Your advice...

[Old School Chic]

I had my brother's doctor tell me on the phone that he could not answer any of my questions about my brother's illness because my brother was a 45-year-old man and had to make his own decisions about his medical care. I wasn't trying to make any decisions, I was just trying to find out what the was going on. No one, in this day and age, should have to spend 3 weeks in the hospital for a simple case of pneumonia. He was too sick to battle with them. We (his two sisters and his Mother) could not even find out what they were doing to or for him. I do believe, though, that if he had stayed in that hospital one more day, they would have killed him with their "treatment".

They told my friend that due to HIPPA they could not release any information to her.
She has contacted an attorney to start the legal process.

[pache100]

They told my friend that due to HIPPA they could not release any information to her.
She has contacted an attorney to start the legal process.

Thanks for the update. This is going to be very hard for her. My heart goes out to her and her family (and to you, as her friend).

[Carie]

I'm so sorry about this!

For my MRI's I've had to have a contrast injected into me. But they have always done the MRI without it first to compare the results.

Also, is your friend's mom sure she didn't have any metal in her body, and wasn't taking Metformin (Gluco e) for diabetes? I THINK you are not able to have this done if you are taking MAOI's either, but I could be wrong about that.

ETA: You can have an MRI taking Metformin, but not one with contrast.

Also, I just found this:

Although Open MRI is an effective diagnostic tool, certain medical conditions will prevent individuals from having an Open MRI. Please inform your physician and our center personnel at the time of scheduling if you have either of the following:

• Cardiac Pacemaker
• Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
• Cochlear Ear Implant

Other certain medical conditions may prevent individuals from having an Open MRI. Please inform your physician and our center personnel at the time of scheduling if you have any of the following:

• Metal fragments located in one or both eyes
• Metal fragments or prosthesis within the body
• Pregnancy
• Certain type aneurysm clips
• Other certain type of electrical or magnetic activated implants

It is very important that if you are pregnant or there is a possibility of pregnancy, or if you are breast feeding, that you inform your physician and the center personnel prior to your Open MRI.

If any of these conditions exist, your physician and/or the center radiologist will determine if you can be safely imaged or recommend an alternative diagnostic imaging procedure that can be safely performed for your condition.

[Old School Chic]

^^^ Thank you Carie ^^^

Actually, my friends Mom is diabetic and had been going to diaysis for quite sometime.

[SequSpur]

MRI's are done with or without IV contrast. They also can be done with a mild sedative for anxious patients. It sounds like she had a reaction to something which is clearly possible. Look up anaphylaxis shock to medications, etc.

If there is a potential issue with the quality of healthcare delivered to your friend's mom at that hospital, then the Nurse Director, Case Manager, Quality Manager/Director, Peer Review personnel should've all been notified of it.

HIPAA protects medical information. And without a Medical Power of Attorney, you ain't getting any info.

This should be good advice for you, me and the rest to make sure that we have a POA, and Advanced Directives so our family members aren't left hanging in getting info and trying to remember what you wanted when you become incapacitated.

[hussker]

^^^ Thank you Carie ^^^

Actually, my friends Mom is diabetic and had been going to diaysis for quite sometime.

Would be interesting to know what her seum creatinine was prior to the procedure and injection of contrast (if that is what the injection was. Often times, as sequspur said, there will be a small dose of benzodiazepine prior to the procedure as an anxiolytic.) Especially if she were on Metformin. I am assuming she has diabetic nephropathy, which makes me wonder why the MRI? Knowing that history, however, I am sure all the consent forms were signed and risk/benefits explained by the radiologist.

If not, slam dunk...

[SequSpur]

Would be interesting to know what her seum creatinine was prior to the procedure and injection of contrast (if that is what the injection was. Often times, as sequspur said, there will be a small dose of benzodiazepine prior to the procedure as an anxiolytic.) Especially if she were on Metformin. I am assuming she has diabetic nephropathy, which makes me wonder why the MRI? Knowing that history, however, I am sure all the consent forms were signed and risk/benefits explained by the radiologist.

If not, slam dunk...

Thanks Doc.

[ShoogarBear]

HIPAA regulations make it a lot harder for anyone, even family, to get medical information unless you have designated Durable Power of Attorney or some similar designated medical decision-maker status.

EVERYONE, regardless of your current age and health, should make sure that they have filled out (or at least discussed) Advanced Directives and DPOA forms with your loved ones.

Also, I know people are trying to by helpful, but there's some medical misinformation being spread in this thread. Don't confuse complications from MRI contrast with those from CT scans. The best thing is to take whatever steps you need to find out the facts, and not speculate from what you read in here.

[hussker]

HIPAA regulations make it a lot harder for anyone, even family, to get medical information unless you have designated Durable Power of Attorney or some similar designated medical decision-maker status.

EVERYONE, regardless of your current age and health, should make sure that they have filled out (or at least discussed) Advanced Directives and DPOA forms with your loved ones.

Also, I know people are trying to by helpful, but there's some medical misinformation being spread in this thread. Don't confuse complications from MRI contrast with those from CT scans. The best thing is to take whatever steps you need to find out the facts, and not speculate from what you read in here.

True, but with a nephropathy, any contrast can cause problems. And yes, there are differences.

[2Blonde]

I know that this is a terribly difficult time for your friend's family but sometimes during the diagnosis and treatment of patients they have to be given medications that they could potentially have a reaction to. That is why informed consent papers are signed. Nobody knows in advance if the medications will cause a reaction but the benefits of a diagnosis or a cure must be be assessed and if they outweigh the risk then they are usually recommended. If a patient has a reaction, anaphylactic or otherwise, it doesn't necessarily mean there was anything done wrong on the part of the hospital.
As far as the hospital's reluctance to give out information on what medication was administered, disregarding HIPPAA, I am sure any doctor would be a little hesitant to answer that question considering the pro-litigation society we live in. Even if he/she did nothing wrong, quite often people with little or no medical training read about malpractice suits and assume that whenever there is a negative outcome during a medical procedure someone must be held accountable. They are hurting and want someone to blame. It's human nature.
Sometimes there truly are mistakes, like when someone gives a wrong medication or a wrong dose, and that is when people should be held accountable. I agree that your friend should investigate to find out the truth about was given to her mother as long as she realizes that she may find out that it was a tragic accident (allergic reaction) that was no-body's fault and couldn't have been foretold.
My prayers are with you and your friend's family.

[Old School Chic]

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers...

[Old School Chic]

I just got a call from my friend Patty.
Her Mom passed away this morning.
I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers...
I asked her if the plate sale was going to be cancelled and she told me that now more then ever she needs to have it so that funeral costs can be covered. The information is below is you would like to contribute.

Thank you

Benefit Barbque Plate Sale Saturday, March 11, 2006
12:00 noon to 6pm
Crestholme Boys & Girls Club 1602 Goliad Rd @ Hot Wells
210-359-7822

Plates $5.00 (chicken & sausage plus trimmings)

Thank you in advance from the Medellin family

[Silver21_Black20]

I just got a call from my friend Patty.
Her Mom passed away this morning.
I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers...
I asked her if the plate sale was going to be cancelled and she told me that now more then ever she needs to have it so that funeral costs can be covered. The information is below is you would like to contribute.

Thank you

Oh...OSC, I am so sorry to hear that

[2Blonde]

I am so sorry. Is there someplace we can contribute if we can't make it to the benefit? A bank fund set up in her name for funeral and medical expenses maybe?

[Old School Chic]

I spoke to her earlier... No bank fund was set-up, just the benefit barbque plate sale tomorrow.

My friends' Mom information will come out in the obituaries this weekend under Santa Teresa Medellin...

Once again thank you for all your thoughts and prayers

[pache100]

OSC, I am so very sorry to hear this. Please pass my condolences on to your friend. She is lucky to have a friend who cares as much as you do, and I am sure you are a comfort to her.