Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Medical Error is everywhere!

MEDICAL ERRORS

Statistics show that death from medical errors are higher than death caused by traffic accidents, breast cancer or AIDS. 

The actual number of deaths from medical errors could actually be higher than the figure quoted in the IOM (Institute of Medicine) report, say US health experts. 

This is because the report failed to mention errors in other healthcare setting such as clinics, doctors's offices, nursing homes and outpatient surgical centers. 


  • For example, the US General Accounting Office found that at 1700 kidney dialysis facilities, 20% or more patients did not get adequate treatment for anemia, a red blood cell deficiency that is common in kidney patients. Some centres used contaminated water for dialysis or prescribed the wrong medicines for follow up care. 


  • In the People's Republic of China, about 80000 people die annually because of antibiotics misuse by doctors or via self-medication. 


What is a medical error?

  • The US FDA explains that a medical error occurs when a healthcare-provider chooses an inappropriate method of care for a patient, such as giving the patient a drug without knowing if he or she is allergic to it. 


  • In other cases, the healthcare-provider gives the patient the correct care but does it wrongly, such as giving a concentrated dose of a drug instead of a diluted one. 


The following are among the most widely reported errors, according to the FDA and American Hospital Association: 

  • Wrong diagnosis
  • Wrong medication 
  • Missing or incomplete patient information 
  • Wrong blood group transfusions
  • Infections due to poor hygiene 
  • Wrong organ surgery or removal 


Medical Error Cases happened in Singapore

Example 1:


UBLISHED: 9:29 PM, JUNE 9, 2015
SINGAPORE — A young doctor who administered a chemotherapy drug the wrong way, putting the patient at risk of “severe neurological damage”, has been fined S$2,000 by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC).
Source: http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/doctor-fined-s2000-administering-chemo-drug-wrongly
Example 2:
Woman’s eyelids stuck together after pharmacy mistake
dental-paste
A HOUSEWIFE was prescribed a gel to soothe an eye irritation – but ended up being given dental adhesive paste instead. The mix-up by the pharmacy at National University Hospital (NUH) caused Madam Pang Har Tin’s eyelids to stick together. The 63-year-old was rushed to the accident and emergency department to have her right eye flushed out. She has since made a full recovery.
Source: https://www.healthxchange.com.sg/News/Pages/Eye-medicine-turns-out-to-be-dental-paste.aspx
It's pointless to point fingers at doctors and nurses for medical errors. Fatigue from long working hours and staff shortage emphasises the fact that it is human to make mistakes. 
In addition, with over 10,000 drugs on the market, some of which sound alike, it is no wonder that drug errors are shockingly common. 

We tend to think that government agencies like the FDA can regulate medical malpractices for us, there is only so much these agencies can do. 

While the FDA can help to control similar-sounding drug names, for example it cannot force your doctor to wash his hands before treating your wounds. 

PREVENTION IS THEREFORE THE BEST ANSWER!

The onus to prevent these errors is on us. 

When we buy a car, we research all we can about the model before signing on the dotted line. When we choose a vacation or travel package, we ask every related question before buying our tickets. 

So Why don't we do the same for our healthcare??

We have a mission here!! 



The science of Nutritional Immunology teaches us to eat to prevent as WE ARE WHAT WE EAT!

With a nutritious diet, we can put up the first barricade against medical errors by stopping ourselves from falling ill in the first place!! 

We also believe that KNOWLEDGE is POWER. 


  • By knowing the DANGERS of drugs and sharing what we know with loved ones, we can make better health decisions and build the confidence to ask questions. Our questions, in turn, can help doctors to prevent themselves from making mistakes. 



  • Using our voice not only prevents errors, but also save lives, say experts. 


If you child's flu medicine looks different from her previous ones, tell your doctor even if you are embarrassed to do so. It may be the right medication or it may not. 

One Wrong Tablet could kill or harm your child for life. Likewise, ask your nurse or doctor to wash his or her hands before examining you or your infant. 


  • If you cannot summon the courage, remember that in the year 2000, about 2610 infants died from preventable hospital infections in the US. The toll in less-developed countries could be higher. 


We must realise that no one knows our health better than we do. A healthcare professional can only give us advice or information about our health. 

The final decision is ours. We should be more vigilant, knowledgeable, and personally responsible for our healthcare. 

Only then can we ensure that medical errors do not prematurely rob us or our loved ones of life. 


Regards, 
Joselyne 
90909942 


Sunday, August 9, 2015

Young People Caught in a shock when diagnosed with Bowel Cancer

PREVENTION is ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE

After reading the above article, i decided to share it out as i realised that 
due to today's fast paced society, many people may have put their health on least priority 
as not having enough time to take care of their health. 

From a small health problem such as constipation, 
this could lead to bigger bowel problem if it's not seriously looked into. 

Young people dismissing bowel cancer symptoms

  • 2 MONTHS AGO MAY 27, 2015 10:00PMSeek help ... Don’t dismiss bowl cancer symptoms and wait until it’s too late. Picture: S
Seek help ... Don’t dismiss bowel cancer symptoms and wait until it’s too late. Picture: Supplied. Source: Supplied
MORE than 1000 young people a year are diagnosed with bowel cancer and many too late because their symptoms are dismissed as constipation or haemorrhoids.
Bowel cancer is seen as an old person’s disease and testing doesn’t start until a person is aged over 50 but 1,100 young Australians are diagnosed each year and 200 will die.
In 2011, 9 people were diagnosed with the cancer under the age of 19.
“What we’ve found is young people are waiting three months after they experience symptoms before seeking medical advice,” Bowel Cancer Australia chief Julien Wiggins.
Waiting to long for treatment ... Julien Wiggins, chief executive, Bowel Cancer Australia
Waiting to long for treatment ... Julien Wiggins, chief executive, Bowel Cancer Australia. Picture: Supplied. Source:Supplied
Bowel Cancer Australia is warning the widespread view that bowel cancer only affects the old means when a young person is diagnosed their cancer has usually spread.
The majority of Australians aged under 50 had stage three or four bowel cancer at diagnosis, meaning the cancer had spread.
The organisation is urging young Australians if they have blood in a bowel movement or feel something is not right to go to their GP and get it checked out.
If they wait three months to act the cancer will grow because many early onset cancers are aggressive, he says.
Melbourne mum of two, 39 year old primary school teacher Sarah Lochlan was diagnosed with bowel cancer when her youngest child was aged just eight months.
Sarah had experienced some constipation and abdominal bloating and discomfort but both she and maternal health nurses put the problems down to pregnancy and breast feeding.
Young people affected ... It’s not just the old that get bowl cancer. Picture: Supplied.
Young people affected ... It’s not just the old that get bowel cancer. Picture: Supplied. Source: Supplied
She was advised to drink more water.
It was only when her bowel became blocked she visited a doctor about the problem.
She says she had never considered the possibility she could have bowel cancer.
”There is a perception it’s an old man’s disease,” she told News Corp.
“It was a huge shock, I never expected someone of my age and gender would get it, it wasn’t on my radar.”
Initially a GP thought Sarah’s problems were caused by a bowel infection she could have picked up while on holiday in Malaysia.
When she presented at a hospital emergency department a few days later they initially didn’t take her seriously because she was so young.
It was only when they did a scan they found the problem.
Sarah’s cancer was stage four at diagnosis and had spread to her liver.
As a result she had to undergo “gruelling treatment” including several lots of surgery and chemotherapy.
“It’s not an old person’s disease,” said Sarah, who remains on chemotherapy.
“If you have any changes in your bowel habits or pain get them checked by your GP.”


Source:


PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE!!!

Starting from today, Change our dietary habit by taking more fruits and vegetables rich in Fiber! 

With more fiber intake, we can always keep our intestinal tract clean and healthy. 

  • How much fiber intake / day?

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association recommend a daily intake of 25g to 30g of dietary fiber. The average person consumes about 11 grams of dietary fiber daily.

  • Fiber Chart of some foods for your reference:

Food (Quantity) 
  • Carrot (1) 2.3g fiber 
  • Apple (1 fruit with skin) 2.8g fiber
  • Mushrooms (1 cup) 0.8g fiber
  • Orange (1) 2.9g fiber
  • Bean Sprouts (1 cup) 1.6g fiber
  • Rice (1 cup) 1.5g fiber
  • Watermelon (1 cup) 0.6g fiber
  • Apricot (1) 0.8g fiber

Warmest Regards, 
Joselyne
+65-90909942


Saturday, August 1, 2015

Me and My Dishes with VegeColor


Me and my dishes with VegeColor! 





How to make a yummy porridge become healthier with VegeColor?

More dish recipe using VegeColor! 
Yummy yummy!! 






Oat Meal with VegeColor

Started my oat meal intake again recently! 

With added VegeColor, it made the oat meal even healthier with 28 different organic vegetables and fruits! 

Instant oat meal by mixing with hot water, added VegeColor!  




Oat meal cooked with Portobello mushroom, with added VegeColor!