Comments about ‘Consumer Reports poll: Most of us want hospitals to tell public about errors, infections’

It would also be nice to give us information about harmful effects of CT scans, x/rays and ultrasounds.

Also, give us choices in treatment and let the patient decide. Patients should be able to get a few second opinions - anonomously - to see if the diagnosis is the same. What if the mechanic/autobody shop had a network to communicate to each other about every quote they gave (like our curent healthcare system)? One shop doagnoses that you need a new muffler and it's a $1200 repair and another says there is a simple fix only costing $300. Which one would you chose?

Healthcare is the same - only that cost never seems to be a consideration regarding treatment options.

If you are being sarcastic, huggyface, I agree. If you are serious, I'm scared. X-rays do cause some DNA damage, but the chances of that turning into cancer are almost non-existent for one X-ray. However, the usefulness of diagnosing tooth problems or fractures is immediate and great. Almost all drugs have side effects, which are different with every single person because no two people are identical. Almost all tests have potential for harm. If we try to shelter each other from harm, we do harm by blocking all of these tests. There might be a bit of work that has to be done, but doctors should be the ones drawing up the rules, because they are the ones fighting the infections and errors (many of which were probably unpreventable) anyway. The last thing I want is a public outcry resulting in the government botching more aspects of health care.

I'd also like to know "failure to rescue" rates for hospitals. "Failure to rescue" is when caregivers fail to notice or respond when a patient is dying of preventable compliations in a hospital. For several years now, studies show that of all of the errors made in the nation's hospitals, this is the most reported safety risk. It is always fatal. This information is according to HealthGrades, a health care ratings organization.

Our medical care is simply that care, it is not a magic spell that when conjured up and put into motion will absolve any and all possible bad out comes from raising there ugly head.

We live in a bacteria soup and that is simply the reality, the risk factors are there and as long as we are humans we will be susceptible to nature and the myriad of mutations that bacteria morph into.

Now that said, this does not absolve Hospitals and Physicians and all of us the public, from prudent and wise choices. Yes the Hospitals are run by fallible people and Physicians are not perfect creatures, that have god-like powers that once they speak there diagnosis is without reproach nor are the nurses and other healthcare personnel any more or less culpable for there efforts in caring for the public either.

Yes mistakes happen, and if there is a government program or any other organization that promotes a Pollyanna world that can heal in a black and white yes and no world then you better run because they are setting you and all of use up to be pawns in a political agenda.

Bottom line: family health history, genetics, infections, disease, death, and human and mechanical errors are a part of the mortal existence. This should be common knowledge for every legally responsible adult, who in turn, must be pro-active about their own health and doing what they can to mitigate these ever-present possibilities and inevitables.

For the willing, statistical information can spur us to make useful pro-active lifestyle changes. Unfortunately, for many, such information just rolls off the back or becomes media-fueled fodder to incite public sentiment against the very institutions on the front battle lines of the needed care hospitals. We have choices to make with this information.

I am grateful I live in the 21st century, blessed with modern medicine. My husband is a MRSA statistic, a survivor because of such quality healthcare. As one well-acquainted with the personal losses statistics of infection can only impersonally allude to, if I ever recover financially, I promise to put up forever the biggest 6th South I-15 off-ramp billboard, for all to know of my deep appreciation and love for LDS Hospital.

This is my dream and my hope. I am never giving it up.

Re: Laurel's comment. You are so sadly right. I won't say who or how, but I had - yes, HAD - a relative who was given something on the menu that they were allergic to. That allergy had been discussed and listed as something NOT to be included in the diet. It was given anyway and, unknowingly, my relative ate it, had a terrible response and pulled the emergency help cord and by the time a nurse had arrived, it was too late. You can't plan for that.

I would like to recommend Davis Hospital, my wife has had now two separate and unrelated surgeries there and the pre & post op. care was Tremendous. Thank you Davis Hospital located in Layton Utah, again excellent care.

Medicine is not an exact science with always happy outcomes.

For the best treatment, go see a lawyer instead of a doctor, they seem to know all the possible medical things that can go wrong, so they should be able to fix you right up!

If you really care about helping people with medical problems, encourage qualified people to enter the medical field. And, work to change the laws that allow lawyers to prey on doctors, which force huge excessive costs for "defensive medicine" and drive insurance costs through the roof.

I have to agree with the majority and with one other added bit that at least insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid get these reports so they can also act in its paying subscribers benefit. To filter people away from bad performing Hospitals and medical treatment facilities.

It's been my experience that how well doctors and nurses and hospitals perform and give medical care is completely dependent on where corporate medicine draws the line on collateral damage, deaths, and health care services.

The Utah system of health care is a bottom feeder system, pay the least, employ the least qualified, and bad care is not a problem. Patients already know the risks so they don't have to care about murder and deaths of patients. Consent to care is deemed a consent to collateral damage, even death by error.

Utah government and business has always been a bottom feeder system that preys on and victimize citizens until death do consumer and business depart. But not even death in Utah stops the bottom feeders (government), your kin are fleeced out of everything the dead leave behind.

Interesting post, I like what you have to say. It's important to hunt around for the right product (especially when it comes to your health), but when the one you get does not live up to your standards it can be frustrating. Sometimes I need a place to get my anger out and tell other people about my issues; to vent. Then I found a site that not only lets me vent, but allows other people to see it and come up with funny paybacks. The responses are so funny! Check it out here.