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!

30th Annual Wells Christmas Parade

30th Annual Wells Christmas Parade

This is the 30th year of the parade in Wells, Maine. Our theme for this year’s parade is “Home For The Holidays.” The parade will take place on Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 2 pm.
Don't miss the holiday cheer!

Did You Suffer a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Have you ever hit your head as a result of a fall, car crash, or other type of activity and just "did not feel right" afterwards? After a few days, you returned to your normal activities, but continued to experience headaches, sensitivity to noise, or difficulty concentrating and remembering things. Does this sound familiar?  You may have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

A TBI can disrupt the normal functions of your brain. TBIs—ranging from mild concussions to severe, life-threatening injuries—can be prevented by incorporated safety methods for activities.

According to CDC research in the United States:

·         the youngest children and older adults are at highest risk for sustaining fall-related TBIs,

·         adolescents and young adults (persons aged 15–24 years) have the highest rates of motor vehicle-related TBIs, and

·         adults aged 65 years or older have the highest rates of TBI-related hospitalization and are more likely to die from TBI (either TBI alone or along with other injuries or illnesses) than any other age group.

Learning the Signs and Symptoms

Many people with a TBI can recover quickly. But for some people, TBI symptoms can last for days, weeks, or longer. In general, recovery may be slower for older adults, young children, and teens. In severe cases, a TBI can lead to coma and even death. People who have had a TBI in the past are at greater risk of having another one and may find that it takes longer to recover if they have another TBI.

Symptoms of TBI usually fall into four categories

Thinking/Remembering	Physical	Emotional/Mood	Sleep
Difficulty thinking clearly	Headache Fuzzy or blurry vision	Irritability	Sleeping more than usual
Feeling slowed down	Nausea or vomiting (early on) Dizziness	Sadness	Sleeping less than usual
Difficulty concentrating	Sensitivity to noise or light Balance problems	More emotional	Trouble falling asleep
Difficulty remembering new information	Feeling tired, having no energy	Nervousness or anxiety

Some of these symptoms occur at the time of the injury. Other symptoms may not be noticed for days or months after the injury, when a person returns to their everyday life.^[1]

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[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

If you or a loved one has experienced a head injury seek medical attention immediately.  If the injury was caused due to safety violations consult an attorney.

Distracted Driving is Dangerous Driving.

Before you pick-up your cell phone while you are behind the wheel STOP and THINK.  If there is no emergency, whatever is happening on the cell/smart phone can wait or you can pull over. 

According to 2013 government statistics, 424,000 people were injured from distracted driving.  At any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving, a number that has held steady since 2010. And because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction. 10% of drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted.  

All parents and adults should lead by example, showing the younger drivers that cell phone distraction is dangerous, deadly and totally unnecessary.  Learn to ignore your phone or pull over for your safety and the safety of others.

10th Annual Parade of Lights

Parade of Lights and Sukeforth Festival of Trees
The 10th Annual Parade of Lights will be held on Friday, November 27 at 6pm.
New this year is Sukeforth Festival of Trees at the Hathaway Creative Center, 10 Water Street in Downtown Waterville. More than fifty trees will be decorated in various themes.