It’s all over the news this morning, from CNN to NBC to CBS, ABC and Fox — a report of widespread MRSA and other staph infections. They are superbugs that can’t be eradicated by the antibiotics that exist because the very nature of them is that they have overcome those killing agents. So instead they […]
MRSA, other Staph Infections: Nothing New Here! Read More »
As promised in yesterday’s post, I’m reporting today on a frustration among those of us who work in patient safety. That frustration is once again sparked in this report from the Hartford Courant. Fifteen year old Mark Tsvok, injured in an auto accident in 2004, died from his injuries as a result of the misdeeds
When Dirty Doctors Can’t Be Identified Read More »
As promised in yesterday’s post, I’m reporting today on a frustration among those of us who work in patient safety. That frustration is once again sparked in this report from the Hartford Courant. Fifteen year old Mark Tsvok, injured in an auto accident in 2004, died from his injuries as a result of the misdeeds
When Dirty Doctors Can’t Be Identified Read More »
My friend Helen Haskell forwarded two articles of big interest to those of us who wish hospitals were safer places to be sick or hurt. Putting Staff in Charge of Safety The first is the cover story from Hospitals and Health Network Magazine called “Can Your Nurses Stop a Surgeon?” It tells the tale of
Hospital Safety, Dirty Doctors, and Accountability Read More »
My physician-guru, Dr. Jerome Groopman, was on the Today Show this morning to highlight some of the excellent points he made in his book, How Doctors Think. (My editorial opinion — it’s a must-read for anyone who is having trouble getting diagnosed correctly.) But I’m beginning to swerve from my usual train of thought surrounding
How Doctors DON’T Think: Groopman on the Today Show Read More »
My physician-guru, Dr. Jerome Groopman, was on the Today Show this morning to highlight some of the excellent points he made in his book, How Doctors Think. (My editorial opinion — it’s a must-read for anyone who is having trouble getting diagnosed correctly.) But I’m beginning to swerve from my usual train of thought surrounding
How Doctors DON’T Think: Groopman on the Today Show Read More »
The first line of defense against hospital infections is clean hands. Seems simple, right? Yet millions of Americans are infected in hospitals every year. 100,000 Americans die from them. Read that carefully — yes — 100,000 Americans go to the hospital because they are sick, or they need surgery. They die — NOT because they
Hospital Infection Prevention Week Read More »
Sometimes my best contribution to the topic of the dysfunction of the American health care system has more to do with asking questions that can’t be answered than providing answers. Remember — I’m not a medical professional. I’m simply an empowered patient who reflects on this dysfunction daily. This week there was a sudden flurry
Kids, Colds and Bad Assumptions Read More »
