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Listen to What Doctors, in a Time of ‘Crisis,’ Said Behind Closed Doors Listen to What Doctors, in a Time of ‘Crisis,’ Said Behind Closed Doors
(2 days later)
Cardiologists at North Carolina Children’s Hospital had worried for several years that children with complex conditions were dying at higher-than-expected rates. By 2016, it seemed that even patients undergoing lower-risk heart surgeries were suffering more complications. In meetings in 2016 and 2017, captured on secret recordings provided to The New York Times, doctors urged their bosses to take action.Cardiologists at North Carolina Children’s Hospital had worried for several years that children with complex conditions were dying at higher-than-expected rates. By 2016, it seemed that even patients undergoing lower-risk heart surgeries were suffering more complications. In meetings in 2016 and 2017, captured on secret recordings provided to The New York Times, doctors urged their bosses to take action.
The hospital, part of the University of North Carolina health system, defends its pediatric heart surgery program. UNC administrators described it as “very strong” today and denied any past problems affecting patient care. They told The Times there was “a dysfunctional group” in 2016 that sowed mistrust, creating “team culture issues,” and noted that today there are “new team members.” The hospital, part of the University of North Carolina health system, defends its pediatric heart surgery program. UNC administrators described it as “very strong” today and denied any past problems affecting patient care. They told The Times there was “a dysfunctional group” in 2016 that sowed mistrust, creating “team culture issues,” and noted that today there are “new team members.” A Times investigation found that as the doctors were weighing their ethical obligations to patients, hospital leaders also worried about harming the surgical program.
A Times investigation found that as the doctors were weighing their ethical obligations to patients, hospital leaders also worried about harming the surgical program.
The pediatric cardiology chief told his team that leaders of other departments had concerns too. He noted possible vulnerabilities in the system with staffing and infrastructure.The pediatric cardiology chief told his team that leaders of other departments had concerns too. He noted possible vulnerabilities in the system with staffing and infrastructure.
Heart surgery requires an intertwined system involving surgeons, anesthesiologists, intensive care doctors and support staff. The cardiologists said they had been trying for several years to review the hospital’s mortality data for heart surgery, but they couldn’t get it. A majority of the hospitals performing pediatric heart surgeries in the United States share this information publicly. UNC does not.Heart surgery requires an intertwined system involving surgeons, anesthesiologists, intensive care doctors and support staff. The cardiologists said they had been trying for several years to review the hospital’s mortality data for heart surgery, but they couldn’t get it. A majority of the hospitals performing pediatric heart surgeries in the United States share this information publicly. UNC does not.
They cited, as an example, that recently he hadn’t come to the hospital on a weekend to perform a transplant for a baby when a heart became available. The surgeon’s reason for not coming in wasn’t clear, but the episode angered several cardiologists.They cited, as an example, that recently he hadn’t come to the hospital on a weekend to perform a transplant for a baby when a heart became available. The surgeon’s reason for not coming in wasn’t clear, but the episode angered several cardiologists.