Synopsis for June 4, 2004

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EDT.

1. Nonfatal and Fatal Drownings in Recreational Water Settings ― United States, 2001-2002
2. Enhanced Enforcement of Laws to Prevent Alcohol Sales to Underage Persons ― New Hampshire, 1999-2004
3. Breast Cancer-Screening Data for Assessing Quality of Services ― New York, 2000-2003
4. National Laboratory Inventory for Global Poliovirus Containment ― United States, November 2003

Synopsis for June 4, 2004

Nonfatal and Fatal Drownings in Recreational Water Settings ― United States, 2001-2002

While immediate CPR can save someone's life, often medical care in the hospital cannot prevent serious consequences of recreational drowning-related injuries such as brain damage. The best treatment for drowning is to prevent the event in the first place by being aware of the hazards and following suggested prevention strategies.

Recreational water sites like pools, lakes, and oceans can be wonderful places for family fun and physical activity. However, in the United States in 2001, more than 4,100 people sought care in an emergency department for nonfatal drowning injuries with more than half requiring hospital admission or transfer for higher levels of care. The study also noted that more than 3,300 people drowned in recreational water settings. Nonfatal and fatal injury rates were highest for children ages four years or younger, and for males of all ages. CDC researchers note that environmental protective measures such as four-sided pool fencing and life guarding should be adopted. Also, alcohol use should be avoided while swimming, boating or water skiing, and while supervising children in aquatic settings. Finally, all participants, care-givers and supervisors should be knowledgeable regarding water safety skills and seek training in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Enhanced Enforcement of Laws to Prevent Alcohol Sales to Underage Persons ― New Hampshire, 1999-2004

Quarterly compliance checks, media coverage, and mandatory penalties were associated with a significant reduction in retail alcohol sales to underage buyers.

To reduce alcohol sales to underage youth in Concord, New Hampshire, the Concord Police Department and the New Hampshire Liquor Commission conducted a pilot program of enhanced enforcement of alcohol licensees. Quarterly compliance checks, media coverage, and mandatory penalties were associated with a significant reduction in retail alcohol sales to underage buyers. The results support recommendations recently made by the Institute of Medicine in their 2003 report on Reducing Underage Drinking: A Collective Responsibility.

Breast Cancer-Screening Data for Assessing Quality of Services ― New York, 2000-2003

Mammography continues to be a highly effective tool for the early detection of breast cancer.

The New York State Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program (NYSBCCSP) is funded in part through CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). A total of 292 mammography facilities participate in NYSBCCSP. In 1998, NYSBCCSP began reviewing the clinical outcomes of clients screened through the program to identify facilities that might need quality assurance interventions. This report describes the multiple components of the quality assurance process used by NYSBCCSP. The process includes methods for monitoring and assessing the quality of clinical care by program providers. Additionally, the report describes the process used when inadequate technical quality and interpretation of mammograms is identified, resulting in the need for repeat breast cancer screening. The outcome-based methods used by NYSBCCSP can be useful to breast cancer screening providers and other NBCCEDP programs.

National Laboratory Inventory for Global Poliovirus Containment ― United States, November 2003

The United States has successfully completed the first phase of a plan for the laboratory containment of poliovirus following its eradication.

Before the world can be certified as free of polio, it is necessary for countries to identify sources of material that may contain poliovirus and either destroy or properly contain them. The first phase of this process is to create an inventory of laboratories that have stored poliovirus-containing materials. The United States has completed such an inventory. Surveys were sent to institutions and laboratories representing 105,356 individual laboratories. From the survey responses, 180 laboratories were identified that had wild poliovirus-containing materials. These laboratories comprise the final inventory of institutions and laboratories that would be kept informed of eradication progress and appropriate containment procedures to minimize the risk for reintroducing wild poliovirus from laboratories to communities.

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