An article in The Washingtonian finds that thousands die in hospitals because of simple oversight by the staff. The article describes an 80 year old grandmother who was hospitalized for two weeks when she began to complain about pain in her legs. The hospital staff had not followed the physicians’ orders which required removal of the compression stockings for thirty minutes after each shift. The 80 year old grandmother’s foot had turned black, requiring amputation, and she suffered from continued infections which lead to her death.
The article concludes that a checklist is key to avoiding infections and other errors. The article points out that the aviation industry has used checklists for years to avoid error. Hospitals can do the same by employing and requiring staff to follow the checklist.
The article cited Dr. Peter Pronovost, senior vice president for patient safety and quality at Johns Hopkns Medicine for the following checklist to be used by patients:
-Do your homework. Go to the Web sites Hospital Compare and the Joint Commission and look up hospitals in your ZIP code, Based on that information, ask your doctor which ones they trust.
-Ask a malpractice lawyer which hospitals are safe.
Find out if the procedure you’re having is one that both your physician and hospital do often.
-Ask if the physician and hospital use a checklist.
-When you go to the hospital, have a list of all your medications and medical problems and give it to the doctors and nurses caring for you.
Ask if physicians and nurses have washed their hands before they touch you. You may feel uncomfortable asking this, but it’s for your own safety.
-If you have an invasive device in your body, such as a catheter, either you or your family member or a friend should ask every day if you need to have it in your body and when it can be taken out.
-Bring a friend or family member with you to be your advocate, ask questions, and record the answers.
To read more: http://www.washingtonian.com/print/articles/9/0/22583.html
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