From a good surgeon to a great man: National Timeout Day

Today is National Timeout Day; this story marks that.

The surgeon had just finished operating on a 65-year-old woman's hand at a satellite location of a Harvard teaching hospital. Her finger had been locked in a bent position ("trigger finger"), but the wrong operation had been performed: she had had surgery to correct carpal tunnel syndrome. The surgeon realized the error as he began dictating his post-surgical note.

Here's how the mix-up happened: A nurse had marked the correct arm to be operated on, but not the incision site. Several surgeons were behind schedule, stressing the staff. Staff moved the patient to a different operating room, so the nurse who prepared the patient for surgery was not present for the procedure. A tourniquet wasn't in the O.R., so a nurse had to get one, which disrupted the documentation of the procedure. The nursing team changed in the middle of the procedure.

As a result of the error, among other changes, time-outs are now performed more carefully during surgeries to verify that safety protocols are being followed.

The surgeon acknowledged his error, and apologized for it. He has since spoken openly to raise awareness among his peers, even writing an article in the New England Journal of Medicine to teach others. As his boss says, the surgeon "has gone from being known as a good surgeon to being known as a great man."

Advice to patient advocates: Verify that a time-out has been performed before surgery begins.

Read stories about choosing surgery, surgeons, and hospitals in my new book, Getting Your Best Health Care: Real-World Stories for Patient Empowerment.

Thanks to Helen Haskell for distributing the source story by Marshall Allen in the June 15 issue of the Las Vegas Sun.

An incentive to noble living: The anniversary of Grandpa Leo's fatal surgical error

Leo Juran, my father-in-law, went into the hospital for a minor, routine hernia repair seven years ago, and died a few days later of a rare complication. According to the Jewish lunar calendar, today is the seventh anniversary of his death.

Leo seemed to be most in his element when playing with his young grandchildren, who achingly miss him.

Eternal God, as I kindle the Yahrzeit lamp on the anniversary of the death of my loved one, the memory of his life passes before me. I fondly recall the years we shared together. Time cannot efface the measure of his devotion. I shall ever be grateful for the sacrifices he made in my behalf.

Dear God, may the memories which this Yahrzeit candle evokes be an incentive to noble living. Please keep my dear ones who loved him united in affection and harmony. I pray that I may so live that when at last, I too, am summoned to you, I shall be worthy to be united with my dear one in the bond of eternal life. Amen.

Advice: Leo was a tough customer who would go to the top when he had a complaint. Insist on fair and respectful customer service, firmly and politely, as he did.