Vanderbilt lawsuit

[RapSeqInt]

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Didn't really know how to bring this up at my interview. The court date is scheduled for February. Is there any chance this would have an impact on their residency program?

https://www.nashvillepost.com/news/...s_allege_vast_vumc_medicare_billing_deception

 

[Noyac]

"Vanderbilt's electronic record keeping system lists back-up surgeons who are purportedly available to cover the procedures of attending surgeons during times when those surgeons have more than one ongoing operation," the suit reads. "However, those covering surgeons are not actually responsible for those surgeries. Indeed, they are never in the operating suite and are frequently not even in the hospital during their scheduled coverage.

Oops!

 

[Spinach Dip]

Reminds me of the time when my gramps looked me in the eye and said, "It's only medicare fraud if you get caught."

 

[urge]

I don't think that is relevant during the interview. The hospital is not shutting down any time soon. I wouldn't worry about it. That's for administration to worry.

 

[vomidate121]

I feel like this is very pertinent. Maybe not enough to shut down the hospital but does it speak for deeper problems with the program and the attendings?

 

[partydoc]

Dude, this happens at most major medical centers across the country. They just happen to be getting sued for it.

 

[RapSeqInt]

Oh I don't doubt that, but the implication that residents were involved is what worries me. I'm sure the ACGME would have an issue with that.

"Vanderbilt trains and encourages residents to prepare false post-treatment records which indicate the presence of an attending physician ICUs, when in fact such physicians are not present," according to an oft-repeated allegation in the 71-page complaint.

 

[vomidate121]

How did you like them other than this whole mess?

 

[jthedestroyr]

Dude, this happens at most major medical centers across the country. They just happen to be getting sued for it.

The transition from protected medical student to in the trenches resident is an eye opening experience I think for many. Hell, the rotation I'm on now, one of the attendings NEVER shows up for minor procedures. It's only senior resident and me, the intern, yet you better believe every note says "Attending X was here for all critical parts of the procedure."

 

[PainDrain]

One thing I will always say about my attendings and the surgical attendings during residency is that they were always there. I never once saw a patient draped, let alone cut, without a surgical attending in the room and scrubbed. I think it came down from high up in all the departments that attendings had to do their jobs, not simply collect a check.

Now my medical school was a different story. I know the ENT program basically let the residents do whatever they wanted. And the attending would stick their head in the door for a few minutes each case, then back out to the lounge. Unethical and illegal.

 

[deleted547339]

One thing I will always say about my attendings and the surgical attendings during residency is that they were always there. I never once saw a patient draped, let alone cut, without a surgical attending in the room and scrubbed. I think it came down from high up in all the departments that attendings had to do their jobs, not simply collect a check.

Now my medical school was a different story. I know the ENT program basically let the residents do whatever they wanted. And the attending would stick their head in the door for a few minutes each case, then back out to the lounge. Unethical and illegal.

How is that illegal? If they are there for the key portion, whatever that means, I thought that's totally legit?

 

[PainDrain]

How is that illegal? If they are there for the key portion, whatever that means, I thought that's totally legit?

So what constitutes the "key portion"? Closing skin? Coming off bypass? Removal of the cross clamp? It's vague but sticking your head in the door while going room to room is not legit and anyone can see that.