Val Barschaw, Inc.

03/13/2026

It's Patient Safety Awareness Week, and I need to share something that could save your life. 💊

According to the World Health Organization, medication errors cause over 50% of preventable hospital harm.

Read that again. 50%. Preventable.

Here's what most people don't realize:
❌ Hospital records can have copy-paste errors
❌ Paramedics need your medication info IMMEDIATELY
❌ Emergencies don't always happen near your regular hospital
❌ Your family needs to know what you're taking

I learned this the hard way through 35 years of hospital experiences with my husband. And I'm determined that you won't have to learn it the same way.

The solution is simple: A complete, accurate medication list. ✅

But here's the problem—most people either don't have an easy form to use, or they think their doctor will handle everything.

That's why I created the FREE MedCheck Mastery Guide.

It's direct, easy to use, and includes:
• Space for all medications (prescription, OTC, supplements)
• Dosages and frequencies
• Emergency contacts
• Allergies and reactions

Takes 10 minutes to complete. Could save your life. ⏰

📋 Download FREE at www.hospitaltohealth.com
(Also grab the Hospital Readiness Checklist while you're there!)

Here's what to do TODAY:

Download and fill out your medication list
Make copies for your car, wallet, and phone
Share this post with someone you love
Update it every time something changes

During Patient Safety Awareness Week and every week after, let's commit to being prepared patients. Because medication safety IS patient safety.

DM me your success stories or questions—I'd love to hear from you! 💬

03/11/2026

Celebrating Patient Safety Awareness Week with gratitude! 📚❤️

I'm incredibly proud to share that these four amazing LOCAL bookstores are supporting patient safety by carrying "Surviving the Hospital: Six Secrets Every Patient Should Know":

📖 Jerrol's Bookstore - Ellensburg
📖 Pearl Street Books - Ellensburg
📖 Upper County Tribune - Cle Elum
📖 Base Camp Books and Bites - Roslyn

These aren't just bookstores—they're community partners who understand that patient safety starts with patient education. 🙌

When you support these local businesses, you're supporting a mission to help people navigate healthcare with confidence, clarity, and better outcomes.

During Patient Safety Awareness Week (March 8-14), stop by and:
• Pick up a copy for yourself or a loved one
• Learn the six secrets that transform fear into preparedness
• Join a movement of empowered patients and advocates

Can't make it to a bookstore? No problem! Start with these FREE resources at www.hospitaltohealth.com :
✅ Hospital Readiness Checklist
✅ MedCheck Mastery Guide

Because patient safety isn't just a week—it's a way of life. And it starts with having the right information at the right time.

Thank you to these wonderful bookstores for being Hospital Heroes in our community! 💙

Tag a friend who needs these resources, and DM me your questions!

03/09/2026

Worth the time to read.

After 35 years as a patient advocate for my husband Bill, a heart transplant recipient, I thought I had seen it all.

03/09/2026

I am so grateful for gnanow.org. The resources are easy to find for advocates and patients.

They recently accepted a blog I wrote and I have to raise my hand to say "I goofed on the title" - but that just proves I'm human, right? (It is my nature to over-do at times...you'll see I hope.)

The data is heart wrenching and I pray - particularly this week being Patient Safety Awareness Week - that more people will take extra care with their medications, OTC remedies and supplements.

Click the link to read all about it :)

https://gnanow.org/blogs/the-harmless-cold-remedy-that-almost-cost-everything-a-patient-advocate-s-wake-up-call-why-the-small.html

After 35 years as a patient advocate for my husband Bill, a heart transplant recipient, I thought I had seen it all.

03/09/2026

The Personal Invitation

I just had the most fascinating podcast conversation about why a mysterious Biblical figure named Melchizedek connects perfectly with patient advocacy...

Here's the thing: Melchizedek means "King of Righteousness" and "King of Peace."

And aren't those the two things every hospital patient desperately needs?

✅ Righteousness = fair treatment, proper care, being heard

✅ Peace = comfort during one of life's scariest moments

My book "Surviving the Hospital" gives you six secrets to find both.

Want to hear the full story? Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-this-table-taste-and-see-his-goodness/id1741598390?i=1000750482896

Drop a 🙌 in the comments if you've ever felt powerless in a hospital setting. You're not alone.

03/07/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 "𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗪𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀" 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲

Plot twist: I wrote a book about surviving hospitals and ended up talking about a 4,000-year-old priest-king named Melchizedek on a podcast. 🤯

Why Melchizedek? Because his story is all about transcending traditional boundaries to help people in crisis... which is EXACTLY what patients need to do when navigating the healthcare system.

No medical degree? No problem. You can still advocate for yourself.

That's what Melchizedek teaches us. That's what my book teaches you.

Check out the full conversation here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-this-table-taste-and-see-his-goodness/id1741598390?i=1000750482896

Podcast Episode · At This Table - Taste and See His Goodness · S1 E100 · 43m

02/19/2026

Yesterday was... wow. 💙

I'm still processing the experience of standing in front of
all of you, sharing stories I've carried for 35 years, and
watching your faces as you took notes, nodded, and truly HEARD
what I was saying.

Thank you.

Thank you for showing up.
Thank you for being willing to learn.
Thank you for becoming Hospital Heroes.

And the best part? You're now prepared. You have the tools.
You know the six secrets.

One day, you or someone you love will need the hospital—and
because of yesterday, you'll be ready.

DIDN'T MAKE IT TO THE EVENT?

Your free resources are still available:
→ MedCheck Mastery Guide: https://hospitaltohealth.com/roadmap

Our words carry power.
Sometimes they comfort.
Sometimes they inspire.
And sometimes? They literally save lives.

Thank you for letting me share mine with you.

With deep gratitude,
Val

02/11/2026

Stop Dabbling With Your Health. It's Time to DO.

"I'm not sure I can do this."

I hear it all the time when I talk to people about preparing for surgery or hospitalization. There's hesitation in their voice. Fear. Uncertainty.

And I get it. The healthcare system feels overwhelming. The medical jargon is confusing. The idea of advocating for yourself—or a loved one—can feel intimidating.

But here's the truth: You don't need to be a medical expert. You just need to be prepared.

From Yabba-Dabba-Doo to Dabble-Dabble-DO

Remember Fred Flintstone's car? It was powered by his own two feet. Simple. No engine, no complicated mechanics—just Fred putting one foot in front of the other, yelling "Yabba-dabba-doo!" as he went.

That's what patient preparation should feel like. Simple. Actionable. Powered by YOU.

But too many people approach their health by dabbling . They think about preparing. They mean to ask questions. They plan to verify their medications... someday.

And when "someday" becomes "surgery day," they're unprepared. Vulnerable. At risk for preventable errors that could cost them their recovery—or worse.

Dabbling puts your life at risk.

So let's stop dabbling and start DOING.

What Does "DO" Look Like?

It's simpler than you think.

Would you be willing to attend a presentation about patient safety?

✅ That's a DO.

Would you read a short, practical guide on how to prepare for surgery?

✅ That's a DO.

Would you learn what questions to ask your doctor before your procedure?

✅ That's a DO.

Would you verify your medications—every single one—before you go into the hospital?

✅ That's a DO.

None of these require a medical degree. None of them are complicated. But every single one of them could save your life.

Why I Wrote "Surviving the Hospital"

I spent 35 years navigating the healthcare system with my husband Bill through his heart transplant journey. I watched him nearly receive a contraindicated blood thinner hours before surgery. I saw him served food that dangerously interacted with his medications.

These weren't isolated incidents. They were wake-up calls.

And they taught me that prepared patients get better outcomes.

That's why I wrote Surviving the Hospital: Six Secrets Every Patient Should Know .

It's deliberately short (110 pages). Deliberately simple. Deliberately actionable.

Because when you're facing surgery, you don't need a medical textbook. You need a roadmap.

Your Health Deserves More Than Dabbling

Think about someone you love who's facing surgery. Or maybe it's you.

What would you be willing to DO to protect them? To protect yourself?

Would you spend 30 minutes downloading a free medication checklist?

Would you spend a few hours reading a guide that could prevent a life-threatening error?

Would you ask one extra question that could change everything?

That's not dabbling. That's DOING.

And doing is what turns fearful patients into empowered hospital heroes.

Take the First Step Today

You don't have to do everything at once. Just take one step.

Start here:

📥 Download the free Med Check Mastery Guide – Learn how to document every medication, supplement, and dosage so nothing slips through the cracks.
👉 https://hospitaltohealth.com/roadmap

🎤 Attend a FREE presentation – Hear real stories and practical strategies you can use immediately.
👉 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2026 @ 1:00 pm

719 E THIRD STREET, CLE ELUM, WA

From Dabble to DO. Let's Go.

Your health—or the health of someone you love—is too important to leave to chance.

Stop dabbling. Start doing.

Become a hospital hero. For yourself. For your loved ones. For anyone you care about who deserves the best possible outcome.

Yabba-dabba-DON'T dabble. Let's DO this.

Val Barschaw

02/09/2026

Stop Dabbling With Your Health. It's Time to DO.

"I'm not sure I can do this."

I hear it all the time when I talk to people about preparing for surgery or hospitalization. There's hesitation in their voice. Fear. Uncertainty.

And I get it. The healthcare system feels overwhelming. The medical jargon is confusing. The idea of advocating for yourself—or a loved one—can feel intimidating.

But here's the truth: You don't need to be a medical expert. You just need to be prepared.

From Yabba-Dabba-Doo to Dabble-Dabble-DO

Remember Fred Flintstone's car? It was powered by his own two feet. Simple. No engine, no complicated mechanics—just Fred putting one foot in front of the other, yelling "Yabba-dabba-doo!" as he went.

That's what patient preparation should feel like. Simple. Actionable. Powered by YOU.

But too many people approach their health by dabbling . They think about preparing. They mean to ask questions. They plan to verify their medications... someday.

And when "someday" becomes "surgery day," they're unprepared. Vulnerable. At risk for preventable errors that could cost them their recovery—or worse.

Dabbling puts your life at risk.

So let's stop dabbling and start DOING.

What Does "DO" Look Like?

It's simpler than you think.

Would you be willing to attend a presentation about patient safety?

✅ That's a DO.

Would you read a short, practical guide on how to prepare for surgery?

✅ That's a DO.

Would you learn what questions to ask your doctor before your procedure?

✅ That's a DO.

Would you verify your medications—every single one—before you go into the hospital?

✅ That's a DO.

None of these require a medical degree. None of them are complicated. But every single one of them could save your life.

Why I Wrote "Surviving the Hospital"

I spent 35 years navigating the healthcare system with my husband Bill through his heart transplant journey. I watched him nearly receive a contraindicated blood thinner hours before surgery. I saw him served food that dangerously interacted with his medications.

These weren't isolated incidents. They were wake-up calls.

And they taught me that prepared patients get better outcomes.

That's why I wrote Surviving the Hospital: Six Secrets Every Patient Should Know .

It's deliberately short (110 pages). Deliberately simple. Deliberately actionable.

Because when you're facing surgery, you don't need a medical textbook. You need a roadmap.

Your Health Deserves More Than Dabbling

Think about someone you love who's facing surgery. Or maybe it's you.

What would you be willing to DO to protect them? To protect yourself?

Would you spend 30 minutes downloading a free medication checklist?

Would you spend a few hours reading a guide that could prevent a life-threatening error?

Would you ask one extra question that could change everything?

That's not dabbling. That's DOING.

And doing is what turns fearful patients into empowered hospital heroes.

Take the First Step Today

You don't have to do everything at once. Just take one step.

Start here:

📥 Download the free Med Check Mastery Guide – Learn how to document every medication, supplement, and dosage so nothing slips through the cracks.
👉 https://hospitaltohealth.com/roadmap

📖 Read Surviving the Hospital – Get all six secrets that help patients achieve better outcomes.
👉 https://hospitaltohealth.com/products-list

🎤 Attend a presentation – Hear real stories and practical strategies you can use immediately.
👉 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2026 @ 1:00 pm

719 E THIRD STREET, CLE ELUM, WA

From Dabble to DO. Let's Go.

Your health—or the health of someone you love—is too important to leave to chance.

Stop dabbling. Start doing.

Become a hospital hero. For yourself. For your loved ones. For anyone you care about who deserves the best possible outcome.

Yabba-dabba-DON'T dabble. Let's DO this.

Val Barschaw

01/29/2026

🏥 Have you or someone you love ever felt helpless in a hospital?

When my husband was offered a contraindicated medication hours before heart surgery, I learned the hard way: patients must be their own advocates.

I'm sharing 35 years of real-world lessons at a FREE workshop:

📅 Wednesday, Feb 18 at 1:00 PM
📍 Upper Kittitas County Senior Center, Cle Elum

You'll learn:
✓ How to avoid medication errors
✓ Questions to ask before, during & after surgery
✓ Simple infection prevention steps
✓ How to build your support team

BONUS: Enter to win a Patient Safety Survival Kit!

Bring a friend—this info could save a life.

Comment "INTERESTED" below and I'll send you details!

01/28/2026

"Woo Hoo! My husband finally filled out his medicine list, and I owe that to you!" 💙

I just received this message from a friend, and it reminded me why this mission matters so much.

Her husband insisted he didn't need a medicine list. "If there's an emergency, the hospital will have it," he said. Sound familiar?

But here's the reality: According to the World Health Organization, medication errors cause over 50% of preventable hospital harm. 😟

After reading my book, she confidently explained to him:
✅ Hospital records might be wrong (copy-paste or data entry errors happen)
✅ Paramedics who show up need it STAT
✅ The emergency may not happen locally
✅ She NEEDS to know it!

He finally got it. Now he has his list completed, a copy at home, one in the car glovebox, and pictures on both their phones. She told me, "I feel so much better now." ❤️

Here's the thing: You and your loved ones deserve that same peace of mind.

📋 Download my FREE MedCheck Mastery Guide at www.hospitaltohealth.com

It's simple, direct, and includes space for emergency contacts. Fill it out TODAY. Make copies. Share it with someone you love.

Because prepared patients have better outcomes. And in an emergency or at any medical visit, accurate information can literally save your life.

DM me your success stories or questions - I'd love to hear from you! 💬