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More than 8 million health care workers in the United States work in hospitals and other health care settings. Precise national data are not available on the annual number of needlestick and other percutaneous injuries among health care workers; however, estimates indicate that 600,000 to 800,000 such injuries occur annually. About half of these injuries go unreported.
Data from the EPINet system suggest that at an average hospital, workers incur approximately 30 needlestick injuries per 100 beds per year. Most reported needlestick injuries involve nursing staff; but laboratory staff, physicians, housekeepers, and other health care workers are also injured. Some of these injuries expose workers to bloodborne pathogens that can cause infection.
The most important of these pathogens are HBV, HCV, and HIV. Infections with each of these pathogens are potentially life threatening and preventable.
HIV
Between 1985 and June 1999, cumulative totals of 55 documented cases and 136 possible cases of occupational HIV transmission to U.S. health care workers were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most involved nurses and laboratory technicians. Percutaneous injury (e.g., needlestick) was associated with 49 (89%) of the documented transmissions. Of these, 44 involved hollow-bore needles, most of which were used for blood collection or insertion of an IV catheter.
HIV infection is a complex disease that can be associated with many symptoms. The virus attacks part of the bodys immune system, eventually leading to severe infections and other complications, a condition known as AIDS.
Health care workers who were investigated and (1) had no identifiable behavioral or transfusion risks, (2) reported having had percutaneous or mucocutaneous occupational exposures to blood or body fluids or to laboratory solutions containing HIV, but (3) had no documented HIV seroconversion resulting from a specific occupational exposure.
HBV
Information from national hepatitis surveillance is used to estimate the number of HBV infections in health care workers. In 1995, an estimated 800 health care workers became infected with HBV [CDC unpublished data]. This figure represented a 95% decline from the 17,000 new infections estimated in 1983. The decline was largely due to the widespread immunization of health care workers with the hepatitisB vaccine and the use of universal precautions and other measures required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) bloodborne pathogens standard. About one-third to one-half of persons with acute HBV infection develop symptoms of hepatitis such as jaundice, fever, nausea, and abdominal pain. Most acute infections resolve, but 5% to 10% of patients develop chronic infection with HBV that carries an estimated 20% lifetime risk of dying from cirrhosis and 6% risk of dying from liver cancer.
HCV
Hepatitis C virus infection is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States, affecting approximately 4 million people. Although the prevalence of HCV infection among health care workers is similar to that in the general population (1% to 2%), health care workers clearly have an increased occupational risk for HCV infection.
In a study that evaluated risk factors for infection, a history of unintentional needlestick injury was independently associated with HCV infection. The number of health care workers who have acquired HCV occupationally is not known. However, of the total acute HCV infections that have occurred annually (ranging from 100,000 in 1991 to 36,000 in 1996), 2% to 4% have been in health care workers exposed to blood in the workplace.
HCV infection often occurs with no symptoms or only mild symptoms. But unlike HBV, chronic infection develops in 75% to 85% of patients, with active liver disease developing in 70%. Of the patients with active liver disease, 10% to 20% develop cirrhosis, and 1% to 5% develop liver cancer.
RISK OF INFECTION AFTER A NEEDLESTICK INJURY
After a needlestick exposure to an infected patient, a health care workers risk of infection depends on the pathogen involved, the immune status of the worker, the severity of the needlestick injury, and the availability and use of appropriate post exposure prophylaxis.
HIV
To estimate the rate of HIV transmission, data were combined from more than 20 worldwide prospective studies of health care workers exposed to HIV-infected blood through a percutaneous injury. In all, 21 infections followed 6,498 exposures for an average transmission rate of 0.3% per injury. A retrospective case-control study of health care workers who had percutaneous exposures to HIV found that the risk of HIV transmission was increased when the worker was exposed to a larger quantity of blood from the patient, as indicated by (1) a visibly bloody device, (2) a procedure that involved placing a needle in a patients vein or artery, or (3) a deep injury. Preliminary data suggest that such high-risk needlestick injuries may have a substantially greater risk of disease transmission per injury.
Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV is recommended for health care workers occupationally exposed to HIV under certain circumstances. Limited data suggest that such prophylaxis may considerably reduce the chance of becoming infected with HIV. However, the drugs used for HIV post exposure prophylaxis have many adverse side effects. Currently no vaccine exists to prevent HIV infection, and no treatment exists to cure it.
HBV
The rate of HBV transmission to susceptible health care workers ranges from 6% to 30% after a single needlestick exposure to an HBV-infected patient. However, such exposures are a risk only for health care workers who are not immune to HBV. Health care workers who have antibodies to HBV either from preexposure vaccination or prior infection are not at risk. In addition, if a susceptible worker is exposed to HBV, post-exposure prophylaxis with hepatitis B immune globulin and initiation of hepatitis B vaccine is more than 90% effective in preventing HBV infection.
HCV
Prospective studies of health care workers exposed to HCV through a needlestick or other percutaneous injury have found that the incidence of anti-HCV seroconversion (indicating infection) averages 1.8% (range, 0% to 7%) per injury. Currently no vaccine exists to prevent HCV infection, and neither immunoglobulin nor antiviral therapy is recommended as post-exposure prophylaxis. However, recommendations for treatment of early infections are rapidly evolving. Health care workers with known exposure should be monitored for seroconversion and referred for medical follow up if seroconversion occurs.
Summary
Although exposure to HBV poses a high risk for infection, administration of preexposure vaccination or post-exposure prophylaxis to workers can dramatically reduce this risk. Such is not the case with HCV and HIV. Preventing the needlestick injury is the best approach to preventing these diseases in health care workers, and it is an important part of any bloodborne pathogen prevention program in the workplace.
HOW DO NEEDLESTICK INJURIES OCCUR?
Devices Associated with Needlestick Injuries
Of nearly 5,000 percutaneous injuries reported by hospitals between June 1995 and July 1999, 62% were associated with hollow-bore needles, primarily hypodermic needles attached to disposable syringes (29%) and winged-steel (butterfly-type) needles (13%). Data from hospitals participating in EPINet show a similar distribution of injuries by device type.
Activities Associated with Needlestick Injuries
Whenever a needle or other sharp device is exposed, injuries can occur. Approximately 38% of percutaneous injuries occur during use and 42% occur after use and before disposal. The circumstances leading to a needlestick injury depend partly on the type and design of the device used. For example, needle devices that must be taken apart or manipulated after use (e.g., prefilled cartridge syringes and phlebotomy needle/ vacuum tube assemblies) are an obvious hazard and have been associated with increased injury rates. In addition, needles attached to a length of flexible tubing (e.g., winged-steel needles and needles attached to IV tubing) are sometimes difficult to place in sharps containers and thus present another injury hazard. Injuries involving needles attached to IV tubing may occur when a health care worker inserts or withdraws a needle from an IV port or tries to temporarily remove the needlestick hazard by inserting the needle into a drip chamber, IV port or bag, or even bedding.
In addition to risks related to device characteristics, needlestick injuries have been related to certain work practices such as:
recapping,
transferring a body fluid between containers, and
failing to properly dispose of used needles in puncture-resistant sharps containers.
Past studies of needlestick injuries have shown that 10% to 25% occurred when recapping a used needle. Although recapping by hand has been discouraged for some time and is prohibited under the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard unless no alternative exists, 5% of needlestick injuries in NaSH hospitals are still related to this practice. Injury may occur when a health care worker attempts to transfer blood or other body fluids from a syringe to a specimen container (such as a vacuum tube) and misses the target. Also, if used needles or other sharps are left in the work area or are discarded in a sharps container that is not puncture resistant, a needlestick injury may result.
OSHA, FDA, AND STATE REGULATIONS
OSHA
The current Federal standard for addressing needlestick injuries among health care workers is the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard, which has been in effect since 1992. The standard applies to all occupational exposures to blood or other potentially infectious materials. Notable elements of this standard require the following:
A written exposure control plan designed to eliminate or minimize worker
exposure to bloodborne pathogens
Compliance with universal precautions (an infection control principle
that treats all human blood and other potentially infectious materials as infectious)
Engineering controls and work practices to eliminate or minimize worker exposure
Personal protective equipment (if engineering controls and work practices do not eliminate occupational exposures)
Prohibition of bending, recapping, or removing contaminated needles and other sharps unless such an act is required by a specific procedure or has no feasible alternative
Prohibition of shearing or breaking contaminated needles (OSHA defines contaminated as the presence or the reasonably anticipated presence of blood or other potentially infectious materials on an item or surface)
Free hepatitis B vaccinations offered to workers with occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Worker training in appropriate engineering controls and work practices
Post-exposure evaluation and follow up, including post-exposure prophylaxis when appropriate
OSHA also intends to act to reduce the number of injuries that health care workers receive from needles and other sharp medical objects. First, the agency has revised the compliance directive accompanying its 1992 bloodborne pathogens standard to reflect newer and safer technologies now available and to increase the employers responsibility to evaluate and use effective, safer technologies. Second, the agency has proposed a requirement in the revised recordkeeping rule that all injuries resulting from contaminated needles and sharps be recorded on OSHA logs used by employers to record injuries and illnesses. Finally, OSHA will take steps to amend its bloodborne pathogens standard by placing needlestick and sharps injuries on its regulatory agenda.
FDA
Under the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) application clearance process, the manufacturers of medical devices (including needles used in patient care) must meet requirements for appropriate registration and for listing, labeling, and good manufacturing practices for design and production. The process for receiving clearance or approval to market a device requires device manufacturers to (1) demonstrate that a new device is substantially equivalent to a legally marketed device or (2) document the safety and effectiveness of the new device for patient care through a more involved premarket approval process. FDA has also released two advisories pertaining to sharps and the risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission in the health care setting.
State Regulations
Currently, multiple states have adopted and more are considering legislation to require additional regulatory actions addressing bloodborne pathogen exposures to health care workers. The California standard has several requirements that go beyond those currently required by OSHA. These requirements include stronger language for the use of needleless systems for certain procedures or (where needleless systems are not available) the use of needles with engineered sharps injury protection for certain procedures.
USE OF IMPROVED ENGINEERING CONTROLS IN A PREVENTION STRATEGY
Comprehensive Programs to Prevent Needlestick Injuries
Safety and health issues can best be addressed in the setting of a comprehensive prevention program that considers all aspects of the work environment and that has employee involvement as well as management commitment. Implementing the use of improved engineering controls is one component of such a comprehensive program. Since many devices with needlestick prevention features are new, this section primarily addresses their use, including desirable characteristics, examples, and data supporting their effectiveness.
Desirable Characteristics of Devices with Safety Features
Improved engineering controls are often among the most effective approaches to reducing occupational hazards and therefore are an important element of a needlestick prevention program. Such controls include eliminating the unnecessary use of needles and implementing devices with safety features. These characteristics include the following:
The device is needleless.
The safety feature is an integral part of the device.
The device preferably works passively (i.e., it requires no activation by the user). If user
activation is necessary, the safety feature can be engaged with a single-handed technique and allows the workers hands to remain behind the exposed sharp.
The user can easily tell whether the safety feature is activated.
The safety feature cannot be deactivated and remains protective through disposal.
The device performs reliably.
The device is easy to use and practical.
The device is safe and effective for patient care.
Although each of these characteristics is desirable, some are not feasible, applicable or available for certain health care situations. For example, needles will always be necessary where alternatives for skin penetration are not available. Also, a safety feature that requires activation by the user might be preferable to one that is passive in some cases. Each device must be considered on its own merit and ultimately on its ability to reduce workplace injuries. The desirable characteristics listed here should thus serve only as a guideline for device design and selection.
Contaminated Sharps Discarding and Containment.
Contaminated sharps shall be discarded immediately or as soon as feasible in containers that are:
Closable;
Puncture resistant;
Leak-proof on sides and bottom; and
Labeled or color-coded.
During use, containers for contaminated sharps shall be:
Easily accessible to personnel and located as close as is feasible to the immediate area where sharps are used or can be reasonably anticipated to be found (e.g., laundries);
Maintained upright throughout use; and
Replaced routinely and not be allowed to overfill.
When moving containers of contaminated sharps from the area of use, the containers shall be:
Closed immediately prior to removal or replacement to prevent spillage or protrusion of contents during handling, storage, transport, or shipping;
Placed in a secondary container if leakage is possible. The second container shall be:
Closable;
Constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage during handling, storage, transport, or shipping; and
Labeled or color-coded.
Reusable containers shall not be opened, emptied, or cleaned manually or in any other manner which would expose employees to the risk of percutaneous injury.
Laundry.
Contaminated laundry shall be handled as little as possible with a minimum of agitation.
Contaminated laundry shall be bagged or containerized at the location where it was used and shall not be sorted or rinsed in the location of use.
Contaminated laundry shall be placed and transported in bags or containers labeled or color-coded. When a facility utilizes Universal Precautions in the handling of all soiled laundry, alternative labeling or color-coding is sufficient if it permits all employees to recognize the containers as requiring compliance with Universal Precautions.
Whenever contaminated laundry is wet and presents a reasonable likelihood of soak-through of or leakage from the bag or container, the laundry shall be placed and transported in bags or containers which prevent soak-through and/or leakage of fluids to the exterior.
The employer shall ensure that employees who have contact with contaminated laundry wear protective gloves and other appropriate personal protective equipment.
When a facility ships contaminated laundry off-site to a second facility which does not utilize Universal Precautions in the handling of all laundry, the facility generating the contaminated laundry must place such laundry in bags or containers which are labeled or color-coded.
Communication of Hazards to Employees —
Labels and Signs —
Warning labels shall be affixed to containers of regulated waste, refrigerators and freezers containing blood or other potentially infectious material; and other containers used to store, transport or ship blood or other potentially infectious materials.
These labels shall be fluorescent orange or orange-red or predominantly so, with lettering and symbols in a contrasting color.
Labels shall be affixed as close as feasible to the container by string, wire, adhesive, or other method that prevents their loss or unintentional removal.
Red bags or red containers may be substituted for labels.
Individual containers of blood or other potentially infectious materials that are placed in a labeled container during storage, transport, shipment or disposal are exempted from the labeling requirement.
Labels required for contaminated equipment shall be in accordance with this paragraph and shall also state which portions of the equipment remain contaminated.
Regulated waste that has been decontaminated need not be labeled or color-coded.
CONCLUSIONS
Needlestick injuries are an important and continuing cause of exposure to serious and fatal diseases among health care workers. Greater collaborative efforts by all stakeholders are needed to prevent needlestick injuries and the tragic consequences that can result. Such efforts are best accomplished through a comprehensive program that addresses institutional, behavioral, and device-related factors that contribute to the occurrence of needlestick injuries in health care workers. Critical to this effort are the elimination of needle bearing devices where safe and effective alternatives are available and the development, evaluation, and use of needle devices with safety features.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Zaragoza, Spain — On Thursday, Wikinews traveled to Zaragoza, Spain to interview the nation’s most decorated Paralympian and IPC Athlete Council representative Teresa Perales. A wide range of topics about the Paralympics and sport in Spain were discussed including the evolution of Paralympic sport, disability sport classification, funding support across all levels of elite sport including the Paralympics and Olympics, the role of sportspeople in politics, sponsorship issues, and issues of gender in Spanish sport.
By Terry Small
ART or active release technique is a breakthrough in the field of natural treatment which uses the manipulation of soft spots or soft tissues within the body of the patient to treat specific problems such as muscle damage, injuries, and pain. It is an excellent method of organizing groups of muscles in their original forms by releasing and loosening tension build ups around the different areas of the body.
The need for soft tissue repair and treatment in Colorado was the reason why chiropractor P. Michael Leahy invented and developed such a fantastic and effective therapeutic massage for his patients. Dr. Leahy noticed the lack of correct therapy for treating injuries related with soft tissue among his patients and that most of them suffer from this problem. This led to the development and success of active release technique.
Although it became a popular type of massage therapy due to its high success rate of 90 percent, there are still some minor risks and contradictions. Among these is the finding that this technique is not appropriate and should never be used on any active inflammation within the whole body of the patient as well as on cases of blunt trauma. The use of ART on such cases could result to the worsening of the condition of the patient. Inexperienced and unknowledgeable performance of this therapy can’t handle the treatment and removal of adhesions on the different areas of the patient’s body. However, these are minor risks and contradictions as compared to the benefits and advantages that it gives to the patients.
The advice of medical experts though should be considered before engaging on such therapeutic medical care. This type of massage therapy should also be performed by a licensed and experienced massage therapist as it involves body movement and unusual body positioning that may result to injury if not done by a knowledgeable person on human anatomy. Uncalculated positioning of the body can result to unwanted injuries on the part of the patient that is why the guidance of an expert is required on this type of therapy. Aside from the fact that using a professional ART massage therapist can lower the risk of injuries and contradictions, best results can only be achieved if massaged and worked on by these therapists.
Aside from the risks and contradictions, most reports and researches pertaining to active release technique are all pointing out the positive and beneficial results a patient can acquire from having regular sessions of this therapeutic massage technique. Actual results on patients who underwent active release technique express their wonderful experience.
Benefits of having active release technique as a part of regular medical care includes the relief of acute to chronic muscle pain, stress relief, unblocking of nerves, release of muscle tensions, strengthening of the muscle, good flexibility of the joints, and many more. Slight pain that lasts for a short period of time can also be expected after the massage session which will later on be replaced by a relaxed and relieved feeling from the therapy.
About the Author: I write for TIR Massage Stone about performing
hot stone massage
therapy and obtaining a proper
hot stone massage
kit.
Source:
isnare.com
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Thursday, March 31, 2005A report Tuesday from a United Nations-backed project, consulting more than 1,300 scientists from 95 countries, and written over the last four years, warns that 60 percent of the basics of life on Earth — water, food, timber, clean air — are currently being used in ways which degrade them. Furthermore, fisheries and fresh water use-patterns are unsustainable, and getting worse.
“The harmful consequences of this degradation could grow significantly worse in the next 50 years,” according to a press release from the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA), a massive four-year study begun in 2001.
“We’ve had many reports on environmental degradation, but for the first time we’re now able to draw connections between ecosystem services and human well-being,” Cristian Samper, director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington and a chief architect of the study, told the Christian Science Monitor.
The project’s Synthesis Report, first in a series of eleven documents and published yesterday, explains the objective: “to assess the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being and to establish the scientific basis for actions needed to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems and their contributions to human well-being.”
It then goes on to report on four main findings:
Walter Reid, the study’s director, speaking at yesterday’s London launch of the report said it shows that over the last 50 years “humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable time in human history.”
“This has resulted in substantial and largely irreversible loss in the diversity of life on Earth,” he said.
It is unclear what this will mean to future generations or the possible emergence of new diseases, absence of fresh water and the continuing decline of fisheries and completely unpredictable weather.
With half of the urban populations of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean suffering from several diseases associated with these problems, the death toll is reaching 1.7 million people a year. Entire species of mammals, birds and amphibians are disappearing from the planet at nearly 1,000 times the natural rate, according to the study. Oxygen-depleted coastal waters and rivers result from overuse of nitrogen fertilizer – an effect known as “nutrient loading” which leads to continuing biodiversity loss.
With the United States’ non-participation in the Kyoto Treaty, former U.S. Senator Timothy Wirth, president of this U.N. Foundation, says “U.S. leadership is critical in providing much-needed expertise, technological capabilities and ingenuity to restore ecosystems.
“We can take steps at home to reduce our nation’s adverse impact on the global environment.”
“At the heart of this assessment is a stark warning,” said the 45-member board.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Copies of The Profit, a 2001 film blocked from distribution in the United States due to a court injunction won by the Church of Scientology, appeared on the Internet Friday on peer-to-peer file-sharing websites and on the video sharing site YouTube.
Directed by former film executive Peter N. Alexander, the movie has been characterized by critics as a parody of Scientology and of its founder L. Ron Hubbard. Alexander was a Scientologist for twenty years, and left the organization in 1997. The film was funded by Bob Minton, a former critic of Scientology who later signed an agreement with the Church of Scientology and has attempted to stop distribution of the film. Alexander has stated that the movie is based on his research into cults, and when asked by the St. Petersburg Times about parallels to Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard said: “I’ll let you draw that conclusion … I say it’s entirely fictional.”
The film was released in August 2001, and was shown at a movie theatre in Clearwater, Florida and at a premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in France. A Scientology spokesman gave a statement at the time saying “the movie is fiction and has nothing to do with Scientology”. The Church of Scientology later took legal action in an attempt to stop further distribution of the film. The Church of Scientology claimed that the film was intended to influence the jury pool in the wrongful death case of Scientologist Lisa McPherson, who died under Scientology care in Clearwater, Florida.
In April 2002, a Pinellas County, Florida judge issued a court order enjoining The Profit from worldwide distribution for an indefinite period. According to the original court injunction received by Wikinews, the movie was originally banned because the court found that it could be seen as a parody of Scientology. In his April 20, 2002 ruling on the injunction, Judge Robert E. Beach of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in Pinellas County, Florida wrote: “…an average person viewing the film entitled The Profit could perceive that it is a parody of the Church of Scientology”.
“To the extent that any person considered as a potential juror in evaluating any issues involving the Church of Scientology, the process of voir dire provides a fair and complete remedy to eliminate any potential juror that may possibly have been influenced to be less than fair and impartial,” added Beach.
Luke Lirot, the attorney for the film’s production company, announced on the film’s website on April 7, 2007 that “We have absolutely no exposure for any repercussions from the court order,” but that the film was still blocked from distribution due to an ongoing legal battle. Lirot wrote: “all that’s stopping the release of the movie is the legal battle with the partner who was compromised by Scientology (Robert Minton) and is currently using his power as partner to stop the release of the film.”
In an October 2007 article, The Times described the film as “banned in the US because of a lawsuit taken out against it by The Church of Scientology,” and Russ Kick’s The Disinformation Book of Lists included the film in his “List of 16 Movies Banned in the U.S.”. An 8-minute teaser segment from The Profit appeared on the film’s website and on the video sharing site YouTube in February 2008, and an attorney representing Bob Minton sent a letter to Luke Lirot requesting that the film clip be taken down. In a response letter, Lirot wrote that “Rather than damage any asset of the LLC, the short clip merely keeps the film in the public eye, and in a positive way.”
On Friday, copies of the film began to circulate on peer-to-peer file-sharing websites and on YouTube. A link related to the film’s appearance on the Internet on the community-based link aggregator website Digg.com had 3,638 “Diggs” – and hit the front page of the site’s Entertainment section on Saturday.
| I had nothing to do with this release at all. But I’m happy it’s out there. | ||
On Saturday, Scientology critic and Emmy award-winning journalist Mark Bunker put a streaming version of the film on his website, www.xenutv.com, and encouraged others to watch and discuss the film on a real-time chat channel. In a video posting to YouTube Saturday, Bunker said “I did not do it. I had nothing to do with it … I had nothing to do with this release at all. But I’m happy it’s out there … people are finally having a chance to see it. A lot of people have been curious over the years and there’s been a lot of interest in seeing the film, so finally you can.”
| We have all wanted to see this movie that scientology kept hidden away from us. We have all wondered just how damning could this story be that we were banned from watching it. | ||
On the newsgroup alt.religion.scientology, a poster by the username “Alexia Death” commented on the film’s appearance on the Internet in the context of censorship: “It is out! And so it is a WIN if many people review it even if they say it SUCKS! … Being bad is no cause to allow censorship … And being censored is no cause to assume its good”. A post to the blog Blogsreel commented: “We have all wanted to see this movie that scientology kept hidden away from us. We have all wondered just how damning could this story be that we were banned from watching it.”
In a post on Sunday to the message board attached to the official website for the film, attorney Luke Lirot asked that individuals stop distributing copies of The Profit over the Internet. Lirot wrote: “It has been brought to my attention that several unauthorized transmissions and downloads of this protected work have taken place over the last 72 hours. Such actions are copyright violations and are unlawful. I request that any further distribution and/or dissemination of this important work cease immediately and any copies of the work that have been downloaded please be deleted.” In his statement, Lirot recognized the rights of individuals under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, but also said that unauthorized distribution of the film “will only serve to harm the goal of vast distribution”.
Blog postings have attributed the film’s appearance on the Internet as part of the anti-Scientology movement Project Chanology organized by the Internet-based group Anonymous, but this has not been confirmed. Wikinews previously reported on international protests against Scientology which took place as part of Project Chanology on February 10 and March 15. A third international protest by Anonymous is scheduled for April 12. Titled “Operation Reconnect”, the third international protest will focus on highlighting Scientology’s practice of disconnection.
Expert tips to find the perfect sleigh bed for your home
by
JessicaThomson
Sleigh beds are known for offering optimum comfort with luxury into your bedroom. Sleigh beds used to be very heavy in nature as they are made using solid hardwood of the finest quality. The design of sleigh bed is consists of a covered headboard, well crafted with the artistic design and scrolled footboard. The entire unit of sleigh bed is largely influenced from the primeval Greek and roman empires. In modern times the sleigh beds are manufactured using various combinations like wood with aluminum, twisted steel bars and grills and offers an elegant look bring an interesting piece of furniture in the house. Like handmade fourposter beds, heirloom beds, sleigh beds are also made for the royals and gradually with the change of time, they were made available for other cream people of the society due to the only reason, they were quite expensive and beyond the reach of ordinary people. They were made using the finest hardwood and the entire manufacturing process was handled by the professional craftsmen. After the carving, painting and polishing job is perfected, the bed used to loaded with the cozy comforts like quality mattress, pillows, quilt, bedspread, bed sheet etc. The luxurious bed used to create a romantic atmosphere in the bedroom especially during the time of honeymoon.
Due to its resembling shape with the sledge, it is named as a sleigh bed. The headboard of the sleigh bed used to be larger compared to the size of a foot board. Both the parts of the bed are arched with their tops tumbling outwards. A sleigh bed generates a glorified and exotic look into the bedroom with all its added adornments of twists and twirls. The contemporary sleigh beds are quite sleeker and slimmer compared to the conventional heavy built. It occupies less space in the bedroom compared to the bulky structure and clumsy footboard or headboard. The sleigh beds are now available in different sizes like king size, queen size, full size etc with the diverse artistic designing, an ideal combination of traditional and modern patterns to offer an exotic look. While planning to buy a sleigh bed, always insist on quality material like a finest quality hardwood, fixtures and well supported by the combination of steel, aluminum or other sturdy metal as the bed used to be very heavy and it requires the tough ingredients. Sleigh beds made from the decorative metal would be considered better compared to the wooden as it could be saved from the termite. Due to its heavy structure, it has to be well supported using the wood planks of the superior quality for the better support and lasting durability. Style and elegance plays an important role in selecting the sleigh bed. Look for better options of design and ornamentations to add regality into your bedroom.
For more insights and further information about
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visit our site http://www.heirloombeds.co.uk/
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Sunday, May 27, 2018
In the official result of Friday’s Irish referendum over the legality of abortion, referendum officer Barry Ryan announced yesterday 66.4% of voters favoured overturning the eighth amendment of the constitution. Introduced in 1983, the eighth amendment made abortion constitutionally illegal. Irish Taoiseach — Prime Minister — Leo Varadkar said supporting legislation, to be framed following the result of this referendum, is to be “enacted before the end of this year”.
More than 2.1 million people voted on the referendum on Friday. With a 64.1% turnout, 1,429,981 voted in favour of eliminating the abortion ban while 723,632 voted to keep it. The results were announced at Dublin Castle. About 6000 voters spoiled their votes. Calling it “an historic day”, Prime Minister Varadkar said it was “a great act of democracy.” Ministers said they would form laws allowing medical termination of pregnancy in the first trimester, twelve weeks, of pregnancy, and under special cases until the 24th week. The legislation is to be formed after discussion with medical experts.
Since the amendment, Article 40.3.3 of the Irish constitution, in 1983, which gave an unborn child equal rights to life as the mother, hundreds of thousands of women traveled to different countries for the medical termination of pregnancy, while some used medical drugs illegal in Ireland to terminate the pregnancy.
“Savita Matters, Women Matter” was one of the slogans used by the supporters who wanted to repeal the amendment. In October 2012, a 31-year-old dentist of Indian origin, Savita Halappanavar, died from sepsis at a Galway hospital after she was denied abortion for a protracted miscarriage. She was told by a midwife that termination of pregnancy would not be possible since Ireland was a “Catholic country”. Halappanavar’s photo was used for posters by supporters who wanted the 35-year-old amendment repealed. In 2016, the current Roman Catholic Pope, Pope Francis, described abortion as a “very grave sin” and a “horrendous crime”.
Halappanavar’s father Andanappa Yalagi told Hindustan Times, “We’ve got justice for Savita. What happened to her will not happen to any other family. I have no words to express my gratitude to the people of Ireland at this historic moment.” 39 of 40 Irish constituencies voted in favour of repealing the law, while voters in only one constituency, Donegal, voted against — 51.87% opting to keep the anti-abortion laws. After the result was announced, the crowd were chanting Savita’s name in front of Dublin Castle.
Cora Sherlock, an anti-abortion activist, said, “what we voted on today is the ending of human life.” “I will accept the will of the Irish people, at the same time I will make it very clear what I feel of the campaign that has taken place. We will now regroup and find out what our next move is”, she added. Another activist, David Quinn, said, “The result today is basically a reversal of the 1983 result. On that occasion the defeated side did not simply slip away.”
“The people have said that we want a modern constitution for a modern country”, Prime Minister Varadkar said. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau later congratulated Varadkar on Twitter, saying: “What a moment for democracy and women’s rights.”
Monday, February 12, 2007
Cars drove home the big prize last night, from the 34th Annual Annie Awards. The animation industry’s highest honor, ASIFA-Hollywood’s Annies recognise contributions to animation, writing, directing, storyboarding, voice acting, composing, and much more.
As mentioned, Pixar took home the big prize last night, after facing stiff competition from four other Happy Feet, Monster House, Open Season, and Over the Hedge.
But the biggest winner of the night didn’t get a “Best Animated Feature” nod at all. Flushed Away won five feature animation categories including Animated Effects (Scott Cegielski), Character Animation (Gabe Hordos), Production Design (Pierre-Olivier Vincent), Voice Acting (Sir Ian McKellan as Toad), Writing (Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais, Chris Lloyd, Joe Keenan, and Will Davies).
Over The Hedge won awards for Directing (Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick), Storyboarding (Gary Graham), and Character Design (Nicolas Marlet).
Of little surprise, Randy Newman won an Annie for Cars in the “Music in an Animated Feature Production” category. Newman has won many Oscars for his movie music, and has a nomination this year for the song “Our Town”. Newman didn’t attend the Annies, instead picking up a Grammy for “Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media”.
DisneyToon Studios’ Bambi II won “Best Home Entertainment Production”, while “Best Animated Short Subject” went to Blue Sky Studios’ No Time For Nuts, which is based on Ice Age.
“Best Animated Video Game” went to Flushed Away The Game, while a United Airlines ad named “Dragon” won a “Best Animated Television Commercial” Annie for DUCK Studios.
Necessary Reconstructive Plastic Surgeries After an Accident
by
Dr. Ankur SoodAccidents are bound to happen. Be it burns, car accidents or even simple slips and falls will leave you with injuries. Since some of the injuries may not heal normally, you should consider undergoing reconstructive plastic surgery.
Although plastic surgery is associated with movie stars and other celebrities, it can help you regain your once beautiful body. There are three main surgeries that you can undergo after an accident: facial surgery, body surgery and skin surgery.
Facial surgery
An accident can leave you with a misshapen face. Common accidents that cause injury to the face are car accidents. During the accident, you may hit your face on the dashboard or windshield which can result to great damage to the nose and lips. To correct the damage, you need a reconstructive surgeon.
If you have broken your nose, the surgeon will get cartilage from your ribs and insert them in your nose. If you had cut your lips during the accident, the surgeon will stitch together the torn lips so that they can heal properly.
In addition to the surgeon working on your lips and nose, the surgeon is also able to work on your chin, cheek, ear, eye and even your eyelid. If need be, the reconstructive surgeon will give you a facelift or even the good old fashioned hair transplantation.
Skin surgery
After a tragic accident, the skin naturally heals by scarring. In some cases, the scars may be too large and cover large parts of the body. In severe cases, the scars can become red and swollen.
To reduce the size of the large scar, a reconstructive surgeon works on your skin. The surgeon carefully cuts away the old dead tissue and redoes the previous incision. This way, the scar becomes smaller and more hidden from the public eye.
Other than accidents causing large scars, burns can also result to large scars, which make the skin eye sore. Burns not only cause large scars, but they also reduce the skin’s flexibility in the affected area.
If you have been burnt and your skin’s flexibility has been affected, you can get help through plastic surgery. To repair your skin, the surgeon uses peel light, peel deep, micro-pigmentation or skin tightening, to ensure that you regain your previous skin.
Body surgery
Accidents can affect any part of the body. Regardless of the part of the body affected, a reconstructive surgeon will work on it. In most road accidents, it’s common for people to injure or lose their appendage.
For example, you may lose one of your thumbs. Losing a thumb is devastating since it prevents you from performing simple tasks that you used to do before. For example, you may be unable to tie your shoe laces.
In such a case, the surgeon can insert a prosthetic thumb. If it proves difficult for you to work with the prosthetic thumb, the surgeon can remove your big toe and use it as a thumb replacement. Although, this will lender you toe-less, you will be able to resume you normal duties.
In addition to the surgeon working on your lips and nose, the surgeon is also able to work on your chin, cheek, ear, eye and even your eyelid. If need be, the reconstructive surgeon will give you a facelift or even the good old fashioned hair transplantation.
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