TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross
Emergency Room Harborview Medical Center
Dr. Marty Makary recently wrote in the Wall Street Journal that every week medical errors kill enough people to fill four jumbo jets. (AP Photo)

Doctors in revolt

BY Dave Ross  on November 23, 2012 @ 9:12 am (Updated: 11:00 am - 11/23/12 )

We're all familiar with the problem of medical mistakes: the patient who goes in for a routine operation and gets a staph infection and dies.

But there's an even bigger problem:

"Thirty percent of everything we do in health care may be unnecessary, according to the Institute of Medicine, our most respected body," says Dr. Marty Makary, a surgeon at Johns Hopkins and the author of "Unaccountable: What Hospitals Won't Tell You ..."

Makary recently wrote in the Wall Street Journal that every week medical errors kill enough people to fill four jumbo jets.

"There is tremendous potential for reducing the overall level of harm, if we just look at what we don't need to be doing."

And why do doctors end up ordering unnecessary tests or performing unnecessary operations?

"Forty-six percent of doctors are burned out, according to a recent Mayor Clinic study. Of course, when you have your front line providers burned out, in any industry, there's going to be worse care. There's going to be variability."

And more and more, doctors have concluded that the only way they can provide good care is to drop out of the system:

"Primary care doctors across the country are now saying 'we're going to leave the profession as we know it and open up our shop' where if you prescribe to their services, that is if you pay them $1,000 or $2,000 per year, you can have their cell phone number. They'll make house calls, they'll spend two hours doing a history and physical exam, and they'll ask you about your sleep habits and exercise. They're doubling their pay, they're practicing medicine the way they've always wanted to, and they don't have to hire people to fight with insurance companies."

Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
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Comments (61)


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  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    Obamacare was unnecessary
    November 23, 2012 1:46 pm
    Lots of these "burned out doctors" are leaving or quitting because of The affordable Health Care Act itself. (Obamacare is on the table for the fiscal cliff negotiations)Obamacare is a Trojan horse for government control.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Forgot that -
    November 24, 2012 3:11 am
    With all the higher taxes on the middle class - due to AHC - due to start next year, perhaps Obama WANTS us over the cliff.

    That way, when taxes go up on everybody, the Republicans can be blamed and his 'health' taxes well hidden.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cdbtx wrote...
    Just wait until the
    November 23, 2012 5:51 pm
    new round of Gov't Union Dr.'s find their place. Emergency.. sorry.. it's my break time...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 2112 wrote...
    Nurses are already organized
    November 24, 2012 11:08 am
    There will just be less of them as we ask the end providers to work harder for less. Why? because they will be replaced with less educated/skilled providers. The affordable health act derives most of it's savings by reducing salaries at the provider level.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 2112 wrote...
    But don't forget
    November 24, 2012 11:09 am
    We are not even touching the lottery winnings of malpractice suits. Maybe some of the lawyers who make millions suing should get a haircut?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • murr wrote...
    The good stuff is yet to come.......
    November 24, 2012 6:04 am
    For all those that want to be taken care of, YOUR CHOICE WILL BE. (not yours) Sold out like a street walker, and you know who your P-MP is. You bought inn.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Murr
    November 24, 2012 9:13 am
    EXACTLEY! Nobody in Obama / Liberal land listened to anything the Doctors were saying. Burnt out means getting out. Now Dr.s will simply require a retainer like an attorney.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • when reality hits you wrote...
    Doctors in Revolt. Good. Change from the Inside Out.
    November 24, 2012 7:10 am
    Doctors are generally smart People and they tend to understand the system from the inside. I trust them to make better decisions about themselves than a pack of side show commentators with political agendas any day.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Doctors gave up making most decisions years ago.
    November 24, 2012 7:42 am
    The only question now will be is the government a better decosion maker than the HMOs ?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Left wing Parrots.
    November 24, 2012 8:56 am
    Here is your ObamaCare that you voted for! All that "Free" substandard Obama government run healthcare.

    Free at our taxpaying expense!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    Free at our taxpaying expense!
    November 24, 2012 9:51 am
    Yes. that is true, just like your healthcare is now!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    True about free at American taxpayer expence.
    November 24, 2012 11:26 am
    Once ObamaCare is implemented, our quality of private sector healthcare will be eliminated. You Parrots will reap what you voted for!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    You get healthcare at taxpayer expense.
    November 24, 2012 3:41 pm
    Why shouldn't we?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Just wait
    November 24, 2012 11:40 am
    Until you turn 65 and the Governmet starts limiting what procedures you be allowed. They will be looking to cut costs through denial of care. Look deeper Obama's. minions, there will be death panels. You idiots bought into thisnhooknline and sinker. It's asnif you Liberals have never heard the saying " if its too good to be true, it is"....this entire Obama care scam will fal directly on then backs of the middle class and most likely bankrupt our country....Good Luck suckers....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    "Look deeper Obama's. minions, there will be death panels".
    November 24, 2012 3:40 pm
    I would rather Obama minions choose who lives or dies rather than some insurance executive only concerned with profit.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Oh yeah, that crazy "profit thing" ....
    November 24, 2012 7:57 pm
    Now it's an evil word. Profit. Except PROFIT is what keeps people employed. Profit is what keeps the economy moving. Profit is why people start businesses in the first place. Profit is what keeps the government alive. You idiot liberals pick & chose which companies are good & which are evil, but you are too stupid to realize without companies & prophet WE ALL DIE....good luck anti -profit, anti-capitalist morons. You will be affected worse than those of us who have achieved the American Dream!
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  • rational wrote...
    Forrest
    November 24, 2012 8:49 pm
    I would rather Obama minions choose who lives or dies rather than some insurance executive only concerned with profit.

    That's because you haven't thought it through. The insurance companies have to answer to stock holders are are subject to laws created by the government. The government, on the otherhand is not acoutable to anyone (and don't pretend they answer to the populace...we just reelected the 2nd worst president in US history) and they create their own rules.

    If you don't like something an insurance company decides you can appeal to the court process...ever tried to sue the US governmnet?! And if you don't like your insurance company you can choose another one...tried choosing an alternate federal government lately? Market competition keeps insurance companies largely in line...no such efficiency with the federal government. And speaking of efficency...the federal government is the absolute worst in managing pretty much anything...heck, they can't even delivery letters and junkmail without going into the red by billions of dollars a year. You can't honestly think the federal government is capable of running something as complex as every American's health care....at least you can't think that if you have even a fraction of a brain.

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  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Elections have consequences.
    November 24, 2012 2:50 pm
    And you Parrots will have to live with the results of those consequences. The re immaculation of your Dear Leader.

    We Americans have to live with the results of your lack of independent thought and reasoning, selfishness and being easily duped. Duped by this regime and many of you being duped for the second time by voting for the regime. ObamaCare is not what you Parrots were told that it was/is. It is mostly aimed at illegals who parent nations healthcare system is inadequate compaired to the private sector health care that we Americans USED to pay for and have access to and welfare bums who go screaming to the hospital in the back of an aid car for a band-aide or for the sniffles. Whatever!

    You mindless Left wing Parrots, in your selfishness, ruined not only for us Americans the best healthcare system in the world, you screwed yourself in the process of screwing us as you will soon figure out!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    "ruined not only for us Americans the best healthcare system in the world"
    November 24, 2012 3:37 pm
    The United States is rated at # 37.

    http://www.businessinsider.com/best-healthcare-systems-in-the-world-2012-6?op=1

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    Forrest
    November 24, 2012 3:54 pm
    Give it up Forrest, they are not interested in facts, only what rush limbaugh and grover nordquist tells them. They are incapable of thinking for themselves.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • logical open mind wrote...
    sportsg-why do you think the healthcare act did not include Tort reform or allow insurance companies to compete across state lines?
    November 24, 2012 4:37 pm
    Like so many topics this is yet another that you likely know very little about.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • davewestse wrote...
    Sorry, not correct.
    November 24, 2012 4:10 pm
    Like any survey - stuff can be slanted. The survey and article itself notes that the US was #1 in Medical Expenditures per capita in the entire world. And, this heavily argued and controversial survey also places the US at #15 in overall performance. I don't believe that you wish to run to Costa Rica or Dominca for your medical care. Both of which - per the survey you cite - are superior to the US. We could always go with the Netherlands who are rated #17; and where it has been known for many yeas routinely kill off the elderly with poisoned OJ or KoolAid. Or, #11 Norway. Where even though everyone has total health coverage; but some (those who can afford it) pay for Private and "out of state" care... Man, a place so great it is rated #11. And they still don't want to use it - if they can afford to pay... Why don't we go to France? The #1 on the Survey?? Where like 90% or more of your wages currently go to the government; and where the Government is on the verge of collapsing because of all the total required governmental outlays. You can only tax so much... Doesn't really seem like such a good idea. Apparently you do think so. However, you might try reading unbiased info; and doing some real research. Currently, the US has the best Health Care in the World. That is WHY numerous people come from other countries (including Canada; where they have long lines) for care. I hope it stays that way what with the increasing Gov't obligations; and increasing economic problems; but who knows?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    It's funny how Owebama, an attorney...
    November 24, 2012 4:06 pm
    had no desire to include tort reform...I know; shocking.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • wsualumn wrote...
    Preventative Care
    November 24, 2012 4:43 pm
    Will be more established for those that can't afford health care. This saves everybody money down the road. You can say how much greater this system is than others, but do the age number comparisons as to who lives longer. Europe has us beat. Our current system isn't bad, but it needs changes. Preventative care is huge. We have the working the poor that need that made available to them. It seems strange to me that a certain party has no problem with spending huge dollars on the military, but when it comes to health care, they think we don't need to fix it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    Conservatives=zombie morons
    November 24, 2012 6:51 pm
    Same stupid glazed over look, same stupid message.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    Forrest
    November 24, 2012 8:54 pm
    You just proved Realitycheck correct, lol. And Bill Law...not cool. Obama is the 2nd worst president in US history...bash his terrible policies but you can leave your "monkey boy" comments at home.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    I'll leave you conservatives with a goodnight thought...
    November 24, 2012 8:53 pm
    Obama passed healthcare reform, campaigned on increasing the income tax for the wealthiest Americans and came out in support of gay marriage before being re-elected, You all get use to it! Bahahahahaha!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • wsualumn wrote...
    Forrest
    November 24, 2012 9:44 pm
    Don't even waste your time with them. They all said Obama wouldn't get reelected. They claimed his policies were too divisive. They had it wrong and will continue to get it wrong. Here they are talking about how horrible Obamacare is when they chose to vote for a guy that not only implemented it as governor, but said that it was a model for others to follow. Obamacare was proposed by The Heritage Foundation(GOP based), promoted by Newt Gingrich back in 94 and implemented by Romney back in 2000. The GOP thought it was great at one time, but now they have problems with because Obama liked it too. If Obama comes out and says that he likes chocolate chip cookies, The GOP will and Fox News will go around talking about how terrible chocolate chip cookies are.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    The Heritage Foundation did not propose Obamacare.
    November 24, 2012 10:13 pm
    http://www.heritage.org/issues/health-care/obamacare
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • wsualumn wrote...
    They Proposed
    November 25, 2012 6:19 am
    a plan to counter Clintoncare that Obama copied, just like Mitt.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    wsualumn
    November 24, 2012 11:43 pm
    I will fully admit I did not expect Obama to be reelected...he's the 2nd worst president in US history...there is no way he should have been reelected if one takes his "merits" into account. Even by Obama's measure he shouldn't have been reelected and said so.

    That he was reelected does not mean his policies are not divisive...do you think the nation is united now that he's reelected?!

    As for voting for Romney...lesser of 2 evils there, he would have been one of my last choices amongst the republican candidates. Why is it we are always stuck with a choice between the lesser of 2 evils? Not even once in my life have I had the choice to vote for a candiate at any level that I thought represented my values somewhat accurately. Sad thing, isn't it?

    As for Romney setting up the model for Obamacare...I've explained it at least a dozen time, and I know others have as well but liberals never grasp the facts on that. Are liberals genetically incapable of understanding facts? Judging from just that one argument you've used it would seem so. Yet I'll try once more, just for you. The consitution limits the federal goverment to just a small list of activities it's allowed to do. Anything not in that list is "unconstitutional". Anything not listed for the federal government falls to the states or the individual citizen. Obamacare is unconstitutional (yeah, I know we had 1 supreme court justice go off the rails of following the constitution on that one...worst decision ever). So what is not in the purvue of the federal government falls to the states or the individual...so what is constitutional for a state to do can be unconstitutional for the federal government to do. Got it?

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  • wsualumn wrote...
    So According To You
    November 25, 2012 6:18 am
    You have the facts and the Supreme Court doesn't and everybody else as well. Obama has been so centered in many of his policies that he is a moderate. I listened to The GOP rail against Clinton and about how awful he was. The same can be said about Roosevelt. As time proceeds, most people will realize how "silly" they were by following the rhetoric of Fox News and others like Beck and Limbaugh.
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  • rational wrote...
    wsualumn
    November 25, 2012 9:11 am
    You have the facts and the Supreme Court doesn't and everybody else as well.

    No...the supreme court has access to the constutition as well. Roberts simply made a ruling based upon politics and not the constitution.

    And you're insane if you think Obama is center anything. Funny you should mention FDR...I've posted a number of times that Obama is the 2nd worst president in US history...FDR is the worst.

    You know, I don't listen to Limbaugh, nor do I watch Fox news...you leftists are eventually going to have to deal with people's arguments instead of dismissing them. Or should everything you write be dismissed out of hand because you're a mindless follower of Madow, Matthews and Olberman? (yes, I know he's off the air now...couldn't even hack it on Algore's channel because he's such a tool).

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  • wsualumn wrote...
    rationale
    November 25, 2012 5:14 pm
    Insane? Really. Centered he is. He didn't push for single payer. Which I wish he would have. It would have taken business out of the loop of having to provide health care. Single payer will eventually happen. he also let The Bush Tax cuts hold during his term. He wasn't the "screaming liberal" that the right claims. He didn't reduce gun rights or remove the Fairness Doctrine like Glenn Beck said he would. He actually expanded gun rights. You can now carry a gun into National Parks, which wasn't allowed before Bush. We are going to have to deal with people's arguments? I think you are going to have to deal with how the majority of the people voted. F.D.R. the worst? I suggest you watch Ken Burns "the Dust Bowl." You need some history lessons. By the way, Bush II was the worst. Optional wars and tanked the economy. He still costs The GOP votes. WAKE UP MAN!
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  • rational wrote...
    wsualumn
    November 26, 2012 6:19 am
    Admitting you're insane does nothing to promote your views. So your argument is that because Obama didn't push for single payer he's centrist...balderdash. Do you know what governmental it is when business is run by government? Communism...think that is centrist? You're just so far left that Obama is to the center of you...that doesn't make obama a centrist, just you an extremist.

    And yes, FDR is the worst from a perspective of government stomping on the constution, and Obama is trying to model his admin on FDR's. I started college as a history major (jumped around across 5 majors before I finally graduated)...I do have some familiarity with the subject.

    Bush was a bad president, not worse than FDR, Obama and Wilson...bottom quarter though. Bush didn't tank the ecnomy, the democrats did, although they did it on Bush's watch as president. I think you're right though...folks voted against Romney because they don't like Bush...lots of sense there, huh?

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  • wsualumn wrote...
    Rational
    November 26, 2012 7:15 pm
    I strongly suggest you look up the rankings of the presidents. There are various ones and they are usually pretty close. To call roosevelt one of the worst when he was the one that got us through The Depression and WWII is LAUGHABLE! And to blame the failings of Bush on the dems is even more LAUGHABLE.
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