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
Release Date: 12/31/2024
KC Netzke - When Families Are Kept Apart #13
Every Patient’s Right: Ending Isolation In Healthcare, a podcast of The NEVER Alone Project
Welcome to another episode of Every Patient’s Right, the podcast from the Never Alone Project, where we explore the real-life impact of medical isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and the urgent need for compassionate care policies. In this heartfelt conversation, host Steve Reiter sits down with KC Netzke, who shares the moving story of her father, Carroll Netzke—a Minnesota farm boy, a devoted family man, and someone who, like many others, spent his last days isolated in a hospital room due to strict no-visitor policies. KC takes us through the ripple effects of being separated from a...
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Laura Jensen - A Family’s Grief from Forced Hospital Separation #12
Every Patient’s Right: Ending Isolation In Healthcare, a podcast of The NEVER Alone Project
Laura Jensen is interviewed by Steve Reiter. Welcome to "Every Patient's Right" by the Never Alone Project. On today’s Every Patient’s Right episode, host Steve Reiter sits down with Laura Jensen for a powerful and deeply personal conversation. Laura shares the heart-wrenching story of her husband, Gary, a vibrant and larger-than-life man who passed away after weeks in the hospital during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. As Laura recounts her family’s experience—how her requests to be with Gary were repeatedly denied and how hospital isolation policies kept them apart...
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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...
info_outlineSteve 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 restrictions through legal channels and the emotional impact on the Patient and family due to enforced sPatienton during critical health episodes. The discussion extends to legislative efforts inspired by these experiences and the broader implications for patient rights. This episode emphasizes the need for changes to ensure no patient endures medical isolation alone. Stay tuned for an insightful exploration of these crucial issues.
Outline:
(04:39) Horrific hospital experience with restricted access.
(06:38) Frustration with John Deere's customer service communication.
(12:43) Patient was intubated before arrivalPatient H1N1.
(14:58) Intubation was intended for rest; recovery took longer.
(19:20) Feeling unwell, tested positive, previous lung issues.
(22:25) Lacking equipment led to transferring COVID-19 patients.
(24:37) Needed charger to FaceTime, stayed supporting him.
(29:33) He was my rock until the end.
(33:36) Retired teacher praises man's resilience and expertise.
(35:59) Intubation notified; prior refusal, potential consent.
(39:52) Firmly defend personal rights; refuse opposition.
(43:51) Ending forced medical isolation, ensuring awareness.
About the Guest: Debbie Shivers is a resilient and determined individual who, against all odds, survived despite preexisting conditions that should have precluded her from doing so. Her story is one of both struggle and fortitude, particularly during a period when access to loved ones was denied, leaving patients without much-needed support. Debbie's emotional journey includes grappling with her inability to confront her yet loved one's medical records, a task that brings too much pain but is something she is willing to share with those who are ready to face it. Debbie spent countless hours at Swedish Hospital, often in an intensive care unit, where some compassionate nurses allowed her to stay beyond the official visiting hours, understanding she wasn't a disruption. Her experience is a testament to the importance of unwavering support and the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity.
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.
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