Good sources of info on surgeons?

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DaveEM

VR.org Supporter
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Joined
Sep 28, 2008
Messages
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Location
Kensington, MD
Hi All,

As I prepare for aortic valve replacement surgery in December, I need to choose a surgeon. There are two surgeons in my health plan at the hospital where I'll be having the surgery. I'm trying to locate good research information on them. So far I've used the "HealthGrades" website to obtain reports on them, but the information was thin. Are there any other good internet sites I can use to develop more information about them?

Thanks!!

Dave
 
Don't even be tempted to pay money to 'healthgrades' to buy full reports. I DID and their report was not EVEN updated with regards to my surgeon. The way I researched was going to the hospital sights, checking the surgeons' list, then I checked their CVs. After that, I called their offices and asked the personal questions such as how many similar surgeries he did, would he meet with me without any commitment to ask other questions, etc.

Good luck:)
 
Ask the RN's. They are really the ones that know.

On the other hand I've been told. Most surgeons are good mechanics.

If you are going to have problems it is usually not because of the surgeon,
but because of something else.

If you have a cardio re-hab., the RN,s that work there really-really know.

Please remember...that's just my opinion.
 
Once dx'd I found there were many more people who have had the surgery. I would begin with the RN's as suggested, but you will find as you tell people of the dx they will know someone who has been through it. I was amazed!!
 
I ask this every time I read it and have never gotten an answer.

How is it you "Interview the RN's"?

You cannot get into CICU at MGH unless let in. It is locked to everyone except those who belong coming in.

For Cardiac Floor....... You simply walk onto the floor and start asking nurses questions? These nurses are BUSY people. I can't imagine a stranger can simply present themselves on the Cardiac Surgical Floor and interview for RN's opinions of Surgeons.

What am I missing?

I absolutely agree they know best and if you have access to RN's who care for these post op patients, they are a wonderful source of info but how to you go about speaking with them?

I hope this time, someone will respond. It is something I've wondered about since I began reading here.
 
Interviews

Interviews

Yeah, they tend to be busy in the ICCU's and ICU's. I had my cardiologist set me up with an appointment with the supervisor of the cardiac care unit where I had my surgery. The ICCU supervisor listened to my questions about surgeon choice, escorted me through the unit, introduced me to staff members, helped facilitate conversations with the staff, and invited me to visit as often as it took to help me get my head around what was going to happen when I had surgery.

I pretty much knew what the nursing staff looked like by the time I visited the unit several times. Their comments about my surgeon helped with my confidence.

I don't know if anyone else went to the extreme that I did, but I really needed the help they offered. I really struggled with the whole idea of having heart surgery. A few weeks after my surgery, I returned to the unit to deliver some wine for the staff.

-Philip
 
Jkm7 said:
I ask this every time I read it and have never gotten an answer.

How is it you "Interview the RN's"?

What am I missing?

I absolutely agree they know best and if you have access to RN's who care for these post op patients, they are a wonderful source of info but how to you go about speaking with them?

I hope this time, someone will respond. It is something I've wondered about since I began reading here.
Click to expand...

I have "interviewed" Rn's in situations where the RN was the friend of a friend. Surprising how these things spread. Also before my TEE I "dropped in" at the information desk of the Same Day Surgery Unit. I had not been to that hospital before and did not realize what exactly the TEE would be. An "aide" provided me with a written detail of the test, pre instructions and post instructions. She introduced me to many RN's and staff in the prep and post areas. I had a chance to ask about the doc and techs who would be doing the TEE. I did visit later in the day when their busy time had passed. My anxiety was gone. When I returned several days later for the test, many staff members stopped by to wish me well. Jennifer
 
I started at the re-hap/3rd floor for me.

I said I would be doing re-hab after my operation and

wondered if they would mind if I asked a few questions.

It was easy.

I then went to the recovery floor as if I were visiting a friend.

The RN's weren't all that busy all the time.

I asked many q's.
 
Thank you. Excellent. Total respect for those of you who knew what you wanted and found a way to do /to get what it was you needed and wanted. Your methods were rewarded.

Thanks for sharing. It has been something I've wondered about.
 
This may sound a little out there, but here in Portland Metro we have a magazine.... Portland Monthly. Once a year all the physicians in the Portland metro area supposedly "rate" each other and the stats are put into this one month's magazine. While it may be somewhat of a popularity contest, the articles are very informative and all the "best" do seem to make the list. And you get all their phone numbers and such. This month it's all about restaurants (for which we are increasingly very famous for, actually!)

http://www.portlandmonthlymag.com/issues/current-issue/articles/1108-best-restaurants

Anyway, I don't know if there is a local DC magazine which does this. My cardio is always in the top 10. She recommended a surgeon. I interviewed him, and the one at a different hospital who had done my father's triple by-pass. I chose the hospital rather than the surgeon, actually, and just went with her recommendation since they were both awesome.

You really need to find someone who is very familiar with your particular set of needs. Find a hospital who caters to that type of surgery (good heavens, in DC there must be a ton....what about Johns Hopkins????) and then set up some consultations.

Don't forget to shake the surgeon's hand. After all.....it's those hands who will be holding your heart. A good vibe is important, too!! :D

Good luck. Steady as she goes! You sure sound great!!

Marguerite
 
Washingtonian Magazine

Washingtonian Magazine

Thanks, Marguerite, we have something similar here in the D.C. area. The mag is Washingtonian Magazine. I'll have to check it out for its review of area doctors. Thanks for the tip!

Duff Man, I appreciate the tip re: Vitals.com. It did give me some good additional information.

Dave
 
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