will be forwarded to Red Cross.
Kapuso Foundation is also accepting credit card donations.
2/F GMA Kapuso Center
Samar St. cor. 11th Jamboree St. Diliman, Quezon City
Call 9827777 loc. 9901/9904/9905.
accepts relief goods and cash

In Kind donations

LOCAL: Please send in-kind local donations to The Philippine National Red Cross ? National Headquarters in Manila. They could also arrange for donation pick-up.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Send a letter of intent to donate to the PNRC
2. A letter of acceptance from PNRC shall be sent back to the donor
3. Immediately after shipping the goods, please send the (a) original Deed of Donation, (b) copy of packing list and (c) original Airway Bill for air shipments or Bill of Lading for sea shipments to The Philippine National Red Cross National Headquarters c/o Secretary General Corazon Alma de Leon, Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila 2803, Philippines.

Please look at this list and this page too.

Feel free to repost this. No need to ask for my permission. Thanks to Jayvee Sacramento for helping collate the data here and with Sour Politics’.

Issues with Health Care in the U.S.

Nurses Notes — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:31:13 +0000

Imagine if the Philippines has this policy. I bet, diseases would not come to worst before it get diagnosed and treated. Medical expenses would be less as well which will enable anyone to consult the doctor when they need to without being afraid of possible health care costs for medications. Please watch this video:

Guiding Principles

President Obama is committed to working with Congress to pass comprehensive health reform in his first year in order to control rising health care costs, guarantee choice of doctor, and assure high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

- Learn about the fundamental health insurance consumer protections included in reform.

Comprehensive health care reform can no longer wait. Rapidly escalating health care costs are crushing family, business, and government budgets. Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have doubled in the last 9 years, a rate 3 times faster than cumulative wage increases. This forces families to sit around the kitchen table to make impossible choices between paying rent or paying health premiums. Given all that we spend on health care, American families should not be presented with that choice. The United States spent approximately $2.2 trillion on health care in 2007, or $7,421 per person – nearly twice the average of other developed nations. Americans spend more on health care than on housing or food. If rapid health cost growth persists, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that by 2025, one out of every four dollars in our national economy will be tied up in the health system. This growing burden will limit other investments and priorities that are needed to grow our economy. Rising health care costs also affect our economic competitiveness in the global economy, as American companies compete against companies in other countries that have dramatically lower health care costs.

The President has vowed that the health reform process will be different in his Administration – an open, inclusive, and transparent process where all ideas are encouraged and all parties work together to find a solution to the health care crisis. Working together with members of Congress, doctors and hospitals, businesses and unions, and other key health care stakeholders, the President is committed to making sure we finally enact comprehensive health care reform.

The Administration believes that comprehensive health reform should:

Reduce long-term growth of health care costs for businesses and government
Protect families from bankruptcy or debt because of health care costs
Guarantee choice of doctors and health plans
Invest in prevention and wellness
Improve patient safety and quality of care
Assure affordable, quality health coverage for all Americans
Maintain coverage when you change or lose your job
End barriers to coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions

Please visit www.HealthReform.gov to learn more about the President’s commitment to enacting comprehensive health reform this year.

An Overview with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Nurses Notes — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:36:50 +0000

The immune system is a combination of specialized blood cells called white blood cells and the chemicals they secrete called the antibodies. The body recognizes foreign cells or organisms, such as viruses and bacteria. It fights them using both white blood cells and antibodies. The white blood cells and antibodies find the foreign material and destroy it by breaking down. The immune system is very good from protecting us from microbes and viruses. Unfortunately, sometimes the immune system mistakes body cells for foreign material, causing the immune system to attack the body itself. This self-destruction causes inflammation and damages various body tissues. When the immune system mistakes the body cells for foreign material, an autoimmune disease results.

Lupus is a condition of chronic inflammation caused by an autoimmune disease. Patients with lupus produce abnormal antibodies in their blood that target tissues within their own body rather than foreign infectious agents. Because the antibodies and accompanying cells of inflammation can involve tissues anywhere in the body, lupus has the potential to affect a variety of areas of the body. Sometimes lupus can cause disease of the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints, and/or nervous system. When only the skin is involved, the condition is called discoid lupus. When internal organs are involved, the condition is called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

The precise reason for the abnormal autoimmunity that causes lupus is not known. Inherited genes, viruses, ultraviolet light, and drugs may all play some role. Genetic factors increase the tendency of developing autoimmune diseases, and autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and immune thyroid disorders are more common among relatives of patients with lupus than the general population. Scientists believe that the immune system in lupus is more easily stimulated by external factors like viruses or ultraviolet light. Sometimes, symptoms of lupus can be precipitated or aggravated by only a brief period of sun exposure.

SLE is the most common form of the disease and can affect anyone at any time but is about eight to ten times more common or about 90% of those diagnosed with SLE are female and is most frequently seen in people who are in their early twenties to mid forties. There is an increased incidence of lupus in persons of African, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American descent.

Symptoms of lupus vary from patient to patient or from time to time for the same patient and this it difficult to diagnose lupus. Patients with SLE can develop different combinations of symptoms and organ involvement.They go through cycles of symptoms, called flares, and periods of wellness called remission. Common complaints and symptoms include fatigue, low-grade fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches, arthritis, ulcers of the mouth and nose, facial rash (“butterfly rash”), unusual sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity), inflammation of the lining that surrounds the lung (pleuritis) and the heart (pericarditis), and poor circulation to the fingers and toes with cold exposure (Reynaud’s phenomenon). More serious organ involvement with inflammation occurs in the brain, liver, and kidney. White blood cells and blood clotting factors also can be decreased in SLE, thereby increasing the risk of infection and bleeding. It is also known that some women with SLE can experience worsening of their symptoms prior to their menstrual periods. This phenomenon, together with the female predominance of SLE suggests that female hormones play an important role in the expression of SLE.

As lupus erythematosus is a chronic disease with no known cure, the goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and protect organs by decreasing inflammation and/or the level of autoimmune activity in the body. Many patients with mild symptoms may need no treatment or only intermittent courses of antiinflammatory medications. Those with more serious illness involving damage to internal organ(s) may require high doses of corticosteroids in combination with other medications that suppress the body’s immune system. Patients with SLE need more rest during periods of active disease. During these periods, carefully prescribed exercise is still important to maintain muscle tone and range of motion in the joints