National Influenza Vaccination Week: Have You Gotten Your Flu Shot?

Influenza. Sounds kind of exotic, at least until you know better: It’s the flu. Not exotic at all, but something quite common, and a potentially deadly illness we’ve all dealt with either ourselves, or as we’ve cared for someone who’s come down with it.

Even though the flu remains common, it really shouldn’t, because of the widespread availability of a little thing called the flu shot. Most every pharmacy has them on offer, as well as major store chains and even grocery outlets — pretty much anywhere that has pharmacy services. And yet far too many people still refuse to take advantage of the inoculation, come down with the dreaded flu (or influenza), and simultaneously expose those who are vulnerable to a higher likelihood of contracting it as well.

Flu season kicks off during October and is approaching its peak during the holidays, which is the absolute worst time to be flat on your back for a week or two. So this is a fitting time of year to get the word out: Dec. 6-12^th brings us National Influenza Vaccination Week. As healthcare professionals, we have a duty to educate the people around us, so here are some talking points for those cases who don’t think they need a shot, or are afraid of the vaccine because of all the misinformation that’s out there.

The Centers for Disease Control recommendation is that everyone older than six months get a yearly flu vaccination. There are deaths from the flu every year in America; children are especially vulnerable. It’s more than just a bad couple or three days of fever and a sore throat — it can be, and often is, fatal.

Speaking of children, and to repeat: infants under the age of six months, fragile and susceptible to just about anything that comes along, are not eligible for the flu vaccination. They depend upon the rest of to ward it off, thus limiting their exposure.

Now there are criticisms of the flu vaccination, the main one being that it doesn’t always prevent the flu. There is some truth to this. The 2014 flu vaccination was considered not as effective as it could have been. The reason is that there are several strands of influenza, and different strands spring up all the time. The vaccination takes several months to prepare, and the compound is based around strands the CDC early in the year predicts will be most prevalent once flu season rolls around. No batch of the flu vaccination can take care of them all, and there is some educated guessing involved.

But it remains the medical consensus that the flu vaccination makes a huge dent in the population of flu sufferers every year. And a healthier person means a healthier chance for the people around him or her. So if you haven’t gotten vaccinated yet, by all means do so. And if you’re still shopping for that hard-to-buy-for person, a flu shot may not be a conventional stocking stuffer, but a healthy and happy winter season vs. a stretch in bed, or even a few days in the hospital, is a very nice present to receive.

Don't Let Holiday Eating Pack On The Pounds

The very idea of eating healthy around holiday time sounds not only impossible, but also pointless. For many of us, food is one of the great pleasures this time of year — unless you are going to be subsisting on a diet of candied yams, stuffing, and honey-banked hams in the balmy summer months.

We like our holiday treats, we like the big meals, the buttered rolls, the desserts … and then the other desserts. Yes, we know it perhaps isn’t the best stuff for us, but c’mon already, ’tis the season. We’d no sooner do without Thanksgiving leftovers than we would autumn foliage, and Christmas dinner is just as eagerly anticipated as opening gifts.

OK, fair enough. Nonetheless, we also definitely don’t like the feeling of being sluggish and dazed from too much grub, and none of us like the post-holiday hangover that comes crashing in right around Jan. 2: some extra pounds, and pants that if they fit at all, do so rather snugly.  So begins the next season: one of harsh New Year’s resolutions — involving pricey gym memberships, personal trainers, and meals portioned out to the gram. (“Another sliver of kale, anyone?” “No, no, I couldn’t possibly!”)

So feasting at this time of year leads unfortunately to famine tomorrow. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We could all enjoy the holidays, and the foodstuffs that come with them, if we just practiced a modicum of restraint and balance.

Rotate out some of the more caloric-busting dishes with healthier alternatives. Instead of cream-based soups or heavy stews, do a soup that is broth-based, done with vegetable stock. Avoid undue snacking from the chip or nuts dish, and pass on the cheese ball. There will be plenty to eat — no need to gorge on the starters.

At the same time, don’t use the holidays as an excuse to come off your normal eating routine. If you are one to wake up and eat a grapefruit or bowl of bran cereal, continue to do that. You’ll find your appetite is subtly sated when the main event comes around and you are less likely to stuff yourself to the breaking point if you aren’t ravenous when the turkey touches the table.

Also go easy on the alcohol; booze is loaded with empty calories and nothing is so sure to bring on the bloat as a couple too many beers or cocktails.

And finally, don’t just sit there. Get up, take a walk after a meal (or before), introduce some holiday dancing to the festivities. Make those calories work for you, and in the process work them off a little.

Just a few small adjustments can make a world of difference in staving off post-holiday blues for your body. Tailor your holiday festivities accordingly, and it might save you from having to tailor your favorite trousers afterwards.

One more thing: Happy Holidays from all of us at Scrubin Uniforms! We greatly appreciate your business, and look forward to serving you in 2016!

November Is American Diabetes Month — Get Involved

At Scrubin, we are involved with getting the word out about many great causes and organizations. One of the biggest for us is American Diabetes Month.

This is a disease which has been forefront of the public consciousness for some time, and with good reason. Diabetes numbers 30 million Americans among its sufferers, both adults and children. And it is estimated that more than 80 million more are “pre-diabetic” and at heightened risk to develop type 2 diabetes. If the disease is not at epidemic levels, it is not far from it.

Our diets are all too often composed of an excess of sugars, fats, cholesterol and sodium. While public awareness seems to be rising in this regard, it is still a widespread fact that much of our food is packaged and processed, and therefore potent as delivery systems for excesses of sugar. This is to say nothing of our affection for sodas and sugar-laden energy drinks.

Now, while a healthy, informed diet is not enough to stave off diabetes in every case, the simple fact is that eating healthier — limiting sugars, basing meals around protein and essential vitamins and roughage — would slash the percentage of our population who have type 2 diabetes by a tremendous degree. This is a particularly urgent matter in regards to our young people. The rate of growth for the disease in children has burgeoned by more than 33% in the past couple of decades.

Sure, there are several factors at work in this rising figure, but most researchers agree that the majority of the growth is directly tied to the rapidly escalating rates of childhood obesity. Healthy diet, regular exercise: these are the enemies of Type 2 diabetes. Make sure your kid has both!

Another unfortunate fact about our food consumption and diabetes: it is often more expensive and more difficult in the United States to eat healthy. Cheaper foods are typically mass produced, therefore usually have a lower price tag. And these are the very foods prevalent with trans-fats, sodium, high fructose corn syrup, dyes and excess sugars. As such, our more impoverished communities have been particularly hard hit by the growing rate of diabetes in the society. American Diabetes Month has a variety of outreach effortsintended to educate all our communities communities about the very real dangers of the disease.

Think you might be at risk? Your doctor can ease your fears, or get you on a path of treatment if there’s a problem.  He or she will perform a simple glucose test. If diabetes is indicated, then immediate steps can be taken: regular monitoring, insulin treatment, strict diet and life-style changes.

If you rate as pre-diabetic, then you and your health-care professional can design a firm plan to tackle the potential risk before it becomes a difficult reality.

Diabetes in America is on the rise, unfortunately, but we can make November of 2015 the moment when we turned back the tide!

National Epilepsy Awareness Month Has Arrived!

National Epilepsy Awareness Month kicks off with a new campaign by the Epilepsy Foundation, a year long effort to attack the condition on multiple fronts. Education, research, fighting discrimination for people with seizures and highlighting stories of survivors of epilepsy.

The campaign is called #DareTo, and it’s going to be pretty easy to spot. Public service announcements will feature spokespeople and celebrities with epilepsy. There are campaign features showcasing the work of artists who are epileptic.

#DareTo is tailored to reach those afflicted with epilepsy. Regrettably, there is still some stigma attached to people who have seizures: they live in anxiety of when/if a seizure might occur. In addition to the dangerous nature of the condition itself, there is the potential for embarrassment, public humiliation and inopportune timing. Seizures can scare people besides those who are stricken with them.

#DareTo seeks to eliminate that. No one should be ashamed of an illness. Public awareness is key, and there are numerous outreach programs on offer. Learn how those with epilepsy have turned what could be construed as a handicap into the source of great strength and resolve!

For those afflicted with seizures, management is key. There are numerous medical and cognitive treatment options available. Everyone who is epileptic, or has a loved one who is, deserves to avail themselves of all the information at their disposal.

For some medication is the answer. Others have found success with a VNS, vagus nerve simulation, the applying a device that sends electrical pulses to the vagus nerve. Still others find results from a careful diet, good exercise and various techniques designed to minimize stress.

Even if you are not yourself an epilepsy sufferer, there are many ways for you to get involved. The Epilepsy Foundation has an extensive list of volunteer activities, forums, and fundraising opportunities. Check it out and make a difference this November!

National Chiropractic Health Month

Sure, it’s rarely life and death. But the fact remains that back and neck pain is a huge, well … pain for millions of Americans. Latest estimates have right around 1 in 2 Americans experiencing back pain sometime during the year. About 31 million suffer from lower back pain alone. And at some point, 80 percent of us will be bearing, or bending, under the strain of a pulled muscle, bum alignment or the excruciating pain of sciatic nerve pinching.

For lots of us, this will be an unpleasant or inconvenient interlude, putting a crimp on the quality of life for a bit and then hopefully going away. For others, back and neck pain is a chronic condition, debilitating and insufferable. Regardless of which camp you fall into, a qualified chiropractor can bring hope and healing.

That’s why Scrubin is taking this opportunity to alert you to National Chiropractic Health Month. A chiropractor is a trained health professional who generally uses manual adjustments of the spine to treat neuromuscular disorders. Chiropractors examine the patient, make the diagnosis, apply the appropriate treatments and then detail a continuing plan of action for the patient. That can involve stretches, exercise or ergonomic fixes as simple as recommending a new desk chair or back support. Through chiropractors, millions of people have found relief from back and neck pain without having to resort to risk-laden surgeries or a regimen of medications.

And when it comes to that last benefit, a chiropractor’s care can really make a difference, because dependency on pain killers is becoming a real public health crisis. For many the addiction to pain killers begins legitimately, often as a result of attempts to treat back pain. These might mask the pain for a while, but do nothing to treat the condition itself. The cycle begins where more pills become necessary to combat pain that refuses to stay gone for good. This unfortunate by-product of a legitimate attempt to treat back and neck pain sufferers is a particular focus of this year’s National Chiropractic Month.

Chiropractic treatment is drug-free and surgery-free, as well as an organic and lifestyle enhancing treatment option. Learn more about it this October, and click here to find a doctor of chiropractic in your area. Maybe you yourself will find the relief you deserve!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month means Awareness and Advocacy

This is the big one. Scrubin is a committed, long-term supporter of breast cancer research, and we look forward to the day when a cure is found. Just page down through our product lines and you are sure to find that many of our nurses’ scrub sets, tops, pants and lab coats, not to mention accessories, are adorned with themes concerning women and the fight against this disease. The pink ribbon means something to us, and we hope it means a lot to you too.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month has been a cornerstone event in women’s health issues since its founding in 1985. Over the years it has grown in stature and impact. The NFL now decorates its fields and uniforms with pink for the month. Tokyo Tower is lit up in pink every year. The National Race for the Cure, an event begun in Dallas with participation of less than 1,000 people, now has about 1.5 million runners and walkers yearly, spread over 100 cities. The Susan G. Komen 3-day “For the Cure” walk, an event to raise funds to find the cure, takes place in countries the world over. Every year the events and public outreach during October grow, which is good news for those advocating not only for research, but also for self examinations, annual mammograms and other preventive measures.

In fact, the awareness month was originally started to promote mammography to foster earlier detection of the disease. That is still at the core of educating the public: women need to be tested early and often. Mammograms can show pre-cancerous conditions and allow women and their doctors to take appropriate steps from there. Mammograms can detect the cancer in its earliest, localized stages, greatly improving the rates of successful treatment and full recovery. This is a disease that will eventually strike more than one in 10 women, so every edge is necessary in fighting it.

This year, we have some good news to report: The rates for breast cancer have been dropping in the new millennium, after rising for the previous two decades. Clearly smarter health decisions and the rise of awareness on the part of women for early screenings (sign up for a screening reminder here, thanks to the American Cancer Society) and tests have had a big impact. And with improved treatment options, breast cancer has a better survival rate than it once did.         

But this is still a disease that strikes nearly 300,000 women a year in the United States alone. And, more than 40,000 women are expected to die of breast cancer this year in America. That is simply unacceptable. We cannot stop until we find the cure!

The widespread popularity of Breast Cancer Awareness Month means there are more outlets than ever for you to make a difference. So whether its running a marathon, signing up for a fundraising walk or helping out at a women’s health clinic, be sure to do your part to stop breast cancer in its tracks!

Here’s some more info about how you can get involved: http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month

Show your support by wearing Breast Cancer Awareness scrub tops and accessories: http://www.scrubin.com/breast-cancer-awareness

WonderWink

We all have a "go-to" brand when it comes to scrubs. If you haven't tried WonderWink scrubs, you're missing out! Here are three different collections, with very different styles and details, that make us happy!

WonderWink WonderWORK is great for groups. There are many styles and colors available for men and women and come in a broad selection of sizes including extended sizes and petites. WonderWink WonderWORK scrubs are basic, classic style scrubs with an improved fit and function.


The Fabric: Active Twill 65% Polyester / 35% Cotton enhanced with a mechanical Motion Stretch. Using the industry favorite 65/35 Poly/Cotton will provide you long lasting durability with the movement of a stretch fabric. 

The Fit: Each size individually tailored. Plus sizing designed for a fuller figure. All styles have slight shaping to flatter but also provide a modern, relaxed fit. 

The Function: Innovative fabric, fit and styling. Utilitarian details provide storage but maintain a clean, professional appearance.

  



Everyone is looking for stretch scrubs these days; WonderFLEX is our go-to when our customers are looking for fashionable, functional and comfortable scrubs. Offering high-end, eye-catching details in a one of a kind scrub collection you’re sure to be noticed in.

The Fabric: Premium stretch, cotton-rich, durable fabric with just the right amount of stretch for comfortable and polished appearance. 52% Cotton / 45% Polyester / 3% Spandex.

The Fit: Supremely comfortable with just enough stretch that allows your uniform to maintain its shape all day long.

The Function: Premium fabric, fit and design. Choices of dye-to-match or contrast stitching, signature pockets, triple-needle stitching and printed logo drawstring offer you a one of a kind collection you’re sure to love. 





WonderWINK brings the basics of fashion to you, in a collection called Origins. Origins scrubs are another favorite in our closet and getting them at such a great value, you’re sure to add them to your closet too!

The Fabric: Crisp, professional and easy going poly/cotton blend. 65% Polyester / 35% Cotton.

The Fit: Shorter sleeves and slimmer fit offers a crisp, clean lines and shape to your uniform.

The Function: It’s all in the details! Styling includes brilliant utility features such as bungee cords, signature pockets, accessory loops and secret hidden pockets to keep you organized. 





Are you always cold? Need Layers? We have those too and they are selling like crazy! The cold weather will be here before you know it – so stock up now! These feather-light tees with superior softness are a must-have! Add them to your wardrobe and pair with your favorite WonderWINK scrubs for a perfect match.




WonderWINK has so many options you will definitely be able to find something to fit your style and your budget!  So, what are you waiting for?  Shop WonderWINK uniforms with Scrubin Uniforms and save! 

Milestone Month for Many Kinds of Cancer Awareness

September is a major month in the fight against cancer, with three main offenders of the disease highlighted: childhood cancers, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer. All take too many lives every year, and all have the potential to be stopped in their tracks if we band together to do our part.
Here at Scrubin we are committed to fighting the good fight, and we know you are too! Read on to find out how you can help.

Childhood Cancer
Nothing is more heartbreaking than seeing or hearing about a young child battling a life-threatening illness. Sadly, more than 260,000 children have to do just that every year. Some form of cancer will afflict one in 330 children before the age of 30. Childhood cancers spare no ethnic group, no demographic, makes no class distinction. And unlike some other forms of cancer, there are currently few paths to prevention.

The solutions are early detection, effective treatment, and overall public awareness. And there is good news: significant progress continues to be made. The mortality rate for many childhood cancers have been cut in half in recent years, and the survival rate for many childhood cancers is now as high as 86 percent. There has been considerable success with certain clinical trials, and studies show a greater efficacy in treatment options.

But this is a fight still far from being won.  As always funds for additional research are needed. And then there is the more personal support, volunteering to help in your community and let these little heroes know they are not alone.

Ovarian Cancer
This cancer is particularly insidious form of the disease. If detected in its earliest stages, the survival rate is close to 90 percent. Unfortunately, less than 20 percent of cases are detected this early. Why? The disease usually presents few symptoms in its early stages, and it is a disease for which we still do not have adequate early screening.

The key is prevention, and catching the as early as possible. Know the risk factors. Educate yourself, and all the women in your life about what steps can be taken.

Become an advocate today in the fight against Ovarian Cancer!

Prostate Cancer
Next to skin cancer, cancer of the prostate is the most common form of the disease in the United States., and the most common among American men. Older or elderly men especially are vulnerable: the rates of prostate cancer are as high as 80 percent for men who live beyond the age of 80.

But it is, thankfully, a slow-growing form of cancer, and the success rate is very high if it’s caught early enough. Again, the key is early detection. All men — let’s repeat  this, for good measure — ALL MEN, need to be screened. The examination is quick and easy, and there’s no reason not to be conscientious about it.

That compares very favorably to the side effects of prostate removal which can be painful or discouraging for the patient. So again, let’s stress early detection and screening. This is a cancer that can actually be stopped for good!

A diagnosis of cancer, any kind of cancer, is terrifying for the person who’s hearing that news. By doing all we can to advance research, and also taking the time to get screened ourselves, hopefully we can soon end this terrible disease in all its forms so those affected can lead happy, healthy lives.

National Health Center Week provides the chance to show our support

National Health Center Week has been going strong 30-plus years now, and this year it runs from Aug. 9-15. Here’s the perfect opportunity to learn more about the valuable work done by these organizations, and how you can lend a hand in your community!

Health centers are a various and diverse group of organizations, ranging from Community clinics to Public Housing Health Centers and health outreach programs for the homeless. What they all have in common is a tireless initiative to provide basic, high-quality health care to the most vulnerable people.

Health centers provide care and services to more than 23 million people a year. These folks are, by and large, impoverished, uninsured and/or live in areas without sufficient doctors or hospitals. Health centers provide indispensable services, and they also are part of the community fabric. Almost every day, and for long hours, they are offering prenatal care, flu shots, immunizations, emergency care, treatment programs for victims of HIV/AIDS, recovery meetings for alcoholics and addicts, and so much more. These centers are also responsible for research and public education, and their staff also advocate locally, regionally and nationally, bringing awareness to the plight of the poor and underserved in our communities.

Since passage of the Affordable Care Act, federal funding for health centers has increased, and the numbers of uninsured in many communities have dropped. This is good news. However, health centers are still very much subject to constricted budgets, and there are still plenty of people falling through the healthcare cracks, and so centers need all the support we can give.

There are a variety of outreach programs going on in August at shelters around the country. Find out what is being done at your local health center, your homeless shelter and your public schools to raise money and awareness.

Sponsorship can be a great area for promotion and funding of public health centers. These partnership opportunities between the private and non-profit sectors promote the broadest possible outreach as well as providing diverse pools for fundraising. Do you have a health center you think deserves contributions from local or national businesses? Or would you like to see your company donate its brand and name to community health initiatives? Get in touch with your local center — they will be thrilled to hear from you!

National Breastfeeding Month has arrived!

If you didn’t know there was a month commemorating breastfeeding awareness, likely you are not alone. It’s something that most new mothers do, and most everyone is aware of it, right? For the most part, yes, but knowing about the health aspects of breastfeeding is different than just knowing it exists — especially for new and expectant mothers. And so, we have an awareness month! (There’s even an awareness week!)

From educating moms on the health benefits of the nipple vs. the bottle, to helpful hints on how develop the practice (latch on already, kid!), there is a bevy of info to inform and delight out there. (And if you want to get super technical, the Centers for Disease Control has a lot of great info about milk storage, vaccines and more.) So, let’s take a look:

More mothers than ever are now educated about the many benefits of breastfeeding. They are legion: first off, it is the best delivery system by far for your baby to get the vital nutrients it needs. Mothers’ milk is packed with vitamins, immunoglobulin, and antibodies that bolster the infant immune system. This is why the American Pediatric Associationrecommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of the child’s life.

Studies show that breastfed babies are less prone to colds and ear infection and sometimes even less likely to develop allergies. Breastfeeding also seems to protect against certain childhood cancers. Nature is a complex mechanism, and for all the advances in pediatric medicine and nutrition, nothing has as yet beaten breastfeeding for overall development of a healthy child.

But what about Mom’s health? Here too, breastfeeding is the way to go. Postpartum depression is a very real thing, and most mothers are susceptible to bouts of anxiety and worry. Breastfeeding releases the oxytocin, which stimulates relaxation and nurturing. Furthermore, studies show that women who breastfeed for up to a year are less apt to develop breast and ovarian cancer.

Beyond even all this, there is the undeniable bonding between mother and child. The emotional and stabilizing effects of this cannot be quantified. The baby feels secure and cared for, the mother feels linked with her child in a very real and tangible way.

OK, so breastfeeding is natural, right? Doesn’t mean it’s a snap. There are lots of challenges involved, from the baby stubbornly refusing to latch on, to certain downsides of regular breastfeeding — chafed nipples, sore breasts, etc. There is help for that, a number of tips both scientific and homeopathic to practice the practice in ease and comfort.

Of course it should be noted that not all my moms can breastfeed. Some have lactation levels that are too low to make it a viable option, and in some cases the baby just refuses to take to it. That’s OK: mothering is more than breastfeeding. Just educate yourself on the best alternatives available to make sure your child is getting the proper nutrients and emotional support.

Help and hope highlight Juvenile Arthritis Month

All too many diseases, syndromes, disorders and other illnesses afflict people every day. These can range from debilitating to life threatening, and our concern is always heightened when the word “juvenile” is placed in front. Our hearts go out most to the youngest and most vulnerable among us whenever they suffer. And on the treatment side, juvenile ailments often prove the most difficult to manage due to challenges ranging from proper diagnosis to proper, effective methods of treatment.

Such is the case with Juvenile Arthritis, which affects 300,000 American children under the age of 18, according to the Arthritis Foundation. A particular challenge with diagnosing Juvenile Arthritis is that it is not a disease in and of itself. Instead, the term applies to a host of more than half a dozen conditions and sets of symptoms, each with its own causes and triggers. These include Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Juvenile Lupus and Fibromyalgia. Each is a complicated condition, and diagnosis and treatment can be time consuming and costly.

One of the biggest challenges is that the actual cause of arthritis in kids remains elusive. Many forms of juvenile arthritis are thought to stem from genetic factors that result in autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, but this is just the general trend in current thinking. What they all have in common though is they are painful, uncomfortable and, in many cases, crippling. The juxtaposition of these symptoms with the ages of its victims — kids who should be in the prime of health — is, needless to say, heartbreaking.

There is at this time no cure for Juvenile Arthritis. Treatment options, depending on the specific diagnosis, run the gamut from medications to physical therapy to dietary programs. More community awareness means more of us working to raise money for research. It also means that more of us are connecting with these kids, and their families, so they know they are not alone in this fight.
The good news is there are many ways to get involved, from donating to volunteering. Please learn about all the good you can do at Kids Get Arthritis Too, the Arthritis Foundation’s online home for Juvenile Arthritis awareness and support.

Simple safety tips to improve your fireworks experience

Sad but true: so much of what is fun in the world tends to come with an element of danger. Cliff-diving, bungee jumping, skiing down a black diamond, etc. But taken in the proper spirit of preparedness, none of these activities are dangerous in and of themselves, and all provide a healthy jolt of fun. Unfortunately, some people don’t educate themselves and take the simple precautions, and those are the videos you see on YouTube. So it is with extreme sports, so it is with fireworks.

Mom would tell us we could lose a finger, or an eye, playing with fireworks. And you know what? Mom was right. That is, she was right if we neglected a few simple safeguards. The National Council on Fireworks Safety has some great advice in this regard, and so do we! Here are some necessary tips every person needs to know before lighting the fuse:

Go with the good stuff. And the new stuff! Last year’s fireworks are this year’s bad idea. That stash of Roman candles you’ve got buried in the back of the garden shed — the one with the leaky roof — behind moldering potting soil and oily rags? Probably should have been used last year, and now should definitely be consigned to the nearest city dump.

Moisture does tricky things to gunpowder. It can increase flammability, oxidizing it, and also can mold the pouches containing the powder, which increases the likelihood of stray flak and blowback detonations. The cluster of hot bright lights that was supposed to shoot upwards now shoots backwards, where onlookers congregate. Also, improper storing of fireworks can play havoc with the wicks, which may have become frayed or are now shorter than optimal length. Fireworks occasions come along all too rarely throughout the year; it’s better to splurge on a new batch every time.

Get the best product. Do your shopping at a licensed store or stand. Fireworks are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and come with packaging details, country of origin and detailed directions for the safest use. Don’t buy from a friend of a friend, or from the guy down the block, and no-go on anything wrapped in plain brown paper.

So now you’ve splurged on a huge assortment of sparklers, cones, Roman candles and various other exotic goodies. Just flick the Bic to the wick and watch the show, right? Well, not so fast. For the best and safest experience, a few ground rules must be observed:

No drinking on the job. Advanced analytics have shown that alcohol and explosives often make a poor match. Questionable decision-making, loss of inhibitions, blurred eyesight — these are not the thoughtful fireworks aficionado’s friends. So let the six-pack chill until the light show is over. Also make sure to follow the instructions, and stand well back at a prudent distance as the fuse is burning.

Kids stay back. Children should never handle or utilize fireworks without adult supervision. Most incidents of injury are the result of kids being left to their own devices and not following the guidelines for careful usage. Keeping kids out the ER is preventable, and it is up to the grownups to see that all precautions are taken.

Following just these few simple tips should insure a festive and fun-filled experience!

Happy Nursing Assistants Week!

As we celebrate Nursing Assistants Week, let’s think about how much time and talent these diligent professionals contribute to healthcare. Too often these professionals go unrecognized, despite their invaluable work, and at Scrubin we are adding our voices to make sure our indispensible nursing assistants get the recognition they deserve.

It can often be thankless work, and our nursing assistants play a vital role in caring for the elderly, the disabled and those under long-term and hospice care, as well as fulfilling some of the medical duties in correctional facilities. Their importance cannot be overstated.

Working under a nurse’s supervision, nursing assistants aid in helping the elderly and infirmed perform day-to-day tasks: eating, bathing and helping with dressing and hygiene, just to name a few. They take and record vitals. They assist in stretching and physical exercise, taking the patients for walks and helping them to remain active.

In so doing, Nursing assistants not only help to insure and safeguard the overall health of the patient, they also make an important contribution to the patient’s dignity and quality of life as well. Nursing assistants help these vulnerable folks help themselves, and in doing so serve as voices of encouragement and hope in fraught circumstances. Ask anyone who has been hospitalized, as well as his or her family, and they will testify as to the necessary work performed by nursing assistants.

Changes in healthcare have meant a tough time for many nursing assistants. In the past several years, staffing shortages and budget cutbacks have meant that much of the aforementioned patient care has fallen on fewer and fewer of these professionals. That’s why this week is so important, not to only celebrate the work done by our nursing assistants but also to showcase this viable and valuable career. As more and more Baby Boomers age, nursing assistants are going to be needed in the future more than ever before.

Let’s all make this Nursing Assistants Week a good one by honoring these committed professionals and thanking them for their hard work.

June Is Men’s Health Month

A quick question for the guys: What’s your PSA? Don’t know? You’re not alone. June is Men’s Health Month, however, so there’s no better time to stop and take stock of your overall health and well-being. You may even learn a few things along the way.

For instance, PSA means “prostate-specific antigen,” and it’s a protein made by the prostate and found in the blood. High levels are an early indicator of prostate cancer, and getting it checked is as simple as visiting your doctor for a routine physical.

In fact, a yearly physical exam is a simple, yet vital, means to insuring good health. But men tend to procrastinate on getting them, always pushing them off for another day. No one can afford to wait. Call your doctor, set the appointment, get the tests run, and bask in the sweet relief a clean bill of health can bring!

A firm focus on prevention is perhaps the most important long-term course for good health than anything else. A focus on nutrition, diet and exercise is important, as well as regular checkups and physicals. At Scrubin we’re big believers in being proactive, so we would like to highlight some easy ways to get into a healthier lifestyle. Help us make Men’s Health Month the first step in a long campaign for healthier lifestyles for America’s menfolk!

• Nutrition is an increasingly vital concern for all of us, and this is particularly true of men, who are so vulnerable to heart disease, gastrointestinal issues and strokes. It’s easy: more fruits and vegetables, more fish and lean meats, less fast food and sugary sodas.

• Exercise is a part of any truly healthy lifestyle. American men are working harder than ever, but in jobs that by and large do not benefit them physically, either in the area of cardiovascular health or for long-term muscular performance and flexibility. One doesn’t have to be a gym rat but no man can afford to ignore sensible, moderate exercise. It is key to both quality of life and longevity. Try for an hour a day, even if it’s just taking a good, long walk.

June brings not only National Men’s Health Month, but June 7^th is National Cancer Survivors Day. The statistics are overwhelming: the way to beat cancer, any form of cancer, is to detect it early. Therefore, Scrubin would like to highlight the necessity of prostate screenings for men.

This is a form of cancer that is highly treatable – if caught early! And yet more than 30,000 men a year die of this disease. This is one cancer that doesn’t have to claim another victim if we are all educated and willing to fight it. Get checked, have the men in your life get checked, and wear the blue ribbon in support of the fight against prostate cancer!

www.scrubin.com 

Happy Nurse's Week

Nurses are celebrated annually from May 6th through May 12th, National RN Day kicks off Nurse’s Week on the 6^th and Florence Nightingale’s birthday closes out the week on May 12^th.  National Nurses Week gives us the opportunity to recognize the nurses that take care of us and show our appreciation to them.

"National Nurse Week" was first observed in 1954, based on a bill introduced in Congress by Rep. Frances Payne Bolton of Ohio, an advocate for nursing and public health. But it was not until 1974 that the White House and President Nixon proclaimed that National Nurses Week be celebrated.  We are so glad that President Nixon helped declare a week to recognize all of your hard work.

If it weren't for nurses, who would be there in the middle of the night to check our vitals and be sure that we are okay?  Thank you for your patience, dedication, commitment, passion, and nurture.  Whether you are a trauma nurse, cardiac nurse, CNA, LPN, or RN or in nursing school; YOU are greatly appreciated.

Join us daily on Facebook for giveaways, enter to win and drop a line for your favorite nurse!

For more Nation Nurses Week History, click here.