Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
particularly in cardiac surgery, rise to great prominence, often on the back of a charismatic
leader that sets the culture, then collapse again as the leaders leave. The same charismatic
power existed with Steve Jobs and one wonders how Apple will do with his leaving. Around
the United States there have been some 10 to 12 cardiac surgery programs that at various times
where the best in the world but have subsequently collapsed and become mere entities. This is
something that always concerns us with our own program at the Cleveland Clinic. We realize
that we are really unique in having a great team of surgeons, all very competent, different age
groups, clinical interests and experience levels. Having patients transferred from all over the
country is also a fairly unique situation, with some of the surgeons' practices being 80%
dependent on patients from outside our local county. Something that we also think a lot about
and try to strategize and plan for are the challenges that lie ahead, particularly with the
declining economy, people being more concerned about the expense of traveling to Cleveland,
and the new healthcare legislation. We have to continue to provide both better quality, patient
satisfaction, and value for our patients. The financial situation also impacts the hospital
administration side of the equation with some 15% of our patients unable to pay the cost of
their hospital stay because of bad debt, charity care, “self-pay,” or increasingly larger co-pay
for hospital care. This amounts to an uncollected staggering about $530 million for the current
year to date (2011).
As an aside, as a physician, there are few things as satisfying as getting a letter or card from
a patient to hear they are doing well after surgery. I always return a card, for I am reminded
that of the ten lepers healed only the one Samaritan returned to say thank you, and I am
fortunate when a grateful patients lets me know they are living well and happily with their
families. What can be better than that? Cardiovascular surgeons have a unique privilege of
saving lives acutely, reducing pain and suffering and also prolonging people's lives, apart
from a wonderful technical and intellectually stimulating profession.
At the end of the day they lay their weary heads down on their pillows grateful for a good
day, but hopefully at the end of their careers, they are recognized as being of good character
and having done good for others, although in the back of their minds there will always carry
the memories of those that did not make it.
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