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...

Doc Arrested In FBI Sting; Kickbacks, Unnecessary

As a workaholic neurosurgeon in Canada's resource-strapped health care
system, Patrick Chan did not always endear himself to colleagues in Calgary. His
packed caseload, one fellow doctor recalls, would often "saturate" the scarce
operating-room time shared by all the surgeons.

Read more...

A-Doc Accused Of Faking Pts' Diagnoses, Treating Them For

By Barbara Feder Ostrov
Mercury News

On the day of his cancer treatment, 87-year-old Dung Le lay on a table, his frail body sedated as needles loaded with radioactive seeds were
inserted into his prostate to destroy the malignant tissue his doctor told him was there. Afterward, the San Jose man was bruised, fatigued and hungry, having been forbidden to eat solid food for 24 hours.
Read more...

Lawmakers look for ways to help disabled - Video

View this story by clicking this link
http://cbs4denver.com/video/?id=32829@kcnc.dayport.com

Doctor groups ask: Is prescription info used to improve safety or to boost sales?

AMA faces storm on data sales - Doctor groups ask: Is prescription info used to improve safety or to boost sales? By Bruce JapsenTribune staff reporterPublished June 24, 2007

How do pharmaceutical companies know which doctors prescribe the latest and most expensive brand name drugs? They have inside information on the prescribing habits of virtually every doctor in the United States. Pharmaceutical and device manufacturers buy this information from the American Medical Association and from companies that match the AMA's data with pharmacy records. While such practices have gone on for years, the issue is expected to be a hot topic at this week's annual meeting of the AMA in Chicago, with some groups planning to protest during the gathering at the Hilton Chicago. "Doctors are not aware that companies are out there that know every prescription a doctor prescribes," said Dr. John Santa, an internist at the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center and consultant to the Prescription Project, which is part of a coalition trying to curb drug companies' access to doctor prescribing information. Read more...

The Joint Commission’s New Speak Up™ Program

The Joint Commission’s New Speak Up™ Program
Urges Patients to ‘Know Your Rights’

(OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. – June 8, 2007) The Joint Commission has launched a national campaign to help Americans understand their rights when receiving medical care. “Know Your Rights” is part of The Joint Commission’s award-winning Speak Up™ program that urges people to take an active role in their own health care.

Patients who ask questions and are aware of their rights have a greater chance of getting the care that they need when they need it. “Know Your Rights” provides tips to help people become more involved in their treatment, thus improving the safety and quality of care received. The campaign advises patients that they have a right to be informed about the care they will receive; get information about care in their preferred language; know the names of their caregivers; receive treatment for pain; receive an up-to-date list of current medications; and expect that they will be heard; and treated with courtesy and respect.

“Knowing your rights regarding treatment and care is the foundation for all interactions with your caregivers at health care facilities. Candid conversations between patients and their caregivers will help facilitate the delivery of safe, high quality care and ultimately, enhance recovery,” says Paul Schyve, M.D., senior vice president, The Joint Commission.

Specifically, The Joint Commission advises people to:

· Think about how family or friends can play a role – Patients should ask how to designate a family member or friend as an advocate who can get information and ask questions. It is also important to understand the decisions an advocate cannot make for you unless they have been legally assigned that responsibility through an advance directive or power of attorney.

· Understand rights related to information – The law requires health care providers to keep a patient’s health information private, so a form must be signed if a patient wants his or her information shared with his or her advocate or others. Patients also have a right to have care providers fully explain treatment options and risks.

· Ask questions before entering a health care facility – Discuss issues such as infection control, life support, spiritual needs, security, how to handle a problem or complaint, any procedures that cannot be done at the facility for religious reasons, and how to obtain copies of medical records and test results.

· Ask your doctor questions – It is important to know how often the doctor will visit during a hospital stay, who is responsible for care when the doctor is not available, what happens if life-saving actions are taken, and how care will be handled if a test or procedure shows that another procedure is needed right away

The Joint Commission’s “Know Your Rights” safety campaign is part of its Speak Up program. The basic framework of the Speak Up campaign urges patients to:

Speak up if you have questions or concerns, and if you don't understand, ask again. It's your body and you have a right to know.

Pay attention to the care you are receiving. Make sure you're getting the right treatments and medications by the right health care professionals. Don't assume anything.

Educate yourself about your diagnosis, the medical tests you are undergoing, and your treatment plan.

Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate.

Know what medications you take and why you take them. Medication errors are the most common health care errors.

Use a hospital, clinic, surgery center, or other type of health care organization that has undergone a rigorous on-site evaluation against established state-of-the-art quality and safety standards, such as that provided by the Joint Commission.

Participate in all decisions about your treatment. You are the center of the health care team.

Consumers can download the free Speak Up brochure that provides specific guidance
to exercise their rights by visiting The Joint Commission website, www.jointcommission.org. Speak Up™ brochures also are available on understanding medical tests, recovering after leaving the hospital, preventing medication mistakes, preventing infections, preparing to become a living organ donor, avoiding wrong site surgery, and preventing errors in care.

All of the Speak Up brochures are being redesigned in an easy-to-read format and will also be available in Spanish. To sign up to receive future issues of Speak Up via e-mail, please go to www.jointcommission.org/signup to join the Speak Up listserve.

Family's fight for malpractice disclosure keeps son's memory alive

Centennial Citizen
By: Peter Jones, Staff Writer
It would be difficult not to feel the sadness that permeates the Centennial townhouse of David and Patty Skolnik.
David sits for only a few minutes to talk about his family tragedy before restlessly getting up to putter around the house and water plants.
Patty's warmth is immediate and welcoming, but the loss of Michael, her only child, has left scars that cannot be hidden by a bittersweet smile. Read more...

Ritter signs new law allowing patients to check doctors' history

DENVER - Coloradans will soon get full access to doctors' professional histories thanks to a measure signed into law on Thursday by Governor Bill Ritter.
The measure is designed to educate consumers about any malpractice claims filed against their physician. The governor calls this law a "patient's bill of rights." The premise behind House Bill 1331 is a simple one: When you go to the doctor's office, they will always ask you for your medical history. Under this new law, you'll be able to ask for their history. Governor Ritter signed the bill into law Thursday afternoon with Patty Skolnik looking on. Skolnik's son, Michael, died after unnecessary brain surgery performed by a doctor who had a malpractice claim against him in another state. She had no idea about the doctor's history. Read more... Watch video...

Ritter signs a dozen bills, including one making doctor info available to public

By April M. Washington, Rocky Mountain News May 25, 2007
Michael Skolnik's life was cut short three years ago, his family says, by a doctor who performed unnecessary brain surgery after misdiagnosing him. Read more...

Medical Mistakes Bill Advances At Capitol

(AP) DENVER A bill that would allow Coloradans full access to a physicians' history was approved by the House on Wednesday and sent to the Senate. The bill (House bill 1331) was named after Centennial resident Michael Skolnik, who died at age 25 due to what lawmakers called medical negligence. They said Skolnik underwent unnecessary brain surgery after he was
misdiagnosed with a brain cyst.

Governor Ritter signs Senate Bill 66

Senate Bill 07-066 was signed by Governor Ritter on Thursday, March 22, 2007. Senate Bill 66 was sponsored by Senator Ken Gordon and Representative Alice Madden. SB 66 allows guardians of persons with disability, whose medical malpractice cases go to trial, have the same rights, op­tions and obligations as far as in­vesting the verdict money as they would have had if the case had been settled. SB 66 cures an in­equity of the law that treated these two similar classes of peo­ple quite differently depending upon whether they were forced to trial or not.

Malpractice Database Now Online

Consumers have a new tool to help them avoid trouble, when picking a doctor. They can now access a database of malpractice records in 15 states, excluding Colorado. But a push is on to add Colorado records as well...

Colorado-based HealthGrades is launching the first national physician malpractice database for the public. Until now, the public has had only limited access to physician malpractice judgment and settlement data, primarily through the individual state agencies that report the information.
Read more...

Mother campaigns for malpractice disclosure

By Bill Scanlon, Rocky Mountain News March 28, 2007
GOLDEN - The loss of her only son still a sharp wound, Patty Skolnik is determined to make Colorado the 16th state to publicize malpractice judgments against doctors.

Skolnik, of Centennial, appeared at a news conference Tuesday where Health Grades announced it has gone online with the first national data base with information on malpractice settlements against doctors. Information on malpractice judgments, settlements and arbitration awards against doctors from 15 states is available at www.healthgrades.com. Read more...