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May 25, 2011 Wednesday 4:14 PM GMT
Hospital Ordered to Pay Surgeon Hrayr Shahinian, M.D. More Than $6 Million
The Court Is Upholding Its Multi-Million-Dollar Verdict Against
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, a Success for Whistleblower Hrayr
Shahinian, M.D. and Reputable Medical Doctors Everywhere
LOS ANGELES, CA; May 25, 2011
The California Court of Appeals has upheld a world-renowned surgeon's
multi-million dollar judgment against Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,
stemming from the hospital's negligence in maintaining and sterilizing
surgical instruments -- measures that had put patients' lives at
stake. The Court also reaffirmed the original ruling that Cedars and
much of its executive staff engaged in retaliatory measures against
Hrayr Shahinian, M.D., which damaged his practice and reputation,
resulting in a loss of revenue.
"Once again, the Court has bravely ruled against one of the most
powerful medical institutions in the country in favor of patient care
and the ability of one surgeon to continue helping patients facing
uncertain futures," said Shahinian. "Justice has prevailed."
Dr. Hrayr Shahinian was recently honored by NASA for his role in
developing technology that allows surgeons to see 3D high-def images
of the brain and scientists to capture 3D images of planetary
surfaces. "For several years now my time, resources and attention have
been split between advancing science, caring for my patients and
deflecting the seemingly countless salvos that are part and parcel of
wrangling with Cedars-Sinai."
Shahinian is referring to a malpractice suit he is currently
appealing, in which he says a Cedars staff member falsely testified
against him. "The chief witness against me in that trial is a staff
member at Cedars-Sinai who is the very person who replaced me when I
broke ties with the hospital over this whistle-blowing incident," he
said. "To detail every incident in which Cedars has attempted to
destroy my career would fill a book."
"Cedars-Sinai is using its vast resources to drown Dr. Shahinian in
litigation," added attorney Robert C. Baker, who represented
Shahinian. "They have been using the legal system to kill his career."
These are a few of the disturbing revelations that Shahinian brought
to light in the original case:
-- In numerous instances, bioburden (brain matter) was found on surgical
instruments supposedly sterilized by Cedars-Sinai. Had they been used,
patients would have been vulnerable to a host of infections including
one resembling "mad cow" disease.
-- Shahinian was pressured to extend overnight stays long beyond what was
medically necessary to increase revenue for the hospital.
-- Shahinian was "encouraged" to refer patients to Cedars staff
physicians even when they were not qualified in order to increase
revenue for the hospital.
-- Cedars regularly engaged in the practice of flash sterilization
instead of proper procedure. (This should only be used in rare
instances such as when an instrument is dropped during surgery and it
is necessary to complete the procedure. Proper sterilization is an
overnight process and much safer for patients.)
-- Cedars-Sinai withheld key information from the investigators during
the original investigation in 2006.
-- Shahinian's refusal to "buckle" under pressure from the hospital made
him the target of a campaign designed to harm his practice and
reputation.
For more information on Dr. Shahinian and his revolutionary surgical
techniques, visit http://skullbaseinstitute.com/.
About Hrayr Shahinian, M.D.:
Dr. Shahinian has earned international attention for his
groundbreaking minimally invasive approach to the surgical procedure
to remove brain and skull base tumors and treat other related
abnormalities. His revolutionary techniques have helped more than
4,500 patients who benefited from fewer complications, shortened
hospital stays and decreased recovery times. To date, Shahinian has
treated patients from all 50 states as well as Mexico, Canada, Japan,
South Korea, Australia, Armenia, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Italy,
France, Poland, Egypt and Israel. The efficacy of Shahinian's
minimally invasive techniques over the open craniotomy and other
traditional methods have been documented in prestigious peer-reviewed
journals, medical books and, most recently, a textbook authored by
Shahinian entitled "Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery."
SOURCE: Skull Base Institute
May 25, 2011 Wednesday 4:14 PM GMT
Hospital Ordered to Pay Surgeon Hrayr Shahinian, M.D. More Than $6 Million
The Court Is Upholding Its Multi-Million-Dollar Verdict Against
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, a Success for Whistleblower Hrayr
Shahinian, M.D. and Reputable Medical Doctors Everywhere
LOS ANGELES, CA; May 25, 2011
The California Court of Appeals has upheld a world-renowned surgeon's
multi-million dollar judgment against Cedars-Sinai Medical Center,
stemming from the hospital's negligence in maintaining and sterilizing
surgical instruments -- measures that had put patients' lives at
stake. The Court also reaffirmed the original ruling that Cedars and
much of its executive staff engaged in retaliatory measures against
Hrayr Shahinian, M.D., which damaged his practice and reputation,
resulting in a loss of revenue.
"Once again, the Court has bravely ruled against one of the most
powerful medical institutions in the country in favor of patient care
and the ability of one surgeon to continue helping patients facing
uncertain futures," said Shahinian. "Justice has prevailed."
Dr. Hrayr Shahinian was recently honored by NASA for his role in
developing technology that allows surgeons to see 3D high-def images
of the brain and scientists to capture 3D images of planetary
surfaces. "For several years now my time, resources and attention have
been split between advancing science, caring for my patients and
deflecting the seemingly countless salvos that are part and parcel of
wrangling with Cedars-Sinai."
Shahinian is referring to a malpractice suit he is currently
appealing, in which he says a Cedars staff member falsely testified
against him. "The chief witness against me in that trial is a staff
member at Cedars-Sinai who is the very person who replaced me when I
broke ties with the hospital over this whistle-blowing incident," he
said. "To detail every incident in which Cedars has attempted to
destroy my career would fill a book."
"Cedars-Sinai is using its vast resources to drown Dr. Shahinian in
litigation," added attorney Robert C. Baker, who represented
Shahinian. "They have been using the legal system to kill his career."
These are a few of the disturbing revelations that Shahinian brought
to light in the original case:
-- In numerous instances, bioburden (brain matter) was found on surgical
instruments supposedly sterilized by Cedars-Sinai. Had they been used,
patients would have been vulnerable to a host of infections including
one resembling "mad cow" disease.
-- Shahinian was pressured to extend overnight stays long beyond what was
medically necessary to increase revenue for the hospital.
-- Shahinian was "encouraged" to refer patients to Cedars staff
physicians even when they were not qualified in order to increase
revenue for the hospital.
-- Cedars regularly engaged in the practice of flash sterilization
instead of proper procedure. (This should only be used in rare
instances such as when an instrument is dropped during surgery and it
is necessary to complete the procedure. Proper sterilization is an
overnight process and much safer for patients.)
-- Cedars-Sinai withheld key information from the investigators during
the original investigation in 2006.
-- Shahinian's refusal to "buckle" under pressure from the hospital made
him the target of a campaign designed to harm his practice and
reputation.
For more information on Dr. Shahinian and his revolutionary surgical
techniques, visit http://skullbaseinstitute.com/.
About Hrayr Shahinian, M.D.:
Dr. Shahinian has earned international attention for his
groundbreaking minimally invasive approach to the surgical procedure
to remove brain and skull base tumors and treat other related
abnormalities. His revolutionary techniques have helped more than
4,500 patients who benefited from fewer complications, shortened
hospital stays and decreased recovery times. To date, Shahinian has
treated patients from all 50 states as well as Mexico, Canada, Japan,
South Korea, Australia, Armenia, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Italy,
France, Poland, Egypt and Israel. The efficacy of Shahinian's
minimally invasive techniques over the open craniotomy and other
traditional methods have been documented in prestigious peer-reviewed
journals, medical books and, most recently, a textbook authored by
Shahinian entitled "Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery."
SOURCE: Skull Base Institute