Death by expense
Jim Sells, Emporia
Originally published 02:37 p.m., February 18, 2008
Updated 02:37 p.m., February 18, 2008
Death by expense. Not RADON!
Congrats to Dr. Barnett for his good intentions regarding laws to stop radon deaths in Kansas.
For what it’s worth though, I have some questions for Dr. Barnett: What is the percentage of radon deaths when comparing it to deaths caused by hospitals and physicians’ malpractice for giving the wrong medicine or prescription? When considering all deaths caused by the mistake of wrong medicine, it appears radon is a small percentage. Would laws to deter administration of wrong medicine be more life-saving? Would you as a practicing physician be more likely to know how to get the correct laws written to stop malpractice?
How many billions of dollars are spent advertising medicine on prime time or the 6 o’clock news? Should patients be suggesting their own medication as advertised on TV? Or should it be the other way around? What percent of the total cost of medication goes for advertising? Would the cost of medication be much less without advertising? Would laws against advertising help reduce the costs of medicine to the consumer?
Please get serious about stopping all advertising cost involved in medicine. And help stop death caused by malpractice with new felony laws against it. These two problems seem to overshadow by far any radon problem regarding both money and death. And they both seem to be a major area for medical expenses. With the upside-down medical expense and insurance premiums skyrocketing they far exceed any worry about radon. With all due respect, it seems the Doctor has priorities detracting from the real problem of medical expenses and death.
hjcary (anonymous) says...
Very well put. My grandma died from some very poor orders given at Newmans during her care. As a nurse I could plainly see the poor chioces that were made but after her death no apologies that is for sure, that would be admitting that something was done wrong. I wish I had been there to say "hey don't you think this should be done differently".
February 18, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
My daughter received HORRIBLE care at Newmans. It took one day at CHILDRENS MERCY what Newmans couldnt do in three days and had to be transferred. Lambert and his side kick Taylor are a disgrace to the health care system in Emporia.
I think Barnett needs to put his efforts in this area and not radon.
February 18, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sexingthecherry (anonymous) says...
Despite the way it looks in movies and TV, medicine isn't always an objective science. Two different doctors might prescribe two different meds for the same patient and the same set of symptoms. There is a reason why doctors are paid so much--what they do is not easy and it requires highly specialized skill sets. Radon, on the other hand, is a more objective, easily-to-legislate issue. It's a politically safe move.
February 19, 2008 at 7:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )