In "Forever Hold Your Peace: When Preprocedure Safety Concerns Are Missed," I was taken by the author's unheeded concerns about her overly low heart rate before colonoscopy, and the nearly fatal results (Viewpoint, July). I'm concerned that medical teams too often fail to note patients' specific concerns despite the serious dangers that could result. I have seen in a number of nursing textbooks the axiom that the patient knows more about her or his body than anyone else. Close attention to patient concerns before a procedure should unequivocally be added to time-outs and I hope it will be in the very near future.

Charles Lott

Ithaca, MI