Art showed me a newspaper article that was printed on March 24th titled, Hospital Violation Reports Available Online. It was written by McClatchy Newspapers and printed in the Honolulu Star Advertiser.
They reported how sometimes deadly mistakes are made by hospitals where a patient could be given the wrong medication or undergo an operation meant for another person. I did notice that when my mother had her eye operation done at Kaiser Permanente, she was asked who she was and what she was having done about half a dozen times by different people before she went into the OR.
Apparently there is now a new website that includes detailed reports of hospital violations from January 2011:
http://www.hospitalinspections.org/
The article said a lot of this information was not reported before and only available through a Freedom of Information request.
Although Tripler Army Hospital where we go has had their share of problems and lawsuits in the not so distant past, they must be OK since 2011. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. It's just nice to know there's one more website we can go to and get important health information.
Apparently there is now a new website that includes detailed reports of hospital violations from January 2011:
http://www.hospitalinspections.org/
The article said a lot of this information was not reported before and only available through a Freedom of Information request.
Although Tripler Army Hospital where we go has had their share of problems and lawsuits in the not so distant past, they must be OK since 2011. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. It's just nice to know there's one more website we can go to and get important health information.
Kay - the best way to prevent hospital errors is to have a family member at bedside, asking everything! Presuming the patient may not be able to respond, or respond correctly, knowing their usual meds, and realizing what the hospital is changing because of the current illness, is a good way to prevent problems. Even with the "reports," the public will never know all of the "near misses" or errors. A few good hospitals encourage reports of "near misses," mistakes that almost happened because of placement of meds in the supply drawer, not marking "which side" on a surgery site, etc. Most places now have "time out" in surgery suites, documenting that the site and type of surgery were confirmed.
ReplyDeleteStaying as healthy as possible is the best way to avoid hospital problems. Now, I must go exercise myself! DrumMajor
I'm so glad you've got your computer fixed, DrumMajor. I'd been missing you. I always like having Art with me so he can hear what I might have missed.
DeleteKaiser Hospital in Hawaii has announced they will cut more than 40 RNs from the payroll. They will be replaced by less qualified LPNs and MAs. I can't think of a worse scenario than that.
ReplyDeleteIve heard about it and think it's HORRIBLE. This is when mistakes happen.
DeleteNow that is a website I won't go look at, since I know it will only upset me. I will take the advice of DrumMajor and not go if I can help it, and if I do end up in the hospital, I'll make sure my partner is with me. Hospitals are scary places! Thanks for this information, Kay.
ReplyDeleteWe are in the middle of a big chemo scare in some hospitals here...concerning watered down chemo meds.
ReplyDeletethat's scary...if you are facing a hospital visit!
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame that we have to have these concerns when we are at our most vulnerable. I think Anonymous above is right that having an advocate with us if we have to be in a hospital is very important.
ReplyDeleteSadly if the mistakes don't ruin your life, the hospital viruses can take you down. Make taking care of your health and avoiding hospitals even more important these days.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and I had a long discussion this week about these problems which involve hospitals and all medical care these days. Two of my granddaughters were prescribed meds they should not be taking. The oldest girl had some complications resulting from the med she took. Connie got between the other girl and the doctor and told him No she would not let her daighter take the med (she was under age 18).
ReplyDeleteConnie then told me how she had been arguing with doctors who want to put her on HBP meds."I take my BP every day and it always shoots up when a medical person takes it." She thinks this "White Coat Syndrome" is the result of the 99 visits to the Emergency Room she had when she was akid. She refuses to take the meds until she sees her BP rise at home (she has 3 instruments to measure BP). Also she stopped taking meds for "Asthema" which were steroids or somthing like that. She says she immediately got better.
You have to be your own health advocate. she says.
Our medical system is stretched to the breaking point by the huge influx of Baby Boomers getting older. Cancer and all other ailments increase with age.
I get much medical info from various health newsletter I get from Johns Hopkins, Mount Sinai and UCLA medical schools and others. Also subscribe to several (6) health related magazines. Very important to stay informed. Dianne
Art is having the same sort of med battle about his blood pressure which he says is labile. He's now having to take aspirin which he's not happy about either.
DeleteWhen I had cataract surgery last year, the surgeon had me point to the eye needing the surgery, then he placed a dot next to it with a marker. Same thing when I had surgery on my thumb a few years ago. Both were reassuring, since I've read of terrible hospital blunders!
ReplyDeletea little scary
ReplyDeleteNever be afraid to question your medical care. Don't trust someone to know what is correct for YOU. You know your body better than anyone. And one should do everything possible to stay out of hospitals. They are very dangerous for one's health.
ReplyDeleteSometimes home health services can also make mistakes. This is why I am away because of a big mistake they made caring for Ron. Thankfully he is better, therefore I am better:)
ReplyDeleteimportant to be an involved patient!
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu - side
Comfort Spiral
~ > < } } ( ° > <3
Oi . . .
ReplyDelete