“Health care is exceedingly complex and the entire
industry is undergoing a significant transition of learning
how to further improve the processes of care so that patients
are consistently receiving safer and higher quality care in
all settings. This type of transition takes time, however,
so patients and their families must take the important steps
of learning how to ensure optimal care for themselves by collaborating
with the professionals who are providing their care.
Critical Conditions is well-written and organized
with an intuitive layout such that patients and their families
will benefit from its use for a single short-term hospital
stay – as well as for long-term multiple hospital stays.
A great patient and family resource.”
- Peter B. Angood MD, FRCS,
FACS, FCCM
Vice-President & Chief Patient Safety Officer
The Joint Commission, Chicago, IL
"Martine has accomplished what scores of nurses have
talked about for years. She has collected crucial helpful
hints and organized them together in an easy to understand
format, for family members who have a loved one in the hospital.
When lay people enter this 'foreign country' of hospitals
and rehab facilities, the language, practices, strange sounds
and equipment are often intimidating. This book is their survival
guide. Martine’s mantra, 'to support the best possible
medical care for your loved one,' is really what every member
of the healthcare team is striving for. Many instances of
a breakdown in communication or trust between the healthcare
team and the patient or family can be avoided by using this
tool. Before I finished reading it, I had made a list of friends
who need a copy. This book belongs in the gift shop of every
hospital."
- Jackie Koob, RN, BSN, Stanton,
CA
"They should pass out this book to all families who
have loved ones in hospitals."
- Robert Adair, MD, Santa Monica,
CA
"Critical Conditions is a great tool to navigate
the hospital system. It provides simple and helpful steps
that family members and patients themselves can follow."
- Meredith Singer, RN, MSN,
Asheville, NC
"Critical Conditions is a most comprehensive
guide book for the individual who has a loved one in the hospital.
It provides the do's and don'ts for the family. Ms. Ehrenclou
is to be complimented on having written a practical and informative
book."
Howard S. Traisman, MD, Emeritus
Professor of Pediatrics, Northwestern University, Feinberg
School of Medicine and Emeritus Attending Endocrinologist,
Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL
"Critical Conditions provides the 411 on a
911 situation. This book is a practical resource that teaches
HOW and WHY to be a champion, an observer, a voice for our
hospitalized loved ones; a personal reference that feels like
an experienced friend; AND a step-by-step roadmap that guides
readers from Admitting, past the confusion of hospitalization,
through the fears, along the path of safe and efficient care,
and finally to Discharge. Readers will learn how collaborative
communication between physicians, nurses, hospital staff,
and family members and their loved ones can only enhance the
quality, experience, and outcome for our most vulnerable health
care recipients.
"Critical Conditions will be equally appropriate
for the medical school or college classroom, in a hospital-bound
suitcase, at the admitting office or emergency room, on a
bed stand, and in the hands of every patient advocate."
- Lucy Hu Bruttomesso, M.D,
Los Angeles, CA |
