"HEARTWELL VOLUNTARILY STOPPED OPERATING LAST MONTH AFTER IT BECAME PUBLIC THAT SHE HAD REMOVED BREASTS FROM AT LEAST TWO WOMEN WHO DID NOT HAVE CANCER. SHE LATER ASKED TO HAVE HER OPERATING PRIVILEGES RESTORED, BUT THE HOSPITAL PUT HER ON SUSPENSION INSTEAD. ON WEDNESDAY, HEARTWELL AND HER LAWYER ARGUED HER CASE BEFORE THE SEVEN-MEMBER HOSPITAL BOARD, WHICH MET FOR FIVE HOURS AND ON THURSDAY ANNOUNCED THE SURGEON WOULD BE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO THE OPERATING ROOM, SUBJECT TO SOME LIMITATIONS."
CBC NEWS;
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PUBLISHER'S NOTE: During the past two years, this Blog has reported on a crisis in Canadian pathology indicated by serious breakdowns in hospitals in Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Quebec, Saskatchewan and elsewhere in the country. The purpose, beyond seeking review and reform, is to show that the wide-ranging problems with pathology in Canada were not limited to the criminal sector - and that serious errors, sometimes lethal, were being made in reading test results on living patients. In short, to demonstrate that there was a crisis in Canadian pathology.
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"Dr. Barbara Heartwell, a Windsor, Ont., surgeon suspended after performing unnecessary mastectomies, will return to the operating room," the CBC story published earlier today under the heading "Suspended mastectomy doctor will operate" begins.
"Dr. Barbara Heartwell, shown here in October 2009, is currently under review by the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons but has had her operating privileges reinstated at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor," the story continues.
"(CBC)The board of directors at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital has reinstated Heartwell's operating privileges, with some restrictions, CBC News has confirmed.
Heartwell voluntarily stopped operating last month after it became public that she had removed breasts from at least two women who did not have cancer.
She later asked to have her operating privileges restored, but the hospital put her on suspension instead.
On Wednesday, Heartwell and her lawyer argued her case before the seven-member hospital board, which met for five hours and on Thursday announced the surgeon would be allowed to return to the operating room, subject to some limitations.
Wednesday's meeting was closed to the public.
A medical advisory committee established by the hospital had recommended to the board in early March that Heartwell be reinstated.
Hôtel-Dieu has scheduled a news conference for Thursday evening.
Decision puzzles former patient
Ginny Hills is a former patient of Heartwell who narrowly avoided a mastectomy she didn't need.
Upon hearing the news of Heartwell's reinstatement, the Windsor woman told CBC News she is disappointed by the board's decision.
"I'm actually puzzled because I don't know exactly what they based that decision on," said Hillis.
"I think, frankly, it raises more questions than it answers."
In 1995, Hillis was told by Heartwell that she had malignant breast cancer and that she needed surgery as soon as possible.
A few days later, Hillis got a second opinion, which showed she did not have cancer.
Weeks later, a third test confirmed those results.
Hillis said Thursday she expects a full explanation from the hospital board as to why it felt Heartwell should be allowed to operate."
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/windsor/story/2010/03/11/windsor-heartwell-operating-100311.html#ixzz0huj6VqdT
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/windsor/story/2010/03/11/windsor-heartwell-operating-100311.htmlThe story can be found at:
Harold Levy...hlevy15@gmail.com;
