Chapter 20, 21, & 22: Hoorraaayyy our last blog!!!!

Database Designed to Reduce Malpractice Lawsuits

We have all heard about the turmoil surrounding malpractice suits. An on-line database that tracks patients, their attorneys, & expert witnesses involved in malpractice cases aimed at reducing “frivolous” cases. In order to help deal with this, Dr. John Jones, a Dallas-area radiologist, created DoctorsKnow.Us. However, patient advocates insist that patients have the right to sue for compensation and that this database could potentially be used to deny patient care.

The database has around 50 members and contains about 100,000 patient names, and Dr. Jones stated that in most cases it does not provide the outcome of the suit. Dr. Jones also stated that, “People are going to find if they sue doctors, they are going to find their access to health care may be limited.” To me, I think this should not be the case. As a patient, I would want to know that I had the right to access information regarding my physician’s malpractice history. This information could potentially sway a patient’s decisions on receiving care from a certain provider, however; I believe it is their right.

Another point brought in regard to this database, is that it might have a “chilling effect” on patients bringing cases who have been harmed from malpractice, states David Casey Jr., president of the American of Trial Lawyers of America. Personally, I don’t see that happening. If I was a victim of malpractice that was truly the physicians fault due to his/her negligence, I would follow through with a lawsuit not necessarily for compensation, but to ensure that it would not happen to any other patients.

http://www.ihealthbeat.org/Articles/2004/3/5/Database-Designed-to-Reduce-Malpractice-Lawsuits.aspx

Tips for Safer Surgery

The quality tool I selected this week discussed the concerns surrounding surgery. It mentioned several key questions a patient should ask their provider before surgery in the areas of to avoid infection, blood clots, and heart attacks.

Out of all the recommended questions, there was a couple that I never thought about. For example,

1) If I need antibiotics before surgery, when will I receive the antibiotic and for how long?

2) What will you do to prevent blood clots?

As far as antibiotics go, a patient should be given them 60 minutes prior to surgery and stopped within 24 hours in most cases. I wasn’t aware of this, and honestly never thought to ask. Also, blood clots, which are caused from not moving while under anesthesia, should be addressed. A patient should express concern to their surgery team, and they should explain to the patient the precautions they will take to address this.

I enjoyed this quality tool because I thought it was informative and provided easy tips for patients.

http://www.ofmq.com/Websites/ofmq/Images/FINALconsumer_tips2.pdf

Classmate Pick of the Week- Kim

This week I decided to comment on Kim’s blog concerning dual-eligibility for Medicare & Medicaid. I had never really thought that people could qualify for both. I do know that some people truly need Medicare & Medicaid, but I do not approve of those that abuse the system. This problem is one that is contributing to our economic crisis. For example, in order to provide the care for those with both, the government has to spend 40% of its entire Medicaid budget. I liked Kim’s points about the issues, and what is the real problem behind this.