SURVIVING your next HOSPITAL stay (must-read)
You expect quality CARE when you or a loved one goes to the hospital, right?
Yet the latest research warns that far too many Americans in hospitals AREN’T getting the “care” they rightfully deserve.
Frankly, I can’t believe I have to address this…
But it’s becoming a BIG problem…
And it could happen to YOU or YOUR LOVED ONES.
I’m not talking about a major emergency, either. I’m talking errors and miscues from a myriad of reasons.
So today, I’m going to share the BIGGEST and MOST FREQUENT hospital blunders…
And how to STAY OUT of the crosshairs.
A report from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General finds 25% of Medicare patients in hospitals SUFFERED some degree of harm.
Picture ANY other industry with that kind of track record staying in business.
Imagine a restaurant that exposes a quarter of its diners to POISON… or an airline where 25% of its flights PLUNGE into the sea!
I’m really STUNNED this made it into print – because it makes the “conventional” medical industry look bad.
And I mean, really… REALLY bad.
Many of the mistakes, over the course of that one month, were SERIOUS…
In fact, 12% of them were so serious, they led to…
- URGENT life-saving measures
- LONGER stays
- PERMANENT injuries, and/or
And I haven’t even gotten to the most OUTRAGEOUS part of this – and that’s that the study finds that nearly HALF of all hospital screwups were entirely PREVENTABLE…
Here’s the thing… If that’s what they’ll ADMIT TO… then I gotta imagine that the TRUE number is far, far higher.
The report calls it “substandard or inadequate care.”
But let’s call it what it really is… CARELESSNESS!
Before going into the hospital for a scheduled visit, search “hospital safety grade” online and plug your facility’s name into the search engine. That’ll give you a heads up about any problems that have been documented.
While you’re IN the hospital, there are some more actions you can take to arm yourself against three of the most FREQUENT complications:
- Hospital-acquired infections could turn even routine visits into a life-or-death nightmare. Since they’re SO rampant, there’s NO surefire way to avoid them. But you can cut your odds by watching for unnecessary antibiotic use… and asking your doc for a probiotic, to cover your bases.
- Delirium is an absolutely terrifying condition that could include memory loss, delusions, hostility, and more. It’s often caused by over-medication, so watch what drugs they give you… and make sure you ONLY take what’s necessary.
- Drug errors are some of the most common medical mistakes – and they result from sheer negligence. You could be given the wrong dosage… or the wrong drug… even one you’re allergic to… or that could interact with your other meds. Watch everything you’re given.
Of course, you can’t always fend for yourself in the hospital. You’re too busy being sick!
So, make sure there’s a friend or loved one on hand who can keep tabs to ensure you get WHAT you need and WHEN you need it…
And ADVOCATE for you to get you the attention you deserve.
In Your Corner,
Dr. Allan Spreen
Sources:
MedPage Today. “One in Four Medicare Patients Harmed in Hospitals, Nearly Half Preventable.” www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/98701
