E-M8 Entrepreneurial Management for Eternal Mission

Medicare, which provides coverage for the elderly and disabled has decided to stop payment to hospitals; due to incompatible blood transfusions, develop infections after certain surgeries or must undergo a second operation to retrieve a sponge left behind from the first.  Serious bed sores, blood clots, injuries from falls, and urinary tract infections caused by catheters.  Along with those previously listed may also include death and sometimes suicide.  The amount of recipients who are enrolled is about 12.5 million people.  Although we are aware that mistakes happen, this new attempt by Medicare is in search of slowing down or if at all possible, put a halt to medical error.  In 1999 the Institution of Medicine estimated that 44,000 to 98,000 Americans died each year from preventable diseases.   (www.philadelphialawyer.info)  One in every 10 having died within 90 days of their surgery. (www.medical-malpractice-attorney-source.com)

OPPORTUNITIES

This effort is soon to be embraced by other insurances besides Medicare due to its cry out for help.  As a result of this ongoing error there is effort to carry out what one doctor calls a “Time out” towel method.  Dr. Peter Cole of Region Hospital in St. Paul Minnesota has developed this method.  It involves a towel that covers the tools with the words “time out” printed on it.  This helps to remind the surgeon to tally sponges and blades prior to and after surgery.  Due to its effectiveness others have implemented the same idea and for some, such safety features have become routine.  In addition Dr. Cole now writes (with a sterile marker) on the correct limb of the patient prior to surgery in hopes to prevent such errors.  Dr. Cole has taken extra precautions by asking his surrounding staff a question prior to operating.  He asks everyone in the operating room: “We have (patient name) here for a left ankle fuse, does everyone here agree?”  After all in the room chime in agreement he will then make his incision. <http://www.nytimes.com>. 

Medicare has also implemented bonuses to doctors and hospitals that will report quality measures.  It is experimenting with rewards to physicians who follow protocols for treating diabetes, coronary heart disease, and congestive heart failure. Historically this matter may have been brushed off, but it is high time to recognize how avoidable it can be. 

ANALYSIS

The New York Times briefly interviewed Peter V. Lee, executive director of the Pacific Business Group on Health, based in San Francisco.  Lee states that: “occasional equity was a price worth paying to send the message that careless medicine will not be tolerated.  I don’t worry about those 1-in 100 cases that can’t be avoided, because the benefit of not paying for the 99 that shouldn’t happen means a far greater focus on avoiding harm.  What we want is to encourage doctors and hospitals to get to zero.” 

While thinking about the possibilities of how germs and other microorganisms may spread, there are a few possibilities.  The likelihood of transferring germs and other micro bodies through poor hygiene is great.  Its spread could be prevented if hospital staff engaged in extra hand washing between patient visits.  The outcome would be a more sanitary environment.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)  On the other hand there are mishaps caused by machine malfunctions that sometimes happen during patient care.  Machine malfunctions sometimes cause death.  The attempt to hold hospitals accountable by having them report their mistakes is definitely worth a try.  Hospital errors cost the Government an estimated at 1.5 billion dollars a year.  www.medical-malpractice-attorney-source.com.

This article was submitted by one of my students, Yolanda Espino and is republished with permission. I edited it slightly.

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