Becoming a frequent question as cost-conscious hospitals turn to in-house specialists who reduce stays and standardize treatment. But 'handing off' patients can be risky.
By Kelly Kleiman. Kelly Kleiman is a regular contributor to the Magazine
Published July 24, 2005
She went to the hospital in an ambulance. We didn't realize at the time that her internist no longer visited patients in the hospital. She was having a lot of pain and was inappropriately medicated, which I attribute to the fact that it was not her regular physician treating her. The whole experience was just hideous. Not having any medical professional who'd ever dealt with her before made it worse."
-Laura Stempel, daughter of a patient at Evanston Northwestern Hospital (not affiliated with Northwestern Memorial Hospital).
Read more...Chicago Tribune
Posted by gruwell at July 25, 2005 8:27 AM | TrackBack