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Medical Mistakes
Hospitals create miracles each day, but unfortunately mistakes do happen. How can you protect yourself and your family from these fatal errors?
A woman follows through with having a mastectomy, but finds out afterward that her cancer diagnosis was wrong. A young woman dies during surgery that was supposed to cure her infertility. A 7-year old boy dies of heart failure during a simple ear operation. These unfortunately, are true stories of medical mishaps. The fact is, medical mistakes do happen. Do not assume anything when it comes to your life or the life of a family member. A lethal overdose of medication, an incorrect diagnosis, mistakes in surgery...they do exist. And when they do, the result can mean injury or death for those patients who put their lives in their doctor's hands without taking their own steps to ensure their safety.
What can you do to help ensure your safety?
Here are a few simple steps you can take as an informed patient, to make sure everything goes as planned:
- Discuss every procedure in detail with your doctor before any medication is taken or any surgery takes place. Ask many questions...many patients feel embarrassed or intimidated when speaking with their own doctors. Don't assume your doctor knows that you are allergic to a certain medication, or that you are currently taking a medication that may interfere with a prescription he/she may give you. I am allergic to a certain medication, and it amazes me how many times my doctors forget. Even though it's clearly written in my chart, they sometimes forget to ask. Don't let this happen. Remember that doctors are working to help you. You need to help them in return.
- Tell your doctor any symptoms you are having...do not hide anything (such as other medications you are taking, or other symptoms you are feeling).
- When filling out medical consent forms, do not just sign on the dotted line. Make sure to read everything, and make sure you understand it all. If you don't, don't hesitate to ask as many questions as needed.
- Make sure to get a second opinion when involving major surgery, and discuss other possible options and risks with your doctor. Do your own research on the procedure so you can be informed on what to expect before, during and after surgery.
- Be sure to speak with your doctor, surgeon, and anesthesiologist before any medical procedure. Tell them of any history of allergic reactions to medications and other experiences with anesthesia, so they can also be informed and make preparations for other options.
- Check with the American Board of Medical Specialties to make sure your doctor and surgeon is board certified. See below for their online website and more information.
- Make sure that the test results you were just told are indeed yours.
- Take a family member or friend with you on the day of your medical procedure to help make sure what is going to happen. Be sure to confirm with all medical personnel involved, exactly which procedure you are having done. Do not assume anything...this is your life in their hands. Make sure they have the correct hand ;-).
- In the end, if something doesn't seem right or if you're having second thoughts, don't keep quiet. If you do, you might never get the chance to speak again.
Below are a few informative websites that provide helpful information on preventing medical mistakes:
1. American Board of Medical Specialties - Public Education Program: Verify online if a doctor is board certified, and locate board certified doctors in your area. You can also call their toll-free number, (800) 776-2378, and speak to someone directly at the ABMS.
2. American Hospital Association: Read "A Patient's Bill of Rights." The AHA encourages health care institutions to tailor this bill of rights to their patient community.
3. National Patient Safety Foundation at the AMA (NPSF): Their mission of the National Patient Safety Foundation is to improve measurably patient safety.
4. Medwatch: The FDA Medical Products Reporting Program is "an initiative designed both to educate all health professionals about the critical importance of being aware of, monitoring for, and reporting adverse events and problems to FDA and/or the manufacturer and; to ensure that new safety information is rapidly communicated to the medical community thereby improving patient care.
5. Families USA Foundation: This national nonprofit, non-partisan organization is dedicated to the achievement of high-quality, affordable health and long-term care for all Americans.
Here are some informative books to read that deal with medical mistakes. Use Amazon.com's secure server to order:
 Internal Bleeding: The Truth Behind America's Terrifying Epidemic of Medical Mistakes!: - Robert Wachter and Kaveh Shojania. This book exposes the dark secrets behind the glistening facade of modern medicine. Buy it now through Amazon.com's secure server!
Click HERE or on the image of the books to give this gift to yourself or someone else!
Protect Yourself in the Hospital: Insider Tips for Avoiding Hospital Mistakes for Yourself or Someone You Love!: - Thomas A. Sharon. This book by a registered nurse, provides readers with the tools they need to feel safe and secure during their next hospital visit. Buy it now through Amazon.com's secure server!
Click HERE or on the image of the books to give this gift to yourself or someone else!
Errors, Medicine and the Law!: - Alan Merry and Alexander McCall Smith. Merry (a cardiac anesthetist) and Smith (medical law, U. of Edinburgh) study medical "mishaps": how they occur, and how people are blamed for them. Buy it now through Amazon.com's secure server!
Click HERE or on the image of the books to give this gift to yourself or someone else!
Patient Beware-Doctor Take Care!: - Edward Zebrowski. This book is by a family physician who spent 40 years in the medical field. Read emotional stories of medical disasters, and learn what you need to survive in today's world of medical technology. Buy it now through Amazon.com's secure server!
Click HERE or on the image of the books to give this gift to yourself or someone else!
When Your Doctor Doesn't Know Best: Medical Mistakes That Even the Best Doctors Make - And How to Protect Yourself: - Richard N. Podell, William Proctor. This title is currently out of print, but Amazon.com might be able to find a copy for you! Buy it NOW through Amazon.com's secure server!
Click HERE or on the image of the books to give this gift to yourself or someone else!
Minimizing Medical Mistakes: Art of Medical Decision Making: - Riegelman. This title is currently out of print, but Amazon.com might be able to find a copy for you! Buy it now through Amazon.com's secure server!
Click HERE or on the image of the books to give this gift to yourself or someone else!
Click here to read other articles by MyParenTime.com.
Copyright © My ParenTime's Family Community. The above information is presented for educational purposes only, and it is not a substitute for informed medical advice or training. Please do not use this information to diagnose or treat a mental health problem without consulting a qualified health or mental health care provider.
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