On September 25, 2003, our 38 year-old daughter walked into a Sarasota, Florida doctor’s office for a breast augmentation procedure. She did not walk out. Julie lapsed into a coma and on Dec. 7, we flew her home here in Wisconsin. She died on December 26, 2003 from a lack of oxygen to the brain. Julie’s surgical team did not include a qualified anesthesia provider.
In January 2005, my wife and I sat front row center at a hearing by the Florida Board of Medicine, which revoked the doctor’s license. We then decided to use Julie’s death as a poster case in any legislative effort or media opportunities to improve patient safety.
Surgeries performed in doctor’s offices have a much higher risk than in hospitals. Office surgeries are simply not held to the same high standards. I attempted to focus attention on that in Washington but ran into a wall of indifference.
Then we got a break. In November 2009, I received a call from the Wisconsin Society of Anesthesiologists. A legislator here introduced a bill that will require any Wisconsin surgery location to be licensed and accredited. I made a statement at that hearing and that bill will be up for a vote in 2011. We will be there also, front row center. It is my intention to forward that bill to any state that does not have a similar law.
To be successful, education is the key. Please post your comments or questions here. IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR ENTIRE SURGERY TEAM IS QUALIFIED, AND NOT PRACTICING OUTSIDE THEIR LIMITATIONS!
By the way, you can search two names for the media coverage on our case: Julie Rubenzer or me, Don Ayer. I welcome our questions or comments and look forward to improving patient safety.
