2010 talks

Accepting New Clients and Speaking Engagements in Spring, 2011

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:47:43 -0400

Dear Friends:

Just a note to let you know what’s happening with AT YOUR SIDE in the short-term.

I will be fulfilling my professional responsibilities to current clients as well as fulfilling my current speaking engagements through the end of November, 2010. But, I will not be scheduling new clients or group presentations in 2010.

In December, I will be traveling to Cuba on a humanitarian mission.

In January, 2011 I will be undergoing open heart surgery to repair a valve, which will require a several-month recuperation period. During my recovery, I will also not be scheduling new clients or group presentations or updating my blog until I am certain that I am able to function fully.

I am hoping that I will be back in the swing of things very quickly, but until then, I will be happy to refer you to other private patient advocates (either individuals or companies).

Thank you for your support.

Myra Fournier

How To Get Your Medical Testa Results

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 08:35:51 -0400

Excerpted from About.com: Patient Empowerment, August 31, 2010

1) When you have a medical test, no matter what kind of test it is, ask how soon the results will be ready. You may be told 10 minutes, or two days or even a week. It’s not that you are trying to hurry anyone. No – you are just managing your own expectations.  
2) Then, ask how you will be notified of the results. They should tell you they will call you. From there, pin down when you can expect the phone call. You should expect to hear from them by the end of the day on which the results will be available.  
3) If you are told that you will not hear unless there is a problem? Then reply that – sorry – that’s not good enough. You would like notification no matter what the results are, positive, negative, normal, abnormal.  
4) And no matter what you are told about whether they will call or not, make sure to get the name and phone number of who can report your results to you, because, if you don’t hear from them, then it will be up to you to call and ask.  
5) If the expected phone call time comes and goes, and you don’t hear by the time they tell you that you will hear, then place that call to the right person and get your test results. If they take a message and you don't hear back within a few hours, then call again. Continue to pursue those results until someone calls you with them.  
6) Finally, regardless of what the results are, ask for a printed copy. Ask that it be postal or e-mailed to you, or even faxed to you. You may want to ask the person who handles your testing paperwork to make a notation before you are tested so that they will know to provide the information even before you remind them.

The system is not set up to make it easy for providers to provide our medical test results to us, so we need to make sure we patients chase them down ourselves.

Drug-resistant Superbug Found In Massachusetts

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 08:32:47 -0400

Marilyn Marchione, AP Writer, reports in boston.com yesterday that bacteria that have been made resistant to nearly all antibiotics by an alarming new gene have sickened people in Massachusetts, California, Illinois, and Canada. The cases all involve people who had recently received medical care in India, where the problem is widespread. The patients were not related and all survived.

Scientists have feared this scenario a long time. With plane travel, it could become a pandemic.

Health officials suggest that, in order to try to minimize risk, people should:

1) Avoid taking antibiotics unless absolutely necessary.
2) Wash hands faithfully - the gene is carried by bacteria that can spread hand-to-mouth.
3) Avoid receiving medical care in India or Pakistan, unless of an extreme emergency nature.

Silver Alert Response System Signed Into Massachusetts Law

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 07:28:12 -0400

Massachusetts has joined 26 other states in enacting a Silver Alert response system for seniors suffering from serious memory impairment. This response system is similar to the Amber Alert for children, which has been very successful in Massachusetts by marshaling state, local, and civilian organizations as well as the “man-on-the-street” to bring missing children home safely. The same resources will now be utilized to bring seniors home safely.

Bravo, Massachusetts!

September 13 - I will be presenting at Waltham COA

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:44:31 -0400

On Monday, September 13th at 1:00, I will be delivering a presentation entitled “How to Make the Most of Your Doctor’s Appointment” at the Waltham Council of Aging. All are welcome.

The COA is located at 488 Main Street, Waltham. For more information, call 781-899-7228.

Hope to see you there!