Renewed focus on concurrent surgeries underscores patient safety concerns. Newspaper investigation has thrust issue into national spotlight, prompting American College of Surgeon Updates

The practice of concurrent surgeries has become a top concern for hospitals across the country following a Boston Globe investigation into the practices of a reputable Massachusetts hospital.

In October, the Globe published a lengthy exposé into the practice of “concurrent” or “double-booking” surgeries at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), ranked as the top hospital in the nation by U.S. News and World Report in 2015-2016. The Globe’s investigation revealed an ongoing battle within the health system that pitted one long-time surgeon against the hospital’s top brass in his quest to eliminate concurrent surgeries. The investigation also described specific incidents in which patients were harmed or even paralyzed during double-booked procedures.

The Globe investigation has pushed the issues of concurrent surgeries – a common practice among many academic medical systems across the country – to the surface, drawing criticisms from patient safety advocates and prompting organizations like the American College of Surgeons (ACS) to review current policies on concurrent or overlapping surgeries.