| This year alone, it is estimated that over 250,000 | | | | get this procedure, who would he get to |
| people | | | | operate?If your doctor was in your shoes, who |
| will die in hospitals because of medical errors. And | | | | would he name? If he names someone at his |
| to | | | | own hospital, who would he name if no one was |
| top this astounding figure, almost half of patients | | | | available at the hospital?8- Is surgery really |
| have | | | | necessary?Is it really needed? Or if you don't |
| experienced a medical mistake to some degree | | | | have the surgery, what will your quality of life |
| in their life.Is it really safe going to the hospital?It's | | | | be?9- Can you perform my surgery as the first |
| a frightening question, especially when hospitals | | | | case in the morning?This may be your most |
| are | | | | important question because a fatiged doctor may |
| supposed to help us, not hurt us.I have been | | | | put your health at a distinct disadvantage. You |
| personally told by many doctors and nurses that | | | | want a fresh doctor who is alert and ready to |
| it | | | | operate.Many of these questions are self |
| is better to get in and get out of hospitals as | | | | explanatory but patients |
| quick as possible to avoid getting more sick or | | | | rarely ask. This puts them at greater risk.It is |
| picking up other germs that can lead to more | | | | also reported that over 150 million prescriptions |
| serious conditions.But what really shocked me the | | | | require pharmacists to call back doctors for |
| most, was the extent of the | | | | clarification. |
| errors that occur at hospitals. Everything from | | | | Whether it is because a pharmacist cannot read |
| wrong | | | | the doctor's |
| diagnosis, to mistaken treatments due to wrong | | | | handwriting, incompatibility to prescriptions |
| prescriptions | | | | patients are |
| being filled out, to flat out incompetence.Most of | | | | already taking, or patients allergic reactions to |
| us take hospital care for granted, but because of | | | | medications, |
| incredibly fragmented record keeping, many | | | | mistakes seem to be the norm.To combat this |
| patients are put | | | | problem, patients (or a designated trustee) |
| into life-threatening situations because of lack of | | | | need to keep a daily log of any medications they |
| communication between doctors and | | | | have been |
| pharmacists.So, the logical question must be... | | | | given. Don't expect the hospital's records to be |
| What can I do to protect | | | | accurate.Another problem that has made it |
| myself at the hospital?If surgery is | | | | difficult to get proper |
| recommended, you want the best doctors that | | | | medical care is of how drugs like Vioxx and |
| are | | | | Celebrex could |
| available.1- Make sure you receive the | | | | have been widely distributed for years without |
| appropriate tests before surgery | | | | any health |
| is performed. It has been reported that over | | | | warnings being issued. But is now come to light |
| 57,000 deaths | | | | that many |
| could be prevented if this were done.2- Get a | | | | patients have suffered needless heart attacks |
| second opinion to confirm diagnosis. Many patients | | | | and strokes |
| | | | because the FDA let the drugs come to market |
| have found that this second opinion has | | | | without the |
| uncovered important | | | | proper amount of testing.Learn about your |
| information that was missed during the first | | | | condition and be up-to-date about procedures, |
| exam.Here are some questions you need to ask | | | | complications, and medications that relate to you |
| the doctor to cover | | | | in order to make the proper decisions regarding |
| yourself and give you the best chance to come | | | | your health.You may think that this has nothing to |
| out alive.1- Are you experienced in this | | | | do with your financial situation but it will loom large |
| procedure?You want to know not only how many | | | | in your mind if it puts you in a financial hardship. If |
| times a doctor has performed this procedure but | | | | you cannot pay for the procedure, you may be |
| for how long.2- Do you work with the same | | | | limited with your options. This in turn may put you |
| team?Doctors who work with the same team | | | | at a greater risk for sub-standard care.A good |
| give their patients a much better chance at | | | | mental attitude is required when getting hospital |
| recovery if the team is experienced together.3- | | | | care. But you must be vigilant when it comes to |
| What is your recovery rate?Your doctor should | | | | care. Protect your |
| know this. If not, it is your right to know from his | | | | health and it will protect you.Barry Ferguson is |
| participating hospital.4- What are the risks?The | | | | known as "America's Saving Money Man". |
| doctor needs to be truthful in regards to risks. He | | | | He is the author of two books called "How To |
| should be able to define what your recovery will | | | | Stop Wasting |
| be like, how long it will take to make a full | | | | Money" and "The Saving Money Mindset", and |
| recovery, or even if you are expected to fully | | | | has 15 years of |
| recover.5- What are the ranges in ages of your | | | | practical, real world experience saving huge |
| patients?You want to know if your doctor works | | | | amounts of |
| on patients like you or is this case an | | | | cash every time he shops! |
| extraordinary one for the doctor?7- If he had to | | | | How much do you want to save? |