Archive for the ‘patient safety’ Category

No news is not always good news. A study of office procedures among primary care physicians found that more than 7% of significant findings in test results were never reported to patients. At two large academic medical centers, 23% of abnormal test results were not mentioned to patients.

Researchers surveyed 19 independent primary care practices and four practices based at academic medical centers, examining the records of more than 5,400 patients. Out of 1,889 abnormal test results, doctors failed to notify patients 135 times. Researchers also found that practices using electronic records had the lowest failure to inform rates, while practices using a combination of electronic and paper records had the highest failure rates.

The study’s authors suggested five simple steps that could significantly reduce errors:
1.    Routing test results to the proper doctor;
2.    Having the doctor sign off on results;
3.    Informing patients of the results;
4.    Documenting that patients have been informed; and
5.    Telling patients to contact the office after a certain period if they have not received their test results.

Patients can also protect themselves from failure to diagnose and medical negligence by contacting their doctor’s office if they have not been notified of test results within a few weeks of a test. Read more about medical malpractice and hospital negligence.

The Food and Drug Administration took steps to protect consumers from predatory and misleading advertising by manufacturers when it issued its new proposed advertising guidelines for drugs and medical devices. While the guidelines are not binding, they provide information to companies about how to avoid breaking FDA regulations.

According to the FDA, the document was issued in part because of a request from the drug industry for advice on how to comply with the agency’s rules for the marketing of medical products. Of particular concern is the omission or minimization of information about possible risks associated with a product, which compromise the most common violations of FDA regulations.

The guidelines recommend that advertisements be as specific as possible, and describe how small details like font and the amount of white space in printed material can best present information about risks and side effects. The FDA guidelines also discourage companies from sending conflicting messages in advertisements, such as using cheerful music in commercials while the risk information for a drug or device is being listed. Hopefully, if companies follow these guidelines, they will increase awareness in patients and health-care providers about the possible side effects of their drugs and medical devices. Read more about FDA product warnings.

People taking propylthiouracil (PTU) should be aware that the Food and Drug Administration issued a PTU warning about possible liver damage as a side effect of using the drug. PTU is an anti-thyroid medication used primarily for the treatment of Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that leads to hyperthyroidism. The condition can cause increased heartbeat, muscle weakness, disturbed sleep, and eye problems. While methimazole, which has fewer side effects, is generally the preferred drug for treating Graves’, PTU is often used for patients that are allergic to methimazole or are in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Between 1969, when the FDA first established its Adverse Event Reporting System, and October 2008, there have been 32 reported cases of serious liver injury in patients taking PTU. Of those, 13 patients died and 11 required liver transplants. The FDA PTU warning recommends that doctors prescribing patients PTU closely monitor the patients for signs of liver damage, particularly during the first six months of treatment. Read more about drug side effects and complications or dangerous drugs.

On June 10, 2009, the Endocrine Society announced that bisphenol A (“BPA”), a chemical used to harden plastics and found in products ranging from CDs and sunglasses to plastic bottles and the lining of metal cans, may cause serious health problems. According to studies presented at the society’s recent meeting in Washington DC, exposure to BPA can lead to malformations, infertility, diabetes, and heart problems.

The studies indicate that BPA disrupts the normal function of hormones leading to heart arrhythmia, and exposure to the chemical in children may affect their future development and fertility. Exposure during pregnancy may lead to birth defects. BPA has been shown to changes in the DNA of laboratory mice, indicating that health problems may be passed on to future generations.

The Food and Drug Administration had previously found BPA to be safe in levels found in common products, but recently agreed to revisit its position, and last year the Canadian government declared BPA toxic. Two states, Minnesota and Connecticut, have banned the chemical and bills are pending in several others. In March, the six main manufacturers of baby bottles voluntarily stopped using BPA in their products.

To limit BPA exposure, experts recommend that individuals, especially pregnant women, refrain from eating food from metal cans and drinking from hard plastic bottles. However, it is very difficult to completely avoid exposure to BPA because most people are exposed through unknown sources. One Endocrine Society study found that 93% of Americans tested had been exposed to BPA, many in levels greater than what is considered safe by the FDA. Chemical companies have responded to these findings by claiming that there are no conclusive studies showing that BPA causes these health problems, and more research should be conducted. Read more about child safety and diseases.

Clearly one of the big agenda items for the Obama administration is health care reform.  Universal health care is definitely a good thing and long over due in this country.  But, for a consumer injured by medical negligence, what does health care reform mean? 

The White House had made clear that it would like to get a reform bill passed in Congress before the end of this session in August.  Whether the White House can achieve this is questionable and will required broad reaching support from various contingencies, including the American Medical Association (AMA).  So, what promises, if any, is the White House making to the AMA about medical malpractice reform, which is a big issue for the AMA (the website has Obama and his speech featured on its home page this morning), despite studies showing that medical malpractice reform has little or no impact on health care costs?

The New York Times reported earlier this week that insders at the Obama White House state that Obama has told the American Medical Association (”AMA”) that he supports malpractice reforms.  On June 15, 2009, Obama opened his drive for health care reform by speaking to the AMA.  During his speech, he stated:

“Now, I recognize that it will be hard to make some of these changes if doctors feel like they’re constantly looking over their shoulders for fear of lawsuits. I recognize that.

(APPLAUSE)

Don’t get too excited yet.

(APPLAUSE)

All right. Now, I understand some doctors may feel the need to order more tests and treatments to avoid being legally vulnerable. That’s a real issue.

Now, you know, just hold onto your horses here, guys.

(LAUGHTER)

I want to be honest with you. I’m not advocating caps on malpractice awards…

(BOOING)

… which I believe — I personally believe can be unfair to people who’ve been wrongfully harmed.

But I do think we need to explore a range of ideas about how to put patient safety first, how to let doctors focus on practicing medicine, how to encourage broader use of evidence-based guidelines. I want to work with the AMA so we can scale back the excessive defensive medicine that reinforces our current system and shift to a system where we are providing better care simply — rather than simply more treatment.

So this is going to be a priority for me. And I know, you know, based on your responses, it’s a priority for you.

(LAUGHTER)

And I look forward to working with you, and it’s going to be difficult. But all this stuff is going to be difficult. All of it’s going to be important.”  See Obama AMA Speech Transcript.

So far this is the only public statement by Obama about malpractice reform.  His views seem consistent with what his views were as a Senator, which is a good thing for consumers who are injured by medical negligence.  Medical groups, however, have already expressed disappointment in his statement but we hope that the White House will stand strong for consumer rights, especially in the face of considerable evidence from studies that show that malpractice reforms do not reduce the costs of healthcare in the United States.

Earlier this year, I had the privilege to attend a dinner for a very worthy cause.  Patrick Donahue, the father of now four year old Sarah Jane Donahue, started a foundation in his daughter’s name after she sustained a Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury (“PTBI”).  The Sarah Jane Brain Foundation’s mission is to create a model system for treating children suffering from pediatric acquired brain injuries.  Believe it or not, there isn’t a model system in place in the United States. 

Sarah Jane’s story is unfortunately all too familiar.  She was shaken by her baby nurse when she was only five days old.  Last week, Sarah Jane turned four.  However, she still cannot crawl, walk or speak words. As a birthday present to her, the foundation selected 52 institutions and organizations to serve as Sarah Jane Brain Family Lead Centers of Excellence.

The dinner earlier this year was attended by an incredible group of doctors and health care professionals who gave presentations and shared information about their experiences in working on PTBI cases.  The sharing of information, the synergies of the working groups and the enthusiasm to create a complete treatment program was genuine and inspiring.  And, Patrick Donahue was simply amazing in his ability to pull together such a remarkable crowd.  It is clear that his motivation came from his heart and his compassion for his daughter and all kids who suffer from PTBI.

Congratulations to Patrick for all of the hard work that he and the others are doing at the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation.  The Foundation has taken on a tremendous cause that will undoubtedly result in better treatment for all adolescents who suffer from PTBI and in the process is bringing about more awareness to the potential injuries to babies if they are shaken.

The Sarah Jane Brain Foundation does omen’s work.  They have accomplished a lot but will need continued support to meet their goals.  I have proudly supported the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation and hope that you will join me in supporting these kids and helping spread awareness about the leading cause of death/disability in children.  For more information and/or to make a donation, please visit the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation website at www.TheBrainProject.org.

If you visit a relative or friend in the hospital but are asked to leave because “visiting hours” are over, can you trust that the hospital workers will monitor and administer the utmost care and attention to your loved one? 

Disturbingly, the answer is no.  According to the AARP, an estimated 98,000 hospital patients die every year in the United States because of preventable errors, such as mistaken identity or medication mixups.  There have been many cases where a patient has been harmed because of mislabeling on a medication or on the patient chart that leads to the incorrect medication being administered.  Or perhaps the hospital staff simply may not notice when a patient is in pain or is in need of assistance – while the nurses have many patients they must tend to, a relative remaining by the bedside might notice something such as an adverse reaction to medication or an IV drip that had pulled out of a vein, or even something less specific.  Merely noting that the patient “doesn’t look so good” might prompt a doctor or a nurse to take a closer look – it might be nothing, but it might mean preventing the patient’s condition from worsening.  A simple mixup could have the nurses administering a test or an injection that may be meant for the patient on the next hospital bed.  Such errors could be prevented by instituting unlimited visiting hours, as some hospitals have, allowing relatives and friends to stay with the patient through medical procedures and even during some emergencies, sharing their observations and concerns.

Human beings make mistakes, and doctors and nurses are human beings.  But the price of not taking every available precaution with such preventable errors can be catastrophic in certain cases, and the suffering caused to patients and their loved ones may be immeasurable.  People should not hesitate to voice their concerns regarding the care of loved ones in the hospital.  Though it may seem to be stepping on the toes of the doctors and nurses, the possible outcome of a preventable error could be disastrous.  Karen Aydt Curtiss, who is writing a book on how to help a loved one in the hospital, titled “Someone With You,” makes some suggestions such as asking nurses about new medications, ensuring the drug orders match the patient’s ID bracelet, asking everyone who enters the room to wash their hands and sterilize any equipment, and keeping a journal of your observations.

Patients should not have to pay the price for these preventable errors.  If you or a loved one has suffered from such errors, you should contact a New York Medical Malpractice attorney today to discuss your legal rights and options.

Drugs and over the counter remedies can provide relief or treatment for many health conditions. However, they are not without risks. Mixing incompatible medications or taking too much of a drug can cause negative reactions or health problems. Consequences of improperly mixing drugs or overdosing include stomach problems, diarrhea, blurred vision, skin rashes, or the need for emergency medical attention. Such problems can occur both with prescription and over the counter medications and the larger the number of drugs that a patient uses, the greater the risk of an adverse interaction.

The best way to avoid such complications is to take a few basic precautionary steps. Patients should keep track of when and how much medication they take, and whether they experience any side effects. Consulting with a doctor or pharmacist about combining medications and possible side effects is also important. Additionally, it is important to read drug labels and warnings carefully to determine if they might cause a negative reaction. Finally, patients should carefully read prescription labels to make sure that they have received the correct medication.

Some people who take several different medications find it difficult to remember which drugs to take and when. Timers and pill organizers often help with this problem. There are also reminder services, which will call or send an e-mail to prompt patients to take their medications.

Patients should consult with a doctor before using medications or over the counter heath products in conjunction with prescription drugs. If you or a loved one has been injured by prescription drug negligence or medical malpractice, contact a medical malpractice attorney for a free and confidential case review.

At the Consumerinjurylawyers.com blog, we wish to make consumers aware of helpful resources that will protect and inform them before they undergo medical care. Additionally, those who feel that they have suffered harm due to medical malpractice need to be informed of consumer-driven outlets that will educate patients on possible recourses. Patients are no longer helpless regarding hospital safety resources, thanks to the work of several victims of medical malpractice. These survivors and family members have taken to the Internet to inform potential patients on possible indicators of medical errors and counsel others suffering due to medical malpractice. This patient-initiated grassroots safety movement has already had a profound impact on hospital safety policy by encouraging doctors to be aware, cautious, and upfront regarding patient care.

Often in taking the form of online communities and blogs, patient-created hospital safety resources provide comradery, medical, and legal advice on avoiding and treating medical error. Blogs such as josieking.com, Consumers Advancing Patient Safety, patientadvocare.blogspot.com, and Persons United Limiting Substandards and Errors in Health Care, were started by people who have lost loved ones or themselves been injured by substandard health care. One in 10 patients admitted to hospitals world-wide will suffer some type of preventable harm. These patient safety blogs aim to lower that number through their support.

Patient advocates encourage consumers to choose doctors with electronic medical recording systems, pick physicians that do specialized operations frequently rather than sporadically, and go to hospitals whose spiritual beliefs are in line with the patient’s. Parents of hospitalized children should specify requests for their child’s surgeries in writing, and ask the doctor to sign the written request. After obtaining care, hospital safety blogs request that patients see their primary care providers immediately after being discharged from the hospital. These seemingly simple, but important, requests could be crucial in preventing and detecting medical malpractice, and aiding in malpractice litigation.

Such hospital safety resources are beneficial to a broader audience than just patients. Patient-safety movements also provide tips for medical practitioners to improve safety, which could ultimately save physicians billions of dollars in additional hospitalization, litigation claims, and medical expenses. Because programs can be so financially beneficial to care providers, doctors have internalized the suggestions of patient safety advocates. The New York Times has reported that hospitals who end a “defend and deny” policy can drastically reduce lawsuits, and in the process, prevent patients from baring the emotional and financial cost of medical mistakes.

But medical malpractice is still prevalent, and patients must keep themselves informed in order to prevent and receive compensation for medical malpractice. Consumers should look at consumer safety resources before their loved ones or they undergo medical care, and especially if they notice any red flags during treatment. To obtain further information on a New York medical malpractice lawyer, to investigate a possible malpractice claim, please contact us.