A study released in early spring, 2001 suggests that medical errors be more common than any of us have previously realized. 6700 doctors, 400 registered nurses, and 200 senior-level hospital executives were asked if they had ever seen any medical mistakes. Four percent said they witnessed mistakes frequently. This survey confirms a 1999 report that stated medical errors kill between 50,000 and 100,000 people annually. Iatrogenic disease, in fact, is said to be the 11th major cause of death in the United States.

It is important to note that medicine is complex, and has become even more complex over the last twenty decades. It is easy for people to make mistakes. Doctors are frequently overworked, tired, and they are renowned for having bad penmanship. (A lot of medical mistakes are the result of inaccurate communications about drugs.)

What's the consumer to do? Here's a few pieces of advice that might do you well when coming in contact with a very complex industry.
 

• Ask lots of questions. Never assume anything. The moment you hear yourself saying, "I assume," then start immediately to clarify your assumption.

• Never hide information. Sometimes medical mistakes are made because the patient has hidden information or simply assumed that certain medical facts were irrelevant. Answer all questions that are asked of you fully and accurately.

• Take someone with you if you have any kind of major medical procedure performed on you. Unfortunately, when we need medical care we frequently are not in a mental position to care for ourselves. If you possibly can, have someone with you at all times when you are in a hospital. This is the time to make use of your network of friends.

• Finally, be willing to be a pest. It's better for you to walk out of a clinic or hospital with a bad reputation than with damaged health.

Janelle Barlow, Author
The Stress Manager
 
 

Previous "Stress Management Corner" pages:
 
 

#1	New Approaches to Job Stress
#2	If Exercise Works as a Cure...
#3	Headaches! The Most Common Complaint
#4	Eight Glasses a Day!
#5	How Well Does Zinc Work?
#6	Intense Emotions Can Kill You
#7	Sleep!
#8	Job Stress and Compensation Claims
#9	Job-Related Stress
#10	Losing Weight - It's Not Easy!
#11	Food Supplements - How Necessary?
#12	Stress and Change
#13	Depression Among the Elderly
#14	Spirituality and Your Health
#15	It's Cold Season Again!
#16	A Positive Attitude is Important
#17	Power of Laughter
#18	More Laughter and Stress Management
#19	Go for a Massage!
#20	Aspirin: That Little White Pill
#21	Aging and Self-Conception
#22	Worker Stress Increasing
#23	Back Pain
#24	Kava: The Natural Cure for Anxiety
#25	Oxidative Stress Theory
#26	Yet Another Cause of Fatigue
#27	Can Too Much Iron Be Bad for You?
#28	Tea: A Magical Potion?
#29	Sleep, Social Attitudes & Individual Needs
#30	Proof: Walking Reduces Heart Disease
#31	Anger and Heart Attacks
#32	Impact of Relaxation on Cancer
#33	The Elderly and Social Support
#34	Women and Stress
#35	The Stress That Accompanies Success
#36	Childhood Events and Adult Reactions
#37	Your Tongue Isn't Always the Best Judge
#38	Water Exercise and Arthritis
#39	Avoiding Stress on the Phone
#40	Depression, Stress, and Heart Disease
#41	Cell Phones and Children
#42	Support Groups and Your Health
#43	If Physical Exercise...Then Why Not Mental Exercise?
#44	The Beneficial B's
#45	How Much Sugar Are We Consuming?
#46	Yet More on Jet Lag

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