Doctor Robert MacArthur Interview
Today, our team were to interview Californian resident bone specialist, Doctor Rob MacArthur, addressing numerous queries about his personal experiences with incorrect surgical procedures and burns during surgery, as well as the broader area of "unexpected occurrences that must be avoided".
Who is Dr. MacArthur?
Doc Rob MacArthur completed his studies from the University of Cal Berkeley with a double major in Biochemistry and Physiology. During his time at the University, Doctor Rob Mac had been a renown sportsman, competing on both several boxing and rugby teams.
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Following that, Dr. Rob MacArthur enrolled at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and was elected president of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (Now known as the Vagelos school of medicine). Rob MacArthur continued to complete his orthopedic residence at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
Dr. Robert MacArthur Addresses the Incidents
According to statistics, the incidence of surgical errors typically is a one-time event in a career for every bone specialist, but this count increases to four for each professional career for sports, hand, and spine specialists. Unfortunately, many of these doctors frequently do not report such instances, let alone, not address them openly. Dr. MacArthur carries a profound sense of pride and accomplishment about how he confronted these harrowing occurrences.
Rather than seeking to cover up the incident, Dr. Mac responded in a different manner
Dr. MacArthur’s Handling of the Wrong Site Surgery
Dr. Rob Mac extensively investigated the root causes of his 2 incidents, and released numerous works detailing how to avoid these occurrences
Over time, became acknowledged as a recognized specialist in the field of preventable accidents. He's penned 2 articles in the foremost orthopedic journal, The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. In order to aiding other doctors avert subsequent occurrences, his initial article led the reader through the specific errors that occurred that led to the wrong site event.
The second paper, authored together with Dr. David Ring, tackled the topic of the "culture of shame and blame." Taking responsibility for these incidents is seldom, as the common response is placing blame on other parties. He stressed that accusations not just deters surgeons from making reports their incidents but furthermore detracts from the crucial analysis of root causes that could potentially prevent upcoming events.
The Intraoperative Burn Incident with Dr. Robert MacArthur
When discussing the intraoperative burn incident, Dr. MacArthur demonstrated the same thorough investigative mindset he utilized to his research on wrong-site surgeries. To illustrate, he reached out to the maker of the problematic clamp to determine if comparable burn events had happened. The maker notified him that the clamp in question had been "no longer in production." You can infer from that what you will.
To avert irregular heating in massive hinged clamps, Doctor Mac conducted a detailed investigation of the causes behind inconsistent heating in big-hinged clamps.
The results of his investigation showed that quick sterilization could lead to irregular sterilization. He noted that nursing organizations highly recommend against the use of rapid sterilization unless an emergency situation arises such Robert MacArthur as sterilizing a item that has fallen. Further inquiry revealed that the hospital at St. Joseph's often utilizing rapid sterilization to ease back-to-back surgeries without having to purchase additional equipment trays.
In a bid to avoid future burn incidents, Dr. MacArthur alerted the hospital at St. Joseph's of the risks associated with continuing to use this specifically identified clamp and also the frequent application of flash sterilization.
Rather than blaming the clamp, Doctor MacArthur took responsibility and made it evident that he was responsible for a surgical error. He was notified that the clamp had a high temperature, but when he took hold of it, he found the handles to be at a tolerable temperature. Unlike some surgeons who may impatiently reach for a towel to grip a too-hot clamp, he carried out the procedure the clamp without any uneasiness.
Shame and Blame, Dr. Robert MacArthur's Response
In Dr. MacArthur's response on the topic of the "culture of blame and shame," he spotlights how the legal and general public communities often mix up the "in-command'' concept with root cause analysis. According to this "in-command" perspective, the surgeon is held accountable for any negative occurrences that happen to a patient under their care. This makes it tempting for many to solely blame the surgeon for any incorrect surgical procedure.
Nevertheless, Dr. MacArthur stresses that this method opposes the principles of root cause analysis. This form of analysis strives to deeply understand what caused a incorrect surgical procedure to then preferably avert similar incidents in the future. By resorting to shaming and blaming, not only does it hinder proper investigation into the fundamental reasons, but it additionally discourages other surgeons from reporting on their own wrong site events, fearing the repercussions.
He did not recognize that the large, hinge-like hinge of the clamp was significantly hotter. When he positioned the clamp against the front shin area of the patient's leg, it triggered a skin burn. He was being proctored for surgical privileges at the CHOC Hospital during the incident, and none of the proctor nor Dr. Robert MacArthur were promptly aware of the burn.
It wasn't only after he had dictated the operative report that an attending nurse in the recovery room drew attention to a small red area on the anterior aspect of the patient's leg. Even in that moment, he did not at first comprehend the extent of the burn.
Dr. MacArthur cites the air travel industry as an model case of effective root cause analysis. From its inception, air travel industry has sought to comprehensively grasp the reasons behind each aviation incident rather than just blaming to the pilot. Because of this dedication to understanding root causes, the airline industry boasts remarkable safety records.
Nonetheless, Doctor MacArthur laments that healthcare field hasn't been able to completely embrace root cause analysis due to prevailing legal and public perceptions surrounding the "captain of the ship" concept. The regrettable result 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 undeservedly tarnished.
The incidence of surgical errors remains at an alarming rate of a single occurrence per surgeon per career, and as high as four occurrences per surgeon's career for hand, spine and sports subspecialists.
Dr. Robert MacArthur “Sexual Harassment” Allegations
In the year 2023, there exists the possibility to levy false accusations against someone, slander their name and reputation, and face no negative repercussions for the accuser. Regardless of whether the person facing accusations is innocent or guilty, just making an allegation is enough to inflict long-lasting damage to a professional's reputation.
Doc Robert MacArthur disclosed that he opted to leave a clinic specializing in workers' compensation cases because of potential illicit activities on part of. In retaliation, the clinic manager reportedly worked with a individual under treatment to make a false accusation, accusing him of "stripping naked in the middle of the clinic and requesting sex in exchange for a favorable workers comp report.
He received information 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.
Doc Rob Mac was later advised that both his truth verification test results and her refusal to participate would be considered inadmissible in court.
The attorney facilitating the mediation cautioned him that the jury would likely be composed of "people with similar backgrounds and experiences as her" and not his, meaning a court loss could be highly damaging. Despite the ridiculousness of the claim, he was counseled to settle for $29,000
Conclusion
California's Medical Board 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 implied that the clinic was indicted, but he did not officially state this.
Regardless of the information provided earlier, Dr. Robert MacArthur found no means to remove the allegations made by the accuser from Internet search results. Consequently, despite his lack of guilt, the campaign to tarnish his reputation was achieving its goal.
As the claim does not state that Dr. MacArthur was found guilty, it merely acts as a summary of a complaint, which continues to be available to the public
Dr. Robert MacArthur strongly believes that individuals who lodge false accusations should face penalties equivalent to the severity of the event they falsely claim. To illustrate, he thinks that his false accuser should be treated as a sex offender and felon.
Dr. Robert MacArthur concluded by reflecting on the existence of both good and evil in the world, wishing