Understanding Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis and the Law

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis, also known as NFS, is a disorder that is progressive in nature. NFS usually presents in patients who have some type of impaired kidney function or other kidney problems of a chronic type. The condition is commonly associated with scarring of the connective tissues and skin in various parts of the body, which is referred to as fibrosis. As the skin thickens, it becomes hard, coarse, and rigid, which causes the movement of the joints to be very restricted. Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis can also cause the fibrosis to become widespread in the body and spread to organs, which can be fatal in some cases.

While this condition is quite disturbing on its own, the link to its origin is perhaps even more disturbing. NSF has been directly linked to the use of gadolinium contrast injections which are routinely administered during an MRA and MRI. This contrast dye helps the physician to clearly differentiate between tissues and blood vessels.

How to Spot Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

Quite often, when a loved one is no longer able to care for themselves, the only viable option available to the family is to place them in a nursing home. However, once the transition has been made to a nursing facility, how do you know if your loved one is being properly cared for? What do you do if you suspect your loved one is suffering from abuse or neglect at the hands of the doctors, nurses or other staff members at the nursing home? As a family member it is important to know some common signs of abuse and neglect that may occur in a nursing home.

Bedsores - According to the Mayo Clinic "...bedsores are injuries to skin and underlying tissue that result from prolonged pressure on the skin." Bedsores are most often associated with patients who are confined to a bed, but they can also develop on the heels, ankles, hips or buttocks of people who have restricted mobility, such as patients confined to a wheelchair. 

Medical Negligence Solicitors Are Your Friend

The term 'medical negligence' refers to any harm or injury a person has suffered from, due to negligence or error in treatment by a medical professional. A medical negligence solicitor is a person who helps people who have suffered from negligence, and helps them claim compensation according to the law. A patient who visits a doctor places all his trust in the doctor's abilities, and consults him in the belief that he will do only what is best for the patient. Hence, when the doctor's negligence causes any physical injury or mental stress, he can approach a solicitor to claim damages.

When to Contact a Medical Negligence Solicitor

Any patient can get in touch with a solicitor about claiming damages if he (or someone from his immediate family) has been harmed or injured by any way by a wrong diagnosis; a surgical error, like mistake in the dosage of anaesthetic given during surgery, or an instrument left inside the body; any infection contracted due to unclean conditions in a hospital; a wrong prescription given to him; death of a family member due to negligence; or birth problems like cerebral palsy which could have been caused by medical error.

Medicare As a Business Partner

If you were in business, and you had a contract with a major company that was responsible for 9-12% of your business, and that business sent you a letter saying they would be decreasing the amount of money they currently paid to you by about 30%, what would you say to this company? Imagine for a moment that you and this company had been in business together since 1965. Imagine, also, that over the years, the company had slowly and methodically begun decreasing their payment for your goods and services over the last decade; 2-3% one year, 5% another. Throughout the past generation you had already absorbed a 10% decrease in how much this company would pay for your services. At first, you were hesitant to let the company go, as they accounted for about one third of your business. You pondered the past, recalling the years of doing business together. Yet, you were quickly reminded how this company had changed drastically since its doors opened in 1965. You remembered the ease with which you initially had conducted business with this company, but how this had become more and more difficult with each passing year.