APMA News - February 2012 - (Page 56)

Insurance Advisor By William F. Munsey, DPM Let the Music Play? QUESTION: A discussion in the doctor’s lounge revolved around the subject of music in the operating room. Several thought music would be a distraction to the surgeon and probably even more so to the staff. Others felt just the opposite, thinking that proper music would have a calming effect on the surgeon, staff, and patient. We also discussed what effect music in the operating room would have on a jury if something went wrong during a surgical case and a malpractice action resulted. Would you comment? ANSWER: It is obvious that even in a small group there is a difference of opinion about music in the OR. Three audiences must be considered: patient, surgeon, and staff. The type of anesthetic chosen for the patient will determine whether the patient is aware of the music. While the preference of each group is important, the effect the music will have on the surgeon is the most critical. Studies indicate that when a surgeon is performing familiar procedures, soft music does not interfere with performance and has a relaxing or calming effect. On the other hand, if the procedure is less familiar to the surgeon, or requires greater concentration, music tends to slow performance. You ask an interesting question about whether a plaintiff’s attorney could convince a jury that music playing during surgery compromised the doctor’s attention. I would like to relay two incidents from my personal experience. The first was my experience as a patient. A physician was performing a procedure on my back under local anesthesia. The doctor was professional, and the procedure was one he performed several times a day. His surgical assistant was playing tunes from the 1960s softly in the background and the doctor attempted to recall the name of the tune. The procedure went as planned and without complications. I asked myself if there had been a surgical mishap, would the music have been a causal factor? I’ll let you answer that question for yourself. My other experience was quite different. I agreed to evaluate the facts relating to a malpractice case for a trial lawyer with the understanding that I would provide an honest evaluation but would not testify as a witness for him or the plaintiff. The circumstances surrounding the case were as follows: The patient was a middle-aged woman scheduled for hallux valgus correction under local anesthetic in the operating room of the doctor’s office. The doctor ordered that a video be made of the procedure. Loud, upbeat music was playing during the procedure. According to the record, during the procedure, the extensor hallus longus tendon was severed, at which time video production was stopped and the music turned off. The records I reviewed indicated the patient had very limited dorsiflexion of the hallux. I am not aware of how this case settled, but it is obvious the environment in the operating room would be a factor in the jury’s deliberations. I think we can all agree there is a place for music in the operating room if it serves to calm the doctor, staff, and patient. There does not seem to be any circumstance where music would be a factor in a malpractice action unless it could be established beyond a doubt that it was distracting to the point that it caused the surgeon to make an error. n Contact Dr. Munsey at wfmunseydpm@gmail.com. New Members John Aker, DPM Prattville, AL Virit Dilip Butani, DPM Cerritos, CA Kordai I. DeCoteau, DPM Bronx, NY Sarah E. Edgar, DPM East Haven, CT Amit Gandhi, DPM Queens Village, NY Kyle Evan Johnson, DPM Hamden, CT Tahir A. Khan, DPM Hollis, NY Quynh P. Lee, DPM White Plains, NY Jacqueline O. Quintero, DPM Bronx, NY Jobeth M. Rollandini, DPM Saint Clairsville, OH Both New Members and Death Notices are for the period 11/28/2011–1/3/2012. Death Notices Bruce N. Carmean, DPM Decatur, IL Brian D. Jarvis, DPM, PhD Daly City, CA Sidney B. Ross, DPM Briarcliff Manor, NY Kent L. Scholl, DPM Neenah, WI LaToya Denita Smith, DPM Greenbelt, MD Kimberly Lynn Seaver, DPM Middletown, OH Danielle Rafaelle Seiler, DPM Allentown, PA Shaun M. Simmons, DPM Jacksonville, FL David E. Slate III, DPM Swampscott, MA Lauryn R. Smith, DPM Clementon, NJ 56 APMA News February 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - February 2012

APMA News - February 2012
President’s Message
Contents
APMA Social Media: 2011 Success and 2012 Stategy
The National in 2012: Celebrating 100 Years Advancing Podiatric Medicine
APMA By the Decade: 1922–1931
Profiles in Progress: Student Recruitment
2011 Podiatric Practice Survey: Sources for Patient Referrals
Confronting the Residency Shortage
Reimbursement
Federal Advocacy Forum
APMAPAC Chair Report
IT Consultant
Website Wisdom
Technofile
Young Voices
Small Business 101
APMA All Stars
Awards Nominations
In Short
Worthy of Note
Resolutions Submissions
Affiliates Corner
List of Affiliated Organizations
Insurance Advisor
New Members
Death Notices
Annual Scientifi c Meeting Registration Form
Annual Scientific Meeting Sponsors
APMAPAC Update
Development Update
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions

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