Submitted by Newkid92 t3_11dkupc in pittsburgh
Comments
PrincessBella1 t1_ja9nu2z wrote
In this regard, things have definitely changed.
pghgreatest t1_ja9fw7r wrote
Upmc is too big to fail. Most caregivers there are great but the admin is horrible
Edmeyers01 t1_ja9wr0w wrote
One of the best PT’s I’ve ever had worked there. Also, seems like they have a lot of talent, but the C Suite is full of bastards.
chuckie512 t1_jaak4ve wrote
Between "forcing to fail" and "ignoring everything", there's also holding personably criminally liable the admin that made this happen and splitting into smaller independent entities.
Large corporations don't have to win.
Impossible-Sea8382 t1_ja9awz4 wrote
If you need 12 lawyers, you’re not innocent. 3.5M in restitution, one year of medical billing surveillance and a CAPA…what a joke. Cost of business.
TheNWTreeOctopus t1_ja9swy3 wrote
My uncle went into UPMC for surgery due to cancer on and in his face. His full diagnosis wasn't great but this surgery was supposed to be the beginning, not the end. We knew there might be multiple surgeries involved and that there would be a lengthy healing process but what they did to his was downright inhumane. They left his face wide open and put him on life support. For almost a week they tried to tell us it was just part of the process and they were waiting for things to heal before doing another surgery to close him up. All while his post surgery care team encouraged us to seek a lawyer. They used him as a science experiment then walked away. We had a 5 minute conversation with only one of the surgeons responsible before we had to make the decision to end his life. I f'ing hate UPMC and their garbage enterprise.
chippyinairplane t1_jaa65jm wrote
I’m so sorry to read this horrific experience. Did you end up suing? What was their excuse leaving your uncle in that state?
tactics14 t1_jaacwsz wrote
The guy is full of shit, this absolutely didn't happen the way it's being described.
pghgreatest t1_jaah5cj wrote
How do you know ?
TheNWTreeOctopus t1_jaav3nv wrote
Were you part of the team that did it? I’m not sure you’d know the answer any other way unless you’re just being a jag for no reason. It was 13 years ago next month and I will never forget his unrecognizable face.
TheNWTreeOctopus t1_jaax8to wrote
It was my aunts decision and in the end she chose not to peruse anything. I think she was just devastated and lost. They said when they got in there it was more in invasive than they thought. They could have made the decision to remove what they could and close him up. He absolutely had more time but instead he was treated like an experiment because he was going to die soon anyway. For the life of me I can’t remember what their excuse was for leaving him like that. He was brain dead, why leave him open and tell us you’re planning a second surgery is absolutely beyond me.
themardbard t1_jaacw8a wrote
I'm so so sorry to hear about your loss. My dad also had throat cancer and they advised us to do a bit of chemo but to wait on surgery. Then when it got horrible, they admitted they needed to do surgery. They had to break his jaw and go in and they did a horrible job. He couldn't talk and was always in pain from muscle and bone damage. It came back again and again. He passed away a year after they told him the lump on his tongue was nothing to worry about. FUCK UPMC oncology, for REAL. I'm so sorry about your loss, that's insane what they did. I feel your pain immensely.
pghgreatest t1_jaah3j5 wrote
Sorry for your loss
TheNWTreeOctopus t1_jacib0o wrote
Ugh, I'm sorry your family was a victim of their negligence too. I only ever hear horror stories about that place anymore.
lexispots t1_jacomtd wrote
I worked for a couple UPMC Presbyterian ED doctors years ago and their research fellows. It was disturbingly shocking to see the research fellows' pagers go off when a patient meeting their research criteria presented to the ED. It was like flies on shit. People are nothing more than a possible medical study for UPMC.
pghgreatest t1_jaah5wq wrote
Sorry for your loss
[deleted] t1_jaba43s wrote
[deleted]
Ok-Recording2620 t1_jabcp8f wrote
I’m angry…. So sorry 😞
chippyinairplane t1_ja9r2ws wrote
He was operating on three people at a time?!?
Bolmac t1_jaa6mho wrote
Well, three people were in operating suites at the same time, technically all under his care. To what degree he provided appropriate oversight for each of their procedures was one of the main points of contention that UPMC would rather pay millions of dollars than discuss in detail….
ninthcongo t1_jaacx08 wrote
The attending covers the surgery and is responsible for the outcome of the patient but will oversee multiple surgeries at once, having their minions performing the surgeries. Often these are fellows or residents, etc. The problem is that the attending should come help during the main portion or hard part of the surgery and it seems Dr. Luketich wasn’t. A terrible practice but a common one nonetheless.
pghgreatest t1_jaah8mw wrote
This practice needs to stop. What if there are urgent surgical complications on 2 patients at same time. Where does attending go ?
ninthcongo t1_jaamfhx wrote
Yeah I agree it needs to stop but you’re talking about UPMC. They’re looking for what makes the company the most money and keeping a skeleton crew will do that. It’s cheaper to pay one surgeon to do 5 surgeries at once and pay the residents below minimum wage. If something goes wrong they pay out a family and move on.
PorkyWallace t1_jaaytfq wrote
First year Residents start at $62,000+ plus benefits. Yes, they work 100 hour weeks on a regular basis but that is not every week. They are also getting world class training that will easily land them a six figure job anyplace in the country.
Now, I can't speak for all of their hospitals but I will say that, when my father was rushed to Mercy, their ER was great. When he went up to Critical Care on the top floor, all of the doctors and nurses were absolutely incredible. The doctors were intelligent, kind and generous with their time, even meeting with our entire family for over an hour on a Saturday. There were five doctors, including the head of the Neurology team.
His nurses were so kind and awesome. I asked one why they were on 12-hour shifts and she said it was because they were short handed. I asked if it was because UPMC treats them badly and she said "No, nursing is what it is. We signed up for this. We are just having a difficult time getting people to work, even with good pay & benefits." I take her at her word.
pghgreatest t1_jab26pb wrote
If The resident does most of the procedure does the insurance company and patient get a discounted rate 😏
PorkyWallace t1_jab8msq wrote
No.
For the same reason that Apprentice Plumbers do most of the work on your bathroom but you pay the Company's labor rate. Overhead.
pghgreatest t1_jacxon0 wrote
Dental schools give discounts for work tho since residents are working.
Generic_Username28 t1_jaezkll wrote
A resident starts at $62k annually at UPMC. They are protected from working more than 80 hours averaged over a 4 week period*. If a resident were to work 80 hrs per week, they make $14.90/hour. I can think of a lot of jobs I'd rather do for $15/hr.
Regarding their ability to get a 6 figure career after graduating, is that really all that impressive? I think anyone who has an undergrad degree, a 4 year graduate degree (med school) , and 3-4 years of an apprenticeship (internship), and possibly a second internship (fellowship) would expect to be reasonably well compensated. Most first year attendings have 200k in student loans and at 30-something are earning real money for the first time.
*I might have that slightly wrong, but I'm pretty close. Feel free to correct me.
element515 t1_jabl6vo wrote
That's why there were the delays they talk about. He was mostly working with fellows, who have done years of surgical training already, that start the case and would gain exposure and do the less risky parts. Then wait for him to show up to go for the complicated parts. It all goes well until one patient is more difficult than you expect or you run into a complication and you can't just jump out to the next room.
​
Part of the reason why when we run two rooms, we don't have a case actively started until the last one is closed and the patient is waking up. It makes the day more efficient because it can take 15-20min to get a patient ready and asleep and wake up after a case.
Jimmyzgirl t1_jab6yia wrote
I had surgery awhile back and I think the PA actually did it because the Dr spoke zero English. He came highly recommended so I figured wth. 🤷🏻♀️
dlppgh t1_jadif0k wrote
Nope, but his employers got paid as if he was.
PierogiPowered t1_jaevhns wrote
Only operating on three people at a time? You gotta pump those numbers up. Those are rookie numbers in this racket.
half_monkeyboy t1_ja9qtti wrote
The Trib article goes into more details about this.
Bolmac t1_ja9t0qz wrote
Reading the Trib article makes the WPXI article sound like it was written by UPMC.
Newkid92 OP t1_ja9ye2m wrote
At this point I'm betting they do have people at WPXI... upmc is everywhere and in everything via contracts or sponsorship.
dlppgh t1_jadiaqj wrote
I posted it, but an incredibly thin-skinned moderator of this sub deleted it.
muxxeh t1_ja9wz2x wrote
this is UPMC's town, we're just living in it
dlppgh t1_jae4is4 wrote
Nice - succinct, verifiable.
Krihvuh t1_ja9a3h9 wrote
Great, there goes my rates...again.
Newkid92 OP t1_ja9at41 wrote
Just imagine all lawsuits not in the news, but this just goes to show: hey you can defraud the government but as long as you pay when you get caught everything is okay.
pghgreatest t1_ja9gb3h wrote
Rick Scott company presided over biggest Medicare fraud and he’s now a senator. 🤷♂️
KommanderZero t1_jaaov1s wrote
Why do people complain? Just accept that your rates will go up, they will pay themselves out of trouble and when it comes to you, you'll have to bend over. Am I being sarcastic? Ask yourself.
itsjscott t1_jaapuag wrote
This isn't a big settlement as compared to other settlements happening across the USA, but it's very good that UPMC is being held accountable (to some degree) like the rest of them. It's important to note that this is a nationwide healthcare issue, not just UPMC... Don't pick doctors based on reputation only
TheApprentice19 t1_jab3bop wrote
In other news, UPMC looks in the car cup holder and flicks a penny at the government, and will continue this illegal and immoral practice.
pghreddit t1_jaa0ttf wrote
Still allowed to practice??!! He should be in jail!
_Shrugzz_ t1_jaavzy5 wrote
It doesn’t sound like this was his decision, per say. When UPMC says jump, you don’t have time to ask how high. You just jump, and keep jumping.
Now the surgeon could have said something, which would have costed them their job. What hospital would have hired them? If they left because practice was inhumane and immoral, go where? Hospitals are so short staffed - they need more doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, and so on.. this is everywhere.
They need to pay them more and hire more staff, but they won’t. That won’t make UPMC money. Money that they spend on updating their facilities or opening new locations so that they might be the closest hospital - an ambulance generally take you to the closest hospital. But investing in staff - HA. It’s depressingly unfortunate that places like UPMC have shut down private practices. What can we do; do you pick giant douche or turd sandwich?
Ps. I didn’t downvote you
lexispots t1_jaco7iq wrote
I agree with your statement about UPMC but disagree about the surgeon. The article explains that the surgeon was known for performing three complex surgeries at one time. Ignorance about billing is not a defense. The surgeon performed three surgeries at one time, how did the surgeon expect to explain operative reports with the same operative times, by the same doctor. They all knew and will just be cleverer in how they bill in the future.
Phobophilic t1_jad9ukh wrote
It's "per se," not "per say."
kielBossa t1_jab3108 wrote
What does this mean for all of the depositions and evidence that Upmc was fighting to keep sealed during this proceeding? What else is in there?
AngryDrnkBureaucrat t1_jac8vg0 wrote
Fuck UPMC
Cialisbathtubbon_r t1_jacxipg wrote
This doctor’s domestic life is a literal house fire too. He built a mansion with a massive indoor gun range. Then it mysteriously went up in flames. At first he blamed a Tesla car battery. They fought him. Then a black and decker battery owned by some poor sub contractor. He went on to buy a nearby mega mansion with a pool shaped like a cock (not kidding). He then sold it after his arrest at the hospital.
Time_investigator27 t1_jad3u16 wrote
Plus he has like 4 wives all who were his former administrative assistants
PhotoCropDuster t1_ja9jtdz wrote
Good.
Rusty_McShredalot t1_jacpndl wrote
Better to settle for any amount of $$ then have it come out that this doctor was having sex with residents in the parking lot or getting drunk at the Duquesne club while he was supposed to be overseeing surgeries. $8m seems like nothing to keep that suppressed.
UPMC protects this guy bc he does exactly what they want him to (crank out procedures), and they know they have leverage over him. The ppl who have tried to whistleblow on this before have been fired. This is just how our world works when $$ and power are involved.
scrumbo22 t1_jad7ozw wrote
UPMC is responsible for so much medical tyranny. I myself had an experience where they wanted to use my sick, delirious father as a science experiment.
What people forget is that these are. Corporations motivated by profit. That’s it. Anybody who would try and have you believe that’s just some “conspiracy” is either on their payroll or is willfully ignorant.
Just remember why this country is plagued by an opioid epidemic to begin with. These corporations are working against the better good of people.
PorkyWallace t1_jaaz8ed wrote
They settled because if this went to a jury, it would most likely be composed of Reddit poster-types, who hate UPMC and other big corporations and love playing Monopoly with other people's money. "Yeah, $25 million for pain & suffering and $250 million in punitive damages. Why not?"
There is always that risk and so settlement often makes sense.
TarryHillis t1_jac0j99 wrote
Well, it was a False Claims Act suit about UPMC billing CMS for the services of a physician who physically could not have provided them, thus defrauding the federal government and endangering patients. The only damages available under the FCA are mandatory — not discretionary — treble damages for payments made by the government and mandatory civil penalties for each false claim. There are no pain & suffering damages, and punitive damages are not available. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say you have no clue what you’re talking about.
PorkyWallace t1_jaedf1h wrote
If it was such a slam dunk, why would the government permit a settlement?
TarryHillis t1_jaeha5y wrote
I’m not saying it was a slam dunk. I’m saying you have 0 idea what you’re talking about by averring that a runaway jury would award damages that don’t exist in this type of case.
dlppgh t1_jadistk wrote
lol - incredible response...as in, hard to believe you responded this way
PorkyWallace t1_jaebkw2 wrote
You obviously don't have experience with juries of your peers. The vast majority are of lower income (and usually lower intelligence). It makes them feel important to give away money that is not theirs. They almost always sympathize with anyone who is suing a corporation of someone else with deep pockets. You can only exclude/strike so many jurors from a trial. A majority of those on a jury like this will be people with an axe to grind and who have nothing better to do (ie. retired, not working, etc).
They see no problem with handing out ridiculous jury awards to people.
When ambulance chasers want to certify a class action, they engage in something called Docket Shopping. They find one "victim" in some bumf--k West Virginia county and file the suit on that person's behalf in that county. All other "victims" nationwide are then added to that class, which will go to trial in that county.
Naturally, those with deep pockets will settle, as some county juries routinely award $100 million here, $300 million there.
dlppgh t1_jaeqr11 wrote
lol, sure
PorkyWallace t1_jaf37po wrote
LOL, I guess the Supreme Court is going to make you have to pay back your student loans, huh?
DanielColchete t1_ja99exx wrote
“We want the lawsuit to go away, but we’ll continue to do what we are doing”