| Acknowledgments |
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xvii | |
| Introduction |
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xix | |
| The Problem: Too Many Deaths |
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xix | |
| What Patients Can Do--Act! |
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xxii | |
| Preamble to the Rules |
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xxvii | |
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1 General Rules: Rules 1-32 |
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1 | (40) |
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Rule 1 Select (or Change to) a Competent Doctor |
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1 | (4) |
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Rule 2 Use State Medical Board Websites to Verify the Credentials of Your Doctor |
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5 | (1) |
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Rule 3 Don't Hesitate to Ask Questions That Can Help Your Doctor Evaluate Your Medical Care and Protect Your Health |
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5 | (1) |
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Rule 4 Be Courteous and Considerate to Your Doctor and All Other Medical Office Personnel |
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6 | (1) |
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Rule 5 If You Have Doubts about Your Doctor's Advice concerning Diagnosis or Treatment, Don't Hesitate to Speak Up and Ask Questions |
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7 | (1) |
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Rule 6 Insist That Your Doctor Tell You the Diagnosis Before You Accept Treatment |
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8 | (1) |
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Rule 7 Be Persistent, Particularly If You've Been Told There Is Nothing Wrong, but You Know Something Is Wrong |
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9 | (1) |
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Rule 8 Obtain an Independent Second Opinion |
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10 | (2) |
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Rule 9 Be Careful Before You Accept Experimental or Unproven Medication or Treatment |
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12 | (1) |
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Rule 10 Consider Stopping Treatment If There Is No Improvement over Time or If Your Condition Worsens |
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13 | (1) |
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Rule 11 Do Not Go Home If You Do Not Feel OK |
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14 | (2) |
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Rule 12 Take Action--Firmly and Courteously--If You Are Habitually Kept Waiting for Long Periods of Time Before You See Your Doctor |
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16 | (1) |
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Rule 13 To Save Time (and Aggravation), Follow the "Call First" and "Schedule First" Tips |
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16 | (1) |
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Rule 14 Before Seeing Your Doctor, Prepare a Short List of Questions |
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17 | (1) |
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Rule 15 Resist the Urge to Talk during a Procedure or Examination |
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18 | (1) |
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Rule 16 If You Become Involved in Legal Disputes, Remind Your Doctor's Office to Protect Your Records |
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18 | (2) |
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Rule 17 Educate Yourself on Doctors and Hospitals |
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20 | (1) |
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Rule 18 In an Emergency That Requires Hospitalization, by Private Car or "911" Vehicle, Ask to Be Taken to a Full-Service Hospital |
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20 | (2) |
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Rule 19 Consider Simple Research about Your Medical Problem or Medication |
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22 | (2) |
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Rule 20 Evaluate Unsubstantiated Health and Medical Advice |
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24 | (1) |
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Rule 21 In Your Home, Post Information about Doctors, Hospitals, and Medication |
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25 | (2) |
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Rule 22 Keep Medical and Personal Information in Your Wallet |
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27 | (1) |
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Rule 23 If Your HCP or Hospital Requires You to Sign an Arbitration Agreement, Sign It--and Don't Worry! |
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27 | (1) |
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Rule 24 Consider Joining a Medical Support Group |
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28 | (1) |
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Rule 25 Create and Maintain Your Own Medical File |
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29 | (3) |
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Rule 26 If You Discover an Error in Any Record, Ask for a Corrective Note |
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32 | (1) |
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Rule 27 Obtain Your Original Records before Their "Destruct Date" |
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33 | (2) |
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Rule 28 Ask for Written Instructions for Any Medication, Diet Change, or Exercise |
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35 | (1) |
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Rule 29 Keep Each of Your Doctors Informed of Your Medications and Supplements |
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35 | (1) |
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Rule 30 Be as Accurate as Possible When Providing the Doctor or Hospital with Essential Information |
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36 | (1) |
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Rule 31 If There Is a Language Barrier, Bring Your Own Translator or Interpreter |
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37 | (1) |
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Rule 32 Communicate Your Concerns to All Your Healthcare Providers; Do Not Assume They Will Communicate with One Another |
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37 | (4) |
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2 Rules When Elective or Non-Emergency Surgery and Hospitalization Are First Considered: Rules 33-50 |
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41 | (30) |
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Rule 33 Ask Questions and Think Carefully Before You Agree to Have Surgery |
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42 | (3) |
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Rule 34 If You Decide to Have Surgery, Take Steps to Assure the Best Possible Result |
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45 | (1) |
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Rule 35 Avoid Traveling Far Away for a Surgery from the "Best" Expert |
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46 | (3) |
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Rule 36 Verify with Your Surgeon That He or She Will Personally Perform the Surgery |
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49 | (2) |
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Rule 37 Schedule Your Surgery at a Time When the Surgeon Will Be Available Seven Days Postoperatively |
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51 | (1) |
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Rule 38 Schedule Your Elective Surgery for a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday Morning (If You Have a Choice) |
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52 | (1) |
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Rule 39 Avoid Elective Surgery When Residents and Interns Change (June or July at Most Hospitals) |
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53 | (1) |
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Rule 40 Ask Your Surgeon to Verify That Your Anesthesiologist Is a Board-Certified MD |
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54 | (1) |
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Rule 41 Attempt to Have Your Surgery in a Full-Service Hospital |
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54 | (1) |
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Rule 42 Arrange to Have an Advocate/Friend Remain in Your Hospital Room When Needed |
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55 | (3) |
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Rule 43 Consider a Surgeon Who Is Skilled in a Particular Surgery, Even Though He or She Has a Reputation for Poor Aftercare |
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58 | (1) |
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Rule 44 Select Your Surgeon Carefully: Investigate, Interview, and Decide |
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59 | (4) |
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Rule 45 Don't Panic If You Must Violate Some of Rules 36-43 |
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63 | (2) |
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Rule 46 Let Your Surgeon Select His or Her Own Method and Instruments of Surgery |
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65 | (1) |
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Rule 47 Ask Your Surgeon If He or She Will Use a General or a Local Anesthetic and Whether You Have a Choice |
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66 | (1) |
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Rule 48 Do Not Have Surgery on a Holiday or Weekend |
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67 | (1) |
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Rule 49 Be Careful about Scheduling Surgery Only "to Avoid Losing Time from Work" If Such Scheduling Violates Other Rules |
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68 | (1) |
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Rule 50 Let Your Surgeon Decide on the Number of Surgeries That Will Be Performed |
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69 | (2) |
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3 Rules Covering the Last Few Weeks before Planned Surgery: Rules 51-61 |
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71 | (16) |
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Rule 51 During the Weeks before Hospital Entry, Prepare, Assemble, and Learn How to Use Your "Hospital Kit" |
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71 | (6) |
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Rule 52 A Day or Two before Hospital Entry, Use a Permanent Black Felt-Tip Marker to Print Warnings about Allergies and Body Surgery |
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77 | (2) |
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Rule 53 Except for Your Hospital Kit, Leave Your Valuables at Home to Prevent Loss or Theft |
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79 | (1) |
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Rule 54 If You Will Have a Private-Duty Nurse, Make Arrangements at Least a Week before Hospital Entry |
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79 | (1) |
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Rule 55 Review Hospital Paperwork Seven to Ten Days before Entry |
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80 | (3) |
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Rule 56 In the Weeks before Entry, Determine If a Hospitalist Will Be Available to See Patients |
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83 | (1) |
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Rule 57 If You Are Ill before Your Elective or Non-Emergency Surgery, Ask Your Doctor about Possible Cancellation |
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83 | (1) |
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Rule 58 Ask Your Doctor Which Medications You Should Be Taking or Discontinuing Before You Enter the Hospital |
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83 | (1) |
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Rule 59 Ask Your Doctor's Permission to Bring Your Own Medication to the Hospital Instead of Taking Those Supplied by the Hospital |
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84 | (1) |
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Rule 60 Well before Surgery, Arrange for Postoperative Care |
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85 | (1) |
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Rule 61 Verify That You Have Had a Preoperative Physical Examination |
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85 | (2) |
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4 Rules during Hospitalization: Rules 62-82 |
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87 | (20) |
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Rule 62 Have Your Friend/Advocate Help with the Check-in Procedure |
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88 | (1) |
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Rule 63 Both You and Your Advocate Should Always Be Diplomatic, Friendly, and Cooperative with Everyone at the Hospital |
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88 | (2) |
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Rule 64 Confirm That Your Hospital Wristband Has Your Correct Information |
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90 | (1) |
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Rule 65 Right Away, Learn How to Work the Call Device and Other Equipment in Your Hospital Room |
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90 | (1) |
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Rule 66 Promptly after Admission, Verify That Your Body Warning Signs and Other Printed Signs Are Placed and Visible |
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91 | (1) |
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Rule 67 Before Surgery, Reconfirm Your Surgeon Will Be the One Performing the Surgery |
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91 | (1) |
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Rule 68 Before Entering the Operating Room, Confirm Which Anesthetic Will Be Administered (Local or General) |
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92 | (1) |
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Rule 69 Prior to Surgery, Tell Your Surgeon If You Have Removable Dentures, Implants, Stents, or Similar Items |
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93 | (1) |
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Rule 70 Ask Your Doctor: "What Other Doctor Will Be Seeing Me during My Hospitalization?" |
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93 | (1) |
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Rule 71 In the Hospital, Make Notes of Important Events to Include in Your Medical File |
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94 | (1) |
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Rule 72 Before Taking Any Medication, Verify It Was Prescribed for You and Not Some Other Patient |
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95 | (1) |
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Rule 73 If Your Room Has a Bedside Scanning Device to Check Medication, Make Sure It Is Used |
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96 | (1) |
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Rule 74 If You Have a Serious Medical Problem, Insist on Being Seen by an Experienced MD; Do Not Allow a Delay Until Your Treating Doctor or Surgeon Returns |
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97 | (1) |
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Rule 75 If You Discover That Doctors or Other Hospital Personnel Disagree with the Treatment You Are Receiving, Investigate and Consider a Second Opinion |
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98 | (1) |
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Rule 76 When Tests Are Conducted, Always Ask Your Doctor, "What Did the Test Show?" |
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99 | (1) |
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Rule 77 If Your Private-Duty Nurse Is Hostile, Incompetent, or Otherwise Unsatisfactory, Discharge Him or Her Promptly |
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100 | (1) |
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Rule 78 Avoid Loss or Theft of Your Cell Phone or Smartphone |
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101 | (1) |
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Rule 79 Ask Questions If You Discover Surgical or Other Treatment Complications |
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101 | (1) |
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Rule 80 If You Are Cleared for Discharge but Feel Too Sick to Leave, Take Steps to Appeal So You Can Stay in the Hospital |
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102 | (1) |
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Rule 81 Upon Discharge, Ask for Written Instructions about Medications or Other Required Action |
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103 | (1) |
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Rule 82 Do Not Sign Any Documents When You Leave the Hospital |
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104 | (3) |
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5 Rules Covering Tests and Medical Devices: X-Rays, CT Scans, MRIs, Blood, Urine, and Other Tests: Rules 83-88 |
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107 | (8) |
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Rule 83 Ask Questions Before You Agree to Tests or Devices (See Exceptions) |
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107 | (2) |
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Rule 84 Ask That All Tests Ordered by Your Doctor Be Conducted and Interpreted in the US (See Exceptions) |
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109 | (2) |
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Rule 85 When Your Blood Is Taken for Testing, Check That Your Name Is on the Body of the Container |
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111 | (1) |
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Rule 86 Whenever a Needle Is Used, Verify That It Is Taken from an Unopened and Sterile Package |
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112 | (1) |
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Rule 87 Always Request Lead Shielding for Tests Involving Radiation (All X-rays and Scans) |
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113 | (1) |
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Rule 88 If You Are Told to Use a Device, Have It Explained to You While You Are Still at the Office |
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114 | (1) |
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6 Rules concerning Medications and Prescriptions: Rules 89-96 |
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115 | (10) |
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Rule 89 Be Careful Buying Prescriptions by Mail or Online Pharmacies; Some Are Good, Some Are Bad, Some Are Fraudulent |
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116 | (1) |
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Rule 90 Select Your Local Pharmacies Carefully; It Will Save Time and Money and Will Protect Your Health |
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117 | (1) |
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Rule 91 If You Feel Sick or Have Another Problem When Starting New Medication, Stop Immediately and Contact Your Doctor |
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118 | (1) |
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Rule 92 Check with Your Doctor about Taking, Continuing, or Stopping Medications |
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118 | (2) |
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Rule 93 Verify That the Medication You Are Taking Was Prescribed by Your Doctor |
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120 | (3) |
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Rule 94 Ask Your Doctor to Prescribe the Generic Unless There Are Good Reasons to Do Otherwise |
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123 | (1) |
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Rule 95 Discard and Replace Outdated Medications |
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123 | (1) |
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Rule 96 Do Not Give Children Adult Medication (See Exceptions) |
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124 | (1) |
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7 Financial and Insurance Issues: Rules 97-101 |
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125 | (16) |
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Rule 97 Maintain Medical, Hospital, and Drug Insurance |
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126 | (5) |
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Rule 98 Verify in Advance That Your Bills Will Be Paid by Your Medical Plan |
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131 | (2) |
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Rule 99 Reduce Out-of-Pocket Expenses by Bargaining, Coordinating, and Shopping |
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133 | (3) |
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Rule 100 Whether You Have Insurance or Not, Learn to Financially Navigate Out-of-Pocket, Out-of-Network, and Concierge Medical Plans |
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136 | (3) |
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Rule 101 Be Cautious Before Putting Other Medical or Laboratory Bills on Your Credit Card |
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139 | (2) |
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8 Medicolegal Issues: Rules 102-104 |
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141 | (18) |
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Rule 102 If Injury or Illness May Have Been Caused by Medical or Hospital Errors, or Other Causes, Take Steps to Protect Your Legal Rights |
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142 | (2) |
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Rule 103 If Illness or Injury Occurs, as Discussed in Rule 102, Decline Requests for "Interviews" or "Statements," and Avoid Other Communications That May Compromise Your Legal Rights |
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144 | (2) |
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Rule 104 Employ an Attorney ASAP If You Believe You Are a Victim of Medical or Hospital Error or Other Causes Discussed in Rule 102 |
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146 | (3) |
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Appendix A Healthcare Providers (HCPs) |
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149 | (4) |
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Appendix B Hospitals and Other Facilities That Provide Similar Services: Emergency Rooms (ERs), Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Urgent Care, and Walk-in Clinics |
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153 | (1) |
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1 Full-Service Hospitals (First-Tier, Tertiary, or Quaternary-Care Hospitals) |
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154 | (1) |
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2 Second-Tier (Regional) Hospitals |
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154 | (1) |
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3 Third-Tier (Local Neighborhood) Hospitals |
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155 | (1) |
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4 Ambulatory Surgical Centers |
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155 | (1) |
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5 Stand-Alone Emergency Rooms |
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156 | (1) |
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6 Urgent Care and Walk-in Clinics |
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156 | (1) |
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7 Healthcare Provider Services Provided by Pharmacies and Other Retail Establishments |
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157 | (2) |
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Appendix C Corrected Surgical Consent Form |
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159 | (2) |
| Bibliography and Suggested Reading |
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161 | (2) |
| Index |
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163 | (12) |
| About the Authors |
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175 | |
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