Recently, three top national medical systems decided to stop low volume procedures from occurring in their systems, ostensibly to increase patient safety
A new website makes it easier for the public to see what financial relationships doctors have with healthcare companies
A new analysis of data shows that, generally speaking, surgeons get better with experience. It is good practice for a patient to ask about a surgeon’s experience performing the proposed procedure, but under Washington law, surgeons have no duty to disclose the information to you in order to properly inform you of the risks of the surgery.
Virtual, remote medicine is becoming a reality. For years, offsite radiologist have been able to read and interpret radiology films remotely. Now health care institutions in the Pacific Northwest are offering clinic-like services via remote health care provider, among other services.
Surgical equipment is sometimes "left behind" inside a patient after a surgery. These objects are often difficult to find and diagnose, and can sometimes cause catastrophic harm.
The "Standard of Care" is something a jury decides, including not only evidence of how doctors in Washington state actually practice, but also what experts for both sides say is the standard.
Technology in medicine is developing rapidly. What was the stuff of science fiction just a few years ago is already becoming a reality.
Technology has the potential to improve health care, but it also carries with it a number of risks to patient safety.
Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) are a relatively new phenomenon. While there can be some benefit to having a surgical procedure at an ASC, there are good reasons to be careful, not the least of which is that surgeons and anesthesiologists often have a strong financial interest in performing your surgery there, when it may not be the safest choice for you.
A recent California lawsuit alleges that orthopedic surgeons used "knock-off" spine hardware in surgeries. Much of the hardware failed, causing patients serious medical issues, while the surgeons, clinics and machine shop fabricating the hardware apparently reaped thousands of dollars in profits from using the counterfeit products.
