Portland's "The Stars and Stripes Spectacular"

Portland's Stars and Stripes Spectacular!

 

Portland's "The Stars and Stripes Spectacular" on July 4th will be held at the Eastern Promenade Park. It is the 7th annual event for July 4th Portland, the largest 4th of July event north of Boston.

 

The concert is FREE and open to the public and fireworks will start after 9pm.   Come out and enjoy the 4th of July celebration!  (Follow the link above for more information)

Spring Events in Maine - 20+ Can't Miss Things To Do

Things to do in Maine this Spring
<click the link above for more information>

 

Here’s a bunch of things to do and places to go that will help put a spring in your step as this new season comes knocking on our door.

Spring events: 20+ can’t-miss things to do this spring in Maine

Spring Events - 20+ Can't Miss for Maine

 

Click on the link above for a bunch of things to do and places to go that will help put a spring in your step as this new season comes knocking on our door.

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When Medical Records Lack Information

When medical records lack information this can be a legitimate cause for concern.  For example, a patient experienced a serious complication from a medical procedure.  The complication subjected the patient to a predictable risk of new injury.  The medical records did not contain any evidence of her doctors discussing the patient’s predicament or considering the patient’s predictable risk of new injury.  The doctors opted to do nothing for the patient while awaiting surgery the next day apparently oblivious to the predictable risk of injury to the patient.  The patient did suffer the predictable injury within 5 hours and experienced a permanent injury to a significant part of her body altering her life and abilities. 

When the doctors were asked under oath why they chose to do nothing, the doctors explained that they had considered another greater “significant risk” the patient was facing based on a diagnostic process.  The doctors claimed they must have discussed the predictable risk of injury the patient faced but they could not remember the details of these discussions or when the discussions took place.  The explanation offered by the doctors under oath sounded completely believable until one closely reviewed the medical records and timing of events within the records cross referenced with the story given by the doctors.  It turns out the diagnostic test relied on by the doctors never really reported the other “significant risk” as claimed by the doctors.    Additionally, the medical records were silent about the claimed other “significant risk” and had it actually been considered by the doctors, they would have had to have informed other care providers and note it in the medical record, which had never occurred.  Nowhere in the medical record had the other “significant risk” been recorded.

Rather than speak the truth – that the patient’s predictable risk of injury from the procedure complication had been missed and never considered – the doctors chose instead to fabricate their decision making process.  Why?  The reason for this mistruth can only be explained via a systemic culture of the hospital or the culture of silence practiced by the medical community when things go wrong and patients are unnecessarily endangered and injured.  If the doctors had admitted their lack of care, then the patient could have moved forward and have their damages addressed.  But instead considerable effort and time had to be devoted to exposing the “lie”, which only damages the reputations of the physicians and the hospital.   So if information is missing in a medical record, it can be a legitimate cause for concern. 

If you or a loved one have experienced an injury from medical care and treatment – consult with an attorney as soon as possible.  Please call the Randall Law Office for a free consultation (866) 775-0082.   

Errors in Diagnosis

Most people will experience at least one diagnostic error in their lifetime!

According to a 2015 report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, "Improving Diagnosis in Health Care", "diagnostic errors persist throughout all settings of care and continue to harm an unacceptable number of patients." 

What can you do to prevent diagnostic errors?  Make sure the healthcare provider is truly listening to you, and not just sitting before a computer throwing out questions and pecking away at a key board.  Listening by a healthcare provider requires eye contact, asking pertinent thoughtful questions relating to your statements.  "Patients and their families are critical partners in the diagnostic process," states the report.  As patients and family members we must insist on healthcare providers listening to us and not treating us as items on a conveyor belt.  To be sure, there are many reasons for diagnostic errors including failure to order tests, failure to consider test results, failure to follow-up, failure to consult with specialists, and personal biases by the healthcare provider.  While we can ask for tests and request second opinions, our first opportunity is to insist that our healthcare provider actually listen to what we have to say and care about what are saying.  As distractions, electronics, patient processing urgencies tax the attention span of our healthcare providers we need to demand they listen first.  If you find you cannot get the healthcare provider to listen then it's time to ask to see someone else.  We have the right to be a patient and not a victim. 

If you or a loved has been the victim of the failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis call an attorney to discuss your rights.

Annual Flavors of Freeport, February 19-20th

Flavors of Freeport
Throughout the weekend you will find a variety of food events from chocolate factory tours and cocktail competitions, to a wine dinner and lobster brunch! 
Flavors of Freeport Ice Bar with music by Motor Booty Affair!

The Hilton Garden Inn
Friday, February 19, 2016
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Chef’s Signature Series and Flavors of Freeport Ice Bar
The Hilton Garden Inn
Saturday, February 20, 2016
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Safety First for Children Traveling in Vehicles.

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children in the United States.  In 2013, 638 children ages 12 years and younger died in motor vehicle crashes, and more than 127,250 were injured.  But parents and caregivers can make a lifesaving difference.

If you are driving anywhere, make sure any child passenger is buckled in an age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats, or seat belts. 

Data shows that:

• In 2013, use of restraints saved the lives of 263 children ages 4 years and younger.

• Car seats reduce the risk of death in car crashes by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers ages 1 to 4.

• Booster seats reduce the risk for serious injury by 45% for children ages 4 to 8 years.

• Between 1975 and 2013, child restraints saved an estimated 10,421 lives of children ages 4 and younger.

Children aged 12 and under should be properly buckled in the back seat.  Front airbags can kill young children riding in the front seat. Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat or in front of an airbag.

While all of these statements may sound repetitive, observance of safety tested procedures prevent harm and keep us safe.  Stay Safe!