Summer on Staten Island - Don't Visit the ER?
Residents are well aware that Staten Island has two hospitals - Richmond University and Staten Island University hospitals. Residents may not know that what these two hospitals share in name, "university", means that they are both teaching hospitals. By definition, a teaching hospital is a hospital that provides clinical education and training to future and current doctors, nurses, and other health professionals, in addition to delivering medical care to patients.
A recent article brings to light the incidence of in-hospital deaths related to medication errors rise dramatically during the summer months, especially July. Some have attributed the increase to the influx of medical school graduates into their residency programs. While others dispute the reason for the increase, July annually sees an approximate 10% increase in patient deaths due to complications from medication errors. Know as the July Effect, the spike in deaths has been consistent for the last 30 years and residency is the most easily explained reason for the increase.
For new residents, this is the first time when they are expected to perform autonomously. They are under extreme pressure to be perfect and that pressure may lead them to admit that they know more than they actually do, leading to mistakes.
Since all the hospitals on Staten Island are teaching hospitals, what are you to do? Do you need to worry? I would suggest that you follow a few simple rules, regardless of the time that happen to go to the hospital. First, don't be afraid to ask to speak with an attending physician regarding your concerns. By law, all residents must be supervised by an attending physician and you have the right to speak with them if you are not satisfied with the answers you are receiving. Second, don't assume that the medication that you are receiving is correct. If there is a change in dosage, make sure that the staff is aware of it. Third, as with everything, ask questions. Asking three simple questions of your medical provider can help to reassure you that you are receiving the proper medical care. Staten Island residents should be assured that we have access to the finest medical care in the nation. You shouldn't be afraid to go to the hospital but don't be afraid to speak up if you feel something is wrong.
Last summer I visited one of the two Staten Island hospitals and dealt with mainly student doctors both times I went. One of the times I was there for some postpartum related complications and was seen by four student doctors between 12am and 8am and went undiagnosed and was told to just go home and that it was normal. After refusing to take that as an answer we were seen by a regular doctor who diagnose the complication in less than 2 minutes and sent me on my way home with the proper medicine and diagnosis. The other time was for my 2 week old son who was struggling to breath and at points stopped breathing. We were again seen by a student doctor initially who actually told me they didn't feel comfortable diagnosing my son because they were not experienced in pediatrics. After this happened we called our son's pediatrician and he offered to come down to the hospital to take a look at him (he frequently worked out of the hospital I am speaking of so the hospital was fine with this). Point being is that it is important to go to the emergency room if you are having an emergency but as this blog post says do not hesitate or be afraid to ask questions, especially if the doctor treating you is a student doctor or an intern doctor.