medical type questions

[BlondGirl]

I was one of those patients at a teaching hospital where malparctice was obvious.
Procedures could be done and they were.
I was sectioned at 9 1/2 cm's. No complications. Reason stated: Cephalopelvic disproportion.
I, personally, think they had someone who wanted to do the procedure and the beds were getting full.

I later worked in that teaching hospital and witnessed many many unnecessary procedures that occurred for the sake of doing them.

And, yes, the infection rates are incredibly high. At least they are when compared to private hosptials and midwifery statistics.

I would never willingly be a healthy pregnant patient of an OB again. If I were truly sick and having complications, yes. Otherwise, I don't need someone who loves to cut anywhere near me.

Oh--there was one complication...my anesthesia only deadened my legs. When that was "corrected", it was my diaphragm that was deadened. I got to experience the first with excessive horrorfying pain and then the other with sheer terror.
No thanks. I think I was punished enough by being a poor patient in a teaching hospital.
(Note: That hospital has had many changes since I was a patient there and everyone who has delivered there both before and recently says the difference is night and day--now the patient's report being treated as if they are human. But I did still learn my lesson already. I have every intention of ensuring that my next child will be born at home.)

 

[BlondGirl]

Oh yeah--and any person with any experience in working with sterile technique knows just how easy it is to breach that--and the elbow is never to be considered sterile--right?

Much too easy to bump or brush and never know it.

I am contemplating an elective surgery and will, of course, make damned good and sure that my durable power of attny and will's and burial plans are all in excellent order before the first slice. It is always sad to watch an active, lovable patient die of infections.

 

[*Lazer*]

Whoa Blonde Girl while I think that the bimanuel thing is overdone it is true what Ollie says. Most residents are carefully supervised when performing procedures. It is not fair to blanket all teaching hospitals with a tar brush. I still think OB's are needed for those high risk pregnancies and they do a wonderful job at managing these mothers. Realistically we have to learn and sometimes mistakes are made in spite of the best intentions. I still think trust is at the very foundation of a health provider/patient relationship. I am very sorry if someone violated yours, however it is not fair to assume the worst about the many for the crimes of a few.

 

[BlondGirl]

<<<"
I am very sorry if someone violated yours, however it is not fair to assume the worst about the many for the crimes of a few.
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As I stated above, the hospital that I was at has changed for the better.

But it is still too easy for abuses to occur--and often it is the people who are providing the "supervision" who encourage it.

For cardiac/vascular or neonatal or trauma care --I think a teaching hospital is your best bet. For pregnancy, routine minor outpatient surgeries, or anything that is elective (meaning that you walk into the hospital the day of the surg as opposed to being ambulanced in, excluding cardiac/vascular surgeries), go private if you can.

It is nice to think that all health care professionals do it for the ethics and moral rewards, but unfortuantley, it just ain't so. (That is the main reason I work in health care, but I will admit to LOVING the trauma-high and the fringe benefits of being able to get most of my health care needs met on the job and off the record. That trauma high is what is bringing me back to working in a charity hospital--I went to LBJ last week--hhhmmmmm.... I bet I would never lack for excitement there if I elected to work there.)