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Second Opinions provides Second Opinions from American Board Certified doctors in the United States for Every specialty. Receive a Second Opinion Consultation via phone or video, have your medical files reviewed or submit specific questions and receive a report from one of our Specialists. Second Opinions give you a peace of mind by offering an unbiased second opinion on your diagnosis or medical condition treatment plan.

Consumer Advocacy Group Watchdog, Calls On California Gov. Brown to Audit Reports of Thousands of Medical Errors at Hospitals

12/4/2014

Following a report that thousands of medical errors were reported by California’s hospitals in the last four years, Consumer Watchdog, a national consumer advocacy group, called on Governor Jerry Brown and state health regulators to audit hospitals for failures to report many instances of patient harm and for full public disclosure of these events.
California hospitals are required to report adverse events, like surgery on the wrong body part, surgical items left in patients or unexpected deaths to the Department of Public Health. However, 6,282 unreported adverse events were collected in the past four fiscal years by the California Department of Public Health such as surgery on the wrong body part or unexpected death. It is also estimated that 44,000 Californians die every year because of preventable medical errors. Hospitals need to be accountable for reporting their medical errors and SecondOpinions.com has a plan to help.

At SecondOpinions.com, we offer hospitals and medical facilities independent Quality Assurance (QA) & Peer Review Programs that are implemented to assist with the reduction of medical errors, avoidance of unnecessary procedures and surgeries, improvement in quality of healthcare and overall physician performance. Ultimately, this will make an important difference in patient care, enhance outcomes and lower healthcare costs. We are also uniquely positioned to partner with individual physicians, hospitals and all medical facilities to provide independent, around the clock, second opinion services via our consumer division. Due to the complexities of medicine, this service is invaluable when dealing with time-sensitive, diagnostic challenges or when there is uncertainty as to the course of treatment that is recommended. Consultations are available in all medical specialties and obtaining a second opinion is simple and affordable.

SecondOpinions.com, Quality Assurance Programs are expanded into all areas of medicine, including radiology. With an existing national network of board-certified specialists and subspecialists, SecondOpinions.com possesses the infrastructure to offer Quality Assurance/Peer Review Service on a national and global level. Our expert physicians provide comprehensive feedback, detailed reporting, and offer medico-legal information as part of their communication efforts with referring physicians. This service benefits physicians and medical facilities by enhancing performance and measuring improvement on a quarterly or annual basis.

At SecondOpinions.com, simply upload digital images (MRI, CT etc.) to a HIPAA regulated, secure, confidential platform and receive a report within hours. In addition, doctors in virtually every medical specialty are on standby to provide consultations via phone or video chat. Obtaining a second opinion decreases medical errors, saves lives, and keeps healthcare costs down by preventing unnecessary surgeries and procedures. It also gives patients the peace of mind they need and deserve.

Two Canadian Hospitals ‘deeply sorry’ for Lung Cancer Misdiagnosis – Surprised to hear this?

12/4/2014

At SecondOpinions.com we always encourage our clients and readers of our blog to obtain a second opinion regarding their health. Second opinions not only save lives, they can prevent unnecessary surgeries and procedures due to misdiagnoses. We all know that doctors can make mistakes and diagnosis medical problems incorrectly, but would you expect a hospital laboratory to misdiagnose? Unfortunately, it’s not all that uncommon.

Recently, a Canadian man was wrongly diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, told he would die within 12 months and was referred for chemotherapy. Four months later, he was told by the same doctors at 2 hospitals where he was being treated that he was actually suffering from sarcoidosis, a rare, but treatable lung disease. The lab admitted that a specimen from the patient’s lung biopsy was cross-contaminated with another patient’s, who has terminal lung cancer.

While the two hospitals in Hamilton, Canada have apologized for getting the diagnoses wrong and are “deeply sorry” for the error, is an apology enough? Shouldn’t medical laboratories check and re-check their lab results before issuing an incorrect report to a patient? Especially one which tells a patient he has a terminal disease and only has months to live? How often do misdiagnoses occur in a high-tech laboratory setting? How many more patients have actually been misdiagnosed, wrongly treated and perhaps even died?

Fortunately, this patient was fortunate enough to come to the US for a second opinion and have another biopsy performed which confirmed the tumor was indeed not cancer. So the moral of this unfortunate story is we must always get a second opinion even when having a biopsy because as you see, even labs can make mistakes and probably make them more than we are aware of. Unfortunately it is not easy to obtain a second biopsy because insurance companies most likely will not pay for it, but we must be proactive with our healthcare and ensure that we are properly diagnosed and treated. Starting with obtaining a second opinion is the best way to achieve this.

Let’s face it, mistakes can happen to anyone but you owe it to yourself to double check your diagnosis and get a second opinion. In this case, the hospital owned up to their mistake and the patient will be fine, but how many hospitals and labs brush mistakes under the rug? You owe it to yourself to be your own health advocate and SecondOpinions.com enables you to be your own healthcare advocate because we have radiologists and multi-specialists on board 24/7/365 to assist you with obtaining the proper diagnosis and best treatment plan.

At SecondOpinions.com, it’s as easy as it can be. We’re completely online, right at your fingertips. No unnecessary tasks such as driving to the doctor’s office or sitting in a waiting room, you remain in the comfort of your own home. It’s simple. Just request a consultation from SecondOpinions.com and that’s it, our experts will take care of the rest. You’ll have an accurate and reliable second opinion, you’ll not waste any time getting your second opinion, and you’ll be amazed at how little your second opinion will cost.

Remember, our second opinion could be your first line of defense!

SecondOpinions.com is Giving Consumers More Control Over their Healthcare and its Costs.

12/4/2014

Michael Yuz, MD, MBA, Founder and CEO of SecondOpinions.com, a division of USARAD Holdings, Inc., notes during a recent interview, “U.S. healthcare spending is out of control. This is despite many efforts to resolve the problem, including the Affordable Care Act.” Dr. Yuz continued by pointing out, “Billions of dollars continue to be spent on antiquated, inefficient health practices and misdiagnoses.” SecondOpinions.com’s segment will air on Bloomberg International at 7:30am GMT (as pd. prog) on November 23, 2014. Check your local listings for airtimes.

In response to a question concerning how to address this growing problem, Dr. Yuz replied, “SecondOpinions.com serves to provide a comprehensive solution to many healthcare issues in the U.S. and globally. We connect consumers with top physicians in all medical specialties and partner with both medical centers and insurance companies.”

Lorna Backhaus, Chief Business Development Officer of SecondOpinions.com, adds, “Active consumerism is now a major element of receiving proper healthcare. Giving access to proven and accepted second opinion services is providing consumers with significant control.”

SecondOpinions.com serves as a global telemedicine and teleradiology platform to provide medical consultation and second opinion services in all areas of medicine. Customers from over 40 countries have received second opinions from its U.S. based physicians. SecondOpinion.com’s unique approach has been featured on more than 50 television stations and in major U.S. markets from Los Angeles to Chicago to Washington, DC.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Yuz summarized his company’s services by pointing out, “SecondOpinions.com has a seasoned and talented management team committed to providing solutions to improve health outcomes and reduce medical costs. We achieve that with highly trained physicians who utilize our revolutionary telemedicine approach, use of unique ideas, innovative technology, and intellectual property that includes multiple registered trademarks and patents.” To learn more about SecondOpinions.com tune in to Bloomberg International (as pd. prog) on November 23, 2014. Check your local listings for airtimes.

Noting the significance of the SecondOpinions.com offerings, J.L. Haber, Vice President of Programming for Corporate Review, observes, “Healthcare costs are a major concern to many Americans and businesses. Innovative solutions such as those offered by SecondOpinions.com are a major part of what our viewers tune in to be kept abreast of.”

About Corporate Review

Corporate Review is an award winning business and health program that is independently produced by MMP (USA), Inc. The show provides its viewers an in depth opportunity to find solutions to the industry problems from some of the top business leaders from across the world. With more than 5,000 companies participating on over 500 shows, Corporate Review continues to be the premier and targeted outlet for the latest business and health stories. Corporate Review airs on cable networks to over 100 million potential television households.

As seen in USA Today: The Clock on Kevin Durant’s Recovery Has Officially Begun

11/20/2014

It is always necessary to get a second opinion, especially when surgery is recommended. The article below was featured in USA Today and below the article is commentary from Dr. Phil McDonald, Chief Sports Radiologist for SecondOpinions.com and TV Medical Analyst.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced Thursday that their star and reigning NBA MVP had successful surgery on his fractured right foot.

Durant will be re-evaluated in six weeks, at which point the Thunder will already be 16 games into the regular season.

Durant, his representatives and Thunder medical personnel spent recent days deliberating whether or not to have surgery. The procedure, which took place with Thunder medical personnel present, was performed at the OrthoCarolina Foot and Ankle Clinic in Charlotte, N.C. by Dr. Robert Anderson.

But because the Jones fracture from which Durant suffers so often leads to complicated recoveries, it remains unclear when Durant may return to the floor again. Some players, such as the Brooklyn Nets’ Brook Lopez, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Glen Davis and others, have had to have subsequent surgeries to fully repair the fracture. The Thunder’s hope, of course, is that he’s back before the holidays arrive and that the Thunder are able to remain among the Western Conference’s elite even without him.

Dr. McDonald’s commentary:
” The Road to Recovery” By Dr. Phil McDonald, Chief Sports Radiologist for SecondOpinions.com and TV Medical Analyst

It is very important to get a second opinion about a Jones fracture as treatment may vary given the location of the fracture as well as the type of activity a patient may be involved in, such as a professional athlete versus a weekend warrior. Professional athletes mostly opt for surgical intervention in which a screw is involved with aiding the union of the fracture fragments.

It is also key to get a second opinion when following up treatment of a Jones fractures, whether It has been surgically repaired or managed conservatively. It is imperative for the patient to know when to resume activity to prevent further complications and surgery.

You might be surprised to learn that medical errors are now considered to be the third leading cause of death. More specifically, diagnostic errors are the most common, most expensive and deadliest of all medical errors. Although the Jones fracture is not a life-threatening injury, it is important to get a second opinion as it may be a very debilitating and frustrating injury to recover from.

If you have been diagnosed with a Jones fracture or you are a physician wanting a second opinion for your patient, please don’t hesitate to contact secondopinions.com and get a second opinion from me or one of our other board certified expert doctors trained at the Top American Medical institutions.

Doctors Misdiagnose 12 Million Americans Each Year

8/11/2014

Americans know that doctors make mistakes and that misdiagnoses can happen. But a new study reveals some shocking numbers on just how many patients are affected.

According to a study published in the journal BMJ Quality & Safety, 12 million adults, that’s 1 out of 20 patients, are misdiagnosed. Researchers also note that in half those cases, there is potential for severe harm.

Lead author Dr. Hardeep Singh, of the Baylor College of Medicine and the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston, co-authored a similar study in 2012.That one was published in JAMA Internal Medicine and found that some of the most common reasons for misdiagnosis include problems with ordering diagnostic tests; failure by the patient to provide an accurate medical history; and errors made by a doctor in interpreting test results.

One way to avoid adverse medical treatment is to get a second opinion when diagnosed. At SecondOpinions.com, we provide patients with top notch, expert second opinions. Our specialists and subspecialists in all fields of medicine are available to you 24/7/365 days a year in all 50 states.

Simply upload your MRI, CT scan, X-ray or other digital image and our expert physicians review images and provide patients with their expert opinions within as quickly as an hour. Our physicians are board certified and trained at top universities in the United States.

There are no appointments necessary. No spending hours waiting in the ER or a doctor’s office. Our service is available to anyone on the planet. It is not only convenient, it is affordable. You can even talk to a doctor via phone or video chat

When you receive a medical diagnosis, you should obtain a second opinion. At SecondOpinions.com, we provide the highest quality second opinion you can receive. Click here to register:  https://secondopinions.com/index.php?page=shop.registration&vmcchk=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=7

Patient’s Guide to Second Opinions

7/28/2014

It has been reported that second opinions reduce healthcare costs by preventing unnecessary surgeries and procedures and they help save lives. At Second Opinions we always encourage anyone with a diagnosis to receive a second opinion. And we are not alone.

Cleveland Clinic started a program in 2004 called, MyConsult Online Second Opinion, because so many patients were demanding second opinions from the hospital. Most of those patients were not able to travel there. Now the facility says 30% of their patients get second opinions from abroad. 75% of the time they agree with the original diagnosis.

At SecondOpinions.com, we saw the need to provide patients around the world with top quality second opinions from expert U.S trained medical specialists. Why? Because of stories like this one revealed in U.S. News & World Report. Stories we read about almost daily. http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2014/07/23/a-patients-guide-to-second-opinions. You can also learn about this patient’s advice on when to get a second opinion.

At SecondOpinions.com, our specialists and subspecialists in all fields of medicine are available to you 24/7/365 days a year in all 50 states. Simply upload your MRI, CT scan, X-ray or other digital image and our expert physicians review images and provide patients with their expert opinions within as quickly as an hour.

There are no appointments necessary. No spending hours waiting in the ER or a doctor’s office. Our service is available to anyone on the planet. It is not only convenient, it is affordable. You can even talk to a doctor via phone or video chat

When you receive a medical diagnosis, you should obtain a second opinion. At SecondOpinions.com, we provide the highest quality second opinion you can receive. Click here to register:  https://secondopinions.com/index.php?page=shop.registration&vmcchk=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=7

Gene That Stops Spread of Deadly Lung Cancer Discovered

7/24/2014

There may be a new weapon in the arsenal against lung cancer. Researchers from the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California believe they have discovered a gene that stops the spread of lung cancer. Their findings were revealed in the journal Molecular Cell. 

The gene helps cancer cells pull up their anchors in the primary tumor and move to other sites where they form new tumors. Metastasis relies on cells lifting their anchors. Normal cells don’t travel. So researchers have established that for cancer to become mobile the cells in the primary tumor manage to overcome the ability of the normal cells to stay rooted. 

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Americans according to the National Cancer Institute. Lung cancer will take the lives of 160,000 in the United States this year.  

The nation spends more than $12 billion on treatments each year. Despite the massive spending, 4 out of 5 patients die mostly because the cancer spreads so quickly.

If you or someone you love receives a diagnosis of any kind of cancer, you should always seek a second opinion. At SecondOpinions.com, our specialists and subspecialists in all fields of medicine are available to you 24/7/365 days a year in all 50 states.

Simply upload your MRI, CT scan, X-ray or other digital image and our expert physicians review images and provide patients with their expert opinions within as quickly as an hour. Our physicians are board certified and trained at top universities in the United States.

There are no appointments necessary. No spending hours waiting in the ER or a doctor’s office. Our service is available to anyone on the planet. It is not only convenient, it is affordable. You can even talk to a doctor via phone or video chat

When you receive a medical diagnosis, you should obtain a second opinion. At SecondOpinions.com, we provide the highest quality second opinion you can receive. Click here to register:  https://secondopinions.com/index.php?page=shop.registration&vmcchk=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=7

Medical Misdiagnoses Common Yet Ignored

7/21/2014

Drug errors and wrong site surgeries get a lot of attention in the news. But wrong, missed or delayed diagnoses are more common affecting up to 20% of all medical cases according to an estimate published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Dr. David Newman-Toker, a Johns Hopkins School of Medicine neurologist, studies diagnostic errors. He says cancer biopsies are wrong between 2 and 5% of the time. Wrong diagnoses often include the wrong treatment leading to deaths that might have been prevented.

You have to read what happened to one Florida man who was misdiagnosed and received the wrong treatment for a year. http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/medicine/medical-misdiagnoses-common-yet-ignored/2152949

At SecondOpinions.com, we want to avoid medical misdiagnoses by providing the proper diagnosis. If you or someone you love receives a diagnosis of any kind of cancer, you should always seek a second opinion. At SecondOpinions.com, our specialists and subspecialists in all fields of medicine are available to you 24/7/365 days a year in all 50 states.

Simply upload your MRI, CT scan, X-ray or other digital image and our expert physicians review images and provide patients with their expert opinions within as quickly as an hour. Our physicians are board certified and trained at top universities in the United States.

There are no appointments necessary. No spending hours waiting in the ER or a doctor’s office. Our service is available to anyone on the planet. It is not only convenient, it is affordable. You can even talk to a doctor via phone or video chat

When you receive a medical diagnosis, you should obtain a second opinion. At SecondOpinions.com, we provide the highest quality second opinion you can receive. Click here to register:  https://secondopinions.com/index.php?page=shop.registration&vmcchk=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=7

Testicular cancer increasing in young Hispanic men

7/14/2014

Hispanic Americans are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States. Now they have another distinction. Young Hispanic American men between the ages of 15 and 39 are reporting dramatic increases in testicular cancer, according to a new study.

Dr. Rebecca Johnson and her colleagues at Seattle’s Children Hospital, WA., analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program. What they found is between 1992 and 2010 the incidence of testicular cancer among young Hispanic white men increased 58% – from 7.18 cases per 100,000 at the start of that study to 11.34 cases per 100,000 by the end.

Testicular germ cell tumors are the most common malignant tumor among adolescent and young adult men. Historically non-Hispanic white men have had the highest incidence rate. But if the current trend continues, Hispanic American men will outpace all other groups within the next few years.

If you or someone you love receives a diagnosis of any kind of cancer, you should always seek a second opinion. At SecondOpinions.com, our specialists and subspecialists in all fields of medicine are available to you 24/7/365 days a year in all 50 states.

Simply upload your MRI, CT scan, X-ray or other digital image and our expert physicians review images and provide patients with their expert opinions within as quickly as an hour. Our physicians are board certified and trained at top universities in the United States.

There are no appointments necessary. No spending hours waiting in the ER or a doctor’s office. Our service is available to anyone on the planet. It is not only convenient, it is affordable. You can even talk to a doctor via phone or video chat

When you receive a medical diagnosis, you should obtain a second opinion. At SecondOpinions.com, we provide the highest quality second opinion you can receive. Click here to register:  https://secondopinions.com/index.php?page=shop.registration&vmcchk=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=7

Study links high cholesterol to increased risk of breast cancer

7/8/2014

We know from past studies that obesity can cause a number of chronic medical conditions including diabetes and heart disease. Well a new study suggests women with high cholesterol , which is usually accompanied by obesity, may be at a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

The study was recently presented at the Frontiers in Cardiovascular Biology meeting in Barcelona, Spain, and was conducted by Dr. Rahul Potluri of the Algorithm for Comorbidities, Associations, Length of Stay and Mortality (ACALM) Study Unit at Aston University School of Medicine in the UK.

Past research suggests that the obesity of a woman influences the rate of breast cancer cell growth and tumor size which is fed by high cholesterol levels. The new findings indicate women with high cholesterol  are 1.64 times more likely to develop breast cancer.

“Statins are cheap, widely available and relatively safe,” says Dr. Potluri. “We are potentially heading towards a clinical trial in 10-15 years to test the effect of statins on the incidence of breast cancer. If such a trial is successful, statins may have a role in the prevention of breast cancer especially in high risk groups, such as women with high cholesterol.”

To be able to use a drug that is safe and affordable to fight breast cancer would significantly help to reduce healthcare costs. That’s our goal at SecondOpinions.com – to decrease unnecessary procedures and surgeries therefore reducing medical costs and ultimately saving lives.

At SecondOpinions.com,our U.S. trained, board certified specialists and subspecialists in all fields of medicine are available to you 24/7/365 days a year in all 50 states.

Simply upload your MRI, CT scan, X-ray or other digital image and our expert physicians review images and provide patients with their expert opinions within as quickly as an hour.  There are no appointments necessary.

No spending hours waiting in the ER or a doctor’s office. Our service is available to anyone on the planet. It is not only convenient, it is affordable. You can even talk to a doctor via phone or video chat

When you receive a medical diagnosis, you should obtain a second opinion. At SecondOpinions.com, we provide the highest quality second opinion you can receive. Click here to register:  https://secondopinions.com/index.php?page=shop.registration&vmcchk=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=7