Customer Reviews

Dr. David Sherer's Hospital Survival Guide: 100+ Ways to Make Your Hospital Stay Safe and Comfortable

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Dr. David Sherer's book is an insider's view on hospital hierarchy and procedures, a veritable "guide to the perplexed" for patients.

Dr. Sherer seeks to defuse the fears and forebodings prior to hospitalization - that threatening web of unfamiliar people, frightening equipment, and assault on privacy that is not only necessary but inevitable.

What may seem obvious to a doctor may be enlightening to a frightened patient or family member. Offering technical information, behavioral observance, and anecdote, the information is accessible and is replete with condensed case histories. Dr. Sherer has done a good job of anticipating what questions may arise, and of offering answers.Also helpful, he cites resources for further information, from the web or from publications and organizations.

This reader learned about the importance of carrying basic medical information in one's wallet (I have a rare blood type, for example) and the wisdom of keeping a living will. The concept of "Patient Advocate" was enlightening, as was the revelation that, as a patient, one can speak up if discomfort seems unnecessary - hospital protocol need not be entirely rigid.

Dr. Sherer, in this book, is offering good advice for increasing the safety and comfort level of any hospital stay. Significantly, he doesn't attempt to impress the reader with long-winded verbiage, but relays essentials in plain language.

Every hospital experience can be very frightening, from a simple blood test to a major surgery. As a fellow health care/anesthesia provider, my fear when having surgery can be as great as anyone who does not have the training and experience of working with it everyday. This is a great source of info for anyone. The jacket cover may seem to appeal just to women, but believe me, men are just as terrified but can be the most timid about asking the right questions before any health care is initiated. Dr. Sherer writes with practical tips that would benefit anyone. The anecdotal stories that he illustrates are real and can happen if you or your caretaker do not have the right questions and information. My hope is that not only will everyone find this book a "must have", but that Dr. Sherer follows with a sequel...I'd be the first one to send in my anecdotes of the many things I have seen in my career. Information can save your life!

No one wants to spend time in the hospital. But if you have to (and most of us do at some point), your stay will be safer and more bearable if you are armed with the wit and wisdom of this good doctor. The book is organized so that you can easily find and read information on subjects of interest without having to read the whole book (although it is well written enough that you will probably find yourself browsing back from or ahead of whatever you started to read, and are likely to find that you've read the whole thing pretty soon anyway). The information is clearly and succinctly presented, and the book's coverage is comprehensive. An excellent book , and, one hopes, not the last Dr. Sherer will write.

I am a physician who was hospitalized for eleven days in the summer of 2003, when Dr. Sherer's guide was not yet available. I wish that it had been as I was too sick to advocate on my own behalf. And my partner, who is not a medical person, could have greatly benefited from having it.
Hospitals are not staffed as they once were so family and friends become caregivers out of necessity. Unless your caregivers are medical personnel they need the knowledge that Dr. Sherer's guide provides.
If you are not too ill yourself you will benefit from reading Dr. Sherer's guide ahead of time, especially if you are going to have surgery. If you are too ill, make sure that you family and other caregivers know where this book is for it could save your life.
Although the book it tilted somewhat towards a surgical hospitalization everyone who ends up in the hospital needs this book.
I recommend it highly!

Hospitals can be unsafe places, as this book points out, unless you know what to do.
In an easy to understand manner, Dr. Sherer explains how to make sure you get the care that you deserve and avoid the mistakes and accidents that we read about every day. You've seen the stories in newspapers and on TV about surgeons cutting the wrong leg, patients receiving the wrong medications and catching deadly germs while in their hospital bed.
This book helps you from becoming the victim of common mistakes and out-and-out incompetence.
Take Dr. Sherer's advice. It could save your life.

This book is easy to read and loaded with practical advice I only wish I'd known in advance. Simple steps show you how to be your best advocate. Enjoyable reading.

Anyone who will go to the hospital for any reason will benefit from this book The same is true for family and friends. The parts about options for anesthesia and when your child needs anesthesia are particularly valuable. In easy to understand language, Dr. Sherer examines the pitfalls of today's healthcare maze. Don't end up a tragic story in the newspaper --- buy this book and read it! It just may save your life.

The book was like new and came very quickly. It helped me enormously, as I had surgery 2 weeks ago.