New Book Exposes Vulnerabilities In American Healthcare

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Bio-terrorism / Terrorism
Article Date: 13 Dec 2007 - 4:00 PDT

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How safe is the American healthcare system? In the new book "Jihad and American Medicine," author Dr. Adam Dorin exposes the weaknesses in our medical system that could be potential targets for terrorists. The book will be available November 30, 2007.

"Healthcare workers are uniquely positioned to fly 'under the radar of homeland security' and carry out terrorist missions virtually unimpeded," said Dorin.

"Jihad and American Medicine" details the safety and security risks associated with conventional, biological, chemical and nuclear terrorism.

"We shouldn't wait to change things until after something happens," Dorin said. "There are things health care providers can do now to make the medical arena safer and more secure."

Dorin discusses the primary security risks in hospitals that could be potential targets for terrorists. Among them include poor tracking of drugs from factory to bedside, and poor control of multi-dose medicine vials and intravenous fluid bags (which could be spiked without detection).

"The methods currently in place meant to minimize potential security risks are relatively lax and extremely vulnerable," Dorin said. "Not only will shoring up the safety mechanisms in medicine prevent disasters, but it will also save lives by minimizing medical errors."

Medical errors claim approximately 100,000 preventable deaths per year in the U.S. alone.

Meant to be a counter-terrorism manual, "Jihad and American Medicine" examines the history of medical-related terrorism over the past 10,000 years including recent events involving healthcare serial killers, the threat of counterfeit drugs, drug 'tainting', and hospital security.

Dorin also offers practical tips that patients and doctors can take in their daily lives to help protect themselves. He addresses what patients need to know about Internet-based pharmaceutical supplies, what to look for in health care settings and how to prevent exposure to toxins and poisons. He also instructs physicians on how they can change the way they practice and operate within the community to prevent terrorism and better respond in instances of emergency.

Dr. Adam Dorin is a physician, author and expert in healthcare safety and security. He is the medical director and an anesthesiologist at Sharp Grossmont Plaza Surgery Center in San Diego, Calif. Dorin earned his M.D. at the University of Maryland and completed his residency training in anesthesiology and critical care medicine at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.

"Jihad and American Medicine" is available from Greenwood Publishing Group here, and via all major online booksellers.

To learn more, see http://www.adamdorin.com