Distractions During Surgery is Common

Patients often consider surgery to be performed in a setting where there are no distractions so that the surgeon can focus on the task at hand. Unfortunately, this impression is far from the truth where distractions abound and sometimes can approach on the chaotic. Although anecdotal stories can be told, perhaps it is better to mention a few studies where third parties observed the goings on in the operating room. A study done in 2013 observed 3,557 distractions over 32 separate surgic…

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HIPAA Allows for Regular Email Communication Between Patients and Physicians

There is a widespread mistaken belief that HIPAA prohibits physicians from communicating with patients using regular un-encrypted email as well as with other physicians about patient care. HIPAA, for those who don't know, is a law that requires patient information to be kept private with safeguards. Email (such as yahoo, gmail, aol, etc) is not considered a secure form of communication. However, HIPAA does allow for such un-secured email communication under certain circumstances. I q…

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Dr. House Video Clip Illustrating Doctor-Patient Communication Problems

In this classic video clip , Dr. House interviews a patient with asthma. Their interaction illustrates the problem of communication between doctor and patient that unfortunately too often occurs. Errors in doctor-patient communication as shown by this video clip: Doctors assume that patients know how to use medications (or understand treatments) when they don't. Patients assume that they know how to use medications (or understand treatments) even if they don't. Doctors can be in…

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