Unintentional poisoning by prescription drugs is increasing

Poisoning is now the second leading cause of unintentional injury death in the U.S. The rates of unintentional poisoning deaths have been on the rise for more than 15 years, and unintentional poisoning has surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of unintentional injury death among people 35-54 years of age. In a study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers found that hospitalizations for poisoning by prescription opioids, sedatives and tranquilizers in the U.S. have increased by 65% from 1999 to 2006.
Read article at physorg.com

Detectives are investigating seven deaths among residents at an elderly people's home in England

Care home shuts after two arrests as police investigate deaths

Extracts:

"Detectives are investigating seven deaths among residents at an elderly people's home, which was closed yesterday following the arrest of a nurse and a chef on suspicion of poisoning.

The couple were released on bail after police questions about the death of 97-year-old Lucy Cox at the 16-bed private Parkfields home, in the Somerset village of Butleigh, near Glastonbury.

The pair were named as Rachel Baker, 45, a registered nurse who ran the home for 19 years until resigning in January, and her 48-year-old husband, Leigh."

"Health and safety rules at the home were flouted regularly, there was inadequate staffing, and muddled record keeping. The report, which included evidence from 10 residents, found the management to be "poor" with residents confined to their bedrooms for long periods, amid low standards of cleanliness and health care."