How does Wrong Site Surgery Happen? Part 1

Everyone know someone who has had surgery. But did you know that breakdowns in the surgical care process can happen at many points? Procedures are in place to match the patient's arm band with verbally asking the patient what their birth date is to insure it is the correct patient. The surgeon marks the patient prior to arriving in the OR. OR staff is responsible to insure the appropriate consent form indicates the body part the surgeon has marked prior to induction of anesthesia. The area is then prepped and the surgeon's initials should still remain after preparation for surgery to indicate the site. At every point in the process there is a possibility of error.

The actions of the surgeon in the OR are a huge determinant of whether wrong site surgery occurs; surgeons have control of the actual incisions and procedures performed. Despite having all the right consent forms and procedures outlined, ultimately control lies in the hands of the surgeon. With that being said, incidence of wrong site surgery increases with transfer of patients from one surgeon to another as well as having multiple surgeons operating at one time.

The Joint Commission states the root cause analysis (RCA) of wrong site surgeries are that:
1. Time out procedures aren't performed
2. Not verifying consents or site markings
3. Inaccurate consents/diagnostic reports/images,
4. Patient's positioning can be determinants as well. Larger patients/obese patients make positioning of the equipment slightly different than what normally happens in the OR.

Related Articles:
Wrong Site Surgery is a Never Event
Despite efforts to avert - Wrong Site Surgery still occurs

Surgery No Longer Needed to Diagnose Endometriosis

Endometriosis, a condition of the uterus linked to infertility and painful periods, up to now has been diagnosed in patients by conducting a surgery called laparoscopy. Laparoscopy is a procedure where a telescope lens is inserted into the body cavity through a small incision.

According to a new study, surgery is no longer needed to diagnose the condition. A new quick test has been developed that works just as well as the surgery. The new test involves taking a small tissue sample from the uterine lining.

This is positive news. The new test is not only less evasive, but it will shorten the length of time in diagnosing the condition.

To read the full story, visit: AFP

Doctor Performs the First Simulated Brain Surgery

On Monday, a Canadian neurosurgeon made history when he performed the first simulated brain surgery using a virtual reality simulator. Less than 24 hours later, he conducted the real operation and successfully removed a brain tumor.

The simulator uses pictures of a patient's brain (taken using an MRI) to create a virtual environment. According to the doctor who performed the surgery, the virtual environment looks like the real thing, feels like the real thing, and you use the same instruments as the real surgery.

The simulated surgery gives surgeons a practice run at the surgery, allowing them to mapped out their surgical approach and enabling them to anticipate and fix potential problems before they occur.

The technology is also expected to change the way medical training is conducted. Most training is currently conducted in the operating room. The simulator will allow training to occur outside the operating room, in a secure educational environment, allowing students to make mistakes and learn from them. This tool will better prepared them before they step into an operating room.

Source: Canada.com

Preparing for Surgery

You just found out you need surgery. This happens to thousands of people every day. Whether it's a minor procedure such as endoscopy or a major operation such as heart surgery, preparing for surgery can be a confusing or stressful time in anyone's life. The most important thing you can do is follow your physician's instructions. Placing the proper attention to your physician's pre-procedure instructions is your responsibility in the surgery process.

Another important consideration in preparing for surgery is to make sure you have completed all your pre-op testing. Many times physicians order lab and radiology studies to be completed prior to surgery. Results need to be reported to the hospital or ambulatory surgery center so be sure to complete as directed by your care provider so they will have time to integrate with their care plans in a timely manner.

Also, the pre-op department of the hospital or ambulatory surgery center may contact you to let you know your scheduled surgery time and do the pre-op intake. The pre-op inatke process typically includes asking for your medical history, insurance coverage, patient advocate or advanced directive instructions. They may also provide you with additional pre-procedure steps to you for your upcoming surgery. Be sure to ask questions and take notes througout the discussion.

And if you have any questions after these discussions, be sure to contact - the office staff and/or pre-op, both are eager to help you find the answers to assist in your pre- surgical preparations.

Patient Leaves Operating Room After Overhearing a Doctor's Conversation

I just read an article about a patient (who was awaiting eye surgery) leaving the operating room after a doctor answered his cell phone and started discussing a previous operation. The patient of the previous operation had developed complications (no fault of the doctor). Upon hearing the conversation, the patient (who was still conscious) became very upset with the doctor's bedside matter, telling him that he "would rather go blind", leaving the operating room and then the facility. (Source: Fox News)

If I were in his shoes, I may have done the same thing. Its a scary, nerve-wrecking experience to go through any type of surgery. And it certainly doesn't help to hear that type of conversation prior to surgery, even if it wasn't the doctor's fault for the complications. Bedside matter is so important to your health care experience. Just think if that doctor had taken the call to another room, the outcome would have been very different.

This is why word of mouth recommendations should be considered when you're researching your health care choices. It's very important to research the location, services provided, and quality information. But you should also ask family, friends, and other acquaintances if they have had experience with the health care provider. These word of mouth recommendations will give you a better idea of the provider's bedside matter.

If your family or friends haven't used the provider, or perhaps you just moved and you don't know anyone who can give you recommendations, check out the health care provider reviews on WhereToFindCare.com. We ask users to rate their health care provider by writing a short review. Its free to use and all we ask in return is for you to rate your experiences with health care providers. The reviews only take a few short minutes to complete and your feedback is invaluable to others making their health care decisions.

*Information on WheretoFindCare.com is for informational purposes only. Always seek medical advice from your physican for any medical conditions you may have.