News Summary
A family reached a settlement after the death of Bart Writer during a routine cataract surgery due to alleged negligence and distractions in the operating room. The incident, which involved unprofessional conduct from the surgical and anesthesiology teams, has raised questions about patient safety and monitoring protocols. Concerns regarding the playing of a game during the operation highlighted the need for strict adherence to medical standards. The case reflects critical issues within surgical practices and the impact of distractions on patient outcomes.
Family Reaches Settlement After Cataract Surgery Fatality Linked to Negligence and Distraction
Lone Tree, Colorado — A family has settled a lawsuit following the death of 55-year-old Bart Writer during a routine cataract surgery at the InSight Surgery Center in early 2023. The incident, which resulted in the patient’s death due to cardiac arrest, has shed light on alleged medical lapses and unprofessional conduct during a seemingly standard procedure.
Timeline of Events
The surgery, scheduled for approximately 10 minutes, was performed on February 3, 2023. According to reports, Bart Writer was under the care of Dr. C. Starck Johnson, the lead surgeon, who was familiar with the patient. During the procedure, Writer’s wife, Chris Writer, was present at the facility but was advised she could leave temporarily.
While she was nearby, Dr. Johnson contacted her to meet him in the parking lot. During this encounter, questions regarding her personal beliefs in God were reportedly discussed. Meanwhile, the surgery proceeded with an expected duration of about 10 minutes in a procedure deemed routine and very common.
Disruptive Conduct During Surgery
Approximately eleven minutes after the surgery commenced, Writer’s vital signs showed abnormal readings. Despite the presence of multiple monitors attached to him, the alarms alerting medical staff were reportedly not activated or audible before the incident. Witnesses and lawsuit claims indicate that during this critical time, the surgeons involved—Dr. Johnson and anesthesiologist Dr. Michael Urban—were engaged in an unrelated activity.
The activity involved a game of “music bingo” meant to recognize songs from the 1970s and 1980s, which was reportedly ongoing during the procedure. Dr. Urban, who was responsible for anesthesia and monitoring, was reportedly keeping score of the game and was the only person able to see Writer’s vital signs. This distraction allegedly led to a failure to respond adequately to the deteriorating condition of the patient.
Medical Complications and Death
During the procedure, Bart Writer experienced respiratory distress, turning visibly blue from a lack of oxygen. The situation resulted in him being transferred to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead due to cardiac arrest. The event marked a tragic outcome of what was intended to be a simple, quick surgery.
Reactions and Legal Developments
Following the incident, Chris Writer expressed frustration, stating that medical professionals failed to provide appropriate attention. She disclosed that she became aware of the bingo game played during her husband’s surgery from another unnamed physician after the incident.
The family filed a lawsuit against the involved medical professionals, leading to a settlement of undisclosed terms. As part of the legal process, Dr. Johnson’s attorney asserted that he relied on Dr. Urban for anesthesia management and monitoring, and that Dr. Johnson believed proper procedures were followed. Conversely, Dr. Johnson accused Dr. Urban of violating established monitoring protocols during the procedure.
Attorneys for Dr. Urban maintained that their client stands by the care he provided and disputes the characterizations made by Dr. Johnson. Notably, Dr. Urban’s medical license has since expired in Colorado but remains active in Oregon.
Background and Additional Context
The incident underscores critical concerns about patient safety, professional conduct, and the importance of attentive monitoring during medical procedures. The case also highlights issues related to distraction and professionalism in operating rooms, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to protocols to prevent similar tragedies.
Chris Writer was preparing to celebrate her 25th wedding anniversary with Bart on July 15, 2023, but the loss of her husband marked a devastating turn of events for the family. The details of the settlement remain confidential, but the case has ignited discussions on surgical safety and ethical medical practices.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- 9News
- Law & Crime
- IndyStar
- Wikipedia: Medical Negligence
- Telegram
- Google Search: Medical Safety Protocols
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