A Note of Caution... Stay Out of Hospitals During Holidays

Found as I roamed the web today -- a reminder provided by Martine Ehrenclou, the author of Critical Conditions, The Essential Hospital Guide To Get Your Loved One Out Alive (which I have not read)....

If at all possible STAY OUT OF THE HOSPITAL DURING THE HOLIDAYS. Period.

The bottom line: hospitals are short staffed during the holidays, routines are interrupted, only the sickest patients are still in the hospital -- all these come together to make hospitals a dangerous place during the holidays.

My mother-in-law experienced problems when she was hospitalized in December 2006, had surgery December 26, and contracted an infection, not to mention an arrogant SOB cancer surgeon who made the situation even worse.

I'll even expand my suggestion to say that it's dangerous to get any form of non-standard care during the holidays. My own misdiagnosis was partially a result of the holidays -- not Christmas or Hanukkah or New Years; rather, the 4th of July. Had the holiday not arrived days after my biopsy? I might not be Every Patient's Advocate today.

Nobody intends to be hospitalized during the holidays -- but if you should find it's an possibility, and you have any choice whatsoever? ... wait till January.

..............................................
Photo © Microsoft Image Gallery