How to Survive a Hospital Stay

According to the Fifth Annual Health Grades Patient Safety in American Hospitals Study, 2008 almost 250,000 people died in US hospitals. The study claims that these deaths could have been prevented. Having grown up in a medical family and then working in hospitals for the majority of my life. Having had first hand experience in Military hospitals and civilian hospitals all over the USA. I can tell you that the great doctors and health professionals that are portrayed on TV are few and far between.

When my daughter was born she was in distress. When she was taken to the treatment room an oxygen tent was put on her. Her heart stopped in a matter of a few minutes, I noticed that the Registered Nurses did not have the oxygen on and they were literally suffocating her. I had to physically break into isolation and turn the oxygen on because they wouldn't listen to me. So I also have had first hand experience in my personal life with the in-competence of the US health care system. If you are forced to use the US hospital system, proceed with caution. Never allow hospital personal to admit you without someone else being with you. Encourage the person to take down all the names of the hospital personal that have anything to do with your care. Keep an eye on all hospital personal that come in contact with you. I am very serious about this. Most of the competent health workers will not feel threatened that you a re writing down their names.

Check all the medications and look up the contraindications on line. We used to have contests where I worked, to see who could find the patients with the most medicines that were contraindicated. On one occasion I remember winning because a lady were were going to do surgery on was taking seven medicines that were contra indicated. No I am not exaggerating. If you are on medication do not take your the doctors word that it is fine to take another pill that he is prescribing you. Many of the pharmacist catch the errors now. But remember you are responsible for your own health and well being. Your doctor is not, your doctor works for you.

Insist that hospital personal wash their hands. I have seen many doctors and nurses go from patient to patient with out washing their hands. Yes this is amazing I know. I have watched doctors and nurses take care of a patient and go directly to lunch with out washing their hands. So beware most hospital born infections are normally spread by sloppy practitioners in my book. If you must have surgery get a second opinion. So many doctors that I have worked for and that I have heard talking think that your insurance policy dictates if you should have surgery or not. This does not indicate sound medical judgment to me.

Use common sense when dealing with hospitals, because more than not their personal is over worked. I can remember more than one time in my career in which I had to assist in surgery when I had little sleep and very little food for the past 12 hours. When I refused to work because I needed to sleep and food I was always threatened with termination. On a positive note I have worked with many great doctors and nurses. Many of them who actually care about the people that they are taking care of and would do anything to make sure you make it out alive.