Being a 'bad' patient

CNN's Elizabeth Cohen talks with "Sex and the City" actor Evan Handler about his battle with cancer.

Well, he was of the special men among the women of “Sex and the City”. But actor Evan Handler has a winning role off the screen as well--he’s trying to change the way the hospitals do business and CNN medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen explains in today’s “Empowered Patient” segment.

For fans of “Sex and the City”, Evan Handler is Harry Goldenblatt.

“Charlotte York, will you marry me?”

What people don’t know is along with acting, Handler has another passion—patient empowerment. For him, it’s personal. When he was 24, Handler was diagnosed with leukemia. Doctors told him he would likely die. Handler believes he’s alive today because of some truly excellent doctors, but also because he was a royal pain in the neck.

I was considered to be difficult and I was pretty rigorous about checking everything all the time.

For example, once he looked at his IV bag and noticed another patient’s name.

So I rang the call bell for the nurse and got the very common response of, “what is it, Evan? We are on a lunch break.” And I said, “Well actually, the drug that’s running into my vein has someone else’s name on it.” And there was a pause. And they said, “Someone will be right there.”

And he says this was just the beginning. Infections were allowed to fester. Safety precautions were ignored. So what are his tips for dealing with an imperfect healthcare system? Handler’s first word of advice—when you’re seriously ill, bring someone with you to the doctor’s office or hospital.

It’s really really tough to keep your eyes on everything by yourself.

Also read about the drug you’re taking and don’t be afraid to speak up.

Question whether it’s the best drug for the condition.

Now more than 20 years later, Handler is cancer-free and writes books about what happened to him.

You go in this room here…

…and uses his celebrity to tell his story.
I think it’s horrendous that some of things that happened to me happen and I like them not to happen to others.

Elizabeth Cohen, CNN, New York.

And you can read more about Handler’s story by checking out Elizabeth Cohen at CNN.com/health.