Paper clips being used by a U.S. dentist in root canals? We're not kidding!

Dental Care –Dentist Reviews –Rate a Dentist

Michael Clair, a former dentist in Massachusetts, has pleaded guilty to Medicaid fraud for using paper clips instead of stainless steel posts in root canals.  Source:  1/24/12 Associated Press

Since the emphasis in news story seems to be focused on the “Medicare Fraud” aspect, I want to focus, here, on the patient.

Seriously, folks, this is a rude “wake-up” call that you can’t assume your local dentist is ethical or any good at what they do.

Since I’m in the business of educating people on what a highly-skilled and ethical dentist is and does – and promoting only those dentists recommended by our members, I’ll share one article here:  ”Can your dentist pass the litmus test?”

I also suggest you read the reviews other patients have posted on Traveling 4 Health & Retirement, where only patient-generated reviews are allowed, i.e., no 3^rd party advertising.  No medical provider can “pay” to play here.  The review process is free to patients and only patients can post reviews.

This patient-generated review process is a new feature of our website.  We created the page so that people can read standardized reports on dental and medical service providers.  How this differs from reading patient testimonials on a dentist’s website, is that we facilitate unfiltered conversations between you and the patient who posted the testimony.

In other words, you can contact the patients and talk to them without having to contact the dentist or doctor.  This facilitates passive research that avoids the problem of being influenced by a sales-person.

What we’re finding is an eye-opener, folks . . . .  We are amazed at how many medical and dental professionals cannot, or will not, request their patients to post a review that the doctors cannot control.  Instead, they opt to “pick & choose” what a patient says and post on their own websites only what they can control.

The good news is that 1) the best doctors and dentists will participate, as they welcome the opportunity to distinguish themselves through unbiased patient-reviews, and 2) the unethical doctors and dentists will be exposed.

Our provider review feature is for you, folks.  We are the only place on the web where you can talk to other patients as if you were sitting next to them in the doctor’s waiting room.

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We are open to suggestions on how to make the review results more meaningful to patients searching for information.  We welcome your feedback at Ilene@traveling4health.com.  Here is where you, as the patient, can post a review of a dentist.

Tip: If you are researching a good dentist whose name does not appear on the reviewed list, then make that a condition of your becoming their patient and suggest that they submit a request to be reviewed by their own patients.

New York Hospital Makes “Big Mistaka” (file / credit: Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center)

Patient Care in the Bronx – Hospital Report New York City

To borrow a phrase from the Jimmy Buffet song, “Jamaica Mistaka”, a hospital in New York made a “big Mistaka” resulting in patients getting billed for tens of millions of dollars for medical services.  (source:  http://nydn.us/AjolYU).

Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center is a general medical and surgical hospital in Bronx, NY, reported by USNews.com to be one of the best hospitals in the U.S.

The company that does the billing for the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital erroneously put the invoice number in the space where the invoice amount should go. So the billing company is to blame, but the buck stops at the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital.

I’m sure this is all an embarrassment to the hospital; but can you imagine the shock of one patient who received a bill saying he owed $44.8 million dollars? (more…)

Risks associated with IVF Vacations in South Africa

IVF Vacation in Africa – In vitro fertilization – Medical Tourism Report on IVF

A press release announcing a new IVF Vacation Center in South Africa is marketing South Africa as “A New Option For Infertile Couples and Singles Looking To Save Money In Beautiful Vacation Destinations.”  (Source:  Retrieved from http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151385 )

The challenge is, press releases aren’t designed to give you both sides of the story; the risks, as well as the cost-advantages, even supposing the medical services are indeed excellent.

So, I’m here to give you a heads’ up; not to discourage you, but just so you can make an informed decision about where to go. (more…)

A patient loses confidence in local hospital care

Hospital Report – Patient Care

I’m going to do what I expect Traveling4Health members to do; write a review when I receive any noteworthy medical services so that others can benefit from my experience.

In this case, it’s a review of an American hospital; the result of waking up in the wee hours of the morning with intense chest pain and an ambulance ride to Auburn Regional Medical Center in Auburn, WA.

Unfortunately, it’s not a positive review.  Basically I’m a “think positive” person and certainly not looking to write an exposé.  But, in good faith, I am going to share why I feel I lost confidence in my local hospital.

On Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, I called 911 and was taken by ambulance to Auburn Regional Medical Center in Washington State.  My symptoms were pain in my chest and solar-plexus area; right exactly where the needle had been inserted for the liver biopsy three days previously at the same hospital.

The short story is that, after my blood tests and chest X-ray had come back negative, I was told by a nurse, “You’re going home”.  I was being released from the emergency room regardless of pain symptoms I was exhibiting.

I was scared (more…)