Re: OB: A Cautionary Tale
From: art fougner, md (evsono@pipeline.com)
Fri Aug 19 07:36:55 2005
Another argument for Intelligent Design?
art
At Thu, 18 Aug 2005, Garry E. Siegel, M.D. wrote:
>
>I just read this article before reading the "list" tonight, and actually
>listened to an ACOG update tape on "Patient Safety" recently with the
>same author (Dr. Sachs) as the lead discussant.
>
>The emphasis on patient safety, teams, and joint accountability (i.e.
>fix the problem, don't look for blame) is much different than what we're
>used to. The ramifications are tremendous, i.e.
>
>how would this work in smaller hospitals?
>how do you get dcotors from competing groups to work together?
>if everyone has to stay in house, make multiple rounds, etc., well, will
>they be paid more?
>
>I'm sure that I'm just scratching the surface.
>
>Garry
>
>At Thu, 18 Aug 2005, RModugno@aol.com wrote:
>>
>>In a message dated 8/18/2005 8:41:56 AM Eastern Standard Time,
>>evsono@pipeline.com writes:
>>
>>Regarding work hours ...
>>
>>Although US teaching hospitals have taken serious steps to reduce work
>>hours for residents, similar steps have not been taken for attending
>>physicians, and their jobs may have become more complicated because of
>>reduced resident work hours. At some point, the frequency of call and
>>the volume of patients cared for by any one physician could affect the
>>quality of care. In industrial settings, individuals who work 24
>>consecutive hours make errors at a rate equivalent to an individual with
>>a blood alcohol level of 0.10%,11 which in most states exceeds the level
>>used to define drunken driving. Interns working more than 24 hours in a
>>row made 36% more serious errors than interns working shorter shifts.12
>>Future research should examine whether this also applies to attending
>>physicians. Before limiting shift lengths for all physicians, however,
>>the consequences of reduced continuity and need for increased
>>communication among staff should be considered and assessed.
>>
>>Read ... and then reread the whole thing.
>>
>>art
>>
>>"Enter the laborist"
>>
>>Robert Modugno MD MBA FACOG
>>Marietta, GA
>
>--
>Garry E. Siegel, M.D.
>Private Practice
>Roswell, GA
>
--
art fougner, md
"If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else."
Lawrence Peter Berra
