ATA: DOT, FMCSA must act to establish clearinghouse
On July 3, 2012, The Trucker published an article concerning the American Trucking Association’s (ATA) appeal to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to create a national clearinghouse for drug and alcohol test results concerning commercial drivers.
Delays and Difficulties in Assessing Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants
On June 20, 2012, The New England Journal of Medicine published an article concerning the difficulty of implementing effective post-marketing studies in the U.S. that would be helpful in assessing the risks and benefits of metal-on-metal hips.
Anticoagulant may cause irreversible bleeds
The Journal of Neurosurgery recently published a case report detailing the irreversible bleeding complications that may arise from use of dabigatran, the anticoagulant drug also known as Pradaxa.
Dallas hospital suspends kidney transplant program after transplant error
The Transplant Institute at Methodist Dallas Medical Center has voluntarily suspended its kidney and pancreas transplant program, according to a news report by WFAA-TV in Dallas/Ft. Worth. The decision to suspend the program comes a week after a transplant patient was mistakenly given a mismatched kidney.
FDA panel says there are few reasons to continue using metal-on-metal hip implants
According to a June 29, 2012 AP report, “Government health experts said Thursday there are few reasons to continue using metal-on-metal hip implants, amid growing evidence that the devices can break down early and expose patients to dangerous metallic particles.”
Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Concerns Reached 16,818 in a Decade
In preparation for an orthopaedic advisory panel meeting that will be held on June 27 and 28, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released a document detailing the number of metal-on-metal hip implant adverse event reports submitted to the agency in the past ten years.
New NHTSA Study Shows Improved Vehicle Design Contributing to Historic Decline in Roadway Death
On June 12, 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a press release announcing the agency’s findings on crash statistics presented in a recent report.
Diabetes Drugs Carry Vision Risks
On June 11, 2012, the New York Times released an article concerning a recent study published by The Archives of Internal Medicine indicating that a certain type of drug used for treatment of Type 2 diabetes may lead to an increased risk for vision problems, including blindness.
U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Issues ‘Blueprint for Ending Distracted Driving,’ Announces $2.4 Million for California, Delaware Pilot Projects
On June 7, 2012, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a press release presenting U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s plan, titled “Blueprint for Ending Distracted Driving,” that provides the department’s strategy on how to address the risks presented by cellphone use while driving.
Fracking Trucks Hauling Sand Subject to Workday Limit, U.S. Says
On June 5, 2012, Bloomberg published an article regarding a recent rule change released by the U.S. Department of Transportation meant to clarify the number of hours that fracking truck drivers are allowed to work per day.