Medical Malpractice

• Hospital Medication Errors Have More Than One Cause

  Bob Carroll | October 17, 2006 6:58 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  When a medication error occurs during a hospitalization it is likely there are multiple causes. It is also likely the hospital will not undertake the proper analysis of the error to correct the hospital processes involved. That is the gist of an article posted by Emily DeVoto, Ph.D., who is an independent health care consultant and epidemiologist. Emily is definitely independent based upon...

• Why Is Lumbar Traction Not A Covered Medical Expense?

  Bob Carroll | October 13, 2006 5:19 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Have you ever wondered exactly what is the reason behind your health insurance company's limitations on coverage for a particular medical condition or type of medical treatment? For example, how does Aetna treat lumbar traction devices? What will be covered and why?Aetna, like most insurance companies, has posted its Clinical Policy Bulletins on the internet. Here is part of what Aetna says...

• "Innovative" Hospitals Can Eliminate Errors

  Bob Carroll | October 11, 2006 6:47 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Hospitals can recognize mistakes and fix them. That is the good news reported by the Daily Kos. Unfortunately, the number of hospitals taking this sensible action are so few they are called innovative. Why would this not be commonplace, customary or normal?Innovative Hospitals: Face MistakesThis week's Newsweek has a really outstanding report on "Fixing America's Hospitals" that profiles...

• NPR Series On Patient Safety Starts Today

  Bob Carroll | October 05, 2006 8:37 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Patient Safety posts about a radio series starting today on National Public Radio on, what else, Patient Safety.NPR Series on Improving Patient SafetyFor various reasons, I had to drive to Orlando from Southern Florida today, and happened to hear on the radio that NPR correspondent John Hockenberry will be presenting a series titled Remaking American Medicine starting this week (October 5, but...

• Just How Young Is Your Heart?

  Bob Carroll | September 18, 2006 5:24 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  September 24 is World Heart Day. Make it your day to begin a longer, more healthy life. "How Young Is Your Heart?" World Heart Day, Sunday 24 September 2006Controlling major risk factors such as physical inactivity, an unhealthy diet and tobacco use could prevent 80% of heart disease and stroke and help keep the heart healthy. This is why this year's World Heart Day campaign asks: "How Young is...

• Call 911 When You Think You Are Having A Heart Attack

  Bob Carroll | September 15, 2006 3:25 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  If you suspect you are having a heart attack and plan to go to an emergency room the better plan may be to call 911. Why do I say this? Calling 911 virtually assures you will receive prompt emergency attention by EMT's or paramedics at your location and then be transported quickly and safely to the emergency room where you will likely be wheeled immediately into the presence of a physician who...

• Toddler Killed By Prescription Error - Billboards Roll With The News

  Bob Carroll | September 04, 2006 8:41 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  A misfilled prescription has caused the death of a 2-year-old child in Texas. The parents have turned to our civil justice system and to a billboard company as part of their effort to prevent future such tragedies. From The Brownsville Herald article: Toddler's death prompts public messageAs the rolling billboard remained momentarily idle on East Van Buren Street Friday afternoon, motorists...

• When An Autopsy Is The Correct Choice

  Bob Carroll | August 23, 2006 10:35 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Fellow InjuryBoard blogger, Justin Madden, posting on the Cleveland Personal Injury Blog, has explained in some detail why an autopsy is critical when it is possible that a death may have been the result of medical malpractice. The saying goes that doctors bury their mistakes. Unfortunately, there is quite a bit of truth to the saying. Therefore, although the idea of an autopsy for a loved one...

• Language Barriers To Good Medical Care

  Bob Carroll | July 23, 2006 8:17 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  America prides itself on being a melting pot where people from other countries can eventually become good citizens and productive members of our society. While on the path to citizenship, however, maybe they should avoid hospital emergency rooms. Language barriers plague hospitalsMany hospital patients who have a limited ability to speak English and who need a translator don't get one, which...

• "Speak No Evil" Rule Causes Lifetime Coma

  Bob Carroll | June 21, 2006 7:10 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  When can a hospital or other health care organization just let a really bad actor move on to another organization and cause serious injury to unsuspecting patients? It may be OK to keep your corporate mouth shut if the former employee is an accounting clerk who was habitually tardy, but quite another thing to give a former anesthesiologist with a drug problem a favorable recommendation. The...