Denial Is Powerful.

Weeks ago I posted about the scary conditions in China with the COVID virus. I got accused of fear-mongering when I mentioned it could happen in the United States. I had someone curse at my post. I had another person laugh at it. I guess everyone is going to have their own opinion.
People will be contrary. On the other hand, others simply do not want to acknowledge the facts. Denial is powerful. Denial can help some people continue to function when the reality is too painful to accept.

In the media, we are being told facts over fear. Obviously many people are fearful about the virus. We have seen people buying excessive amounts of groceries. We have been told that you may need to quarantine for 14 days. In many people’s thoughts, they equate a 14-day quarantine with weeks of supplies and food. I ask you, have you ever seen that occur nationwide before?

With all the headlines that have transpired since the last time I posted, my head is spinning. I admit I got overwhelmed. I try to anticipate what the best course of action is to protect my loved ones and myself. I have wondered about what to do about work. I have debated if I should even risk going to work as health care providers are at a greater risk. For some employees, they were not given an option. Some businesses already closed down. Apple employees will not have to work and the company has enough money to pay all its employees during the two weeks shut down. They are doing this in all countries including China which had its stores closed earlier and have since reopened. I think Apple sees the Chinese people changing their routines and using protective measures which have reduced the spread of the virus. In the United States, we are just now confirming cases and are starting to see the first confirmed deaths from COVID 19. I pray that the shut down of schools, businesses, and social distancing makes a dramatic impact decreasing the number of people who become infected and thus prevent deaths. At the minimum, the logic behind #flattening the curve makes sense. We do not want our hospitals overwhelmed with patients. Be wise and follow the national recommendations to limit our exposure. While it is a great sacrifice for us a nation, the consequences of not following the recommended guidelines are horrific.

Our generation has not seen anything like this before. At first, we were told that this virus primarily is more lethal on our elders and among those with pre-existing conditions. Scientists are trying to understand how some places have a higher death rate than other places. However, France is seeing more than 50% of those who are in the ICU’s for COVID 19 are under the age of 60. Yesterday, I heard that there is a 45-year-old in New Orleans in the ICU and two emergency room doctors are now patients in critical condition.

Again, the purpose of these posts is to not cause fear or panic. The purpose of these posts is to promote your health. Prevention is the best medicine, especially NOW. If you are in denial, recognize it. Better to be as safe than sorry.

Updated 3/25/2020 at 12:30 pm  EST

 

Are you ready for your next professional medical visit?

How to Protect Yourself Against Medical Errors with MyMedicInfo.

Automobile accidents occur in staggering numbers in the United States, to the tune of over 10 million per year! (according to US Census data from 2009) How many deaths do you think result from those accidents annually? Personally, I found it fascinating to note that there were only 26 deaths attributed to motor vehicles in 1899. With an explosion in population, an Industrial Revolution afoot, and the mass production of the modern automobile, that number had increased to 12,155 fatalities in a year by 1920. It is no great wonder that it continued rising, having nearly doubled to 23,165 by 1944. Car accident deaths peaked in 1973 with 54,589 Americans dying in motor vehicle altercations. Since then, the number has been in decline, reaching as low as 32,367 deaths in the year 2011. The most recent statistics for 2016 can be read here.  Odds of death in the United States can viewed here.

Besides a sense of historical context for auto accidents, these numbers tell us a couple of things. Thankfully, deaths from car accidents have been steadily decreasing, likely due to developments in car safety technology and advancements in medicine to treat accident victims. However, this also leads us to surmise that more people are surviving auto accidents, requiring emergency treatment. For many with a history of health problems, a trip to the Emergency Room may be every bit as deadly as the accident that sent them there in the first place!

To Err is Human; To Prepare, Divine.

Authorities suggest that deaths in hospitals resulting from medical errors may exceed fatalities from auto accidents each year. The exact numbers are hard to pin down, but according to a 2004 Health Grades estimation, medical error deaths could total as many as 195,000 per year. While this is still a very small percentage of the total number of people admitted to hospitals each year, it is still cause for great concern, especially for those who already have recurring health problems. One particular example of medical error is administering treatment medications to patients en route to the hospital. Intravenous infusions of certain medications during an ambulance ride can save a patient’s life. However, certain pre-existing medical conditions make treatment with these common lifesaving drugs, not only dangerous, but even deadly. For example, patients on blood thinners, heart medications, diabetic drugs, and/or allergy meds will be treated differently if the details of their medical history are known by paramedics. This is why having the medical app  can be a lifesaver in the event of an accident or health crisis.

Why MyMedicInfo?

In an emergency, such as a car accident, you may not be able to speak for yourself. In fact, even if you could, statistics say that less than 50% of patients can even list their current medications and dosages. Now, imagine the scenario where you are severely injured in an automobile accident and cannot inform the emergency responders about specific medications, allergies, and known health conditions. In such a situation, symptoms may be misdiagnosed, which makes effective treatment impossible. Studies suggest that half of all medical errors may result from mistakes made during the hospital admission or discharge process. Moreover, first responders are trained to look for medical bracelets when initiating treatment. The simple preemptive measure of wearing a medical ID device helps keep minor injuries from turning fatal, reduces hospital error, and may improve your chances of a healthy recovery.

What is a Medical App?

Modern medicine is becoming necessarily more bound to technology. The use of modern technology in treating patients helps to reduce error and provide better treatment. One of the most prominent examples of this can be seen in the push to develop EHR software or electronic health records. Traditional health records are subject to damage, loss, theft, and even human error. We are moving toward a new paradigm where medical records can be kept “in the cloud” and accessed by doctors anywhere in the world. As we wait for modern medicine and technology to further intertwine, we can prepare by improving communications with medical professionals.  To work with technological developments in the medical industry, you can shift the paradigm from the traditional engraved medical alert ID to something even better. That something is MyMedicInfo, a Medical app that stores all of your medical information in one place.

MyMedicInfo Can Save Your Life

MyMedicInfo is a medical app that you access on your hand held device. MyMedicInfo can communicate your current medications, past medical history, allergies, and even store phone numbers of who you want notified in case of an emergency. The sheer shock of an accident or injury can be enough to prevent you from effectively communicating your unique medical needs to first responders. MyMedicInfo can save your life or the life of someone that you love by making sure that your unique medical needs are communicated to those administering treatment.

Updated on 01/29/2024

How to Protect Yourself Against Medical Errors with My Medic Info App

doctor

 

How to Protect Yourself Against Medical Errors with MyMedicInfo.

Automobile accidents occur in staggering numbers in the United States, to the tune of over 10 million per year! (according to US Census data from 2009) How many deaths do you think result from those accidents annually? Personally, I found it fascinating to note that there were only 26 deaths attributed to motor vehicles in 1899. With an explosion in population, an Industrial Revolution afoot, and the mass production of the modern automobile, that number had increased to 12,155 fatalities in a year by 1920. It is no great wonder that it continued rising, having nearly doubled to 23,165 by 1944. Car accident deaths peaked in 1973 with 54,589 Americans dying in motor vehicle altercations. Since then, the number has been in decline, reaching as low as 32,367 deaths in the year 2011. The most recent statistics for 2017 can be read here.  Odds of death in the United States can be viewed here.

Besides a sense of historical context for auto accidents, these numbers tell us a couple of things. Thankfully, deaths from car accidents have been steadily decreasing, likely due to developments in car safety technology and advancements in medicine to treat accident victims. However, this also leads us to surmise that more people are surviving auto accidents, requiring emergency treatment. For many with a history of health problems, a trip to the Emergency Room may be every bit as deadly as the accident that sent them there in the first place!

To Err is Human; To Prepare, Divine.

Authorities suggest that deaths in hospitals resulting from medical errors may exceed fatalities from auto accidents each year. The exact numbers are hard to pin down, but according to a 2004 Health Grades estimation, medical error deaths could total as many as 195,000 per year. While this is still a very small percentage of the total number of people admitted to hospitals each year, it is still causing great concern, especially for those who already have recurring health problems. One particular example of medical error is administering treatment medications to patients en route to the hospital. Intravenous infusions of certain medications during an ambulance ride can save a patient’s life. However, certain pre-existing medical conditions make treatment with these common lifesaving drugs, not only dangerous but even deadly. For example, patients on blood thinners, heart medications, diabetic drugs, and/or allergy meds will be treated differently if the details of their medical history are known by paramedics. This is why having the medical app can be a lifesaver in the event of an accident or health crisis.

Why MyMedicInfo?

In an emergency, such as a car accident, you may not be able to speak for yourself. In fact, even if you could, statistics say that less than 50% of patients can even list their current medications and dosages. Now, imagine the scenario where you are severely injured in an automobile accident and cannot inform the emergency personell about specific medications, allergies, and known health conditions. In such a situation, symptoms may be misdiagnosed, which makes effective treatment impossible. Studies suggest that half of all medical errors may result from mistakes made during the hospital admission or discharge process. Moreover, emergency responders are trained to look for medical bracelets when initiating treatment. The simple preemptive measure of wearing a medical ID device helps keep minor injuries from turning fatal, reduces hospital error, and may improve your chances of a healthy recovery.

What is a Medical App?

Modern medicine is becoming necessarily more bound to technology. The use of modern technology in treating patients helps to reduce error and provide better treatment. One of the most prominent examples of this can be seen in the push to develop EHR software or electronic health records. Traditional health records are subject to damage, loss, theft, and even human error. We are moving toward a new paradigm where medical records can be kept “in the cloud” and accessed by doctors anywhere in the world. As we wait for modern medicine and technology to further intertwine, we can prepare by improving communications with medical professionals.  To work with technological developments in the medical industry, you can shift the paradigm from the traditional engraved medical alert ID to something even better. That something is MyMedicInfo, a Medical app that stores all of your medical information in one place.

MyMedicInfo Can Save Your Life

MyMedicInfo is a medical app that you access on your hand held device. MyMedicInfo can communicate your current medications, past medical history, allergies, and even contact info, such as next of kin. The sheer shock of an accident or injury can be enough to prevent you from effectively communicating your unique medical needs to first responders. MyMedicInfo can save your life or the life of someone that you love by making sure that your unique medical needs are communicated to those administering treatment.