Medical Errors: Tips to Help Prevent Them

Medical errors are one of the nation's leading causes of death and injury. A report by the Institute of Medicine estimates that as many as 98,000 people die in U.S. hospitals each year as the result of medical errors.

Government agencies, purchasers of group health care, physicians and other health care providers are working together to make the U.S. health care system safer.
How can I help protect myself against medical errors?

The single most important way you can help to prevent errors is to be an active member of your health care team. That means taking part in every decision about your health care. Research shows that patients who are more involved with their care tend to get better results.
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Keep your health care team informed.

Make sure that all of your doctors know about everything you are taking. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs. At least once a year, bring all of your medicines and supplements with you to your doctor.
Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines. This can help you avoid getting a medicine that can harm you.
Make sure that all health professionals involved in your care have important health information about you. Do not assume that everyone knows everything they need to.
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Ask to get information about your medicines in terms you can understand.

Ask for this information both when your medicines are prescribed and when you receive them. See the box below for a list of questions you should ask about your prescription.
Ask for written information about the side effects your medicine could cause. If you know what might happen, you will be better prepared. That way, you can report the problem right away, especially if something unexpected happens, and you can get help before it gets worse.
When your doctor writes you a prescription, make sure you can read it. If you can't read your doctor's handwriting, your pharmacist might not be able to either.
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Questions to ask about your medicines

What is the medicine for?
How am I supposed to take it, and for how long?
What side effects are likely? What do I do if they occur?
Is this medicine safe to take with other medicines (both prescription and over-the-counter) or dietary supplements I am taking?
What food, drink or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine?
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Talk to your pharmacist.

When you pick up your medicine from the pharmacy, ask whether it is the medicine that your doctor prescribed. A study by the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences found that 88 percent of medicine errors involved the wrong drug or the wrong dose.
If you have any questions about the directions on your medicine labels, ask. Medicine labels can be hard to understand. For example, ask if "four doses daily" means taking a dose every 6 hours around the clock or just during regular waking hours.
Ask your pharmacist for the best device to measure your liquid medicine. Also, ask questions if you're not sure how to use it. Research shows that many people do not understand the right way to measure liquid medicines. For example, many use household teaspoons, which often do not hold a true teaspoon of liquid.
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In the hospital

If you have a choice, choose a hospital at which many patients have the procedure or surgery you need. Research shows that patients tend to have better results when they are treated in hospitals that have a great deal of experience with their condition.
If you are in a hospital, consider asking all health care workers who have direct contact with you whether they have washed their hands. Handwashing is an important way to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals.
When you are being discharged from the hospital, ask your doctor to explain the treatment plan you will use at home. This includes learning about your medicines and finding out when you can get back to your regular activities. Research shows that at discharge time, doctors think their patients understand more than they really do about what they should or should not do when they return home.
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Before surgery

If you are having surgery, make sure that you, your doctor and your surgeon all agree and are clear on exactly what will be done. Doing surgery at the wrong site (for example, operating on the left knee instead of the right) is rare. But even once is too often. The good news is that wrong-site surgery is 100 percent preventable. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons urges surgeons to sign their initials directly on the site to be operated on before the surgery.
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Take responsibility for your health care.

Speak up if you have questions or concerns. You have a right to question anyone who is involved with your care.
Make sure that someone, such as your personal doctor, is in charge of your care. This is especially important if you have many health problems or are in a hospital.
Ask a family member or friend to be there with you and to be your advocate (someone who can help get things done and speak up for you if you can't). Even if you think you don't need help now, you might need it later.
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Learn more about your condition and the tests and treatments recommended by your doctor.

Know that "more" is not always better. It is a good idea to find out why a test or treatment is needed and how it can help you. You could be better off without it.
If you have a test, don't assume that no news is good news. Ask about the results.
Ask your doctor and nurse and use other reliable sources to get more information about your condition and treatments. For example, treatment recommendations based on the latest scientific evidence are available from the National Guidelines Clearinghouse. Ask your doctor if your treatment is based on the latest evidence.

COUNTDOWN

TOP performing Schools Dec 2010 NLE

Top Performing Schools Nursing Board Exam December 2010 -




Performance of Schools Nursing Board Exam December 2010 -

TOP 10 NURSE EXAMINEES ( DECEMBER 2010 )

Following are the top 10 nursing board examinees:

1. Weanne Myrrh Razon Estrada, Adventist University Of The Philippines: 88.40%


2. Mary Grace Bermudez Rallo, Central Luzon Doctor's Hospital Educational Institution: 86.80%


3. Maria Kristina Pamintuan Bicas, Saint Louis University: 86.60%


4. Vanessa Garma Elumbaring, Saint Mary's College-Tagum: 86.40%

    Kimberly Medina Malubago Southern Luzon State University-Lucban (SLPC): 86.40%

5. Jessa Lorraine Dejan Andalan, Xavier University: 86.20%


6. Yugie Caroline Murillo Demegillo, Iloilo Doctors' College: 86.00%


7. Hanako Sasaki Aranilla, First Asia Institute Of Technology & Humanities: 85.80%

    Teena Marie Junio Pascua Saint Mary's University: 85.80%

    Nonah Vee Cornelio Sareno Davao Doctors College, Inc.: 85.80%

    Elnathan Samson Subardiaga Universidad De Zamboanga (For.Zaec) 85.80%
   
    Karl Marie Sta Ana Tuvilla University Of Negros Occidental-Recoletos 85.80%


8. Karl Gabriel Alferi Bonifacio, Colegio De San Agustin-Bacolod City: 85.60%

    Dennis Gonzales Duran Pamantasan Ng Lungsod Ng Maynila: 85.60%

    Bernadette Lumibao Guevarra Cotabato Medical Foundation College: 85.60%

    Criselle Lyn Guerrero Li Father Saturnino Urios University (Urios Coll): 85.60%

    Vincent Jubelag Sumergido West Visayas State University-La Paz: 85.60%



9. Jacquiline Jane Banzuela De Jesus, Arellano University-Pasig: 85.40%

    Rizyl Jem Franco Japitana, Colegio De San Agustin-Bacolod City: 85.40%

    Christine Jannie Paez Rivera, Pamantasan Ng Lungsod Ng Maynila: 85.40%

    Nicole Anne Albaladejo Sales Diaz, Colegio De San Agustin-Bacolod City: 85.40%



10. Jaime Dela Roca Bonifacio Jr., Adventist University Of The Philippines: 85.20%

      Micaela Orevillo De Guzman, Xavier University: 85.20% 

      Rose Angela Reyes Mahipus, Davao Medical School Foundation: 85.20%

      Irene Kate Faustino Nicolas, Pamantasan Ng Lungsod Ng Marikina: 85.20%

      Cesar Ryan Espera Ortiz, Aquinas University: 85.20%

      Roby Ann Gutierrez Prado, Colegio De Dagupan (For.Computronix Coll): 85.20%

The Nurses Licensure Examination NLE results December 2010

The Nurses Licensure Examination NLE results December 2010 

or Nursing Board Exam result December 2010 lists of passers, 

topnotchers, top performing schools and performance of schools

in alphabetical order have been officially released by the 

Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

 

"NLE result" 20th of February is a reasonable target date of release

"Anxieties must be turn into prayer instead", BON Member Marco Antonio Sto. Tomas said on his facebook notes. The result of the much anticipated December 2010 NLE is soon to be released within this February. He also mentioned that the 20th of February is a reasonable target date of release.

About 85, 000 nursing students took the examination last December. Thus, everyone awaiting to the result must be faithful to their "calling" but be open to God's will.

Advisory to Awaiting December 2010 NLE Examinees

Advisory to Awaiting December 2010 NLE Examinees

As per Board of Nursing (BON) advisory, results of the anticipated December 2010 NLE will be released WITHIN FEBRUARY but within reasonable human capacities and capabilities. Speculations about the February 4 release is not true. Thus, all are advised to learn to manage health even one's own, so as not to succumb to useless anxieties. Unless officially published to general and wide circulation, then there is no result yet.

Meanwhile, oathtaking ceremonies of successful December 2010 NLE examinees will commence on March 14 - 15, 2010. Regional oathtaking ceremonies will be scheduled after the Manila Oathtaking Rites.


Posted by JERX

Globe Tattoo Hack|FREE Globe Tattoo Browsing

I believe that it is bad to hack an Internet provider service, but I will share to you a trick so you can use your Globe tattoo kit for free. Who wouldn't want to browse free sites for free using your Globe Tattoo USB? A friend actually did this trick, and you know what? Na-karma agad, three days from the day of hacking to be exact. Tsk, tsk. Her Facebook account was hacked. Hmmm, but that's another story. You insist for a tip, I'll give it to you. Let's hack Globe Tattoo and browse for free. But, please, remember, HACK at your own risk. Your Globe Huawei USB could be destroyed because of this.

How To Hack Globe Tattoo:

1. Insert you Globe Tattoo to your PC / Laptop and let the Globe Tattoo Interface initiate. Once initiated, make sure that your Globe Tattoo is not connected yet, and then go to Tools then choose Options.
2. On the Options window, choose Profile Management and choose “New”.
3. Under the Profile Name, you can choose any kind of name you want for that connection.
4. Under the APN box, choose the Static Option and enter http.globe.com.ph on the APN Field
5. Under the Authentication Box put *99***1# on the access number box. No need to type anything on the username and password fields.
6. Click the advanced button and change the DNS Settings to “static” type your preferred DNS in the fields.
7. Click Ok and then click Save on the right panel. Also don’t forget to set it as default. Once you go back to the Globe Tattoo interface, the new Globe Tattoo Network Profile would now be available on the dropdown menu.
8. Choose the profile name you created everytime you connect your Globe Tattoo to the internet to avail free globe tattoo browsing.

I hope this works (and at the same time, I hope it doesn't). LOL. Really, it is better to pay for what you use rather than use it free without permission, no? Globe Tattoo can be loaded through your regular loading stations, and it's only 20/hour, so why hack Globe Tattoo?  If you don't want to spend money, why not read a book, or watch TV, they are relatively free.