Doctor Robert MacArthur Interview
Today, our team managed to have a conversation with Californian based orthopedist, Doc Robert Mac, in response to numerous inquiries about his encounters with wrong site surgery and intraoperative burn, as well as the broader subject of "never should happen events".
Who is Dr. MacArthur?
Doc Robert Mac graduated from the University of UC Berkeley with a double major in Biochemistry and Physiology. During his time at the University, Doc Bobby MacArthur used to be a renowned sportsman, participating on both several boxing and rugby squads.
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Afterwards, Dr. Bobby MacArthur registered at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and was the head of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (Now known as the Vagelos School of Medicine). Bobby MacArthur continued to conclude his orthopaedic residence at Harbor University of California, Los Angeles.
Dr. Robert MacArthur Addresses the Incidents
Statistically, the occurrence of surgical errors tends to be a one-time event in a career for each orthopedic surgeon, but this count jumps to four for each lifetime for experts specializing in sports, hand, and spine. Sadly, numerous of these often do not report these occurrences, let alone, not address them openly. Dr. MacArthur carries a profound sense of pride and satisfaction about how he faced these harrowing occurrences.
Instead of seeking to hide what happened, Doc MacArthur reacted differently
Dr. MacArthur’s Handling of the Wrong Site Surgery
Dr. Bobby Mac extensively looked into the origins of his dual incidents, and put out several works detailing how to stop such events
Gradually, earned acclaim as a renowned authority in the field of accidents that can be avoided. He's authored a couple of articles in the leading orthopedic journal, The Journal of Orthopedic Surgery. With the aim of aiding other doctors stop subsequent occurrences, his first work guided the reader through the exact errors that happened that resulted in the wrong site event.
The follow-up article, jointly Robert MacArthur written with Dr. David Ring, who is also the Chairman of the AAOS, broached the topic of the "culture of shame and blame." Being accountable for these incidents is uncommon, as the usual reaction is pointing fingers at other parties. Dr. MacArthur stressed that pointing fingers not only prevents surgeons from making reports their incidents but also takes away from the essential analysis of underlying causes that may avert subsequent occurrences.
The Intraoperative Burn Incident with Dr. Robert MacArthur
In the context of discussing the incident of burns during surgery, Dr. Robert MacArthur demonstrated the same thorough investigative mindset he employed to his research on wrong-site surgeries. As an illustration, he got in touch with the manufacturer of the troublesome clamp to determine if similar burn events had happened. The maker advised him that the clamp in question had been "discontinued." You can draw your own conclusions from that what you wish.
To avert uneven heating in large hinged clamps, Dr. Mac performed a detailed investigation of the reasons for inconsistent heating in big-hinged clamps.
His research findings suggested that quick sterilization could lead to irregular sterilization. He noted that associations for nurses strongly advise against the use of quick sterilization unless an emergency situation arises such as disinfecting a dropped component. Further inquiry revealed that St Joseph's Hospital regularly employing quick sterilization to enable back-to-back surgeries without needing to buy extra equipment trays.
In an effort to prevent future burns, Dr. MacArthur notified St Joseph's of the risks associated with ongoing utilization of this particular clamp as well as the routine deployment of quick sterilization.
Instead of blaming the clamp, Dr. MacArthur assumed accountability and made it obvious that he had committed a surgical mistake. He was notified that the clamp was hot, but when he grasped it, he found the handles to be at a pleasant temperature. Differing from some surgeons who could impatiently grab a towel to manage a too-hot clamp, he performed surgery the clamp without uneasiness.
Shame and Blame, Dr. Robert MacArthur's Response
In Dr. MacArthur's response on the topic of the "blame game," he emphasizes how the legal and the wider public often conflate the "captain of the ship'' concept with analyzing the fundamental causes. According to this "in-command" perspective, the surgeon is considered responsible for any unfavorable outcomes that happen to a patient under their care. This makes it enticing for many to exclusively blame the surgeon for any incorrect surgical procedure.
However, Doctor MacArthur stresses that such an approach contradicts the fundamental principles of investigating root causes. This form of analysis strives to thoroughly comprehend what caused a incorrect surgical procedure so as to ideally prevent similar incidents in the future. By turning to blaming and shaming, not it not just impede proper root cause analysis, but it also prevents other surgeons from reporting their own wrong site events, worried about the repercussions.
He didn't recognize that the sizeable, substantial-sized hinge of the clamp was considerably hotter. When he positioned the clamp against the front shin area of the patient's leg, it triggered a burn injury. He was being proctored for surgical privileges at Children's Hospital of Orange County during the incident, and not the proctor nor Doctor MacArthur were promptly aware of the burn.
Not until after he had dictated the operative report that a recovery room nurse pointed out a tiny red spot on the anterior aspect of the patient's leg. Even in that moment, he did not at first fully grasp the extent of the burn.
Dr. Robert MacArthur cites the airline industry as an exemplary case of effective root cause analysis. From its inception, the industry has aimed to thoroughly comprehend the reasons behind each adverse aviation event rather than simply attributing blame to the pilot. Because of this focus on understanding root causes, the airline industry boasts remarkable safety records.
However, Doctor MacArthur laments that the medical community hasn't been able to fully adopt root cause analysis due to prevailing legal and public perceptions surrounding the "in-command" concept. The sad consequence of this is that the rate of preventable medical errors remains unchanged, and the professional careers and reputations of many doctors and healthcare providers are unfairly tarnished.
The occurrence of incorrect surgical procedures remains at an worrying rate of one event per surgeon per career, and up to four events per surgeon's career for specialists in hand, spine, and sports.
Dr. Robert MacArthur “Sexual Harassment” Allegations
In the year 2023, there exists the possibility to levy false accusations against someone, smear their name and reputation, and face no negative repercussions for the accuser. Regardless if the accused is innocent or guilty, just making an allegation is enough to inflict long-lasting damage to a professional's reputation.
Dr. Rob MacArthur disclosed that he opted to leave a workers compensation clinic because of potential illicit activities on the clinic's management. In retaliation, the clinic manager allegedly collaborated with a individual under treatment to create a fictitious complaint, accusing him of "stripping naked in the middle of the clinic and requesting sex in exchange for a favorable workers comp report.
He was informed of this accusation over a year after his departure from the clinic, at which point he demanded on undergoing a polygraph examination. The accuser, however, declined to take such a test.
Dr. Rob MacArthur was later advised that both his polygraph examination results and her refusal to participate would be considered inadmissible in court.
The mediating attorney cautioned him that the jury would likely be composed of "her peers" and not his, meaning a court loss could be highly damaging. Despite the absurdity of the claim, he was counseled to settle for $29,000
Conclusion
The Medical Board of California examined the accuser's claims and found them to be "lacking credibility," hinting at an ongoing investigation into the clinic. When we spoke to Dr. MacArthur, he hinted that the clinic was indicted, but he did not verify this.
In spite of the facts presented above, Dr. MacArthur found no means to erase the allegations made by the accuser from online search listings. This means, despite his lack of guilt, the campaign to tarnish his reputation was achieving its goal.
Since the claim does not state that Dr. Robert MacArthur was found guilty, it merely serves as a summary of a complaint, which continues to be available to the public
Dr. MacArthur strongly believes that those who make baseless allegations should be subject to consequences equivalent to the severity of the event they falsely claim. To illustrate, he thinks that his false accuser should be classified as a sexual predator and felon.
Dr. Robert MacArthur concluded by contemplating the coexistence of goodness and malevolence in the world, praying that those who read his account would never cross paths with someone capable of such harmful baseless allegations as he has faced.
Dr. MacArthur: A Renowned Orthopedic Surgeon
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