The pharmacy I use, part of a huge national chain, is busy. Actually, busy is an understatement. Several times I’ve waited on hold on the phone, listening to annoying music, for over an hour. And every time I go there, I grumble to myself, and to anyone nearby willing to listen, that they need more […]
Archive | Medical Errors
Reduce Your Risk of Medication Errors
Medications can make you feel better and can save your life. However, medications can also make you sicker – particularly if you take the wrong medication or take a medication differently than your doctor prescribed. Medication errors occur in hospitals, care facilities and at home. Learning how to reduce your risk of medication errors can […]
Medical Errors in Outpatient Settings
There’s been quite a bit in the news lately about medical errors in hospitals. And hospitals are making concerted efforts to reduce errors (although there is still much room for improvement). But you don’t often hear about the dangers patients face in doctor offices, urgent care centers, day surgical centers and even their homes. Do […]
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, […]
One Patient’s Tale of Medication Errors in Long-Term Care
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 one medication error each day! The report also states there are 1.5 million preventable adverse drug interactions each year in US hospitals and long-term care facilities. […]
Reduce Your Risk of Medical Errors Even the Best Doctors Make
We literally put our lives in the hands of doctors. We trust them to do their jobs well – to heal us and protect us from harm. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. In fact, medical errors are the 3rd leading cause of death in the United States. Do you know what you should […]
Can Your Medication Make You Sicker?
Medications are a common treatment. So common in fact, many patients take multiple medications. Although medication is supposed to make you better, that is not always the case. Can your medication make you sicker? Unfortunately, yes. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of problems associated with medication. Americans take a […]
Lesson From Serena Williams: Trust Your Instincts To Reduce Your Risk of a Misdiagnosis
Have you ever felt that your doctor isn’t listening to you? Have you had your concerns brushed aside? Are you wondering how you can reduce your risk of a misdiagnosis? It happens in doctors’ offices, emergency departments and hospital rooms – patients have a sense of what is ailing them and/or the seriousness of their condition, […]
Hospital Culture Contributes to Medical Errors
Medical errors are the 3rd leading cause of death in the US. Scary, right? Why are medical errors so common? It turns out, hospital culture contributes to medical errors. So,what can you do to reduce your risk of harm from errors? The good news is that hospitals work hard to reduce errors. The bad news […]
The Dangers of Missed Bedside Alarms
Hospitals and other in-patient facilities use bedside alarms to alert medical staff when a patient issue develops. Alarms sound when the patient’s condition deteriorates and needs attention, such as when there is a drastic change in blood pressure or respiration rates. Alarms also alert staff to a a failure of life saving mechanical equipment such […]