A recent move by the state of Florida has outraged doctors, nurses, and hospital staff members alike, as it is putting thousands of children with heart defects at risk. According to a recent report, Florida hospitals were affected by a change in policy that came as a result of Tenet Healthcare contributing $200,000 to Florida Republicans. This move was brought to the attention of those in the healthcare industry in June, at which time an investigation was performed that revealed a specific program at Tenet hospital in Florida was not meeting state quality standards for children’s heart surgery. This revelation has come as a shock to many, as the group’s donation appears to have directly affected the level of care given to children suffering from life-threatening heart diseases. Perhaps even more shockingly, the state decided to do away with the standards altogether just two months later.
This situation has brought about outrage and confusion on many different levels. Not only are cardiac doctors and their staff questioning the move, but parents of the sick children and other patients at Tenet are also asking questions. At the very least, this is a medical malpractice lawsuit waiting to happen. As experienced and knowledgeable Arlington medical malpractice lawyers, we do our best to stay on top of cases just like this one. When decisions such as the one in Florida are made by lawmakers at a higher level – and with questionable motives – it is important that the people involved are properly represented. If you believe you have a medical malpractice lawsuit of any kind on your hands, contact Wormington & Bollinger today.
How Poor Policy and Politics Led to Medical Negligence
In the fall of 2015, cardiac doctors in Florida asked the state to reinstate the hospital standards, of which have been place since 1977. These standards have helped doctors save thousands of children’s lives and have also served as a model for other states. When the standards were dropped per the state legislature, parents of four children with heart defects took the state of Florida to court. According to the state’s Department of Health, the quality standards were taken away because the legislature was never given the green light to implement them. However, the standards have been in place for 38 years without any issues until now.
Since the standards were taken away, pediatric heart experts appointed by the state to look after the children with heart defects have been up in arms. At a recent hearing regarding the situation, the chairman of the division of pediatric cardiology at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando called the removal of the standards “both poor policy and poor politics”. The fact that it is public knowledge that Tenet Healthcare donated a large sum of money to Florida Republicans only makes the case more complicated. When politics are involved, it can become increasingly difficult to get a straight answer and timely resolution. In fact, children’s heart doctors in Florida have reason to believe that the decision to get rid of the standards came directly from Florida governor Rick Scott’s office.
In December of 2014, a judge ruled in the state’s favor, saying that the standards for pediatric heart hospitals could be removed. At this time, the cardiac doctors are deciding whether or not they should appeal the judge’s decision. Thankfully, at least one of the hospitals impacted by this situation is no longer operating on children’s hearts.
Contact Wormington & Bollinger
Regardless of who is involved, medical malpractice lawsuits can be extremely challenging and time consuming. This is why it is highly recommended that you have an experienced malpractice attorney by your side if you find yourself in this type of situation. To set up a consultation or discuss your particular case with one of our McKinney malpractice lawyer, please contact Wormington & Bollinger today.