Rachel Rodriguez and Carolyn Blakeman - Patient Rights Amid COVID-19 #1
Every Patient’s Right: Ending Isolation In Healthcare, a podcast of The NEVER Alone Project
Release Date: 12/17/2024
Scott Schara – A Father’s Fight to End Forced Medical Isolation #11
Every Patient’s Right: Ending Isolation In Healthcare, a podcast of The NEVER Alone Project
Steve Reiter speaks with Scott Schara, whose daughter, Grace, born with Down syndrome, tragically passed away in October 2021 following forced medical isolation during a hospital stay. Scott shares Grace’s joyful spirit, how their family navigated hospital protocols, and how his advocacy seeks to protect others from experiencing the same injustice. Together, they discuss the limits of patient rights, the shortcomings of the ADA, and the importance of love and humanity in healthcare. Outline: 00:00 April Fool's Day Memories 03:26 "Unexpected Joy in Grace's Birth" 07:18 Welcoming Parenthood...
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Chelsey Hellwege & Calley Riste - A Family's Struggle with Isolation #10
Every Patient’s Right: Ending Isolation In Healthcare, a podcast of The NEVER Alone Project
Chelsey Hellwege and Calley Riste are interviewed by Steve Reiter. Welcome to "Every Patient's Right" by the Never Alone Project. In this episode, sisters Chelsey Hellwege and Calley Ristee share the heartbreaking experience of losing their father, Driggs Jessup, to COVID-19 in September 2021. They recount the isolation he faced in the hospital, despite being a fit and active community figure known for his work as a pastor and school resource officer. Chelsey and Calley discuss the difficulties of advocating for their father's care and dealing with the healthcare system while feeling...
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Gregory Gandrud's 44-Day Battle Against COVID in Medical Isolation #9
Every Patient’s Right: Ending Isolation In Healthcare, a podcast of The NEVER Alone Project
Host Steve Reiter engages in a poignant conversation with Gregory Gandrud, a man whose firsthand experience with the complexities of healthcare isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic offers a critical lens on the intricacies of patient care. Gregory, who was hospitalized with COVID-19 at the age of 60 and faced a prolonged period of isolation, recounts the harrowing journey through intensive care and his subsequent recovery. His story highlights the trauma of being ventilated without the presence of loved ones, the psychological impact of hallucinations, and the challenges of navigating a...
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Steve Dettle - A Widow's Journey to Healing and Advocacy #8
Every Patient’s Right: Ending Isolation In Healthcare, a podcast of The NEVER Alone Project
In this episode of Every Patient's Right, host Steve Reiter speaks with guest Steve Dettel about his experiences during forced medical isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Steve Dettel shares the challenges he and his late wife faced while being isolated in the same hospital, even though they both had the same illness. Their story emphasizes the effects of such isolation, highlighting the obstacles to human connection and care during a difficult time. As they discuss Steve's journey, listeners will learn about the strength and hope he found after his loss, including his support from a...
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Family Advocacy in Healthcare: The Seiler's Struggle for Patient Rights #7
Every Patient’s Right: Ending Isolation In Healthcare, a podcast of The NEVER Alone Project
In this episode of "Every Patient's Right" Ending Isolation and Healthcare Podcast, host Steve Reiter speaks with Gail Seiler, her husband, Brad Seiler, and their daughter, Angela Haynes, about Gail’s hospitalization experience in late 2021. Gail shares her story of being admitted to a Texas hospital for COVID-19 and facing significant isolation due to restrictive visitation policies. Brad, a former RN, and Angela discuss their efforts to advocate for Gail’s care from outside the hospital. They discuss their challenges, including difficulties in ensuring proper medical treatment and...
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Dr. Stephen Guffanti Advocates for Patient Rights #6
Every Patient’s Right: Ending Isolation In Healthcare, a podcast of The NEVER Alone Project
In today's episode, we have Dr. Stephen Guffanti, a former emergency room physician turned holistic medicine practitioner and literacy advocate. Dr. Guffanti shares his harrowing hospital experience, where both he and his roommate faced severe mistreatment. He exposes systemic flaws in corporate healthcare, criticizes the COVID protocols, and emphasizes the crucial role of patient advocates. Dr. Guffanti also discusses the potential for health savings accounts to empower patients and calls for essential reforms in the relationship between doctors and hospitals. Join us to hear Dr. Guffanti's...
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Overcoming Forced Isolation and Debbie Shivers' Fight for Her Husband's Rights #5
Every Patient’s Right: Ending Isolation In Healthcare, a podcast of The NEVER Alone Project
Steve Reiter interviews Debbie Shivers. Welcome to this episode of "Every Patient's Right: Ending Isolation and Health Care" by the Never Alone Project. Welcome to "Every Patient's Right," a podcast examining the effects of forced medical isolation and advocating for essential healthcare policy reforms. This episode focuses on the case of Rodney Shivers, who faced severe medical challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The episode compares his hospitalization experiences in 2013 and 2020, highlighting the stark differences caused by isolation policies. It covers the attempts to bypass these...
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Patti Gilliano - Hospital Shutdowns and Nurse Layoffs During COVID-19 #4
Every Patient’s Right: Ending Isolation In Healthcare, a podcast of The NEVER Alone Project
Host Steve Reiter converses with Patti Giliano, a seasoned psychiatric nurse practitioner, about the intense challenges faced during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tune in as Patti recounts the widespread hospital shutdowns influenced by corporate and CDC directives, which led to significant nurse layoffs and halted crucial medical operations. She shares her personal COVID-19 battle, struggles for necessary care, and recovery using alternative treatments. Patti also explores the impacts of patient isolation, the supply chain crisis, and the community's incredible response. Her...
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Rep. Julie Mayberry - Advocating for Patient Visitation Rights #3
Every Patient’s Right: Ending Isolation In Healthcare, a podcast of The NEVER Alone Project
In today's episode, Steve sits down with State Representative Julie Mayberry from Arkansas, who has been a formidable advocate for improving hospital patient visitation rights, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rep. Mayberry shares her personal experiences and the journey of crafting and passing the "No Patient Left Alone" bill, addressing the legislative hurdles and the importance of family presence in patient care. She highlights the balance between infection control and emotional well-being, emphasizing that patient support is crucial. Tune in as we explore her inspiring work, the...
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Tracy Bird and The Impact of Medical Isolation on Her Family #2
Every Patient’s Right: Ending Isolation In Healthcare, a podcast of The NEVER Alone Project
host Steve Reiter sits down with Tracy Bird, who shares the heartbreaking story of her husband, Jeff, and his isolation during his battle with COVID-19 in December 2021. Tracy recounts the fear and confusion leading up to Jeff's hospitalization, the lack of communication with medical professionals, and the trauma of being unable to say goodbye. This episode delves into the ethical implications of medical isolation, the need for humane treatment, and Tracy's plea for legislation to ensure families are never separated from their loved ones during medical crises again. Join us as we explore the...
info_outlineToday, we're joined by Carolyn Blakeman from the former Feds Group and Rachel Rodriguez, a dedicated Florida-based attorney. In this episode, we delve into the critical issues of forced medical isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring its devastating impact on patients and their families. Our guests share powerful personal stories, spotlight systemic healthcare problems, and emphasize the importance of having advocates present for better patient outcomes. We also examine legislative efforts to ensure no patient is left alone in hospitals, discussing both successes and ongoing challenges. Join us as we unravel the coercion in healthcare, the financial incentives behind treatment protocols, and the fight for stronger patient rights and accountability. Let’s end isolation in healthcare and protect every patient's right.
Outline:
(00:02) Vietnam's COVID-19 response conflicted with U.S. information.
(06:43) Seek justice for COVID-related hospital deaths.
(09:21) Neglected and saved by husband's intervention.
(14:51) Discussed medical malpractice factors with Brad since 2022.
(19:21 Hospital protocols, not the pandemic, caused tragedy.
(21:32) Presence changes actions; witnesses influence behavior.
(25:51) Relationships affect care; advocacy is needed for patients.
(30:15) Coercive action denies basic human rights.
(33:16) Isolation worsened outcomes; human touch is vital.
(37:53) Get involved, demand transparency, question authority, advocate.
(41:17) Clear legal language is needed due to differing morals.
(45:48) ADA modification concerns and global standards implications.
(47:33) Patients need advocates to ensure their rights.
(52:03) Truth-telling raises awareness and understanding of issues.
About the Guest: Carolyn Blakeman, an advocate with firsthand experience, has a unique perspective shaped by her observations and connections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked closely with healthcare professionals, including a Vietnamese doctor known as Dr. Thu. While the Vietnamese government provided differing accounts from the U.S. government, Carolyn became concerned about the urgency to supply ventilators to Vietnam, a nation with limited resources. Dr.Thu expressed skepticism about ventilators, citing the risk of dependency and mortality. Despite initially low death rates in Vietnam, a significant rise in fatalities ensued shortly after the introduction of vaccines, leading Carolyn to uncover critical insights about the unfolding situation. Her work underscores the complexities of global health crises and the importance of understanding local contexts.
Rachel Rodriguez began exploring medical malpractice issues in Florida in early 2022. Teaming up with Brad, she delved deeply into the complexities of the matter. Although initially, there were only 17 factors under consideration, their investigative efforts gradually uncovered more elements. Rachel's dedication to understanding the nuances and interconnectedness of these factors underscores her commitment to addressing significant legal and medical challenges, akin to comprehensively examining a surge of break-ins in a city. Her collaborative and persistent approach highlights her as a diligent and insightful professional in the field.
About The Host: Steve Reiter is the founder of the Never Alone Project and the host of its podcast, "Every Patient's Right, Ending Isolation and Healthcare." He lost his wife to forced isolation on May 19, 2020, and believes no one should die alone. The show delves into the significant issue of forced medical isolation, examining its profound effects on patients and exploring ways to balance essential medical care with the nurturing human contact that aids healing and recovery. The show is a platform for exploring the balance between medical needs and the basic human care that aids patient recovery. Steve's dedication to this cause highlights his commitment to advocating humane treatment in healthcare settings. Steve's work underscores the critical importance of human connection in healthcare, making his podcast a significant platform for addressing these pressing issues.
Share your story, learn more, listen, and subscribe at: neveraloneproject.org