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J U N E 2 0 1 4 | O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
in to the gadget is tempting fate in the face of potentially devastating
consequences, both to the patient and to his or her career.
As practitioners, until we recognize and fully embrace this realiza-
tion, the problem is only going to get worse. The young professionals
now entering the field were born with this technology. The world is
their electronic oyster and it has been for as long as they can remem-
ber. They are, in a very real sense, addicted to their gadgets.
Into reverse
The fact that the technology is potentially as helpful as it is harmful
may be the reason there's been no stampede to outlaw gadgets in the
OR, no edicts akin to those against texting while driving that many
states now have in place. Nor should we want to ban all devices from
the OR. Throwing the
baby out with the
bath water doesn't
solve the problem.
Nor does punishing
all for the mistakes of
some. But it's up to us
to act nonetheless.
What can we do?
• Set an example.
It's
up to us as profes-
sionals to police our
own. That begins with
role modeling.
Vigilance and focused
attention on the
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