Critical Conditions

Hospital patient care has become hazardous to the patient's health. There must be someone, a family member or good friend, to oversee and monitor the patient's medical care. Learn how to prevent medical errors, medication mistakes, hospital-acquired infectious diseases, and much more. Reach the doctors when you really need them – every time. Navigate the hospital with confidence.


Critical Conditions (winner of 16 book awards) is a step-by-step guide based on over 150 interviews with registered nurses, physicians and hospital staff, Ms. Ehrenclou's own experiences with hospitalized family members and hundreds of hours of research. It is a book for family members written by a family member who has been there. A reported quarter of a million deaths in hospitals nationwide were found to be preventable (The Fifth Annual Health Grades Patient Safety in American Hospitals Study, 2008). If someone has a parent, spouse, sibling or child in the hospital, they must get actively involved in the patient's care to prevent medical errors. Hospitalized patients are recovering and cannot do this for themselves.


“Hospital care is becoming hazardous to the patient’s health. Wise words from medical personnel pepper the pages of Critical Conditions…based on more than 150 interviews with nurses, doctors, and other hospital staff, and the author’s own experiences.” --- Publishers Weekly


“An important book for family members of anyone who is in the hospital, or who is seriously ill. The author distills the information she gained from interviews into calming, practical advice.” --- ForeWord Magazine


“A step-by-step guide filled with excellent advice that can prevent the kinds of accidents and problems that can complicate or even endanger a hospital stay.” -- Bookviews, Pick of the Month


“Martine Ehrenclou has made a significant contribution to health care and her book will save lives. She deals directly with practical advice for patients about what to do to avoid being injured or killed by a medical error during a hospital stay.” -- Injury Board.com 


“This guide is invaluable! All the answers to your questions are in it. Keeping this book handy can keep your loved one from becoming a statistic...” -- BookLoons Reviews


“Highly recommended! No stone has been left unturned as the author intensely interviewed, and researched this easy to follow book. Few will escape being affected by a hospital stay. Be prepared and believe in the value of this book. This guide is not only essential for the patient, but perhaps a refresher for the overworked medical profession, business people and politicians.” -- AllBooks Review


“A lot of useful advice which could truly make a difference. The author has left no stone unturned to ensure that proper hospital care is received…with step-by-step information and tips in dealing with all aspects of a hospital stay. The book will be beneficial to anyone who has a loved one in the hospital and also to students in nursing or medical school.” ---Rebeccas Reads


“An essential tool for anyone with a loved one in the hospital…a simple step-by-step way of averting seemingly avoidable errors. This book acts as a handbook, diary of patient progress, procedural manual, and a reminder for the reader.” --- BlackGospel.com 


“Full of pragmatic advice in short, specific sub-sections. It’s worth a look -- for business readers, consumers, hospital managers, politicians...” ---San Francisco Business Times


"They should pass out this book to all families who have loved ones in hospitals."

Robert Adair, MD, Santa Monica, CA 


“Critical Conditions is a most comprehensive guide book for the individual who has a loved one in the hospital. It provides the do's and don'ts for the family. Ms. Ehrenclou is to be complimented on having written a practical and informative book.”

Howard S. Traisman, MD, Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics, Northwestern University