Happy Thanksgiving
From everyone here at The Law Offices of Robert A. D’Iorio, PLLC; we want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving!
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November 26, 2009
September 7, 2009
Happy Labor Day
In the following video Katie Couric discusses the meaning, history and origin of Labor Day.
Please enjoy the video and have a happy and safe Labor Day!
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July 25, 2009
Patient Safety Day
Today, July 25, 2009 is Patient Safety Day. Patient safety day has been observed since 2001 with over 40 States participating.
What is Patient Safety Day? Patient Safety Day is a day to remember all of those harmed by medical errors. A moment of silence and a candlelight vigil will be held to remember those harmed and to reflect on the shared vision of a safer healthcare system.
For more information on Patient Safety Day please visit their website.
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July 19, 2009
Top U.S. Hospitals
This week U.S. News and World Report released its 2009-10 edition of the best hospitals in the nation.
Here is the link to the top 20.
Also, here is a link to my post last year containing the top pediatric hospitals in the country for conditions such as cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy.
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July 4, 2009
Happy 4th of July
I would like to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July. Please enjoy this video.
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May 19, 2009
Folic Acid - Neural Tube Defects, Hydrocephalus & Spina Bifida
The following video was made by the March of Dimes and is a follow up to my last post. It explains the importance of folic acid in preventing birth defects such as spina bifida , Hydrocephalus and neural tube defects.
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May 17, 2009
NEW STUDY: Folic Acid Linked to Reduced Risk of Premature Birth
Folic Acid has long been recognized as a beneficial supplement to be taken by expecting mothers to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
Recently, a study by Radek Bukowski from the University of Texas suggests that women who took folic acid for a year prior to conception greatly reduced the risk of premature birth. In fact, the study indicates that women that took folic acid for one year prior to conception reduced their chance of delivering prematurely by 70% between 20 and 28 weeks and 50% between 28 and 32 weeks when compared to women that did not take the supplement.
It is recommended that women planning to get pregnant take at least 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) per day and when pregnant, increase to 600 – 800 micrograms per day.
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September 24, 2008
Spina Bifida and Folic Acid
The Following video discusses the importance of prenatal vitamins. Lack of folic acid during the early stages of pregnancy can cause the birth defect, spina bifida. Doctors recommend all women of childbearing age should consume folic acid to drastically reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
For more information please visit the Spina Bifida Association of America (SBA).
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August 22, 2008
Lack of Prenatal Care and The Infant Mortality Rate are Examined on “Babyland” on ABC’s 20/20 tonight at 10:00 EST
Lack of prenatal care can lead to devastating results to a child such as cerebral palsy, erb’s palsy, spina bifida or even death. Often these conditions can be avoided with proper prenatal care. Tonights 20/20 will focus on a grassroots campaign to save these children. Although, the doctors treating these children are doing a great service one has to think; wouldn’t it have been so much easier (for everyone) to treat the mothers (that they are able to treat) properly to begin with and avoid this devastating situation?
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June 17, 2008
Cerebral Palsy, Erb’s Palsy & Birth Injury Information Group
I would like to invite anyone that is interested to visit/join our Cerebral Palsy, Erb’s Palsy & Birth Injury Information Groups where you will find valuable resources on both the legal aspects of birth injuries and the latest news and treatments.
It is my hope that the groups will be an easy and informal way for those affected by a birth injury and their families to get the information they need.
Also, I will be hosting a Live Chat every Thursday at 7:00pm EST on the group websites where you are encouraged to ask questions regarding birth injuries.
The Groups are currently on Facebook, Myspace and Yahoo Groups. Also, Please feel free to simply e-mail your question directly to me at robert@dioriofirm.com and I will reply to your e-mail address.
Here are the links:
I hope to see you there,
Robert
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June 17, 2008
Special Needs and Goodwill On The Move
The following is a paragraph provided by Karyn Halmstad at Goodwill.
It sounds like a great program.
Goodwill On the Move is a weekend recreation program for persons with disabilities who want to put a little more ‘kick’ in their weekends. We offer three different types of leisure opportunities (called tracks) for people to choose from:
• Full Day Outings, which consist of 6 to 8 hour activities like sporting events, festivals, museums and tours. Full Day Outings are active and require independence with personal care.
• Half Day Outings, which consist of 3 to 4 hour activities like plays, smaller festivals and museums and seated tours. Half Day Outings are slower paced and appropriate for participants who need some help with personal care.
• Workshops, which consist of art, music and movement activities. Workshops are the slowest paced and appropriate for participants who need some help with personal care.
For more information, including setting up a visit or getting more information on programs, please call Karyn Halmstad, Goodwill On the Move coordinator, at (262) 970-6042 or e-mail at onthemove@goodwillsew.com . You can also find more information, including application forms and the current calendar of events, at www.goodwillsew.com.
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January 8, 2008
Cerebral Palsy, Erb's Palsy and America's Best Children's Hospitals
When a child gets diagnosed with cerebral palsy or erb’s palsy the question of where to go for the best treatment soon follows. Below is a list of the top pediatric hospitals compiled by U.S. News & World Report.
America's Best Children's Hospitals, 2007 Edition
Published by U.S.News & World Report
1. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
2. Children's Hospital Boston
3. Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore
4. Children's Hospital, Denver
5. Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland
6. Texas Children's Hospital, Houston
7. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
8. New York-Presbyterian Univ. Hosp. of Columbia and Cornell
9. Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle
10. Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto, Calif.
11. Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C.
12. Columbus Children's Hospital
13. Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
14. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
15. St. Louis Children's Hospital
16. UCSF Children's Hospital, San Francisco
17. Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
18. Primary Children's Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
19. Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C.
20. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis
21. Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA, Los Angeles
22. University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, Ann Arbor
23. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville
24. Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, N.Y.
25. Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago
26. Miami Children's Hospital
27. Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis
28. Children's Medical Center Dallas
29. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
30. Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
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February 17, 2007
Spina Bifida Based Medical Malpractice Lawsuits May Increase as Folate Levels Decrease
In 1998, a campaign was started to boost young women's intake of a B vitamin called folate. It is believed that this has saved an estimated 1,000 (32 percent) American babies from early death or lifelong disability. Furthermore, it is believed that if all women who may become pregnant took in 400 micrograms daily of folic acid, the incidence of spina bifida in the United States could be reduced by 70 percent. Lately, the drive to prevent neural-tube defects such as spina bifida in newborns has stalled.
In a report issued on Jan. 5, 2007 the CDC found that women in their childbearing years, blood folate levels had declined 16 percent by 2004 from the levels recorded in 2000.
I tend to believe that the decrease in vitamin B may be do to new diet trends such as eating fewer carbs and more protein.
This being the case I believe now it is more important then ever for a doctor prescribe prenatal vitamins to women of child bearing age and/or women expecting to get pregnant. At the very least, the physician should prescribe prenatal vitamins as soon as the doctor knows of the pregnancy.
Failure to Monitor Diabetes or Failure to Properly Monitor Medications may also bring rise to a malpractice suit.
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February 16, 2007
Parents of Children with Disabilities Make a Difference at: The Parents’ Place of Maryland
Jayne Matthews of the Baltimore Times recently wrote a heart warming story describing how The Parents’ Place of Maryland (a group comprised exclusively of parents of a child with a learning or developmental disability) began and how the effort continues. In her latest article Matthews describes some of the emotions parents of disabled children go through and the amazing efforts made by The Parents’ Place of Maryland to assist the parents and children.
Matthews discusses how, unfortunately, parents of disabled children often feel isolated by feelings of “distress of a bleak prognosis” coupled with “anxiety over the future (how will my child survive a lifetime of limitations?)” and “guilt of the past (did I do something to cause this?)” and a “sense of anger (why is this happening to my family?).”
Matthews further explains how The Parents’ Place of Maryland, Josie Thomas, Kim McKay, Kelly Meissner and so many others have helped over 45,000 families since its inception in 1990.
For the full article click Here.
The resources are offered to the children and parents of children with disabilities throughout Maryland, regardless of the nature of their child's disability or the age of their child. They include conducting regular parent education courses and workshops, helping parents find information, providing referrals to other individuals or organizations, working with parents directly to help them obtain the best possible services for their children, maintaining an up-to-date list of support groups for parents in Maryland and publishing a quarterly newsletter for everyone interested in childrens' needs
This is a great organization and I applaud their effort.
Here is their contact info:
Parents' Place of Maryland
801 Cromwell Park Drive, Suite 103,
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
Telephone (voice or TDD): (410) 768-9100
FAX: (410) 768-0830
Email: info@ppmd.org
http://www.ppmd.org/index.asp
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February 11, 2007
Spina Bifida afflicted Maryland Teen Wins Lawsuit - UPDATE:
Ryan Mink of the Washington Post reported today that Tatyana McFadden, a Maryland teen with spina bifida could not earn points for her Track & Field team in regional and state tournaments due to the use of her wheel chair.
This decision came just over a month after Tatyana McFadden and the Howard County School system reached an agreement to allow the junior at Atholton High school to compete and earn points in county events this spring. The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association however, ruled Thursday that athletes in wheelchairs will not be able to earn points for their team in regional and state tournaments.
So as it stands now, wheelchair participants can compete in the 100, 200, 400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meter races this spring (last year, they couldn't compete in the 100 and 200) however, wheelchair athletes can't score team points.
For the full article click here.
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January 11, 2007
Spina Bifida afflicted Maryland Teen Wins Lawsuit
In Howard County, Maryland, Tatyana McFadden was barred from competing against other students because the school system said her wheelchair was a tool to help her win. McFadden took the Howard county school system to court and after several months the teenager with spina bifida won the right to race alongside high school teammates after challenging a school policy that forced her to compete separately at track meets.
This decision will still have to go through the The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association to determine if athletes in wheelchairs will be able to earn points for their team in regional and state tournaments.
So as it stands now, Tatyana McFadden, who by the way has competed successfully on a larger playing field, winning silver and bronze medals in the 2004 Paralympics in Athens will return to the track, at least in Howard County.
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January 9, 2007
Spina Bifida: A Definition
Spina bifida is a neural tube defect occurring when the tissue surrounding the developing spinal cord of a fetus does not form properly. The neural tube is the embryonic structure that, in time develops into the baby's brain and spinal cord and the tissues that enclose them. Defects are most often found along the lower portion of the spine.
Typically, the neural tube forms in the developing baby early in the pregnancy and closes by the 26th day after conception. Later, the top of this tube becomes the baby's brain, and the remainder of the tube becomes the baby's spinal cord. In babies with spina bifida, a portion of the neural tube fails to develop or close properly, causing defects in the spinal cord and in the bones that make up the backbone. In the USA, approximately 1 in every 2,000 children are born with spina bifida.
Please visit our website for a more information regarding Spina Bifida including:
Medical Malpractice and Spina Bifida
This is a well done video outlining spina bifida and depicting a mans struggle with the disorder.
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