We go to the hospital for care and recovery. Certainly no one wants to get sicker in the hospital, but it happens more often than most people realize. There are dangers in hospitals, and other healthcare facilities, that can cause serious harm, even death. Each year ECRI* compiles of a list of top health technology […]
Health Hazards in Hospitals
As a patient, it’s scary be in the hospital. It’s equally scary when your loved one is in the hospital. We all worry about health and recovery. Most of us don’t worry about the risk of getting sicker from health hazards in the hospital. But we should. It turns out there are dangers lurking in […]
ZaggoCare – The Most Helpful Gift for Patients and Families
Whether you are the patient, loving family member or dear friend, dealing with a serious medical condition is overwhelming and stressful. Because it’s hard, and scary, it’s tempting to bury your head in the sand. However, you absolutely cannot just sit back and let others manage your care. You must be the master of your […]
What are Doctors Doing to Reduce Diagnostic Errors?
By zaggocare on October 1, 2018 in Medical Errors, Understanding Your Diagnosis and Treatment Options
No one wants to hear they have cancer or another serious illness. It’s scary and overwhelming. What’s worse? A doctor telling you he/she failed to realize that you’ve had cancer (or another serious illness) for weeks or months, delaying potentially life-saving treatments. Also horrible? Receiving treatments for an illness you don’t even have. Diagnostic errors, […]
Reduce the Risk of Medication Errors in Long-Term Care Facilities
In last week’s post, we heard about Rose, an elderly woman who experienced dangerous medication errors while at several long-term care facilities. Unfortunately, medication errors in long-term care/rehab facilities are common and dangerous. Fortunately, you can reduce the risk of medication errors in long-term care facilities, whether you’re the patient or family member. Choosing a […]
Medication Errors in Long-Term Care Facilities – One Patient’s Cautionary Tale.
If you’re a regular reader of my blog posts (and I hope you are! If not, sign up here to receive my weekly post by email) you know I often cite research regarding the frequency and severity of medication errors. The Institute of Medicine estimates the average patient in hospitals and long-term care facilities experiences at least […]
Should You Travel Abroad For Medical Care?
Flying to a foreign country for a vacation full of adventure is a dream come true for many Americans. For some people, the more exotic the location, the better. It’s great to see new sites, try new foods, hear new languages. Would it also be great to get a new knee while you’re away? Traveling […]
Nurse Stress and Fatigue Can Impact Your Health
How well do you function when you’re exhausted and overwhelmed? There’s no need to answer that, because no one is at their best under those conditions. We’ve all had times in our lives when exhaustion made it hard to concentrate and function. However, if you’re an exhausted and/or stressed nurse responsible for patients’ lives, the […]
How to Shop Around for Healthcare Pricing
This post is the 2nd of a two-part series. The first post covers the benefits of shopping around for healthcare pricing, how often patients shop around, and what prevents patients from comparison shopping. This blog covers how to shop around for healthcare pricing. What pricing information is available? Hospitals and other providers have not been […]
Can You Shop Around for Healthcare Prices? Yes, and You Should!
No one wants to waste money. We shop around for the best price for a car, a TV and other big-ticket items. Some of us even drive out of our way to save a few dollars on groceries or gas. However, most of us don’t think about medical expenses that way. We might not even think […]