something from hcvadvocate

[Guest guest]

I found this site and it has proven to be a very useful one to me to

find out information. And sometimes they have some amusing but we

have all been there perspectives on HCV.

Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

And if you would like to take a look for yourself.

http://www.hcvadvocate.org

HealthWise: A Matter of Perspective

Lucinda K. Porter, RN, CCRC

Patients provided much of the material used in this year's annual

April Fool's article. When describing their experiences of treatment

for chronic hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection, patients commonly use

analogies. HCV can be challenging. It is interesting and sometimes

amusing to see how patients portray their various encounters. Humor

can be a powerful coping mechanism. Here are a few of my favorite

images:

" I just tell myself that I am in a rented body. I will upgrade it

when I am done with HCV therapy. "

" It is like menopause, complete with irritability and hot flashes. I

love watching men on treatment. I hope it gives them sympathy for

perimenopausal women. "

" It's like being at high altitudes, except the view isn't as good. "

" My body has been snatched by aliens, except in this case, the

aliens are interferon and ribavirin. "

" Treatment is the easiest weight loss program I have ever been on. I

don't even think of food. "

" Every once in awhile, I lose my temper or say something

inappropriate. It is amazing how words just pop out of my mouth that

I never would have said before. At first I chastised myself about

it. Now I just tell myself that I have interferon-induced Tourette's

syndrome. Thank goodness it is temporary. "

" HCV treatment feel's like a preview of old age. "

In addition to these descriptions, patients sometimes reveal stories

about themselves. It is not uncommon for patients to lose their cars

or get into the wrong vehicle. One poor fellow thought he had taken

his sunglasses off and realized that he had actually taken his

dentures out. He did this in public. The only time I ever ran out of

gas was during treatment. I had placed a post-it on my dash board,

reminding me to do an errand. Unfortunately the note covered my gas

gauge and I did not see the low fuel warning indicator. What can one

do but laugh!

Support groups provide wonderful opportunities to swap amusing

anecdotes. We laugh quite a bit at the group I attend. There is

camaraderie in commiser-ation. It has been said that misery loves

company. Perhaps this is because when we gather, we already have a

shared experience that needs few explanations and leaves room for

merriment. Although laughter is not a cure for HCV, it sure can ease

the burden.

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Tips on Receiving the Best Medical Care

Kara , PA-C

All patients should be active participants in their own healthcare.

Although medical professionals are highly trained and skilled, they

are not mind readers. By taking an active role, patients can ensure

they receive the best care possible.

Tips on choosing a doctor

It is very important that you feel comfortable with your medical

provider. You should feel confident that he or she is knowledgeable

in his or her field and has experience in treating patients with

conditions similar to yours.

Try to gather information from many sources and in many forms—the

more sources of information, the better—including: friends/family,

your health benefits officer at work, fellow employees, and health

plan network lists. Be sure to investigate the doctor's

qualifications by reviewing the following:

• Education and Training: College (four years); Medical School (four

years); Residency Training (up to seven years); Fellowship Training

(up to seven years); and Continuing Education (lifetime).

• Quality Measurements: Board Certification; Years in Practice;

Disciplinary Actions by State Medical Boards and Medicare.

• Customer Satisfaction: Personal Attributes such as Doctor Gender

and Age; Referrals from Colleagues/Friends.

• Doctor Affiliations: Health Plans; Quality of Affiliated Hospitals.

Most of this information can be obtained by contacting the state

board of medical examiners either by phone or on the internet.

20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors

The 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.

Medicines

• Make sure that your doctors— and every member of the health care

team—are aware of each medicine you are taking. This includes

prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and even dietary

supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

• Make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse

reactions you have had to medicines. This could keep you from

receiving a medicine that can harm you.

• 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.

• Ask for information about your medicines in terms you can

understand—both when they are prescribed and when you receive them.

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 or dietary

supplements I am taking? Are there foods, drinks or activities

should I avoid while taking this medicine?

• When you pick up your medicine from the pharmacy, ask: " Is this

the medicine that my doctor prescribed? " A study by the

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences found

that 88% of medication 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, people use household

teaspoons, which often do not hold a true teaspoon of liquid.

Special devices like marked syringes help people to measure the

right dose. Being told how to use the devices helps even more.

• Ask for written information about the side effects your medicine

could cause. If you know what might happen, you will be better

prepared if it does—or if something unexpected happens instead. This

way, you can report the problem right away and get help before it

gets worse. Written information about medicines can help patients

recognize problem side effects and then give that information to

their doctor or pharmacist.

• At least once each year, bring all of your medicines and

supplements with you to your doctor. " Brown bagging " your medicines

can help you and your doctor talk about them and find out if there

are any problems. It can also help your doctor keep your records up

to date, which can increase the quality of your care.

Hospital Stays

• If you have a choice, choose a hospital at which many patients

undergo 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, yet it is not done regularly or thoroughly

enough. A recent study found that when patients checked whether

health care workers washed their hands, the workers washed their

hands more often and used more soap.

• 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.

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.

Wrong-site surgery is 100% preventable.

Other Steps You Can Take

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Know that " more " is not always better. 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.

• Learn about your condition and treatments by asking your doctor

and nurse and by using other reliable sources. 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.

You should be the most important participant in your healthcare. Ask

as many questions as you need in order to feel comfortable with the

care provided. Be confident and be sure you understand what is

happening. After all, it is your body.