Thursday, June 27, 2013
Saturday, June 01, 2013
Pension reform and other alternatives
Interesting read from CARP on pension options
Nobody seems to be addressing the other part of the economic equation, Reduce the cost of living by reducing the inflated cost of government services . Why not - there are are many options -with the new technology if it would only put in place to take out the excessive levels of make work duplication .
The issue of elder abuse in government regulated nursing homes is another interesting Carp topic. It is hard to believe that the regulation fix fiction still exists.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
A shift in care here
The changes occurring in our care delivery systems have generated great interest, innovation, and yes, fear among many in healthcare, doctors included. Some recent news stories have documented physician practices under severe financial stress, or even going bankrupt. Others note the formation of gigantic health systems and growth of accountable care organizations.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Useful review of medical malpractice
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2013/05/surgeon-interviews-medical-malpractice-attorney-read-decide.html
No there is no problem with frivolous medical lawsuits. Arrogance costs the doer of malfeasance.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Fight to make your own decisions?
http://douglassreport.com/2013/05/12/The-new-threat/
Good points made by the Doctor . Get the nannys out of your face .
Monday, May 13, 2013
Hippocratic oath breached with consequences
Abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell found guilty of murder
Gosnell, who prosecutors say delivered babies alive and then killed them, found guilty on three counts of first-degree murder
Email
Kermit Gosnell. Photograph: Yong Kim/AP/Philadelphia Daily News
A Philadelphia doctor accused of performing illegal late-term abortions in a filthy clinic has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the deaths of three babies born alive but acquitted in the death of a fourth baby.
In a case that became a grisly flashpoint in the abortion debate in the US, Dr Kermit Gosnell, 72, was also found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the overdose death of an abortion patient. He was cleared in the death of a fourth child, who prosecutors say let out a whimper before the doctor snipped its spinal cord.
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And justice is served .
Medical corruption - a cancer that can be beat
Is medicine a profession or a commodity?
"The use of similar tactics to influence votes skewed the board of directors and created dubious conflicts of interest. One member had lucrative hospital building contracts, two had hospital money in their bank, and another did secondary real estate transactions on the hospital’s behalf. Four CEO-appointed physicians had profitable medical contracts with the hospital. One can see how easy a vote might be swayed. The administration used this influence to not only ramrod changes in hospital policies and procedures, but to persecute and prosecute any physician in their way. These tactics continue today.
The only voting member elected from the medical staff to the 15-member board was the chief of staff, and up until a year ago the deputy chief of staff could vote, but this was changed by the board at the behest of the administration:".
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A provocative and challenging article about cronyism in the honourable "Medical " profession illustrates that the greed and special interest cancer is everywhere and has infected the real and decent fundamental medical practise of many. In our area we have similar challenges - favouritism is rampant . Just pay the toll and you can get away with ineptitude and the greed cancer that kills all those that do not comply or those who refuse to be extorted out of principle and ethical convictions . All have a responsibility to cure this disease before it destroys our care system as we know it.
Instant communication to all in your network with a phone picture or video taken is fast efficient and a sure cure by miraculous you - for this deadly reversible affliction to our system of health and caring.
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Monday, April 29, 2013
useful things to do at the hospital?
12 tips to stay safe in hospitals
Hospitals can save you, but they can also harm you. So how can you stay safe in hospitals? Follow these 12 life-saving tips:
1. Never go alone. Always bring someone else—a trusted family member or friend—with you. That person will be your primary advocate, and can serve as an extra set of eyes and ears to help make sure you are safe. (This tip applies to routine doctors’ appointments too; always bring your advocate with you.)
2. Determine, in advance, the goals of the hospitalization. Before you go to the hospital, ask your doctor why you need to be hospitalized. Is it necessary, or is outpatient care possible? What is the goal of the hospital stay? How often will that goal be assessed? Can you choose which hospital to go to, and when you should go? Rarely is the need for hospitalization so emergent that you can’t get these answers and discuss them with your doctor in advance.
3. Prepare. Bring all the things you would normally bring with you to a doctor’s appointment, including a list of your medical problems and allergies. Don’t assume that the hospital will have your records. It’s very important to bring all the pill bottles that you take so that there will be no mistake about what dosage and how often you take your medications. Keep your main doctor’s phone number and your advocate’s phone number handy (though your advocate should be going with you to the hospital).
4. Meet your care team. Find out who is in charge of your care: is it your regular doctor or a hospitalist doctor? Introduce yourself to her, and to your primary nurse. Meet the patient care tech, the nursing assistant, and the other members of your healthcare team. Tell them about yourself, and find about them. The more they get to know you as a person now, the more they will help to answer your questions later. Your advocate should also get to know your care team.
5. Know who to call for help and how. Who will be the night-duty doctor and nurse, and how can you reach them? If you are in trouble, or if your advocate sees you’re in trouble, how will you get help? Many hospitals have a “rapid response team” or a “code team” that come to assist in emergency situations. Can your advocate activate this team himself?
6. Ask about every test done. Don’t just consent to tests. They all have risks, so ask about them. Why is your blood drawn every morning—what is the purpose? Why are you getting the CT scan? You should discuss every test with your doctor in advance of doing them, and have a thoughtful discussion about risks, benefits, and alternatives.
7. Ask about every treatment offered. If you’re being started on a new medication, ask about what it is, what the risks are, what the alternatives are, and why you need it. If you’re told you need a procedure, make sure you discuss it with your doctor.
8. Keep a record of your hospital stay. Your advocate may need to help you with keeping a careful record. This includes your tests (make a note of what you get done and ask about the result), medications (write down when each medication is given and double-check it’s correct), and providers who come to see you (write down names of specialists and their recommendations). A detailed record helps to prevent mistakes, coordinate your care, and keep you on track.
9. Attend bedside rounds. Doctors and nurses usually have rounds at least once a day to discuss their patients. Find out when rounds happen and ask if you and your advocate can attend. This is your time to find out what’s going on with your care. Prepare questions to ask during rounds.
10. Know your daily plan. Rounds are a good time to ask about what is happening that day. Are you doing more tests? More treatments? Are you on track, or did something unexpected happen? When can you expect to go home?
11. Keep your eye on infection control. If someone comes into your room, ask him to wash their hands. If someone is doing a procedure on you, ask her to follow an infection control checklist. Hospital-acquired infections kill 100,000 people every year, and you can help prevent them.
12. If something isn’t right, speak up immediately. Remember that it’s your body and you know yourself the best. Get help if you develop new or worsening symptoms. Empower the person you’re with to speak up for you if you can’t.
All of these tips may sound like a lot of work, and you may be wondering why it’s your job to do all of this. After all, aren’t you the patient, the person who is feeling unwell and seeking help? By and large, doctors and nurses are well-meaning, and most of the time, the system is working well and you will get good care. However, mistakes do happen—and you and your advocate can help prevent medical error. Follow the tips above to make sure that you are safe and well during every hospital stay.
Leana Wen is an emergency physician who blogs at The Doctor is Listening. She is the co-author of When Doctors Don’t Listen: How to Prevent Misdiagnosis and Unnecessary Tests. She can also be reached on Twitter @drleanawen.
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Respect the end of life
Compassion not profiteering from the end of life needed
Human beings and their right of free will choice must be re-instated
A duty to guide patients through the process of death
As healthcare providers we are focused on life. We are committed to healing. We measure success by lives saved. Unfortunately, many diseases remain incurable. Some diagnoses do carry with them a death sentence in spite of the best that modern medicine has to offer. Even in theses extremely devastating cases, We can still make a huge difference in the lives of our patients in the way in which we help them handle their own death.
Too often, treatments are prescribed which may have the effect of only prolonging suffering. In some experimental chemotherapies, treatment may raise survival only a few percentage points. As caregivers, we become so focused on changing the inevitable outcome that we often forget about one of the more important reasons we are treating our patients–to ease pain and suffering. In the case of terminally ill patients, we can help shepherd them through the process of death. Too often, however, we as healthcare providers are ill-equipped to tackle this task.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Empower whistleblowers to improve the health of all Americans
Empower whistleblowers to improve the health of all Americans
The first instinct of a bureaucracy is self-preservation, and health care bureaucracies are no exception. This rule applies not only to government agencies, but to academic and industry settings as well. This was the conclusion I came to after listening to a panel of scientist and physician “whistleblowers” at the Selling Sickness 2013conference in Washington, DC
Great we are finally getting it ......
The first instinct of a bureaucracy is self-preservation, and health care bureaucracies are no exception. This rule applies not only to government agencies, but to academic and industry settings as well. This was the conclusion I came to after listening to a panel of scientist and physician “whistleblowers” at the Selling Sickness 2013conference in Washington, DC
Great we are finally getting it ......
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Who is the biggest drug dealer in Canada?
It seems someone else’s prescription is pretty easy to buy, but it’s not a problem that’s limited to the Annapolis Valley. Chief Mander says that “across Canada the drug dealer of preference…is the health care system”.
See CTV investigative report
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Is there is poop in your water ? Warning from Douglas report
And that’s not even the scary part. Ready for it? Are you sure?
The illnesses caused by those germs — all 1.1 million of them — are just a drop in the toilet. They represent only the immediate and obvious sicknesses caused by fecal filth other bacteria in the water.
The rest of the problems aren’t nearly as immediate or obvious.
Along with those stomach-churning poo bugs, your water contains sex-change hormones, legal and illegal drugs, pesticides, herbicides, chemicals such as rocket fuel, and more.
The amounts are small and might not hurt you right away. But drink it, cook with it, and bathe in it every day, and you’re bound to suffer in the long run.
The only way to protect yourself and your family is to buy a reverse osmosis water filter. You’ll find them in most hardware stores — just make sure you install yours where the water supply enters the home, so every tap and faucet is protected.
And that’s not even the scary part. Ready for it? Are you sure?
The illnesses caused by those germs — all 1.1 million of them — are just a drop in the toilet. They represent only the immediate and obvious sicknesses caused by fecal filth other bacteria in the water.
The rest of the problems aren’t nearly as immediate or obvious.
Along with those stomach-churning poo bugs, your water contains sex-change hormones, legal and illegal drugs, pesticides, herbicides, chemicals such as rocket fuel, and more.
The amounts are small and might not hurt you right away. But drink it, cook with it, and bathe in it every day, and you’re bound to suffer in the long run.
The only way to protect yourself and your family is to buy a reverse osmosis water filter. You’ll find them in most hardware stores — just make sure you install yours where the water supply enters the home, so every tap and faucet is protected.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Hospital patient advocacy
Win win strategies to reduce costs and improve the quality of service and recapturing good health care ?
Why hospitals need patient advocates
August 9th, 2012
by Jacqueline O'Doherty
Discharge planning has been making headlines recently because of Medicare's hospital readmission and reduction program.
Hospital readmission rates are coming under scrutiny not only by Medicare but also commercial payers and consumers alike, in an effort to manage the high cost of readmission after patient discharge. Successful discharge planning keeps the rate of readmission low.
For patient advocates, successful discharge has always been part of our mission. Patient advocates strive to coordinate care and ensure a smooth transition from hospital to home.
Discharge planning has been making headlines recently because of Medicare's hospital readmission and reduction program. Hospital readmission rates are coming under scrutiny not only by Medicare but also commercial payers and consumers alike, in an effort to manage the high cost of readmission after patient discharge. Successful discharge planning keeps the rate of readmission low.
For patient advocates, successful discharge has always been part of our mission. Patient advocates strive to coordinate care and ensure a smooth transition from hospital to home.
Friday, July 20, 2012
do-we-care-for-our-vulnerable
http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/2012/07/19/do-we-care-for-our-vulnerable
Tired of seeing those that need help get shafted -while the administrators suck the money dry
Tired of seeing those that need help get shafted -while the administrators suck the money dry
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
You are what you eat -51 ways to improve your diet and save money
Do not feed the greed cancer - you as customer can get better food
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Sieg Holle BS MBA
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Sieg Holle BS MBA
Friday, July 13, 2012
What happens when you run out of money to support over priced under performing health care and their support monopolies?
If you hit the payment wall something has to give .Follow the money and never feed a cancer -is that the solution ?
Thursday, July 12, 2012
The truth can set you free -good food for thought
A wake up call to acton ? Important factual information for your consideration review and action if any . It is always your choice to honour your oath ,right wrongs and protect the vulnerable and yourself .
Be informed - and pass this on please ( US film leading by example )
Uploaded by
Is there a law which requires you to pay the Federal Income Tax? Is the Federal Reserve a part of the United States Government, or is it a private bank owned and operated by multinational corporate interests? Do they have our nation's best interests at heart? Unless something changes, what does the future of the United States look like?
The answer to all these questions and more in this incred
An excellent work wth live footage and director comments - worth watching
The answer to all these questions and more in this incredible documentary by legendary filmmaker Aaron Russo (February 14, 1943 - August 24, 2007).
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Sieg Holle BS MBA
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