Dr. Barbara Starfield of the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health says that 250,000 deaths are caused each year by "Iatrogenic” causes - Iatrogenic is defined as induced in a patient by a physician's activity, manner or therapy. Dr. Starfield cautions that these estimates are for deaths only and do not include negative effects that are associated with disability or discomfort. These numbers do not reflect non-fatal injures. Those figures must be staggering. And what is the cost to the health care delivery system? Millions to billions of dollars per year.

If you are not able to tell an emergency room physician about your medical conditions, your medications, allergies and past surgeries, you may become one of the statistics.

Get

a copy of your medical records. Have them available in case of an emergency. Know what medications you are taking along with the dosage. Always ask for copies of your test results. It's always a good idea to keep your records on you so get something like MyMedicalCD (www.mymedicalCD). Especially if you travel a lot. Update it frequently, for it could very well save your life.

Remember - You are in charge of your life. Help doctors give you the best treatments possible. Take charge today!

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