Millions of Americans take prescription medications to treat their diseases and improve their health. It’s easy to assume that the medication your doctor prescribes for you has been approved for your particular ailment. But sometimes, doctors prescribe medications that have not been approved for your ailment, a practice referred to as off-label medications. Is off-label […]
Why are Second Opinions Important?
When you or a loved one are diagnosed with a new illness, it can be overwhelming and scary. But what if your doctor is wrong? What if he/she determines you have one condition when you actually have another? Or, perhaps your doctor tells you there is nothing wrong with you, but that’s not true. Furthermore, […]
What’s a Hospitalist? Do You Need One?
There are over 50,000 hospitalists in the United States, yet chances are you have never even heard the term. What’s a hospitalist? They are doctors, usually internists, who work in hospitals to coordinate and manage the care of hospitalized patients. These “captain of the ship” doctors work with other hospital-based health professionals to make sure […]
What You Need to Know About Pressure Sores
We all know the importance of exercise – it helps us physically and mentally. But do you know the dangers of immobility? Healthy people move throughout the day, even in their sleep. But for some patients, their illness makes it hard for them to move. And when people spend prolonged periods of time in one […]
Top Developments in Medical Treatments for 2020 – Part 2
Historically, improvements in medicine significantly decreased, or nearly wiped out, many diseases, including polio, measles, rubella and smallpox. Are you curious about what new developments will improve diagnosis and treatment options for patients? To answer that question, a team at Cleveland Clinic identifies what they consider the top 10 medical innovations for the coming year. What […]
Top Medical Innovations for 2020 – Part 1
Health care is a rapidly evolving field. There is a constant stream of new developments changing the way doctors diagnose and treat patients. Wondering what innovations are on the horizon? Every year, Cleveland Clinic assembles a panel of 80 doctors and scientists to determine the top 10 medical innovations for 2020. According to the report, […]
Do Hospital Policies to Prevent Falls Help or Harm Patients?
No one wants to fall. It can be painful. And embarrassing if you fall in public. But when you’re weak and ill, like many hospital patients, falls can lead to serious health problems. In order to reduce the frequency of falls, hospitals and other health care facilities have fall prevention programs. But do these hospital […]
Safety Risks for Patients
Although medical care helps us get and/or stay healthy, there are safety risks for patients that we should all know about. And many of these risks are related to technology. As we all know, technology is great when it works, but it can be a nightmare when things go wrong. As frustrating as this […]
Health Technology Hazards for 2020
As a worry wart, the worst-case scenario easily enters my mind in most situations, particularly with health-related concerns. Pushing my overactive imagination aside, there really are legitimate hazards lurking in hospitals that increase your risk of complications. And many of the hazards are related to the use of technology in health care. What are the […]
Hospital Safety Concerns for 2020
The prospect of medical procedure and/or a hospital stay scares most of us. We worry about our recovery. And we are nervous that we might not wake up from anesthesia. Furthermore, what if the doctor makes a mistake? Or, what if there is a failure of some kind along the way? These concerns are legit. […]