My sister, Stacey Lynn Friedlander, the author of this humorous yet informative book, died on April 26, 2004 at the young age of 41. Four years before her death, Stacey was in a terrible car accident which led to many hospital stays, numerous surgeries, and too many medications.

THOUGH STACEY LEFT US MUCH TOO SOON, HER WORDS OF WISDOM CONTINUE TO INSPIRE US THROUGH THIS CLEVER AND WITTY HOSPITAL SURVIVAL GUIDE.

Stacey would be happy to know that since 2004, there have been many changes in healthcare focusing on patient satisfaction. She is right on when she says in her introduction that "efficiencies ... are created by people divorced from patient care who obsess about ways to deliver that care in the least costly way". This is one of the greatest challenges for a healthcare staff member.

Her "Think in Shifts" Chapter is definitely on target. Your healthcare team should check on you before going off shift, to make sure your needs are met for the next half hour.

Stacey's insight has helped me to see the hospital experience from the patient's point of view, and will help me be a better caregiver.

-Aimee Hueber, RN

Aimee is a registered nurse in the largest hospital system in Indiana. She works on one of the busiest medical units in Indianapolis, and would like to give a copy of this book to patients upon their admission to the hospital.