Is it possible to make a $50 donation and receive the video Fix It?

PRESS RELEASE: New Book by Surgeon to Protect Healthcare Consumers


Hello,


PRESS RELEASE: Surgeon Mark Davis, M.D. has written a new book for the general public, “Irresponsible: What Surgeons Won’t Tell you and How to Protect Yourself”. Irresponsible is the first book to focus on the risk to patients of becoming infected with hepatitis C, HIV and other infectious diseases during surgical procedures, and how transparency and consumer pressure can drive safer delivery of surgical care. The following Blurb and Advance Reviews by leading healthcare safety experts describe the focus of the book, its intended audience and the author’s credentials. Should you have any questions, please contact me.


Irresponsible is available at Amazon Kindle and can be read on any device, including computers, tablets and smart phones, using the free Kindle app. To learn more, follow this link: http://www.amazon.com/Irresponsible-What-Surgeons-Protect-Yourself-ebook/dp/B00ZEBGU36

Thanks for all you do, and kind regards,


Mark Davis, MD

(941) 383-6061

Mobile (404) 556-3359

[email protected]


Blurb: Every day, thousands of unsuspecting patients enter operating rooms, where surgeons often fail to employ appropriate safeguards to prevent their exposure to HIV and hepatitis C. Now the public can learn the truth about this previously undisclosed health risk. In a startling revelation of the frequent omission of required safety measures, surgeon/author Mark Davis, M.D. provides the reader with a behind-the-scenes view – and tells what they can do to protect themselves. Sooner or later everyone, or a family member, will need to face surgery. Irresponsible is a surgeon’s bold mission to make surgical procedures more transparent and safer for patients.

Praise for Irresponsible by leading healthcare safety experts:

“Once again, Dr. Mark Davis has taken an innovative approach to reducing the transmission of disease to surgeons and the operating room team during surgical procedures. Using the model of the airline industry, Dr. Davis applies well-established protocols that have worked to reduce risk in that industry. After years of work to make surgeons and the surgical team more aware of ways to reduce their risk of unintended injuries, he now recruits the patient as an ally in this struggle. This new publication by Dr. Davis draws upon his experience as a surgeon and describes some of the innovative ways he has advocated for change in the past. The book describes concise and feasible actions the public, particularly patients, can take to protect themselves and the surgical team who cares for them. The information is easy to read in non-technical language that makes his recommendations realistic. This is a must-read for anyone concerned about preserving the safety and health of patients and their healthcare providers in the operating room” . . . Elise Handelman, RN, MEd, Certified Occupational Health Nurse Specialist, consultant. Former Director for the Office of Occupational Health Nursing, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

“Nearly everyone has to face surgery at some point in their lives–either their own surgery or that of a family member. Yet few know about the possibility of being exposed to an infected healthcare worker during surgery. And if such an exposure occurs, few exposed patients will ever be informed of it. There are regulations in place that are ignored, prevention opportunities missed, and a culture of nondisclosure that is tolerated–all at the expense of patient safety. Dr. Davis pulls back the surgical drapes and takes a hard look at the anatomy of this problem. An informed surgical patient can tip the odds in his or her own favor. An informed public can demand change in a system that continues to relegate this safety issue to a back burner. This book will help surgical patients and their family members to broach this subject with more confidence – as they have a right to do.” . . . Janine C Jagger, MPH, PhD. Professor of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine. Founder and Director, International Healthcare Worker Safety Center at the University of Virginia Health System

“Dr. Mark Davis has long been recognized as a vocal champion and leader in the arena of OR sharps safety, drawing attention to health care providers’ obligation to advance worker health and safety. Providers and patients face a host of risks when they enter the operating room, yet may falsely assume that all precautions have been taken to ensure their safety. This provocative and pioneering work shifts the focus to empowering consumers of health care, providing them with tools to help fill information gaps and advance safety for themselves and health care workers everywhere. Davis’ patient-centered approach to reducing preventable harm is timely and consistent with a vision of health care that actively engages patients in fostering an expectation that they receive the safest care possible. As direct consumers, patients deserve to be as informed as possible in every aspect of their care, including previously unspoken threats to their health. This book will make a major contribution to patient safety and empowerment.” . . . Karen Daley, PhD, RN, FAAN, President, American Nurses Association


“It is long overdue for a surgeon to write this book and Dr. Davis’ credentials make him the logical choice. It can be difficult for a patient to broach this topic with their surgeon but with this pioneering book as a guide, patients will have a new opportunity to begin the conversation that’s been lacking in the past.” . . . David D. Dodge, Past President and CEO PHT Services (PHTS), Columbia, SC (PHTS administers Palmetto Hospital Trust, a workers’ compensation group self-insurance pool for not-for-profit healthcare organizations in South Carolina.)

“Dr. Mark Davis takes the bold step to create awareness of the risk of contracting a bloodborne disease such as hepatitis C, hepatitis B, or HIV during surgery. Unknown to the majority of health care consumers, healthcare workers are at risk of contracting these diseases during surgery. If a healthcare worker sustains an injury from a scalpel, needle or other sharp instrument while operating on an infected patient, they are exposed to these bloodborne diseases. If the health care worker is not tested for hepatitis C, hepatitis B, or HIV after the exposure, and does not know they are infected, during subsequent procedures he or she can unintentionally and unknowingly transmit the infection to other patients in case of a sharps injury. Dr. Davis outlines these risks and offers preventative strategies for any surgical patient to decrease their risk of exposure to a serious bloodborne disease.

Numerous research studies have demonstrated that sharps injuries can be reduced by the use of safety devices, safer techniques for handling and passing sharps, and wearing two pairs of surgical gloves (i.e., double gloving). There is minimal adoption and compliance with these techniques among surgeons. Patients are empowered with Dr. Davis’ checklists to ask their health care team if they are using these sharps injury reduction techniques to decrease their odds of contracting a bloodborne disease during their surgical procedures. Additional beneficial checklists (e.g., necessary preoperative testing, patient history, information for the pre-op nurse, information for the anesthesia provider, preoperative instructions) are included. The recommendations for finding a good surgeon and a safe hospital or surgery center, and the role of the patient’s support person and safety advocate are very helpful additional resources.

The book not only informs the healthcare consumer of the facts and risks of contracting a bloodborne disease during surgery but what the consumer can do to be proactive about prevention. Dr. Davis takes an innovative approach to reducing sharps injuries and bloodborne pathogen exposure by involving the patient in the conversation. A great book that will make surgery safer for patients” . . . Mary J. Ogg, MSN, RN, CNOR. Perioperative Nursing Specialist, Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN)

Is the May 1 gala a go? No news seen since we heard the date from Donna in Feb.