24/7 or Dead: A Handbook for Families with a Loved One in the Hospital [Paperback]

Jari Holland Buck (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 142085982X | ISBN-13: 978-1420859829 | Publication Date: January 6, 2006

"24/7 OR DEAD is written by a non-medical person-a regular American-who experienced firsthand the devastating events of her spouse's life-threatening illness. JariHolland Buck knows upfront and personal the best and worst that can happen in a modern U.S. hospital today." Jane Murray, M.D., former Director of the Division of Education, American Academy of Family Physicians The fifth leading cause of death in American hospitals is medical mistakes. Church leaders who offer comfort and counsel to sick individuals and their families are frequently asked, "Is there anything else I can do?" Until now, the best answer any of us had was, "Pray." Now, we CAN and MUST do more to prevent our loved one from becoming part of the medical mistake death statistics. 24/7 or Dead is a guidebook that describes advocacy techniques on behalf of a hospitalized loved one. 24/7 or Dead provides 14 practical suggestions illustrated by real life examples and checklists to ensure that even in emotionally charged situations, advocacy can be accomplished. This book also addresses personal care, without which advocacy is not possible. 24/7 or Dead is designed to encourage and support family members in the process of reclaiming the "power of partnership" with the healthcare community. This book is geared for the medically untrained family member who needs a step-by-step process for educating themselves and partnering with healthcare professionals to improve the health and comfort of the patient. The early chapters deal with choices, the middle chapters with actions and the final chapters with results. Examples of the use or failure to use each step are illustrated, as are the consequences and results. The difficulty of advocating when resisted by healthcare providers is explored, as are the diverse responses to advocacy by the healthcare community. Legal issues are identified and sample legal documents are provided. "It is my hope that 24/7 or Dead will convert previously passive lay people into advocates and previously directive healthcare providers into partners." Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." I had to become the change in order to help save my husband. Will you join me? http://www.24-7ordead.com http://www.majesticwolf.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (January 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 142085982X
• ISBN-13: 978-1420859829
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,380,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Valuable Resource, April 24, 2006

By 

Cindy@BookReviews411 (Calgary, AB Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 24/7 or Dead: A Handbook for Families with a Loved One in the Hospital (Paperback)

Jari's husband was suddenly stricken with severe pancreatitis and spent six out of eight and half months in a four different U.S. hospitals, dependant on life support. Jari spent every moment by his side, she became involved in his treatments and care and participated in his recovery, she educated herself in his medications and treatments, and was there on more than one occasion to save his life. But her involvement was not always welcomed by the healthcare providers and she was often referred to as a "pain in the ass family member". She learned the hard way how to be a patient advocate and this is her story.

With hospitals and health care professionals stretched to the limit it is unfortunate that the healthcare system is resisting support from those who have the most invested in their patients, the family member.

Jari Holland Buck prepares us for the unimaginable events that we are never prepared to cope with. 24/7 or Dead is an essential guidebook that teaches the reader the critical importance of co-caring for and being a patient advocate for your loved one in the hospital. It is rich with valuable information, walking you through the process of difficult and confusing issues such as how to seek out the Patient Advocacy Office, obtain a Patient Rights Statement; legal questions such as when to implement a A Living Will and a Power of Attorney; and how and why you should educate yourself about the medications and injections being used to provide treatment.
The scope of this book encompasses much more than just the physical aspect, Jari approaches the topic of Prayer and Surrender with beautiful eloquence. "We have nothing to lose by praying, so be very clear about what you want", she says. "even if the answer is `no', you will know then that you have done everything that can be done and you can let go and surrender."

I especially liked an idea that Jari had; she suggests displaying pictures of your loved one, of the way they used to look while they were healthy, so that the nurses and staff can see him as a person and not just a patient.

24/7 or Dead is a timely and valuable resource, and though some of the content, such as the legal suggestions and hospital billing practices may not be pertinent in another country, the call to be more of a patient advocate for our loved ones has never been more necessary.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perspectives on Patient Advocacy, August 4, 2006

By 

Richard R. Blake (Bridgman, Michigan) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: 24/7 or Dead: A Handbook for Families with a Loved One in the Hospital (Paperback)

24/7 or Dead
By: Jari Holland Buck
Jan Holland Buck has written this book to recount lessons she learned over a period of eight and one-half months during her husband's hospitalization.

Jan's husband, Bill, was suddenly stricken with severe pancreatits. This rapidly progressed to multiple organ failure, severe infection, and seizures.

As a result of observing and involving herself in her husband's care, Jan has concluded, "Without the full-time presence of a family member for every patient in a hospital, I believe there is a very good chance mistakes will be made. Some of those mistakes could cost your loved one his or her life."

Jan details their story of hospital stays in four hospitals, six months of which were in intensive care. She has provided the reader with fourteen recommendations for implementation, important checklists to help with the implementation. She has included an Appendix with important fact sheets, tools, and sample legal forms, medical statements, billing information, and additional resources.

I am fortunate to have read the book at a time when I am not faced with a family health crisis. My wife is a registered nurse and worked for years in the Emergency Department. I have two sons who worked as EMTs for a period of time. I have been hospitalized on several occasions. Jan's book has opened my eyes to the importance of patient advocacy. As a result of reading 24/7, I plan to be more vocal in asking my primary doctor questions regarding known medical conditions, review my legal forms, power of attorney, medical power of attorney, and to leave written documents regarding important papers for my caregiver and family. In these papers I will note and have readily available a copy of Jan Holland's book.

This book is a book that should be read by every family caregiver and patient advocate. It is an important and timely resource for those comforting and counseling family members. The instructions and suggestions will give you insight into what you are facing and help you to have peace of mind in knowing you are a part of the healthcare team responsible for your loved one.

I highly recommend that 24/7 or dead be read by every adult family member before a family medical crisis forces that dreaded 9ll call for an ambulance.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Never go to the hospital alone or without this book!, August 5, 2006

By 

Susan S. Johnson "Sue Johnson, author of Gran... (Lancaster, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 24/7 or Dead: A Handbook for Families with a Loved One in the Hospital (Paperback)

Few escape a hospital stay at some time during their life, and all should read Jan Buck's "24/7 or Dead" before they need it.

In a very personal account, Jan shares her 8 month ordeal with a hospitalized critically ill husband. The lessons she learned are invaluable. In this easy-to-read book she gives recommendations in layman's terms, check lists and tools we can all use when we are faced with helping a hospitalized loved one.

Jan's book is not critical of the medical profession, but she shows you how to be your loved one's advocate while working with the doctors and nurses. Don't let medical mistakes claim the life of someone you love, be there for them 24/7.