Orthopedic Surgeons Say New Policy At Bethesda East, Bethesda West Hospitals Is Disaster Waiting To Happen.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher
BOYNTON BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Baptist Health, owner of Bethesda East, Bethesda West, and Boca Raton Regional Hospital, is requiring orthopedic surgeons to perform emergency hand surgeries — despite these surgeons not being trained in the speciality. Multiple surgeons tell BocaNewsNow.com that the policy will likely lead to an unsuspecting patient suffering a debilitating injury.
Sources say the new policy, implemented by Bethesda East and West CEO Jared Smith, requires orthopedic surgeons to perform emergency hand surgeries — even if they have not undergone years of hand speciality training. Only surgeons trained as hand specialists were previously assigned these cases.
If the “on call” orthopedic surgeons do not perform these surgeries as injuries appear in the emergency room, the doctors run the risk of losing hospital privileges and “on call” status. Those familiar with the policy say the move is “cost cutting.” Bethesda apparently doesn’t want to pay to attract hand specialists to the hospital system.
“Operating on a hand is a speciality surgery,” said one surgeon to BocaNewsNow.com who asked not to be identified for fear of retribution. “Only hand surgeons should be performing these surgeries. There are major complications that can lead to permanent, irreversible damage.”
An orthopedic surgeon told BocaNewsNow.com that the issue is patient safety. Orthopedic Surgeons are trained in multiple facets of medical care, but intricate hand surgery is not traditionally part of that training. Losing hospital privileges and the ability to be “on call” can decimate a doctor’s practice — leaving orthopedic surgeons with little choice but to do what Baptist is apparently telling them to do.
“We’re not talking about splinting a broken finger,” said a surgeon. “We’re talking about serious injuries where improper surgery could lead to critical issues like compartment syndrome.” Compartment Syndrome is a condition where improper blood supply to tissue can lead to chronic pain and permanent paralysis.
The Baptist Health Media Relations department did not respond to multiple emails and phone calls from BocaNewsNow.com made over several days. The new policy, according to multiple sources, went into effect this week. Doctors speaking with BocaNewsNow.com estimate that two serious hand injuries are presented to the Bethesda emergency rooms over a typical 24-hour period. It was not immediately clear if the new policy also affects Boca Raton Regional Hospital.
We will update this report if Baptist Health responds to our multiple requests for information and clarification.
You guys rock! Thank you so very much for constantly exposing the bad guys living in south Florida.
I particularly love your exposure of dogs in restaurants, that are not service dogs, elitists parking in non-parking spots, you’re great! Please, keep up your excellent reporting, it is truly appreciated in times such as these where the ‘fake news’ lies, covers up and omits what is actually happening in our world.
Many many thanks….
I agree with you. His decision was SELFISH.
BAPTIST HEALTH NEEDS TO LEAVE PALM BEACH COUNTY OR THE RESIDENTS WILL TRAVEL TO NEW YORK OR MASSACHUSETTS FOR THEIR NEEDS!
Totally agree I was a worker same hospital got covid during pregnancy lack of kindness careless almost died last year. I quit after all wants the whole store I’ll provide it the surgeon gyn/OB still operating there
This is VERY disturbing.
Ever since the Boca regional hospital was bought by ‘Baptist’ the mission is to kill patients, not save them.
If the orthopedic surgeons had ethics they would resign immediately. There are plenty of opportunities in other hospitals. I am confident that Baptist Health would change their policies immediately
This is a frightening situation. For the sake of patients safety, the Baptist hospitals in South Florida should loose their accreditation and Bethesda East and West CEO Jared Smith should be fired !! To disregard patient safety in exchange for reduced expenses is disgraceful and irresponsible.
The blatant disregard for exceptional patient care in the name of saving money is abhorrent. Other hospital systems have designated “hand call” so that patients can receive the care they deserve. I will be following for any updates on this.
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