Trauma doctors may be returning to UMC

Thursday, July 11, 2002 | 11:10 a.m.

Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny said she remains hopeful that University Medical Center's trauma center will reopen soon because a small number of orthopedic surgeons have agreed to return.

Kenny, chairwoman of the hospital board, said she plans to meet again this evening with the surgeons. She said fewer than the estimated 10 to 15 orthopedic surgeons needed to staff the trauma center round the clock have agreed so far to return. But she expressed hope that a formal announcement can be made as early as Friday.

"I've been working with the doctors individually and as a group," Kenny said. "Some have agreed to come back but not enough to reopen the center. We're working toward that goal."

Kenny said one problem is logistical because some of the surgeons had made other commitments or took vacation time since the trauma center closed on July 3. Even if an announcement is made to reopen the center, Kenny said she did not know how long it would take to become operational.

"I'm betting on the fact we have an announcement Friday but I'm not certain," Kenny said. "It depends on how quickly we can put out calls to the doctors."

The state's only level one trauma center closed after all but one of the hospital's 58 orthopedic surgeons resigned. They argued that skyrocketing medical malpractice insurance premiums made it difficult for them to treat high-risk trauma patients.

The closure has forced transport of trauma patients to the nearest hospital, where attempts are made to stabilize those individuals. If necessary, the patients are then transported to another hospital where they can get more specialized treatment.

The state attorney general's office paved the way for surgeons to return to county-run UMC by issuing an opinion that the hospital's $50,000 cap on liability damages could be extended to the physicians temporarily. The extension would apply for 45 days after the trauma center reopens.

One orthopedic surgeon who has agreed to return, Dr. Michael Daubs, said today he made that decision because of the attorney general's opinion.

"We've gotten reassurances that the $50,000 cap will give us the protection we need in the short term," Daubs, president of the Nevada Orthopedic Society, said. "The statement from the attorney general was hopeful that they will protect us and that this will stand up in court."

Daubs said his attorney is checking into whether the cap will also apply to continuous care that the surgeons provide to trauma patients at their private practice offices.

"There are a few loopholes we would like tightened up to make sure we're protected," Daubs said, referring to potential litigation.

"It may be tough to open the center this weekend because there would be logistical problems getting the center ready and getting the schedules made."

Dr. John Thalgott, another orthopedic surgeon, also said today he has agreed to return. He said he believes the center could be reopened within hours of an agreement.

"In my mind the short-term problem of the $50,000 cap has been solved adequately," Thalgott said. "I am recommending to my colleagues that we reopen the trauma center as quickly as the paperwork can be done."

As of this morning Daubs said the only other orthopedic surgeon he knew for sure was committed to returning to the trauma center was Dr. Anthony Serfustini, who is UMC's chief of orthopedics. Serfustini was not available for comment. But Daubs said he was optimistic that other surgeons would make commitments by this evening.

Dr. Raj Chanderraj, past president of the Clark County Medical Society, said he believed UMC was "pretty close" to getting back the orthopedic surgeons it needs to operate the trauma center round the clock.

"Most of the surgeons are contemplating returning to work," Chanderraj said.

"It sounds hopeful because the attorney general is backing the physicians all the way. By this weekend I believe the trauma center should be open."