Vol. 2, No. 8

Aug 2003

Jerry Bylander, Editor  jerryby@texoma.net

FEATURE ARTICLES

The Managing Director's Column
To our members and friends.  This month I am continuing a series, based verbatim, on the booklet,  "SPEAK UP Help Prevent Errors in Your Care" published by and with the permission of (c) Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, 2003.  Reprinted with permission.

Pay attention to the care you are receiving.  Make sure you're getting the right treatments and medications by the right health care professionals. Don't assume anything.

• Tell your nurse or doctor if something doesn't seem quite right.

• Expect health care workers to introduce themselves when they enter your room and look for their identification badges. A new mother, for example, should know the person to whom she is handing her baby. If you are unsure, ask.

• Notice whether your caregivers have washed their hands. Hand washing is the most important way to prevent the spread of infections. Don't be afraid to gently remind a doctor or nurse to do this.

• Know what time of day you normally receive a medication. If it doesn't happen, bring this to the attention of your nurse or doctor.

• Make sure your nurse or doctor confirms your identity, that is, checks your wristband or asks your name, before he or she administers any medication or treatment.

Educate yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests you are undergoing, and your treatment plan.

• Ask your doctor about tile specialized training and experience that qualifies him or her to treat your illness (and be sure to ask the same questions of those physicians to whom he or she refers you).

• Gather information about your condition. Good sources include your doctor, your library, respected websites and support groups.

• Write down important facts your doctor tells you, so that you can look for additional information later. And ask your doctor if he or she has any written information you can keep.

• Thoroughly read all medical forms and make sure you understand them before you sign anything. If you don't understand, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them.

• Make sure you are familiar with the operation of any equipment that is being used in your care. If you will be using oxygen at home, do not smoke or allow anyone to smoke near you while oxygen is in use.

Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.

• Your advocate can ask questions that you may not think of while you are under stress.

• Ask this person to stay with you, even overnight, when you are hospitalized. You will be able to rest more comfortably and your advocate can help to make sure you get the right medications and treatments.

• Your advocate can also help remember answers to questions you have asked, and speak up for you if you cannot.

• Make sure this person understands your preferences for care and your wishes concerning resuscitation and life support.

• Review consents for treatment with your advocate before you sign them and make sure you both understand exactly what you are agreeing to.

• Make sure your 'advocate understands the type of care you will need when you get home. Your advocate should know what to look for if your condition is getting worse and whom to call for help.

Know what medications you take and why you take them. Medication errors are the
most common health care mistakes.

• Ask about the purpose of the medication and ask for written information about it, including its brand and generic names. Also inquire about the side effects of the medication.

• If you do not recognize a medication, verify that it is for you. Ask about oral medications before swallowing, and read the contents of bags of intravenous (IV) fluids, if you're not well enough to do this, ask your advocate to do this.

• If you are given an IV, ask the nurse how long it should take for the liquid to "run out." Tell the nurse if it doesn't seem to be dripping properly (that it is too fast or too slow).

• Whenever you are going to receive a new medication, tell your doctors and nurses about allergies you have, or negative reactions you have had to medications in the past.

• If you are taking multiple medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe to take those medications together. This holds true for vitamins, herbal supplements and over-the-counter drugs, too.

• Make sure you can read the handwriting on any prescriptions written by your doctor. If you can't read it, the pharmacist may not be able to either.


The U, P portions will be covered in subsequent newsletters OR the pamphlet is available in the emergency room of Wilson N. Jones Hospital, Texas Oncology Clinics and in various doctors offices in the area.  
See you at our next meeting in September.

Dr. Jerry Bylander, Managing Director, USToo! Texoma

Back to Top

Next Meeting


Date:  Tuesday Evening, September 16, 2003
Location:  Wilson N. Jones North Campus Senior Center (south entrance) 3305 Calais Drive.  For directions see the map below.
Time:  6:30 pm - Social & Coffee  7:00 pm - Program

Speaker:  Dr. Larry Barker, Texas Oncology Group at Sherman Cancer Center and Denison Cancer Center

Topic:  We will learn the latest results for the treatment of prostate cancer.  At the end of the program, we will take a few minutes to discuss prostate cancer treatments of interest to you based on members' experience who have had radiation, brachiotomy, or radical prostatectomies.

Speaker:  Dr. Barker is a longtime speaker at our meetings and is well-versed in the latest treatments for prostate cancer.   There is no charge for this meeting.  The meeting will be of special interest to all men, but especially to those who have not attended before.  We hope that you will make a special effort to invite men who could benefit from this informative presentation.  Coffee and cookies will be served, and a discussion period will follow the program.  This discussion will allow persons with particular concerns to learn where information can be obtained.  Some information about particular therapies can usually be obtained from our members that have already been down that road.  The meeting is open and free to all attendees.  Wives and guests are particularly welcome.

Back to Top

Last Meeting

Date & Time:
Tuesday, May 20,  2003, 7:00 PM
Place: Wilson N. Jones, North Campus
Attendance: approx. 10 attendees


Old Business

None.

New Business

None.

Program:  "What is Cryotherapy and is it a Therapy for my Prostate Cancer?"

Speaker:  Ewing Cooley, Arlington, TX

Mr. Cooley  is a  prostate  cancer survivor who has  had  cryotherapy.

Program:  Mr. Cooley, who is a representative of Karren Barries cryotherapy group in Arlington, TX described how cryotherapy is performed.  It is much like brachytherapy in the localized introduction of probes to destroy the cancer and also it is accomplished in a few hours.  After the catheter is removed the patient is usually allowed to return to his home.  Mr. Cooley reported an excellent outcome.

The meeting adjourned about 9 PM.

Henri Plunkett, Program Chair/by the Editor

Back to Top

Other Important Events
The Surprise Challenge, The fourth annual "Move it For Dad" , benefit for prostate cancer awareness, Sat, October 4, 2003, Sun City Grand Surprise, AZ, $15 registration.  More info: www.sw-prostatecancer.com 

National Conference on Prostate Cancer, 2003  Sponsors: US Too!, FCRE, Prostate Institute of America, Community Memorial Hospital, September 6, 7 & 8, Hilton Burbank Airport and Convention Center, Burbank, CA.  Contact:  www.pcri.org

Your organization's meetings listed here.  Contact the Editor at jerryby@texoma.net

Back to Top

Editor's Notes

Random thoughts from your editor

Robo-Doc - A replacement for your physician
News you can use

Robo Doc - A replacement for your physician

You can read how Johns Hopkins Hospital is testing a surrogate physician with a computer at http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,60017,00.html.  In an article written for the Baltimore Sun, August 15, 2003, Michelle Dello tells us how Dr. Louis Kavoussi, a Johns Hopkins Professor of Urology, is using a computer to replace himself.  "Patients have told Dr. Kavoussi that the robotic doctor is more enjoyable than a standard bedside visit."  For details check out the website.

Back to Editor's Notes

News You Can Use

You can find news you can use at the USToo International web site: http://www.ustoo.org/.  Check it out for the latest references.

Back to Editor's Notes

Jerry Bylander - Newsletter Editor

Back to Top