Medical coverage?

[gray_marian]

#20, It happened in Boston Rodney as the chinese patient was suing his doctor/hospital. Think it was the Sunday Times here, that I read it, as it's the only paper I buy. Was just wondering if it was common practice in the other states. Will try and find clip on the net as the paper has been recycled

Found it:

Taken from The Boston Globe:By Joan Vennochi GLOBE COLUMNIST OCTOBER 26, 2015
SOME PEOPLE can’t walk and chew gum at the same time.

Then, there are highly skilled surgeons who can perform complex and risky procedures on two patients, in two separate operating rooms, over the same scheduled time period.


It’s called concurrent surgery, and how it plays out at Massachusetts General Hospital was detailed in an extensive Globe Spotlight Team report. The Globe investigation, which focused on specific malpractice litigation, revealed that double-booked surgery is accepted practice at MGH. Surprisingly, there’s no obligation to tell the patient that it will be happening — even though some top medical professionals question the ethics of it all.

The MGH response to the findings also showcased an institution sorely in need of an antidote to arrogance. “We haven’t found a single case where the concurrency has caused harm, so I don’t think patients should be alarmed by it,” Dr. Peter Slavin, Mass. General’s president, told the Globe.

If that’s the case, why not tell patients about it, so they can give truly informed consent?

View Story
Editorial: Patients owed full disclosure on concurrent surgeries
Patients should be able to trust that the doctor signed up to perform their operation will be present during the full procedure — unless they are explicitly told otherwise.
Spotlight: Clash in the name of care
Clash in the name of care: The e-mails
Watch the documentary

Maybe this is why: Some patients would not sign off if they knew their surgeon was dashing between ORs during spinal cord operations. As a matter of math, that would reduce double-bookings, and with it, money-making potential.

According to the Spotlight report, only 3 percent of MGH surgeries — about 1,000 a year — involve “procedural overlap,” where there is one patient with an open incision while surgery on a second patient is underway. But the report, which focuses on orthopedic cases, also notes the “business-like approach” of Dr. Harry Rubash, the department head since 1998, who “introduced an incentive system that paid doctors more if they generated more profits.”

As the Globe also reported, the orthopedics department has one of the highest rates of concurrent surgery at MGH: One quarter of all orthopedic surgical procedures have some overlap, compared to 15 percent hospital-wide. According to Rubash, concurrent surgeries did not become more common during his tenure, but other doctors told the Globe they did.

The practice sparked a heated debate, led by Dr. Dennis Burke, a star orthopedic surgeon who battled against double-booking. Others also expressed concern, including a group of anesthesiologists.

Burke no longer works at MGH; he was terminated for violating hospital policy after providing (redacted) patient records to reporters. As of 2012, MGH updated its overlapping surgery policy, which the hospital calls “one of the strongest” in the country. Yet disclosure to patients remains a case-by-case call, made at the surgeon’s discretion.

That should change. Even with an understanding they are not the sole focus, some patients will stick with a surgeon they trust. But every patient should have that choice, and that choice is possible only with full knowledge of what to expect from the attending surgeon.

Doing two things at once, like texting and driving, can be bad for your health and for others around you. But for highly skilled professionals, some multitasking is acceptable.

Still, if you’re Whitey Bulger, do you want to be represented by lawyers who are dashing between courtrooms as they simultaneously represent another accused serial murderer? If you’re Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, do you want to share defenders while you are facing the death penalty? If you do, you will at least know it’s happening. Unlike the OR, a courtroom is open to the public, from opening argument to verdict.

How far should doctors push the envelope, given the stakes? Is it really worth the extra money to have people wonder if billable hours in the operating room now take priority over patient care?

That’s the real question for MGH. In the meantime, patients should at least know their attending surgeon may also be attending someone else.

Joan Vennochi can be reached at vennochi@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @Joan_Vennochi.

[Rodney Mills]

Marion, It's hard to believe. Just think of the litigation they are leaving themselves open to. As I said, I had never heard of it before. I have an appointment with my G.P. in December at the University hospital in Charleston. I'll ask if it's a common practice or not and get back to you with his comments.

It is common practice at M.U.S.C. to have Resident Doctors fulfilling their last term to watch surgery in action, and the very senior ones who are already fully qualified doctors to assist in surgeries, but only under the direct guidance of a teaching/professor surgeon. This practice though is world-wide, as how else are surgeons to learn ?

Regards and thanks for the article, Rodney

[happy daze john in oz]

WE have a small country hospital here that had an abnormal deat hrate amongst new born. Six still born and 9 early deaths in about 3 years. The specialist concerned has we hear fled the country, but how do they get away with it?

[John Pruden]

just came back from the cancer clinic my lungs are free of the cancer the consultant very happy but I will have to have scans on a regular basis so its been a very hard and painful year for me but I am in the light at the end of the tunnel ?? jp

[Captain Kong]

Good on yer, John
Brian

[John Pruden]

brian still not looked at that link you sent??? still a way to go yet its taking its time healing from the inside but i will get there{wherever we are going}?? jp

[j.sabourn]

Took my wife to hospital yesterday for her pre ops talks. She had her hip bone removed 4 months ago and is now having to have the second one done next month. The nurse said will you fill in a consent form for the further use of the hip bone coming out we forgot to get your consent for the first one. I wanted to know what dog kennels were getting a feed, didn't go down too well. JS

[happy daze john in oz]

John #24, you have done well my friend, keep up with it and you will be with us for many more years to come. There is nothing quite like the feeling of being told it is now GONE. Good on ya mate.

[Captain Kong]

Took my wife to hospital yesterday for her pre ops talks. She had her hip bone removed 4 months ago and is now having to have the second one done next month. The nurse said will you fill in a consent form for the further use of the hip bone coming out we forgot to get your consent for the first one. I wanted to know what dog kennels were getting a feed, didn't go down too well. JS


Hi John
The Bones are recycled.
they are crushed into powder turned into a paste with other materials that sets as hard as the real thing. and are used to fix badly shattered and splintered bones like from Broken legs etc.
Nothing is wasted.so they do some good. also used in new hip surgery as a filler.
My Aunty Doris died when she was 98 and apart from her eyes used for cornea transplant and some other parts, all her skeleton was used up as recycled bone. She had nothing left.
Cheers
Brian.

I have just been to the Hospital for a Pre Op examination this morning.
Everything OK so I am still a super fit hero.
BUT I have to have an operation on Monday 21 December,
That will knacker up my Christmas, then 12 days after the operation I am flying to Miami to join my cruise ship for the world cruise. So I hope there are no complications, I have to see the anaesthetist next Wednesday..
Cheers
Brian

[Captain Kong]

Donated BONES..... for John S.
Dental implants can be made from ground-up human bone, turned into a paste. Bone also gets turned into screws and plates. for Surgery, Surgeons can use them to repair a broken leg. So if you have a Dental Implant it is off someone's dead body.
Cheers
Brian