Tag: Michael Wong

The Ongoing Evolution of the Enhanced Respiratory Care Program

Michael Wong, JD and Gene Gantt, RRT, FAARC discuss the past, present, and future of the Enhanced Respiratory Care program in the latest podcast episodes.

  • Initial development of the Enhanced Respiratory Care partnership
  • The many safety and financial benefits created for all involved parties 
  • Future plans to improve the standards further and expand on a global level

By Rob Caiati, M.A., Freelance Writer and Researcher (https://www.robcaiati.com)

The Enhanced Respiratory Care (ERC) program began in 2002 as an outline of best practices for optimally weaning patients in Tennessee off long-term mechanical ventilation. The program has since evolved into a national standard of care with a multitude of additional benefits through the partnership with Michael Wong, JD, Executive Director of the Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety (PPAHS), a non-profit advocating for patient health and safety priorities. 

During a recent podcast conversation Michael and the developer of the Enhanced Respiratory Care standards, Gene Gantt, RRT, FAARC, sat down to discuss the program in greater depth, recounting how their partnership came about, the unique benefits for various stakeholders through accreditation and certification, along with looking ahead to what the future holds for the program’s growth. 

Continue reading “The Ongoing Evolution of the Enhanced Respiratory Care Program” →

Blood Clots Can Happen with Anyone, Don’t Think It Can’t Happen to You or Your Loved One

In celebration of World Thrombosis Day 2019, here are four much-watch videos on the need to assess all maternal patients for the risk of VTE and to provide the recommended prophylaxis treatment, depending on whether the mother is antepartum or postpartum.

Blood Clots Are Preventable in Pregnant Mothers

Blood clots are preventable in pregnant mothers, but to make this happen, all maternal patients need to be assessed for the risk of DVT and, if the patient is found to be at risk, the patient must be provided the recommended prophylactic treatments. In this video, Michael Wong, JD (Founder and Executive Director) discusses PPAHS put together an expert panel to develop the OB VTE Safety Recommendations. He encourages all maternal patients to be assessed and treated for VTE.

Continue reading “Blood Clots Can Happen with Anyone, Don’t Think It Can’t Happen to You or Your Loved One” →

Are Patients Receiving Opioids Safer Today Than 6 Years Ago?

Six years ago on July 27, 2011, I posted the first article on a free WordPress blog for the Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety. It was titled “Is it possible to survive 96-minutes without a heart beat?”. Howard Snitzer, a man who suffered a heart attack survived after two volunteer paramedics responded and began a 96-minute CPR marathon. The ordeal involved 20 others, who took turns pumping his chest. This life-saving feat was only possible with the use of capnography readings, which told the volunteer paramedics that Howard was still alive and that they needed to continue their efforts.

Little would I know that that article would lead to an invitation by the University of Notre Dame and the beginnings of a 6-year friendship with the parents of Amanda Abbiehl. Amanda was admitted to hospital for “severe strep throat.” Continue reading “Are Patients Receiving Opioids Safer Today Than 6 Years Ago?” →

How To Avoid The Possibility Of Catastrophic Injury in Anesthesia

At the recent conference “Medical Malpractice Catastrophic Injury,” medical and legal experts discussed “The Distinct Dangers of Anesthesia: How To Avoid The Possibility of Catastrophic Injury, Notable Cases and Decisions, and Looking Towards the Future with Non-Human Administration.”

Speaking on the dangers of anesthesia were:

  • Victoria L. Vance (Partner, Chair, Health Care Practice, Tucker Ellis LLP)
  • Kenneth P. Rothfield, MD (System Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Saint Vincent’s Healthcare, Ascension Health)
  • Michael Wong, JD (Founder/Executive Director, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety)

Continue reading “How To Avoid The Possibility Of Catastrophic Injury in Anesthesia” →

Three Technologies Nurses Want Discussed at ACI Medical Liability Conference

Three technologies nurses want were discussed at the recent ACI Medical Liability conference.

The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety (PPAHS) conducted a survey among 73 nurses who are members of the American Hospital Association (AHA). The AHA leads, represents and serves hospitals, health systems and other related organizations that are accountable to the community and committed to health improvement.

Continue reading “Three Technologies Nurses Want Discussed at ACI Medical Liability Conference” →

Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety Turns 4 Years Old

The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety (PPAHS) today celebrates its fourth anniversary.

PPAHS posted its first blog on July 27, 2011, “Is it possible to survive 96-minutes without a heart beat?”.

This post featured what happened to Howard Snitzer, who suffered a heart attack outside of a grocery store in Goodhue, Minnesota. Two volunteer paramedics responded and began a 96-minute CPR marathon involving 20 others, who took turns pumping his chest. Continue reading “Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety Turns 4 Years Old” →

Midwest Stroke Action Alliance Presentation Features Stroke VTE Safety Recommendations and Blood Clot Prevention

The Midwest Stroke Action Alliance recently hosted a panel of health experts on the risks of venous thromboembolism (VTE which is commonly referred to as blood clots).

The health experts on the panel were:

  • Mark J. Alberts, MD (Clinical Vice-Chair for Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, UT Southwestern Medical Center)
  • Laurie Paletz, BSN, PHN, RN-BC (Stroke Program Coordinator, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)
  • Michael W. Wong, JD (Executive Director, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety)

Continue reading “Midwest Stroke Action Alliance Presentation Features Stroke VTE Safety Recommendations and Blood Clot Prevention” →

Death of 18-Year Old Amanda Abbiehl and Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression: Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety Releases Podcast on Fifth Death Anniversary

In honor of July 17, the day that 18-year old Amanda Abbiehl died five years ago after being connected to a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), the Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety (PPAHS) has released the podcast, “Opioid-Induced Respiratory Compromise Can Be Prevented”.

The podcast is now available on: Continue reading “Death of 18-Year Old Amanda Abbiehl and Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression: Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety Releases Podcast on Fifth Death Anniversary” →

Excluding Pulmonary Embolism with Capnography

By Michael Wong, JD (Founder and Executive Director, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health and Safety)

[Editor’s note: We need a safer, more accurate, readily available diagnostic test for pulmonary embolism. Anna Hemnes, MD of Vanderbilt provides evidence that capnography may be such a test.]  Continue reading “Excluding Pulmonary Embolism with Capnography” →