Following Up on the DMC Problems

By Mark Graban On Oct 4, 2016 Last updated Sep 25, 2016

I‘m away on vacation through October 10th, but I've scheduled the posting of an article of interest most weekdays. Feel free to comment and share your thoughts on each and I hope you keep up your daily habit of reading the blog.

This article caught my eye recently:

DMC dirty instruments escaped '15 probe, records show

(via The Detroit News)

From the early part of the article:

State regulators who last week cited the Detroit Medical Center for lax training failed to find problems with dirty surgical instruments during an inspection last year — even as surgeons were complaining to hospital officials about them, records show.

Also see this article:

Lawyers: No recourse for DMC dirty instrument patients

“They have put up so many roadblocks and barriers to bringing medical negligence cases, there's almost economic immunity to doctors and hospitals,” said Frank Aiello, a Southfield malpractice attorney who is not involved in the Gregory case.

And:

State probe: Lax training at DMC violates health codes

The investigation by the state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs concluded that technicians in the Central Sterile Processing Department that services five Midtown hospitals aren't properly trained and don't work well with operating room personnel. The DMC has 60 days to submit a plan of correction.

See my original blog post and updates in the comments:

Exposé About Detroit Medical Center, Dirty Surgical Instruments, Dysfunction, and… Lean?

Can we really rely on outside inspectors and regulators?

What do you think?

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Mark Graban

Mark Graban is an internationally-recognized consultant, author, and professional speaker who has worked in healthcare, manufacturing, and startups. He is author of the Shingo Award-winning books Lean Hospitals and Healthcare Kaizen, as well as The Executive Guide to Healthcare Kaizen. His most recent book is the anthology Practicing Lean that benefits the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation, where Mark is a board member. Mark is also a Senior Advisor to the technology company KaiNexus. His latest book has been released as an "in-progress" book, titled Measures of Success.