Posted by Carl Plaskett on January 11, 2003 at 21:15:10:
In Reply to: Research the specific doctor and procedure posted by Mike Ware on January 11, 2003 at 10:27:18:
Mike: AMEN! MY oft-repeated mantra: Get the REAL numbers for the physician being considered. Compare those to what is happening at the CC. One cannot argue with the success there, as they are under the microscope EVERY day because of their world-wide ranking. They allow their doctors to take all the time necessary to complete a procedure (cath lab and/or surgery). In the real world, most hospitals just can't allow that much time to one procedure. There IS a difference! Until these procedures are successfully shortened to 2 hours or so, few centers will be able to compete or do as many procedures. Practice (research/MANY procedures) DOES make perfect (or close to it).