Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane Preparedness

Conveyor belts were invented in the 1790’s. American groceries began using steel conveyor belts in 1901. By the 1960’s, automated conveyor belts were appearing in grocery stores across the nation. Though a major convenience for staff and customers alike, conveyor belts also pose a number of risks. A study conducted in 2009 by Dr. Zhinong Yan of Moi Belting Systems, Grand Rapids, Michigan found that grocery store conveyor belts contained several types of bacteria including MRSA, E. coli, salmonella, listeria, and staph. Dr. Yan tested belts in 42 Michigan grocery stores and found contamination in 100% of the stores tested. If grocery conveyor belts are not cleaned and sanitized frequently, then there is potential for the presence of bacteria. Conveyor belts risks include fingers getting pinched, shoestrings or clothing getting tangled, etc. Children, when allowed to play on or near conveyor belts, can come in direct contact with bacteria present on the
conveyor belt, as well as contribute to the presence of bacteria that is generally found on the bottoms of their shoes. Product hooks are often found around grocery conveyor belts, usually to the side and holding various product. Hooks can also be found on the end of conveyor belts. This poses an obvious risk as it is usually located below the line of sight. An obvious solution is to not have hooks located in this area. These areas must be checked daily to ensure proper function of the grocery conveyor belt:

Update – Friday, April 21, 2023 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 today to stay the entire order issued by Judge Kacsmaryk of Texas.  This ruling overrules the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ order that partially stayed Kacsmaryk’s order.  As a result, mifepristone’s status will remain unchanged until the Fifth Circuit hears the case and makes a ruling on the merits.  The hearing is expected to be held in May.  Pharmacists may continue to dispense mifepristone according to previous state and Federal laws until a final ruling on the merits is issued.

Update – Thursday, April 20, 2023 – Justice Samuel Alito extended his stay until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2023.  Pharmacists may continue to dispense mifepristone according to previous state and Federal laws until an order is issued or the stay extended again.

The State of Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) issued Bulletin No. 23-01 in response to the tornadoes from March 31, 2023, and April 1, 2023. Please see the links below for more information.

The recent Federal court rulings on the status of mifepristone may leave pharmacists wondering where they stand if they dispense mifepristone. The answer has been...

The Arkansas Insurance Department issued Bulletin No. 4-2023 in response to the recent severe storms taking place in Cross, Lonoke, and Pulaski counties.  Please see the links below. The Department has issued a 60-day moratorium on the cancellation and non-renewal of personal lines policies for the non-payment of premiums. This shall apply to all personal lines policies issued that cover risks in the above-mentioned counties.

Ask any healthcare professional why they entered their field; the answer will likely be to help people. You probably will encounter few, if any, that will tell you it was to spend extra time charting. However, this documentation is crucial to the care we provide. There are three aspects when providing services in which accurate documentation is imperative.