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Improving Patient & Family Health September, 2012 Rs.10
HEALTH REGULATOR AT HOSPITALS SOON If you are being charged more or are getting poor quality service at a hospital — both public and private -- you can soon get your grievance redressed with the government planning to set up a health quality regulator. The regulator, both at the national and state level, is expected to be empowered to audit heath facilities and standards of treatment in hospitals to ensure quality service at reasonable cost. “There is need for much better regulation of both public and private sector hospitals. I am not talking only of big hospitals but also of hospitals with 10-15 beds,” Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said. The proposal, being discussed with health ministry officials and other stakeholders, will be incorporated along with other initiatives in the 12th five-year plan. Ahluwalia also suggested more autonomy for big public sector hospitals, along with strengthening the professional and managerial capability in such hospitals. Denying any move to privatize health services, he said the role of public sector in healthcare would increase in the 12th plan. “Health will be top-most priority of the government in the next five years. The impression that the commission wants to bring down public spending on health is wrong,” he said. “If you see the government spending only on curative health, then it will not be more than 2%,” Ahluwalia said, adding that there were capacity
constraints to absorb the fund. He said providing free medicines, upgrading all district hospitals to medical colleges and expansion of medical education were priority areas for the government during the 12th plan. Around 100 district hospitals across the country could be upgraded to medical colleges in the next five years to meet the acute shortage of trained doctors and medical staff. A provision to provide free generic medicines is also under consideration for the 12th plan period. The medicines would be purchased by a centralized agency and distributed free to patients across the country. (Source: TOI, Aug 11, 2012)
FREEBIES TO DOCTORS
The income-tax department would tax the amount pharmaceutical and allied health sector industries spend on freebies for medical practitioners and their professional associations. Those who accept the freebies will also be taxed. The decision follows amendment to Medical Council of India regulations banning doctors and their associations from accepting freebies that include gifts, money, travel facility and hospitality extended by pharma companies and manufacturers of medical devices and nutraceuticals
CCMB-RESEARCH TO SAVE MILLIONS OF PATIENTS A blood test can detect the exact bacteria or virus that has caused septicemia — the most common life threatening blood infection — in a patient. The new test will take only seven hours instead of four days that the existing test requires. The same test will also be able to tell doctors which antibiotics the organism is resistant to, saving pre-
cious time and increasing the patient’s chances of survival. Scientists from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad have discovered a DNA-based diagnostic tool that can identify all 27 organisms that causes septicemia — an infection that leads to a dangerous build-up of bacteria in bloodstream. Millions of patients can be saved.
WHAT IS COLOSTRUM
Colostrum (also known as beestings or first milk) is a form of milk produced by the mammary glands in late pregnancy and the few days after giving birth. Human and bovine colostrums are thick, sticky and yellowish. In humans, it has high concentrations of nutrients and antibodies, but it is small in quantity. Colostrum is high in carbohydrates, high in protein, high in antibodies, and low in fat (as human newborns may find fat difficult to digest). Newborns have very small digestive systems, and colostrum delivers its nutrients in a very concentrated low-volume form. It has a mild laxative effect, encouraging the passing of the baby’s first stool, which is called meconium. This clears excess bilirubin, a waste product of dead red blood cells which is produced in large quantities at birth due to blood volume reduction, from the
infant’s body and helps prevent jaundice. Colostrum contains large numbers of antibodies called “secretory immunoglobulin” (IgA) that help protect the mucous membranes in the throat, lungs, and intestines of the infant. White blood cells are also present in large numbers; these begin protecting the infant from harmful viruses and bacteria. Ingesting colostrum establishes beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. Premature babies tend to fare better on human colostrums than commercial infant formulas. Human milk contains special components, called growth modulators, that help the premature baby’s digestive system adjust to oral feedings. Research indicates that premature babies fed formula tend to vomit more and continue tube feeding longer than those fed human colostrum and breast milk.
WHAT IS PHOBIA EAR INFECTIONS AND BABIES
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. It is a strong, irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual danger. There are many specific phobias. Acrophobia is a fear of heights. You may be able to ski the world’s tallest mountains but be unable to go above the 5th floor of an office building. Agoraphobia is a fear of public places, and claustrophobia is a fear of closed-in places. If you become anxious and extremely self-conscious in everyday social situations, you could have a social phobia. Other common phobias involve tunnels, highway driving, water, flying, animals and blood. People with phobias try to avoid what they are afraid of. If they cannot, they may experience • Panic and fear • Rapid heartbeat • Shortness of breath • Trembling • A strong desire to get away Treatment helps most people with phobias. Options include medicines, therapy or both. Source NIH
Ear infections are the most common illnesses in babies and young children. Most often, the infection affects the middle ear and is called otitis media. The tubes inside the ears become clogged with fluid and mucus. This can affect hearing, because sound cannot get through all that fluid. If your child does not yet talk, you need to look for signs of an infection: • Tugging at ears • Crying more than usual • Ear drainage • Trouble sleeping • Balance difficulties • Hearing problems Often, ear infections go away on their own, but your Doctor may recommend pain relievers. Severe infections and infections in young babies may require antibiotics. Children who get frequent infections may need surgery to place small tubes inside their ears. The tubes relieve pressure in the ears so that the child can hear again.
20 TIPS TO HELP PREVENT MEDICAL ERRORS
One in seven Medicare patients in hospitalsexperience a medical error. But medical errors canoccur anywhere in the health care system: Inhospitals, clinics, surgery centers, doctors’ offices,nursing homes, pharmacies, and patients’ homes.Errors can involve medicines, surgery, diagnosis,equipment, or lab reports. They can happen duringeven the most routine tasks, such as when a hospitalpatient on a salt-free diet is given a high-salt meal.Most errors result from problems created by today’scomplex health care system. But errors also happenwhen doctors* and patients have problemscommunicating. These tips tell what you can do toget safer care. What You Can Do to Stay SafeThe best way you can help to prevent errors is to bean active member of your health care team. Thatmeans taking part in every decision about yourhealth care. Research shows that patients who aremore involved with their care tend to get betterresults. Medicines 1. Make sure that all of your doctors know aboutevery medicine you are taking. This includesprescription and over-the-counter medicines anddietary supplements, such as vitamins and herbs. 2. Bring all of your medicines and supplements toyour doctor visits. “Brown bagging” yourmedicines can help you and your doctor talkabout them and find out if there are anyproblems. It can also help your doctor keep yourrecords up to date and help you get betterquality care. 3. Make sure your doctor knows about anyallergies and adverse reactions you have had tomedicines. This can help you to avoid getting amedicine that could harm you. 4. When your doctor writes a prescription for you,make sure you can read it. If you cannot readyour doctor’s handwriting, your pharmacistmight not be able to either. 5. Ask for information about your medicines interms you can understand—both when yourmedicines are prescribed and when you getthem: What is the medicine for? How am I supposed to take it and for howlong? What side effects are likely? What do I do ifthey occur? Is this medicine safe to take with othermedicines or dietary supplements I amtaking? What food, drink, or activities should I avoidwhile taking this medicine? 6. When you pick up your medicine from thepharmacy, ask: Is this the medicine that mydoctor prescribed? 7. If you have any questions about the directionson your medicine labels, ask. Medicine labelscan be hard to understand. For example, ask if“four times daily” means taking a dose every 6 hours around the clock or just during regularwaking hours. 8. Ask your pharmacist for the best device tomeasure your liquid medicine. For example,many people use household teaspoons, whichoften do not hold a true teaspoon of liquid. Special devices, like marked syringes, helppeople measure the right dose. 9. Ask for written information about the sideeffects your
medicine could cause. If you knowwhat might happen, you will be better preparedif it does or if something unexpected happens.Hospital Stays10If you are in a hospital, consider asking allhealth care workers who will touch you whetherthey have washed their hands. Handwashing canprevent the spread of infections in hospitals. 11When you are being discharged from thehospital, ask your doctor to explain thetreatment plan you will follow at home. Thisincludes learning about your new medicines,making sure you know when to schedulefollow-up appointments, and finding out whenyou can get back to your regular activities. It is important to know whether or not youshould keep taking the medicines you weretaking before your hospital stay. Getting clearinstructions may help prevent an unexpectedreturn trip to the hospital. Surgery 12. If you are having surgery, make sure that you,your doctor, and your surgeon all agree onexactly what will be done. Having surgery at the wrong site (for example,operating on the left knee instead of the right) israre. But even once is too often. The good newsis that wrong-site surgery is 100 percentpreventable. Surgeons are expected to sign theirinitials directly on the site to be operated onbefore the surgery. 13. If you have a choice, choose a hospital wheremany patients have had the procedure orsurgery you need. Research shows that patientstend to have better results when they are treatedin hospitals that have a great deal of experiencewith their condition. Other Steps 14. Speak up if you have questions or concerns. Youhave a right to question anyone who is involvedwith your care. 15. Make sure that someone, such as your primarycare doctor, coordinates your care. This isespecially important if you have many healthproblems or are in the hospital. 16. Make sure that all your doctors have yourimportant health information. Do not assumethat everyone has all the information they need. 17. Ask a family member or friend to go toappointments with you. Even if you do not needhelp now, you might need it later. 18. Know that “more” is not always better. It is agood idea to find out why a test or treatment isneeded and how it can help you. You could bebetter off without it. 19. If you have a test, do not assume that no news isgood news. Ask how and when you will get theresults. 20. Learn about your condition and treatments byasking your doctor and nurse and by using otherreliable sources. For example, treatment optionsbased on the latest scientific evidence areavailable from the Effective Health Care Website (effectivehealthcare. ahrq.gov/options). Askyour doctor if your treatment is based on thelatest evidence.
The Responsibilities of a Patient: Quite a Load!
Doctors know only what you tell them. - Don Harold As a patient, you have to shoulder a wide variety of responsibilities ! 1. You should provide your doctor with accurate and complete information about your medical history, past illnesses, allergies, hospitalizations and medications. 2. You should report changes in your condition (however minor they may seem to you) to your doctor - don’t keep him in the dark! 3. If you do not understand what your doctor says or wants you to do, you should let him know without any hesitation! 4. You should strictly follow your doctor’s treatment plan. 5. You should keep your appointments on schedule, and if you cannot do so for any reason, let your doctor know well in advance. 6. You should pay your medical bills promptly! 7. You should follow hospital rules and regulations without fail. 8. You should have realistic expectations of what the doctor can do for you. Everyone would like to get well completely, but one should always bear in mind that the doctor is not a miracle worker. 9. You should help your doctor to help you! If you cannot stick to a particular treatment plan, let your doctor know, so that he can formulate an alternative plan. 10. You should maintain good health habits. 11. You should participate actively in your medical care. Patients who are highly motivated get better faster: in other words, help your body to heal itself! 12. You should ask questions to clarify any doubts or dispel any misconceptions in your mind. A doctor or nurse may not know when you’re confused, uncertain or just want more information. Therefore, do not refrain from asking questions. 13. You should respect the doctors and the nurses. The medical staff deserve your respect and courtesy: treat them the way you would like to be treated by them! 14. You should not ask for false medical certificates or padded medical bills (in order to get additional reimbursement). While you obviously have a vital interest in your medical treatment, unfortunately, you lack the specialized medical knowledge and skills to be able to take decisions in this context alone. This is why the concept of a team - which consists of you and your doctor becomes very important. As a patient, your responsibilities are wide and varied. And you’ll need to play several “roles” at various times. Medical Information Researcher The more knowledgeable you are about your problem and its treatment, the better are your chances of getting the right treatment. Educate yourself: you need to become an informed participant in your medical care in order to ask the right questions and to participate in making deci-
sions about your treatment. This step will also help you to critically assess media reports about ‘new breakthroughs in medical treatment’, and whether these ‘breakthroughs’ are relevant to your problem or not. Medical Team Manager You will have to find, evaluate, select, hire - and sometimes fire - members of your medical team. As an enlightened patient, you need to remember that you are the one in charge of your body --- and that it’s your medical team you are managing! Treatment Decision Maker You will have to decide which treatment to choose among the alternatives. Sometimes the choices are straightforward, but sometimes they can be very confusing. A good doctor will offer you all the options and help you to decide, but ultimately, you have to exercise your right (and responsibility!) to select a course of treatment. You cannot afford to leave everything to god, or to the doctor either! Medical Record Keeper You must keep all your records safely, and this can be very helpful especially if you have a complex problem a chronic disease, or need to change doctors or get a second opinion. File all your records in reverse chronological order; and number all your documents in sequences. Also prepare a one-page summary sheet of your medical experiences. Software packages are available nowadays, which help you document all medical details very efficiently. Financial Manager Medical treatment, can be very expensive these days, and you must make it a point to know the costs involved. Many patients are hesitant to talk to their doctor about money matters, but this reluctance can prove to be very costly! Also, if you are claiming reimbursement (either from an insurance company or from your employer) you must make sure that you have complete records of payments made along with their receipts. Communicator It is vitally important that you be open and honest with your doctor. When in doubt, ask questions, listen to the answers carefully and take notes. A prudent measure would be to write down your questions before your appointment, so that you do not forget important matters during the stress of consultation. Remember, the only stupid question is the one you don’t ask! So, to re-emphasize, don’t hesitate to ask questions! And if you don’t understand the answers, the fault is not all yours; it could be that your doctor is not explaining the facts well! There is no doubt that the one person who will look after his own interests the best is the patient himself. You need to do your homework thoroughly, find out more about your problem , and then discuss the results of your research with your doctor. This is your right, and your responsibility as well! Every honest doctor will agree that his patients are his best teachers!
WHY IS CHOLESTEROL IMPORTANT?
High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk fac¬tors for heart disease. In fact, the higher your blood cholesterol, the greater your risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack. Heart disease is the #1 killer of men and women in the United States. Each year, more than a million Americans have a heart attack, and about half a million people die of heart disease. How Does Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease? When there is too much cholesterol (a fat-like sub¬stance) in your blood, it builds up in the walls of your arteries. Over time, this buildup causes “hard¬ening of the arteries” so that arteries become nar¬rowed and blood flow to the heart becomes slowed down or blocked. This may cause chest pain or even a heart attack. High blood cholesterol itself does not cause symp¬toms, so many people are unaware when their cholesterol is too high. It is important to find out your cholesterol numbers. Lowering levels that are too high lessens the risk of developing heart disease or dying from it if you already have it. Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Cholesterol Medication If you’re concerned about why your doctor has prescribed statins to lower your cholesterol, here are a few questions to ask: • Why do you think I’m a good candidate for this medication? • What will this do for me and my body?
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• • •
What are the potential benefits versus the risks to me specifically? Will this have any interactions with anything else I’m taking? (Be sure to tell your doctor if you’re taking over-the-counter medications or supplements. Several supplements can interact with statins.) What are the long-term goals of therapy? Can I take a supplement instead of a statin to lower my cholesterol? Will supplements interfere with the effects of the statin?
WHAT IS DANDRUFF (SEBORRHEA)? It is a common form of skin eczema that occurs in parts of the body with high oil (sebum) production. Body areas that are commonly affected include the scalp, ears, face, chest, and folds of skin, such as the underarms or the skin below breasts or overhanging abdominal folds. The cause of seborrhea is unknown. A yeast that often lives on the skin, Malassezia furfur, may play a role. One common manifestation of seborrhea that affects the scalp is dandruff. Scalp seborrhea can also present as thick, flaky, localized patches of scale. On the face, seborrhea produces reddish-brown, dry-looking, or thick, greasy scales on the eyebrows, sides of the nose, and behind the ears. Reddish, scaly patches may also appear in the folds of skin mentioned above. Although skin affected by seborrhea may feel “dry,” moisturizing only makes them redder. Scalp seborrhea and dandruff do not cause permanent hair loss. Often, scalp dandruff doesn’t even itch significantly. Seborrhea can appear during infancy, starting shortly after birth and lasting several months. It may affect the scalp or produce scaly patches on the body. Adults of all ages may develop seborrhea, too, especially on the scalp and face. Some people who have weakened immune systems, such as those on cancer treatment or those
with HIV disease or certain neurological disorders, may have very severe seborrhea. It is important to emphasize, however, that seborrhea is a very common condition, affecting perhaps 5% of the population (with men predominating). People who have it are completely healthy and have no internal or immune problems.
SHORATAGE OF DOCTORS-PLANNING COMMISSON REPORT
After spending around 1% of gross domestic product (GDP) on health in the past five years, the government is proposing an increase in public spending by half a percentage point to make it 1.58% for the coming five years (2012-17) under the 12th Plan. This is what the draft chapter on health in the Plan document says. Health experts and activists are up in arms at this meagre increase because even the Planning Commission’s high-level expert group and the steering committee on drafting the Plan had suggested at least 2.5% of GDP as the public health spend. But, what happens with low spending? The Planning
AYURVEDIC CURE FOR CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle (the coronary arteries) become hardened and narrowed. The arteries harden and narrow due to buildup of a material called plaque on their inner walls. The buildup of plaque is known as atherosclerosis. Some hardening of the arteries occurs normally as a person grows older. In atherosclerosis, plaque deposits build up in the arteries. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances from the blood. Plaque buildup in the arteries often begins in childhood. Over the time, plaque buildup in the coronary arteries may result in: 1. Narrow the arteries. This reduces the amount of blood and oxygen that reaches the heart muscle. 2. Completely block the arteries. This stops the flow of blood to the heart muscle. 3. Cause blood clots to form. This can block the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle Diabetic patients run higher risk of CAD due to thickening of artery walls. In such case, neither bypass nor angioplasty will serve the purpose. The patient will require repeated surgical interventions. WRUDVED is a 100% ayurvedic proprietary remedy to improve the myocardial perfusion and functional stability. Manufactured under FDA licence and sold direct to heart patients at an affordable cost. For more details visit: www.wrudved.com or contact SUBBIES HERBO CARE by email: info@wrudved. com Customer Care No. 09320119741
Commission’s own analysis of the state of the country’s healthcare system reveals the rot within. The latest available rural health statistics for 2011 show a shocking shortfall of human resources, be it doctors, nurses or other healthcare personnel . According to the Planning Commission’s draft, the country’s governmentrun healthcare system is hamstrung because the number of doctors is short of the target by a jaw-dropping 76%, there are 53% fewer nurses , specialist doctors are short by 88%, radiographers are short by 85% and laboratory technicians are short by 80%.
AIDCOC
The All India Drugs Control Officers’ Confederation (AIDCOC) has urged the union health ministry to bring the prices of 348 medicines included in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) 2011 under Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO). In a representation to union health minister Gulam Nabi Azad, AIDCOC secretary general Ravi Uday Bhaskar said that the government had promised capping of prices of all essential drugs under NLEM in the pharmaceutical policy 2012, but it has not taken any concrete step towards fulfilling it. He also wanted the ministry to rationalise the difference between the ex-factory price and the MRP of the medicines as the profit margins are exceeding more than 1000 per cent on some of the formulations.
CHECK THE FOLLOWINGBEFORE PURCHASING MEDICINES
1. Get a cash memo, for whatever you purchase. Tally the details of purchased drugs from the cash memo. 2. Check the printing of Batch No’s and Expiry date, if it gives an impression of doubt, it may be case of Spurious Drug. 3. Check the bottle/ vial/ ampoule/infusion for clarity and color of solution, if it contains any visible particle or has changed colour, it may be a case of sub A few suggestions, which I think can make healthcare standard drug. more affordable in our country, are: 4. Check the foil of blisters; it should be of good quality, a) Hospitals should focus on designing cost effective if it is not of good quality, it can be spurious. treatment for patients. 5. If the purchased drug doesn’t give desired results, it b) Major cost is taken up by medicines. Everyone should is a case of Spurious Drug. contribute in lowering the cost, for e.g., the government should reduce taxes; pharma industries can 6. Spurious Drugs are sold without cash memos, therefore avoid purchasing without cash memo. lower the prices and doctors may use the generics 7. Substandard drugs are those, which fails to meet rather than branded drugs. required standards, while spurious drugs fictitious c) Social insurance schemes. d) Judicious use of investigations and technology by products and are not manufactured by manufacturdoctors. ers purported to be claimed to have manufactured. e) Patient education on disease prevention is far more Hope If any consumer follows above he will not face any important and cost effective than cure. problem. Dr A K Dewan Chandra Bhushan Gupta Assistant Drugs controller Medical Director, Chief of Head and Neck Surgery, SurgiGovt Of Rajasthan cal Oncology Photo pharmacy Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre
MAKING HEALTHCARE MORE AFFORDABLE
6 ways to prevent cancer Naturally Editor’s Desk
The “ Speak Up “ Program in the USA get from unintentional encourages patients to: errors. The more • Speak up if you have questions or knowledge you gain, concerns, and if you don’t under- the more questions 1. Astand, VOID (processed) sugar; (vegetable) ask again. It’s yourunhealthy body you will able oils to ask, higher your (cellular) energy - the less like you are to and eat plenty of plant-based foods. The cancer-fightand you have a right to know. and the more attention develop cancer. 4. Eliminate toxic chemicals from your • ing Paycompounds attention to in thefruits careand you vegetaare you will get! bles are called: isothiocyanates, life. Don’t invest your money in poisonreceiving. Make sure you’re get- inThanks to the internet, dols, cumines, phenols and ous household cleaners, personal costing the right treatments and flavones. med- it’s become increas2. Reduce exposure to electromagmetics or non-organic foods. (to name icationsyour by the right healthcare ingly easier for patients netic field (EMF) pollution. a few) professionals. Don’t assumeUse any-EMF to find answers to their thing. health-related quesprotectors for your computer monitor; 5. Do NOT smoke, drink alcohol or use i, M.D. Minimize salt in• limit Educate yourself about your diagtions online. Learn to cell phone usage; turn “off” the recreational alpandrugs. M a h d d u ir n Dr. A take and nosis, breaker the medical tests you are use the internet intellicircuit in your bedroom when r, be sure to get plenty of sleep under Directo ibrary for o F undergoing, and your treatment gently, so this will help L you sleep and get grounded by conto stress and rejuvenate cationreduce duhelp Health Ethe plan. your body to the earth. you ask smarter quesnecting body. P) People (HEL •3. Stay Ask aactive trusted family member or tions – and will also - breathing, meditation, 6. Develop healthy relationships. Nevsave your doctor time, friend to and be your walking Tai advocate. Chi are excellent er underestimate the power of gratibecause your routine • ways Know to what medications you take improve your energy. The tude, forgiveness and LOVE. and why you take them. Medica- questions have already tion errors are the most common been answered ! and you are the captain ! Because Don’t worry if you do not understand time is limited during medical appointhealthcare mistakes. • Participate in all decisions about everything on the first reading or in ments, you will feel less rushed if you your treatment. You are the center the first sitting. It takes time to absorb prepare your questions before your this information, and analyse it. The appointment. of the healthcare team. This does not mean that you ask good news is that there are lots of re- Doctors are not mind-readers , and questions just for the sake of asking liable websites to help you with Infor- good doctors want you to ask ques– after all, doctors are busy people mation Therapy. Even better, there tions, because they know that the and do have other patients to see. are now many expert patients online, more you know about your medical The trick is to be inquisitive – and to who can help you make sense of care, the happier you are going to be do your homework ! The only stupid what is happening to you with your treatment. Being well-inquestion is the one you did not ask. A lot of patients are scared to ask formed will help you to have realistic Asking appropriate questions about their doctors questions. They are expectations of the treatment, and inyour treatment and medicines will worried that the doctor is too busy to crease your satisfaction with the care help you to acquire knowledge and answer them, and they don’t want to you get. Remember that if you want will also keep the doctors and hospital waste his precious time. They are VIP care from your doctor, you need : Eleven Madhya Pradesh, who allegedly that thedoctors doctor from staff on their toes ( which is good for also secretly worried to become a VIP – Very well-Informed their families on !a seven-day long trip to Engtheirwith questions, them as well !) . The more the ques- may take offense atwent patient land and Scotland between May 24 and May 31, are factions you ask about your treatment, because he may think that they are Here are some useful questions 20yrs ing a probe, union health the moreago: careful they will be about questioning his judgment, andwith thistheyou can ask. ministry suspecting that a pharmaceutical have sponsored what medicines they are giving you may cause him to get upset and pro- company 1. Howcould will the results of this their test Treatment to the satisfaction of the doctor... trip. and how they treat you . Never take vide poor medical care. change my treatment options ? Payment to the satisfaction the patient......... Dr your Jyotihealth Mirdha, member Sabha), de- a 2. any medicine without askingof: what it Please remember that Whatofis parliament the natural (Lok history of my Result: Good quality of treatment at low costs....... wrote in a letter,, to the Prime Minister. is, why it is used and what are its pends on good communication, and disease ? “As I’m writing this 3. letterAre a total 11 other doctors along withI providing inforside-effects. Remember, there are asking questions and thereofany alternatives their are holidaying in England andfamilies other care lots of patients and your physician mation to your doctor Now: can explore ? and Scotland on a trip financed by Intas Pharmaceuticals Details inproviders can improve your care. sees many everyday. There are 4. Which is the bestLtd. center in the Treatment to the satisfaction of the patient.... cluding names of passengers their addresses, Talking with your doctor builds trust chances the staff mayofconfuse world along for thiswith treatment ? Payment that to the satisfaction the doctor..... ticket numbers, hotels and itinerary are attached your and leads to better results, quality, your details with another patient. So , where 5. Can you refer to a websitefor Result: Poor quality of treatment at high costs......... you the more Subba involved perusal. Needless to say, of about such trips is in canacceptance I learn more my probDr.Ankala Rao MDare in your safety, and satisfaction. treatment, the more protection you Quality health care is a team effort violation of MCI rules,” lem ? Rajahmundry
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FOR CHEAPER DRUG OPTIONS, SEND SMS Some good news for consumers might be at hand. You would soon be able to find the most affordable alternative to the medicine prescribed by your doctor through an SMS-based service. The service, expected to be launched by the government in August, will be available throughout the country. Here is how it works: Once the person sends a text message of the prescribed brand of drug to a particular number from his mobile, he will receive two to three options of the same medicine, along with the price differential. Say, a patient is prescribed a popular anti-infective like Augmentin ( GlaxoSmithKline). He types in Augmentin and sends the SMS to the designated number. He would get a return SMS, possibly mentioning Moxikind CV (Mankind), which is substantially cheaper. But sources said that all responses would come with a caution: please consult the doctor before popping the alternative (pill). Sometimes, the price differential between two alternatives of the same medicine is huge—up to 10-15 times. “This service would help a patient choose the cheapest alternative available,” an industry source said. The government plans to cover at least two-thirds of the prescription market through this scheme, which would include all widely used therapies like anti-infectives, painkillers, respiratory and gastro-intestinal drugs.
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DOCTORS &STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship is a process where a physician starts by asking: What is right for the patient? Stewardship certainly isn’t about cutting corners to save a few bucks. The doctor isn’t obligated to try some cheaper option if there is a clear indication, based on professional judgment, that a certain treatment is right. However, there might be options available as the physician uses his or her knowledge of the efficacy of treatments, tests and procedures, and their costs — both short-term and long-term. Even a treatment that is more expensive up-front could save money and improve a patient’s health over time. Physicians can involve patients and their families in the decision-making, laying out the case for a less expensive treatment that would be just as effective as one that costs more. Doctors already are under ethical obligation to avoid performing unnecessary tests and procedures, even if a patient demands them. Ultimately, it is transparency and clear communication between the physician and patient (and the patient’s family) that provides the best environment for a doctor to make the right treatment decision and make the wisest move as a steward of health care resources. This publication is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Information provided here is for creating awareness and cannot be substitute to medical advice. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Publisher or Editor. You should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.
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