Hospital care has become hazardous to patients

“Hospital care has become hazardous to the patient’s health.” The proven statistics of hospital error related deaths are staggering! Sad, but never more true than the crisis that exists today. Did we know it was coming? I believe many of us did and those that didn’t, must not have listened to the news back in the late 70’s, when many healthcare representatives tried, in vain, to make the public aware of the inevitable decline of care in the future. After the ‘efficiency experts’ recommendations were in, healthcare staff was severely downsized. Complete nursing care by trained professionals, became a thing of the past. The author, Martine Ehrenclou, has a mantra, “Your goal is to support the best possible medical care for your loved one.” Either through sedation, stress or the illness itself, the patient often does not have the presence of mind or the strength needed to be observant or understand the language of this foreign world. It has become imperative that family or friend, stay with their loved one most of the time, and in many cases, around the clock. Martine, through her own personal, tragic experiences, recognized the need for a survival guide. She became determined to bring awareness to the patient, as well as the patient’s advocate and family, precisely what to expect and how to cope. She has written a matter-of-fact analysis of a hospital stay and the potential serious/deadly errors. No stone has been left unturned as she intensely interviewed, researched, ultimately publishing this step by step, easy to follow book. She proves the importance of knowledge, so that you can become a proactive advocate for your loved one. You need to be knowledgeable about the patient’s condition so that you can converse with the healthcare team. She has stressed the importance of positive communication, especially with the primary caregiver of each shift, to write everything down (especially any changes), wash your hands, humanize the patient, ask pertinent questions and so many more valuable facts. At the end of each chapter, she has provided a page for notes, approximately 80 pages dedicated as a Quick Reference Guide for you to record in, followed by hospital staff and medical terms glossary. References and index are provided as well as several impressive reviews. This guide is not only essential for the patient but perhaps a refresher for the overworked medical profession, business people and politicians. Martine Ehrenclou, M.A. is a writer and public relations/marketing executive. She received her masters degree in psychology and currently runs writing groups for at-risk teenagers and adults. In one way or another, few will escape being affected by a hospital stay. Be prepared and believe in the value of this book. I am unable to give her work enough praise and with highest regards, highly recommend this book to everyone. Reviewer: Cheryl Ellis, Allbooks Review
Available through Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com as well as other booksellers.Title: Critical Conditions The Essential Hospital Guide to Get Your Loved One Out AliveAuthor: Martine Ehrenclou, M.A.Publisher: Lemon Grove Press, LLCISBN-13: 978-0-9815240-0-9Pages: 248Price: $19.95 October 2008