Reaons why I'll never have surgery at OHSU

I hope that the spotlight that the Tram brouhaha catches in the shadows several other "issues" related to OHSU's enterprises. Keeping it short, here are the reasons I will never have major surgery at OHSU.

1. Even if I spend time and effort searching out the right, board certified doctor, there is some large probability that some 20-30 year old resident will do most of the work. Remember OHSU is a teaching hospital. (Do you get a price discount? Who knows and, with insurance, who cares?)
2. OHSU does not have to report any malpractice claims against it or its "agents." This is a great way to shield incompetence and/or negligence. Private hospitals must report to the state any malpractice claims against it.
   
3. If the doctor/resident messes up, the absolute most you can collect from OHSU or its "agents" is $500,000 (and maybe less). Ask KATU anchor Ken Ackerman if that is enough to compensate for spending the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
4. The Tram and other SoWa expenses add to the enterprise's cost structure. The only result can be either (a) increased costs of care, and/or (b) decreased quality of care.

For more see the Oregonian's story on Ken Ackerman's lawsuit against OHSU, and KATU's story on OHSU's special status that allows it to dodge most of the damages in lawsuits that discipline private enterprises.

Bottom line: If you have major surgery stay away from anything (doctor, facilities, etc.) that has even whiff of OHSU. Even a slight affiliation can turn into a big shield if dollars are on the line.