Should We Have Cameras in Operating Rooms?

A man whose sister died 12 years ago after undergoing breast implant surgery at a doctor’s office is driven to try to make medicine safer for patients by putting cameras in operating rooms.

Wade Ayer lost his sister, Julie Ayer Rubenzer, 38, when she died in a Brookfield nursing home on Dec. 26, 2003. Her death came three months after she stopped breathing while undergoing breast implant surgery at a doctor’s office in Florida. Records showed that Rubenzer received excessive amounts of the anesthetic propofol during surgery.

The surgeon who performed the surgery on Burbenzer lost his medical license.

While some in the medical profession may not think too much of Ayer’s idea that would use a system similar to the black box system on airplanes, Ayer is determined to see that it happens.

“What I’m really incensed about are politicians who are ignoring this and ignoring me and I’m not going away,” he said.

One politician who listened to Ayer was state Rep. Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee).

Sinicki introduced legislation that would require hospitals and other places where surgeries take place to offer patients the option of having the procedures videotaped. The bill has only a handful of co-sponsors. Among those on record lobbying against the proposal are the Wisconsin Medical Society, Wisconsin Hospital Association and Columbia St. Mary’s Inc.

The measure was referred to the Committee on health, but analysts believe it won’t go anywhere because of Republican-dominated legislature.

In spite of its opposition, at least one surgeon, Theodor P. Grancharov, a University of Toronto professor believes that he has a way to solve the situation. Grancharov has created a black box that provides both video and audio and also captures information from the patient and from other devices that are used in the operating room as well. Grancharov says that the purpose of the system “is to improve our profession” and added the process “has to be confidential and non-punitive.”

Grantcharov said that the device has been used in a pilot program at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. He said the system will be tested in other countries, including the U.S.

Grantcharov said, “The vast majority of the patients tell us they can’t believe it hasn’t been done before.”

Of course, medical malpractice is something that almost every doctor has to face at once time or another. The field of medical malpractice or medical negligence law is complex. And because of what is at stake in terms monetary and human cost is staggering.

According to the according to the National Institute of Health, more than 250,000 patient deaths every year are attributed to doctors, hospitals and medical professionals that fail to meet the “standard of care”. This standard of care is the level of care and treatment that all patients have the right to expect from health care professionals.

If you or a loved one has suffered as the result of medical malpractice, contact the offices of Bottar Law, PLLC immediately. We will meet with you to discuss your claim and determine if you have a case. We can then begin your malpractice lawsuit in order to insure that you and your loved ones receive the compensation you deserve.