This radio ad ENRAGED me

netglow, ASN, RN · Oct 27, 2011

We have one for a chain of cancer centers that shows some patient or actor? saying that their other oncs were so mean to them, telling them they should prepare to die (in so many words) and, that this chain never tells you that, yadaaaaaa. When, actually they should in many situations IMHO. Nothing wrong with fighting if you want to, but seriously all that commercial is saying to me is, we are so going to pretend everything is roses till we've squeezed every last dime out of your family... but you'll hardly know it 'cause we'll make sure you get a massage, and a pretty garden to sit in.

a "healing garden" am I right?!

wooh, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2011

That tv ad irritates me to no end. "His touch was so cold." I don't think it matters WHO tells you that you have cancer, you're not going to take it as good news. Like if you were there you'd have started planning a fiesta as soon as you were told because they're so freaking optimistic.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2011

Just the fact that they made the statement that pts seek our their facility because they like to hear "remission" is what made my foot press down harder on the gas pedal. Seems like quite a ballsy comment.

Many people who are dx with ca are desperately looking for SOME miracle cure, someone to tell them that they don't really have Stage IV ca, or that they can be treated without chemo or surgery. It breaks my heart to envision a family member listening to this ad, madly beating it home to enlighten their loved one that this great new facility just opened that will put them into remission without surgery or chemo.

It just sickened me.

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2011

Medicine has become a customer driven industry. The ad doesn't surprise me. I guess I'm so used to saying and doing anything to keep the customer happy that the above no longer outrages me. I find THAT the most alarming thing of all.

gettingbsn2msn, MSN, RN · Oct 27, 2011

Canes,

I know the chain you are speaking of. They advertise in my area on tv all the time. You must remember that Disney and Ritz Carlton are now leading the customer focus drive in healthcare (yes, hospitals are hiring them to train their nurses and ancillary personnel) in how to make customers happy. I do not have time to post the link but it can be googled. Some hospitals are paying 500k per facility to the Ritz. I am quite sure that telling customers they are in remission brings big smiles.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Oct 27, 2011

sure they can claim remission. After all, the dead don't talk

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 27, 2011

Just the fact that they made the statement that pts seek our their facility because they like to hear "remission" is what made my foot press down harder on the gas pedal. Seems like quite a ballsy comment.
Many people who are dx with ca are desperately looking for SOME miracle cure, someone to tell them that they don't really have Stage IV ca, or that they can be treated without chemo or surgery. It breaks my heart to envision a family member listening to this ad, madly beating it home to enlighten their loved one that this great new facility just opened that will put them into remission without surgery or chemo.
It just sickened me.

That would make me mad. I'm fortunately in remission, and only want a doc who tells me the truth. Even if that means "gee, you're gonna drop like a sack of rocks by sundown". At least then I can choose how (and with whom) I spend my available time. :up:

On my last PG survey, I blew off the questions and told them I felt they were the biggest reason nursing has become a concierge service and makes healthcare more dangerous d/t families expecting their "wants" to be met, with a LOT less focus on "needs". It's all nauseating. I was lucky enough to go to nursing school back when back rubs were taught in fundamentals Actual hands-on care. Now, they've got the "holistic health team" coming in to do backrubs- a nice thing to have, but also takes away a great assessment tool for the nurses because there is SO much being diverted to paperwork and machines (computer, pyxis, etc).

JenniferSews · Oct 27, 2011

I know someone who searched high and low to find someone to tell her what she wanted to hear. She was able to find someone to tell her that her stage IV cancer could be cured with sweat lodges and herbs, etc. Unfortunately for her children what she "wanted to hear" didn't actually cure her cancer.

Medic/Nurse, BSN, RN · Oct 28, 2011

Cancer care and chemo is one of the MOST PROFITABLE areas of medicine.

Mark-ups of many 3000 - 10000 % are normal.

But how can you put a price on hope? Well, they do.

Fraud. When will the feds stop it?

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 28, 2011

Cancer care and chemo is one of the MOST PROFITABLE areas of medicine.
Mark-ups of many 3000 - 10000 % are normal.
But how can you put a price on hope? Well, they do.
Fraud. When will the feds stop it?

Not disagreeing :)

I do wonder how much of the mark up is to cover those with Medicare or Medicaid, or nothing (those who don't qualify for Medicaid- and yes, they do exist- in varying degrees; Medicaid is not a "yes" or "no" scenario all the time- there are shades of gray).

I think that even with that, the mark up is horrendous.... and I would love to see some way that once R & D costs are recouped that the profit margin comes down to the point that people can afford care. Too many can't, and are just left to die.

ledzepfan · Oct 28, 2011

On a recent thread about healthcare trends and the customer service mentality,

someone wisely stated that patients claim to want to hear the truth from their

doctors but they can't handle it when they do hear it.

Unfortunetly these cancer centers play right into the thinking that a patient should

never be told there is nothing else that can be done for them, even if that is the

truth.

I know of two families who went to these cancer centers in desperation and they

couldn't do anything else for them either.