How do you know if a surgeon is a good surgeon?

[back2life]

You are so sweet! Consider us friends! I also need mutual support! I will send you my email in the PM.
How is your brother?
Hugs, Susan
Staph infections unfortunately happen, but it would be great to check the infection rate of a hospital. I asked Dr. Hu about how to prevent a staph infection, she said to get out of the hospital fast!

He bravely battled his cancer for 10 years and then it was time to say goodbye. There are only so many treatment options when dealing with the brain. We feel blessed that he had left behind a little 'mini-me' so his son is now 21 and a spitting image of his father. My brother taught me so much over those years that I carry through my trials in life, especially now. Wow, a few tears found there way out. Wasn't expecting that! But he was my big brother and could really do it all. He should not have been diagnosed at 19 with brain cancer and pass away within 10 years. Life isn't fair.

I think that infection from that hospital has a high rate from what I recall in doing my research. But even just knowing one person from within the last 8 months was too much for me.

Thanks Susan, my friend!

[susancook]

He bravely battled his cancer for 10 years and then it was time to say goodbye. There are only so many treatment options when dealing with the brain. We feel blessed that he had left behind a little 'mini-me' so his son is now 21 and a spitting image of his father. My brother taught me so much over those years that I carry through my trials in life, especially now. Wow, a few tears found there way out. Wasn't expecting that! But he was my big brother and could really do it all. He should not have been diagnosed at 19 with brain cancer and pass away within 10 years. Life isn't fair.

I think that infection from that hospital has a high rate from what I recall in doing my research. But even just knowing one person from within the last 8 months was too much for me.

Thanks Susan, my friend!

So sorry about your brother. You have him as your role model on how to tackle tough situations. That is something that nobody can take away from you. Keep him in your heart. Life is unfair. I think that our friends and relatives that have passed are really with us. Remember his strength and passion and celebrate it with your recovery!

Infection really scares me too!

I will call you, take care Jen! Hugs, Susan

[aileens]

I remembered reading this thread a while back and it came to mind when I read this NY Times article: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/1...s&emc=rss&_r=0 (hope everyone can read it, I have a subscription but this may be a free article). It's a little scary to read how much skill influences patient outcomes but that there's no reliable way to determine the skill of your surgeon. Hope the profession figures out a way to address this and share the information with the public.

[susancook]

Thanks Aileens for the article. So how does the consumer check out a surgon's skill? How can a patient find out a surgeon's post-op complication rate, complications rate, re-operation, read mission, and infection rate? When I worked for Kaiser NW most of the staff saw 1 or 2 surgeons as we knew that they were the best. Now I am a consumer in another health care system and I want to know how to evaluate a surgeon!
Susan