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Medical College of Wisconsin HealthLink Newsletter
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
http://healthlink.mcw.edu/
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In this issue:
(1) Medical Mistakes: How Can They Be Prevented?
(2) Health Care Practitioners Focus on Family Violence
(3) New Treatments Brighten Outlook for Alzheimer’s Patients
(4) What's New on MCW HealthLink
(5) Subscriber Information
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(1) Medical Mistakes: How Can They Be Prevented?
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In the opening paragraphs of its groundbreaking patient safety
report, To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System, the
Institute of Medicine contends that every year thousands of
hospital patients (estimates range from 44,000-98,000) die as a
result of medical errors.
Fortunately there are steps that patients can take to help prevent
errors in treatment. The US Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality offers the following safety tips for patients:
- Speak up if you have questions or concerns – your health care
provider will be able to clarify explanations or instructions.
- Keep a list of all your medicines.
- Make sure you get the results of any tests performed.
- Talk with your doctor about your options if you need hospital
care.
- Make sure you understand what will happen if you are having a
procedure done.
“Patients should always make sure they are clear on their doctors’
instructions – how many times per day a medication is taken, for
instance, or when and how they can expect to hear about test
results,” says Dr. Jerome Van Ruiswyk, Medical College of
Wisconsin Associate Professor of Medicine. “They should clearly
understand the information that they are being given, and know
where to find additional facts if they need them. Every member of
the health care team wants the best possible outcome for every
patient - and our progress in patient safety will continue to
improve the systems in which we work.”
For the full story, go to:
>> http://healthlink.mcw.edu/content/article/1031002178.html
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(2) Health Care Practitioners Focus on Family Violence
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With more than 25,000 domestic violence incidents reported in
Wisconsin each year it’s no surprise that efforts to minimize the
health consequences have multiplied. Health care professionals are
now putting a spotlight on a problem that not too long ago was
often treated as a “family matter.”
“In the last ten years there has been a tremendous increase in
awareness among physicians and nurses and in the health care
system,” says Bruce Ambuel, PhD, Medical College of Wisconsin
Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine. Dr. Ambuel
suggests some steps that friends and family members can take to
assist domestic violence victims. “What you can do is offer the
person support. Let them know that you don’t judge them and that
you care about them. Tell them that it’s not their fault, and that
they have a right to be respected. Then encourage them to contact
some resources in the community.
“I’d say that the best first (non-emergency) resource contact for
women should be with a women’s shelter or domestic violence
program in their area,” Dr. Ambuel said. If a local listing is
unavailable, victims, potential victims, and others can find
service providers by contacting the National Domestic Violence
Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233); TDD 1-800-787-3224; website
www.ndhv.org.
For the full story, go to:
>> http://healthlink.mcw.edu/content/article/1031002179.html
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(3) New Treatments Brighten Outlook for Alzheimer’s Patients
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About 4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s Disease, making it the
most common disease affecting the adult brain. Currently, 30% of
those older than 85 have Alzheimer's, and more than 100,000
Americans die of it every year.
The Medical College of Wisconsin is one of the leading centers in
the region for diagnosing and treating Alzheimer’s patients. Piero
G. Antuono, MD, Professor of Neurology at the Medical College, is
the director of the Froedtert & Medical College Memory Disorders
Clinic. Correct diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is essential, he says,
since other conditions can mimic its symptoms – depression, for
instance, may lead to forgetfulness and withdrawal. Heart disease,
hypertension and arthritis can affect an elderly person’s ability
to function, perform everyday activities or be socially involved.
Family members often notice the memory changes characteristic of
Alzheimer’s, but Dr. Antuono notes, “sometimes memory losses are
preceded by other symptoms. There may be subtle personality
changes – the patient may be quieter than usual, or more hesitant,
or crabbier.” It takes a perceptive observer to notice these
changes, he adds.
Though there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's, medications
have become available to treat its symptoms. Dr. Antuono is
confident that ongoing research and treatment will continue to
result in breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s Disease. “I’m more
optimistic all the time,” he says.
For the full story, go to:
>> http://healthlink.mcw.edu/content/article/1031002180.html
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(4) What's New on MCW HealthLink
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* Blood Clots May Travel to Lungs
Inactivity in combination with older, enlarged, irregular
veins set the stage for clot formation in the legs.
http://healthlink.mcw.edu/content/article/1031002181.html
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(5) Subscriber Information
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Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a service to our patients and the
community at large. Subscription is free of charge.
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MCW HealthLink is provided for educational purposes. The
information is not intended as a substitute for medical care, or
for the advice of a physician. Please consult your doctor to
determine how the information here pertains to you.
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Medical College Physicians
9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226-3522 USA
HealthLink home page: http://healthlink.mcw.edu/
e-mail: mailto:healthlink@mcw.edu
Physician directory: http://doctor.mcw.edu/
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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.