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Good Tuesday morning!
Here's your weekly, always street-smart
Dose of Dover
Still the single-most reliable source for un-common sense advice,
insights and cover-your-backside life strategies you simply
can't find anywhere else.
Take your best shot...try to put me out of a job!
How? Make everyone a little lot smarter:
Forward today's newsletter to everyone
in your Address Book! [C'mon...be a big shot!]
Spread the wealth and share the word: Lots of eye-opening
Tuesday, September 2, 2003:
So why put yourself (or a family member of friend) into a position of weakness? You've got a 1 in 5 chance of being victimized by medical malpractice the next time you stay in a hospital...the numbers don't lie...but you could die. You can't afford to ignore these facts before you go to the hospital! I've said this before and it's worth repeating: I have an enormous amount of respect for the medical community...a group of folks who are dedicated to saving lives and often working long hours, despite being woefully under-compensated for the risks they take. So don't misinterpret this story as an attack on doctors or nurses or the health care profession in general, because it's not.
The bigger lesson here is one all of us can benefit from, whether you're dealing with a doctor, an insurance salesman or a stock broker: Anytime you're asking for advice from someone who could impact your world in a big way, you've got to check the work of the people you've chosen to trust when you're most vulnerable.
Ben's Bottom Line?
1. Always have someone backing you up. Always have a second set of eyes, where ever possible, checking the work of others...especially if you're in a hospital, a place that's full of germs, full of sick people, and full of people, period!
2. If you or someone you love is ever kept in the hospital overnight, take copious notes! And check the work of the nurse...especially the overnight shift! They're human, they make mistakes, too.
3. And from my own personal experiences (months in the hospital as a result of my motorcycle accident) it seems like the folks working the overnight shift might not always be the best-and-brightest...so get someone to spend the night with you in your room if at all possible!
Here's an interesting bit of insight from a listener who heard me discussing this subject; personal insights and food for thought:
"Dear Ben: Add to your list of things to do in a hospital, or rather before going. Meet the residents, they will be the ones treating you, especially if going in for surgery. I went in for a surgery recently and the surgical residents, who actually handled the scalpel most of the time, the staples in my skin, and the post operative evaluation were the epitome of arrogant surgeons, without the skills to back it up.
What pulled me through some major complications was a relationship my wife developed with the Chief Resident, who made a special effort to come see me in the emergency room (that I had to go to instead of being home recovering) and read his residents (on duty at the time) the riot act for screwing up and putting me back into the emergency room. Then at rounds when I was readmitted to the hospital he was on the residents hard and made sure they knew what they were doing."
Do you love the amazing resources I compile every week in the Dose of Dover? Good! Then no whining about having to sign-up for free access: Like anything in life, there's always gonna be a trade-off on some level. I embed dozens of links in every edition of this newsletter, and my frequent sources, The New York Times, The Dallas Morning News, The Los Angeles Times, The Orange County Register and USA Today require varying levels of registration in order to access their websites for free.
Nowhere is it written that you have to give them accurate information: They'd like you to, but they'll never really know. So use a disposable e-mail address (like Hotmail or Yahoo) and get creative when you register. But just remember: They/we are giving you a tremendous service for a great price...free! So no complaining...
It's easy to get educated about the process first...and the price is right! (Free!) Everything you need to know can be found on-line; get your own copy of Bens' 2003 Home Buyer's Guide by clicking here.
Now that you're motivated to buy a house, or trade-up from your current home...how would you like to get some cash back on your next home purchase (or sale)? (I'll show you how.) Click here.....
Okay, so you're about to move, it's time to go down your "things to do" checklist: Moved your phone service and utilities? [Check!] Put in your change of address on your mail? [Check!!] Have all of your belongings held hostage by some rogue movers? [Check...not!!!] Do your homework (first) and choose the right moving company! Ben's Moving Tips will save you time, money and lots-o-heartache.....
Time to get off your butt and start making travel plans for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend! (You're on the clock and it's now 96 days away): Stretch your travel budget and get your Thanksgiving or Christmas-time travel planning handled now. Check out Ben's no-brainer choice for hotel room or condo deals: www.hotels.com.
Speaking of brain-damage, Californians should check out this new section on my site that'll help you get a handle on your rights if you do decide to pull the ripcord (that's slang for filing for bankruptcy) on your creditors: It's a Q&A with one of the top bankruptcy attorneys in the state, and a chance to debunk the half-truths being spewed by those bottom-feeding tele-terrorists.
Want 100,000,000 reasons why you're gonna know all about the latest prescription drug to become available over-the-counter? The big Prilosec Push of '03 begins next week (fueled by $100 million Proctor & Gamble ad dollars) in anticipation of it's no-prescription-needed availability beginning September 15. Pile on the extra jalapenos and read all about it here.....
Still looking for a cool birthday (or other special occasion) gift that'll keep on giving, all year long? Then give 'em a subscription to the Dose of Dover...the most reliable source of insight and no s*** ideas available on the planet. (You can afford it...it's free!) Time to share the wealth! Sign-up for a subscription to the weekly Dose of Dover Newsletter right here!
That tele-terrorist kinda shy about you rolling tape on your phone calls? In many states, it doesn't matter! Find out why you don't have to get their permission to tape your calls...Plus: Knowing when you've got leverage (and when you don't) when it comes to pulling the trigger on the bottom-feeders...And: American Airlines changes their policy and we're the winners! Helping you cover your assets one cassette tape at a time, check out the latest, always informative and incredibly entertaining installment of Ask Benjamin Dover (September 4, 2003 edition) from The Dallas Morning News right here!
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