Avoiding Medical Errors

Robert M. Fox; Chris Landon

doi:10.5771/9781538135723

Zusammenfassung

This book, written by a lawyer and a doctor explains to everyday readers ways in which they can avoid death and injury caused by medical mistakes. It may be shocking to learn that preventable errors by doctor and hospital personnel are a leading cause of death and injury in the United States—perhaps even exceeding the annual deaths caused by heart disease and cancer. But avoiding these mistakes is possible, and the rules found in this book will arm readers against the careless errors that lead to such deaths and injuries.

From hospitals to doctors’ offices, medical professionals are overwhelmed, overtired, even overworked and mistakes are sometimes unavoidable even with the best safety measures in place. A resident at the end of a 36-hour on-call stint may forget to wash her hands before performing a surgical procedure. A chart may be mismarked. Medications may be inaccurately listed. Test results may be inaccurately interpreted. But patients are in a position to help themselves and their medical caregivers to avoid these mistakes by taking more active and attentive part in their own healthcare. By being aware of the most common errors, patients can look for ways to ask questions, review information, even examine test results with a critical eye toward their own health and specific situations. Robert Fox and Chris Landon show them how.

Schlagworte

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Bibliographische Angaben

Copyrightjahr: 2020
ISBN-Print: 978-1-5381-3571-6
ISBN-Online: 978-1-5381-3572-3
Verlag: Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham
Sprache: Englisch
Seiten: 176
Produkttyp: Monographie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

KapitelSeiten

1. Contents Kein Zugriff
2. Acknowledgments Kein Zugriff
3. Introduction Kein Zugriff
4. Preamble to the Rules Kein Zugriff
1. Rule 1. Select (or Change to) a Competent Doctor Kein Zugriff
2. Rule 2. Use State Medical Board Websites to Verify the Credentials of Your Doctor Kein Zugriff
3. Rule 3. Don’t Hesitate to Ask Questions That Can Help Your Doctor Evaluate Your Medical Care and Protect Your Health Kein Zugriff
4. Rule 4. Be Courteous and Considerate to Your Doctor and All Other Medical Office Personnel Kein Zugriff
5. Rule 5. If You Have Doubts about Your Doctor’s Advice concerning Diagnosis or Treatment, Don’t Hesitate to Speak Up and Ask Questions Kein Zugriff
6. Rule 6. Insist That Your Doctor Tell You the Diagnosis Before You Accept Treatment Kein Zugriff
7. Rule 7. Be Persistent, Particularly If You’ve Been Told There Is Nothing Wrong, but You Know Something Is Wrong Kein Zugriff
8. Rule 8. Obtain an Independent Second Opinion Kein Zugriff
9. Rule 9. Be Careful Before You Accept Experimental or Unproven Medication or Treatment Kein Zugriff
10. Rule 10. Consider Stopping Treatment If There Is No Improvement over Time or If Your Condition Worsens Kein Zugriff
11. Rule 11. Do Not Go Home If You Do Not Feel OK Kein Zugriff
12. Rule 12. Take Action—Firmly and Courteously—If You Are Habitually Kept Waiting for Long Periods of Time Before You See Your Doctor Kein Zugriff
13. Rule 13. To Save Time (and Aggravation), Follow the “Call First” and “Schedule First” Tips Kein Zugriff
14. Rule 14. Before Seeing Your Doctor, Prepare a Short List of Questions Kein Zugriff
15. Rule 15. Resist the Urge to Talk during a Procedure or Examination Kein Zugriff
16. Rule 16. If You Become Involved in Legal Disputes, Remind Your Doctor’s Office to Protect Your Records Kein Zugriff
17. Rule 17. Educate Yourself on Doctors and Hospitals Kein Zugriff
18. Rule 18. In an Emergency That Requires Hospitalization, by Private Car or “911” Vehicle, Ask to Be Taken to a Full-Service Hospital Kein Zugriff
19. Rule 19. Consider Simple Research about Your Medical Problem or Medication Kein Zugriff
20. Rule 20. Evaluate Unsubstantiated Health and Medical Advice Kein Zugriff
21. Rule 21. In Your Home, Post Information about Doctors, Hospitals, and Medication Kein Zugriff
22. Rule 22. Keep Medical and Personal Information in Your Wallet Kein Zugriff
23. Rule 23. If Your HCP or Hospital Requires You to Sign an Arbitration Agreement, Sign It—and Don’t Worry! Kein Zugriff
24. Rule 24. Consider Joining a Medical Support Group Kein Zugriff
25. Rule 25. Create and Maintain Your Own Medical File Kein Zugriff
26. Rule 26. If You Discover an Error in Any Record, Ask for a Corrective Note Kein Zugriff
27. Rule 27. Obtain Your Original Records before Their “Destruct Date” Kein Zugriff
28. Rule 28. Ask for Written Instructions for Any Medication, Diet Change, or Exercise Kein Zugriff
29. Rule 29. Keep Each of Your Doctors Informed of Your Medications and Supplements Kein Zugriff
30. Rule 30. Be as Accurate as Possible When Providing the Doctor or Hospital with Essential Information Kein Zugriff
31. Rule 31. If There Is a Language Barrier, Bring Your Own Translator or Interpreter Kein Zugriff
32. Rule 32. Communicate Your Concerns to All Your Healthcare Providers; Do Not Assume They Will Communicate with One Another Kein Zugriff
1. Rule 33. Ask Questions and Think Carefully Before You Agree to Have Surgery Kein Zugriff
2. Rule 34. If You Decide to Have Surgery, Take Steps to Assure the Best Possible Result Kein Zugriff
3. Rule 35. Avoid Traveling Far Away for a Surgery from the “Best” Expert Kein Zugriff
4. Rule 36. Verify with Your Surgeon That He or She Will Personally Perform the Surgery Kein Zugriff
5. Rule 37. Schedule Your Surgery at a Time When the Surgeon Will Be Available Seven Days Postoperatively Kein Zugriff
6. Rule 38. Schedule Your Elective Surgery for a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday Morning (If You Have a Choice) Kein Zugriff
7. Rule 39. Avoid Elective Surgery When Residents and Interns Change (June or July at Most Hospitals) Kein Zugriff
8. Rule 40. Ask Your Surgeon to Verify That Your Anesthesiologist Is a Board-Certified MD Kein Zugriff
9. Rule 41. Attempt to Have Your Surgery in a Full-Service Hospital Kein Zugriff
10. Rule 42. Arrange to Have an Advocate/Friend Remain in Your Hospital Room When Needed Kein Zugriff
11. Rule 43. Consider a Surgeon Who Is Skilled in a Particular Surgery, Even Though He or She Has a Reputation for Poor Aftercare Kein Zugriff
12. Rule 44. Select Your Surgeon Carefully: Investigate, Interview, and Decide Kein Zugriff
13. Rule 45. Don’t Panic If You Must Violate Some of Rules 36–43 Kein Zugriff
14. Rule 46. Let Your Surgeon Select His or Her Own Method and Instruments of Surgery Kein Zugriff
15. Rule 47. Ask Your Surgeon If He or She Will Use a General or a Local Anesthetic and Whether You Have a Choice Kein Zugriff
16. Rule 48. Do Not Have Surgery on a Holiday or Weekend Kein Zugriff
17. Rule 49. Be Careful about Scheduling Surgery Only “to Avoid Losing Time from Work” If Such Scheduling Violates Other Rules Kein Zugriff
18. Rule 50. Let Your Surgeon Decide on the Number of Surgeries That Will Be Performed Kein Zugriff
1. Rule 51. During the Weeks before Hospital Entry, Prepare, Assemble, and Learn How to Use Your “Hospital Kit” Kein Zugriff
2. Rule 52. A Day or Two before Hospital Entry, Use a Permanent Black Felt-Tip Marker to Print Warnings about Allergies and Body Surgery Kein Zugriff
3. Rule 53. Except for Your Hospital Kit, Leave Your Valuables at Home to Prevent Loss or Theft Kein Zugriff
4. Rule 54. If You Will Have a Private-Duty Nurse, Make Arrangements at Least a Week before Hospital Entry Kein Zugriff
5. Rule 55. Review Hospital Paperwork Seven to Ten Days before Entry Kein Zugriff
6. Rule 56. In the Weeks before Entry, Determine If a Hospitalist Will Be Available to See Patients Kein Zugriff
7. Rule 57. If You Are Ill before Your Elective or Non-Emergency Surgery, Ask Your Doctor about Possible Cancellation Kein Zugriff
8. Rule 58. Ask Your Doctor Which Medications You Should Be Taking or Discontinuing Before You Enter the Hospital Kein Zugriff
9. Rule 59. Ask Your Doctor’s Permission to Bring Your Own Medication to the Hospital Instead of Taking Those Supplied by the Hospital Kein Zugriff
10. Rule 60. Well before Surgery, Arrange for Postoperative Care Kein Zugriff
11. Rule 61. Verify That You Have Had a Preoperative Physical Examination Kein Zugriff
1. Rule 62. Have Your Friend/Advocate Help with the Check-in Procedure Kein Zugriff
2. Rule 63. Both You and Your Advocate Should Always Be Diplomatic, Friendly, and Cooperative with Everyone at the Hospital Kein Zugriff
3. Rule 64. Confirm That Your Hospital Wristband Has Your Correct Information Kein Zugriff
4. Rule 65. Right Away, Learn How to Work the Call Device and Other Equipment in Your Hospital Room Kein Zugriff
5. Rule 66. Promptly after Admission, Verify That Your Body Warning Signs and Other Printed Signs Are Placed and Visible Kein Zugriff
6. Rule 67. Before Surgery, Reconfirm Your Surgeon Will Be the One Performing the Surgery Kein Zugriff
7. Rule 68. Before Entering the Operating Room, Confirm Which Anesthetic Will Be Administered (Local or General) Kein Zugriff
8. Rule 69. Prior to Surgery, Tell Your Surgeon If You Have Removable Dentures, Implants, Stents, or Similar Items Kein Zugriff
9. Rule 70. Ask Your Doctor: “What Other Doctor Will Be Seeing Me during My Hospitalization?” Kein Zugriff
10. Rule 71. In the Hospital, Make Notes of Important Events to Include in Your Medical File Kein Zugriff
11. Rule 72. Before Taking Any Medication, Verify It Was Prescribed for You and Not Some Other Patient Kein Zugriff
12. Rule 73. If Your Room Has a Bedside Scanning Device to Check Medication, Make Sure It Is Used Kein Zugriff
13. Rule 74. If You Have a Serious Medical Problem, Insist on Being Seen by an Experienced MD; Do Not Allow a Delay Until Your Treating Doctor or Surgeon Returns Kein Zugriff
14. Rule 75. If You Discover That Doctors or Other Hospital Personnel Disagree with the Treatment You Are Receiving, Investigate and Consider a Second Opinion Kein Zugriff
15. Rule 76. When Tests Are Conducted, Always Ask Your Doctor, “What Did the Test Show?” Kein Zugriff
16. Rule 77. If Your Private-Duty Nurse Is Hostile, Incompetent, or Otherwise Unsatisfactory, Discharge Him or Her Promptly Kein Zugriff
17. Rule 78. Avoid Loss or Theft of Your Cell Phone or Smartphone Kein Zugriff
18. Rule 79. Ask Questions If You Discover Surgical or Other Treatment Complications Kein Zugriff
19. Rule 80. If You Are Cleared for Discharge but Feel Too Sick to Leave, Take Steps to Appeal So You Can Stay in the Hospital Kein Zugriff
20. Rule 81. Upon Discharge, Ask for Written Instructions about Medications or Other Required Action Kein Zugriff
21. Rule 82. Do Not Sign Any Documents When You Leave the Hospital Kein Zugriff
1. Rule 83. Ask Questions Before You Agree to Tests or Devices (See Exceptions) Kein Zugriff
2. Rule 84. Ask That All Tests Ordered by Your Doctor Be Conducted and Interpreted in the US (See Exceptions) Kein Zugriff
3. Rule 85. When Your Blood Is Taken for Testing, Check That Your Name Is on the Body of the Container Kein Zugriff
4. Rule 86. Whenever a Needle Is Used, Verify That It Is Taken from an Unopened and Sterile Package Kein Zugriff
5. Rule 87. Always Request Lead Shielding for Tests Involving Radiation (All X-rays and Scans) Kein Zugriff
6. Rule 88. If You Are Told to Use a Device, Have It Explained to You While You Are Still at the Office Kein Zugriff
1. Rule 89. Be Careful Buying Prescriptions by Mail or Online Pharmacies; Some Are Good, Some Are Bad, Some Are Fraudulent Kein Zugriff
2. Rule 90. Select Your Local Pharmacies Carefully; It Will Save Time and Money and Will Protect Your Health Kein Zugriff
3. Rule 91. If You Feel Sick or Have Another Problem When Starting New Medication, Stop Immediately and Contact Your Doctor Kein Zugriff
4. Rule 92. Check with Your Doctor about Taking, Continuing, or Stopping Medications Kein Zugriff
5. Rule 93. Verify That the Medication You Are Taking Was Prescribed by Your Doctor Kein Zugriff
6. Rule 94. Ask Your Doctor to Prescribe the Generic Unless There Are Good Reasons to Do Otherwise Kein Zugriff
7. Rule 95. Discard and Replace Outdated Medications Kein Zugriff
8. Rule 96. Do Not Give Children Adult Medication (See Exceptions) Kein Zugriff
1. Rule 97. Maintain Medical, Hospital, and Drug Insurance Kein Zugriff
2. Rule 98. Verify in Advance That Your Bills Will Be Paid by Your Medical Plan Kein Zugriff
3. Rule 99. Reduce Out-of-Pocket Expenses by Bargaining, Coordinating, and Shopping Kein Zugriff
4. Rule 100. Whether You Have Insurance or Not, Learn to Financially Navigate Out-of-Pocket, Out-of-Network, and Concierge Medical Plans Kein Zugriff
5. Rule 101. Be Cautious Before Putting Other Medical or Laboratory Bills on Your Credit Card Kein Zugriff
1. Rule 102. If Injury or Illness May Have Been Caused by Medical or Hospital Errors, or Other Causes, Take Steps to Protect Your Legal Rights Kein Zugriff
2. Rule 103. If Illness or Injury Occurs, as Discussed in Rule 102, Decline Requests for “Interviews” or “Statements,” and Avoid Other Communications That May Compromise Your Legal Rights Kein Zugriff
3. Rule 104. Employ an Attorney ASAP If You Believe You Are a Victim of Medical or Hospital Error or Other Causes Discussed in Rule 102 Kein Zugriff
Appendix A Kein Zugriff Seiten 149 - 152
1. 1. Full-Service Hospitals (First-Tier, Tertiary, or Quaternary-Care Hospitals) Kein Zugriff
2. 2. Second-Tier (Regional) Hospitals Kein Zugriff
3. 3. Third-Tier (Local Neighborhood) Hospitals Kein Zugriff
4. 4. Ambulatory Surgical Centers Kein Zugriff
5. 5. Stand-Alone Emergency Rooms Kein Zugriff
6. 6. Urgent Care and Walk-in Clinics Kein Zugriff
7. 7. Healthcare Provider Services Provided by Pharmacies and Other Retail Establishments Kein Zugriff
Appendix C Kein Zugriff Seiten 159 - 160
Bibliography and Suggested Reading Kein Zugriff Seiten 161 - 162
Index Kein Zugriff Seiten 163 - 174
About the Authors Kein Zugriff Seiten 175 - 176