Performing two surgeries at once isn’t against the rules. Should it be?

Doctors doubling-up on surgeries isn’t a new practice. It’s happened in teaching hospitals for years. But some doctors say  it’s time to put an end to “running two operating rooms,” citing potential risks to patients.

Debate flared in October 2015 after a Boston Globe investigation into surgical complications at Harvard’s Massachusetts General Hospital. The Globe reviewed a 10-year period, including two deaths and one patient who became paralyzed. The hospital denies any complications were tied to the practice of “concurrent surgeries.” The risks, they say, are tied to the types of surgeries.

Supporters say concurrent surgeries allow for efficiency and provide more training opportunities. Senior surgeons can navigate between rooms, performing complicated procedures while those in training perform more routine tasks.

Divided attention

But some doctors are expressing concerns about the risks associated with dividing their attention. The University of Michigan Health System ended the practice a decade ago. The Chair of Surgery, Michael Mulholland, saying all patients “deserve the sole and undivided attention of the surgeon, and that trumps all other considerations.”

Patient advocates say, at the very least, they should be told if their surgeon will be managing more than one procedure at a time, so they can decide if they want to share their surgeon.

Have you or a family member experienced delays in treatment or complications due to over-scheduling or double-booking? Share your story.