http://trishatorrey.com/2008/07/02/heather-sptcl-another-misdiagnosis-and-doctors-who-should-not-practice-medicine/ A blog about patient empowerment, advocacy, safety, consumerism and tools to navigate the dysfunction of American health care. Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:29:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://trishatorrey.com/2008/07/02/heather-sptcl-another-misdiagnosis-and-doctors-who-should-not-practice-medicine/comment-page-1/#comment-6036 Jane Driessen, RN Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:03:52 +0000 http://trishatorrey.com/?p=444#comment-6036 So sad to read about these types of things happening. I have always told my patient that they need to have a note in ALL of their charts--their family doctor, any specialist, and any clinic or hospital--stating they are ALWAYS to be sent a copy of ANY test report. Some will tell you they can't do this without asking your doctor. If so, tell them you'd like to speak with their supervisor. Then,if you receive nothing within TWO weeks of any test, be that squeaky wheel and CALL the office/clinic/hospital where the test was done. Healthcare workers are no less human than the people who bag your groceries. And, in our defense, many clinics, hospitals, etc are extremely understaffed, at least as far as the nursing staff goes. And, mistakes are bound to happen when working with such high numbers of patients and tests. That is not meant as an excuse. Just a bit of reality. Most healthcare workers are very diligent and doing the best they can. But, our mistakes can have dreadful effects on patients, as too many patients can attest. So, be your own best advocate, or take someone with you. May even consider (I highly recommend this)taking a tape recorder to your doctor appts. And, of course, always have a prepared list of questions you need to ask so you don't forget anything. With the recorder, you don't have to be so concerned of writing everything down. You can "stay in the moment", knowing that if you get off track, you'll be able to listen to the tape at home and take more notes there. Also, with a tape, your whole family can stay fully in the loop with all the same info. I highly suggest taking someone with medical background, preferably someone NOT related to you, for any BIG appts or any that will have emotional impact on the listeners. An objective RN, for example, will be able to remain unaffected by any emotional connection to you. And will be able to ask other, pertinent, more clinical questions if necessary, depending on the circumstances. So sad to read about these types of things happening. I have always told my patient that they need to have a note in ALL of their charts–their family doctor, any specialist, and any clinic or hospital–stating they are ALWAYS to be sent a copy of ANY test report. Some will tell you they can’t do this without asking your doctor. If so, tell them you’d like to speak with their supervisor. Then,if you receive nothing within TWO weeks of any test, be that squeaky wheel and CALL the office/clinic/hospital where the test was done.
Healthcare workers are no less human than the people who bag your groceries. And, in our defense, many clinics, hospitals, etc are extremely understaffed, at least as far as the nursing staff goes. And, mistakes are bound to happen when working with such high numbers of patients and tests. That is not meant as an excuse. Just a bit of reality. Most healthcare workers are very diligent and doing the best they can. But, our mistakes can have dreadful effects on patients, as too many patients can attest.
So, be your own best advocate, or take someone with you. May even consider (I highly recommend this)taking a tape recorder to your doctor appts.
And, of course, always have a prepared list of questions you need to ask so you don’t forget anything. With the recorder, you don’t have to be so concerned of writing everything down. You can “stay in the moment”, knowing that if you get off track, you’ll be able to listen to the tape at home and take more notes there.
Also, with a tape, your whole family can stay fully in the loop with all the same info.
I highly suggest taking someone with medical background, preferably someone NOT related to you, for any BIG appts or any that will have emotional impact on the listeners. An objective RN, for example, will be able to remain unaffected by any emotional connection to you. And will be able to ask other, pertinent, more clinical questions if necessary, depending on the circumstances.

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