Author: davidlhood

Overlapping surgeries can carry significant risks that can be catastrophic.

Overlapping surgeries can be catastrophic

In the busy world of hospitals, where doctors work hard to help as many people as possible, there’s a practice known as overlapping surgeries. This is when a surgeon schedules parts of different operations at the same time. Although double-booked surgeries can make sense from a scheduling standpoint, they can also lead to serious problems if not managed correctly.

Overlapping surgeries defined

Overlapping surgeries occur when a surgeon starts a new surgery while another is still going on. For instance, while a surgeon is finishing up one operation, another patient is being prepared for surgery in a different room. The main surgeon might be present for the critical parts of each surgery but not there for the entire process.

Tens of thousands of overlapping surgeries happen in the US each year. This practice is common in teaching hospitals where experienced surgeons teach younger doctors. The idea is to use time efficiently, allowing surgeons to handle more cases, especially during emergencies. However, this can be risky. Patients expect to have the full attention of their surgeon during an operation, not shared with someone else in another room.

Advantages of overlapping surgeries

There are some advantages to surgeons double-booking. For example, to maximize the use of top surgeons and operating rooms, increasing the number of patients that can have access to needed surgeries, and critical training for surgeons.

However, patient safety should always outweigh these advantages.

Overlapping surgeries can lead to various problems

• Reduced communication: When surgeons handle multiple operations, they might not communicate as effectively. Important details can be missed, leading to complications.
• Increased stress for medical staff: Juggling multiple surgeries can put a lot of pressure on the surgical team, which might affect their performance.
• Patient dissatisfaction: Patients might feel like they’re not getting the best possible care if they find out their surgery was overlapped with another.

Ghost surgery

One of the biggest concerns with overlapping surgeries is the concept of “ghost surgery.” This term refers to situations where the surgeon who was supposed to do the operation isn’t actually the one performing it. Instead, a less experienced surgeon or a trainee might take over, especially during the less critical parts of the surgery. The main surgeon might only come in for the most challenging parts.

Ghost surgeries can be problematic because patients often choose a hospital or a specific surgeon based on their skills and reputation. If someone else performs the operation without the patient’s knowledge, it can feel like a betrayal of trust. Moreover, if the substitute surgeon is less experienced, it could increase the risk of mistakes happening during the surgery.

Can you imagine waking up from surgery and finding out something went wrong, and that the surgeon you hired did not perform the entire operation? (USNews.com)

Research

Research shows that overlapping surgeries are generally safe. There are two exceptions:

1. Patients that are high risk – “those with a relatively high predicted probability of complications from surgery, due to age and pre-existing conditions.”
2. Those undergoing coronary artery bypass

These two categories of patients “experienced higher mortality and complication rates during overlapping surgeries.” (News.Harvard.edu) Minor surgical errors in these patients could cause infection, pneumonia, heart attack, or even death.

Each year, millions of Americans undergo surgery. When we are “under the knife”, we expect to have the surgeon’s full attention. Little do we know that our surgeon may be performing another operation at the same time.

It’s crucial for hospitals to have strict guidelines on how overlapping surgeries are conducted. Surgeons must take responsibility, avoiding overlapping surgeries altogether when there is a possibility that this practice could be unsafe. Also, patients should be informed if their surgery will overlap with another and who will be performing each part of the operation.

These situations must be handled with great care to ensure every patient receives the best and safest care possible.

“As with anything else in medicine, one size does not fit all.” (HMS.Harvard.edu)

Contact Medical Malpractice Attorney David L. Hood for a Free Consultation

If you or someone you care about has suffered because of medical negligence, please schedule your free consultation by calling The Law Offices of David L. Hood at (843) 491-6025 or filling out our brief online contact form.

We know how difficult it can be to deal with the immediate and long-term effects of a serious malpractice-related injury. At The Law Offices of David L. Hood, we work hard to make things simple for you.

After a free case evaluation, if we believe we can help you and your family, Medical Malpractice Attorney David L. Hood, co-counsel, and our team of experts will vigorously pursue your case to get you the best result we can achieve. Let us put our years of experience to work for you!

Vacation weight gain is something we all try to avoid. Whether it’s because we’re relaxing, indulging in a few drinks, or eating delicious foods, vacations always seem to lead to gaining a few pounds. It might feel difficult or overwhelming to stick to healthy choices while on vacation. However, there are a few easy tricks to implement to make doing so a lot easier. So, before hopping on a plane or setting off on a road trip, try these tips to keep the vacation weight off!

Average weight gain on vacation

Some vacation weight gain can be attributed to rich food causing you to retain water, though water weight isn’t always to blame for the numbers on the scale. The average weight gain over vacations and holidays is anywhere from 0.8 pounds to 2 pounds. Unfortunately, those who are already overweight or obese tend to gain more weight during vacations than others. While one to two pounds might not seem like much, it can be a problem when the weight sticks around. One pound per year leads to a ten-pound weight gain every decade. Holiday and vacation weight is a major contributor to annual excess weight gain. So, what’s the best way to prevent weight gain or to lose any weight gained over vacation?

How to not gain weight on vacation

There are a few simple guidelines to follow to prevent large weight gain on vacation. Try to stick to eating just three meals a day. If you’re enjoying meals out while vacationing, there likely isn’t a need to snack between them. When it comes to eating, try to practice mindfulness. Focus on foods that you might not be able to get at home, such as tropical fruits. Try to pick healthier meal options or treat yourself sparingly. Next, try not to drink too much alcohol. Not only are most alcoholic beverages high in calories, but they also dehydrate you. Having a hangover is not an ideal way to spend your time off! Finally, try to bring one piece of your healthy routine with you on vacation. Hiking, yoga, or strolling along the beach can make a big dent in any calories you consume during the day.

How to lose vacation weight

The best way to lose vacation weight is to do so healthily. Unfortunately, this means that it can take more time than initially expected. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are six strategies for successful, long-term weight loss.

(1) Be Ready

Since losing weight takes time and effort, step one is to ensure you’re ready to start your weight loss journey. Be sure that you’re willing to make the commitment to eat healthier and exercise more. Lowering stress can also be useful when making lifestyle changes.

(2) Stay motivated

The next step is to find ways to stay motivated, such as writing down your reasons for losing weight. Sometimes, it’s also helpful to have support from others who will inspire you to keep up the hard work. If you want to keep your weight loss goals private, try journaling or tracking your journey in an app. This allows you to review your progress and make changes to your plan as needed.

(3) Set achievable goals

Step three is to set achievable goals. Goals can be broken down into two categories: action goals and outcome goals. An action goal is a healthy action to help you lose weight, such as walking for thirty minutes a day. An outcome goal is what you want to gain out of your action goal, such as losing ten pounds.

(4) Eat healthier

Eating healthier is step four. Eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is useful when trying to lose weight since they are high in fiber, and fiber helps you feel fuller. It’s also better to avoid watching TV while you eat; this helps you pay more attention to when you feel full.

(5) Get and stay active

Getting active and staying active is step five. Steady aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, is the best way to lose body fat. However, any extra movement during the day helps to burn calories, so small changes can also be helpful. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking further from the door in parking lots, and standing while using your phone are all small changes that can make a big difference!

(6) Change your mindset

The last step is to change your mindset. The changes you’re making to your lifestyle need to be kept up for the long term. Look carefully at your current bad habits and plan for ways to combat them on your weight loss journey. There will likely be some setbacks along the way, but don’t be discouraged; be ready to start fresh the next day. If you can stick to your healthy lifestyle, the results will be well worth it!

By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest without worrying about extra weight gain. Remember, the goal is to relax and have fun, so don’t stress too much about sticking to a diet. Just make smart choices and enjoy your time off!

Diet and exercise are keys to healthy living. Unfortunately, sometimes things like a wrong diagnosis or mistake during surgery can change a life forever (or even end it). If you or your loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, contact The Law Offices of David L. Hood today.

Contact Medical Malpractice Attorney David L. Hood for a Free Consultation

If your family has been affected by medical negligence, contact The Law Offices of David L. Hood. You can reach us at (843) 491-6025 or by filling out our short online contact form.

Dealing with the immediate and long-term impacts of a serious medical malpractice-related injury can be incredibly challenging. At The Law Offices of David L. Hood, we strive to make things easier for you.

After a free case evaluation, if we think we can help you and your family, Medical Malpractice Attorney David L. Hood, along with co-counsel and our team of experts, will aggressively pursue your case to achieve the best possible outcome. Let us put our years of experience to work for you!

Are you looking for the best hospitals in South Carolina?

Best Hospital in South Carolina: Medical University of South Carolina

Every year, U.S. News & World Report evaluates hospitals in every state and gives them a ranking based on their performance with certain procedures and conditions as well as their specialties. Despite evaluating 94 South Carolina hospitals, only eight met the high U.S. News & World Report standards. The best South Carolina hospital, according to this list, is Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston. This marks the ninth year in a row that MUSC was ranked number one, with four specialties and 16 procedures and conditions considered “high performing”. MUSC is also nationally ranked in two adult specialties and six children’s specialties. (Health.USNews.com)

How does US News & World Report evaluate hospitals?

Each hospital evaluated by U.S. News & World report were judged by two criteria:

1. Specialty rankings – “…meant for patients with life-threatening or rare conditions who need a hospital that excels in treating complex, high-risk cases. These rankings are helpful if you’re looking for information about a rare condition or difficult diagnosis that isn’t treated at many facilities.”
2. Procedure and condition ratings – “…focus on specific and more commonly required individual procedures and conditions, such as hip replacement and heart failure, rather than on broader specialties like orthopedics and cardiology. The goal is to evaluate how well hospitals perform in each procedure or condition – not just with the most challenging cases, as with the specialty rankings, but with the full range of patients.” (Health.USNews.com)

Top South Carolina hospitals also on the list

The other seven top SC hospitals on the list include:

• Roper Hospital in Charleston
• Spartanburg Medical Center
• McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence
• Bon Secours St. Francis Health System – Greenville
• Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital
• Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach
• Lexington Medical Center in Columbia

Of these seven, only one (Lexington Medical Center) is in the Midlands of South Carolina (Health.USNews.com). 

Another Top Hospital in South Carolina

Lexington Medical Center in Columbia has placed on this short list three years in a row. They rank second again this year. This hospital was considered high performing for conditions and procedures. These include: back surgery (spinal fusion), hip fracture, hip replacement, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), colon cancer surgery, heart bypass surgery, heart failure, heart attack, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, diabetes, kidney failure, knee replacement, stroke and the combined procedure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

The average patient experience is a rating of four out of five stars. While Lexington Medical Center does have an onsite emergency department, weight control services, and a medical surgical ICU, it does not have a Cardiac ICU or addiction treatment services.

Safest Hospitals in South Carolina

According to The State Newspaper, Prisma Health Baptist and Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge are considered the safest hospitals in South Carolina. They both received an A grade in the most recent report by The Leapfrog Group. Lexington Medical Center was regarded as the safest in the previous report, but dropped to a B grade in this report.

“The Leapfrog Group is a nonprofit watchdog organization that serves as a voice for health care consumers and purchasers, using their collective influence to foster positive change in U.S. health care.” This medical watchdog group publishes hospital safety scores biannually, in the spring and in the fall. These ratings are based on errors, accidents and infections.

Of the 50 ranked hospitals in SC, 21 received an ‘A’ grade. No SC hospitals received a grade of F.

The Leap Frog Group grading method

The Leap Frog safety grades are based on two domains: Process/Structural Measures and Outcome Measures

• “Process Measures represent how often a hospital gives patients recommended treatment for a given medical condition or procedure. For example, “Responsiveness of hospital staff” looks at patients’ feedback on how long it takes for a staff member to respond when they request help. Structural Measures represent the environment in which patients receive care. For example, “Doctors order medications through a computer” represents whether a hospital uses a special computerized system to prevent errors when prescribing medications.

• Outcome Measures represent what happens to a patient while receiving care. For example, “Dangerous object left in patient’s body” measures how many times a patient undergoing surgery had a dangerous foreign object, like a sponge or tool, left in his or her body.” (TheState.com)

To learn more about how these grades are determined and how to find your hospital’s rating, go to The Leapfrog Group .

It is important not to reject emergency treatment due to any of these rankings. Instead ask your doctor which hospital may be best for treatment.

Contact The Law Offices of David L. Hood for a Free Medical Malpractice Consultation

If you or someone you care about has suffered because of medical negligence, please schedule your free consultation by calling The Law Offices of David L. Hood at (843) 491-6025 or filling out our brief online contact form.

We know how difficult it can be to deal with the immediate and long-term effects of a serious malpractice-related injury. At The Law Offices of David L. Hood, we work hard to make things simple for you. After a free case evaluation, if we believe we can help you and your family, Medical Malpractice Attorney David L. Hood, co-counsel, and our team of experts will vigorously pursue your case to get you the best result we can achieve. Let us put our years of experience to work for you!

Other online resources used for this article:

https://www.postandcourier.com/health/us-news-world-report-musc-ranked-no-1-hospital-in-sc-again/article_acf96eb8-ee1a-11eb-8a5a-df58609374d8.html