Heard again today from my friend Tom. Previously, I shared the saga of his need for specialized heart surgery, his battle with his health insurance company for permission, and the need for prayers as he finally underwent his surgery in Cleveland. Good news! Tom’s home, and doing so well that he’s arguing with his neighbor! […]
Tom – Another Update Read More »
I’ve talked before about blamers and fixers. Here’s a way of looking at that concept that may make you a wiser patient. One of the big questions about medical mistakes is whether practitioners should own up to them. Until recently, doctors were highly discouraged from admitting any kinds of problems had taken place, whether it
How Apologies Lead to Fixing Read More »
Last week I told you about my email pal, Tom, who fought valiantly with his health insurance company to get clearance for specialized heart surgery. Tom won permission — and his surgery was performed last Wednesday. I received an email last night — from the man himself — and he tells me he made it
Tom: A Progress Report Read More »
Last week, Newsweek’s My Turn featured an essay by Dr. Richard Karl. Newsweek called it “Good Doctors Spot Mistakes, Save Lives”… a lousy headline for a well-meaning essay, even if the essay needs a postscript. (I’ve provided that postscript below.) Dr. Karl, a surgeon, describes the frustration of trying to track down a sponge which
Newsweek’s My Turn: What About the Patient? Read More »
Last month I told you about my email pal Tom who battled with his health insurance company to get permission to go to the Cleveland Clinic for specialized surgery that he can’t get at home. I told you at the time that with each “win” for the possibility of his heart surgery, the insurance company
I read a story in my local paper yesterday entitled Internet gives angry consumers new power, which began with a story about a man named Sterling Bishop who was unhappy with the work Pep Boys had done on his car. Mr. Bishop made a video showcasing the shoddy work, put it out on You-Tube, and
Health Consumer Power via the Internet Read More »
Two incidents in the past two days will make your hair stand on end. Both regard medical errors, and both involve the fear of making them public because of possible retaliation. A newspaper health reporter contacted me. He’s writing a story about MRSA and other hospital-acquired infections and asked if I knew of anyone he
Medical Retaliation – A Fact of Life Read More »
I’m not sure whether to stand up and applaud — or to begin worrying even more about patients who are hospitalized…. This report just in from Consumers Union, the not-for-profit organization that runs www.stophospitalinfections.org … here is their press release, too…. Beginning in October 2008, Medicare (CMS: Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services) will no
Medicare Twists Hospital Safety Arms Read More »
