A FIGHT FOR FULL DISCLOSURE

A DEPARTMENT HEAD FIGHTS THE HOSPITAL FO.R. FULL DISCLOSURE ABOUT THE EVENTS THAT LED TO THE DEATH OF CARLA WILLIAMS AFTER A ROUTINE SURGERY.. Carla Williams a mother of three and popular high school teacher undergoes a routine surgery which does not go as planned. Department Chair Harold Thompson becomes an unlikely ally when he vows to find and share the truth about what happened to Carla. Thompson reassures Carla’s distraught physician as he becomes convinced that the surgeon did nothing wrong. Despite the hospital’s pledge of transparency once the requisite investigation is completed Thompson’s efforts to keep his word collide with the institution’s traditions of secrecy and finger-pointing. The Department Chair’s quest to reveal the truth results in accusations of unprofessional conduct and he is targeted by the hospital’s power brokers who move to revoke his hospital privileges and fire him. What began as a fight for full disclosure also becomes a fight for Thompson’s career and his reputation.. ExcerptWarren struggled “If this isn’t a true emergency I don’t know what the hell…” He looked at Carla and then quickly up at Sue. They both realized Carla wasn’t breathing. Warren ignored whatever authority Pauline had. He moved toward the door ahead of him. The group followed his instructions and pushed the gurney through the door marked “O.R. 3.” “Call a code now!” he yelled while letting down the gurney’s side rail. With the first two fingers of his right hand Warren felt the weak thready pulse in Carla’s neck. He fought the tsunami of anxiety and raw fear that was poised to overwhelm him. Instead without hesitation he started mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Sue located a hand held resuscitation balloon bag and handed it to Warren. He formed a tight seal over Carla’s mouth and nose with the face cover portion of the device and rhythmically squeezed air into her lungs with his right hand. Janie connected an oxygen line to the bag’s side port.