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For two-thirds of Americans, smartphones provide everything from directions to the nearest gas station to memories captured in photographic form.[1] As ownership of these devices continues to grow, there is no denying their effect on our lives and culture. One of the most monumental revolutions they’ve caused has been in a field traditionally wary of […]

The oxygen mask is an iconic image culturally associated with intense medical scenes, something many of us assume is a necessity for a struggling patient’s survival. Is it, or is it just a handy prop used consistently in Grey’s Anatomy? For patients with hypoxia, oxygen can be lifesaving, but it can also be uncomfortable for

“Neglect” is often an abuse term associated with children, and rightly so, but there is another group of individuals that can face negligence with equivalent severity: the elderly. Unable to physically or mentally care for themselves alone, 1.4 million Americans reside in nursing homes, where they trust they will be attended to.[1]  However, elder abuse

Alas, at the end of the tunnel, there is light! After exploring the potentially catastrophic effects of medical errors – due to simple mistakes or complicated, historically engrained hierarchy – the past three articles in this series are certainly grim. However, this final piece of the series will focus upon something more uplifting: solutions.  

Part III: The Importance of Good Communication within Departments Communication becomes exceedingly difficult when there are deeply imbedded hierarchical and school of thought barriers between parties, and nowhere is there a more relevant example of the negative effects of such a system than modern hospitals. As mentioned in the first two parts of this series,

Communication becomes exceedingly difficult when there are deeply imbedded hierarchical and school of thought barriers between parties, and nowhere is there a more relevant example of the negative effects of such a system than modern hospitals. As mentioned in the first two parts of this series, medical errors can occur due to anything from misread

Communication: a skill that is innately human and yet so, so difficult to master. Effective communication requires recognition of context, frame of reference, assumptions, and differing perspectives to understand and deal with a situation. Especially in a medical setting, communication is vital. However, a recent report found that 30% of malpractice cases were the result

While heart disease and cancer are two leading causes of death most Americans are familiar with, what ranks third is much more shocking: medical errors.[1] Ranging from healthcare associated infection to poor communication, the mistakes made in hospitals and out-patient care result in 251,000 deaths a year: 9.5 percent of all deaths annually in the

While the previous article introduced the reasons hospitals value patient satisfaction rates, this post will focus on the consequences of this shift, and what can be done to remedy the model that is currently in place. What with the concerns that “satisfaction” teaches doctors to give patients what they want, not necessarily what they need,

Understanding the Links between Patient Satisfaction and Mortality While the previous article introduced the reasons hospitals value patient satisfaction rates, this post will focus on the consequences of this shift, and what can be done to remedy the model that is currently in place. What with the concerns that “satisfaction” teaches doctors to give patients