Comments on: One Doctor's Crusade For Hospital Reform
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- We were touched by the story about Dr. Berwick's work. Thank you to CBS and to Dr. Berwick's heroic and important work for healthcare improvement in our hospitals. Thank you for letting the public know about how our health care institutions can improve.
A great story about great work by a great man.
BRAVO to all of you.
Peter and Peg Scholtes - Reply to this comment
- Bravo Zulu Doctor
- Reply to this comment
- Katie,
I was very interested in Dr. Berwick's story. I was released from the hospital last week after a nurse overdosed me on my long-acting insulin. She claimed she couldn't find the "right" syringe. It took 2 days for them to get my blood sugar under control. My sugars ranged from 52-63 for 2 days. They were giving me injections of a thick sugar substance into my IV many times throughout the 2 days. I was on a hourly blood sugar check for more almost 48 hours straight. So sometimes it is the Nurse who makes the mistakes that can be fatal. I wish Dr. Berwick continued success with his crusade.
Sincerely,
Jackie Lennartson
2168 128th Lane NW
Minneapolis, MN. 55448
(763) 755-7626 - Reply to this comment
- There is something that seems so simple (to me any way) to help keep hospital patients safer/healthier yet I have never seen it done and that has always puzzled me:
Handwashing by patients before eating meals is neglected on a regular basis, especially for pateints who are bed-ridden. Caregivers wash their hands, visitors wash their hands (some of the time), there is anti-baterial gel available at every turn; yet patients aren't even give a wet wipe on their food tray to clean their hands before they eat. I have had family and friends at many of the major Boston hospitals and it seems to be the same everywhere. I would think this would be a simple, inexpensive way to help keep patients healthier during their hospital stay.
M. Wells
Massachusetts - Reply to this comment
- A very interesting article and very true. My brother, Lawrence Carter, was killed in a hospital in New Orleans years ago. The doctor told me that, "the nurse left him off the machine too long." I was overcome with grief and could not handle it emotionally, so nothing was ever done about it. My mom was also very sick and elderly.
Working and constantly running down to New Orleans by plane, train, and even buses to see about them was too much for me. They would not relocate to Maryland as I pleaded with them.
I wish I had known what to do and was able to think clearly at the time. The nurse should be charged with murder. I am sure that by now they have destroyed the records to cover their tracks.
Also, I have been personally been disfigured by a "butcher", Dr. Robert Dennise, at Howard University Hospital. His license should be revoked so that can never butcher/disfigure and cause constant permanent physical and mental pain to other patients. - Reply to this comment
- I applaude Dr. Berwick's efforts in reducing hospital deaths due to gross incompetence by medical staff [I've lost family & friends from this]... I intend to pursue this issue and lend my support - it's important ...
- Dr. G. Robert Wilson [BA, MA, Ed.D, Ph.D.] - Reply to this comment
- Dr Berwick had me in tears as I watched is interview. My sister and I have a story to tell that is too long for writing all the details. I don't know if there is a way of getting in touch with Dr. Berwick , but I would appreciate an e-mail address if at all possible. We have been looking for an answer and I believe this man is what we are looking for.Please allow us to share our tragic story with Dr. Berwick by sending me his address. We will be waiting for a response.
Sincerely,
Trina Barry
2006 Oak Place
Round Rock, Texas 78681
512-246-7198
512-461-1197 cell - Reply to this comment
- Katie,
This topic is particularly interesting as I am a nurse and am in grad school for nurse anesthesia. It is terrifying when learning about all of the errors that happen in the hospitals. I have worked at two of the nations top hospitals (Johns Hopkins and Mass General)and sometimes errors just happen. The secret is preventing these errors by changing the system is which they are carried out. I wanted to add a nursing perspective to the story...after all nurses carry out most of the orders and many errors don't happen because nurses are well educated and catch them before they occur. I don't know how many times I have questioned a physician about the meds he or she prescribes or have gently reminded them that they are doing something wrong. With this being said; I am sure you are well aware of the nursing shortage. This translates to greater nurse to patient ratios and a greater chance of errors and nosocomial complications. For example to prevent skin breakdown and bed sores a patient must be turned every 2 hours. With a heavy assignment it sometimes is difficult to accomplish this. In addition there is never enough staff to help you turn your 300 pound patient. There are lots of interventions that can be carried out to further decrease errors. Never forget the importance of a nurse and the important role they play in health care delivery. I always said that it is the nurse who is going to save your life; not the physician.
Andy RN - Reply to this comment
- Ms Couric during your spot I couldn't help notice that during all the comment about handwashing not one of you, Katy, Dr Koll, or Dr Berwick washed their hands as each one of you touched the patient! The at risk person was exposed to each of you and everything you touched.
I can readily understand Dr Berwick being emotional. He is so grateful for CBS' and Ms Couric's promotion of another potential regulatory agency and all the revenue that entails! "Exaggerate, shock, then announce your product!"
Self promotion at expense of the at "risk population" freely sponsored by a major news network erodes the credibility of that network.
Dr's Koll and Berwick need to seek time on an info-mercial network.
The viewers are not all gullible minimally educated lunatics. We do expect better from CBS.
Sadly
Ralph Franklin, R.N. - Reply to this comment
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