Scott and White Hospital Rose Abel,Rick Roberson Surgery NEGLECT in TEXAS Temple, Texas

THIS IS A LETTER WRITTEN TO THE HEAD OF SCOTT AND WHITE HOSPITAL IN TEMPLE TEXAS AFTER I RECEIVED A SURGERY SURVEY

THIS SURGERY HAPPENED IN SEPTEMBER 2008

Alfred B. Knight, M.D. President & CEO

Scott & White

Dear Mr. Knight,

Recently you sent me a letter thanking me for choosing Scott & White Hospital for my care. In your letter, you state that Scott & White provides their patients the highest quality health care possible. At my recent visit to the Day Surgery Pavilion on September 9, 2008, I had 2 ( two ) surgeries scheduled with my Orthopedic doctors William P. Hamilton, M.D. and Douglas Fornfeist, M.D.

A family member of mine, Candace Barr was present at the time of the scheduled surgery. While being prepped for the scheduled surgery, I saw a doctor (Hispanic) from anesthesiology. The doctor ordered several blood tests before the surgery. The nurse (Rose) took blood from my right hand for a potassium test. The nurse then had problems with the machine. A few minutes later the doctor came back in and stated we were going to have to re-do the test (because of what the anestheologist doctor) because my potassium level was at 6.6.

 At that time I asked why we were waiting to do test at the time of surgery. He then stated that it sounded as if I was going to refuse the test. I told him that in the past all of my blood work was usually done before the surgery and that I always met with my family doctor for the physical and had blood work done at that time. He stormed out of the room. The nurse explained to me and Candy that my level was to high to do the surgery and that he wasnt comfortable with the results.

 A few moments later, supposedly the head doctor from anesthesiology came into the room with the doctor (Hispanic or Indian) wanting to know why I was refusing to take another test. Doctors Bill Hamilton and Doug Fornfeist were present in the room when the doctor from anesthesiology (Rick Roberson) came into the room. He began to question why I was refusing the test. Dr. Fornfeist spoke up and stated, Larry has never refused a test when it has come to his surgeries. Larry doesnt refuse test. Dr. Fornfeist then told me that I would take another test to satisfy the doctor and we would get on with the surgery.

Both Dr. Hamilton and Dr.Doug Fornfeist said they would see me in the O.R. in a bit after the test and left my room. Rose then stopped and realized that she had not retaken the potassium test that the doctor from anesthesiology had wanted again. As I lay in the bed, both Candy and I watched the nurse take a pair of forceps and proceeded to dig into the sharps box and tried to retrieve the syringe. After grabbing the syringe with blood in it, she started to test the blood. Rose was having problems getting the machine to work properly. Another nurse came into the room and asked Rose if she needed some help.

Rose stated that she was having a problem with the machine and could not get it to do the test. The nurse then tried to assist Rose in completing the test, scanning her badge ID several times to get the machine to work. Finally the nurse told Rose that she would have to fill the machine to a certain level before the machine would work accurately. Rose did the test 3 different times before finally getting the blood test to read on the machine. At that time, Rose stated that my potassium level was a 3.8 and I could go ahead and have my surgery.

 Rose then left the room to inform the doctors of the test results. Candy and I both looked at each other. Candy stated that how did she know if she got your blood or not. Candy walked over to the sharps container on the wall. There was only 1 (one) other syringe in the hazard box. How does she know if that was yours? Thats not right, Candy stated. I was then taken into the O.R. where I tried to tell Dr. Hamilton what happened. Before I could tell Dr. Hamilton what had happened, I was put to sleep.

 I continue to have problems with my left arm and shoulder at this time. Dr. Bill Hamilton and Dr. Doug Fornfeist were notified of what took place at the time of my surgery in a return appointment several weeks later.