PATIENTS FALLING FROM HOSPITAL BEDS

My daughter-in-law called to tell me that her mom's friend had fallen out of a hospital bed and went into a coma and died. She was only there for a minor surgery. This was a surprising event. No one had expected for this to happen.

Patient falls are the most common injuries reported in hospitals. Many hospitals are making simple changes. For example, patients aren't given diuretics before bedtime, as a full bladder might tempt patients to make a nighttime bathroom trip by themselves — a classic scenario for a fall.

Some hospitals avoid drugs that could impair a patent's balance. They are also using beds that can be lowered to the floor so that if patients fall out, they won't fall far.

All this patient protection isn't just happening out of benevolence. In some states, hospitals now have to publicly report their fall rates. There is also a financial incentive: Medicare will no longer pay for costs related to certain hospital falls. Those falls can add more than $4,000 in excess charges per hospitalization.

ALREADY FEELING PINCH OF ECONOMY : HEALTH CARE

A friend of mine lost her job last year. She has been looking for a job but there aren't any jobs and age is a factor. She doesn't have health care nor dental. Her tooth has been bothering her for awhile and she had no relief.

She went to several practices and they turned her away because she had no cash. She receives social security. She cannot get medicare until she is 65 years old. The university or county hospital that will pull her tooth, stated they only pull teeth.

They will not do cleanings, root canals or crowns. It was a rude awakening for this lady. She was hoping to get a job and medical and dental coverage. This is a preview of the coverage of the government health plan. There will be no frills.