THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING HOW TO BE A GOOD PATIENT IF AND WHEN YOU ENTER A HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT

In this country we are having more and more surgeries. In fact the number is staggering. For instance (in 2003): 1.2 million cesarean sections, 712,000 upper GI endoscopies 676,000 angioplasties. And the list of other operations performed is just as long and big. This is all the more reason that you should buy, for your family and read, “YOU The Smart Patient”,  by the same authors who brought you “YOU The Owner’s Manual” (Michael Roizen MD and Mehmet Oz MD) They have again captured the in-depth essentials that we all should pay attention to before we have to go to a hospital. Not only is this a checklist but there are really important questions to ask about your own doctor or the surgeon who will do the proceedure. How to check out the specific hospital is another subject covered. Keep in mind the following statistics: 2,000,000 patients get an infection in a hospital each year and 98,000 actually will die from it. And if that is not scary enough, demand answers to questions as they suggest, you have meetings with key people at the hospital to question them about proceedures you may undergo.

A second opinion is always important in any proposed proceedure and you should never be afraid to ask your primary care physician or the hospital doctor to provide that from an unbiased second opinion physician. It could even change the direction of your treatment. There are so many things to consider, because this is YOUR life and it is not like buying a car. Also covered is after care when you go home. Get the facts on all the things you should do and pay attention to.

President Clinton, in the 90’s, signed legislation that was labelled a Patient’s Bll Of Rights. This is so important for you to have a copy of and to review, long before you are admitted. You can view this inside this wonderful manual on how to be a good patient. Finally remember that as we said, it is your life and the details and questions you ask for could make all the difference. A good patient is a smart patient.