Protect Yourself From Killer Hospitals... Part 3

"The main value of transparency is not necessarily to enable easier consumer choice or to give a hospital a competitive edge. It is to provide creative tension within hospitals so that they hold themselves accountable. This accountability is what will drive doctors, nurses, and administrators to seek constant improvements in the quality and safety of patient care. So, even if we can't compare hospital to hospital on several types of surgical procedures, we can still commend hospitals that publish their results as a sign that they are serious about self-improvement.” ...Brian Klepper

Precautions to Consider…

DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND RESEARCH HOSPITAL OPTIONS

Take a little time to research the hospitals in your area, or hospitals that are part of your medical coverage, before you need to go to one.  Sometimes just talking to people in your neighborhood or people where you work that have the same coverage will give you a lot of insight.  And always get a second opinion before having voluntary surgery and sometimes even a third opinion is a good idea.

And before having surgery of any kind, educate yourself about your condition and know your options, including alternative medical care.

MAKE NURSES AND DOCTORS WASH THEIR HANDS

Washing your hands is one of the best (and easiest) ways to prevent the spread of germs. Still, not enough doctors and nurses wash their hands when going from one patient to the next. I know you might feel uncomfortably asking this, but it's wise to ask whoever is going to touch you to wash their hands before they do so - in front of you, if necessary.  Or make sure you watched them put on new gloves in front of you.

BE SURE YOU'RE GETTING A FRESH NEEDLE

Again, one would assume that every hospital would follow what's really Rule #1 when it comes to syringes: that needles get used once and only once. But sadly, this is something you can't always assume. I told you recently about a Nevada clinic that routinely reused needles, which led to a hepatitis outbreak. 50,000 patients were notified and had to be tested for the disease. Don't be afraid to ask the obvious question: has that needle been used? Ask that the doctor to unwrap a fresh syringe in front of you.

BE READY FOR SURGERY

This is the big one. When you're opening up your body, all kinds of unwanted things can get in. Before the surgery, you should ask your doctor if you should prepare your skin with daily disinfectant washes. You should also request a skin or nasal swab test for the MRSA super bug - and if that test is positive, be sure that you're treated with antibiotics before your procedure. Don't let a nurse shave you - any small nicks are merely open access for bacteria to enter the bloodstream; be sure your hair is only clipped back. Double check that the doctor has ordered IV antibiotics on the day of the surgery (shockingly, this step is often forgotten).  

Giving your own blood for voluntary surgeries or giving blood regularly in case of  involuntary surgeries is also a great precaution.

STAY WARM

It's true: keeping warm can actually fight infection. If you're getting a hospital procedure in the winter, be sure you're dressing in warm clothes before and after the surgery, and riding around in a well-heated car.  Also, ask for plenty of blankets while you're in the hospital waiting for surgery - if necessary, bring some of your own. Your life is more in your own hands than you realize when you enter those so-called safe havens called hospitals. Victoria Nahum has learned the hard way that passivity can kill. "People need to start participating instead of just being spectators when it comes to their medical care," she said. At the end of the day, you've got to remember this common sense warning: steer clear of the hospital unless absolutely necessary. Shedding some light on not-so-hospitable hospitals, William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHCARE OPTIONS:

There are many alternative healthcare options as well as preventative measures that I will cover in part 4 of this Protect Yourself From Killer Hospitals series, including non-traditional alternative medical centers.  One that I can recommend from personal knowledge as well as reputation is  Sanoviv Medical Institute, which I will also cover in more detail in part 4.

"I invite you to experience the innovative medical diagnostics and therapies, detoxification, nutrition and serenity that Sanoviv offers -and to partner with us in helping you achieve true health." …Myron Wentz, Sanoviv Founder, Ph.D., Microbiology and Immunology