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fl1946
02-10-13, 05:13 PM
If you are having tests or treatment at your VA hospital or clinic -- or by any medical personnel for that matter, be sure the clinician confirms your identity. My friend was at VA nuclear medicine department to take a radioisotope. Each person handling the radioactive substance asked for his name, address and SS## -- EXCEPT for the last nurse. She was just about to place the med in central line when one of the other clinicians asked who was that med for. Turns out it was for another patient! Nurse got chewed out (privately) by physician. The bigger picture: here friend goes in for testing and suffers a severe adverse reaction or worse, death because of a medical error! It happens all the time.

Lesson: speak up and be heard. You may not have another chance. :scared::scared:

S/F

Rocky C
02-10-13, 05:26 PM
Well said Frank.

I always ask for what's called ' A Time Out " on any procedure at the VA Hospital or VA Clinic. They don't mind at all when you ask and they are supposed to always.

If not please see the Patient Advocate.

doc h fmf
02-12-13, 03:12 PM
AS a Doc when you all have time I encourage you all, to check your Ids and medical error because When I went to a Appoint ment the3 Doctor got the wrong recortd, so please check everything carefully thank you Frank for pointing that out.

Semper Fi and godbless you my brothers and sistyers.

Stephen Doc Hansen HM3 FMF

doc h fmf
02-12-13, 03:13 PM
Tank you also Rocky Sorry about that.

Semper Fi and godbless my brother

Stephen Docv Hansen HM3 FMF

HM3 Doc Wilder
02-12-13, 05:51 PM
I have 25 1/2 years working as a X-Ray Tech at the John J.Peters VA Medical Center.Always make sure your the right patient for thre right exam.Many times there are patients with the same first,last,and middle initial.Their last four of the Social Security # maybe even the same.In patients and ER patients are supposed to have a wrist band.If your an Out Patient-Don't be Afraid to Speak up.Have them read off your whole SS Number.It's on "Every" request for Every Exam.When your in the Operating Suite,make Sure,they have the (Left) or (Right) RIGHT Body Part,before your given the Anesthesia.People have had the wrong body parts removed; kidney,lung.extremity ect.Protect yourselves at all times.Have I ever done the wrong patient,yep but only for a chest x-ray.Every pre-op patient ,gets chest X-rays.Pa and Lateral.Blood work and urine analysis.Hospitals are Dangerous Places,represent yourself,and tell them "What Part"they are Supposed to be "Working On"You Will be protecting yourself and preventing unrepairable Mistakes.It's Your Body=Protect It.....Semper Fi.

HM3 Doc Wilder
02-12-13, 05:57 PM
I mean,don't have them read off your SS#over the PA system.It can be low enough,so just you will know,they have the right contestant.Mistakes do Happen-Be Alert before your put out of consciousness.

HM3 Doc Wilder
02-12-13, 09:17 PM
Also,I can only speak as a Radiological Technologist,no longer a American Registered Radiological Technologist.If a Technician or other person doing an Important Exam ,tells you to go to a room,without escorting you,he or she is a lazy person.Ofcause, they may have stress but that's not your problem.Good patient care is the responsibility of every patient care worker,not just the hospital they work in.VA's are noted to have pre-selection,and Nepotism for promotion of workers.The Government lets things go.They have Capo's like the Mafia,and they control the workers with fear of their job.You wont hear this from anyone else.Maybe from Chris Donner, but he's probably dead now,by his own hand.That's the VA System for you.So your just a number.Make sure,they got your right number.They have plenty of Lawsuits,every year for Mal-Practice,for Medical Mistakes they make on patients.Workers that get hurt,well they have the Labor Department screw em.One last time,Make sure your the right patient,for the right exam.You have a mouth,Use it.