"WHILE HOTEL-DIEU'S DECISION DOES NOT EXCUSE HEARTWELL'S MISTAKES, IT CAREFULLY RECOGNIZES THAT WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST DOES NOT HAVE TO AFFECT PATIENT SAFETY IN THE FUTURE. ANY PATIENTS WITH CONTINUING RESERVATIONS ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO UNDERGO SURGERIES SCHEDULED WITH HEARTWELL. THEY CAN SEEK A REFERRAL.
TO SOME DEGREE, THERE IS RISK IN ANY SURGICAL PROCEDURE. HOTEL-DIEU HAS RECOGNIZED -- AND BASED ON THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE, WE AGREE -- THAT THERE MAY BE AN EVEN GREATER RISK IN THE UNNECESSARY DELAY OR RESCHEDULING OF SURGERIES..."
EDITORIAL; THE 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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"Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital's board of directors knows that not everyone will agree with its decision to reinstate the surgical privileges of Dr. Barbara Heartwell," the Windsor Star editorial published earlier today begins, under the heading "Heartwell decision" What Hotel-Dieu faced."
"Heartwell had been suspended last month after it was revealed she had performed two unnecessary mastectomies," the editorial continues.
"As a result, separate investigations are being conducted by the hospital, the College of the Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and the Ministry of Health.
However, the hospital had a responsibility to review her request for reinstatement not simply from the perspective of a doctor who had made serious mistakes, but also by looking at the impact that continuing the suspension would have on patients who could face surgical delays.
From that standpoint, the board of directors has made the right decision.
As Dr. Alan Forse, chief of surgery at Hotel-Dieu, said during a hearing into Heartwell's status, restoring her privileges was "in the best interests of the hospital and community."
From what we know, Heartwell is a very capable surgeon, but one who has made errors. Taking that into consideration, the hospital board believes any further mistakes will be prevented by having another general surgeon review Heartwell's elective oncology case before each surgery.
In its written decision the board said that the "conduct and competence of Dr. Heartwell will not expose patients to harm or injury, nor is it reasonably likely to expose patients to harm or injury."
As well, Heartwell's work will be reviewed for three months. On this point, we believe it would make more sense that the review last at least until all three investigations are completed.
While Hotel-Dieu's decision does not excuse Heartwell's mistakes, it carefully recognizes that what has happened in the past does not have to affect patient safety in the future. Any patients with continuing reservations are not obligated to undergo surgeries scheduled with Heartwell. They can seek a referral.
To some degree, there is risk in any surgical procedure. Hotel-Dieu has recognized -- and based on the information available, we agree -- that there may be an even greater risk in the unnecessary delay or rescheduling of surgeries."
The decision can be found at:
http://www.windsorstar.com/business/Heartwell+decision/2679941
/story.html
Harold Levy...hlevy15@gmail.com;
