March 11, 2010
Bill to ban texting while driving moves forward
House commmitee approves proposed bill while companion bill is filed in Senate
The Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE — Here’s a new reason to keep your thumbs on the wheel and your eyes on the road: Action to outlaw texting while driving is off to a speedy start in the Legislature.
A House committee unanimously approved a proposed bill Wednesday that would ban sending or reading text messages while operating a car or truck – and, presumably, cut down on lane-weaving inattention, a leading indicator of a distracted texter at the wheel.
“Obviously, it is time in the state of Florida to ban texting while driving,” said Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota, who introduced the bill. “It’s a public safety issue.”
A companion bill has been filed in the Senate. Gov. Charlie Crist said he favors passage.
Nineteen states and the District of Columbia already ban texting while driving, and federal officials are encouraging other states to join the movement.
Under the Florida measure, a first offense would be a nonmoving violation with a fine of $30 plus court costs. A second offense within five years would be a moving violation, costing the texting driver $60 plus court costs. If a texting motorist causes a crash, six points would be assessed against the driver’s license.
Texting would be permitted in legally parked vehicles. Exemptions to the law would be granted to police officers, firefighters and emergency service workers, and to anyone trying to report a crime or an emergency.
February 17, 2010
12 Common Medication Error
Medication errors injure or kill 1.5 million people annually in the U.S., with more people dying annually from medication errors than from automobile accidents or workplace injuries. Nearly all medication errors are preventable.
The National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention defines a medication error as “any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the health care professional, patient, or consumer…related to professional practice, health care products, procedures, and systems, including prescribing; order communication; product labeling, packaging, and nomenclature; compounding; dispensing; distribution; administration; education; monitoring; and use.”
It is widely recognized that most serious medication errors result from administration of: the wrong drug or medication; the wrong dosage; the wrong patient; the wrong time.
1. allergic/anaphylactic reactions
2. narcotic pain medication over dosage
3. coumadin anticoagulant dosage error
4. similar drug name confusion
5. insulin administration error
6. adverse drug interactions
7. pharmacy medication bottle labeling error
8. inadequate warnings or instructions
9. drug infusion pump programming error
10. confusing drug packaging
11. use of error prone abbreviations
12. miscalculation of proper pediatric dosage
How can you help prevent medication errors?
When your doctor gives you a prescription, ask him or her to tell you the name of the drug, the correct dosage, and what the drug is used for. Be sure you understand the directions for any medications you may be taking including the correct dosage, storage requirements, and any special instructions.
In the hospital, ask (or have a relative or friend ask) the name and purpose of each drug you are given.
Be sure to tell your doctor the names of all the prescription and non-prescription drugs, dietary supplements, and herbal preparations you are taking every time he or she writes you a new prescription. This will help to prevent another type of medication problem, undesirable and potentially serious interactions among medications
If you need to discuss a similiar situation, please call The Accident Law Offices of Philip DeBerard 24/7 to disucss
