Stay away from this on the holidays (Hint: it isn't alcohol)

Powerful Patient, 2010 Week 44

Host: Joyce Graff, http://powerfulpatient.org, editor@vhl.org 800-767-4845

Beginning December 23, 2010 Listen Program guide for this show

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Sheryl Kurland is a patient advocate and co-owner of Orlando Patient Advocates (Florida). As an independent patient advocate, she provides a range of services, from identifying the right doctors and conducting resarch on treatment to arranging for medical services and overseeing care for hospitalized patients. Her research shows clearly that a hospital or emergency room is not a good place to celebrate the holidays. She offers six "magic words" to protect yourself during times when hospital staffing is at it lowest and patient counts are high. Be sure to avoid the "patient pothole"!

On December 25 and January 1, patient capacities often are at all-time high’s while staffing is at all-time low’s.  For patients, hospitals can be risky business. In this program Sheryl gives :

• 5 reasons hospitals are one of the worst places to "celebrate" Christmas and New Year’s
• Startling statistics on medical mistakes
• 4 tips to avoid hospitalization
• If you have to go, what’s the most important thing to bring?
• 3 ways to get attention when you’re not
• 1 question to ask every health care worker
• “Magic Words” to protect yourself
• How to avoid falling into a “Patient Pothole”
• When/How a Patient Advocate can help

The website for Orlando Patient Advocates can be found at patientadvocatesfl.com.

Telephone: 407-790-0796 or 407-786-7747