News Summary
A man died during a cataract surgery at InSight Surgery Center due to lapses in medical attention. His vital signs deteriorated as surgeons were distracted, leading to a lawsuit against the head surgeon and anesthesiologist. The case has raised concerns over patient safety and medical accountability. Following a settlement, questions linger about surgical protocols and the responsibilities of medical professionals.
Lone Tree, Colorado – A 56-year-old man, Bart Writer, tragically died during a routine cataract surgery due to alarming lapses in medical attention at the InSight Surgery Center on February 3, 2023. An undisclosed settlement was reached between Writer’s family and Dr. C. Starck Johnson, the head surgeon, following a lawsuit that highlighted disturbing details about the events leading to Writer’s death.
During the supposed 10-minute procedure, Bart Writer’s vital signs deteriorated. Alarms from several monitors that could have alerted the medical team to his distress were reportedly either turned off or not functioning properly. As Bart struggled for breath, Dr. Johnson and anesthesiologist Dr. Michael Urban were engaged in a game of “music bingo,” which involved identifying songs from the 1970s and 1980s. While maintaining this distraction, Dr. Urban was the only one capable of monitoring Writer’s vitals.
Witnesses later revealed that Bart Writer exhibited respiratory distress approximately 11 minutes into the surgery. His condition worsened to a critical state, where he turned blue, indicating a severe lack of oxygen. Attempts to improve his situation involved transferring him to a neighboring hospital, where he was pronounced dead due to cardiac arrest.
The situation escalated when Chris Writer, Bart’s wife, was asked to leave the facility momentarily, only to receive a call from Dr. Johnson to meet him in the parking lot. Their conversation deviated from the urgent medical situation and veered into personal queries about Chris’s beliefs. This unexpected communication occurred while Bart was supposedly under the care of experienced medical professionals.
Following the incident, Chris Writer expressed profound anger and frustration about the events, particularly when she learned from other medical personnel about the bingo game diverting attention from her husband’s procedure. The lawsuit filed by Writer’s family cited negligence on the part of Dr. Johnson and Dr. Urban for their lack of vigilance during the operation.
In his defense, Dr. Johnson’s attorney indicated that he had relied on Dr. Urban for monitoring anesthesia and the patient’s condition, implying that the responsibility lay partially with the anesthesiologist. Meanwhile, Dr. Urban’s attorney has steadfastly supported his approach to Writer’s treatment, rejecting Dr. Johnson’s claims regarding protocol violations.
As a tragic outcome, the case has prompted scrutiny over medical protocols and accountability in surgical environments. Bart Writer was set to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary with Chris on July 15, 2023, a milestone that now carries a heavy burden of loss for the family. Following the settlement, Dr. Urban’s medical license in Colorado has expired, although he currently practices in Oregon.
The details surrounding this case raise critical questions about patient safety and the ethical responsibilities of medical professionals. Health care observers are left to ponder the implications of distractions during surgical procedures, particularly those involving anesthesia, where every moment counts in preserving a patient’s life.
As the legal matters are resolved, the Writer family faces the daunting task of healing from their unexpected loss, underscoring the urgent need for vigilance and responsibility within health care settings.
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- 9News
- Law & Crime
- IndyStar
- Wikipedia: Medical Negligence
- Telegram
- Google Search: Medical Safety Protocols
Author: STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.
