Surgery Change Needed Better Consent

The goal was to treat uncontrolled pain from tumors but the patient was left with unexpected hearing loss. The patient sued when she claimed the surgeon changed the side of the operation without consulting her. For ideas that might help prevent these negative outcomes, we talk with Douglas Smink, MD, MPH, an associate medical director for CRICO and the Chief of Surgery at Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital.