Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) as a head injury that disrupts normal brain function. It can be caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head, or a penetrating head injury. The most common causes of TBI are from falls and auto accidents. Severe brain injuries can also be caused from medical conditions such as seizure or stroke. When the brain is deprived of oxygen, brain damage can occur along with loss of function, like inability to communicate or sometimes even inability to move.

Rehabilitation for severe brain damage can be long, and quite often not very successful. With some new technology currently used in computer games, this may be changing. The NeuroSky company produces sensors that detect brainwave activity by measuring electroencephalography, more commonly known as EEG. These sensors can show whether a person is alert, concentrating, meditating, anxious, or sleepy, and sends this information to a computer.

The information sent to the computer is used differently depending on the program. For example, the game MindFlex by Mattel uses the sensor to read brainwaves, allowing you do things like control a ball through an obstacle course — using only your mind!

Another existing use for this technology is in education, helping teachers and tutors to monitor a child’s attention level or nervousness. The applications are also available to assist with math, history, pattern recognition, memory and entertainment.

Future uses may have the potential to help people with a variety of medical conditions. In an recent interview, Stanley Yang, CEO of NeuroSky, said that: “[A] mother emailed the company a year ago about her 21-year-old son with cerebral palsy. She bought him a NeuroSky headset and was able to play games that helped him control his attention level. He could then answer yes or no to his mother’s questions by controlling his brainwaves — for the first time. Asked if he loved his mother, the son said yes, using NeuroSky. That’s a pretty compelling platform, and Yang says the company and its many partners are just getting started with applications for it.”

This technology looks promising for people with severe brain damage, Traumatic Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, etc.  Using a game that is currently available, Star Wars Force Trainer, Michael Tripoli is an amazing example of the rehabilitation possibilities. When Michael was sixteen, he had a massive heart attack while playing football. His brain was deprived of oxygen and severely damaged. As a result, he has difficulty moving and communicating. Michael has a team dedicated to his rehabilitation who are using the game to engage his brain, and improve his mental abilities and communications skills. The game uses a brainwave-reading headset to let players levitate a ball by concentrating. To see Michael demonstrate how this can work for rehabilitation purposes, watch the video of him:http://vimeo.com/user7432364/michael

“On a weekly basis I speak to family members seeking solutions, who have loved ones with these conditions. While a long way from a total solution, we know there is potential for our technology to be used as a very basic communication device,” says NeuroSky’s Head of Communication Tansy Brook.

Resources:

http://venturebeat.com/2011/02/28/demo-neurosky-mind-games/

http://www.techlicious.com/blog/toy-could-help-brain-injured-people-communicate/

A new medical research study, reported in the July 31, 2009 BMC Medicine Journal, suggests that blood transfusions should be used only as a last resort for hospitalized cardiac patients. Based on data for 25,000 Medicare patients in Michigan, the researchers determined that blood transfusion doubled the risk of infection and quadrupled the risk of death.

Dr. Neil Blumberg of the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), and lead author Mary Rogers, PhD. of the University of Michigan Health System, analyzed records of patients in 40 hospitals, from admission to 30 days after discharge. All patients in the study had coronary artery bypass graft surgery between 2003 to 2006.

The researchers found a 30 percent variation in hospital policies about giving transfusions after heart surgery. Addressing this, and many other substantial variations in medical treatment protocols, is a controversial aspect of the current health care reform debate. Some policy makers believe the United States needs national medical guidelines, supported by scientific evidence, to aid doctors in decision-making.

According to the study of Michigan cardiac surgery patients, blood use among females ranged from 72.5 percent to 100 percent, and blood use among males varied from 50 percent to 100 percent. Transfusions of donor blood are often were associated with infections of the genitourinary system, respiratory tract, bloodstream, digestive tract and skin.

Blood transfusions are extremely common in the United States. Some of the most common reasons for transfusions include preventing of anemia and improving oxygen delivery in heart failure. “Blood transfusions are certainly necessary in life-threatening situations,” Blumberg said. “But the study and other studies confirm they should be a last resort, not a first resort, as they often are.”

For decades, the URMC has been a leader in the study of blood transfusions. The URMC Strong Memorial Hospital was among the first in the country to begin using leuko-reduced blood (blood from which white cells were removed) for all its patients. In addition, Strong Memorial has begun refining its guidelines for blood transfusion. As a result, the hospital already has seen a 10 to 15 percent drop in transfusion use during the past six months. The improvement program is still in its early stages, and Blumberg said his researchers will closely monitor the success of Strong Medical Center’s revised guidelines in the coming months.

Medical mistakes, though common in adults, can have more serious consequences in children, doctors say. A study in the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics in April found that problems due to medications occurred in 11 percent of children who were in the hospital, and that 22 percent of them were preventable.

Children are also the victims of diagnostic errors, incorrect procedures or tests, infections and injuries. Medical errors pose a greater threat to children than adults for a number of reasons. They are physically small, and their kidneys, liver and immune system are still developing. Even a tiny increase in the dose of medication can have serious effects, especially babies born prematurely.

The Joint Commission reported that about 32 percent of medication errors in children in the operating room involved the wrong dose, compared with 14 percent in adults. Adult medications are pre-packaged and have standardized doses, but pediatric medications vary, based on the child’s weight and sometimes height, requiring doctors to make calculations. It is easy to misplace a decimal point, which can be a tenfold error.
Here are some tips from experts for parents to lower the chance their child will be harmed by his or her treatment.

According to a recent report from the American Institute of Medicine, medical mistakes kill as many as 98,000 people every year and up to 7,000 patients die from errors in prescribing medicine. This far exceeds the annual number of people killed as a result of traffic accidents (43,450), breast cancer (42,300), or AIDS (16,400).

Under Ohio law, you often have only 1 year from the date of negligence to file a claim. If the victim of medical malpractice is a minor, then additional time is allowed.

Even if a medical mistake is not fatal, it can cause severe, permanent damage, such as brain injury, paralysis, amputation, disability, or disfigurement. Medical malpractice is about far more than dollars or statistics. The errors take a terrible toll on the lives of innocent victims.

Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor fails to act with a reasonable standard of care. When someone who is not a doctor makes a mistake, he or she is often said to have acted negligently. Malpractice is simply negligence applied to healthcare professionals. Tragically, a doctor’s mistake can have severe — or even deadly — consequences for a trusting patient.

What is Medical Malpractice?
Some forms of medical malpractice are unmistakable, like performing surgery on the wrong body part or the wrong patient, or administering the wrong medication.

Other types of medical malpractice may not be obvious. For example, if an individual was not warned about the serious risk of a particular treatment or if treatment unexpectedly causes a horrible injury, malpractice may have occurred.

In general, an individual may have a medical malpractice claim when a doctor or other medical professional failed to provide proper treatment and the incorrect treatment caused the patient to suffer a new injury. The law requires evidence of new injury, because it would be unreasonable to hold the healthcare professional responsible for the original medical problem.

Some examples of medical malpractice include:

* Failure to diagnose a medical condition
* Misdiagnosis of a medical condition
* Failure to treat a patient’s medical condition properly
* Failure to administer anesthesia safely
* Failure to manage a pregnancy or deliver a baby in a safe manner
* Failure of a nurse or other staff member to keep a treating physician informed of a patient’s condition
* Failure to administer medications properly
* Failure to protect a patient from a fall or other injury on hospital property

The Rights of Ohio Medical Malpractice Victims
Sadly, many Americans die each year from medical mistakes. One of the best ways to help correct this crisis in medicine is to hold the negligent hospitals and physicians accountable for their mistakes.

In Ohio, a patient has the right to file a lawsuit against any physician or hospital, which may have committed malpractice. However, the filing requirements for a malpractice lawsuit are lengthy and complicated.

The laws governing malpractice suits may be the most complex of all Ohio personal injury laws. Failure to meet the Ohio legal requirements for an Ohio medical malpractice claim means that the victim loses all rights to file a lawsuit against the medical professional or hospital which negligently caused severe injury — or even death.

If you or a loved one is the victim of medical malpractice, talk with a dedicated Ohio medical malpractice lawyer.

Importance of Early Diagnosis
Sometimes, physicians fail to properly diagnose cancer in their patients. In fact, the leading cause of all medical error or medical malpractice lawsuits is the misdiagnosis of cancer.

Timely detection of cancer is a matter of life and death.
For example, breast cancer has a 95% survival rate when caught at its earliest stage. When breast cancer advances to “stage 4,” an individual only has a 7% chance of survival. Indeed, the key to successful treatment of most types of cancer is early diagnosis.

Other types of common cancers for which early treatment is crucial are cancer of the prostate, cervix, colon, lung, kidney, ovaries, skin, and testicles. It is important for your family physician to check for cancers that may pose a greater risk to you, due to your family history, gender, or age. Most cancer tests are painless. Regular cancer screening and early diagnosis can greatly increase your prospects for a long and quality life.

Some of the mistakes that a doctor may make in screening for cancer include:
* Failure to understand or notice the nature of a patient’s complaints.
* Failure to order the proper test, such as a mammogram or PSA test.
* Failure to properly read or interpret test results.
* Failure to refer a patient to a specialist for further testing.
* Failure to note that a patient’s family history increases the risk of a particular type of cancer.
* Failure to notice a mass or mistaking a malignant mass for one that is benign.
* Failure to run routine tests, such as a prostrate screening for males over age fifty.
* Failure to test someone who is at risk, because of age or ethnicity. For example, African-American males are at increased risk of prostrate cancer and need screening tests from the age of forty.
* Failure to follow-up with a patient if cancer should be suspected.

Sometimes, the reason for delayed cancer diagnosis is not the fault of a physician. You need to take care of your own health and get medical check-ups.

If you have discomfort, pain, an unusual lump or mass, or other health concerns, be sure to tell your doctor. Also, let your physician know about any family or personal history of cancer. If you believe that you are not being adequately screened for cancer risks, then you should express this concern to your physician. Never be afraid to seek a second opinion, if you think one is required.

There are many reasons why you should talk with a Michigan lawyer about your legal rights after an instance of cancer misdiagnosis. Since 1968, our law firm has championed the rights of medical malpractice victims. The Bernstein Advantage has helped over 100,000 clients recover over $500 million in damages. After you or a loved one suffers from a cancer misdiagnosis, it is important to talk with a Michigan personal injury attorney with experience in Michigan law for several compelling reasons:

Peace of Mind
You owe it to yourself and your family to seek experienced legal counsel. If our law firm pursues a claim on your behalf, you can be assured that professional legal counsel is working to obtain all relevant medical records, reviewing all documentation, and consulting with leading experts to maximize the value of your claim.

Professional Evaluation of Your Claim
Our law firm will diligently gather all of the documentation, make a determination, and file the appropriate claim on your behalf. We will advise you on the range of value of your claim, and the best way to proceed.

To protect all your legal rights, you need a law firm that is well versed in the complicated laws that govern Michigan medical malpractice law.

The Financial Impact of Injuries
The cost of a cancer misdiagnosis can be catastrophic. This is an extreme hardship when the injuries make work impossible and rent, gas, and medical bills start to accumulate. Our law firm will help you recover these costs from the insurance company or the at-fault party.

Maximize the Value of Your Claim
To protect all your legal rights, you need a Michigan law firm that is well versed in the complicated Michigan laws regarding medical malpractice legal claims. A study recently indicated that injured parties represented by legal counsel obtain far greater recoveries than those individuals who attempt to represent their own interests.

According to a recent report from the American Institute of Medicine, medical mistakes kill as many as 98,000 people every year and up to 7,000 patients die from errors in prescribing medicine. This far exceeds the annual number of people killed as a result of traffic accidents (43,450), breast cancer (42,300), or AIDS (16,400).

Even if a medical mistake is not fatal, it can cause severe, permanent damage, such as brain injury, paralysis, amputation, disability, or disfigurement. Medical malpractice is about far more than dollars or statistics. The errors take a terrible toll on the lives of innocent victims.

Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor fails to act with a reasonable standard of care. When someone who is not a doctor makes a mistake, he or she is often said to have acted negligently. Malpractice is simply negligence applied to healthcare professionals. Tragically, a doctor’s mistake can have severe — or even deadly — consequences for a patient.

Despite the problems in the medical system, the vast majority of physicians are very competent and dedicated to protecting your health and well-being.

Of course, the best possible situation is avoiding medical mistakes entirely. You can take several steps to help your doctors improve the quality of your medical treatment. What follows is a list of some important steps you can take, and questions you can ask. We hope these guidelines provide a starting point for you to approach decisions about your medical treatment:

* Participate in your care. Do not be afraid to ask your doctor questions. Ask what alternative treatments are available. Remember: You have a right to get answers — in terms that you can understand.

* Do not be afraid to ask for a second opinion.

* Let your doctor know about any allergies you have to medications or other substances.

* Let your doctor know all the medicines you current take or took in the past. This may prevent harmful interactions. You should provide this same information to your pharmacist.

* When a doctor writes a prescription, do not be afraid to make sure that his or her handwriting is clear and easy for your pharmacist to read.

* Ask what side effects to expect from a medicine or a procedure. Also, ask what side effects are serious and require you to seek further medical care.

* When undergoing a procedure that requires hospitalization, ask around for the best health care facility that provides the care you need. Check the track record of the facility with the state government regulatory agency.

* Do not be afraid to ask your physician or others in a hospital if they have washed their hands. Many dangerous infections are spread by a lack of sanitation.

* If you are having surgery, make certain that your surgeon and your family physician are in agreement regarding the course of treatment.

* In addition, do not assume that the surgeon who checks you before a procedure will be the one who actually performs it. Ask for the name of the surgeon who will be doing the procedure and find out whether he or she has satisfactory credentials.

* If you undergo a medical test and do not find out the results, do not be afraid to ask your doctor just what the test showed.

* Do not be afraid to speak up if you feel that something is wrong. Always voice your concerns about treatment.

* Get regular check-ups and follow the guidance of your family physician.

Protect your rights. If you or a loved one is the victim of medical malpractice, talk with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer.

According to a recent report from the American Institute of Medicine, medical mistakes kill as many as 98,000 people every year and up to 7,000 patients die from errors in prescribing medicine. This far exceeds the annual number of people killed as a result of traffic accidents (43,450), breast cancer (42,300), or AIDS (16,400).

Even if a medical mistake is not fatal, it can cause severe, permanent damage, such as brain injury, paralysis, amputation, disability, or disfigurement. Medical malpractice is about far more than dollars or statistics. The errors take a terrible toll on the lives of innocent victims.

Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor fails to act with a reasonable standard of care. When someone who is not a doctor makes a mistake, he or she is often said to have acted negligently. Malpractice is simply negligence applied to healthcare professionals. Tragically, a doctor’s mistake can have severe — or even deadly — consequences for a patient.

Despite the problems in the medical system, the vast majority of physicians are very competent and dedicated to protecting your health and well-being.

Of course, the best possible situation is avoiding medical mistakes entirely. You can take several steps to help your doctors improve the quality of your medical treatment. What follows is a list of some important steps you can take, and questions you can ask. We hope these guidelines provide a starting point for you to approach decisions about your medical treatment:

• Participate in your care. Do not be afraid to ask your doctor questions. Ask what alternative treatments are available. Remember: You have a right to get answers — in terms that you can understand.

• Do not be afraid to ask for a second opinion.

• Let your doctor know about any allergies you have to medications or other substances.

• Let your doctor know all the medicines you current take or took in the past. This may prevent harmful interactions. You should provide this same information to your pharmacist.

• When a doctor writes a prescription, do not be afraid to make sure that his or her handwriting is clear and easy for your pharmacist to read.

• Ask what side effects to expect from a medicine or a procedure. Also, ask what side effects are serious and require you to seek further medical care.

• When undergoing a procedure that requires hospitalization, ask around for the best health care facility that provides the care you need. Check the track record of the facility with the state government regulatory agency.

• Do not be afraid to ask your physician or others in a hospital if they have washed their hands. Many dangerous infections are spread by a lack of sanitation.

• If you are having surgery, make certain that your surgeon and your family physician are in agreement regarding the course of treatment.

• In addition, do not assume that the surgeon who checks you before a procedure will be the one who actually performs it. Ask for the name of the surgeon who will be doing the procedure and find out whether he or she has satisfactory credentials.

• If you undergo a medical test and do not find out the results, do not be afraid to ask your doctor just what the test showed.

• Do not be afraid to speak up if you feel that something is wrong. Always voice your concerns about treatment.

• Get regular check-ups and follow the guidance of your family physician.

Protect your rights. If you or a loved one is the victim of medical malpractice, talk with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer.

In the United States, leading cause of death is coronary artery disease, or narrowing of arteries supplying blood to the heart. This condition often results in a heart attack. In fact, about 1.1 million Americans suffer heart attacks every year, and about 460,000 of these attacks are fatal. In some cases, a heart attack kills almost instantly. Nothing could be done to save the victim.

However, in other cases, timely diagnosis could make the difference between life and death. Some heart attack victims who get proper treatment right away may have an opportunity to avoid serious heart damage and resume a normal life. Too often, medical mistakes deprive an individual of this opportunity. Medical staff at the doctor’s office or emergency room ignores complaints of chest pains and other key symptoms, makes the individual wait to see a doctor, or sends the person away without complete testing and proper treatment.

In that situation, the prospects for the victim are grim. Even if the individual survives, future treatment may not reverse the heart damage, or other consequences of the blocked artery, like paralysis or brain damage.

Some of the mistakes that a doctor may make in responding to a heart attack victim include:

• Failure to take seriously a patient’s complaints
• Failure to notice or understand the nature of a patient’s symptoms
• Failure to order the proper tests
• Failure to properly read or interpret test results
• Failure to refer a patient to a specialist for further testing or treatment

As soon as a potential heart attack victim arrives at the hospital, medical staff should provide essential emergency care. Doctors also may conduct tests to make a complete diagnosis and determine the proper treatment. These tests include:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This is a graphic record of the electrical activity of the heart as it contracts and relaxes. The EKG can detect abnormal heartbeats, some areas of damage, inadequate blood flow, and heart enlargement.