Medical Malpractice

• Part V - The Joint Commission – Reading Assignment Before the Case Begins

  Steve Lombardi | August 23, 2008 9:22 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  Today in part five of this multi-series we explore the literature surrounding the Universal Protocol. The Joint Commission has embraced a protocol that only half of the surgeons follow. Why? I'm not sure. But if I were a patient I'd read it and understand what it requires to avoid this very simple surgical mistake.

• Part IV – Wrong-Site Surgery – The Surgery Center

  Steve Lombardi | August 20, 2008 8:44 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  This blog is the fourth in a multi-part series addressing the concerns we all face when undergoing surgery. In August we are covering wrong-site, wrong-procedure, and/or wrong-patient surgery for patients, their doctors and the attorneys. Our goal is to bring awareness to this problem and to increase the number of surgeon's using the time-out protocol. If we can do that we will decrease the number of patients who suffer this preventable malpractice event.

• Arkansas Board of Medicine "Sanctions" Surgeon with a "Participation Trophy"

  Steve Lombardi | August 16, 2008 10:01 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  Join Steve Lombardi today as he discusses how juries are failing to do their job, and are encouraging bad medicine by excusing unauthorized surgeries. Handing out participation trophies is just one more mixed message that condones irresponsible behavior, by either our children or a few medical doctors and in the end fails to protect patients.

• Wrong-Site Surgery - Does anyone see the bigger picture of what is wrong with the system?

  Steve Lombardi | August 14, 2008 2:56 PM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  Join Steve today as he briefly detours to explore the "why's" we are talking about the wrong-site surgery. It’s all about the bigger picture, which few seem to see. And as a bonus watch the medical student video tape as the speaker admits being taught that its nobodies fault when the surgeon operates on the wrong part of your body. Admitting fault is the first step to taking legal responsibility for one’s actions to protect the patient. Without it you have a system that is broken. When surgeon’s get paid to do the wrong surgery we have incentive.

• Part III - Wrong-Site Surgery - The Surgeon's Hospital System

  Steve Lombardi | August 13, 2008 8:40 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  This blog is the third installment in a series of blogs directed towards patients or attorney’s representing patients who have fallen victim to a wrong-site, wrong-procedure, or wrong-patient...

• Part II – Wrong-Site Surgery - The Surgeon Doctor’s Clinic

  Steve Lombardi | August 11, 2008 10:52 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  Join Steve Lombardi today as he discusses wrong-site surgeries and how to gather and preserve evidence that may later be used in a claim. Today's topic is the surgeon and the surgeon's clinic website.

• Part I - Wrong Site Surgeries - The Board of Medicine - The Surgeon

  Steve Lombardi | August 08, 2008 9:01 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  Today we begin this series laying out the progression of investigation by our office in wrong-site surgery cases. We’ve done the medical research and this allows us to interview and to act quickly when lawyers refer these types of cases. Clients who choose our office are provided with a look-see of the binder that holds the medical research we utilize in proving their case. In some cases acting quickly may make the difference between getting and not getting corrective surgery after an unauthorized surgical procedure. We don’t guarantee results but we’ve done our homework and know the medicine. We invite you to allow us to assist your client to litigate. And as always we invite responsible physicians to contact us for preventive advice. We are not here to pick on doctors. Our goal is prevention.

• INTRODUCTION TO WRONG-SITE, WRONG PROCEDURE AND WRONG-PATIENT SURGERY

  Steve Lombardi | August 07, 2008 9:11 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  If you are an attorney and have such a case here is the outline of what we place in our demand package or give to our expert to establish liability and to prove we are prepared to move ahead with the suit. This is the source book we've put together for our own use. When hired as co-counsel we use this resource to help prove your client's case. It is also a source book we give to out doctor clients or friends to educate them about how to avoid these claims. Our first goal is to protect the public.

• What will we be discussing in August here at the IB?

  Steve Lombardi | August 06, 2008 9:05 AM | 1 CommentDes Moines, IA

  Surgeries - wrong site, wrong patient or wrong procedure are all preventable if proper preparations and precautions are exercised. What can the patient do to protect themselves from the devastating consequences? Join Steve Lombardi and Justin Rogers this month as they examine this very specific area of medical negligence.

• Tort Reform - How the politics of fear clouds our minds about what is right and wrong.

  Steve Lombardi | June 18, 2008 9:00 AM | 0 CommentsDes Moines, IA

  This post is another one, in a series of posts about tort reform measures and how they are working. Remember how they were to improve your health care? Read Arnold Wax, MD's article from Medical Economics, The downside of tort reform.