Dr. H in the Media Guest: Dr. Kevin Haselhorst Host: Bob Roth Segment Overview: Dr. Haselhorst discusses his new booklet, Is Palliative Care Right for YOU? Palliative means "cloak" or "protect" a person; this is applicable when a person has not had his/her healthcare situation managed, they end up in the emergency room at some point, and how … [Read more...] about Health Futures – Taking Stock in You w/ Dr. Kevin Haselhorst, Scott Fischer, Sami-Jo & Sheldon Roth
A New Directive for National Healthcare Decisions Day
Other than taxes, the only other certainty in life is death. People don’t like to pay taxes or think about dying. But on April 16th, National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) reminds people to complete their advance directives. Like a passport, an advance directive permits an individual to proceed from one world to another with an easy … [Read more...] about A New Directive for National Healthcare Decisions Day
When the Choice to Die is Not an Option
At 69, Bob appeared to be a broken man. He left the hospital the day before and returned to the emergency department (ED) because he wasn’t “acting right.” Bob became upset when a second injection to his abdomen burned and family members were angry that the discharge instructions did not explain this. After four years of receiving treatment for … [Read more...] about When the Choice to Die is Not an Option
Advance Directive Decision-Tree for Caregivers
On April 16, National Healthcare Decisions Day prompts those aged 18+ to complete their advance directives. This challenging assignment often gets postpones because most of us aren’t planning to end life anytime soon. Yet, life-threatening situations occur when we least expect it and emergency physicians are charged to save lives at all costs. Is … [Read more...] about Advance Directive Decision-Tree for Caregivers
Don’t Let Doctors Treat Terminally-ill Patients
Anna knew she needed to stop drinking or suffer the consequences of liver failure. At 53, Anna came to the emergency department having a decreased level of consciousness, low blood pressure and bleeding from her nose and mouth. Her abdomen was the size of a basketball due to ascites – fluid in the abdominal cavity. Anna’s family members were not … [Read more...] about Don’t Let Doctors Treat Terminally-ill Patients
Should Doctors Be Required to Inform Patients of Their Palliative Care Rights?
I overheard a colleague admit an 84-year-old woman to the hospital from the emergency department for a sizable mass in her uterus – no doubt, cancerous. I pictured a frail woman who’d been suffering for a while and was afraid to tell anyone about it, fearing the worst. Like most, she preferred to ignore it rather than have others tell her what to … [Read more...] about Should Doctors Be Required to Inform Patients of Their Palliative Care Rights?
Who Makes YOUR Medical Decisions? You Do! How to Stay in Control with Palliative Care
Dr. H in the Media Guest: Dr. Kevin Haselhorst Presenter: Patrick Timpone Segment Overview: Most emergency patients rely on physicians to tell them what to do. But if a patient says the following four words, the patient stays in charge: "I receive palliative care." This compels physicians to listen to the patient first and order tests … [Read more...] about Who Makes YOUR Medical Decisions? You Do! How to Stay in Control with Palliative Care
Palliative Care: How patients can “live a little” with chronic illness
“Driving Miss Norma” became a Facebook sensation two years ago after she was diagnosed with uterine cancer and told her doctor, “I’m hitting the road.” Accompanied by her son, daughter-in-law and their dog, Ringo, Norma took off across the U.S. and posted stunning photos of herself enjoying life to the fullest. She’s become the poster child for how … [Read more...] about Palliative Care: How patients can “live a little” with chronic illness