Most people feel a great deal of comfort knowing that someone with special skills is advocating on their behalf while they are going through a surgical procedure.
Ways we can help:
Review signs symptoms diagnostic studies prior to scheduling surgery.
Review Prep for surgery, bloodwork, EKG, medication review.
Meet with surgeon, anesthesiologist, and nursing staff prior to surgery.
Meet patient in recovery to promptly address immediate concerns for pain management, oxygen saturation, nausea, and thirst.
Communicate frequently with family to alleviate concerns and address complications. Address recovery concerns, room assignment, visitation policies etc.
Follow up with surgical team 24 hours post-surgery and again at 72 hours post-surgery to assess pain and infection management.
Consent Forms:
All too frequently, the doctors skip reviewing details on consent forms prior to medical procedures or present the forms for a signature when you or your loved one are too sick to appropriately understand what you are signing.
Second Opinions
Should I always get a second opinion from doctors? There really is no right or wrong answer to this question. But consider this: if you're making major decisions about almost any other aspect of your life, don't you rely on more than one source of information? Have you ever bought a car, for example, on the spot, without days of research? Being a good consumer of your medical care means seeking as much information as possible so you can decide what is best for you. Of course, if you feel totally comfortable with your first opinion, you don't have to get a second opinion.
Meanwhile, consider these questions:
How serious is my condition?
Should I get independent verification of the information?
Is there any chance that there is a better treatment for me?
How big of an impact will the decisions I'm making have on my life?
Do I have any doubts about anything I've heard?
How do I feel about my doctor and my interaction with him?
What have I got to lose by seeking a second opinion?
Frequently, your insurance will pay for a second opinion for a costly medication or procedure, and many insurance providers encourage you to get a second opinion.
The Patient Advocate Group can shoulder the process to avoid any awkward interaction with your doctors and explain that it is our process to always attempt to get a second opinion in cases of surgery or a costly or invasive course of treatment.
Surgical or Procedural Errors
Whether it is emergency or elective surgery, there are many medical professionals in an operating room with a duty to prevent you from harm. The same is true for an out-patient procedure, such as a biopsy.
Some of the most common mistakes that can occur during surgery include:
Performing on the wrong part of the body.
Performing surgery on the wrong patient.
Tools, gauze, or other medical devices left inside the patient.
Reactions or problems to anesthesia.
Failure to follow accepted medical practices before, during, and after surgery.
Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals must properly communicate vital patient information to each other during surgery to avoid an error.