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Robbin Reeves underwent a liver transplant surgery at the Vancouver General Hospital in February 2006. He woke up with severe burns to his neck and shoulder.

Reeves has filed a medical malpractice claim in which he claims that during the surgery his heart stopped and doctors performed an open cardiac massage. Reeves’s lawsuit claims doctors tore one of the chambers of his heart and, in the rush to prepare for the emergency surgery, alcohol on his neck and shoulder caught fire, leaving him with serious burns.

You can read more details here.

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A review of surgical pathology practices at the Miramichi Regional Hospital found there were “big problems” with the work of Dr. Rajgopal Menon according to a report in the Chronicle Herald today.

The latest revelation in the ongoing inquiry into the botched cancer screening fiasco in New Brunswick came yesterday.

Dr. Rosemary Henderson, medical director of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown, and pathologist, Dr. Bruce Wright, conducted a review of Menon’s cases at the request of New Brunswick’s College of Physicians and Surgeons more than a year ago.

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The National Post has reported that a mother from New Brunswick who became pregnant after a failed tubal ligation has been awarded $90,000.00 in compensation.

The woman, who was 26 years old at the time of the procedure, had three children to support, her husband was seriously ill, his business was failing and the couple had lost their house and car. To prevent the expense of further additions to the family, she had a tubal ligation, a permanent sterilization procedure thousands of Canadian women undergo every year.

After she became pregnant, she filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctors that performed the procedure and the Hospital where the procedure was performed.

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In a story related to my post yesterday, I came across a story on Radio Boston that aired a few months ago that explores the issue of medical apologies.

It is an interesting report and worth listening to. You can listen to the whole story here.

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Apologize and don’t get sued. The New York Times has reported a story that will come as no surprise to medical malpractice lawyers or Malcolm Gladwell.

Doctors who apologize for their mistakes get sued far less often than doctors who refuse to acknowlege they have done anything wrong.

The Times reports:
For decades, malpractice lawyers and insurers have counseled doctors and hospitals to “deny and defend.” Many still warn clients that any admission of fault, or even expression of regret, is likely to invite litigation and imperil careers.
A few hospitals have bucked the “circle the wagons and fight” mentality.
By promptly disclosing medical errors and offering earnest apologies and fair compensation, they hope to restore integrity to dealings with patients, make it easier to learn from mistakes and dilute anger that often fuels lawsuits.
A simple idea; taking responsibility for your actions.
At the University of Michigan Health System, one of the first to experiment with full disclosure, existing claims and lawsuits dropped to 83 in August 2007 from 262 in August 2001.
I have been representing victims of medical malpractice for 18 years. In almost every case, the patient came to me because they were frustrated by the lack of information they were receiving from their doctor, or the hospital.

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Nurses who worked in hospitals that were understaffed, had inadequate medical resources and who had high rates of overtime were most likely to report that patients had been the victims of medication mistakes.

Nurses Stretched to the Limit:

Statistics Canada released a report today that says nurses working overtime or where staffing and resources were stretched were more likely to report a patient had received the wrong medication or dosage.

CTV reported some of the results of the study:
Among nurses who usually worked overtime, 22 per cent reported medication error, compared with 14 per cent of those who did not work overtime.

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Total drug spending in Canada is estimated to have reached $26.9 billion in 2007, according to figures released today by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).

The report states that since 1985 drug expenditure has consumed an increasing share of Canada’s health care dollar. In 2007, spending on drugs is expected to have reached $26.9 billion, representing 16.8% of total health care spending. Among major categories of health expenditure, drugs account for the second largest share, after hospitals.

This represents an increase of approximately $2 billion over 2006.

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I found a fascinating lecture (at least fascinating to medical malpractice lawyers) posted on You Tube the other day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65InHvYEGsc

Dr. Brennan, Professor of Law and Public Health at the Harvard School of Public Health is one of the United States’ leading experts on medical malpractice and patient safety. Dr. Brennan authored the famous Harvard Medical Practice Study.

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The public inquiry investigating concerns about botched cancer screening tests by former pathologist Rajgopal Menon heard testimony today of concerns about the disgraced pathologist.

Jeff Carter, director of medical services at the Miramichi Regional Hospital, testified he heard concerns about Menon beginning in 2002.

Carter said while he was the regional risk management co-ordinator at the hospital in 2002 he heard complaints about Menon including:
Slow turn around times completing tests.

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The first witness at an inquiry into flawed pathology services at a New Brunswick hospital testified that she received complaints about Dr. Rajgopal Menon, the pathologist whose botched cancer screening test results lead to the inquiry.

But former Deputy Minister of Health apparently did not consider the complaints to be serious. The Canadian Press has reported that Nora Kelly testified that:

… there were general comments from his colleagues about his slow work habits, his tardiness and missing slides, but no one suggested his work might be sub-standard.

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