Checking a surgeon's record?

[AtlantaPat]

My cardiologist says he's consulted with colleagues and doesn't believe my mitral repair should need to be fixed out of town. The problem with mine can apparently be handled with a routine enough fix that I should be able to have it done here in Atlanta. That said, my doc's also going to forward my TTE and TEE results to Dr. Chitwood in North Carolina to see if the robotic repair by him might be a good option.

My wife and I really like the idea of staying close to home, so I'm wondering how to go about finding out an individual surgeon's record in general and also specifically on the sort of repair I need. Are there independent sources where I can check this stuff or do I need to go right to the doctors and hospital themelves?

I've never had a problem asking a car salesman or realtor very direct and maybe even awkward questions about a car or house I'm buying, but I confess I feel a little squeamish asking a doc for records or references. Maybe it's because I've heard heart surgeons in general aren't bashful about sharing their opinion of themselves (think Alec Baldwin's "I am God!" speech in the movie "Malice")

I definitely trust my cardio's recommendations, but I think it'd be reassuring to look at something beyond a surgeon's bio. Suggestions?

 

[Ross]

The best thing to do is contact the hospital where the surgeon has privileges and inquire. There are places you can check into, but they are all for fee services and don't really tell you anymore then you could find out with a few phone calls.

 

[Der Biermeister]

Also - put out the word here and ask for anyone who's had surgery done by the doc. Put the doc's name and city in the TITLE of your message. Post it here AND also over on the Valve section. You might be pleasantly surprised to get a response. I did -- on a surgeon I was considering here in Richmond.

 

[901]

I tried to find out the same type of information earlier this Summer and found that it is very difficult to find independant information about Drs. The closest I came was on the Cleveland Clinic site. They publish information about their mortality rates but the information is a summary and doesn't go down as far as rates for individual surgeons.
When I contacted my local hospital and asked for information about Drs., they failed open and gave me the song and dance about privacy, etc. When I asked the Dr. directly, he gave me his statistics but I had no way to verify what he was telling me.
In the end, I trusted him and returned from the mountain.

 

[Mary]

My cardiologist says he's consulted with colleagues and doesn't believe my mitral repair should need to be fixed out of town. The problem with mine can apparently be handled with a routine enough fix that I should be able to have it done here in Atlanta. That said, my doc's also going to forward my TTE and TEE results to Dr. Chitwood in North Carolina to see if the robotic repair by him might be a good option.

My wife and I really like the idea of staying close to home, so I'm wondering how to go about finding out an individual surgeon's record in general and also specifically on the sort of repair I need. Are there independent sources where I can check this stuff or do I need to go right to the doctors and hospital themelves?

I've never had a problem asking a car salesman or realtor very direct and maybe even awkward questions about a car or house I'm buying, but I confess I feel a little squeamish asking a doc for records or references. Maybe it's because I've heard heart surgeons in general aren't bashful about sharing their opinion of themselves (think Alec Baldwin's "I am God!" speech in the movie "Malice")

I definitely trust my cardio's recommendations, but I think it'd be reassuring to look at something beyond a surgeon's bio. Suggestions?

One thing you could do is a Search on the forum using the surgeon's name. Individual member recommendation is more on target-IMHO-than statistics.
The other strategy is to start a new thread titled, Need a surgeon in the Atlanta area. Der Biermeister made this suggestion in his reply and it is a good one.

 

[TomS]

Identify the 10 top heart hospitals nationwide, or in your vicinity and call the head of surgery. These guys WILL respond quickly. Ask them how many they have done, how many they did over the past few years, and what their success rate (I asked mortality rate) is.

 

[KristiinSD]

I used Healthgrades to check

I used Healthgrades to check

licensure, board affiliation, and whether the surgeon was involved in any disciplinary actions.

For the $10 for two surgeons it was worth it to me...

Kristi
mr
surgery 11/30

 

[djexec]

Atlanta Surgeons

Atlanta Surgeons

Pat.
I am also in Atlanta and in the process of scheduling my surgery for AAA & BAV. I sent my information to several different CT surgeons here in Atlanta along with Texas Heart and Cedars Sinai. I have decided to stay in Atlanta and have Dr. Alan Wolfe perform the surgery. He has been recommended to me by numerous cardiologist and other surgeons. His partner James Kauten was also highly recommended. Some others that I researched were Dr. Bob Guyton & Dr. John Puskas at Emory. If you would like to talk or if you have additional questions about how I made my decision, please don't hesitate to PM me. Best wishes.
deane

 

[Granbonny]

I had my surgery at St. Joseph's in Atlanta.....My group was the Peachtree Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons.. Ten in the group..My surgeon was William Morris Brown.....404-252-6104..(telephone)..5 star cardiac nurses...... Bonnie

 

[Granbonny]

Deane

Deane

I just saw where Dr. Wolfe...is with my group... Will you be going to St. Joseph's?......Great hospital..with a Marriot on the grounds for family..Family was able to take turns walking over..or shuttle.Discount if you are a patient.. With 10 in the group..I think I had a different one to check on me everyday....I had no pain and was lucky that I don't remember anything until I was in a private room. Bonnie

 

[Granbonny]

Deane

Deane

Also, see, Dr.Kauten..on the list..I had my surgery ..March 25, 2002..so, they are still there. Wonder how many valves surgeries they have done in last 3 years. 8 months? ..Bonnie

 

[barbwil]

medical board

medical board

Pat, have you tried getting on Georgia's medical board site? I was able to find the court records for our cardiologist in Ohio when I entered his name in the Ohio Medical Board site. He had had his license suspended for writing narcotic prescriptions for himself when he was experiencing extreme back pain. The report explained each time he had to report for random drug tests, etc. Each of the reports tells if there have been any court censures for that physician. Of course this doesn't tell you how good a surgeon he/she is but it sure would cause you to think twice before placing yourself in he/her hands.

God bless, Barb

 

[Innercalm]

Checking the surgeon's record

Checking the surgeon's record

To Atlanta Pat: Dr. Chitwood has a stallar resume and the Brigham and Woman's Hospital in Boston tried to get him because of his Star name and
accomplishments to join their staff but dr. Chitwood, even with a huge salary
quote refused and decided to stay in East Carolina. Look him up on the internet. Susan innercalm

 

[terryj]

AtlantaPat, my husband had his AVR surgery at Emory in Atlanta and had excellent care. I also know that Saint Josephs is a great hospital, my stepfather was admitted there for heart problems several years ago. My husbands surgeon was Dr. John Puskas and Dr. Guytan did my best friends moms bypass and defibbulator emplant(sp?). If you would like to PM me I will be glad to give you whatever information I have on these 2 doctors and Emory.

 

[Dennis S]

Doctor

Doctor

I asked my PCP if anyone in his family ever needed heart surgery. He said yes & I asked who did it. At the hospital I was considering, I asked a few nurses the same question. The same name kept coming up. No one ever seemed to feel uncomfortable, since I had not asked them to evaluate anyone. I felt that was the best possible recommendation, and was very happy with that choice.