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Critical Conditions: The Essential Hospital Guide to Get Your Loved One Out Alive

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No one likes to think about being hospitalized, or of dealing with the hospitalizaation of loved ones. This is a book that answers those questions that you probably were afraid to ask or never thought to ask.

Based on interviews with nurses, doctors, social workers, and families, this is a serious book well worth reading for anyone facing the need to deal with any personal or family hospital experience.

According to Ehrenclou, "Hospitals today are institutions struggling to survive in an environment where authority is in the hands of insurance companies rather than patients and their families. Rapid advancement in technology makes ever more expensive treatments in wide demand. Nurses are more expensive and harder to find and retain. . . . Serious infections, which are often treated in hospitals, are inadvertently spread from one patient to another. All of these factors are serious impediments to the compassionate care and good outcome we all desire when hospitalization is necessary."

Every patient needs an advocate or an advocate team, especially if he or she is elderly and impaired. The advocate serves as his or her "loved one's eyes and ears," establishing contacts with doctors and nurses. Responsibilities include keeping track of the patient's medications, allergies, symptoms, treatment plan, diet, and a myriad of other things.

It is the advocate's duty to catch patient name errors (to prevent similarly-named patients from getting someone else's treatment or medications), insist on pain management, and speak up if something appears wrong.

Of course the problem is doing all these things without insulting or seeming to second-guess the doctors, nurses, and hospital administrators. Infinite tact and understanding are required. Yet hospital personnel do want to avoid unfortunate or even fatal errors, and many are willing to listen.

This is a very detailed book, containing interviews, tragic examples, hospital staff and medical terms glossaries, and spaces for patient advocates' lists and notes. It also includes a list of useful websites for information on medical conditions, medication errors, and hospitals.

It would be comforting to think of hospitals as efficient, caring institutions that can take care of us and our families, but the economic realities and unfortunate errors pointed out by Martine Ehrenclou ring true.

Read this book if you or a family member faces hospitalization. It is filled with valuable information and useful suggestions that we can't afford to ignore.

Length:: 4:26 Mins

"Critical Conditions: The Essential Hospital Guide to Get Your Loved One Out Alive" is a thoroughly POSITIVE GUIDE TO GETTING THE BEST POSSIBLE PATIENT CARE INSIDE A HOSPITAL. This Ultimate Reference Guide, by Martine Ehrenclou, M.A., is ideal for Current Patients, Prospective Patients and their respective Loved Ones, Friends and Extended Family members.

It details what Patients need to KNOW and DO in order to obtain the Quality of Care they expect - and are entitled to - once they enter the Hospital. The Book is written in such a comprehensive and genuine manner that Medical Professionals go on record and applaud Ms. Ehrenclou's efforts because they make their jobs easier and help construct a more complicit and educated Patient Population. It is based on more than 150 interviews with Nurses, Doctors, Social Workers and Families and should be made available for sale in every Hospital Book Store in the world.

Critical Conditions: The Essential Hospital Guide to Get Your Loved One Out Alive by Martine Ehrenclou, M.A. is a valuable book. The probability that an individual will have a close friend or family member in the hospital is great and this book can help the patient and them survive the ordeal.

Hospitalizations generally increase anxiety for patients and those close to them. Family members and friends are often faced with questions such as, "Who should I talk to about my loved one's medical care? What decisions might we have to make while my loved one is hospitalized? What resources are available? What types of problems can we anticipate?" Critical Conditions provides a practical map to maneuver through the medical maze and get answers to these important questions.

Critical Conditions is a well-organized resource based on more than 150 interviews with families and medical professionals. The first half of the book addresses the basics of advocating for someone who is hospitalized, from the beginning to the end of their hospital stay. Ms Ehrenclou clearly explains the roles of the primary nurse, physicians, and other hospital personnel. She points out the correct people to speak with about specific concerns and suggests questions you should ask them. Although respectful of the medical system, Ehrenclou is realistic about its shortcomings and emphasizes ways to prevent common medical errors, infectious diseases, and fatal falls (one of the major causes of hospital deaths). Cultural issues, medical directives, and discharge planning and aftercare are also covered.

The second half of Critical Conditions provides an indispensable workbook and journal. Forms are included for tracking the patient's treatment and include space to list the specialists involved and their contact information, various test results, and daily progress notes.

Following the steps and suggestions in this book can help empower a person who cares about the well-being of someone who is hospitalized. Critical Conditions is valuable to read before a loved one is hospitalized and a great resource to take to the hospital. In fact, it could be a lifesaver.

by Barbara Heller
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

Martine Ehrenclou has performed a vital public service with the offering of this book. For those of us who have had to become a patient advocate in the past, we know how overwhelming that role can be.

Armed with this book and the knowledge it contains, anyone can be a more effective overseer of a loved one's care while hospitalized, and even during convalescence. As the author notes (p. 59) "You are the eyes and ears for your loved one. If you take on the job as advocate, your loved one will be much better off for it".

The author was moved to write this book after multiple hospitalizations of her own family members. She spent hundreds of hours interviewing doctors, nurses, hospital social workers, psychologists and other medical staff.

Her goal was to provide understanding, advice, and direction for those who need it. It is sorely needed, as dealing with the many aspects of an illness and subsequent hospitalization can be extremely stressful, not only for the patient, but for the family members and friends of the patient.

In the book's introduction, Ehrenclou relates her own story of being confronted with her mother's acute pancreatitis, a very serious illness. Her mother was in ICU in a hospital in Colorado. The author had to get on a plane in Los Angeles, and fly to her mother's side. She writes (p.1) "My mother's care was in the hands of doctors and nurses I'd never met, and I didn't know the first thing about hospitals, procedures, treatments, or medications. I certainly didn't understand my role in her care".

She then asked the nurse in charge, to explain the diagnosis. She gave a cryptic definition, and suggested that Martine speak to her mother's internist. She asked how she could reach him, and the nurse then gave her a vital piece of advice. She said (p.2) "Be here during doctors' rounds first thing in the morning. Be here by 8 a.m. and just wait. You'll be able to meet the doctors face-to-face, ask them questions and find out what is planned for your mother's treatment".

This was the beginning of Ehrenclou's education with the hospital environment. Eight months after her mother's ensuing death, the author's godmother became gravely ill, and Ehrenclou was determined to educate herself on all aspects of her godmother's care, and eventually learned how to advocate for her.

These experiences led to the writing of this book. It is truly a step-by-step guide to becoming an advocate for your loved one's care. It is beautifully laid out, with true stories that are very informative. It gives advice for every aspect of an illness, as well as discharge and aftercare. There are pages devoted to taking notes for Daily Progress Reports, as well as notes for ways to take care of yourself during the stressful days. There is a Hospital Staff glossary, so you can understand the titles of staff, and the duties their job entails. There is a Medical Terms glossary, plus listings of useful websites for research. There is also an extensive index.

This is a book that everyone should have. As our hospitals continue to be crowded and understaffed, we absolutely must become our own health advocates, as well as for our loved ones. You never know which piece of information might end up being the one that saves a life. This would make a thoughtful gift for friends or family members. I applaud the author for her fine efforts in writing this important book. Very highly recommended!

As a registered nurse, case manager and life care planner, I HIGHLY recommend this book. I have been preaching on these same principles for years and I know make a good portion of my income working as a patient advocate. The book consists of 142 pages of great information divided into 17 chapters such as "Preventing Medical Error", "Preventing Fatal Falls", "How to Support and Comfort Your Loved One" and Discharge Planning and Aftercare". There is a handy Quick Reference Guide consisting of 30 pages for your patient advocate to complete and it acts as a communication log for all of those involved.

No one should be left in a hospital alone regardless of their state of health. Two heads are always better than one when it comes to asking appropriate questions. Maybe the biggest point should be...ASK QUESTIONS. Don't assume the medical providers have the right answer. You know your loved one better than anyone else and you can pick up on the change in their condition faster than anyone.

Martine Ehrenclou went right to the source to get this valuable information. Interviews were held with all sorts of medical personnel to get the best advice for those caring for family while hospitalized or undergoing chronic medical care. Nurses, Social Workers, Physicians, were questioned on their tips, hints, and suggestions on everything from how to prevent infections, how to get in touch with the physician, who to assist you in obtaining lodging if you live out of town, and so much more.

There are so many people involved in a patient's medical care these days that it is important to know who all the players are and what their roles consist of. Ms. Ehrenclou has broken the book into chapters which outline the various healthcare providers and their roles. She even gives examples of what to do when these healthcare providers seem to be giving conflicting information.

The book is easy to read. There is no medical jargon to confuse you. There are steps outlined for the reader in each chapter, which if followed, should give you peace of mind and help to protect your loved ones from the serious concerns of hospitalization.

Reading this book opened my eyes to so many potential problems, and offered as many or more solutions to the health care dilemma. I have parents that have been in potentially bad situations in the hospital. Now, thanks to this book, I have the tools to ensure their safety and well-being. I particularly like that the author has provided work space and the area for notes.

Karen McChrystal, Quantum Era Press

Critical Conditions is a must-own book for nearly every adult in the U.S. - for anyone who has children, relatives, elders, or who may themselves face potential hospitalization. The health care system in the U.S. is undeniably broken, and there aren't any quick fixes in sight. In the meanwhile, hospitals will remain short-funded, short-staffed, and overcrowded. This situation will likely continue to worsen as the population continues to grow. (According to the Feb. '08 Pew Research Center Report, the U.S. population will total 438 million by 2050, from 303 million today). This translates to more people demanding hospital care, while available medical care funding and personal incomes don't keep up. Let's face it - what this means is that people will have to pitch in and be on-site advocates for their hospitalized loved ones.

The book is clearly written, easy to use as a reference, thorough, and backed by extensive research and personal experience on the part of the author, Ms. Ehrenclou. The author writes from a team player position - not as an adversary, but as one willing to facilitate "getting the job done," ensuring the best possible care for the hospitalized loved one. This book will guide you surely through the maze of hospital care.

This is a great guide for families to learn how to take care of the inpatient medical care of their loved ones. I well remember my days working in hospitals with critically ill patients, where charts went missing, there was constant turnover of medical personnel, and it was a constant struggle to understand what was going on with the patients, let alone help them get better. The author hones in on this critical issue and highlights how important it is for healthcare consumers to educate themselves and not passively sit back and hope that their doctors will solve all of their problems. Highly recommended!

Doug Bremner MD, author of:

The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg: Accutane - the truth that had to be told

and

Before You Take that Pill: Why the Drug Industry May Be Bad for Your Health

Martine Ehrenclou's book, "Critical Condition; The Essential Hospital Guide to Get Your Loved One Out Alive", is one of the most comprehensive books on this important subject! Successfully navigating your health, or the health of a loved one today is treacherous ground. Martine raises important issues and provides detailed suggestions of what you can do. I highly recommend this book. It is staggeringly good.

It's an unfortunate fact of life; medical errors and misjudgements occur regularly. By reading this book, you can be prepared to advocate safe hospital care for yourself and your loved ones.

The book consists of over 100 interviews with people who were the victims of serious medical mistreatment and errors. The reader can learn how to best handle problems when they arise; and how to be proactive enough to possibly avoid the problems in the first place. Without undue blame or discrimination against the medical profession, the author shares information on questions to ask, being sure you understand the why and how of treatments and medications. You will learn who is responsible for specific areas of patient care within the hospital, and how to be sure your questions and concerns are addressed immediately and by the proper person.

My father is currently undergoing cancer treatments at a prestigious medical facility in our area. While I and other family members have confidence in the care he is receiving, we also realize that the major responsibility for his safe care rests with us. In today's world of rapidly changing health care, new technology and medicines, etc., it is more imperative than ever that we remain vigilant. This book will help those of us not involved in the medical profession understand how care works, and what to watch out for. I highly recommend this book as required reading for anyone who cares about the quality of healthcare they personally, as well as friends and family members are experiencing. A must read and great book to have on hand for future reference