I knew, just knew, that because this was on freerepublic it would be about character assassination, with no comment on the actual subject - nearly 100,000 people killed by medication errors.
Any thoughts on the actual subject? I know hospitals are spending money on IT in order to try and track medication through the process in order to prevent these kinds of mistakes. I wonder why UPMC was so resistant.
"O'Neill maintained that his main reason for leaving UPMC's board was the health system's refusal earlier this year to participate in a proposed PRHI undertaking in which participating hospitals would have committed to eliminating all medication errors.
The campaign, which was never launched, would have begun with identifying errors that occurred because of the illegibility of handwriting on prescriptions.
"The reason to start there is it engages the first people in the process ... namely the doctors," he said.
O'Neill said UPMC's unwillingness to participate in the project made him question the system's desire to be held to measurable standards of quality."
So Freerepublic is about character assassination?
"I knew, just knew, that because this was on freerepublic it would be about character assassination, with no comment on the actual subject..."
Well, aren't you a jolly fellow? Please don't take that as character assassination...
This is just another story about Paul O'Neill being difficult. If he were a true leader, he would convince others and bring them around to his point of view. He was ok in the corporate world, but a terrible Treasury Secretary - and after being fired he attacked the Bush Administration.
The campaign, which was never launched, would have begun with identifying errors that occurred because of the illegibility of handwriting on prescriptions.
"The reason to start there is it engages the first people in the process ... namely the doctors," he said.
Anyone who has spent any time in a Pharmacy knows how to read that writing, whereas a layman has no clue. Any time any pharmacist is unsure about the prescription, whether it be the "handwriting", or a myriad of other questions, ie - the drug itself, the dosage, interactions, the condition of the patient.....all of these things are paid close attention to, and if there is any concern at all, the physician is asked. If you are in a hospital environment where the administration treats doctors like gods, and those docs get used to that kind of treatment, that COULD hinder the pharmacy personell in dealing with questions.....
OK, so what did he accomplish by picking up his marbles?
He basically performed the same duties for the admin.
He did nothing because he is a jerk!