The 2012 Olympic Safety Awards for the design and construction of the Olympic stadium.
Brian Nimick, the Chief Executive of the British Safety Council oversaw the Olympic Delivery Authority Awards. ( ODA )Judged by the British Safety Council.

The focus on safety and health before the Olympics is important for a successful event.
As travelers heading to the Olympics, the preparation and awards encouraged employees to pay attention to safety details.


Some of the awards given for 2012 Construction for the Olympic Village;

1. Worker of the Year Award was presented to Huw Preece working on the primary foul drainage and pumping station.

2. Supervisor of the Year Award was presented to Sean Melody from the structures, bridges and highways construction team.

3. The Environmental individual performance Award was presented to Andy Bassett from the Aquatics Centre construction team.

4. Manager of the Year Award was presented to Thomas Faulkner from the structures, bridges and highways team.

5. The Commitment to Exemplar Performance was awarded to Team Stadium for their work on the construction of the Olympic Stadium.

6. The Project Performance Award was presented to the ‘Park Health’ occupational healthcare team based on site.

7. The Environmental Project Performance Award was presented to the construction team for the Weymouth and Portland sailing facilities.

The Team Training Award was presented to the Enabling Works team for their work on the north of the Olympic Park.

The Zero Tolerance – Workforce Engagement Award was presented to the Olympic Village team.

10. The Lessons Learned Award was presented to the Enabling Works team.




To view the Olympic Torch route:

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Keep Yourself Safe When Traveling

Before traveling to a foreign country, consider getting your prescription and over the counter medications for travel filled in your home country.
Beware of counterfeit medicines. Some of these medications are produced with counterfeit intent, but most of these medications from foreign countries may have sub standard manufacturing.

http://www.voanews.com/content/un-calls-for-unity-in-fight-against-drug-resistant-malaria/1363767.html

Association South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Being asked to support UN in efforts to slow the spread of drug resistant malaria, especially along the borders of Cambodia and Burma.

UN Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM)

Malaria threatens 2.3 billion people in countries across Asia Pacific region.. IN 2010 the Asia Pacific region had 28 million reported cases of malaria with over 38,00 lives lost.

Scientists are blaming use of single use drugs and sales of counterfeit medication as reasons for growing resistance.

A recent report by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) stated an analysis of medications for anti malarial collected in Sub-Saharan Africa discovered 35 medications failed standards due to poor manufacturing and another 20 percent failed because they were bogus.

Which could mean up to 1/3 of malaria medication is potentially counterfeit.

Article in BBC news online, health editor Michelle Roberts
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18147085

She does note that mortality due to malaria has fallen more than 25% globally since 2000, 33% in the World Health Organization African Region.

http://www.rbm.who.int/keyfacts.html

Mysterious Illness in Cambodia

An article in Chicago Tribune
by Rosemarie Francisco
http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-rt-us-cambodia-diseasebre8620dg-20120703,0,1069237.story

An Investigation by World Health Organization (WHO) into an unknown disease that has killed at least 60 children under age 7 since April of 2012. Mostly occurring in Southern Cambodia.

Symptoms of high fever, swelling around the brain and respiratory symptoms, the children deteriorate due to difficulty breathing. Symptoms usually related to pneumonia.

The WHO is working with the Cambodia Ministry of Health and other countries to find the cause and source of this disease. The WHO must continue to research the disease
to determine the cause.

Readers planning to travel to Camodia or South Vietnam can help protect themselves with frequent hand washing, using soap and hot water and using sanitary hand wipes
for wiping down surfaces in hotel room and other frequently touched areas, like airline seat trays and door handles.

Drink water only from sealed water bottles or travel with a water bottle & water filter system. Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables, eating them only steamed or cooked.

Because the majority of these cases are in children under age 11, pay close attention to any fever or change in mental status if traveling to this region with small children.

Seek medical attention as soon as possible if any of these symptoms occur.

Safe travels,

Nurse G

Sandcastle Built for Olympics Then Destroyed

London 2012 -A Sandcastle marking 100 days before the official start of the Summer Olympics was demolished for health and safety reasons only hours after it was completed.
An article in the UK Telegraph, written by Donna Bowater, describes the ginormous 13 feet wide by 6 and 1/2 feet high announcing “100 days to go” was demolished to prevent injuries to visitors. Especially the risk of the structure falling on any children.

The purpose of the sandcastle was to create photo opportunities to mark 100 days before the start of the Summer Olympics.

The cost of the sandcastle was £5,000 or about $7,764 USD.
Demolishing the sandcastle was part of the plan to ensure safety.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/9211627/London-2012-Olympics-sandcastle-knocked-down-over-he

To view the Olympic torch route:

http://www.london2012.com/torch-relay/

11 symptoms to watch for after traveling Stage 4: Four Steps Travel Health Guarding Your Health

This is part four on a series of the four steps to Travel Health. The First Step is Preparation and Pre travel the Second Step is The Third Step is Travel and health during travel The fourth Step is post travel health. Upon return from your travel destination, see your doctor if you are not feeling well or having any type of symptom that might be out of the norm for the typical "Airplane Cold" , See your doctor or health care provider. The World Health Organization has completed research stating most travelers do not realize that symptoms from contracting a travel illness can show up as late as 12 to 18 months later. A few travel illness symptoms may include;

1. Upset stomach or stomach problems that will not resolve.
2. Cramping in your muscles
3. Rash or skin irritation
4. Headache
5. Fever - low fever or high fever
6. Feeling tired or a generalized "sick with aches and pains."
7. Watery or bloody diarrhea. Described by medical professionals as "rice-water" diarrhea because of the way it looks.
8. Unexplained weight loss
9. Redness or swelling of eyelid or around your eyes.
10. Nausea & Vomiting
11. Joint pain
12. Pain around your eyes
13. Your experiencing a sore throat
14. Loss of Appetite
15. Difficulty swallowing
16. Unexplained Hoarseness in your voice
17. Tightening of your jaw muscles
18. Parkinson symptoms or uncontrolled shaking
19. Seizures
20. Backache
21. Chills
22. Unexplained Fatigue
23. Weakness
24. Bleeding
25. Yellowing of the whites of eyes.

If you experience any of the above symptoms after traveling abroad, please see your medical physician.
Stay Healthy,
Nurse G

Copyright Nurse Guardian,pllc 2011-2016,

Make your personal travel health routine habit Travel Health; Four Steps for Guarding your Health- Step 3

Article 3 of 4 Travel Health stages; Four Stages to protect your health during travel
Stage Three; Make Your Personal Health Travel routine and Strategies a Habit.
Using your favorite travel health products and prevention before, during and after your flight is important to support your health and increase your comfort. Frequently washing your hands may help prevent catching the dreaded "airplane cold."
Make a habit of wiping down surfaces when first sitting down on an airline flight, or other travel transportation. Using handiwipes that kill bacteria.

When you arrive in your hotel room the following strategies could be added to your health routine and may help support your health,
preventing travel illness. Carry a My Travel Health Kit®. A convenient travel kit designed by a Registered Nurse, full of FDA Approved Over-the-Counter medications for illness. or

If you decide to put together your own comfort medication kit, then here is a list of medications that can be purchased over the counter and what the medications are used for when not feeling well.
Medicine

ACHES & PAINS, FEVER, HEADACHES
Acetaminophen
Temporary relief of pain, Headaches, Fever reducer

Ibuprofin
Temporary relief of Pain, Headaches Fever reducer

Tri-Buffered Aspirin
Temporary Pain, Headache, Prevention

COLD, FLU & COUGH
Sinus Decongestant
Temporary relief of sinus congestion & pressure
Diphenhydramine
Temporary relief of Allergy
STOMACH UPSET AILMENTS
Aluminum hydroxide
Cherry flavored Temporary relief of acid indigestion, sour stomach,
Magnesium hydroxide
cherry flavored Temporary relief of acid indigestion, sour stomach

TOPICAL &PREVENTION
Triple Antibiotic Ointment
Temporary relief of minor cuts & scrapes
Hydrocortisone Cream 1% Temporary relief of itching associated with minor skin irritations like bug bites or rashes.
Moleskin Temporary relief of pre or post blisters on feet

Good for you for taking steps to prevent illness. Keep up the good habits! Thanks for reading Nurse Guardian Blog. Feedback is always welcome. Stay Healthy, Nurse G Copyright Nurse Guardian,pllc. Use with Permission.

Worth it's weight in gold - testimony

Healthy Traveling is not all doom and gloom. One of my customers told me about a recent trip to Italy. She came down with a cold after her third day. She was super excited because this was her first trip to Europe. She sent me an email after her trip telling me she used most of the medication for a cold in the kit. She used all of the cough drops as she was traveling with a coordinated tour group and did not wish to cough on the bus. So grateful she had the kit with her instead of having to locate a pharmacy for her needs. Nurse G has created a travel kit that is packed full of every day items, things that are worth their weight in gold the minute you need them. All at your fingertips. Think of travel health and your travel health preparations like a warm up to your exercise routine. The world is an amazing and exiting place to explore all the wonders, even during business travel. During business travel one can meet people from all parts of the globe and gain exposure to all types of cultures. Like any balanced exercise routine or sport, warm up before the workout or you might pull or damage a muscle. Before any travel, prepare yourself with a medical and safety warm up, like warming up your muscles before exercise. Traveling with My Travel Health Kit® may help prevent travel illness. Traveling is a great experience to meet other cultures, people and see some beautiful wonders on our planet. See my next article on 4 stages for healthy travel. Enjoy your travels and Stay Healthy. Nurse G Copyright Nurse Guardian,pllc. Use With Permission

How my immune system keeps me healthy

Your immune system is your protection against bacteria, viruses and illness. Your immune system soldiers are slow to prepare for battle and need about a month to build forts and practice with the vaccines. This practice of your immune system's soldiers are prepared for any larger battle and can create a strong defense strategy during your travels. You may want to plan a visit to your travel medicine provider at least one month before your departure. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDCP) vaccinations take up to TWO WEEKS or longer to become effective. An early visit to your travel medical provider gives your body time to ally with the vaccinations you receive and build protection. Vaccines for travel are divided into three categories: Routine, Recommended, and Required. A medical travel provider will help you figure out which vaccinations based on travel destination and other factors. Even if you have less than 4 weeks before departure, You may still benefit from shots, which medical professionals call immunizations. You may also benefit from Prescription medication and information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling. Support your troops! You can download an adult immunization record card at www.immunize.org/adultizcards/adultizcard.pdf Nurse G Copyright Nurse Guardian, pllc 2011-2014. May be used with permission from author.

Save Time at the Airport with PRE CHECK

I wrote about Time Saving tips for frequent travelers. TSA now has a Trusted Traveler program. A Few additional time saving Travel programs introduced by the TSA; Pre Check- sign up on the TSA website. SA Pre✓™ Application Process The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is announcing plans to implement a TSA Pre✓™ application process. The TSA Pre✓™ fee-based application process will allow U.S. citizens the opportunity to apply for expedited screening without a passport. When available, the application will be a two-step process: Fill out an online application. Verify identity and provide fingerprints at a TSA Pre✓™ enrollment center. Applicants may pay the anticipated $85 enrollment fee online, or at an enrollment center. There is a five-year term of eligibility, after which members will need to re-apply. TSA expects the vetting process to take approximately 2-3 weeks. A U.S. passport is not required to enroll. The first two enrollment locations, Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Indianapolis International Airport (IND), will open in fall 2013 with plans to expand to additional enrollment sites nationwide. Applicants receive a confirmation letter via U.S. mail. Approved applicants are issued a ‘Known Traveler Number’ to be used when booking travel. Passengers enter their Known Traveler Number (KTN) in the ‘Known Traveler Field’ when booking their travel reservations. Passengers may also enter their KTN to their frequent flyer airline profiles, where it is stored for future reservations. Current TSA Pre✓™ participants, including those eligible via a CBP Trusted Traveler Program such as Global Entry, will continue to receive TSA Pre✓™ eligibility. Participants who opted-in through their airline frequent flyer program may want to consider applying for TSA Pre✓™, as they are more likely to be selected for TSA Pre✓™ expedited screening more often if they are vetted via the TSA Pre✓™ application process. Enrollment locations, contact information and hours of operation will be available fall 2013. http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/tsa-precheck-application-process The link to the website for the programs. Remember to get immunizations before travel and carry a My Travel Health Kit® to avoid the hunt for foreign pharmacies. Healthy Travels, Nurse G

Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite!

A bedbug link to share with readers. This article covers information on bedbugs and Bed bugs are an increasing problem, not only for hotels, but in every major city in the United States. Currently, the CDC and other health organizations are stating that bed bug bites are not carrying any illness for humans, but I would much rather not be bitten at all.

what to look for in a hotel room to identify bed bugs are present. http://thedailynewsonline.com/lifestyles/article_dabb8ad5-a431-5786-8893-a9482c73a41e.html Don't let the bed bugs bite! Healthy Travels, Nurse G Copyright Nurse Guardian,pllc. Use with Permission.

Protection from Measles When Traveling

What can I do to protect myself from Measles on my international business travel? Protect yourself and your family by keeping your immunizations up to date. Traveling with a current copy of your immunizations. If you are unable to find a copy of your childhood immunizations, ask your health care provider about a vaccination schedule. Be up to date with your vaccinations before you travel. Any one of the following is evidence of measles immunity for international travelers: A.) birth before 1957. B.) Copy of childhood vaccine record showing documented injection of 2 doses of live measles virus vaccine (MMR, MMRV). C.) Current copy of documented injection of recent Measles vaccination. Especially if no childhood vaccination record is locatable. D.) Proof of immunity, a laboratory blood test for Measles titer. E.) Documentation of physician-diagnosed measles. Healthy Travels, Nurse G

Travel Health; Four Simple Stages for Guarding your Health

This is one(1) of 4 posts on 4 simple stages of travel health. Easy ways to prepare for your travel to remain as healthy as possible. Stage one Pre Travel; A dear friend of mine returned from a business trip in Central America. When he returned, he thought he had just a touch of stomach flu. Waiting a week before seeing his physician due to his progressed symptoms. His doctor ran a few "travel health " tests and my friend was diagnosed with parasites in his liver. Luckily or unluckily, the physician had diagnosed this parasite in other travelers. His physician said they were lucky to catch it early. My friend made a full recovery. Stage one Pre Travel; Emergency Communications Before your departure, purchase two USB drives. Download your medical information and travel contact information on both drives. Leave one USB drive with your emergency contact person. Keep the other USB drive with you when you travel, for easy access to your medical information and in case of a medical emergency. Leave as much information you feel comfortable giving to your emergency contact but try to list multiple ways of contacting you. Store the following information on two USB drives; A. A copy of your medical records, a current list of immunizations, copy of your travel insurance policy, physician name and contact number, a list of your medication and medication prescription information including pharmacy and prescription number as well as your personal medical insurance information. Remember to update annually or as your personal medical information changes. B. Your travel contact information including the name and contact number of your of hotel(s), your flight information and travel itinerary, email address and the contact of a local manager or team leader at work. If possible, include a contact person at the company you are doing business with in the destination country and the contact of a coworker traveling with you. Update your emergency contact information with your Human Resource Department. Look for part two Travel Health 4 Stages to protect your health. http://nurseguardian.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/part-ii-travel…ct-your-health/

As an Occupational Health Nurse Manager, I experienced a scare with an employee. One of the nurses I managed became sick recently and I was unable to find her. This nurse had a stellar record of attendance and communication skills. I worried something awful had happened. She had graciously invited my family to a party she was hosting and I happened to have her husbands cell phone number. I was finally able to get hold of the husband, who did not know she was not at work. He was able to track her down and contacted me with the update, she was in the Emergency Room at the local hospital. A recent survey published in Business Travel News addressed Crisis Management. They further identified by the survey the "primary source of employee location and contact information in an emergency". The one page graph did not expand on emergency type or situation. It did not identify disasters. Tools used for company provided emergency assistance program primary sources were email 43% and phone call in person 37%. Tools for company provided traveler/ crisis alerts: Primary sources were email (63%) and internet site(31%). How would your company contact you if there was an emergency back home? How would your company contact you if you had an emergency overseas? As an Occupational Health Nurse we have prepared over 100 business travelers a month with health and safety preparation before business travel. Here are some tips to prepare for quick communication during business travel; Internal in your company; Check with Human Resources and update your emergency contact numbers. After the nurse became sick, I placed that communication must at the top of my priority list for the team of nurses I managed. I encouraged them to update emergency contacts annually. Working with the larger corporations, much of this information is available on the company's home page. The nurses could update their emergency contacts from their computer. Learn policies and procedures for injury or illness at work. The E H&S team or Human Resources can guide that information. Talk to your family or emergency contacts about your emergency plan at work. Let them know what hospital you expect to be transported to, the location of your insurance card and who else to contact for you, if you are unable to make phone calls at the time of the emergency. Prepare for the worst, expect the best. Look for my next article Business overseas Emergency planning

Protect Yourself From Recent Outbreak of Measles in Europe

Following three years of low Measles incidence from 2007-2009, a sharp increase of reported Measles cases occurred in late 2009, increasing in 2010. As of 2011 the European region is reporting 21,700 cases. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus. Efforts being taken in the European Region to achieve the Elimination Target of Measles by 2015. France is the country with the highest rate of Measles; around 14,000 cases since October 2011. Cases of Measles predominantly occurred in children and young adults with no immunization history, or questionable history of immunization. In the United States, according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) which has received a total of 156 confirmed cases of Measles, the highest reported cases since 1996. The number of deaths totals 9 from Measles in 2011 in the following countries; France - 6, has the largest number of deaths. Stay Healthy! Nurse G

Measles on the Increase- What the Heck ARE Measles?

What are Measles? With modern medicine and our current vaccinations in the United States, most people may have never seen a case of Measles. According to Pubmed health, Measles are a highly contagious, respiratory virus, spread by contact with droplets from an infected person. Measles can be spread from the coughing or sneezing of an infected person. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002536/ Symptoms of the Measles are fever, runny nose, cough and rash. Other symptoms may include; Muscle pain, Rash, Tiny white spots in the mouth Light sensitivity Runny Nose Sore Throat Cough In response to measles outbreaks, according to WHO World Health Organization as of December 2011, states increasing and immunization advocacy. Recommendations for adjusting the immunization schedule based on a per country decision. Thousands of hospitalizations related to the European Region Measles outbreak, along with the potentially preventable deaths. The CDC, recommends the vaccination MMR which covers Measles, Mumps and Rubella. Check with your medical provider before receiving vaccinations for travel health. the CDC recommends following ADULT schedule for Measles between the ages of 19 and 49 one or two doses. Adults that are over the age of 50, one dose of MMR. Note: The Adult vaccination schedule is not a schedule for children. For more information on the ADULT vaccination schedule visit this link : http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/adult/adult-schedule.pdf

Part 2: Travel Health Four Simple Stages for Guarding Your Health

Travel Health Stage 2 (of 4) Medical Protection; Steps to take before travel. See Stage one in article link below; Stage 2 Medical Protection; Steps to take before travel; Check with your medical health provider about travel immunizations and current disease outbreaks in your country of destination. The best time to meet with your medical provider is two to three weeks before departure. If you require immunizations, this gives your body time to create antibodies. Discuss the options of additional prescription medication for travel. Start a course of probiotics. Not Antibiotics, PRObiotics! Similar to a good quality yogurt, that protects digestive health, but turbocharged. Take probiotic supplements to enhance your digestive system's Guard bacteria. That is, good bacteria that aids with digestive health. Research show that probiotics support digestive health against the dreaded Traveler's Diarrhea. If you happen to get Travelers Diarrhea(TD), research also show that with consistent use of probiotics, the course of TD illness may not last as long One Week before departure A. Get prescriptions from travel health care provider filled. B, If possible, get personal prescriptions filled so that you have enough medication to cover your travel dates. Bring a few extra pills in the event of any travel delays. C. Pack your prescriptions. Just a friendly reminder! D. Pack a My Travel Health Kit® Stocked with over-the-counter medications you may need during travel. If you don't have time and don't want to struggle with the challenge of packing your own travel health kit, order one from us. Available now at or you can check out; We customize your kit with FDA approved over-the-counter medications for temporary relief of symptoms like colds & cough, aches and pains and stomach distress. Also included are necessary first aid topical items. Copyright Nurse Guardian,pllc 2011-2014. May be reproduced with permission from author.

Get up to date Travel Alert Information in a Free Email I of 2

Adding yet another helpful pre travel task is signing up for Travel Alert Information.

Two U.S. Government websites offer super duper helpful information on travel alerts.

The U.S. State department has an email sign up under their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.



Be sure and confirm the email from the STEP travel alert sign up. My Macbook sloooweed waayy doowwn waiting for the confirmation connection to the U.S. State Dept website.

The U.S. State Department covers alerts for safety, weather, abductions and other crimes of foreign countries or you can quickly search for a specific country.

FAQ about STEP program

Answering FAQ about an evacuation.



This link is information on over seas crime. Procedures if you are a victim.



Part two covers the second government website for travel health resources.



Nurse G