Category: Health

Stopping medical malpractice- how patients can help – Part 2

 

(previously posted under the title 6 reasons to sue your doctor-and how not to-part 2)

In the article, “YOU’VE BEEN SUED FOR MALPRACTICE-NOW WHAT?” (Medical Economics, March 10, 2015) attorney Richard Baker offers 6 common reasons for malpractice lawsuits, and what physicians can do to prevent them. In this series I look at them from the patient viewpoint- what you can do to avoid getting care that makes you want to sue .

4.INADEQUATE FOLLOW-UP OF DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND SPECIALIST REFERRALS

Physicians must report results of lab tests, x-rays, and other diagnostic studies directly to patients, without exception.

Make sure your doctor’s office has your current  contact information-address, phone, and email.

Ask the office staff how results will be reported-by mail, phone, or through a patient portal.

Access your medical records using a secure patient online portal if available.

Don’t   assume that “everything must be normal” just because you haven’t heard or read otherwise.

Reports from specialists may be  handled differently, depending on whether your doctor refers you for a consultation or refers you for ongoing care. Find out what you should expect from both doctors’ offices.

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an MRI of the human brain
an MRI of the human brain

5. IRREGULAR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

No matter how careful hiring policies are , incompetent, unscrupulous and dishonest employees get into the healthcare system undetected. This is  bad for any industry, but in healthcare is  dangerous and even deadly.

One day I was seeing patients  when a pharmacist called saying she took a phoned in prescription for a narcotic pain medicine earlier that day and wanted to confirm .  But no one from my office had called her.  A  former employee had been using my name and my DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) registration number to call narcotic prescriptions for herself and an accomplice to multiple pharmacies for several weeks.   I recently read an article in a major magazine about an x-ray tech who worked at multiple hospitals where he stole IV narcotic pain medication for himself, and infected multiple patients with  hepatitis C from his used syringes. He is now serving life in prison.

If you notice something out of line in a medical office or hospital, or if the care is not as expected, don’t hesitate to report it to someone in authority. You can do this anonymously, although the more specific information you provide, the more likely the situation can be corrected .Even if nothing proves to be wrong, it will  give them helpful feedback about their service.

Health lessons from the Women’s World Cup

I watched the final game of the Women’s World Cup between Japan and the United States.  Tuning in a few minutes late I was stunned to see I  missed the first 2 goals! Believe me, I paid attention the rest of the game and was not disappointed. I admired the skill, talent and energy of both teams and with other Americans cheered the United States team’s victory  clinching the world champion title 5-2.

Besides enjoying the action I was more impressed by  the class and grace demonstrated by both teams as winners and as losers. That is the greatest lesson we can teach children and I hope parents used that as a “teachable moment”.

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I observed the superb fitness level of these and the other participants in the World Cup. Running up and down a field , kicking a ball and outmaneuvering opponents for 90 minutes is exhausting, but they made it look almost easy.  We can’t all be world class athletes  but we can be physically active in some way.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend 

  • moderate-intensive physical activity for 150 minutes or more per week

  • vigorous-intensity activity for at least 75 minutes per week

  • engaging in muscle strengthening activity at least twice per week.

 

Medical studies show that exercise can prevent or improve many chronic health conditions and lack of exercise contributes to many diseases.

  • Physical activity may reduce the risk of cancers of the breast, colon, uterus, prostate and pancreas.

  • Regular exercise may help prevent diabetes and heart disease.

  • Exercise can relieve joint and back pain due to arthritis.

  • Depression is treated with physical activity successfully

 

With proper guidance, anyone can perform some exercise or other physical activity regularly. I stay active with walking, bicycling, ballroom dancing, gardening and have recently tried yoga

 

ballroom dancing
dancing in a competition with my pro instructor

I have more energy and stamina when I am active regularly, and get sluggish if I don’t.

What do you do to stay active, fit and moving? please share and encourage someone else.

More information here

Physical Activity Basics from the CDC