2011
A medical audit of the Excela Health hospital system in western Pennsylvania has shown that 149 coronary stent implants placed in 141 patients in 2010 may not have been necessary. The significant amount of unnecessary stents represents possible medical malpractice issues for the hospital system. Cardiologists identified as having performed the medically unnecessary procedures have been let go from the hospital system's staff.
Generally, patients who normally receive coronary stents have arteries that are narrowed or block by fatty plaque. Coronary stents are placed in patients' arteries through a catheterization process, and the stents help support artery walls. Supported and more open artery walls help keep oxygen laden blood flowing to the heart. In February 2010, the CEO of Excela Health learned of possible problems with stent procedures there.
The following May a medical audit was conducted on performed procedures of the hospital system's cardiologists. A panel of seven cardiologists from across the United States reviewed cases of patients who had coronary stents placed. The panel reviewed the severity of patient blockage, responses to stress tests and symptoms. The panel's review led to the focus of two doctors.
Normally, the threshold of a patient needing a stent implant is an arterial blockage of 70 percent. The review panel looked at patients whose blockage was 50 percent or less in order to determine whether their overall case merited a stent implant. It is through this process that the panel identified 141 patients with 149 medically unnecessary implants. All patients who were identified were notified and are being offered free medical assistance.
Source: Pittsburg Post-Gazette, "Audit finds medically unnecessary stents placed," Jill Daly, 3/4/11
Tags: Pennsylvania, coronary stents, medical malpractice, medically unnecessaryComments: Leave a commentView the Original article