What do you think?
Rate this book
Collateral Damage: A Patient, a New Procedure, and the Learning Curve
Collateral Damage is a stark reminder of the human side of what may often be seen as statistics, hidden behind words such as “adverse patient outcome.” The book presents, in its clearest form, the suffering of those left damaged by medical complications. It makes for compelling reading for ethicists, lawyers, and patients. - Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, November 2014
- GenresNonfiction
202 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2010
6 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 13, 2010
A "must read," this is the gripping story of a nurse's struggle to survive her own stay at one of the country's top hospitals.
The real life experience of a patient who underwent treatment for a heart condition, it describes how the procedure became a nightmare, and offers a compelling behind-the-scenes look at the corrupting corporate influence on America's health care system.The stunning statements by research doctors reveals frighteningly casual attitudes toward patient safety and the corrupting influence of big money in modern medicine.
"I can see it as if it were happening right now, right in front of me. Gagging on the ventilator tube lodged in her throat, choking and gagging, wrists tied to the bed rails and she pulling against them, pulling herself up from the bed, heaving forward, straining, neck muscles taught, split breastbone scraping, the pressure popping her eyes open, red veined and raw, hot tears, and the fierce frantic struggle for air, for breath, for life itself."
The real life experience of a patient who underwent treatment for a heart condition, it describes how the procedure became a nightmare, and offers a compelling behind-the-scenes look at the corrupting corporate influence on America's health care system.The stunning statements by research doctors reveals frighteningly casual attitudes toward patient safety and the corrupting influence of big money in modern medicine.
"I can see it as if it were happening right now, right in front of me. Gagging on the ventilator tube lodged in her throat, choking and gagging, wrists tied to the bed rails and she pulling against them, pulling herself up from the bed, heaving forward, straining, neck muscles taught, split breastbone scraping, the pressure popping her eyes open, red veined and raw, hot tears, and the fierce frantic struggle for air, for breath, for life itself."
April 26, 2017
Collateral Damage
Posted: April 14, 2013 | Author: David Mayer MD | Filed under: Just Culture, Leadership, Medical Education | Tags: cardiac catheter ablation, Collateral Damage, Dan Walter, Don Berwick, Informed Consent, Pam Walter, Rosemary Gibson |3 Comments »
I once heard Don Berwick say, shortly after taking over as Director for CMS, that he originally thought quality and safety where the biggest challenges facing healthcare today. But after spending time in the district, he quickly came to realize he was wrong. It was fraud that was the biggest challenge.
Collateral DamageHis message came to mind after recently reading a book given to me by Rosemary Gibson, entitled “Collateral Damage”, written by Dan Walter. I can honestly say that after reading the book, I felt embarrassed to be working in healthcare.
In the book, Mr. Walter shares the story of his wife, Pam, who underwent a cardiac catheter ablation procedure for an abnormal heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation. He describes what went wrong during Pam’s procedure, and then details the pain, suffering, lack of transparency and denial of accountability that followed for both he and his wife. The procedure was performed at what is considered to be one of the best hospitals in the country, which makes the reader wonder what is going on at the “not so great” hospitals across the country, as well as who is defining what makes a hospital “great”. His aim in writing the book was to, “accurately portray what happened to my wife…without detracting from the skill, kindness and compassion of the majority of the people who work there…and to prove to Pam that she does matter, and to tell her that despite what the leadership of that hospital says, her life is important – and her story is important – and it deserves to be honestly told”.
The book is Mr. Walter’s account of the facts related to his wife’s care, so it is only his side of the story. However, it is remarkably well written, and gives a deeply researched account of the cardiac catheter ablation “business”. He includes information:
Taken from numerous publicly available FDA transcripts and testimonies on how unsafe these catheters were thought to be.
Promotional materials from companies making these catheters who were trying to get them through the FDA approval process hyping the wonderful results being seen in patients who were the first to be “experimented” on.
Transcripts from advisory panels and cardiology meetings where leading experts acknowledged the lack of evidence that these catheters even worked.
Conclusions from peer-reviewed journals showing complication rates much higher than what was being shared with patients.
Medical records highlighting a lack of real informed consent related to the risks and benefits of these procedures.
Mr. Walter also shares numerous other patient stories and holds nothing back. Not only does he name names, but he includes pictures of physicians and others who he and Pam encountered along their journey.
In one section of the book, the author shares thoughts on the difference between a “witness” and an “accomplice”, a witness being one who sees wrong and reports it. He raises the question that if we as caregivers witness something wrong and don’t report it, aren’t we really accomplices to the wrong when we turn our back and walk away? His statement caused me to reflect back on my career. As an anesthesiologist, I remember days when I was assigned to provide anesthesia for a catheter ablation case. Although I spoke with the patient about anesthesia related risks and benefits – I never thought of questioning the merits of the procedure I was to be a witness to. It was challenging enough keeping up with all the new findings in my specialty let alone comprehend everything being published in the numerous specialties anesthesiologists support. But after reading Pam’s story, I felt that I too may have been an “accomplice” to possible wrong doing.
I applaud Mr. Walter for sharing Pam’s story. I also struggle to understand why this book has not received similar attention, or the same hype experienced by authors of recent books published on medical error. Collateral Damage goes much deeper in highlighting problems facing healthcare today…a reason why I believe this book should be required reading for all resident physicians and health science students entering the field.
As quality and safety leaders and educators, our daily efforts are built around things like standard work processes, shared best practices, care bundles, checklists and universal protocols–”things” we do in the best interest of our patients. The bigger picture, as Don Berwick alluded to, requires that we overcome the personal, political, legal and financial agendas inherent within many high-level stakeholders. Otherwise, I sometimes feel we are just moving chairs around the deck of the Titanic.
http://educatetheyoung.wordpress.com/...
Posted: April 14, 2013 | Author: David Mayer MD | Filed under: Just Culture, Leadership, Medical Education | Tags: cardiac catheter ablation, Collateral Damage, Dan Walter, Don Berwick, Informed Consent, Pam Walter, Rosemary Gibson |3 Comments »
I once heard Don Berwick say, shortly after taking over as Director for CMS, that he originally thought quality and safety where the biggest challenges facing healthcare today. But after spending time in the district, he quickly came to realize he was wrong. It was fraud that was the biggest challenge.
Collateral DamageHis message came to mind after recently reading a book given to me by Rosemary Gibson, entitled “Collateral Damage”, written by Dan Walter. I can honestly say that after reading the book, I felt embarrassed to be working in healthcare.
In the book, Mr. Walter shares the story of his wife, Pam, who underwent a cardiac catheter ablation procedure for an abnormal heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation. He describes what went wrong during Pam’s procedure, and then details the pain, suffering, lack of transparency and denial of accountability that followed for both he and his wife. The procedure was performed at what is considered to be one of the best hospitals in the country, which makes the reader wonder what is going on at the “not so great” hospitals across the country, as well as who is defining what makes a hospital “great”. His aim in writing the book was to, “accurately portray what happened to my wife…without detracting from the skill, kindness and compassion of the majority of the people who work there…and to prove to Pam that she does matter, and to tell her that despite what the leadership of that hospital says, her life is important – and her story is important – and it deserves to be honestly told”.
The book is Mr. Walter’s account of the facts related to his wife’s care, so it is only his side of the story. However, it is remarkably well written, and gives a deeply researched account of the cardiac catheter ablation “business”. He includes information:
Taken from numerous publicly available FDA transcripts and testimonies on how unsafe these catheters were thought to be.
Promotional materials from companies making these catheters who were trying to get them through the FDA approval process hyping the wonderful results being seen in patients who were the first to be “experimented” on.
Transcripts from advisory panels and cardiology meetings where leading experts acknowledged the lack of evidence that these catheters even worked.
Conclusions from peer-reviewed journals showing complication rates much higher than what was being shared with patients.
Medical records highlighting a lack of real informed consent related to the risks and benefits of these procedures.
Mr. Walter also shares numerous other patient stories and holds nothing back. Not only does he name names, but he includes pictures of physicians and others who he and Pam encountered along their journey.
In one section of the book, the author shares thoughts on the difference between a “witness” and an “accomplice”, a witness being one who sees wrong and reports it. He raises the question that if we as caregivers witness something wrong and don’t report it, aren’t we really accomplices to the wrong when we turn our back and walk away? His statement caused me to reflect back on my career. As an anesthesiologist, I remember days when I was assigned to provide anesthesia for a catheter ablation case. Although I spoke with the patient about anesthesia related risks and benefits – I never thought of questioning the merits of the procedure I was to be a witness to. It was challenging enough keeping up with all the new findings in my specialty let alone comprehend everything being published in the numerous specialties anesthesiologists support. But after reading Pam’s story, I felt that I too may have been an “accomplice” to possible wrong doing.
I applaud Mr. Walter for sharing Pam’s story. I also struggle to understand why this book has not received similar attention, or the same hype experienced by authors of recent books published on medical error. Collateral Damage goes much deeper in highlighting problems facing healthcare today…a reason why I believe this book should be required reading for all resident physicians and health science students entering the field.
As quality and safety leaders and educators, our daily efforts are built around things like standard work processes, shared best practices, care bundles, checklists and universal protocols–”things” we do in the best interest of our patients. The bigger picture, as Don Berwick alluded to, requires that we overcome the personal, political, legal and financial agendas inherent within many high-level stakeholders. Otherwise, I sometimes feel we are just moving chairs around the deck of the Titanic.
http://educatetheyoung.wordpress.com/...
July 15, 2016
I can't do better than Doug Della Pietra's review, so I have copied it here. (thanks Doug)
Doug Della pietra rated it really liked it.
I read "Collateral Damage" in one day! Dan Walter is an excellent writer and his vivid descriptions of his wife's heart procedure at the famed Johns Hopkins made my own heart cringe, twitch and stop beating at times.
Walter dives into the medical research following what was supposed to be a life-improving procedure gone wrong by one of the nation's best surgeons. His research and reference-packed book gave me a brief course in catheter ablation, atrial fibrillation and the process of trialing new, experimental and dangerous procedures that ideally and "on paper" hold tremendous medical (and financial) promise.
The best of intentions, the greatest promises and commitments to "do no harm" and the moral imperative to provide safe, high quality, transparent healthcare are not always upheld and safeguarded. Walter has shared the very important and heart-wrenching story that needs to be heard if healthcare is truly to be reformed -- even transformed!
While important to get to know Dr. Hugh Calkins who was ultimately responsible for Walter's wife's (Pam's) botched heart procedure, Pam was my greatest emotional connection as I read. I was "with her" -- I agonized, raged, cried, etc. with Pam -- as I read her hospital experience. However, I wanted to hear and know more about Pam's life as the years went on. I was left wanting more of Pam's life and experience.
I appreciate "Collateral Damage" because Dan Walter's continues to advocate for his wife. I thought of my loved ones and many times found myself in Walter's shoes. I want to not only advocate better for those important to me but step up my efforts to do so for all who entrust themselves to our healthcare system.
Doug Della pietra rated it really liked it.
I read "Collateral Damage" in one day! Dan Walter is an excellent writer and his vivid descriptions of his wife's heart procedure at the famed Johns Hopkins made my own heart cringe, twitch and stop beating at times.
Walter dives into the medical research following what was supposed to be a life-improving procedure gone wrong by one of the nation's best surgeons. His research and reference-packed book gave me a brief course in catheter ablation, atrial fibrillation and the process of trialing new, experimental and dangerous procedures that ideally and "on paper" hold tremendous medical (and financial) promise.
The best of intentions, the greatest promises and commitments to "do no harm" and the moral imperative to provide safe, high quality, transparent healthcare are not always upheld and safeguarded. Walter has shared the very important and heart-wrenching story that needs to be heard if healthcare is truly to be reformed -- even transformed!
While important to get to know Dr. Hugh Calkins who was ultimately responsible for Walter's wife's (Pam's) botched heart procedure, Pam was my greatest emotional connection as I read. I was "with her" -- I agonized, raged, cried, etc. with Pam -- as I read her hospital experience. However, I wanted to hear and know more about Pam's life as the years went on. I was left wanting more of Pam's life and experience.
I appreciate "Collateral Damage" because Dan Walter's continues to advocate for his wife. I thought of my loved ones and many times found myself in Walter's shoes. I want to not only advocate better for those important to me but step up my efforts to do so for all who entrust themselves to our healthcare system.
May 28, 2013
I read "Collateral Damage" in one day! Dan Walter is an excellent writer and his vivid descriptions of his wife's heart procedure at the famed Johns Hopkins made my own heart cringe, twitch and stop beating at times.
Walter dives into the medical research following what was supposed to be a life-improving procedure gone wrong by one of the nation's best surgeons. His research and reference-packed book gave me a brief course in catheter ablation, atrial fibrillation and the process of trialing new, experimental and dangerous procedures that ideally and "on paper" hold tremendous medical (and financial) promise.
The best of intentions, the greatest promises and commitments to "do no harm" and the moral imperative to provide safe, high quality, transparent healthcare are not always upheld and safeguarded. Walter has shared the very important and heart-wrenching story that needs to be heard if healthcare is truly to be reformed -- even transformed!
While important to get to know Dr. Hugh Calkins who was ultimately responsible for Walter's wife's (Pam's) botched heart procedure, Pam was my greatest emotional connection as I read. I was "with her" -- I agonized, raged, cried, etc. with Pam -- as I read her hospital experience. However, I wanted to hear and know more about Pam's life as the years went on. I was left wanting more of Pam's life and experience.
I appreciate "Collateral Damage" because Dan Walter's continues to advocate for his wife. I thought of my loved ones and many times found myself in Walter's shoes. I want to not only advocate better for those important to me but step up my efforts to do so for all who entrust themselves to our healthcare system.
Walter dives into the medical research following what was supposed to be a life-improving procedure gone wrong by one of the nation's best surgeons. His research and reference-packed book gave me a brief course in catheter ablation, atrial fibrillation and the process of trialing new, experimental and dangerous procedures that ideally and "on paper" hold tremendous medical (and financial) promise.
The best of intentions, the greatest promises and commitments to "do no harm" and the moral imperative to provide safe, high quality, transparent healthcare are not always upheld and safeguarded. Walter has shared the very important and heart-wrenching story that needs to be heard if healthcare is truly to be reformed -- even transformed!
While important to get to know Dr. Hugh Calkins who was ultimately responsible for Walter's wife's (Pam's) botched heart procedure, Pam was my greatest emotional connection as I read. I was "with her" -- I agonized, raged, cried, etc. with Pam -- as I read her hospital experience. However, I wanted to hear and know more about Pam's life as the years went on. I was left wanting more of Pam's life and experience.
I appreciate "Collateral Damage" because Dan Walter's continues to advocate for his wife. I thought of my loved ones and many times found myself in Walter's shoes. I want to not only advocate better for those important to me but step up my efforts to do so for all who entrust themselves to our healthcare system.
July 16, 2013
This book and others like it should be required reading for medical students. As a medical student interested in patient safety and medical quality, this book paints a picture of medicine so disturbing that you want it to be fiction, and yet the evidence provided forces you to confront the fact that it is happening, and in a medical system hailed as one with the best doctors on the country. In a medical world clamoring for new technology, Collateral Damage reminds us of the human cost of testing out these technology and how the high value placed on publications can lead to fraud. For non-doctors reading this book, do remember that not all doctors are like this, and indeed doctors are working against it!
May 31, 2014
The author does an able job of penetrating the double-talk and promo pieces behind catheter ablation technology. He also takes on the medical establishment generally. He relates his wife's personal tragedy at the hands of Hugh Caulkins at the Mayo Clinic, and exposes the ugly underbelly of the medical and legal establishment that protected Caulkins from full accountability. It's a good read.
July 7, 2013
From the opening pages and on, I was completely disturbed. Not that I'm surprised by some of what was written but the callousness and greediness of the whole thing was beyond anything I've experienced. Good choice Carole!
July 14, 2013
One story from the dark side of enthusiasm for "minimally invasive" treatments
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews