You should absolutely stay clear of any medical facility that is considered a Once September hits, the new docs have a few months of experience under their belts. And the attendings are back at work and supervising again... And the hospital is as safe as it gets. But worse... the senior hospital staff doctors, called “attendings,” who are supposed to supervise the new kids, are taking summer vacations. Most let the senior residents run the show. The good news is that the problem is temporary.
about 36,750 Americans died in motor vehicle accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. So even with the lower estimate from JAMA , you’re still more than twice as likely to die from a medical error than from a car accident. And we’re just wrapping up the worst time of year for medical mistakes. That’s why I wanted to review three of my top ways to stay safe from medical errors... 1. AVOID THE HOSPITAL DURING THE SUMMER Going to a “teaching hospital” in the months of June, July, and August is even more dangerous than usual... If you or a loved one is considering any sort of hospital visit for an elective or nonemergency procedure, you should absolutely stay clear of any medical facility that is considered a “teaching hospital” during the summer. Doctors in training, or so-called “residents,” start training every year on July 1.
“teaching hospital” during the summer.
2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT HOSPITAL
Aside from avoiding a teaching hospital, you should take the time to find the best hospital for your upcoming procedure or surgery. Now, this isn’t always an option if it’s an emergency, but for most situations, you should do your research. Look for clinics and hospitals that are in- network, or covered by your insurance policy, to avoid ludicrous bills. For example, the news reported last month on a Montana couple that landed themselves with a half- million-dollar medical bill for dialysis... just So in June, the senior residents leaving for the real world are unconcerned about taking care of you... They are thinking about getting out of there and finding a real job to pay down their six-figure debt. The new doctors coming in on July 1 just graduated from medical school. Most can’t yet find their way out of a paper bag. BEWARE OF ONE OF THE DE
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September 2019
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