Patients Rights?

anonymous

New member
I am new to this sight but I think it is a great forum for those of us with Cystic Fibrosis to have a discourse. I have enjoyed reading many of the posts and appluad the honesty that many of you speak with.

Recently, a young friend of mine with CF passed away. And I was wondering if any one else was frustrated by the medical industries policy on privacy, at least that is how it is here in California.

Because of privacy concerns the hospital does not inform those of us who are seen in the same clinic that someone has passed on. I understand the need for privacy and that patients have and need privacy rights as well as the fact that hospitals need to protect themselfs from liability but I also believe that we should be able to sign a waiver if we would like for our friends with CF to know of such events-espically those of us who are adults. The CF community is really a small community and I know the first question that came up when I was in clinic was "Who else is in the clinic?" so I knew who I could spend time with while I was being treated. It can be really painful and frustrating to find out weeks or months after the fact that one of my peers had passed on.

The lack of that information takes away our opportunity to attend the funeral or provide an avenue for our grief. Worse than that is running into one of their family members at the mall or sporting event and inquirying about them, only reminding that family member of that pain when they tell you what happened. Anyway I just wanted to see if this was an issue that others had to grapple with.

"Senatorgraham"

"My Friends are my estate. Forgive me the avarice of hoarding them."-Emily Dickenson
 

anonymous

New member
I would say that individually, a person could provide written account of their wishes such as what you stated. That other patients at their clinic be notified of their death so friends and aquaintances from the clinic (or anywhere else you request) could be made aware. You can also provide that information in your will, which I recommend EVERYBODY ON THIS SITE have, CF or NOT! I do understand your frustration though, at the military hospital, the CF clinic is great, talkes to me about my husband because they know me and he has verbally expressed that it is ok, but when I go to the pharmacy or xray or anywhere else, it's a nightmare. It's hard t find a medium though because some people are very secretive, other's don't really care...

Julie (wife to Mark 24 w/CF)
 

senatorgraham

New member
Dear Lindsey,

I believe my official clinic is in Oakland but I sort of split my time between them and UCSF-they did my Bi-lateral Lung Transplant. Coincidentally, neither is anywhere near where I live and what used to be my old Clinic, which unfortunately no longer sees adult patients. I am not complaining, but I am strongly advocating that one of the health care providers in the Central Valley create an adult CF clinic.

By the way I completely agree with Julie that people should have a will as well as an Advance Directive. Unfortunately, I have learned the hard way that too many people do not.

Sincerely,

"Senatorgraham"

If anyone fells more comfortable talking off the board you can e-mail me at senatorgraham@yahoo.com

"My friends are my estate. Forgive me the avarice of hoarding them."-Emily Dickinson
 

JazzysMom

New member
Unfortunately due to lawsuits etc, it has taken away the "personal" aspect of our healthcare. It is up to each individual to make sure everyone knows that it is ok to pass the word along when they have died. In our office, we have a newsletter that comes out 4 times a year. In that is anyone who has passed away since the last newsletter & the date of their death. I didnt ask, but I can...if they all personally or their families gave permission for their names to go into the newsletter. I'm "assuming" that they have permission since it would be included in the HIPPA privacy laws.
 

senatorgraham

New member
Dear JazzysMom,

I know you are right. It is on us individually to make sure are wishes are known. It is just disheartening to find out one of our friends is no longer with us and only months after the fact. I went to the funeral Thursday and found out someone else I had known with CF had passed away many months before. Closure is important for everyone and sometimes I wish there was a better vehicle for notifying us about such things. However, given the litigious society we live in it is up to us to make sure are wishes are known.

You said in your office you have a newsletter do you work in a CF clinic?

Sincerely,

"Senatorgraham"

"My friends are my estate. Forgive me the avarice of hoarding them."-Emily Dickinson
 

anonymous

New member
LindseyRose, the clinic I was referring to in my post is the military facility at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Mark has also been seen at University of San Diego California on a few occasions.


Julie (wife to Mark 24 w/CF)
 

JazzysMom

New member
To Senatorgraham:
I dont actually work in the CF clinic. I help coordinate info that goes into the newsletter.
 

senatorgraham

New member
Dear JazzysMom,

Right on. I think it is great you are so involved.

Sincerely,

"Senatorgraham"

"My friends are my estate. Forgive me the avarice of hoarding them."-Emily Dickinson
 

anonymous

New member
From a legal standpoint a death is public knowledge. It's a matter of re-educating health care providers of the law. So many are so afraid of getting sued that some things have been taken to the extreme.
 

JazzysMom

New member
A death is public knowledge & information must be given to someone upon request under the Freedom of Information act. The information can not & does not have to be published freely for anyone to see unless permission is obtained. All death notices in the newspaper (detailed or basic obituary) are only published when a signed consent from someone is obtained.
 
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