"DR. SHAEL LIEBMAN, A GENERAL SURGEON AT WINDSOR REGIONAL HOSPITAL, SAID PATIENTS WHO DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH A PARTICULAR SURGEON OR THE TREATMENT THAT'S BEING RECOMMENDED HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK A SECOND OPINION.
BUT THOSE WHO ASK THEIR FAMILY DOCTOR TO REFER THEM TO A DIFFERENT SURGEON WILL LIKELY END UP WAITING LONGER FOR CARE, LIEBMAN SAID.
"ANOTHER SURGEON MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE YOU RIGHT AWAY ... SO THAT WILL CAUSE DELAYS.""
REPORTER SONJA PUZIC: WINDSOR STAR;
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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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"A Windsor surgeon says more patients will be "taking a step back" to think about the procedure they're about to have and the surgeon who's doing it in light of controversy surrounding Dr. Barbara Heartwell," the Windsor Star story by reporter Sonja Puzic, published earlier today under the heading Errors leave patients leery: Controversy stokes anxieties," begins.
"Dr. Shael Liebman, a general surgeon at Windsor Regional Hospital, said patients who don't feel comfortable with a particular surgeon or the treatment that's being recommended have the right to seek a second opinion," the story continues.
"But those who ask their family doctor to refer them to a different surgeon will likely end up waiting longer for care, Liebman said.
"Another surgeon may not be able to see you right away ... so that will cause delays."
"Heartwell's privileges at Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital were reinstated Thursday following a nearly two-week suspension. Last month, it was revealed that Heartwell performed two unnecessary mastectomies in 2001 and 2009 on women who did not have breast cancer.
The hospital board decided that Heartwell doesn't pose a risk to patient safety, allowing her to return to the operating room as long as another general surgeon reviews her elective oncology cases for the next three months.
Liebman said Friday although the unnecessary mastectomies are "very unfortunate," he thinks Heartwell is "an excellent surgeon who has saved many women's lives."
But he said he understands the revelations have made people -- especially breast cancer patients -- anxious and leery.
"Mistakes do happen ... but the system works," said Liebman, who saw a few of Heartwell's patients while her privileges were suspended.
Heartwell will perform surgeries again after March break. Operating rooms at Hotel-Dieu and WRH are on a scheduled shutdown next week, when only emergency surgeries will be performed.
Some of Heartwell's former patients, including Janice Laporte, who had a cancer-free breast removed in 2001, were disappointed to hear the surgeon was reinstated and believe the hospital board should not have made that decision until investigations into Heartwell are finished.
Hotel-Dieu is still reviewing Heartwell's past cases and there is an external investigation underway by the Ontario Ministry of Health. Heartwell is also under investigation by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
The Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program assured breast cancer patients Friday that area hospitals will support their choices, whether it's deciding between a lumpectomy or a mastectomy or choosing the surgeon they feel most comfortable with.
There are about nine general surgeons who perform breast surgeries at either Hotel-Dieu or WRH.
The provincial wait-time target for most breast cancer surgeries is 28 days. In Windsor, the majority of breast cancer surgeries are performed within 20 days of referral."
The story can be found at:
http://www.windsorstar.com/health/Errors+leave+patients+leery/2679931/story.html
Harold Levy...hlevy15@gmail.com;
