Doctor Robert MacArthur Interview
On this particular day, our team were able to conduct an interview with Californian based orthopedist, Dr. Robert MacArthur, in response to numerous questions about his personal encounters with wrong site surgery and intraoperative burn, as well as the subject of "never should happen events".
Who is Dr. MacArthur?
Dr. Bobby MacArthur graduated from the University of Cal Berkeley with a dual degree in Biochemistry and Physiology. During his time at the Univ, Doc Bobby Mac was a well-known player, engaging on both various box and Rugby squads.
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Afterwards, Dr. Bobby MacArthur registered at the Columbia P&S, and was the chosen president of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (Now known as the Vagelos School of Medicine). Bobby Mac went on to finish his orthopedic residency at Harbor UCLA.
Dr. Robert MacArthur Addresses the Incidents
In statistical terms, the occurrence of incorrect surgical procedures usually falls within a one-time event in a career for each orthopedic surgeon, but this figure surges to 4 per career for specialists in sports, hand surgery, and spine procedures. Sadly, numerous of these doctors commonly do not document such instances, let alone, not discuss them openly. Dr. Mac carries a intense sense of pride about how he faced these harrowing occurrences.
Instead of seeking to conceal the situation, Doc MacArthur handled it differently
Dr. MacArthur’s Handling of the Wrong Site Surgery
Doctor Bobby MacArthur thoroughly looked into the underlying origins of his dual occurrences, and published multiple works describing how to avoid such events
Gradually, became acknowledged as a recognized specialist in the field of preventable accidents. He has authored 2 articles in a prominent orthopedic journal, The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. In order to assisting other doctors stop future incidents, the first piece led the reader through the exact errors that took place that led to the wrong site event.
His second publication, co-authored with Dr. David Ring, addressed the topic of the "culture of shame and blame." Being accountable for these incidents is uncommon, as the common response is blaming third parties. Dr. MacArthur stressed that shifting blame not only prevents surgeons from making reports their incidents but additionally diverts from the essential analysis of underlying causes that may prevent subsequent occurrences.
The Intraoperative Burn Incident with Dr. Robert MacArthur
When discussing the incident of burns during surgery, Dr. Robert MacArthur displayed the same thorough investigative mindset he applied to his research on wrong-site surgeries. To illustrate, he reached out to the maker of the faulty clamp to ascertain if like burn events had transpired. The maker advised him that the clamp in question had been "no longer in production." You can draw your own conclusions from that what you wish.
In order to avoid uneven heating in massive hinged clamps, Doc MacArthur carried out a detailed investigation of what led to inconsistent heating in large-hinged clamps.
The results of his investigation showed that rapid sterilization could cause irregular sterilization. He observed that nursing associations highly recommend against the use of rapid sterilization unless it's an emergency, for instance, sterilizing a item that has fallen. Further inquiry revealed that St. Joseph's Hospital regularly utilizing flash sterilization to facilitate back-to-back surgeries without the necessity to acquire more equipment trays.
In a bid to prevent future burns, Doctor MacArthur alerted the hospital at St. Joseph's of the risks associated with the continued use of this specific clamp and also the routine deployment of quick sterilization.
Rather than blaming the clamp, Doctor MacArthur assumed accountability and made it evident that he had committed a surgical mistake. He was informed 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 grab a towel to manage a too-hot clamp, he performed surgery the clamp with no discomfort.
Shame and Blame, Dr. Robert MacArthur's Response
In Doctor MacArthur's response on the topic of the "shame and blame game," he spotlights how the legal and the wider public often conflate the "captain of the ship'' concept with analyzing the fundamental causes. According to this "captain of the ship" perspective, the surgeon is considered responsible for any negative occurrences that take place to a patient under their care. This makes it appealing for many to solely blame the surgeon for any incorrect surgical procedure.
Nonetheless, Dr. MacArthur stresses that such an approach goes against the core principles of investigating root causes. This form of analysis intends to deeply understand what caused a surgical error in order to optimaly avert similar incidents in the future. By adopting blame and shame, not it not only hamper proper root cause analysis, but it furthermore deters other surgeons from reporting their individual wrong site events, fearing the repercussions.
He did not recognize that the big, walnut-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. He was being proctored for case privileges at the CHOC Hospital during the incident, and not the proctor nor Dr. Robert MacArthur were right away aware of the burn.
Not until after he had dictated the operative report that an attending nurse in the recovery room noticed a tiny red spot on the anterior aspect of the patient's leg. Even in that moment, he did not initially realize the seriousness of the burn.
Dr. MacArthur points to the aviation sector as an model case of effective root cause analysis. From its inception, air travel industry has sought to comprehensively grasp the reasons behind each negative aviation occurrence rather than simply attributing blame to the pilot. Because of this focus on understanding root causes, air travel industry boasts impressive safety records.
Nevertheless, Dr. MacArthur laments that healthcare field hasn't been able to fully adopt root cause analysis due to prevailing legal and public perceptions surrounding the "in-command" concept. The unfortunate outcome of this is that the incidence of preventable healthcare errors remains unchanged, and the professional careers and reputations of many medical professionals are unjustly tarnished.
The occurrence of wrong site surgery remains at an worrying rate of one incident per surgeon per career, and as many as four incidents per surgeon's career for hand, spine and sports subspecialists.
Dr. Robert MacArthur “Sexual Harassment” Allegations
In the year 2023, it is possible to raise false accusations against someone, defame their name and reputation, and face no negative repercussions for the accuser. Irrespective of the person facing accusations is innocent or guilty, just making an allegation is enough to inflict long-lasting damage to a professional's reputation.
Doctor Bobby MacArthur disclosed that he chose to leave a clinic specializing in workers' compensation cases because of suspected illegal behavior on part of. In retaliation, the clinic's manager reportedly collaborated with a individual under treatment to make a false accusation, accusing him of "undressing in the clinic and soliciting sexual favors in return for a positive workers' compensation report.
He got to know of this claim over a year after his departure from the clinic, at which point he asserted on undergoing a truth verification test. The accuser, however, declined to take such a test.
Doc Rob MacArthur was later informed that both his truth verification test results and the claimant's refusal to participate would be regarded inadmissible in court.
The attorney facilitating the mediation 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 ridiculousness of the claim, he was counseled to settle for $29,000
Conclusion
The California Medical Board examined the accuser's claims and found them to be "non-credible," 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 erase the allegations made by the accuser from Internet search results. Meaning, despite his lack of guilt, the campaign to tarnish his reputation was effective.
As the claim does not state that Dr. Robert MacArthur was found guilty, it merely functions as a summary of a complaint, which continues to be openly accessible to anyone
Doctor MacArthur strongly believes that those who make baseless allegations should face penalties equivalent to the severity of the event they falsely claim. To illustrate, he thinks that his false accuser should be considered to be a sexual predator and felon.
Dr. MacArthur concluded by contemplating the existence of both good and evil Robert MacArthur in the world, praying that those who read his account would never come into contact with someone capable of such destructive unfounded claims as he has faced.
Dr. MacArthur: A Renowned Orthopedic Surgeon
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