24/7 OR DEAD: The Power of Patient Advocacy

Jari Holland Buck's 24/7 OR DEAD: A HANDBOOK FOR FAMILIES WITH A LOVED ONE IN THE HOSPITAL focuses on how a family/friend caregiver's attendance and advocacy within the hospital setting may tip the scales between a patient living and dying. "24/7 OR DEAD is written by a non-medical person--a regular American--who experienced firsthand the devastating events of her spouse's life-threatening illness. Jari Holland Buck knows upfront and personal the best and worst that can happen in a modern U.S. hospital today." --Jane Murray, M.D., former Director of the Division of Education, American Academy of Family Physicians.

The fifth leading cause of death in American hospitals today is medical mistakes. Jari Holland Bucks 24/7 OR DEAD: A Handbook for Families with a Loved One in the Hospital (Nonetheless Press, Spring 2004, paperback, $14.99) showcases advocacy techniques family members can use right now on behalf of a hospitalized loved one. Practical suggestions illustrated by the authors real-life examples ensure that even in emotionally charged situations advocacy can be accomplished.

A recent Institute of Medicine report quoted rates estimating that medical errors
account for between 44,000 and 98,000 deaths per year in U.S. hospitals.

24/7 OR DEAD is the only current laypersons discussion of how a family members attendance and advocacy in the hospital setting may tip the scales between a patient living and dying. Bucks personal experiences and the lessons she learned during her husbands months-long hospitalization provide the basis for this handbook on how to avoid becoming a medical mistake death statistic.

24/7 OR DEAD is written by a non-medical person-a regular American-who experienced firsthand the devastating events of her spouses life-threatening illness. Jari Holland Buck knows upfront and personal the best and worst that can happen in a modern U.S. hospital today."
--Jane Murray, M.D., former Director of the Division of Education,
American Academy of Family Physicians

As the baby boomers age, more and more will experience a hospital stay. However, the most educated and most involved generation of consumers in history consists primarily of non-medical family members in need of a step-by-step process teaching patient advocacy.

I am one of the many nurses who cared for Bill and Jari. I remember a conversation we had about wishing someone would write a book to guide families in this process. Imagine my delight when I received an email that she had finished the book we spoke about!" --Denise Kintigh, RN, BSN

My passion is to encourage and support family members in the process of reclaiming the power of partnership with the healthcare community."
--Jari Holland Buck, author of 24/7 OR DEAD: A Handbook for Families with a Loved One in the Hospital