Real Apology from CEO of Seattle Children's Hospital?

Yesterday (Monday, November 18th), the CEO of Seattle Children's Hospital issued a public apology with news cameras rolling for the deaths of six children due to mold infections in the hospital's operating rooms stretching back to 2001.  Eight additional children suffered infections, with at least two of these children developing crippling complications. The CEO's apology included phrases liked "we failed" and "we are all devastated."  

Here is the written statement that accompanied the CEO's public apology.  Also, here and here are local news stories regarding the CEO's apology.   

For me, my evaluation of whether this apology is real or not will hinge on how the hospital behaves towards the families of deceased and sickened children.  Will the CEO and leadership of the hospital immediately offer to sit down with these families and their legal counsel, apologize (which includes admission of fault), and quickly and fairly meet the financial and emotional needs of the families?  This question may be answered by who is in charge of the hospital: the medical staff and the board of directors or the lawyers?   

This case reminds me of a similar situation at a New Orleans hospital where a fungal infection killed several children, time passed, statute of limitations expired, and then the hospital apologized for the deaths -- and then hospital fought off lawsuits.  Here is our blog post on that case.  I hope that Seattle Children’s does not go down this dark path.

To me, the relationship with your legal counsel/law firm is no different than your relationship with, say, your accountant or engineering firm.  These professionals are hired to provide insight and advice, but, in the end you, the client, are supposed to call the shots.  Unfortunately, many people -- especially doctors -- simply cede the leadership mantle to the legal beagles when things go wrong.   A prime example involved the death of a 28-year old woman and her unborn twins at a Catholic Hospital, and the defense lawyers tried to avoid some liability by claiming in court documents that fetuses are not people!  Here is that story. The local Bishop had to put a stop to that nonsense. 

I sincerely hope the CEO of Seattle Children's Hospital works in an expedited and authentic fashion with the impacted families and in so doing begins to restore the credibility of his hospital with the public.    

Sincerely,

- Doug

Doug Wojcieszak, Founder and President
Sorry Works!
618-559-8168 (direct dial)
doug@sorryworks.net