by Karen Curtiss | Feb 21, 2023 | Conversations, Medical, Patient Safety
Studies show… your doctor’s advice may blur from memory, but there’s a good way to keep it in focus! When we’re under the weather – or have any health concerns – our minds and memories simply don’t operate at 100%. Fortunately, smartphones help us... by Karen Curtiss | Feb 7, 2023 | Conversations, Patient Safety
For good care, lead good conversations. Here’s how. Last week, I shared a story about my mother’s recent ER experience. You may recall how horrified I was when a nurse mistakenly believed I was refusing a medication for my mother, Margaret. Fortunately, a good... by Karen Curtiss | Jan 31, 2023 | Conversations, Patient Safety
Role Reversal in Care: Good Intentions Get Scary! Last Friday, I spent the day with my mother in an Emergency Room and was reminded that, sometimes, best intentions can “go sideways”, even in medicine. Here’s what happened. Mom’s nurse went over three medicines an ER... by Karen Curtiss | Jan 3, 2023 | Conversations, Medical, Patient Safety Tips
Happy new year to you and yours! We’re kicking off the year by shining a light on excellent tips from an excellent reporter in our field. Judith Graham at Kaiser Health News has covered the health care “beat” for 30+ years. Two of her most recent columns are... by Karen Curtiss | Dec 13, 2022 | Conversations, Medical, Patient Safety
Meet Dr. Martin Makary: spokesman for plain-speak. At Johns Hopkins, Dr. Makary is leading a national trend in health care that honors patients as partners in their own care. You’ll like his blunt honesty and advice! “Fifteen to 30 percent of everything we do—tests,... by Karen Curtiss | Dec 6, 2022 | Conversations, Medical
In medicine, two heads are usually better than one! Gary is a tall, lanky guy in his mid-fifties whose stooped posture betrays pain and muscle atrophy. Despite regular physical therapy prescribed by his “bone doc”, a respected orthopedist, his body seemed...