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Point of View Page 9 December I 0, 2002 Hospitals: What You Don't Know Can Kill You SARALYON Managing Editor People go to hospitals to get better, but a newspa- per investigation found that there are hundreds of thousands of deaths linked to infections that patients received in our own nation's hospitals. Fatalities by infections contracted by unsanitary hospitals represent the fourth leading cause of death · in the United States. These infections each year kill more people than car acci- dents, fires, and drown- ing combined. It frightened me that there is a possibility that a simple surgery could end in a fatality, which could have been pre- vented. Why are hospi- tals not meeting their sani- tary standards and re- quirements? It was reported.recently that 75 percent of all hos- pitals have been cited for sanitary violations, ac- cording to · the CBS website. Government data show that about two million people admitted to hospitals per year will pick up some sort of infection. Such infections might not be harmful to an average person, but sick people who are susceptible and unable to fight back can't handle them. It all comes down to one problem: doctors, nurses, and other hospital employees aren't taking the time to dis- infect themselves and their environment. A Tribune re- port found that tens of thou- sands of lives could have been saved if doctors or nurses simply washed their hands. To me, this is absolutely disgusting. From patient to patient, and with lim- ited time, doctors don't take the time to do a simple procedure that protects themselves and their patients. Studies show that only 50 percent of doctors make time to wash their hands. This is unacceptable. In other cases, doctors and nurses wear their scrubs to work, then walk right into the operating room. Plus, some doc- tors don't wash their hands before surgery be- cause they are wearing gloves, forgetting that they are using dirty hands to put them on. Not too long ago, I wit- nessed the aftermath of a car accident. While I was pulled over waiting for the ambulance to pass, I watched the paramedic put his medical gloves on while he was driving. He then put his hands back on the dirty steering wheel. This is unsanitary. Why should a person have to worry about dy- ing from something that they didn't even go to the hospital for? Case after case has been reported of deaths in hospitals not even linked to the origin~ illness. This is definitely an issue that needs to be addressed more and a problem that needs to be taken care of. Here are a few tips to ensure a clean and sani- tary environment if you need to go to the doc- tor or the hospital. Watch your doctor and make sure that they wash their hands before they make contact with you. Also watch to see if they wash after they write in your chart. This is a good .sign of how you will be treated in the hospital if they are to perform surgery on you. Go to the hospital and look around. Make surethatthereisn'tany garbage on the floor, and if the bathrooms are dirty, it's a good indica- tion that cleanliness is not a priority. This may make you uncomfortable, but ask- ing the nurses or doctor to wash their hands is a good idea. This could help you stay healthy, or even save your life. Letter to the Editor: Deal With it; Grow Up PLAINTIFF: H. APRIL WATSON Who lied to you and told you that life was fair??? You are absolutely correct when you say that staff should not park in undesignated areas. Staff should adhere to the guidelines set forth and act as role models. Therefore there is no excuse for anyone to park where they should not. On the other hand we do not live in a perfect world where people always do exactly as they should. There are more and more students each semester here at the college so maybe you won't get that choice parking spot- deal with it and grow up. This is a college newspaper and all that two of you could think of to write about was life not being fair in the parking lot?? Here is a thought for you, arrive for class early, and then maybe you will get the parking spot you want. DBFBNDANT: LUMBERJACK In defense of the articles that appeared in the last issue, the staff at the Lumberjack thinks parking is a worthy issue for debate. The fact that we had two articles dealing with the same issue did not escape our attention. We felt that if the students believed it was a large enough problem to be addressed in two sections, so be it. One article was, as you know, a Point of View column while the other was straight news. If it weren't an issue with people, we wouldn't have discussed it in such detail. At no point in the articles did the respective authors whine; they simply stated frustrations with the system as it presently stands. Their frustrations echo those of other students as well. It was obviously a problem worthy of discussion. If it concerns our readers and our staff, it is news worthy. I Well hey,, Thanks to that new fangled Homeland Security Act the government can now ta your phone or computer. And get this . .. No warrant necessary! I'd call someone to complain, but if I say anything gang! It's time to · jetteson your Civil Liberties! Editors: The Managing/Photo Editor: Sara Lyon • Managing/News Editor: Jessica Thiem lumberjack Features Editor: KaraEubank Sports Editor: JoBeth Johnson Staff P.O.V. Editor: Matt Petrovich A&E Editor: Chris Oposnow Advisor: Shawn Sexton Dissident these 0 nifty laser- sights turn into nifty bullet holes. Staff Writers: Jonas Boda Trevor Bullock Michael Chambers Chad Dempsey Nicole Hatch Mackenzie Houle Connie Irland Julie Klein Israel Munsey . Katie Pizza John Roe Mary Ann Schram Karen Schuman Erin Sharp Dawn Trim Ron Lancewicz White Powder, Green Dollars jersey, but the store as well. The trash-talking Fab 5 have been brought under scrutiny this year for alleg- edly taking money from Ed Martin. While investigating Mar- tin for money laundering, investigators came upon some evidence that sug- MATT PETROVICH gests the Fab 5 was given PO. V Editor a substantial amount of money by Martin. How this For as long as they have money may have affected been around, collegiate the performance of the sports have been riddled players is also being ques- with controversy. The tioned. In reaction to these most recent victims of this allegations, the University growing trend in Michigan took down the banners and are Michigan State Univer- other awards for excel- sity and the University of lence they had achieved Michigan. during the years in question. Earlier this year, MSU One could argue, as Chris star quarterback Jeff Webberoncedid,andsay Smoker was admitted into that these are college stu- rehab to deal with a grow- dents who need financial ing substance abuse prob- support. The disagreement, lem. Smoker has con- ofcourse, is that these col- fessed to the use of co- lege students are there for caine over the past few an education, which they years and took responsi- receive free of charge, for bility for his problem this being outstanding athletes. year. Smoker hopes to re- NCAA rules clearly state turn the following year and a player is to accept no be reinstated into the foot- form of payment for his ac- ball program. tions. The rules are there The question remains- is for a reason. When a man Jeff Smoker the norm for like Ed Martin buys a college athletes? The playeracar, he doesn't do pressure of school life is so out of the goodness of enough to crush many hisheart. student's will power. Add It is unclear whether or to that the class schedule not Martin asked players and a grueling regiment of to shave points or alter exercise and training and their own game in some you end up with one way to benefit the point stressed-out time bomb. spread, but it has hap- Still, Despite all the hard- pened in the past. Martin ships and stress that college and those like him attempt athletes face, Smoker's to buy the loyalty of these situtaion does not appear to athletes. Money is a very be that common. A much seductive lure for everyone more common problem (young college students with college athletes in- perhaps more than oth- volves that most elusive of ers). all elements for a college Though it might seem student-money. unfair to the student-ath- People remember the Uni- lete, college players must versity of Michigan be held accountable for Wolverine's Fab 5 with their actions just as the mixed emotions. Chris rest of the world is. Webber, Juwan Howard, Drugs are illegal and vio- Jalen Rose, Jimmy King, lating that law always and Ray Jackson were the carries with it severe rebels of NCAA basket- punishments. Whether ball. All five started as Smoker is allowed back freshman and led the Wol- into the football program verines to the National at MSU or not should Championship against depend upon his ability to Duke. They lost, but cap- kick the habit and func- tured the hearts of millions. tion as a law-abiding citi- Chris Webber used to zen. The NCAA needs to ·oke about not being able stand by its rules, as well. to afford his own jersey at College players are paid the U of M bookstore. As with an education; taking it appears now, he could anything else offered is have not only bought the just plain criminal. Contact the Lumberjack: The Lumberjack is published on the first Tuesday of October, Novermber and Decemeber, as well as the last Tuesday of Febru- ary, March and April. Opinions Expressed are strictly those of the writer and are not endorsed by ACC or the entire Lumberjack staff. Signed contributions can be dropped of at BTC 106 or con- tact us at 989-358-7264. Mail correspondence to the Lum- berjack, ACC, 666 Johnson St., Alepena, Michigan 49707 the_lurnberjack_ne~hounail