Prescription medications can be frighteningly expensive, even with insurance coverage. Have you ever suffered sticker shock? It’s happened to me on several occasions, including a co-pay of $450 for a medication we didn’t even end up using! These high prescription medication prices are hurting our collective health and our wallets. How widespread and serious is […]
The Benefits of Participating in Hospital Rounds
I’ve been shouting this message from my rooftop for years* – patients who communicate effectively and actively engage in their care have better outcomes and a reduced risk of medical errors. However, for hospitalized patients, this can be tricky. Ideally, doctors would include patients and/or family members in their daily “rounds” conversations. But, not all hospitals […]
Trustworthy Sources for Medical Information on the Internet
Would you ask a fellow shopper at the grocery store why you have pain when you breathe? Would you ask your car mechanic what kind of surgery you should have to fix a heart condition? Of course not! Although many of us seek advice from family, friends, colleagues and others we interact with, when it […]
Top Innovations in Medicine for 2019 – part 2.
What’s on the horizon for medicine that will change the way doctors treat patients? Every year Cleveland Clinic gathers opinions from their doctors and researchers to determine a list of 10 innovations in medicine they think will shape healthcare for the coming year and beyond. Today’s post covers the innovations 6-10 for 2019. Read last week’s post […]
Top Medical Innovations for 2019 – Part 1.
How will healthcare improve for 2019 and beyond? What are the top medical innovations? What kinds of changes can you expect to see the next time you see a doctor or go to the hospital? There is a continuous stream of new developments in medicine, many of which are changing the way doctors practice medicine. […]
How to Choose Between an ER, Urgent Care and Retail Clinic.
When you or a loved one is sick or injured, where should you go for medical care? Your primary care doctor? The emergency room (ER)? A retail clinic at your local pharmacy or big box store or an urgent care center? With so many options for care, it can be hard to know which is […]
Can you Trust a Nurse Practitioner? Yes!
Nurse practitioners (NPs) provide care in doctors’ offices and hospitals throughout the US. You might have an NP whom you see on a regular basis, or you might see an NP when your doctor’s schedule is booked solid. Can you trust a nurse practitioner to provide high quality care? Do they know what they are […]
Five Benefits of Telemedicine
Perhaps there is no specialist near you who can treat your condition. Maybe you are frail and weak, and therefore can’t manage a trip to the doctor’s office. Or, perhaps you don’t have transportation, can’t find affordable transportation, can’t get out of work, or have caregiving responsibilities. There are countless reasons that make traveling to […]
How Can Hospitals Reduce Medication Errors?
For hospitalized patients, medication is often an important part of treatment and/or recovery. It would be easy to assume that your nurse is giving you the right medication at the right time, but unfortunately that is not always the case. Medication errors in hospitals are common and can be dangerous. How can hospitals reduce medication […]
Dangers in Hospitals
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 […]