SCV Physician Report

(Snippets from the frontline) Your doctor advocate is under attack When you are ill in the hospital, you must have someone who will be your advocate.  Until recently, your doctor … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Elmer and Edie He was born and raised in Tennessee, married his high school sweetheart, fought in WWII on a battleship, and returned with a Purple … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Lodging a hospital complaint If you don’t like food at a restaurant, you don’t go back.  If your car is still spewing smoke, you find another … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Under the influence Alcohol consumption has side effects as it permeates society at all levels.  Where does it start? Parents who drink alcohol might imprint similar … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Palliative and hospice care jargonese Hospice care is essential to assure minimal pain and suffering at end-of-life.  This awareness has evolved over the past two decades, … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Hospice care not reflected in healthcare statistics Some healthcare agencies and hospitals are shuffling elder seniors into hospice at a rapid rate because it is profitable.  … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) The scoop on some hospice care agencies Caring for patients at end-of-life requires experience, communication skills, sensitivity, and medical knowledge.  The majority are elder seniors, and … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) What is your happiness level? The United States is a wealthy nation, yet we don’t rank in the top ten countries in the World Happiness Report.  … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) The Notorious RBG and healthcare Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the second female justice appointed to the Supreme Court in 1993, and through the years one must … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Blood pressure cuff and other gadgets When you visit your doctor or are admitted to the hospital, the first bit of information gathered is vital signs.  … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Who should be on hospice? Hospice is end-of-life care.  Even the best medical care cannot always reverse the ravages of illness or aging, and when pain, … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Tactics forcing ICU patients onto hospice From the outset, be worried or suspicious if: Your loved one is old, or has been hospitalized for a prolonged … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Forcing ICU patients onto hospice Some elder senior patients admitted to the ICU are targeted by hospitals and placed on hospice care.  Why?  It saves money. … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Hospice and end-of-life care Signs of aging are not always easy to identify.  Seeing wrinkles and gray hair in those  around you is acceptable, but inevitably … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Time The body talks to us.  Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain may be a reaction to food poisoning.  Chills and shakes could be the onset of … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline)  Rough draft of a new US healthcare plan -Everyone will be insured. -Coverage throughout the US. -Freedom to choose your doctor and hospital. -No pre-existing condition … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Healthcare Millions of Americans do not have access to healthcare. This is detrimental to the economy, society, and hinders our ability to progress as a nation. … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Elder suicide – the shrouded game plan Often we hear, “He died peacefully in his sleep.”  Or, “Their love was so great, they died together.”  For … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Smudge pot After lunch one day at the senior center, we sat outside and discussed bodily function (yes, this is what seniors do).  Two complained of … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Hospice abuse Hospice is end-of-life care, and as a separate governmental paying entity is vital to  Medicare patients seeking relief. Can anyone really predict how long … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Finding a doctor you can trust Seniors have always trusted doctors to be their advocate.  Now as a senior, I must critically look at my profession. … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Frailty At some point in life we begin to age.  Individually, this depends on genetics, environment, social status, and personal health habits. Toward the end of … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Discharge home:  Lost in translation As an admitting physician, discharge orders written in the hospital are translated into instructions brought home by the patient.  These are … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Voting and healthcare The epitome of democracy is the right to vote.  This singular action empowers all eligible citizens a role in society.  But over the … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Medicare open enrollment Every year we are inundated with advertisements touting “Medicare open enrollment” where eligible seniors opt into a healthcare plan.  Factors involved in this … Continue Reading →