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Author Archive: Sandra G. Boodman
“Never Events” continue to be common events in U.S. operating rooms. Hospital group estimates 40 “wrong-site” surgeries performed each week in U.S. hospitals and clinics.
Being in a hospital at night or over a weekend can be hazardous to your health, and even has a name: “the weekend effect.” To improve the quality of night time and weekend care, hospitals from Syracuse to Seattle are hiring a new breed of subspecialist called a “nocturnist”.
Studies of hospitalized patients have found higher rates of errors and poorer outcomes for those treated at night or on the weekend compared with the day shift. Here are some suggestions offered by experts to help patients and families protect themselves.
Many patients cannot understand their health providers advice or the labels on their prescriptions, leading to higher rates of hospital readmission, expensive and unnecessary complications, and even death–all at an estimated annual cost of $238 billion.
But under the new health reform law insurers will have to cover proven preventive treatments.
Cancer patients are being denied access to newer oral drugs or are required to pay hefty out-of-pocket costs for the pills.
New law means higher deductibles, steeper co-pays and other restrictions are no longer allowed for mental health and substance abuse treatment.
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