Health Management

Wheelchair Medical came across some astonishing news yesterday.  In Southern California, hospitals are being fined for violating State and Federal Laws.  It's slightly phenomenal, and that's slightly hysterical.

Now, years ago I heard that there were laws on the books allowing only so many rat hairs in certain foods.  I've also heard that sometimes you take a chance at certain hotels that the sheets you sleep in weren't changed since the last resident.

But, hospitals are of a different standard.  Of course, I'm not particularly comfortable with eating rat hairs in my food either.  But, a hospital is serious business.  Violating State and Federal Laws is an absolute No No.

Here are some of the laws that have been violated:

Anaheim General Hospital: Among other things, they failed to maintain the pharmacy's refrigerated temperatures where medications are kept.

Coastal Communities Hospital in Santa Ana: For administering an excessive dosage of medications that caused a patient's death.

In both Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, failed to remove certain items, such as sponges and medical equipment, from the patient during surgery resulting in a need for a second surgery on both counts.

Palomar Pomerado Health System in Poway, failing to maintain proper levels of anesthesia resulting in a situation commonly known as "Surgical Awareness" ... on three separate accounts.

And the list goes on...

Some violations concern the allowance of incompetent or unlicensed individuals to practice medicine in one way or another.  That's like putting a janitor into surgery as the anesthesiologist.  Are you short of hands?  Or, I mean short of licensed hands?

It's one thing to get a fly in your soup at a five star restaurant.  It's quite another to feel a blade cut through your skin because the anesthesiologist is the clerk from the flower shop.

Always make sure you have the best in Medical Care.  Whether you are being seen by a doctor or taken care of by a home care specialist, Wheelchair Medical wants you to have the best care possible.