5 Ways To Avoid Increased Risk Of Death In Hospitals In July - By: Dr Christopher Segler

The "July Effect" is a well-known problem that affects hospitals and operating rooms every year. A study published in June 2010 sheds light on the increased rate of fatal medical errors that happen each year as inexperienced interns and residents descend on teaching hospitals. In the study, researchers at UCLA and UCSD searched through 244,388 deaths that occurred in hospitals. What they found was that hospital death rates went up in counties with teaching hospitals but did not rise in counties that had no medical teaching facilities.

If you will be in the hospital during the month of July, you need to know what you can do to make sure you don’t wind up a vicim of the “July Effect.” Whether you need bunion surgery or brain surgery, these tips from a San Francisco based foot surgeon may be your best defense against a deadly hospital surgery complication associated with greenhorn medical residents.

1) Don’t Schedule Surgery In July.

All of those eager inexperienced doctors start their new jobs on July 1st in hospitals all over the U.S. It makes no difference where live, all of the teaching hospitals get new interns and residents on July 1st of every year. This is why they are more likely to make medical errors. Because they are also eager to try new surgical procedures, they might get in over their heads in surgery.

2) Avoid University Hospitals In July.

If you need elective surgery (like bunion removal surgery or an ankle ligament repair) see if you can have the surgery at an outpatient surgery center. Ambulatory surgery centers have less staff turnover and fewer residents. This means there is less chance of an experienced doctor interfering with your case.

3) Asks Lots Of Questions!

It is your right as a patient to know what procedure will be done and who will perform the operation. This same rule applies to your inpatient medical care if you need an overnight stay in the hospital. Ask if any students, interns or residents will scrub in during your surgery. You can refuse to have student doctors operating on you. By asking questions about the doctors delivering your medical care and surgery, you might get the hurried physician to stop and think twice.

4) Bring A Patient Advocate With You.

If you are lucky enough to have a personal physician who provides concierge-like medical service, it is less likely that something will get missed by the other doctors. It seems that when a physician knows he will be sharing his findings with another physician, he will often pay close attention to the patient. Even if you don’t have a concierge doc on your side, bring a family member who is willing to ask hard questions about your care. This will keep the doctor on his toes.

5) Choose “Out-of-Network” Physicians Whenever Possible.

If you have Medicare, you just can’t expect personalized care. It isn’t personal, it is just math. On the first of June 2010, physicians in the U.S. who accept Medicare assignment suffered a massive twenty-one percent decrease in pay. As a result, you can expect them to be seeing more patients in less time to make up the difference. This means less time to listen to you and your questions. The pay decrease will also effect doctors listed as “In-Network” with your insurance company. Most insurance companies pay “In-Network” doctors based on a fixed percentage of Medicare fees. If you choose an “Out-of-Network” surgeon you won’t have to worry that your doctor is pressured for time. In general, the Out-of Network docs have more time to spend with patients, answer questions and ensure the best delivery of care.

While the study is frightening, you can protect yourself from the annual summer surgery and illness dangers. The key is making sure that you pick a doctor who enjoys spending time explaining the condition without relying upon students, interns and residents. Follow these tips and you will be immune to the July crisis often found in U.S. hospitals.

About the Author

Dr. Christopher Segler is a podiatrist and award-winning foot surgeon. He makes housecalls in the San Francisco Bay Area, Marin, East Bay and Peninsula. He specializes in toenail surgery. He recommends finding a doctor that makes house calls in your area. Learn more about House Calls for foot pain at http://www.DocOnTheRun.com or http://www.AnkleCenter.com

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Dr-Christopher-Segler/41415

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