tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post7588375434266185933..comments2024-03-29T06:37:18.029-04:00Comments on Not Running a Hospital: Parkland Memorial: Will transparency finally rule?Paul Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065446378970179507noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-27818358800115000072012-02-16T18:40:15.252-05:002012-02-16T18:40:15.252-05:00I first became aware of Parkland's shortcoming...I first became aware of Parkland's shortcomings with the report of a woman who lost her leg due to a series of errors during a knee replacement - including, allegedly - the lack of the attending surgeon's participation in the care of the patient. A 2nd year resident did the surgery without direct supervision and severed something vital - with direct supervision it would have been apparent at the time of the error and corrected. There followed a series of events - no one took the patient's reports of extreme pain seriously, only a medical student saw the patient post-operatiavely, etc. etc.<br /><br />I was truly outraged - and more so because the hospital did nothing to assist her - she couldn't even get a prosthetic leg. I don't understand why the hospital - knowing it was at fault - did nothing to make things right. Malpractice reform in Texas made it impossible to sue - not enough money for the lawyer's to take the case. Surely those in favor of reform never intended for real victims to be left without remedy. Stay away from Texas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-77023890643052098262012-02-15T18:57:18.962-05:002012-02-15T18:57:18.962-05:00One would think that such negative publicity would...One would think that such negative publicity would significantly increase the number of patients who would prefer to receive care at some other hospital besides Parkland and increase the number of doctors who would refer their patients elsewhere as well. If nothing else gets management’s attention, fewer patients and lower revenue should. Then, even if the problems are satisfactorily addressed and transparently communicated to the outside world, it could take quite some time for Parkland to repair the damage to its reputation.Barry Carolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-22827216064432759832012-02-15T14:27:50.584-05:002012-02-15T14:27:50.584-05:00This scenario happened (minus the 'immediate j...This scenario happened (minus the 'immediate jeopardy' tag, so not quite as bad) in my former hospital, complete with devastating press coverage as above. The new hospital President followed a course very much like what you recommend, Paul. The situation calmed down somewhat over the ensuing months and achieving re-accreditation. However, now retired and some 13 years later, in another county in the state, some non-medical friends brought up the incident as if it happened yesterday. I wager it will take a generation for complete trust to be regained.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com