Private equity giant TPG told investors — including the World Bank, the Gates Foundation and Bono — that it would expand access to health care in Africa and Asia. Then complaints about patient safety started rolling in https://t.co/HP4CrLPjcg ...

Healthcare Disparities & Bias - The healthcare industry faces a silent crisis where patient voices are dismissed, leading to misdiagnosis, inadequate treatment, and potential harm [2] - Implicit or explicit biases against certain populations influence clinical decisions and health outcomes [3] - Black women are 260% (2.6 times) more likely to die during childbirth compared to their white counterparts, highlighting disparities in healthcare outcomes [3] - 48% of Black adults in the US have experienced discrimination while seeking healthcare, leading to avoidance of care and worsening conditions [3] - The industry acknowledges the existence of bias in healthcare against various populations, including children and the disabled, resulting in health disparities [4] Psychological Safety & Moral Courage - Psychological safety, defined as the ability to report concerns without penalty, is often a buzzword rather than a baseline in healthcare settings [3] - The industry needs to foster moral courage, which is the courage to have difficult conversations even when uncomfortable, to address issues in healthcare [3] - Knowledge without psychological safety is like a fire without oxygen, hindering the ability to have difficult conversations and improve healthcare outcomes [3] Systemic Changes & Solutions - The healthcare system normalizes devaluing and dehumanizing people, necessitating a shift towards love, respect, and honor [10] - Nurses, comprising 4300000 (4.3 million) of the healthcare workforce, have a responsibility to actively listen and advocate for patients [10] - The industry should commit to cultural responsiveness, understanding and learning about the cultures of the people they serve, recognizing it as an ongoing process [14][15]

Patient Safety Concerns - A patient, Schaefer, experienced severe pain during a cosmetic surgery performed at Sonabello and later developed a life-threatening infection [1][2] - Schaefer is suing Sonabello, alleging negligence and lack of proper care [4] - The lawsuit is among over 200 filed against cosmetic surgery chains, raising concerns about disfiguring injuries and deaths [4][5] - At least 13 complaints were made to the Better Business Bureau, with patients reporting excruciating pain during procedures [7] Surgeon Qualifications and Training - The surgeon who performed Schaefer's surgery was a board-certified OBGYN, not a board-certified plastic surgeon, who completed Sonabello's 6 to 8 week unaccredited training program [3] - Sonabello claims its training program is rigorous and it is transparent about surgeons' qualifications [4] Company Response and Practices - Sonabello denies wrongdoing and asserts that it prioritizes patients over profits [4][5] - Sonabello uses lidocaine for pain management during surgery, keeping patients awake, claiming it is safer than general anesthesia [1] - Sonabello states that 13 negative experiences out of 300,000 patients is not the norm [8] Industry Recommendations - Experts recommend consulting with a doctor, not just a sales representative, and inquiring about the surgeon's qualifications before undergoing cosmetic procedures [10]