Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Hurricane Katrina Affordable Housing Relocation

ATWINDS provides affordable housing relocation assistance to retirees, people with disabilities, and victims of Hurricane Katrina who have been displaced to the Washington-metropolitan area. Many of these families are unable to afford the high cost of living in this area.
ATWINDS was able to relocate a disabled mother and her family from Baltimore, Maryland to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, within 2 months of contacting our organization. The young mother was paralyzed during a domestic violence incident. As a result, her parents moved her to New Orleans to care for her and her son. However, 6 months later when Hurricane Katrina hit, the family was displaced in Baltimore and struggled financially due to the high cost of living. ATWINDS resources and dedication made it possible for the mother to become the proud owner of a new 3-bedroom single-family home in a newly developed community in North Carolina. Her parents continue to care for her and her son.

Medical Record Awareness



Be Concerned about Your Medical Report Just as You Would Your Credit Report Research study shows that "Medical errors are a major cause of injury and death in the United States. The now-famous report by the Institute of Medicine estimated that 44,000 to 98,000 people die in US hospitals each year as the result of medical errors. (This means that more people die from medical errors than from motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer or AIDS.)"

Request and Examine Your Medical Records from Your Physician Yearly

Yes or No?

Do you believe the information that your doctor discusses with you is true?

Do you believe your medical records are accurate?

Do you believe that all doctors have your best interest at heart?

Do you trust your doctor?

Do you believe your doctor can make errors?

If you answered “Yes” to any of the above you need to read the story.

Do you believe the information that your doctor discusses with you is true? Do you believe your medical records are accurate? Do you believe that all doctors have your best interest at heart? If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you need to read this story. I am a victim of medical record error and am determined to do whatever I can to bring national attention to the horrible medical practices that are going unnoticed. This is probably a mere snapshot of what is happening in medical facilities all across the nation. It is a problem within America's health care system as a whole and a problem that should concern us all.

At some point in our lives, each one of us will visit a physician and put our lives in the physician’s hands. However, the stakes are high in the medical profession because misdiagnosed illnesses or incorrect medical information could cause grave consequences. Health care professionals should be held at the highest possible standards since medical errors can seriously affect the decisions that are made regarding our health, possibly resulting in irreversible health results or even death. Errors made by health care professionals are often swept under the rug, even when serious damages are the result. As an educator, it is my responsibility to educate and be an advocate for our communities by sharing my medical record story. If I had been educated on the importance of requesting my medical records during my treatments, I would not have experienced such a tragic outcome of a total hysterectomy and suffered the emotional and physical stress I have had to endure since my hysterectomy.

This is a true story about Eunita Harper Winkey

In 1998 at the age of 39, I was beginning a new life with a second marriage. My husband and I did not have children and anxiously anticipated starting a family. However, that anticipation was shattered in the wink of an eye by a life-altering experience with an in vitro fertilization (IVF) physician and obstetrics-gynecologist (Ob/Gyn). The treating IVF physician visited me during my consultation at the Wilson Ob/Gyn’s office. I felt very special when the physician traveled to see me for an appointment, and I was also relieved by the referral. However, I later learned that it was unethical for the Ob/Gyn to refer me to his IVF physician-friend. Always be cautious when accepting a referral from another physician. Conduct your own research by using the Internet or get referrals from family members or friends.

Out of 15 doctor visits, my name was misspelled 10 times, e.g., my first and last name were completely misspelled—not just a simple typo. Treatments and other information were also incorrectly recorded in the Ob/Gyn’s notes, e.g., treatments that I requested were never noted. In addition, the hospital that performed my surgery had another person’s name listed on my record, instead of mine. My medical records also revealed that the Ob/Gyn had held a conference with me prior to my hysterectomy concerning the complications and side effects of the surgery, but that was untrue since there had been no such discussion with him or anyone else. A review of the Ob/Gyn’s records left me speechless, and it did not dawn on me until later that the IVF physician’s notes were also false.

On my husband's semen profile, the andrologist documented that his semen analysis was completed at 10:00 a.m. on May 10, 1998. However, our first appointment was not until May 11, 1998, which is the date my husband's semen sample was taken. The IVF physician tried to convince my husband to become a sperm donor due to his good semen count. However, my husband declined, and the IVF physician appeared to be a little disappointed. My husband and I are still wondering what happened to his semen sample since that information was not documented in the medical record.

In 1997 at age 38, I started trying to conceive a child by taking Clomid fertility drugs. However, in 1999, the IVF physician signed a report stating that I was 49 years old, which was 10 years older than my correct age of 39. No date of birth was listed on the report to bring attention to the error. In addition, the IVF physician stated that I had previously taken two cycles of Clomid treatments in 1987. This was a false statement since I did not begin taking Clomid treatments until 1997. My chances of becoming a mother at 39 would have obviously been greater than at age 49. Unfortunately, I did not learn of this error until 3 years later.

When the IVF physician reported that the first fertility treatment had failed, I requested a second fertility treatment but was immediately turned down due to my age, which was incorrectly recorded. The failed fertility treatment was not noted in my medical records. However, the Ob/Gyn records indicated that the IVF physician had recommended a total hysterectomy, but the recommendation was made 3 months before I began the IVF treatments.

As a result of the 10-year error in my age and other false statements noted in my medical records, I was given a total hysterectomy (removal of my uterus, cervix, both ovaries, and fallopian tubes) that left me scarred for life. I immediately became very depressed and was prescribed Paxil for my depression. Following the surgery, my body was immediately thrown into full-blown menopause without any prior discussion regarding these devastating side effects. For the first 2 years, I only slept about 2 hours each night due to the severe hot flashes and night sweats that kept me awake. For the past 6 years, some areas of my body are numb and there is no feeling, even when I pinch myself. In addition, the nerves in my body are damaged due to the absence of my female organs and, at times, my life seems very foggy. Some of the other side effects experienced by myself and other women who have had this surgery are loss of sexual desire and arousal sensation, joint and muscle pain, painful intercourse, displacement of bladder (which may cause incontinence or other bladder problems), bowel problems, nerve damage, high blood pressure, varied body odor, loss of short-term memory, personality changes, and irritability. Hysterectomy side effects are life long, and no treatment or drugs can replace ovarian or uterine hormones. My life and marriage have been under great stress since my hysterectomy.


Following a review of my medical records by a hysterectomy expert, it was determined that I did not have a severe case of endometriosis or large fibroids as was documented in my medical records, thus, my hysterectomy surgery was totally unnecessary. Although the cost of the IVF treatment was $16,000 for one 6-week cycle, my medical insurance provided me with a 6-month referral, which would have covered two more cycle treatments. However, due to the serious medical record errors, the IVF physician refused to give me the opportunity to try and procreate.

I filed a complaint with the Medical Board and received the following statement: “After carefully evaluating all available information, we concluded there was no violation of the Medical Practice insurance that would lead to a restriction of the physician’s license to practice medicine.” As an advocate of medical record awareness, I must stress the importance of being proactive in procuring copies of your medical records just as you request your credit records. Request copies of your medical records from all health care providers every 6 months or annually because you have a legal right to all of your medical information. Once you receive your medical records, be sure to examine them for accuracy and question any medical inaccuracy.

10 Ways To Make Sure Your Medical Records Are Accurate
Make sure you request all medical records from doctors, make several copies of all medical records and read each line of your medical records carefully.
Make sure you examine all of your medical records with the aid of a medical dictionary, drug or pill book. As you read your medical report highlight what you do not understand.
Make sure that all names, ages, date of births, social security and patient identification numbers are correct and listed.
Make sure that all names, ages, date of births, social security and patient identification numbers are correct and listed.
Make sure that all names, ages, date of births, social security and patient identification numbers are correct and listed.
Make sure all dates and time of services are noted and correct.
Make sure you compare all reports for accuracy from your doctor office, hospital, lab, and pathology.
Make sure all doctors and other healthcare staff signatures are on your reports.
Make sure that all conversations between you and your doctor are accurate to the best of your knowledge.
Make sure all treatment options, medications, and side effects are noted
Make sure you research all medical terms, illness, and treatments using the Internet or medical manuals.
Make sure you have other non-bias experts examine all of your records.


Community Outreach

Sarah calls me her angel. I met Sarah and she was suffering from a medical problem, and was told she needed a total hysterectomy. She was very sad because her desire was to give birth to a child some day. Sarah was 39 years old, the same age as I, when I was told that I needed a hysterectomy. I took Sarah under my wings and guided her through the process of getting good medical care which saved her life.

Sarah did not have health insurance, but God used me as a health guide to locate a physician to supply her needs. I found her free medical care at a prominent hospital. Sarah’s MRI x-ray showed that she did not need a hysterectomy; the findings from her medical report from the other doctor were incorrect. Sarah was able to get the free treatment she needed, and she became pregnant. Sarah said to me “you are my Angel, You Saved My Life”. Sarah’s prayer of becoming pregnant was answered because God used me to help save her life.
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