Preventing Medical Mistakes

Avandia

2010-02-20T15:51:00.000-08:00

The FDA today announced that the diabetes drug Avandia is linked to tens of thousands of heart attacks. This information was initially reported by the FDA in 2007. Glaxo Smith Kline (the makers of Avandia) deny that there is any evidence linking Avandia to heart attacks. The FDA is waiting for recommendations by an advisory committee and will hear reports on the drug this summer. If you take Avandia and are concerned about this report, ask your doctor if your should continue taking this drug.
Take care,
Dr. Mary Sue

Maalox Mix-Ups

2010-02-17T18:19:00.000-08:00

Labels on Maalox bottles may look alike but they definitely contain different ingredients. Choosing the wrong liquid Maalox product for your condition can have harmful consequences, warns the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These side effects include bleeding in some people.

Maalox (Advanced Regular Strength and Advanced Maximum Strength) and Maalox Total Relief (Maximum Strength) treat different symptoms and are not interchangeable.

Be sure you know what you're taking. Ask your Pharmacist to help you select the Maalox that is right for you.

Take Care,
Dr. Mary Sue

Maalox Mixups

Two Mary Sue's!

2010-01-20T19:07:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I was in the dentist office waiting room with one other woman. Both of us were reading magazines when the dental assistant came out and called "Mary Sue - we're ready for you." I put down my magazine and looked up to see the other woman following the assistant back to the exam room. I immediately said, "I'm Mary Sue" the other woman looked at me and said "So am I." Both of us looked at the dental assistant and he said "I need Mary Sue McAslan." The other Mary Sue looked surprised and sat back down.
My name is uncommon and is rarely confused with someone else. In fact, this has never happened to me before. Has it ever happened to you? Tell me your story and Take Care.
Dr. Mary Sue

Prevent a Medical Mistake - Check Your Medicines

2009-12-20T20:27:00.000-08:00

One of the easiest things that you can do to prevent a medical mistake is to check your medicines before leaving the pharmacy counter. You need to check to be sure your name is on the bottle and look inside to make sure you have the right drug and the right number of pills. If you have a question or if something just does not seem right to you, ask your pharmacist before you leave the pharmacy counter. Be sure to clear up any questions before you take your medicines.

If you get your prescriptions in the mail and you have a question you can call the number provided by the mail-order pharmacy or contact your doctor or a community pharmacist (such as at a local drugstore) for information. Remember, do this before taking any of the medication.

Medical Mistake - Wrong Person

2009-12-12T14:47:00.000-08:00

Giving a prescription drug to the wrong person is a very common medical mistake. Don't let this happen to you. Be sure your doctor, nurse and pharmacist verify your full name and a second means of identifying you before giving you a medication. This may be your birthday or full social security number.
Below is a list of the 10 most common names in the U.S. People with these names may have a higher risk of name mix-ups.
1) Smith 6) Miller
2) Johnson 7) Davis
3) Williams 8) Garcia
4) Brown 9) Rodriguez
5) Jones 10) Wilson

H1N1 Phishing Scam Alert

2009-12-06T15:01:00.000-08:00

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has received reports of fraudulent emails (phishing) of an H1N1 "swine flu" State Vaccination Program. Users that click on the link in the email are at risk of having malicious code installed on their computers. Take the following steps to reduce the risk of a phishing attack:

Do not follow unwanted links and do not open or respond to unwanted email messages

Use caution when visiting un-trusted websites

Use caution when entering personal information online

See the attached link to the CDC website for more information about this "Phishing Scam."

Protect Yourself Against the Flu

2009-11-30T11:59:00.000-08:00

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are three things that you can do to protect yourself from getting the flu.
1) Get a Flu Vaccine: You will need to get the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 flu vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine will not protect you against the H1N1 flu. Some people should not get the flu vaccine - ask your doctor if you should get the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines.
2) Take Preventative Action: Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze and cough. Throw out the tissue after using it. Wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol based hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Avoid close contact with sick people. If you do get the flu, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.
3) Take a prescription antiviral medication if your doctor prescribes one. If taken within the first 2 days, these drugs may make the illness milder and shorten the time you are sick.

Preventing Medical Mistakes

2009-11-29T18:30:00.000-08:00

It is estimated that each year up to 98,000 people lose their lives to preventable medical mistakes. The cost to our nation’s healthcare system is estimated to be $2 billion dollars each year. Despite several attempts to solve this problem, the Consumer’s Union reported that we are no better off today than we were 10 years ago. In the past 10 years a million lives have been lost and billions of dollars have been spent because of medical mistakes.

Fortunately, there are three things that you can do to prevent a medical mistake.

These are:

1) Ask Questions,

2) Know Your Numbers, and

3) Keep a Personal Health System.

Part 1: What You Need to do Before Going to the Hospital

2009-11-27T12:57:00.000-08:00

People often ask what they can do to prevent a medical mistake from happening to them or a loved one when they are in the hospital. Part 1 lists several steps to take before going to the hospital.

Take your updated Personal Health System with you
Update your list of medications
List all medication and food allergies
Update your emergency contact information
Update your health problem list
Note any special issues that you want your doctor to know
Know why you are going to the hospital (What procedure are you going to have?)

Name of Procedure:_____________________________________________________

Date of Procedure:______________________________________________________

Doctor:________________________________________________________________

Also, if you are concerned about going to the hospital alone, be sure to ask a friend or family member to go along with you. This person is called your advocate and will be a big help in

2009-2010 Flu Update

2009-11-27T10:49:00.000-08:00

The CDC has some information on the new flu of the season. Find all the information a bit confusing? Here is what you need to know:

There are two different types of flu this year--the Seasonal flu and the H1N1 or swine flu. The H1N1 flu is a new virus strain. It is different from the seasonal flu. Most people do not have immunity from the H1N1 flu.

You will need to get two different flu vaccines this year.

1) the seasonal flu vaccine and

2) the H1N1 flu vaccine.

You can get both of these vaccines at the same time.

People at highest risk for H1N1 flu complications and who should be vaccinated are pregnant women, children (6 months to 24 years of age) and people with chronic health conditions.
Additionally, people who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months old should get the H1N1 vaccine.