FeedHaitian ‘Family’ Questions OSF
December 30, 2006 in Local
The Journal Star published a forum article today written by Maxime Petion’s host family in the Peoria area.
Maxime is a young Haitian man who was operated at
Maxime needed to return to OSF. However he was denied care by OSF. Doug Marshall, OSF attorney, was the bearer of the bad news.
Then
Haitian Hearts has had five patients accepted at Cleveland Clinic over the years and they gave Maxime a great gift and accepted him. Cleveland Clinic has been rated the number one cardiac center in the United States. We were able to obtain a travel visa for Maxime and put him on the plane last week. He is hospitalized at Cleveland Clinic currently.
In today’s forum article, Maxime’s former host family in the Peoria area is asking a simple question: How could OSF allow their disagreement with me influence their Mission Statements and refuse Maxime and other Haitian children at OSF? Jackson Jean-Baptiste was refused care at OSF last year and died.
The answer is OSF feels very challenged and has dug itself into a hole.
I questioned OSF regarding their lack of bed capacity which helped to exacerbate long and dangerous patient waiting times in the Emergency Room. I have questioned OSF and the monopoly of ambulance care in the city of Peoria. I have questioned OSF for delaying Haitian surgery (while the child was sick and in Peoria), and have questioned OSF for attempting to obtain funds that were specifically designated for
Mr. Marshall writes about cooperation and respect. OSF definitely needs to show cooperation and respect for the pre hospital patients in central Illinois and for the very ill Haitian Hearts children trapped here in Haiti.
John A. Carroll. M.D.
www.peoriasmedicalmafia.com
December 31st, 2006 at 10:47 am
Dr. Carroll,
Why can’t you just celebrate the fact that Maxime is receiving excellent care for his condition at one of the top heart hospitals in the country? Isn’t THAT what’s truly important?
If OSF refuses one of your patients, you try another center … and another … and another … and another until you find one that will accept him. Banging your head against OSF’s wall after they’ve denied acceptance seems a waste of your patients’ precious time.
If I was a hospital administrator, and I knew about your history as loud, frequent and OBSESSIVELY persistent critic of OSF on multiple issues, I wouldn’t touch your patients with a ten foot pole. What if there’s a bad outcome? In complicated heart patients, that unfortunately happens all too frequently. If one of your patients died at OSF, I can just imagine your letters and blog posts now … “OSF kills Haitian Hearts patient.” I’m sure the OSF administrators are imagining the same thing. As I and many others have pointed out on this blog, there are innumerable other good & worthy causes that OSF can champion without having to deal with you. I don’t blame them a bit, frankly.
Your attitude and obsession with knocking down OSF at every opportunity is a detriment to your patients, sir. Can’t you see that?
December 31st, 2006 at 11:48 am
OSF and any other hospital might have some ethical obligations to serve any and all who come through their doors but what is assumed in the obligation is that it is local in nature, not global. You are trafficing people from another country, then target OSF out of multitudes of other hospitals, and then get upset when they turn you and them away.
Maybe we should pick a hospital in some other country and traffic out our local charity cases and see what happens. Lets pick a hospital in lets say… Cuba (they actually have decent doctors. It’s one thing Castro did well with) and see how long that lasts. Then lets be critical of them for not catering to our every need. I am sure they will be more warm and accomadating afterward.
January 1st, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Dear Dr. Knight,
Thank you for your advice regarding trying another medical center…and another. We have done that for a decade and have 16 other hospitals in the United States and Guatemala involved with Haitian children. (In Haiti, I have admitted Haitian Hearts children to 7 hospitals for surgeries and medical care that could be accomplished here.) As you can see, no time was wasted getting Maxime accepted and people did celebrate in Peoria and Haiti when Cleveland Clinic gave him the thumbs up.
Cleveland Clinic accepted their first Haitian Hearts patient a few years ago when I examined a 19 year old girl here in Port-au-Prince who had severe aortic insufficiency (a leaky aortic valve) and cardiac cachexia. She also had a well healed scar down the middle of her breast bone. Her name is Farrah.
When I asked Farrah who operated her, she said Cleveland Clinic, when she was 12 years old. I contacted Cleveland Clinic when I returned to the U.S. and told them about Farrah’s condition and examination.
The chief of pediatric heart surgery at Cleveland Clinic was Dr. Roger Mee. He was one of the world’s leaders in pediatric heart surgery, especially well known for his approach to cyanotic congenital heart disease. When he heard that Farrah needed repeat surgery, he accepted her stating that she is Cleveland Clinic’s responsibility. They had operated her when she was much younger and he still considered Farrah his patient. They asked for no funds for Farrah.
Farrah was operated at Cleveland Clinic and did great after receiving a new aortic valve.
Dr. Knight, as you can see, Cleveland Clinic’s philosophy for their Haitian patients that need repeat heart surgery differs from OSF in Peoria. Cleveland Clinic has a humane policy.
The physicians and nursing staff and operating teams and perfusionists at OSF know my Haitian patients very well. They want to donate their time and skills for these kids. They want them to return to OSF. Haitian Hearts has offered full and partial charges for these very kids. And very clearly, their host families in Peoria would like them back.
The problem, as you point out, is at the “administrative” level. Until the administrative team changes, the punitive measures against the Haitian Hearts patients will continue.
Dr. Knight, which medical center do you work for?
I believe you have a very troubled conscience. As a physician, you surely understand the importance of “continuity of care”. And you won’t challenge OSF because it could mean the end of your career in Peoria whether they sign your paycheck or not. You are in a tough position.
It is a new year and I wish you courage and strength.
John
January 1st, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Dr. Carroll,
You were terminated by OSF. This all seems like EXTREMELY sour grapes.
They are NOT my employer, by the way. You can take back your condescension and implied accusations of conflict of interest. My conscience is doing just fine, thanks.
I understand the concept of continuity of care. However, if OSF has refused care, you move on to other options. I’m glad that you did and that Cleveland Clinic accepted. You just seem to spend an inordinate amount of time writing these blog posts … and letters ad nauseam. I just think that effort might be better spent on treating your patients and eliciting donations with honey instead of vinegar.
Do you really think that constantly berating OSF at every opportunity is going to open doors for you??? Your patients are very lucky that your obsession with bringing down OSF hasn’t shut more doors.
Is seeking vengeance against OSF for firing you really worth compromising the care of your patients?
January 1st, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Dear Dr. Knight,
How could I possibly “bring down” OSF? It is a 1.6 billion dollar industry and one of the top two employers in Peoria. OSF is working on a new 234 million dollar campus renovation in Peoria.
I think you are giving me too much credit.
Remember, YOU have not turned down these Haitian children. OSF has denied them medical care and YOU do not need to defend OSF…although it seems like you feel your support of OSF is necessary. I am sure they appreciate your efforts, but that is why they have Hinshaw@Culbertson at their beck and call.
Again, I hope the new year brings you strength and courage.
John