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Bring a 'Buddy' to Help with Medical Events and Surgeries

Posted by: James Gitkin
July 01, 2008
Topic: Medical Malpractice

For almost all of us, there have been or will be times in our lives where we will go through some sort of medical event.  Many of these events are negative - diagnosis of some sort of disease, a significant accident, or the need for some sort of surgery.  Other times, brushes with the medical community may stem from a positive situation like childbirth or choosing an elective procedure that will improve our lives.  No matter what the situation, if you are going through a time in your life where you will be dealing with doctors, hospitals, medical procedures and the like, it is a good idea to have a loved-one be your 'buddy' through the entire process.  Having to go to the hospital and deal with doctors during a medical event or crisis can be very traumatic and scary for the patient.  Decisions have to be made that affect your health, and it is often times difficult to be calm and collected in making those decisions.  Moreover, information is being spouted at you as the patient and you may not be in the best emotional state to fully process what is being explained.  Add in pain medication, being groggy after a surgery, and it's almost impossible for a patient to keep track of what is going on with his or her care and treatment.

I truly believe that doctors, nurses and hospital/medical staff have our best interests in mind when we are going through a medical crisis or event.  Doctors and nurses endure years of training and financial sacrifices to help us in our time of need.  But, no one is infallible and mistakes can be made.  As a lawyer practicing medical malpractice in Fort Lauderdale and throughout Florida, I have seen situations where good doctors and hospital staff have made bad decisions.  All of us make mistakes and poor decisions at our jobs - no matter how hard we prepare or work, mistakes and poor choices are inevitable.  Unfortunately, when a mistake is made in the world of medicine, the results can be devistating.  Sometimes bringing along a friend or loved-one, a 'buddy', can help make the difference when going through the hospital and medical system.  That is not to say that bringing a 'buddy' will stop mistakes from  happening.  But, having a lucid, clear thinking and objective person who cares about you by your side is invaluable, especially in a hospital setting.  Your friend or loved one can keep track and even takes notes when the myriad of health care professionals march through your room and they can speak up for you if they hear or see something that does not seem to gel with their understanding of what is suppossed to happening. 

In my own life, my wife had a very difficult pregnancy that required a week-long stay in the hospital and then months of bed rest.  When we were in the hospital, one time a doctor making the rounds starting looking at a chart and making comments about my wife's progression.  When I heard facts that seemed off, I mentioned something to the doctor and it turned out that he was looking at the chart for the patient in the next room.  He quickly found the right chart and began getting his facts right.  At the time, my wife was on medication and would probably never had caught the mistake.  Most likely the doctor would have figured out that he was looking at the wrong chart, but my wife felt much more at ease knowing that I was there to be her voice and her advocate.

Again, doctors and medical staff provide an unbelievable service to our community.  It is truly a wonderful thing to care for someone who is sick.  But, they like the rest of us make mistakes and poor decisions.  Having an advocate or a 'buddy' in your corner is a wonderful way to make sure that things run as smoothly as possible and gives the patient the piece of mind to focus on what is most important, getting better.  If you are about to go through some sort of medical ordeal, throw your pride out the window and ask someone close to you to be your 'buddy' through the entire process, from initial visits, to the hospital, to post op appointments.

 


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