An example of the HON Code logo, soon to be displayed on our homepage. The HON Code allows users to check a sites authenticity through the HON website.

The HON foundation have reviewed the site and found it to be compliant with their 12 ethical principles which they have been applying over the past 12 years, leading them to them being the most recognised and one of the most respected sites to search for web authenticity. We hope to continue to abide by their 8 key principles (amongst others) namely:

1. Authority
2. Complementarity
3. Confidentiality
4. Attribution
5. Justification
6. Professionalism
7. Transparency of Financing
8. Advertising

We have made some minor alterations to the site at the request of the HON, we continue to respect their authority, and the status of our membership will soon be available via our homepage.

As the Department of Health in the UK made waves today announcing encouraging news that patients as well as staff should have less restricted mobile phone access, other researchers were pointing to the fact that (surprise, suprise) if you swab a mobile, you grow bacteria on it. Next they’ll be swabbing the patients…

Quoting their website today they said:

“Hospitals in England should consider allowing more liberal use of mobile phones, following new guidance issued today.

The updated guidance indicates that NHS trusts should consider giving patients, staff and visitors the widest possible use of mobile phones, where it doesn’t interfere with equipment, the privacy of others or cause a nuisance.

The new guidance stipulates that mobile phone use should continue to be restricted in areas where critical care equipment susceptible to electro magnetic interference is used. Areas where phones should not be used should be clearly indicated so that patients and staff are fully aware.”

I’m not sure what the control should have been for that experiment. A bleep or pager? Maybe a pen and paper? As far as we’re concerned its righ up there with the Staying Alive CPR research done in the USA.