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Rise of Tommy John surgeries in Houston-area youth baseball highlights growing concern for medical, coaching experts
Read full article: Rise of Tommy John surgeries in Houston-area youth baseball highlights growing concern for medical, coaching expertsWhen Astros pitchers Cristian Javier and José Urquidy went down last month with Tommy John surgery, there were questions about whether or not that specific injury is on the rise.
Legal expert breaks down settlement involving 3 TMC institutions
Read full article: Legal expert breaks down settlement involving 3 TMC institutionsThree Texas Medical Center institutions have agreed to pay a record $15 million settlement to resolve claims they billed for concurrent heart surgeries in violation of Medicare teaching physician and informed consent regulations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center (BSLMC), Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and Surgical Associates of Texas P.A. (SAT) are the three institutions that have agreed to the settlement.Court records show an investigation into the intuitions and three of its surgeons began in August of 2019 when a whistleblower filed a complaint.“Well it became apparent looking at the document that there was a whistleblower who was inside, looking at the organization and seeing that these very prominent doctors were going from operating room to operating and even to another operating room and charging for doing the complete procedure when they could not have done the complete procedure, just from a pure time standpoint but they certified that they did those procedures and that’s what the government alleged, and whistleblower alleged,” said Attorney Randy SorrelsThose prominent surgeons named in court documents include Dr. Joseph Coselli, 71, Houston, and Dr. Joseph Lamelas, 63, Miami, Florida. SAT is a medical practice group affiliated with various cardiothoracic surgeons, including Dr. David Ott, 77, HoustonThe U.S. attorney’s office said the allegations also included the doctors delegating key aspects of extremely complicated and risky heart surgeries to unqualified medical residents.and failing to attend the surgical “timeout”— a critical moment where the entire team would pause and identify key risks to prevent surgical errors, according to the allegations,”“Yeah, These are some of the most well known heart surgeons in the country and so students would come to Baylor to learn from the very best, and they would be putting their hands literally inside the chest of patients. And you should have the attending physician there, But the allegations are as they weren't there and present at all times,” Sorrels said.Sorrels said it’s important that patients know, they can try and keep that from happening by advocating for themselves.What you want to do as a patient, especially before you go under anesthesia, is let it be known in the paperwork, Only the attending physician, the doctor that, you know, does the entire procedure,” said Sorrels.KPRC 2 also asked Sorrels if there’s anything that can be done if you’re a former patient and believe your life was put at risk.“Yeah, Texas law is not very patient friendly. The allegations were between 2013 and 2019. And Texas law requires you to bring a claim against a doctor within two years. So if you didn't bring your claim by 2021 at the latest, you can't bring a claim against any of these doctors or Baylor itself,” said Sorrels.Sorrels added that after examining the settlement it appears nobody would be criminally charged.“This $15 million payments is to settle all issues,” Sorrels said.
Astros right-hand pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. out for rest of season after surgery on forearm
Read full article: Astros right-hand pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. out for rest of season after surgery on forearmThe Houston Astros said right-hand pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. will be out for the remainder of the 2023 season after having surgery on his right forearm.
2 unlicensed Houston ‘doctors’ ordered to cease and desist after string of bad procedures, mostly cosmetic
Read full article: 2 unlicensed Houston ‘doctors’ ordered to cease and desist after string of bad procedures, mostly cosmeticThe Texas Medical Board has ordered two Houston residents to stop practicing medicine. Both were accused of performing unlicensed cosmetic procedures.
1 dead, 4 hospitalized in Texas after developing fungal infections linked to surgery in Matamoros, Mexico
Read full article: 1 dead, 4 hospitalized in Texas after developing fungal infections linked to surgery in Matamoros, MexicoThe Texas Department of State Health Services is alerting the public and healthcare professionals about suspected cases of fungal meningitis among Texas residents who got surgery in Matamoros, Mexico.
New, improved bladder cancer surgery performed robotically brings better results
Read full article: New, improved bladder cancer surgery performed robotically brings better resultsChristopher Baty said, looking back, he remembers aches, pains, and even blood in his urine but he pushed through his Ironman training without mentioning the symptoms to a doctor.
‘It’s a special challenge’: Memorial Hermann keeps 12-year-old awake during surgery to preserve motor functions while removing brain tumor
Read full article: ‘It’s a special challenge’: Memorial Hermann keeps 12-year-old awake during surgery to preserve motor functions while removing brain tumorA young boy with a brain tumor had to be operated on while he was awake.
‘I wouldn’t trade it for the world’: Rodeo barrel racer relieves pain without hip replacement
Read full article: ‘I wouldn’t trade it for the world’: Rodeo barrel racer relieves pain without hip replacementCiara Behrens said she competes in barrel racing almost every weekend. She’s been riding horses since she was a toddler, and as much as she loves it, she thinks that might be how her hip pain started.
Revolutionary spine surgery takes pain, long recovery away for most patients
Read full article: Revolutionary spine surgery takes pain, long recovery away for most patientsUsing an invasive operation, the doctor at Texas Orthopedic Hospital was able to fix a patient's spine in a way that reduces pain and time.
Houston-area hospitals not releasing prices required by new law
Read full article: Houston-area hospitals not releasing prices required by new lawImagine shopping online for a colonoscopy or heart surgery just like we shop for airline tickets. You type in what procedure you need and you get a list of prices from hospitals that show what you would pay with and without insurance. That is the idea behind the Hospital Price Transparency Rule. The federal law that took effect in January says hospitals must release pricing information before providing service.
New device implanted to treat sleep apnea proven to be less invasive, doctors say
Read full article: New device implanted to treat sleep apnea proven to be less invasive, doctors saySnoring, irritability, and morning headaches are symptoms of sleep apnea. They may seem benign, but without treatment, the condition can lead to several health complications, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and liver problems.
Elective procedures might still happen at some area hospitals
Read full article: Elective procedures might still happen at some area hospitalsHOUSTON – Some hospitals in Harris County are continuing business as usual despite an order from the governor’s office Thursday to halt elective procedures. The Texas Hospital Association basically says, determining whether a hospital has the capacity to continue elective procedures is up to the individual hospital. We contacted all area hospitals for a statement regarding elective procedures. Many elective procedures are done in an outpatient setting, meaning they do not require admission to an inpatient bed. That means that caring for these patients does not impact a hospital’s capacity to care for COVID-19 patients.