New Colorado law makes doctor records available

From http://paralegalslo.blogspot.com/ by Rohn Robbins
As of Jan. 1 of this year, physicians in Colorado are subject to new reporting requirements with the purpose of providing greater physician accountability to the public and ensuring greater transparency about physician competence.Known as the Michael Skolnik Medical Transparency Act, the law was the result of a campaign by the parents of Michael Skolnik, a 25-year-old who died following unsuccessful brain surgery. In a medical malpractice action following their son’s death, the Skolniks claimed that had they known about a prior malpractice action against the neurosurgeon who performed Michael’s surgery, they would have requested another surgeon. Read more...

May 2008 Update on Centre of Compassion in Healthcare

The world of healthcare is changing direction and the Centre of Compassion in Healthcare is building the infrastructure to support the required culture change in our institutions.

A talented group of people have come together in New Zealand as the Board of Trustees of the newly registered, charitable "Compassion in Healthcare Trust".

A key strategy for the Centre for Compassion in Healthcare is effective networking and communication so our first investment is in the infrastructure to support the growing, worldwide network of health professionals and patients who are passionate about strengthening the heart and soul of healthcare.

A new website is being constructed at www.compassioninhealthcare.org and it is scheduled to be launched in July. The new website address is already being quoted in the media so, in the meantime, visitors are being redirected to this site for information. Anyone who registers their details on this (CLANZ) site will be automatically added to the database for the new network. Read more...

Home health abuses targeted

By Jennifer Brown
The Denver Post
Abuses by home caregivers revealed in a new state report — including a woman left dying on a toilet and improper care that resulted in an amputated foot — are prodding lawmakers to seek more oversight of the industry.
Legislation filed this week would require agencies providing nursing, physical therapy and basic caregiving in patients' homes to be licensed by the state.

Colorado is one of just five states that do not license home health care providers, and the state health department says the inability to set minimum standards of care and perform inspections is resulting in increasing instances of deficiencies.

A not-yet-released report from the Department of Public Health and Environment, obtained by The Denver Post, cites some of the most egregious examples of neglect reported in the past three years: Read more...

7th Annual Mother's Tea CCA Fundraiser

Mother’s Tea Saturday, May 10, 2008 11:00 AM- Westin Tabor Center - Downtown DenverBenefiting Cerebral Palsy of Colorado’s Statewide Family Support ServicesThe 7th Annual Cerebral Palsy of Colorado

The Mother’s Tea -- A Celebration With Purpose!
This remarkable celebration is all about honoring the spirit and devotion of some very special
Moms. Held in the grand ballroom of the Westin Tabor Center in downtown Denver, this year’s
Mother’s Tea will feature a champagne reception complete with grand pianist and complimentary portraits by Scott T Photography. Attendees will enjoy a sumptuous luncheon and relaxing day of entertainment that will include a keynote speaker, a very exciting fashion show and numerous giveaways.

The event will conclude with Celebrity Host, Dr. Stephanie Clements, announcing
the winners of pamper packages for six, community nominated, very deserving Mothers. These
elegantly prepared packages, which include spa services, dinner and an overnight getaway, are
the perfect gift for Mothers who so often place the needs of their children ahead of their own.
Deserving of Special Recognition

Over the years, CP of Colorado has witnessed the incredible difference that Mothers make in
the lives of their children with special needs. Whereas many Moms wear many hats, these
special Mothers are uniquely diverse in the care and upbringing of their children. Their lives
often revolve around medical appointments, special therapies and advocating for the inclusion
of their children in the educational system and throughout their communities. Their stories of
Motherhood demonstrate the selfless and extraordinary commitment, love and sacrifice that are
needed to help their children overcome the daily challenges they face.

Your Sponsorship Makes all the Difference!
Sponsorship of the Mother’s Tea is a wonderful expression of thanks and recognition for these
exceptional Moms. Your support not only helps Mothers attend the event, but also is used to
help fund CP of Colorado’s six, family-driven grassroots organizations within Statewide Family
Support Services. These services help thousands of individuals with disabilities and their
caregivers to unite to create systems change, share critical resources and provide lifetime
support and connections with each other.
801 Yosemite Denver, CO 80230 Phone 303-691-9339 Fax 303-691-0846 http://www.cpco.org/

Mother’s Tea
Questions and Answers

Question: What exactly is the Mother’s Tea?
Answer: A luncheon that celebrates the contribution, sacrifice, and commitment that Mothers make in the lives of
their disabled children on a daily basis. Attendees enjoy a champagne reception, complimentary portraits, lunch and
goodie bags. Additionally, the community is invited to nominate very deserving Moms to receive pamper packages,
including spa services, dinner and an overnight getaway. These packages are presented to nominees chosen by
women leaders in the community.

Question: Are only Mom’s of children with Cerebral Palsy involved?
Answer: No, Cerebral Palsy of Colorado was started 61 years ago by nine Mothers of children with Cerebral Palsy.
Today, CP of Colorado provides services to nearly 22,000 Coloradoans annually. CP helps those with any kind of disability
from mental illness to “at risk” low income families.

Question: When is the event?
Answer: The Mother’s Tea is Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 11:00 A.M. the day before Mother’s Day.

Question: Where is the event?
Answer: Westin Tabor Center, 1672 Lawrence Street, Downtown Denver

Question: What exactly would you like me to do?
Answer: Help us make it possible for Mothers of special needs children be able to attend the event.
1) Sponsor a table of ten (10)
2) Sponsor one or more Mom(s) at $100 each.
3) Help us find others who can sponsor a table or Mom(s).

Question: Can I attend if I wish?
Answer: Absolutely, and please invite your friends. The more the merrier!

Question: Can I nominate a Mom I know?
Answer: Yes. Please fill out the online form at www.cpco.org, click on Mother’s Tea

Question: Is my sponsorhip of Mothers to attend the event tax deductible?
Answer: Yes. 100% of donated “Sponsor A Mom” seats are tax deductible*.

Question: How do I sign up as sponsor?
Answer: Fill out the enclosed form and mail to Cerebral Palsy of Colorado.

*Please consult your tax advisor.

Explain A Medical Error? Sure. Apologize Too?

NY Times - By SANDEEP JAUHAR, M.D., Jan. 1 2008
One morning not long ago, I got a call from the emergency room at my hospital. A young man — an intern, in fact, who had been on rounds that morning — had been admitted with chest pains. Could I come to evaluate him? Read more...

Measure born of couple's grief to become law

Rocky Mountain News - Dec 31, 2007
If only she'd known. The refrain kept running through Patty Skolnik's head as she mourned her son's death - a death she blames on a doctor who, unbeknownst to her, had been the subject of a malpractice claim in another state. Skolnik couldn't let go of the pain, so, with her husband and state legislators, she helped push through House Bill 1331. Like more than 25 other bills from the 2007 General Assembly, it becomes law Tuesday. Read more...

When Trust in an Expert Is Unwise

New York Times
By DAVID LEONHARDT
A few years ago, an economics graduate student named Henry Schneider drove his dad’s old Subaru station wagon up to Montreal . He had heard about a Canadian consumer interest group that had done undercover investigations of auto-repair shops, and he wanted to try a more academic version of its experiment.

So when he arrived in Montreal , he handed the Subaru over to the mechanics working for the group, the Automobile Protection Association, for a complete inspection. They found that it had a small hole in its exhaust pipe, a blown taillight and several other relatively minor problems. Mr. Schneider took careful notes. But he also did something that no ordinary car owner would do. He asked the mechanics to show him how to mess up the car in a couple of serious but obvious ways.

They taught him how to loosen the battery cable (which can prevent a car from starting) and how to suck out coolant (which can leave an engine vulnerable to overheating). Armed with this knowledge, Mr. Schneider drove home to Connecticut and undertook a devilish little test. Read more...

Five diagnoses that call for a second opinion

By Elizabeth Cohen, CNN
After Marci Smith was told she had a malignant brain tumor, she had surgery and then made an appointment with an oncologist to receive chemotherapy and radiation. But Smith never kept that appointment. Read more...