Jacky is a staff writer for Medstak and a proponent of patient rights. She hopes her writing will raise awareness so that patients can become better self-advocates.
Countless medical errors committed each year by healthcare providers jeopardize patient safety and claim lives. About 80 percent of the most serious types of medical errors committed by U.S. healthcare providers stem from miscommunication among providers, most notably during patient handoffs. Now, a recent study... Read More
Patients and patient safety advocates in California had high hopes for this past election day, when Californians cast their votes to approve or disapprove a proposed medical malpractice law, known as Proposition 46 or Prop 46. Their hopes were dashed when it became apparent that... Read More
The results of a new study from the FDA are likely to alarm patients who have considered undergoing LASIK surgery to correct refractive errors and improve their vision. The results indicate that nearly half of all LASIK patients experience eye surgery complications. The study was... Read More
The South Carolina Supreme Court recently issued a decision that clarifies state law with regard to statutes of limitations in medical malpractice cases. Patients who have sustained injuries as an alleged result of hospital malpractice must adhere to filing deadlines for lawsuits. These deadlines are... Read More
A few months ago, consumers expressed their outrage when an investigative reporting piece uncovered the many problems concerning the current nursing home rating system, which is compiled by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The rating system has long been considered to be... Read More
Drug testing has long been a standard part of the hiring and retention of police officers, firefighters, pilots, and many other professionals. However, doctors are completely exempt from this requirement in every state of the U.S. If Proposition 46 were to pass in California, drug... Read More
It’s been months now since the problems at the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system were exposed. Despite the appointment of a new Secretary of the VA, the systemic challenges associated with the VA show no signs of abatement any time soon. And now, the military... Read More
It’s a common misconception that the most aggressive course of treatment is often the best for patients. In fact, there are many circumstances under which palliative care is preferred. Despite this, the staff members at many nursing homes still commit medication errors by aggressively medicating... Read More
