A recent article on CNN Health discusses “How to avoid falling victim to a hospital’s mistakes.” The article contains good advice for avoiding identification mistakes such as mixing you up with another patient or operating or performing procedures on the wrong side or wrong body part.Their advice?1. Clearly identify yourself, using your full name and your date of birth and state the reason you are there, such as “I am here for gollbladder surgery”.2. Demand that they check your ID bracelet. Why? Because nurses, techs and doctors are supposed to confirm your identity in two ways–usually verbally and by the ID bracelet.3. Demand that they confirm in your chart what they are doing.4. If having surgery, demand that the surgeon mark up your surgical site before you are anesthetized. Better yet. My advice? Do it yourself! If you are having surgery on your right knee, mark “NOT THIS KNEE” on your left knee. Surgery on the wrong side is not uncommon. It happens so regularly that Medicaid/Medicare has declared that they will no longer pay for such mistakes.5. Be impolite. If you suspect that something is wrong, don’t simply assume that the nurse or doctor is right. Ask questions, demand answers.Your best defense against medical malpractice? Ask questions. Demand answers. Write down what is going on and what is said. If you get conflicting information or orders, demand an explanation. Nurses refer to people who do this as “scribblers.” But if you ask nurses and doctors what they do when their spouse, child, or parent is int he hospital and they will all tell you that they become “scribblers”. You’d much rather be known as a scribbler than need the services of an attorney.But … if you do, please call or contact me.Todd N. Hendrickson, P.C.
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2 Comments
I would agree with everything you said, except for being impolite. It is important not antagonize staff, but to win them over and make them aware of your needs and motivated to provide care according to standards. It is also important to know what to do if you find yourself in a dangerous situation in a hospital and no one is responding to the call bell. Finally, in a system where health care reform legislation gives no attention to patient safety, become an educated consumer because it is buyer beware and call a lawyer. You can find free information on my website.
Thanks for your comment. I agree that it is important not to antagonize the hospital staff. But you absolutely, positively, have to question what is happening and why and what is NOT happening and why. Day after day I see records showing that common problems have been ignored. And many of the problems that come from that neglect can be cured by an active, quizzical family or patient.