Guest Blogger - "I Want More"
Hello everybody-
Last month, Sorrel visited the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine to speak to a group of medical students. It was a terrific visit, and we wanted to share a med student's perspective on Sorrel's visit. First year med student Syed Gillani shares some interesting thoughts. Thank you, Syed!
I want to tell you the story of a little girl named Josie King. She had a whole life ahead of her that was drastically cut short due to medical error. Today, she would have been in middle school thinking about her next soccer game, dance recital or sleepover at a friend's house. However, on February 22, 2001, Josie King died at the Johns Hopkins Hospital at eighteen months of age.
Rolling forward to February 9, 2011. It was lunchtime and a Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) meeting was scheduled. Like all other meetings, people signed in, grabbed their food and settled down in their favorite seats. The speaker was Sorrel King, Josie's mother, and the room was packed. I am not sure whether it was because of our gourmet food or Sorrel King, but I'll let you figure it out on your own. I signed in and sat in the front row, waiting for the speaker to talk. Since I am a SOMA E-board member, I had heard about the speaker's tragedy in and E-board meeting, but did not anticipate how it would play a role in my life.
Dean Scandalis introduced Sorrel King and she took the stage. This confident, professionally-dressed woman started out telling the details of her daughter's death as a result of a medical error. Right from the very first minute of her talk, I felt that she engaged everyone in the audience. I was not an exception. The story was so emotional that my throat started to get dry. Being in the front row, I was sitting very close to all the refreshments, but I could not get up and grab a drink. My eyes were locked on Sorrel and I would not want to be distracted for anything. I felt a different energy in the room than most lunch meetings, and I am sure that I was not the only one in the room who was feeling like that. As I noticed the face of a guy sitting next to me turning red, I knew he was as emotional as I was.
I still remember Sorrel King telling us that during the last days of her life, Josie was thirsty and asking for more water. That helped me to forget about my dry throat, which was bothering me. I cannot imagine the shock and emotional trauma this entire family had to bear. I can tell that Sorrel King has not yet recovered from that loss and, not surprisingly, may never recover fully. I found her to be passionate about patient safety and uniquely aware of the factors that affect patient outcomes.
As Sorrel so insightfully stated, we all go through some sort of trauma sometime in our lives. It ranges from having a bad day at work to losing a loved one. The kind of human beings we are is defined by how we react to these events and the choices we make down the road. Sorrel King turned her adversity into an opportunity to delivery her message effectively. She has made choices that are making a difference in so many lives. She started to dig deeper into her tragedy and found out that 98,000 people die every year from medical errors, making it one of the leading causes of death in the United States. She decided to build the platform that would help to decrease the deaths from this particular cause. She formed the Josie King Foundation (JKF) with the money she received as compensation from her daughter's death....
As we begin our professional lives in medicine, I strongly recommend that you visit www.josieking.org and read all of the information at your own convenience. This information will be very helpful in the future and gives a different perspective of what it means to be a physician. I was overwhelmed to discover how much power I will have based solely on the trust my patients will place in me. As always, power comes with accountability. Since I have a choice, I would rather create my own accountability than have someone else do it for me. I would rather facilitate medical error prevention by acquiring updated knowledge and developing effective communication skills than be externally reprimanded following an adverse event I caused out of ignorance. According to research, communication breakdowns are the most common cause of patient death due to medical error. I have learned that in my future practice, when I am not sure about something, I'll simply ask. I will not let any factor stop me from being a patient advocate. At the end of the day, I may only be able to save one family from their lifelong grief, but that is the priceless reward.
It was after 1:00pm, but few people had gotten up to leave and the room was still silent. Due to time constraints, Sorrel had to wrap up the talk quickly, but she had effectively conveyed her message. I left the room with my dry throat and I was not even able to talk for awhile. I wanted to walk down to Alyssa Bennett, current President of SOMA who arranged this unforgettable event, and ask her (out of necessity, in the sign language my fourteen-month old nephew uses) "I Want More!" I want more awareness and education about the prevention of medical malpractice. I want children like Josie growing up to a rightful old age, having trust in our health care system and processes.
Labels: by Andrea, Guest Blogger, Medical Students
Donating One's Body to Science
Hello everybody,
Lately we've been thinking about progress in health care- how advanced medical care has become, how we still are working towards even more advancement (particularly with regard to safety improvements), how we got to the point where we are. Knowing that there are a multitude of roads that got us to this point (i.e., evidence-based medicine and its application in the clinical setting, biotechnology, the list goes on and on...), we've recently become interested in the medical advances engendered when volunteers donate their bodies to science. Thanks to these donors, researchers can discover causes (and potentially cures) for diseases and medical students gain essential first-hand knowledge of the human body.
It seems like we don't hear enough of these donors' stories.
Have you considered donating your body to science? Why or why not? We would love to learn from your reasons. If you would like to share your story, please email me at awesol@josieking.org, or post a comment.
Thanks!
Andrea
Labels: by Andrea
Care Journals Back in Stock
Hello everybody-
I'm happy to report that Care Journals are back in stock. Anybody who requested a Care Journal and was put on the wait list will be mailed their Care Journals next week.
Email carejournal@josieking.org or awesol@josieking.org with any questions that you have about the Care Journal.
Thanks!
-Andrea
Labels: by Andrea, Care Journal
"Josie's Story" a National MS Society Books for a Better Life Winner
Last night, the National MS Society chose Sorrel's book
Josie's Story as the winner in the "First Book" category of their Books for a Better Life Award. Many thanks to the New York City - Southern New York Chapter of the National MS Society for this honor. The recognition came on a particularly poignant day, as yesterday was the ninth anniversary of Josie's death. Thanks again to the National MS Society, and everybody who has read and shared the book.
For more information on the Books for a Better Life Award and the National MS Society, visit
their website.
Labels: Book, by Andrea
Care Journal on Back Order
Hello everybody-
The Care Journals are currently on back order. We hope to have Care Journals back in stock in late February. We are adding requests for Care Journals to a wait list, and will ship Care Journals as soon as we can.
Please continue to email your questions or requests to
carejournal@josieking.org during this time.
Thank you for understanding.
-Andrea
Labels: by Andrea, Care Journal
50 Influential Women
Hello everybody-
Sorrel has been named one of 50 influential women who are changing the world by Woman's Day magazine.
Read Sorrel's story and see the entire list
here.
Thanks to Woman's Day for this honor!
-Andrea
Labels: by Andrea, Sorrel
Shipment Notice for 2009
Hello everybody-
The last shipment of 2009 will be mailed on Thursday, December 17. Requests received by 4:00 pm EST on Wednesday, December 16 will be included in the shipment. Requests received after 4:00 pm EST on Wednesday, December 16 will be shipped in January 2010.
Affected items include:
- "The Josie King Story" DVD
- Signed copies of Josie's Story
- Care Journal (small quantities only)
- Nursing Journal (small quantities only)
We may be able to facilitate bulk orders of the Care Journal and Nursing Journal through the end of December. Please email Andrea at
awesol@josieking.org if you are interested in learning more details.
Thanks for understanding!
-Andrea
Labels: by Andrea, Shipment
"Josie's Story" named a top health book in 2009
Hello everybody-
Josie's Story has been chosen as one of the top health books in 2009 by the Wall Street Journal's Laura Landro!
Her description of
Josie's Story plus the other books honored can be found online:
http://tinyurl.com/yfu6xgu.
We'll be reading some of Laura's other interesting choices.
Thanks for the acknowledgement!
-Andrea
Labels: Book, by Andrea
Sorrel's Visit to Richmond, VA
Hello everybody-
On Tuesday, October 27, Sorrel is visiting her home town of Richmond, VA, for a book event:
St. Stephen's Parish Hall
6000 Grove Avenue
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Sorrel will discuss her book
Josie's Story, and the medical errors that led to her daughter Josie's death.
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to awesol@josieking.org.
Thanks!
-Andrea
Labels: Book, by Andrea
Josie's Story Excerpt on Oprah.com
Hi everybody-
Just wanted to share some exciting news: there is an excerpt from Sorrel's book
Josie's Story now up on
Oprah.com. Please click to read it, and share the link with anybody you think might be interested.
Thanks!
-Andrea
Labels: Book, by Andrea
Watch Sorrel on NBC's TODAY Show
This morning, Sorrel appeared on NBC's TODAY Show with Matt Lauer and Dr. Nancy Snyderman. They discussed the problem of medical errors, and
Josie's Story.
Thanks!
Labels: Book, by Andrea, Interview, Medical Errors
From the Institute for Family-Centered Care Conference
Hi there-
In August, Sorrel had the opportunity to attend the
Institute for Family-Centered Care's 4th International Conference in Philadelphia. The Institute for Family-Centered Care (IFCC) is a non-profit working with patient advocates and health care providers to improve care delivery. Sorrel was honored to deliver the closing plenary address. IFCC hosted two book signings in support of
Josie's Story. Sorrel loved meeting with the dedicated conference attendees, who are going back to hospitals all around the country and work to strengthen productive partnerships between families and health care providers. Thank you to everybody who stopped by the book table.
Here are two pictures from Philly:
Photo Credit: Institute for Family Centered Care
Photo Credit: Institute for Family Centered Care
Thanks to the entire IFCC's team- with a special nod to Bev Johnson and Julie Ginn Moretz- for their hard work in creating a meaningful, successful conference!
-Andrea
P.S.- Come back next week for a special note from Sorrel.
Labels: Book, by Andrea, Speaking
Parents the "Missing Link" in Patient Safety Efforts
Hello everybody-
A fascinating new report on the role of parents in pediatric patient safety efforts is published in the July 30 issue of
Journal of Hospital Medicine (paid registration required). A summary of the article is available through the
University of Michigan.
Beth A. Tarini, MD, MS, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Michigan Medical School, and her co-authors Paula Lozano, MD, MPH, and Dimitri A. Christakis, MD, MPH, of the Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute, looked into parents' perceptions of medical errors, patient safety, and communication. They found that nearly two-thirds of parents felt that they had to closely oversee their children's hospital care to prevent a medical error from happening.
Interestingly, parents who reported a higher level of confidence in communicating with the medical team were less likely to be worried by the potential for medical errors.
Dr. Tarini draws an important conclusion: "We need to address parents' concerns about errors and find ways to make them feel comfortable talking to us about their child's care. Parents are an underutilized resource in our efforts to prevent medical errors."
I can't echo Dr. Tarini's sentiment enough. While some parents are trained medical professionals, most are not. But parents- because of their close relationships with their children- are often able to sense important but subtle changes in their children's conditions. Parents are more than visitors. They have the potential to meaningfully contribute to their children's medical care. Time has come to harness that potential.
-Andrea
Labels: by Andrea, Communication, parents, pediatrics
JKF now on Facebook!
Hello everybody-
First Twitter, now Facebook!
The Josie King Foundation now has a presence on Facebook. Please check us out and link to us.
Thanks for your support!
-Andrea
Labels: by Andrea, Facebook
Summer Shipping Details
Hello everybody-
Just a quick note to let you know that there will be a shipment of "The Josie King Story" DVDs and single copies of the Care Journal going out on Wednesday, July 22. If you would like a copy of either the DVD or the Care Journal soon, please email
awesol@josieking.org by 5 pm EST on Tuesday, July 21.
Requests received after Tuesday at 5 pm will be shipped the week of August 14th.
We will still be able to process bulk Care Journal requests during this time.
Thanks for understanding!
-Andrea
Labels: by Andrea, Care Journal, DVD
"The Josie King Story" DVD is back in stock
Hello everybody-
Just a note to let you know that "The Josie King Story" DVD is back in stock. Email
dvd@josieking.org to order a copy. Thanks for your patience!
-Andrea
Labels: by Andrea, DVD
Josie King Foundation now on Twitter
Hello everybody-
I'm happy to report that the Josie King Foundation is now on Twitter! You can follow us at
www.twitter.com/jkfaw.
We're looking forward to connecting with the patient safety community here.
How do you use Twitter?
-Andrea
Labels: by Andrea, twitter
Update: IHI On Call Transcript and Audio Download Now Available
Hi everybody-
Just wanted to spread the word that the transcript and audio download of Sorrel's
IHI On Call session are now available at
IHI's Open School website.
We hope that you enjoy the conversation. Feel free to comment on the session here, or at
IHI's Open School blog.
Thanks,
Andrea
Labels: by Andrea, resources
Thank you, LeanBlog!
Happy New Year!
The charity auction organized by
Lean Hospitals author and
LeanBlog editor Mark Graban has ended. Thanks to the winner, whose support will help us continue our grassroots patient safety work in 2009. Of course, thanks to Mark for his time and great idea!
We wish you a healthy, safe 2009.
Labels: by Andrea, charity auction
Charity Online Auction to Benefit JKF
Thanks to the generosity of Mark Graban, the Josie King Foundation is the charity beneficiary of an
online auction.
Mark Graban is a quality consultant who recently wrote
Lean Hospitals, a book that applies the "lean" techniques of quality improvement and employee satisfaction to the healthcare setting. Mark is also the founder of
LeanBlog and LeanPodcast.
The item for auction is a 4-CD podcast of Mark speaking with lean expert Norman Bodek and one of Mr. Bodek's books, autographed by the author himself.
Please check out Mark's blog and consider making a bid to support the Josie King Foundation. The auction ends Friday, December 19th.
Thanks again, Mark!
Labels: by Andrea, charity auction
