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Tag Search Results For 'health medical consumerism' (37)
Wrong Site Surgery — What Happens Next?
Every Patient's Advocate | September 18th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
I don’t usually write about local or state news because my work is really more broad than that — however — an article in my local newspaper about a local hospital and wrong-site surgery just begged for some additional information! W read more
Daniel’s SPTCL Diagnosis is Suspect, Too
Every Patient's Advocate | August 25th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
When I was (mis)diagnosed with SPTCL (subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lyphoma) in 2004, I was handed a book, published in July 2004, that stated that “fewer than 100 cases have been reported in the last decade.” Yeah — really, read more
Never Events — Shooting the Messenger
Every Patient's Advocate | August 16th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
Beginning October 1, 2008, Medicare, and many health insurance companies, will no longer pay hospitals for the additional services needed for patients who suffer from “never events.” Never Events, as defined by the National Quality Forum, read more
Ulterior Motives for Eating Disorders, Too
Every Patient's Advocate | August 14th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
I had lunch today with a long-time friend, Mindy. (No, of course that’s not her real name…) It’s been at least a year since we saw each other, and probably two since we had a long conversation. My heart broke as I learned that her read more
A Sea of Broken Hearts - Dad Posts About the Loss of Alex
Every Patient's Advocate | July 29th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
I’ve added another guest post this morning — one that will break your heart, too. John T. James, PhD, a dad — and now a fixer — posted about his son Alex, a seemingly healthy 19-year-old college runner who one day collapsed, w read more
Guerrilla Patienting: Getting the Healthcare You Need
Every Patient's Advocate | July 28th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
Last week I spoke to a group of payers — health insurance executives, Medicare and Medicaid representatives — and shared with them the many ways in which we patients feel the American healthcare system is failing us. The points I made cam read more
Peter Jennings, Healthcare Reform, Asking the Tough Questions
Every Patient's Advocate | July 20th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
As more and more questions are being asked about how we Americans can possibly continue to pay for our healthcare, a documentary has surfaced that will help us citizens better understand why the American Healthcare System is on the ropes, and ready t read more
Patient Safety Day, “Independence” Takes on a New Meaning
Every Patient's Advocate | July 12th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
Sometimes the best way to accomplish the most is to get good heads together for conversation, brainstorming and more. Some of those names we hear over and over again in the patient safety world were able to join forces at a picnic in Aiken, South C read more
Heather, SPTCL, Another Misdiagnosis and Doctors Who Should Not P…
Every Patient's Advocate | July 2nd 2008 by Trisha Torrey
Here’s the good news: Heather does not have SPTCL. Here’s the bad news: Heather does have another type of T-cell lymphoma called CGD-TCL, cutaneous gamma-delta t-cell lymphoma. Also written with Greek letters: cutaneous γ/δ T-ce read more
Misdiagnosis, a Visit to the Lab and One Last Point
Every Patient's Advocate | June 24th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
For those of you who have read my misdiagnosis story, you know that one of the ultimate heroes was the pathologist (I’ll call him Dr. H.) who helped me understand how the misdiagnosis happened. Even though he was one of the doctors responsibl read more
The Blue Beast, and Your Chance to Make a Difference
Every Patient's Advocate | June 7th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
I spent a few hours yesterday with a delightful team of people who YOU should get to know, too. Meg, Pauline and Blake are traversing the country this summer in a big blue bus (they call it the blue beast!) in the Cover America Tour. Sponsored by Co read more
SPTCL Rears Its Ugly Head Again!
Every Patient's Advocate | June 5th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
Almost had a melt-down again last night…. but by the time the evening was over, it was almost a joyful experience! I received a note from a young woman named Heather, as follows: I would like to talk with you. I have been diagnosed with SPTCL y read more
An ER Nightmare: Hit to the Psyche and the Wallet
Every Patient's Advocate | May 29th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
Star Lawrence is a fellow health and medical blogger, commenting almost daily on the state of American healthcare, and her experiences. She’s often funny, and she’s always to the point. One of those “I have to laugh so I won’ read more
FDA Tells Merck “NO” — Twice Burned, Twice Shy?
Every Patient's Advocate | May 22nd 2008 by Trisha Torrey
A few weeks ago, the FDA refused Merck Pharmaceuticals permission to sell a newly developed drug called MK-0524A that combines niacin and a cholesterol drug . Today we learn that Merck has now stopped trials of the drug. As you know if you read th read more
Update: Carmelo Rodriguez’ Ignored and Missed Diagnosis
Every Patient's Advocate | May 20th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
I first told you about Carmelo Rodriguez last January. He joined the Marines in 1997 and during his induction physical, the doctor found a spot of melanoma, recorded it in Rodriguez’ medical record, but never told him about it. Over the years, read more
The Bully Psychiatrist from Naples, FL - Follow Up and Lessons Le…
Every Patient's Advocate | April 28th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
A few months ago I told you about an addiction psychiatrist from Naples, Florida who is a bully. Well — he is still bullying. I heard from him again today. At that time I shared with you a story about a comment that had been made about him b read more
Is the Federal Government Taking Away Your Patient Rights?
Every Patient's Advocate | April 24th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
Kim Witczak, a fixer supreme, who has worked hard to protect others after losing her husband to prescription drug-induced suicide, has posted the second Every Patient’s Advocate Guest Blog Post — see it here. Kim’s husband Woody was read more
Bloggers Affect the Objectivity of Science
Every Patient's Advocate | April 19th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
An interesting article about scientists and their ties to profit making medical organizations such as pharma, device manufacturers and others has crossed my desk. And it’s a welcome change of pace! Questions have surrounded the objectivity of r read more
My Daughters’ Grief — End-of-Life Decisions, Advanced Directi…
Every Patient's Advocate | April 10th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
Word came from my daughters this morning that their father has died. David died of a lethal combination of lupus, high blood pressure and alcoholism at the age of 59. Yes, he was my ex-husband. Divorced 20 years ago in 1988, there are 800+ miles be read more
Counterfeit Drugs — They May Be In Your Medicine Cabinet
Every Patient's Advocate | March 25th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
You may think, like I did, that counterfeit drugs are somebody else’s problem. If they are dumb enough to order drugs from some third-world country that probably supports drug manufacturers that use only fake ingredients? Well. Caveat Emptor read more
Taking Your Pills — When You’re Supposed To
Every Patient's Advocate | March 21st 2008 by Trisha Torrey
Last week I had the opportunity to speak before a group of pharmaceutical package designers. These are the folks who have to worry about making sure our pills, capsules, liquid medicines and others stay protected from heat, humidity, children and a read more
Prescription Drug Ads - Your Help Needed
Every Patient's Advocate | March 13th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
What do you think of those prescription ads you see on TV, in magazines, newspapers and other places? Do you think they are helpful? Do you get frustrated because you know you can’t purchase those drugs directly anyway? Did you go to your do read more
Hospitals, Never Events and Your Bill
Every Patient's Advocate | March 11th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
Last week was National Patient Safety Awareness Week. Seems like the press just caught up this week. From MSN and NBC, to Reuters, and hundreds of news outlets that are more regional or local in nature…. this week patient safety is the bulk read more
Forbes: Patients Lose Thru Lack of Hospital Competition
Every Patient's Advocate | February 29th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
Forbes Magazine this month includes an exhaustive and question-inducing series of articles about hospitals and their ability to best take care of the patients who trust them. And the picture isn’t pretty. Even the titles make us pay attention: read more
When the Psychiatrist is a Bully
Every Patient's Advocate | February 28th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
What you are about to read is my own personal experience, having taken place over the past 10 days with a psychiatrist from Naples, Florida who works in addiction psychiatry through his “Healing Institute.” Many of you regular readers kno read more
Health Net Pays $9 Million for Canceling Patient’s Policy
Every Patient's Advocate | February 27th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
Put yourself in Patsy Bates’ shoes. She is a hairdresser who had health insurance coverage with Health Net, a large insurer in California. In 2004, Patsy was diagnosed with breast cancer, and part way through her chemotherapy treatments, Heal read more
Jarvik’s Lipitor Commercials - Was Any of It True?
Every Patient's Advocate | February 26th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
Questions began circulating about the Pfizer TV and magazine commercials for Lipitor earlier this month. You’ve seen them — Robert Jarvik, the supposed “inventor of the artificial heart” touts his use of Lipitor as his way of read more
Three Cheers - Cardiology and Second Opinions
Every Patient's Advocate | February 25th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
This New York Times letter to the editor caught my eye… Second opinions are so very necessary in a case of a difficult diagnosis, or when treatment will be needed for chronic recurrences of a disease, or in particular when a patient needs surge read more
Reader’s Digest “Outrageous” Tells Michael Skolnik’s Stor…
Every Patient's Advocate | February 22nd 2008 by Trisha Torrey
The subtitle reads, “Good physicians know the bad ones in their midst. Why don’t they point fingers?” Good question, don’t you think? The article, entitled Doctors Who Do Harm, tells about doctors who maim and kill — as read more
Taxes and Medical Deductions — a Heads Up
Every Patient's Advocate | February 19th 2008 by Trisha Torrey
My friend Sharon Feder from Lynxcare sent me this article from the LA Times about taking your fair share of medical deductions when it comes time to put together your tax return this year. (OK– detour here — why do they call it a tax retu read more
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