Critical Conditions: The Essential Hospital Guide to Get Your Loved One Out Alive

Martine Ehrenclou, M.A.
Lemon Grove Press (2008)
ISBN 9780981524009
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (12/08)

 

As a Psychologist who teaches college courses to nurses, I have to say this is one of the most valuable books I have come across. The author has really given us permission to be advocates for our family members who are in a hospital or any care-taking facility. Many of us feel that being an advocate means we have to agree with everything the medical facility says, not get involved and let nature take its course. The author states that this is not the case – she goes into extreme detail about how to handle getting information from the doctor and the primary nurse. Those two individuals will be important to ensuring that your family member gets the best care available.

As an advocate for military special-needs family members for over 18-years, I know personally how emotions can get in the way. One point the author makes all through the book is know your facts, do your research and hold your tongue. Doctor’s and nurses appreciate you being an advocate; however, if you are rude, they will ignore you. It is always important to introduce yourself to everyone, give him or her background information on your loved one and have a list of questions to ask.

In a time where insurance dictates what and how long someone can get treatment, we also need to look at alternatives. That’s where research comes in- find out as much as you can. If you don’t understand what the doctor is saying in “doctor terms,” ask them to clarify in simple language. If you don’t ask, you won’t be told.

One chapter I particularly enjoyed was the one on Infectious Diseases in the hospital. I do not think the author’s intent was to make you paranoid, but she did make very important points about the many staff and people who come in and out of patient’s rooms or wards on a daily basis.  The other point she made, which I have heard from some of my practicing nurses, is that if your loved one is on any floor other than ICU – the patient-nurse ratio drops. Therefore it is important that you watch closely as to what is being done. Monitor medication, and any other procedure that is occurring. Ask questions. Tell the medical staff that you know they are doing all they can do to help the patient, but you don’t understand all that is going on.

As a teacher, I have always stressed to my students that regardless of your age you need a will, advanced directive and power of attorney. Many of my students are stunned as they are very young and don’t think they need it. The author goes into great detail about this.

I appreciate the honesty and caring the author put into this book. She interviewed many doctors and nurses and many of them say the same thing – get to know the medical staff, doctors, nurses, aides. Let them know you.

“Critical Conditions” by Martine Ehrenclou is a book that I put on my must-read list for my nursing students. I appreciate the long hours and time the author put in to help the general population. Even as a professional, I felt she taught me things I had not even thought of.

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