At one time or another, we all need medical care. Whether it’s for a sudden illness, a chronic condition or a serious illness or injury, we’ll need a doctor’s help. Of course, we expect the care we receive to help us, not harm us. But unfortunately, that is not always the case. Doctors, nurses and […]
Archive | Patient Safety
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 […]
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 […]
How Well Does Your Hospital Manage Sepsis Infections?
No one goes into the hospital expecting to pick up a potentially deadly sepsis infection. Yet it’s killing hundreds of thousands of people every year. Some hospitals are better than others at identifying and treating sepsis. How well does your hospital manage sepsis infections? The what, how and why of sepsis. What is sepsis? Sepsis […]
Should you Speak Up if You Think Your Doctor is Wrong? YES!
Would you speak up if a waiter brought you a hamburger, but you ordered fish? Would you speak up if the bagger at the grocery store put cans of soup on top of a loaf of bread in your bag? I am guessing that most of us would speak up in these circumstances. After all, […]
Reduce Your Risk of Medical Errors That Even the Best Doctors Can 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 do […]
What Happens if You Don’t Get Your Test Results When You Leave the Hospital?
As a hospital patient, it is almost certain that your doctors will order tests to determine your diagnosis and/or treatment plans. Getting the results of these tests, and following through with care based on the findings, is critical for your health. But sometimes you don’t get these results before you are discharged. What happens if you don’t […]
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. Americans take a lot of medication! We are taking a lot of pills! Research estimates that in any given […]
Top Safety Concerns for Patients
Each year ECRI Institute* creates a list of the 10 top patient safety concerns to support healthcare organizations in their efforts to proactively identify and respond to patient safety hazards. Patients and family caregivers can use this information to be better informed – knowing what hazards are lurking can help us avoid being a victim. Don’t ignore these top […]
Is it Safe to Have Surgery in a Surgery Center?
The thought of surgery, or any invasive procedure, is scary for most people. And hospitals can be intimidating places, with infections and other dangers lurking. Add to that the high costs of hospital procedures and a possible long drive. It’s no wonder that more and more patients are choosing surgery centers. The question to consider: […]