Cell Phone Safety & New Indiana Law

First of all I just want to say "Hello" to all the fellow Anchorites out there. It is a very busy summer and sometimes it feels like we are scattered here and there, and sort of lose track. I for one am very grateful for Anchor, and the ministries it provides. I would also like to thank the Worship Team for the long hours they spend practicing and showing up on those Sundays when the crowd is sort of slim. They still carry on, and I appreciate that very much.

As some of you may have already heard there is new legislation out there that will become effective on July 1, 2011. If possibly you have lost track of time like I do, that is this Friday. According to this new law, it will now be officially illegal to text message on your cell phone while driving. As I mentioned on my Facebook note I am unaware of the penalty which will be imposed. If someone knows what it might be please feel free to get in touch with me and let me know.

I for one am guilty of the practice of texting and driving. In this day and age it seems everyone needs to know any detail imaginable as it actually happens in another person’s life. I think the advent of Facebook, Twitter, Skype, and all the other social network mediums have only added to this sense of urgency we all feel to know everything we can in real time.

I for one understand these feelings. It is important that we retrain our thoughts, and minds that most things can wait at the very least until we can pull over or stop in a safe place. I fear as I make these next few statements I may be thought of as overly opinionated, or maybe even stern. But I feel I must say these things: When you text and drive you are basically putting yourself in the same precarious position as someone who is DRINKING AND DRIVING.

You are basically showing the same disregard for the safety of others, and yourself, as someone who is under the influence of ALCOHOL, AND DRUGS. You are distracted. You are not watching the actions of other drivers. You are drastically slowing down your response time to changing traffic conditions. Your reflexes are drastically slowed down. You may be having emotional reactions to the information you are getting in the text message. This can render you extremely dangerous to be on the road. You have almost the same risk of hurting yourself, or others, as someone who is DUI.

With all this being said, along with not texting and driving, you need to let your friends and relatives know that you will not respond to text messaging while you are driving. This will increase your safety on the road, and prevent hurt feelings from those who do not receive a quick response to their texts.

You need to be an advocate, a spokesperson if you will. Encourage your friends and relatives to heed the new law. Nothing could be sweeter than a life being saved because you encouraged a friend or relative not to text and drive.

Now, a word about Bluetooth devices. Many people are rushing out to buy Bluetooth ear sets, thinking that this will allow them to safely talk on cell phones while driving. Well, I am afraid I have some bad news. Studies have shown that these devices do not increase safety margins when being used on the road. When you are talking to someone you can still be distracted, and caught up in a conversation. You still have the ability to become emotionally upset on the road especially if you are engaged in an argument. I would say that at least you can still have two hands on the steering wheel which is the big reason folks are buying these sets. But this still does not remove the risks involved. Your reaction time to changing road conditions remains compromised.

None of what I am saying here is rocket science. This issue has been ongoing for years. I just wanted to help spread the word that texting and driving will be illegal as of Friday. I know that some may decide to ignore this law. Admittedly, it appears it may be difficult to enforce. In Michigan the fine is $500 for texting and driving. In Minnesota you cannot even text at a stoplight or stop sign. All this to say, ”the train has left station” on the issue of texting in Indiana.

As a Registered Nurse, I have taken care of many folks whose lives have been ruined by unsafe driving habits. It is my hope and prayer that Anchorites will “take the high road” on this issue and also encourage others to do the same. I pray the Lord’s blessing on us all as we travel here and there this summer.

God Bless,

Scott G. Eddy, RN BSN

More About Bed Bugs

Bed Bugs 101 continued...

As I started to do the research on how to get rid of bedbugs I came across a website called Wikihow.com, the article is titled: How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs.

This is a very good resource point to aid in helping with bedbugs. In all honesty I could not think of a way to document the material in a better way myself.

One of the cool things about this website is that you can personally edit the material. This makes it most valuable to send as an email or even to document on Facebook. All in all a very user friendly site….especially if you might be helping someone else with this issue.

Please be in prayer for those who are ill and those facing difficult situations. Whenever possible, be the one who delivers the answer to those prayers as well.

God Bless,

Scott G. Eddy, RN BSN

Parish Nurse Notes: Bedbugs

There has been a lot of controversy lately over the rise of incidents of bedbugs.

This has caused a significant amount of anxiety, especially among those who stay in hotels. If you are going to travel, there is a website called the Bedbug Registry. At this site you can check hotels and apartments across the U.S. to see if any complaints have been made about bedbugs.

As with most issues, one way to decrease anxiety is to learn more about it. Once you have information about what concerns you it becomes easier to deal with the issue, and decreases anxiety.

Here is a small overview of bedbug knowledge: Bedbugs 101

* Bedbugs are small, oval, brownish insects that feed on the blood of animals, and humans. Fully mature bedbugs have flat bodies about the side of an apple seed. After a feeding of blood they turn a rather reddish color.

* Bedbugs do not have the ability to fly. They are speedy little critters that can move quickly over floors, walls, and ceilings. Females lay hundreds of eggs over the course of their life. Baby bedbugs, called nymphs, are about the size of a speck of dust. Nymphs can develop fully in as little as a month and can produce three or more generations in a year.

* Bedbugs are sneaky little critters that enter the home through luggage, clothing, used beds and couches, and other items. In the summer time it is common to buy used furniture such as at garage sales. That couch or bed may be a great deal, but proceed with caution. My own recommendation is not to buy bedding from someone you don’t know. You don’t want to risk the possibility of bringing an unwanted bonus home to your house.

* Bedbugs do not live in nests but tend to stay hiding in groups. Over time they can spread through the bedroom to any place that is protected such as a crevice in a wall. They will spread through a home or apartment given time. They mainly like the mattress or other parts of the bed where there is access for biting in the night.

Most bedbug bites are painless at first, but later they turn into itchy welts. Fleas usually like to bite around the ankles but bedbugs will bite anywhere they can find a spot. Many times people think that bedbug bites are actually mosquito bites. In order to be certain of what is happening you must search and find the bugs visually.

If you notice that you are waking up with bites that you did not have at bedtime you likely have bedbugs especially if it is around the time you got a used bed or other piece of furniture. Some signs of infestation include: bloodstains on the sheets and pillowcases, dark rusty spots on the sheets or walls which are an indication of bedbug excrement, signs of fecal material, egg shells, or shed skin in areas where bedbugs like to hide. There can also be a musty odor present from the bugs scent glands.

If you are concerned that you may have a bed bug infestation the first thing to remember is to stay calm. If you have young children you do not want to get upset and panic, as this may cause sleeping problems such as nightmares.

Remember: be VERY cautious about bringing used furniture into your home, especially from a garage sale or second hand store. If you decide you are going to buy a used piece of furniture please be sure to inspect it thoroughly for any sign of bugs, eggs, shed skin, etc.

Next week I will give an overview on what to do if you do find that you have the critters in your home. I pray for all the Lord’s best for the people of Anchor. If you have any questions or comments about what I have written, please feel free to contact me.

Scott G. Eddy, RN BSN

Parish Nurse Notes: Cyber-Bullying

My previous blog dealt with the subject of bullying, its various forms and the signs that it is taking place. In this blog I would like to talk about one of the more insidious forms of bullying, cyberbullying.

As we all know, we live in a world full of technology. Computers, cell phones and so forth are evolving every day as more and more technology boosts our ability to communicate, do business, and have fun. But there is also a very sinister side to all this technology. As always sin crouches at every opportunity to use whatever means possible to do evil.

This year I have been doing some guest teaching at various schools, and grades in the Fort Wayne area. I have been amazed at the technology that kids bring in their pockets every day. One day I inquired at the office of a moderately large school. My question was what to do when I am teaching a class, and I find kids actively using various forms of technology, ie. cell phones and iPods. To my amazement the answer given was “Well if the student using the device isn’t bothering anybody we usually don’t do anything.” I was amazed at the number of kids who were ignoring the lesson at hand, in order to use these devices on a regular basis.

Bullies have also seized upon technology to aid in their misdeeds. Cyber-bullying is a form of bullying does not require the bully to be face to face with his/her victim. This form of bullying has been shown to peak around the end of middle school, and the beginning of high school.

Examples of cyberbullying include but are not limited to:
-sending rude, threatening, and abusive messages via cell phone or computer.
-the use of “social networks” to spread lies, rumors, or other false information.
-using websites to post videos or other social media with the goal of humiliating, and embarrassing others.

This form of bullying is insidious because it can take place at any time of the day or night. It can be spread to many different audiences, and can be spread anonymously.

This problem has major social consequences for its victims. Some problems include skipping school, poor grades, low self esteem, and various physical and mental issues. Students who are victimized have higher rates of alcohol and drug use and are more likely to have face to face interaction with the bully.

One of the best tools we have to help stem this bullying is to listen to our kids. Be proactive and question them if there is any problem either face to face, or through technology.

In conclusion: Cyberbullying is on the rise every day. Its victims may be hesitant to reveal the issue due to embarrassment or fear of retribution.

Visit  this website - it has a lot of helpful information: stopbullying.gov

Keep watching your kids. We cannot depend on school systems, and organizations for kids to keep watch, and deal effectively with this issue. Parents and other family members have the advantage to be the ones who help stem the tide of this growing issue.

Scott G. Eddy, RN BSN

Parish Nurse Notes: Bullying

Anchor Community has been collaborating with 46808 Neighborhood Churches with the purpose of helping build a stronger, responsible, and healthier neighborhood. There are many subjects and issues that can be addressed. Among those issues are raising great teens who will grow up one day to be responsible citizens in our own neighborhoods and towns.

One issue has come to the forefront for almost all teens in one way or another: bullying. In recent research 43,321 teens were surveyed. The age range was 15-18 in 78 different public schools, and 22 private schools. Amazingly, a full 24% reported that they feared going to school, and found school to be an unhappy, and unsafe place to be. It was also found that 37% of boys and 19% of girls felt violence in schools was okay.

In other research, it has been found that as many as 100,000 students have gone to school while carrying firearms. 77% of students in one research group admitted to being bullied at some point. It is estimated that as many as half the incidents of bullying are never reported…..even considering that as many as 14% of students have had severe negative events related to bullying.

One big problem with bullying in 2011 is that it is no longer limited to just verbal threats and physical violence. Bullying has many faces including:
-relational...ie. withdrawing emotional, social, and friendship benefits to punish a victim
-racial...indirect racial slurs, graffiti, exclusion from various social settings and activities, and harassment
-sexual...sexual remarks, inappropriate touching,
-cyberbullying...threats and harassment over various internet social sites such as Facebook etc.

Very serious problems can result for bullied teens including physical harm as well as depression and social isolation. In the next couple of blogs I will discuss more in depth the problems related to bullying….and some of the steps we can take both in the Church, and in the community to help stem the epidemic which is overtaking so many of our teens.

Scott G. Eddy, RN BSN


Reference: USA Live Headlines.Com

Parish Nurse Notes: MRSA

My name is Scott Eddy and I am the Parish Nurse for Anchor. I am very much looking forward to this ministry. Some of the folks at Anchor have come to know me, but for those of you who have not, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself.

I have been an RN for 25 years now, over half my life. I have worked mostly in the hospital setting. I have worked in many areas including critical care, cardiac, neonatal intensive care, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgical. I first received my RN after graduating from the Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing. Later I received a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University.

I am the father of 2 great kids…both teenagers. I was born in 1964, and at that time my parents attended Third Street United Brethren Church. We were at Third Street until I was 8 years old. Just before leaving Third Street, I gave my heart to the Lord, with the help of a very dear Sunday School teacher named Juanita Sivits. Coming to Anchor (which used to be the Third Street UB Church) was like coming home, and I know this is where the Lord wants me to be.

As a Parish Nurse for Anchor, one of the ways I will serve is by blogging on various health care concerns. Some of my blogposts will feature informative subjects. Some will feature information that is geared toward prevention, some toward treatment issues. If at any time someone at Anchor would like me to discuss a certain topic, please feel free to mention that to me.

One topic that comes up repeatedly these days is MRSA. This is the acronym for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus - MRSA. A very big name to be sure. Many stories have been told about this organism which have left the public with a high degree of anxiety.

The basic form of MRSA is just called Staph aureus. This part of the organism usually resides on the skin and sometime the nasal passages of a healthy individual. MRSA is a special strain of S. aureus that responds poorly to many of our most powerful antibiotics. MRSA can be an easily dealt with problem if it is for example just on the skin and it is diagnosed and treated early. MRSA can become a serious problem if it gets into the blood, heart, bone, etc. An important concept is not to immediately allow anxiety to rule the day if a physician tells you that you have MRSA.

There are two types of MRSA. One type is acquired in the hospital. MRSA is very hard to get rid of. If you have been in the hospital, or had surgery in the last year you are at increased risk for MRSA infection. Again, allow common sense and early treatment to rule the day. The other type of MRSA is acquired in the community. This is becoming more of a problem to deal with. Some of the people at risk include athletes who share equipment, children in daycare facilities, persons in the military, and those who get tattoos.

Symptoms of skin infection may include drainage of pus or other fluid from the site, fever, warmth around the infected area. Watching for fever is an excellent way to watch for MRSA. Fever is one of our most basic indicators of overall health and one of the easiest things to check. More serious infections may include chills, cough, fatigue, fever, feeling bad, headache and muscle aches, rash, and shortness of breath. Treatment will vary according to the type and severity of the MRSA infection.

MRSA is getting increasingly hard to treat as different strains of the organism get resistant to available antibiotics. One of the more frequently used antibiotics for MRSA is Vancomycin. Any antibiotic that your physician orders for you should be taken until it is COMPLETELY finished. Many infections have the ability to rebound if antibiotic therapy is stopped too soon.

In conclusion: MRSA is a serious infection, and one of the best weapons to fight it is early detection and early treatment. If you have any reason to suspect you may have even a minor infection of the skin or any other issue, please contact your physician right away. MRSA can be contagious, so if you believe you may have a problem, you are not only doing yourself a favor, but also the ones you love.


Scott G. Eddy, RN BSN


References used:
National Center for Biotechnology Information
U.S. National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health