Lauren Ellerman

There I go again – reading the Washington Post… and what did I find? An article about a topic I am very interested in. Drug Companies and their relationships with physicians. Read here:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/28/AR2007042800896.htmlThe author, Christopher Lee, writes about a recently published study in the New England Journal of Medicine, which…

A new report from the Alzheimer’s Association says there are more than 5 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s disease today. That is a substantial increase, from the estimated 4.5 million people with Alzheimers in 2002. (see http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/healthnews.php?newsid=65701).Researchers estimate that number will climb to 14 million…

I know, not a topic you want to research, hear about or blog about… but it happens, and more than you think. Sadly, with elderly patients there is a very low level of reporting and subsequently, few criminal charges filed. Why is that, you may ask? If the individual has…

Today I read about an Oklahoma Nursing Home who received a new resident from the state penal system when he was found incompetent to stand trial. Not a joke, a younger man charged with 4 homicides is now living on the Alzheimer’s unit of a nursing home facility with someone’s…

What is a restraint? Well, I am certainly not going to try to define what a restraint is as facilities and health care providers may disagree on a clinical definition – but, I can tell you the purpose of a restraint in a skilled care setting like a Nursing Home…

Pressure ulcer / bed sore / decubitus ulcer – all names for the same painful and life threatening “injury.” Why do I hesitate to call them injuries, because their cause is so unique. When pressure is placed on the skin, in a non active person for long enough, the lack…

I am by definition, a “trial lawyer.”… but I really should be called a “settlement lawyer” or “mediation lawyer.” The reason being, very few clients want to take their case to trial. And I can’t blame them – stress, nervousness, it can be overwhelming. Well, today I read about a…

It would be a lie for me to write that I am thinking about legal medical issues right now – my thoughts, and prayers, as well as the thoughts and prayers of my entire office, are in Blacksburg. God bless you Hokies, wherever you are!

There is a wonderful essay in today’s New York Times, about the balance between a patient’s request, and doctor’s policy. What if the two are in conflict – who wins?http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/03/health/03essa.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1175629105-k+zaPwO4G3Y1M1sUNwOAWgWe see it often in Nursing Homes. Families will request a test, or treatment, the physician says is not necessary. On…

Planning on a visit to the Nursing Home this EASTER or PASSOVER? Taking your grandparent out on Mother’s Day in May or Father’s Day in June? This is a great opportunity to pay attention to their progress / health concerns or needs. How are they feeling? Getting better, or worse?…