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Biomedical subjects

M Gorney

Publications and source records attributed to M Gorney.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Preventing litigation in breast augmentation.

To obtain patient satisfaction and thus avoid exposure to liability claims in breast augmentation, the plastic surgeon must take pains to exert not only his or her surgical competence but also his or her medicolegal awareness. The recent breast implant crisis should have taught everyone a lesson. The surgeon should remember that the American legal system has more to do with showmanship than with justice, fairness, science, or truth. It is unlikely that anyone beginning a 30- to 40-year career in aesthetic surgery will finish it without an encounter with the US legal system. Surgeons should supplement their CME with "DME" (defensive medicine expertise). Only by cultivating the absolutely crucial elements of patient rapport will surgeons be able to stay one step ahead of the plaintiff's attorney.

Breast Implants↗
PubMed1999

The wheel of misfortune. Genesis of malpractice claims.

Unlike other surgical specialists, plastic surgeons attending patients who seek aesthetic improvement are not trying to make sick patients well, but rather well patients better. This not only places a much heavier burden of responsibility on the operating surgeons, but also subjects them to a much broader range of a patient's reasons for unhappiness. This article examines various fields of plastic surgery in terms of liability and offers advice on how best to reduce the frequency of such medical liability claims.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

The insurance carrier's viewpoint. Practicing brinksmanship.

The author presents a guide to the most common elements of the insurance industry. A working familiarity of the provisions of one's policy would prevent the frequent quarrels between the insurance carrier and the insured. Thus, the author attempts to clear up the misconceptions many physicians have about the industry. Finally, he offers a word of advice to physicians when choosing an insurance carrier.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

Patient selection criteria.

Most malpractice claims are based on failures of communication and patient selection criteria, not on technical faults. This article examines the psychological aspects of plastic surgery and then discusses the role of effective communication as a claims prevention technique. The authors delineate general characteristics of trouble-prone patient groups so that the surgeon may distinguish those patients whose body image and personality characteristics make them simply unsuitable for the elective aesthetic surgery that they seek.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

The medical record. Informing your patients before they consent.

In the language of medical liability, no concept has received as much misinterpretation as "informed consent." In the last five years, most medical liability carriers have experienced a significant increase in claims that allege failure to obtain a proper informed consent prior to treatment. The authors discuss forensic testing of the medical record and offer recommendations for record-keeping. These suggestions, if followed, will help establish the reliability of the record as an accurate reflection of the treatment of the patient in any given case.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The genesis of plastic surgeon claims. A review of recurring problems.

The authors examine several cases in which malpractice claims are the result of either poor documentation, lack of preoperative photographs, inadequate informed consent, or poor patient-selection criteria. In each case, they discuss what errors took place and the end result of the claim. The cases presented in the article are intended to help readers avoid potential medical malpractice traps in the future and be diligent with office documentation.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The role of communication in the physician's office.

The apparent cause of a medical malpractice claim almost always fails to reveal the unseen emotional and psychologic factors that triggered the patient's visit to an attorney; however, the most common element in an adversarial doctor-patient relationship is failed communication. By concentrating on using good listening skills, physicians can greatly improve their relationship with their patients. Furthermore, communication between the physician and the nurse is vital for quality patient care as well as avoidance of medical malpractice.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Anger as the root cause of malpractice claims.

The virtually unrelenting stress of practicing medicine in the United States today is undoubtedly exerting powerful negative effects on the mood and, by implication, the effectiveness of American plastic surgeons. The author points out that anger is at the root of malpractice claims and offers physicians advice on how to prepare their patients for the realities of plastic surgery. By creating an atmosphere of trust and partnership, physicians can relieve their patients' anxieties and diffuse their anger.

Anger↗
PubMed1999

Plastic surgery pitfalls.

As a founding member of the physician-owned insurance carrier The Doctors' Company, the author has reviewed many plastic surgery policy claims. In this article, he presents an overview of the plastic surgery procedures that produce the most severe losses. He then offers suggestions on how to proceed with these "medical malpractice favorites." The author discusses potential antitrust traps and legal recourse for plastic surgeons.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

Liability in suction-assisted lipoplasty: a different perspective.

In this article, the author discusses liability issues for suction-assisted lipoplasty (SAL) and ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL) that every plastic surgeon should consider. The article reviews factors affecting SAL insurance, discusses the outlook for the new UAL procedure based on experiences with previous breakthrough procedures, and closes with a call for all plastic surgeons to exercise great care in patient selection.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Cicatricial ectropion in ichthyosis: a novel approach to treatment.

Four kinds of ichthyosiform dermatoses have been described. Only lamellar ichthyosis or ichthyosis congenita is associated with the development of ectropion and subsequent eye symptoms. Conservative treatments have been tried but surgical correction of the ectropion was ultimately required for symptomatic relief. Autografts have been used successfully, provided an available donor site can be found. Grafts taken from the arm, eyelids, postauricular skin, and groin have been used with success. An uncircumcised youth with total body involvement from ichthyosis developed bilateral upper and lower ectropion. The penile foreskin was the only possible suitable donor site because it seemed unaffected by the disease. A circumcision was performed and the foreskin divided into four separate full-thickness skin graft triangles to treat the four-lid ectropion. There was successful resolution of the eye symptoms and a watertight closure. To our knowledge, this is a unique case in which penile foreskin has been used to correct cicatricial ectropion.

Adolescent↗