Smart Patients Can Make Anesthesia Safer 

The Wall Street Journal recently ran an article on steps doctors and patients can take to make anesthesia safer.  Most people understand that anesthesia has risks.  They are familiar with the Michael Jackson case or with Joan Rivers's recent death from oxygen deprivation during a surgical procedure.

As I advise over and over in my upcoming book, Patient Confidential, Tips and Advice To Keep You Safe As You Navigate the Healthcare System, knowledge of medical procedures is critical.  And, always, always ask questions. The Journal article discusses safety measures doctors can take, but of more interest to most readers is the information on what measures patients can take to maximize safety.  The article contains an excellent sidebar, entitled "Getting Ready to Go Under" with a list of six steps patients should take before receiving anesthesia.  They include such things as asking who will monitor your anesthesia, the surgeon, a nurse or an anesthesiologist, and giving the anesthesia provider a full list of all prescription and non-prescription drugs and a list of all supplements and herbal remedies you take.

Man Bites Dog

As I mentioned in my last post, I recently had a heart procedure performed.  As my doctor was going over the procedure he was about to perform, I mentioned that I heard he was going to have knee replacement surgery.  So, then the man bit the dog.  As the “Professional Patient,” I gave the doctor some of the advice I wrote in my upcoming book, Patient Confidential, Tips and Advice To Keep You Safe As You Navigate the Healthcare System, which is practical advice given from the patient’s perspective.  Of course, there is too much in the book for me to cover in a conversation and, as a physician, my doc would have more knowledge than the average patient.  I concentrated on getting home from the hospital, which I discuss in the section entitled “Going Home From the Hospital” in Patient Confidential.  For example, I told him to prepare for coming home before he goes to the hospital, not when he gets home.  I told him to remove any throw rugs he could slip or trip on, and to get his favorite chair exactly where he will want it when he gets home.  To my delight, when he saw me in the hospital the next day, he said, “I followed your advice.  I went home last night and took care of rugs and chairs.”  I was pleased that I had helped.

 

Practicing What I Preach

Earlier this week, I had a heart procedure performed by an excellent cardiac electrophysiologist at one of the leading hospitals in the Chicago area.  So, I further enhanced my credentials as the “Professional Patient!”  I am happy to report that I followed all of my own advice, which is set out in my upcoming book, Patient Confidential, Tips and Advice To Keep You Safe As You Navigate the Healthcare System.

My doctor performs various types of electrophysiology procedures, two of which are somewhat similar.  I wanted to be “double sure” my doc was about to perform the one we had agreed on.  When I scheduled in advance, I said to the scheduler, “Now, I’m coming for Procedure A, not Procedure B, right?”  I asked the same question of the nurse who was prepping me for the procedure.  The doc, who was one step ahead of me, arrived and said, “we are doing Procedure A.”  I said, “Right, and not Procedure B.”  He confirmed and gave me the consent form which I saw stated he would be doing Procedure A, so I signed it.  When I got into the procedure room, I listened carefully as the doc called the “time out,” which is explained in the section entitled “Patient Safety Procedures” in Patient Confidential. I heard him say for the recorded time out that he was going to do Procedure A on Mr. Richard Lang.”  All was well. 

 

Increase In Educational

Opportunities For Patients

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that ". . . many patients are flying blind into the operating room.  A review of available evidence in the American Journal of Surgery in 2009 found that adequate overall understanding . . . [prior] to a decision to have surgery was reported in less than one-third of studies."

The article goes on to describe the great efforts being made by medical providers to educate their patients, including interactive Web-based tutorials and interactive applications.

There is no excuse for failing to learn about one's medical issues and understand any recommended tests or procedures. There are lectures, interactive programs and books to educate the patient. Especially in a world of ever-increasing treatment options, the patient needs to be active in the learning and decision process.  An educated, observant patient maximizes the benefits and minimize mistakes, problems and surprises.

Another Endorsement and Another Step Closer to Launch

Motivational Press will be sending Patient Confidential to the printer in a few days.  Look for the launch in late November or early December.

I was very pleased to receive the following endorsement from Julia M. Byerly, PT CLT-LANA - Physical Therapist:

 

Patient Confidential is an amazing book that provides pertinent information to assist each person in making health care decisions, whether it is for a routine physical or an unfortunate trip to the emergency room.  Rich educates readers on the intricate details of our ever-changing world of medicine, with his educated background as a healthcare attorney, extensive research and above all, his own personal experiences and healthcare endeavors.  This quick and easy book will empower each and every reader to truly become an advocate for him or herself when tackling the complex world of healthcare