LS 27 - Closing the Communications Gap Between Patient and Staff with Steve Powell author of The Patient Survival Handbook

It’s hard to find many positive statistics from hospitals these days. Preventable deaths are third only to heart disease and cancer as the number one killer of patients. As hospitals try to accommodate nurses schedule preferences of 4 days a week with long shifts, Patient care is experiencing killer drops in effectiveness and proficiency. The problem stems from the lack of communication between hospital staff and their patients. And with patients having the most to lose the responsibility is resting on their shoulders. This book hopes to help patients ask the right questions and prevent deaths based on simple human error.       Key Takeaways: [1:05] 400,000 deaths were preventable in the U.S. [2:21] 3rd only to heart disease and cancer [3:10] This negatively impacts the bottom line and reputations [4:31] One death at a time keeps it quiet [5:45] This problem is systematic  [6:20] Cooks wash their hands more than nurses? [7:02] Humans choose to break the rules  [7:34] Communication is key  [8:15] The handbook was designed to close the gap  [9:52] When the shift ends so does the attention to detail [11:00] The backside of the clock degrades service [11:16] Work preference shifts don’t benefit patients  [12:12] The 20th hour cognitive functions are equivalent to being intoxicated  [12:55] Best industry practices have hurt more than helped [14:23] The AMA does care but is not sure what to do [16:02] The patient and family has the most at risk, the most to lose [17:24] Does the physician understand your problem and situation? [18:42] Do you think it could be anything else doctor is a powerful question.  [19:38] An advisory council for patient's needs? [20:40] The book has sections for different steps of the healthcare process [21:52] Very little patient rating systems online   Mentions: Synensis Health The Patient Survival Handbook  AMA Hospitalcompare.gov Health Grades   Leap Frog