Today is My Son's Birthday
Today would
be my son’s birthday. If he were alive,
I’m guessing we would celebrate in some way.
Truthfully, I don’t miss him anymore and I’m not ashamed to admit that. I’m happy with my life. I have two perfect sons. Michael’s life, and death has given me a bigger
cause, so I think of him every day.
How many
people do we know who have said that the doctor made a mistake, a loved one died
from a preventable medical error, they have suffered their life with the aftereffects
of a hospital acquired infection?
Yet still, there
is no education for the general public about safe patient care. Books continue to come out on safe patient
care from medical professionals or injured people which is where we are
expected to be educated. Is the public
reading academic research on safe patient care? The public needs to be more responsible but we
won’t take that seriously until one day you too are saying, it happened to
me. Truth is, I don’t belong to a cancer
group or march to stop gun violence. It
hasn’t affected me or my family. Medical
error did. Michael died following his surgery
because of the doctor’s mistake.
Imagine a
campaign for all people to be more responsible for their own safety. As we buckle up on an airplane, we know to stop
at a red light, we learn early to stop, drop, and roll if we catch on
fire. Why not have 5 Steps to Safer
Health Care for your family to follow, for your employees to do, for your faith
community to help each other?
We do! www.TakeCHARGE.care In memory and in honor of all those who wish
they knew that they too could have done more, saved a loved one or spoke up.
Let's talk
1 comment:
I’m so sorry about your son.
Most people don’t know the first thing about advocating for themselves or their loved ones.
Many are afraid to speak up for fear of aggravating the health care team. I have experienced condescending physicians both in the workplace and in my private life.
Do you really think that physicians and nurses want us to be strong advocates? The majority don’t. Those “ advocates “ are the ones that that the health care team hopes leaves soon , and doesn’t hang around the patients room all day lest they be pestered with another question. I’ve heard those whispers behind patients and families backs more times than I can count. That’s the reality.
The first question a patient should be asked when they go to the hospital is , “ would you like an advocate?” Imagine how drastically medical errors would be reduced if we all had one. I don’t think we’ll ever see that happen. They don’t want anyone looking over their shoulder, asking questions, or second guessing them. They may put on a good show and say they care about patient safety, but when push comes to shove they cover up more than they correct or rightfully punish.
So where do you get the word out about being an advocate for yourself or loved ones? It has to be OUTSIDE of the hospitals and their administration. Ditto for nursing homes and assisted living facilities. It’s not in THEIR best interest for advocates to stay on top of patient safety. That’s a tough pill to swallow, I know.
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