We’ve all heard a story like this: Someone you know, or a friend of a friend, goes to the hospital with a medical condition. She is treated, with surgery or medication. But something goes wrong. The end result is she is worse off than before. Worst case scenario is she is permanently disabled or dies.
You wonder, “What happened?” Maybe it was a bad drug interaction or a prescription mistake. Maybe it was a botched surgery or a hospital-acquired infection. Maybe it was a misdiagnosis. All of these are common causes of preventable deaths due to medical errors according to Sarah Hiner, President & CEO of Bottom Line Inc., which publishes books and consumer newsletters Bottom Line Health and Bottom Line Personal.
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According to a study released last May by John Hopkins Medicine, more than 250,000 deaths per year are due to medical error in the U.S. Their figure, published May 3 in The British Medical Journal ( BMJ), surpasses the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) third leading cause of death — respiratory disease, which kills close to 150,000 people per year.
It’s also the subject of a recent talk Sarah gave in New York which I attended. For years Sarah dealt with her own personal medical upheaval, visiting different doctors for a condition know one seemed to be able to treat. She learned the importance of being your best health advocate and asking questions.
Many patients or their caregivers don’t know what to ask or how to articulate their concerns. They put complete trust in their doctor’s advice without even considering a second opinion. They may consent to tests they do not necessarily need, or take prescription drugs without fully understanding the absolute necessity or side effects.
I learned the importance of asking questions and making lists to address when I was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. I also learned how easy it is to contract an infection in a hospital when I developed cellulitis from a needle prick.
One of the most poignant shows I did was with Christopher Jerry, co-author of “Advocacy Heals You.” Jerry’s young daughter, Emily, died after a fatal medical overdose in a hospital that was completely preventable. Jerry has channeled his grief to become a patient safety activist through his non-profit, Emily Jerry Foundation. You can learn more about his work and read Emily Jerry’s story at The Emily Jerry Foundation website. You can listen to my show with Christopher Jerry at this link Fearless Fabulous YOU! iHeart.com
Sarah Hiner, President, Bottom Line Inc.
Sarah Hiner and I will discuss questions to ask and steps you need to take to be your best health advocate October 31, 4pmET on Fearless Fabulous You! A lecturer and writer, Sarah has a passion for people having the tools and knowledge they need to be in control of their own lives as it pertains, in particular, to women’s health, the challenges of the healthcare system, commonsense financial advice and family life. She appears often on national radio, talking about her belief that people have more control over all areas of their lives than they realize, and how Bottom Line’s expert advice helps them gain that power. As part of Bottom Line’s mission to provide people with the tools, information and answers they need, she routinely interviews the world’s leading experts in mainstream and natural medicine, as well as experts on financial and consumer lifestyle topics.
Inspiring women and experts on health, wellness & nutrition to help you make healthy, happy choices.
