How Patients Can Avoid Surgical Nightmares

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How Patients Can Avoid Surgical

Nightmares

The Five Rights of Medication and Five Questions Every

Patient

Should Ask Before Surgery

CINCINNATI, As

surgical infections and medical errors continue to receive attention and

scrutiny in the U.S.,

patients are becoming more involved than ever before in the decisions that

affect their care. To help fill the need for more patient education, Ethicon

Endo-Surgery, Inc., has announced a new initiative aimed at empowering

patients to take ownership of their healthcare by arming themselves with

information and knowing what questions to ask before surgery.

" More informed patients are more positive patients and have better

outcomes, " said Sheila , RN, BSN, CNOR, CRNFA, recent

past-president of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN),

and a national spokesperson for the Smarter Patient Campaign. " Unfortunately,

many patients do not get the information they need -- either because they are

afraid, or because they do not know what questions to ask. The Smarter

Patient Campaign is a great way to encourage patients to take ownership, and

become active partners in their medical care. "

==================

Patients Play an Important Role in Their

Own Surgical Safety ==================

" This campaign provides critical information about surgery and other

procedures that many patients simply do not know, " said Terrence Fullum,

MD, FACS, Chairman, Department of Surgery, Director, Advanced Laparoscopic

Surgery, Providence Hospital, Washington, D.C., and a national spokesperson

for the Smarter Patient Campaign. " Safe, successful surgery involves

a team effort and patients themselves play an important role, right alongside

their surgeons and nurses. Smart patients who ask questions keep everyone on

their toes. "

=================

Five Questions, and the Five Rights of

Medication Every Patient Should Ask Before Surgery

=================

The campaign offers patients important advice about things they should know

before surgery -- but may not know to ask. Here are Five Important Questions

That Every Patient Should Ask Before Surgery:

1. Are There Other Treatment Options for My Condition? Your surgeon

should be able to tell you what all of your treatment options are, and why he

or she is recommending this particular procedure. For many procedures,

technology and advances in surgery have moved beyond traditional open surgery

to the use of less invasive means. Minimally invasive alternatives may result

in less pain, scarring and recovery time for the patient. Ask your surgeon

whether there are other ways to treat your condition.

2. Will a Registered Nurse (RN) Be Present in the OR During My Surgery?

The role of a registered professional nurse in the operating room is an

important part of healthcare. Every patient should ask whether an RN will be

present in the operating room throughout the duration of their surgery.

3. Will Reprocessed Disposable Instruments Be Used In My Surgery? Some

hospitals reprocess and reuse disposable instruments on multiple patients as

a way to save money, even though they were manufactured for use on one

patient only. Many healthcare professionals are uncomfortable with this

practice. Every patient has the right to insist that only new instruments are

used during their surgery.

4. Am I Receiving the Right Medication? Unfortunately, medication

errors do happen. Make sure your physician knows about all of the medicines

you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, herbs and supplements. And

ask your doctor or nurse what the medication they are giving you is for and

what it's called. Make sure your doctor or nurse is checking the five rights

before they give you medication: the right patient, the right medication, the

right delivery route, and the right dose, at the right time.

5. How Will The Surgeon Verify He/She is Performing the Right Surgery On

The Right Place On My

Body? Wrong-site surgery accounts for more than one-third of

undesirable events in ambulatory surgery centers, and nearly one-fifth of

undesirable events in the hospital setting according to the Joint Commission

on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. There are steps patients can

take to make sure this does not happen to them. Ask the operating surgeon to

mark the area that is to be operated upon with his or her initials on the day

of surgery.

==================

Be Armed With More Than Just a Hospital ID

Bracelet ==================

The Smarter Patient Campaign also provides general information about

preparing for surgery, choosing a surgeon, questions to ask, and what to

expect during recovery. The campaign offers an informational guide for

patients, as well as information for clinicians. The campaign urges

healthcare professionals to " Arm Them With More Than Just a Hospital ID

Bracelet. " The guides are being distributed to healthcare providers, and

are available on the Internet at: http://www.smarterpatient.com.

An advisory board has been established to provide counsel on the direction

and elements of the Smarter Patient Campaign. The five members of the Smarter

Patient advisory board bring diverse backgrounds in surgery, nursing,

healthcare management, and patient advocacy.

* Sheila , RN, BSN, CNOR, CRNFA, recent past-president of the AORN.

* Terrence Fullum, MD,

FACS, Director, Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery, Providence

Hospital, Washington, D.C.

* Dean Lindell, DNSc, RN, Dean of the College of Nursing,

University of Cincinnati.

* Jim Connor, Director of Nursing Finance, All Children's Hospital, St.

sburg, Florida.

* Randy Swatzyna, Financial Advisor, Carilion Health Systems, Roanoke,

Virginia.

For more information about the Smarter Patient Campaign, please visit our web

site at http://www.smarterpatient.com.

About Ethicon Endo-Surgery

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., a & company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio,

develops and markets a broad portfolio of advanced surgical instruments for

less invasive and traditional surgery. Its mission is to help physicians

around the world transform patient care through innovation. The company's

focus is on designing innovative, procedure-enabling devices for

interventional diagnosis and treatment of various diseases and conditions in

the areas of general and thoracic surgery, breast disease, gynecology, and

urology. More information on the company can be found at

http://www.ethiconendo.com.

# # #

Source: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.

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