Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Saturday
Bush Speaks In Ohio; Floods Devestate Bangladesh
Aired August 01, 2004 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.: My budget for next year $447 million to encourage this vital technology. I will tall you why; in order for us to be less dependent on foreign sources of energy we must use American coal. We have a difference of opinion of this; my opponent said he called coal a dirty energy source. He opposed my energy plan witch promoted clean coal technology and alternative sources of fuel.
The other night in Boston he said he wants America finally and forever independent of Mid East oil. Listen I share that goal and I know how to achieve it. To make sure we are independent, to make sure we are not dependent on foreign sources of energy we must be wise about how we use America's energy sources including coal. We will offer America's workers a lifetime of learning. And to help them get training for the jobs of the future in our community colleges.
Listen to make sure American jobs stay here we must be wise and educate people for the jobs of the 21 century. When it comes to keeping jobs in America we must not isolate ourselves from the world. I know people around here who are worried about trade. Let me tell you my view of trade. I believe we can compete with anybody, anytime, anywhere so long as the rules are fair.
I believe in my job is to make sure the rules are fair, holding countries to account that mistreat America manufactures. Holding countries to account that do not let their currency flow. Holding countries to account that close their markets. No, to keep jobs in America, you need a president who won't isolate us from the world, a president who's confident in the American worker, the American entrepreneur, the American manufacturer and insists that foreign countries treat us just the way we treat them.
We'll have American families keep something they never have enough of, and that is time. Time to be with your kids. Time to go to little league games or Girl Scout meetings, time to take care of the elderly. Time to improve themselves by going back to class. Congress needs to join me in supporting what we call comp time and flextime to help American families better juggle the demands of work and home.
After four more years, there will be better paying jobs in America. There will be more jobs in America. Our farmers will be better off and the small business sector will be alive and well. Listen, we've got more to do to wage and win the war on terror. America's future depends on our willingness to lead in the world. If America shows uncertainty and weakness in this decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. That's not going to happen on my watch. FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR, CNN LIVE SATURDAY: Bush in Cambridge, Ohio, on his heart and soul moving America forward tour. He began it by asking why should I have the privilege of four more years. He said quite simply because a lot is at stake. There is a lot to do to move forward to, move the country forward. For example, the economy, security, and overall improved American lives.
Well next stop for President Bush is Pennsylvania, another battleground state; he is expected to be in Pittsburgh later on this evening.
Now more of CNN LIVE SATURDAY. More fighting in Fallujah and a plea to foreign transport companies. We've got the headlines coming out of Iraq this afternoon as the clock ticks on several hostages held by insurgents.
Also, despite the floodwaters, life goes on in parts of Bangladesh. We'll share some amazing pictures from a region plagued by rising waters.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Violence and hostage taking rule the day once again in Iraq and Fallujah; at least 20 insurgents have been killed in confrontations with U.S. forces. The fighting began when marines came under attack by mortar fire leading to a larger firefight.
Negotiators in Iraq are working to free seven truck drivers working for a Kuwaiti company, they are being held by a shadowy militant group. Meantime the Iraqi government is urging trucking companies to hire Iraqi drivers to cut down on the number of hostage incidents.
And four Jordanian works are being held by Iraqi insurgents who call themselves the death group. The workers were shown on Dubai TV. Their captors threatened to attack Jordanian interest around the world.
In South Asia, the flooding is so severe in sections of Bangladesh that hundreds have died. And as the waters recede, hunger and disease follow. We have the latest now from CNN Satinder Bindra in the capital city of Dhaka.
SATINDER BINDRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredericka, more than 500 people have been killed in this flood so far. Today, a glimmer of good news. Floodwaters are receding in parts of northern and central Bangladesh, but as these waters recede, the risk of water-borne diseases is increasing. Since Friday, more than 7,000 people here in Bangladesh have been struck down with diarrhea, and almost half the capital city of Dhaka continues to be underwater.
BINDRA (voice over): Rush hour in Dhaka, commuters no longer drive, take the bus or walk. They use boats. And try to maintain a sense of normalcy in the face of one of the worst floods in years. I have to go to work, he says. My life cannot stop. My work cannot wait. Even with his entire neighborhood submerged, civil servant Gazi Rahamand (ph) is rushing to work, he wants to help rebuild his country, which has suffered an estimated $6 billion in losses.
Almost half the capital city of Dhaka is now underwater. The city's sewage system has collapsed. Many lack safe drinking water and thousands are suffering from diarrhea. In such unsanitary conditions, doctors are fearing an alcohollera (ph) or typhoid epidemic. To help its flood-ravaged citizens, the government is distributing food. This woman complains she is not getting enough. Others like Rizza Aliclam (ph) try to fend for themselves, even though his store is completely flooded, he's open for business.
I'm hoping this water recedes, he says, and life will be normal again. The low-lying country of Bangladesh is prone to flooding, but its people know how to keep up their spirits. It's the only way, they say, they can beat this monster flood.
BINDRA (on camera): Now, Fredericka despite the courage, the people of Bangladesh face a stiff challenge, soon because of the moon, they'll be high tides in the sea making it very difficult for Bangladesh's water and rivers to push their water out to sea. In fact, what will happen is the seas will push the water back into this low- lying country, making life very difficult for Bangladeshians. It's expected the situation will continue for at least the next three to four weeks.
Fredericka back to you.
WHITFIELD: And Satinder what about international aid? What kind of help is coming in or what kind of help is still needed?
BINDRA: Fredricka, the Bangladesh government is trying to feed its people, but international aid is now coming in the form of food and safe drinking water and Bangladesh has made a special appeal for help in rebuilding its infrastructure. Roads have collapsed. Schools have been swept away and they now have to build fresh embankments.
If there's another flood perhaps next year or the year after that, then Bangladesh will perhaps be better prepared to face it.
Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Satinder Bindra thanks very much from Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Well thousands die from medical mistakes here in the states. Now there's a new procedure in place that should protect you the next time you go under the knife but is it effective? We'll find out.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Well, here's something to think about. Every year tens of thousands of people either die are or are maimed in hospitals, not from disease or injury but from mistakes made by the staff. Government figures show those mistakes are made inside and outside the operating rooms. CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports efforts are underway to cut back on errors during surgery.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Willie King had the wrong foot amputated leaving him with no foot. Linda McDougal had a double mastectomy only to find out her biopsy results were switched with another patient. Linda never had breast cancer in the first place.
They're among the thousands of patients who have suffered from medical mistakes in the operating room. Hospitals are adopting procedures aimed at reducing the numbers, it as simple as a checklist the same kinds pilots have used for years. Mary Haun is getting a total knee replacement in Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
MARY HAUN, PATIENT: I was going to put an arrow down there and then I wanted to right wrong knee, but they said I can't do that.
GUPTA: Mary marked her knee with her doctor's initials the night before surgery. According to new federal rules, the doctor not just the nurse must now check with the patient to confirm the type of surgery and the surgery site.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Put my initials on just below where you marked it.
GUPTA: Then a nurse makes sure again they have the right patient.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: First off, can you tell me your name?
HAUN: Mary.
GUPTA: And the right procedure.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ms. Haun what are you having done?
HAUN: Right knee.
GUPTA: Then before the surgeons make the first cut, a time-out is taken where the whole surgical staff verifies a third time that they have everything right.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The right knee you have for prep?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are we in agreement?
GUPTA: Surgical checklists are not new but a national standard is, and doctors are optimistic that will help bring medical errors down.
DR. JAMES ROBERSON, SURGEON: I love it. I wouldn't practice without it. It's very reassuring to me to be able to glance down at the patient's extremity and see initials there that confirm that I'm doing the correct thing and not the wrong thing.
GUPTA: Still, doctors realize that medicine, a very human profession, will always be vulnerable to mistakes.
ROBERSON: There are a lot of steps in this process, and there are a lot of humans involved, and there's always room for human error.
GUPTA: If you're a patient in a hospital and waiting for an operation, expect these questions from the hospital staff.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You should expect it and if you don't find it occurring, you should stop everybody and ask why not.
GUPTA: For Mary, the new OR check list and her own involvement in her care gives her peace of mind.
HAUN: You feel a little more in control. Of the situation. Because you lay there, thinking oh I hope they get the right knee but this way, if it's marked, it's going to be right.
GUPTA: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: So now this might have you wondering what can you do to protect yourself from deadly medical errors. Joining us in New York is Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical associate professor of medicine at New York University Medical School. Good to see you, Dr. Siegel.
DR. MARC SIEGEL, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL SCHOOL: Hi Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Well the numbers are astounding, 195,000 unnecessary deaths due to hospital errors. You have to wonder how do they get so high? What is the simple explanation?
SIEGEL: Well the first explanation to this is that we're becoming much more technical. We will have more technology, more procedures, and more medications. We have less staff, shorter hours, you know, so errors can occur more rapidly. These new set of data may not be entirely accurate. Nevertheless, there has been a trend for more and more mistakes. I think this is something we have to be very concerned about.
WHITFIELD: So knowing this in addition to a lot of hospitals doing their check lists; it really does mean that patients have to be more vigilant, don't they? What are some of the things that patients need to do?
SIEGEL: Well first of all, a patient should choose a center that's really up to date in terms of electronic record keeping. That's the direction we're going in, and that decreases errors. You also should choose a center where the doctor and the procedure that you're having done is one they commonly do. That is another smart idea.
And probably the best idea is to make sure you choose a physician who you know well and that you can trust. That can be hard to come by, but if you are a relationship with a physician, they can also act as your advocate. WHITFIELD: So even this if this is a new doctor to you, it really would behoove you to get to know this doctor, have as many appointments prior to surgery as possible so that there is no mistake, this doctor recognizes you when he sees you in the operating room?
SIEGEL: Absolutely. And you know you shouldn't ever accept from a doctor, you know, an annoyance if you speak up. I think a patient should speak up. A patient also can appoint somebody knowing that they're not going to be totally wake, you want to appoint somebody who you can trust to work with you, a family member or friend that can be your advocate when you're going under the knife.
WHITFIELD: So we saw in Dr. Gupta's piece that a lot of the physicians themselves are asking, the surgeons themselves are asking the patients a lot of questions before they're put under. So what kind of questions need the patient perhaps ask?
SIEGEL: Well the patient should really ask how many of these cases have you done, how many have you done recently. I mean it may seem impertinent but you can ask your physician how many are you doing in a given day, is the physician getting enough sleep, are they getting enough to eat. These are very important things.
We have to be very careful not to overwork our physicians and nurses but at the same time give them enough exposure to the patients so that they have enough experience to be doing the procedure.
WHITFIELD: So what are some of the tell tale signs or maybe even red flags that a patient should look out for and say you know what, I changed my mind at this place or with this particular health care provider, let me move on?
SIEGEL: Well, you know, there is something called informed consent. And for that, to me, that doesn't mean signing your name to a paper. I think it means that you have to feel comfortable that who ever you're talking to has patients and is willing to fully explain to you what is going to go on here. You have to have confidence in this person and you really should trust your instincts.
WHITFIELD: Dr. Marc Siegel, associate professor at NYU Medical School, thank you so much for joining us. Appreciate it.
SIEGEL: Thank you Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: We will find out more about protecting yourself from medical errors at CNN.com/health. And while you are there discover why public pools are making people sick, as well.
And join Dr. Sanjay Gupta Sunday on "House Call" for more tips on avoiding medical errors.
Another day in court for Kobe Bryant and another leak for the accuser. We'll examine the latest development in the Bryant rape case and find out what effect, if any, it could have on the upcoming trial scheduled in August.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Well in, our legal briefs today, she was a mother, a wife, and a teacher who had sex with her 12-year-old student at the time. Next week, Mary Kate Letourneau will be freed after seven years in prison; she will reportedly try to reunite with her young lover and their two children.
We look at this case and others in our "Legal Roundtable." Avery Friedman is a civil rights attorney and law professor and Richard Herman --
RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Hello.
WHITFIELD: Hello, is a criminal defense attorney.
HERMAN: Good afternoon.
WHITFIELD: All right good to see you guys.
AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Good to see you.
WHITFIELD: Before we get to the Mary Kate Letourneau case, let's talk about the Kobe Bryant case because a lot of interesting movement in that case. The defense attorney, Pam Mackey says that the victim compensation fund up to $20,000 that was given to this accuser is financial incentive for this accuser, and that you have to wonder the motivation behind the accuser's intent.
So Avery, is this a legitimate argument to make?
FRIEDMAN: It is an absolutely legitimate argument, Fredricka. The problem is the victim's lawyers, at least in my opinion, have really disserved the victim. Because the last thing you are going to do, I represent victims of crime. What they did is they should have ignored the Victim's Compensation Fund. They've got a very highly collectible defendant here. The problem is, the only objective is to get the conviction.
Why in the world they would go after Victim Compensation Funds at this point before the trial to me is just absolutely mindless, and it's handed over to Pamela Mackey and the defense team for Kobe and absolutely rock solid defense of giving her a money motive to go after the victim.
WHITFIELD: But Richard, this is a large amount of money, and very few states that have this kind of Victim Compensation Fund have these kinds of figures.
HERMAN: Well, Fredericka, the problem here is this. Most of the viewers are probably think it's a cheap shot by Pamela Mackey but when a witness testifies in a case, their credibility comes into issue, and therefore, this is absolutely going to be admissible in cross- examination.
But the bigger picture is this, this $17,000; this $20,000 is nothing because if she gets a conviction against Kobe Bryant, you saw that $5 million ring he gave to his wife? This alleged victim is going to be a multi, multi, multimillionaire.
WHITFIELD: In fact, you know, let's talk about the next possible proceeding if this case, whether it pans out or not in the criminal phase, apparently Lynn Wood has been hired now by the accuser for a potential civil suit. Avery, what does that mean?
FRIEDMAN: Well, this is another screw-up by the lawyers there representing the victim. The last thing you want to do before there's a criminal trial is start talking about a civil suit. The Victim's Compensation Fund bringing a civil lawyer in. I don't know --
WHITFIELD: Now you have the question the motivation of the accuser.
FRIEDMAN: Yes, it is really bad news because they're handing on a silver platter to Pam Mackey and the defense a money motive. And this is the worst thing that could happen to the victim right now.
WHITFIELD: And Richard --
HERMAN: Fredricka I can't believe, I'm actually agreeing with Avery here, and if they are stupid enough to even file a complaint against him civilly, all Kobe will do is petition the court for a stay pending the outcome of the criminal proceeding, which most likely the judge will grant.
WHITFIELD: And then yet another potential blow to the accuser with her identity being slipped for a third time now. This really is remarkable for a courtroom. The judge apologized. But you have to wonder what is the motivation here, Richard?
HERMAN: Well, I just think it's a clerical error and I hope it's just a clerical error and without any reason to believe otherwise, that's what it is. The system is not perfect. These clerks are hard working people and they make mistakes and the judge apologized. That's all he could do. At the end it's meaningless, it will have no impact on this case.
WHITFIELD: Avery, you don't think it is unintentional?
FRIEDMAN: I don't agree with that. I think it was unintentional. If they made one mistakes, I would agree with Richard. Two mistakes, this is the third mistake. You've got to get the amoebas out of that clerk's office and maybe hire a vertebra to handle affairs; this is terrible for the victim.
WHITFIELD: All right, lets move on to the Mary Kate Letourneau case, she is soon to be released. And the person that she had an affair with it was her student, 12 years old at the time. Now he's an adult and apparently the two want to get back together once she is released from jail.
Because she is going to be registered as a sex offender, might thereby some real restrictions between her interaction with this young man as well as their two children, Avery? FRIEDMAN: Well they absolutely, there will be restrictions because it's not up to the released convict; it is not up to her lover. It's up to the local King County Children's Services. And the fact that she's a sex offender is going to play in on the decision of whether or not she can have those children.
If she clears as a good parent, then she'll be OK. But I think there are going to be some battles ahead because I don't think the county officials are going to be very happy with that kind of a relationship.
WHITFIELD: And Richard, are you in agreement with this? That more trouble is ahead.
HERMAN: Unfortunately, I'm going to have to agree with him.
WHITFIELD: Oh, no.
HERMAN: But I do think --
FRIEDMAN: I can't believe it, we're actually agreeing.
WHITFIELD: I've got to get more creative for you guys if you can continue to conflict.
HERMAN: I think she's going to end up back with her boyfriend. I think the two of them are going to get back together again.
WHITFIELD: All right real quick, Scott Peterson case. Detective Allan Brocchini made a few mistakes Richard. How costly are these mistakes, grounds for a mistrial?
HERMAN: These are not a few mistakes, these are horrendous. This happens every time throughout the United States. It's a cancer on the judicial system. It's outrageous, and let me tell you Fredricka, when the government or prosecutor or their agent commits obstruction like this, nothing happens. A slap on the wrist and move on.
But if a defendant or a defendant's agent would do this in court under oath, you can bet your bottom dollar, they will be charged with obstruction and they would be incarcerated for it. It's outrageous. Wake up America. This is very bad.
FRIEDMAN: An overstatement.
WHITFIELD: And Avery I think I have you guys disagreeing again.
FRIEDMAN: Absolutely. You know what Brocchini this actually disserved the interests of the justice. The sanction against him is that again, cops botching the case, prosecutors not preparing witnesses. This is an outrage and think of it in the context of the tragedy of a murder of a young woman and her child.
WHITFIELD: All right Avery Friedman and Richard Herman, thanks very much. We got it all in. Appreciate it. And I got you guys disagreeing again. HERMAN: Fredricka hacking -- hacking's going to get arrested.
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: Take us right to break. Thanks a lot, guys.
FRIEDMAN: We will see you soon.
HERMAN: Right take care.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: So much more ahead on CNN SATURDAY, at the top of the --
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired August 1, 2004 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.: My budget for next year $447 million to encourage this vital technology. I will tall you why; in order for us to be less dependent on foreign sources of energy we must use American coal. We have a difference of opinion of this; my opponent said he called coal a dirty energy source. He opposed my energy plan witch promoted clean coal technology and alternative sources of fuel.
The other night in Boston he said he wants America finally and forever independent of Mid East oil. Listen I share that goal and I know how to achieve it. To make sure we are independent, to make sure we are not dependent on foreign sources of energy we must be wise about how we use America's energy sources including coal. We will offer America's workers a lifetime of learning. And to help them get training for the jobs of the future in our community colleges.
Listen to make sure American jobs stay here we must be wise and educate people for the jobs of the 21 century. When it comes to keeping jobs in America we must not isolate ourselves from the world. I know people around here who are worried about trade. Let me tell you my view of trade. I believe we can compete with anybody, anytime, anywhere so long as the rules are fair.
I believe in my job is to make sure the rules are fair, holding countries to account that mistreat America manufactures. Holding countries to account that do not let their currency flow. Holding countries to account that close their markets. No, to keep jobs in America, you need a president who won't isolate us from the world, a president who's confident in the American worker, the American entrepreneur, the American manufacturer and insists that foreign countries treat us just the way we treat them.
We'll have American families keep something they never have enough of, and that is time. Time to be with your kids. Time to go to little league games or Girl Scout meetings, time to take care of the elderly. Time to improve themselves by going back to class. Congress needs to join me in supporting what we call comp time and flextime to help American families better juggle the demands of work and home.
After four more years, there will be better paying jobs in America. There will be more jobs in America. Our farmers will be better off and the small business sector will be alive and well. Listen, we've got more to do to wage and win the war on terror. America's future depends on our willingness to lead in the world. If America shows uncertainty and weakness in this decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. That's not going to happen on my watch. FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR, CNN LIVE SATURDAY: Bush in Cambridge, Ohio, on his heart and soul moving America forward tour. He began it by asking why should I have the privilege of four more years. He said quite simply because a lot is at stake. There is a lot to do to move forward to, move the country forward. For example, the economy, security, and overall improved American lives.
Well next stop for President Bush is Pennsylvania, another battleground state; he is expected to be in Pittsburgh later on this evening.
Now more of CNN LIVE SATURDAY. More fighting in Fallujah and a plea to foreign transport companies. We've got the headlines coming out of Iraq this afternoon as the clock ticks on several hostages held by insurgents.
Also, despite the floodwaters, life goes on in parts of Bangladesh. We'll share some amazing pictures from a region plagued by rising waters.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Violence and hostage taking rule the day once again in Iraq and Fallujah; at least 20 insurgents have been killed in confrontations with U.S. forces. The fighting began when marines came under attack by mortar fire leading to a larger firefight.
Negotiators in Iraq are working to free seven truck drivers working for a Kuwaiti company, they are being held by a shadowy militant group. Meantime the Iraqi government is urging trucking companies to hire Iraqi drivers to cut down on the number of hostage incidents.
And four Jordanian works are being held by Iraqi insurgents who call themselves the death group. The workers were shown on Dubai TV. Their captors threatened to attack Jordanian interest around the world.
In South Asia, the flooding is so severe in sections of Bangladesh that hundreds have died. And as the waters recede, hunger and disease follow. We have the latest now from CNN Satinder Bindra in the capital city of Dhaka.
SATINDER BINDRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredericka, more than 500 people have been killed in this flood so far. Today, a glimmer of good news. Floodwaters are receding in parts of northern and central Bangladesh, but as these waters recede, the risk of water-borne diseases is increasing. Since Friday, more than 7,000 people here in Bangladesh have been struck down with diarrhea, and almost half the capital city of Dhaka continues to be underwater.
BINDRA (voice over): Rush hour in Dhaka, commuters no longer drive, take the bus or walk. They use boats. And try to maintain a sense of normalcy in the face of one of the worst floods in years. I have to go to work, he says. My life cannot stop. My work cannot wait. Even with his entire neighborhood submerged, civil servant Gazi Rahamand (ph) is rushing to work, he wants to help rebuild his country, which has suffered an estimated $6 billion in losses.
Almost half the capital city of Dhaka is now underwater. The city's sewage system has collapsed. Many lack safe drinking water and thousands are suffering from diarrhea. In such unsanitary conditions, doctors are fearing an alcohollera (ph) or typhoid epidemic. To help its flood-ravaged citizens, the government is distributing food. This woman complains she is not getting enough. Others like Rizza Aliclam (ph) try to fend for themselves, even though his store is completely flooded, he's open for business.
I'm hoping this water recedes, he says, and life will be normal again. The low-lying country of Bangladesh is prone to flooding, but its people know how to keep up their spirits. It's the only way, they say, they can beat this monster flood.
BINDRA (on camera): Now, Fredericka despite the courage, the people of Bangladesh face a stiff challenge, soon because of the moon, they'll be high tides in the sea making it very difficult for Bangladesh's water and rivers to push their water out to sea. In fact, what will happen is the seas will push the water back into this low- lying country, making life very difficult for Bangladeshians. It's expected the situation will continue for at least the next three to four weeks.
Fredericka back to you.
WHITFIELD: And Satinder what about international aid? What kind of help is coming in or what kind of help is still needed?
BINDRA: Fredricka, the Bangladesh government is trying to feed its people, but international aid is now coming in the form of food and safe drinking water and Bangladesh has made a special appeal for help in rebuilding its infrastructure. Roads have collapsed. Schools have been swept away and they now have to build fresh embankments.
If there's another flood perhaps next year or the year after that, then Bangladesh will perhaps be better prepared to face it.
Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, Satinder Bindra thanks very much from Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Well thousands die from medical mistakes here in the states. Now there's a new procedure in place that should protect you the next time you go under the knife but is it effective? We'll find out.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Well, here's something to think about. Every year tens of thousands of people either die are or are maimed in hospitals, not from disease or injury but from mistakes made by the staff. Government figures show those mistakes are made inside and outside the operating rooms. CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports efforts are underway to cut back on errors during surgery.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Willie King had the wrong foot amputated leaving him with no foot. Linda McDougal had a double mastectomy only to find out her biopsy results were switched with another patient. Linda never had breast cancer in the first place.
They're among the thousands of patients who have suffered from medical mistakes in the operating room. Hospitals are adopting procedures aimed at reducing the numbers, it as simple as a checklist the same kinds pilots have used for years. Mary Haun is getting a total knee replacement in Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
MARY HAUN, PATIENT: I was going to put an arrow down there and then I wanted to right wrong knee, but they said I can't do that.
GUPTA: Mary marked her knee with her doctor's initials the night before surgery. According to new federal rules, the doctor not just the nurse must now check with the patient to confirm the type of surgery and the surgery site.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Put my initials on just below where you marked it.
GUPTA: Then a nurse makes sure again they have the right patient.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: First off, can you tell me your name?
HAUN: Mary.
GUPTA: And the right procedure.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ms. Haun what are you having done?
HAUN: Right knee.
GUPTA: Then before the surgeons make the first cut, a time-out is taken where the whole surgical staff verifies a third time that they have everything right.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The right knee you have for prep?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are we in agreement?
GUPTA: Surgical checklists are not new but a national standard is, and doctors are optimistic that will help bring medical errors down.
DR. JAMES ROBERSON, SURGEON: I love it. I wouldn't practice without it. It's very reassuring to me to be able to glance down at the patient's extremity and see initials there that confirm that I'm doing the correct thing and not the wrong thing.
GUPTA: Still, doctors realize that medicine, a very human profession, will always be vulnerable to mistakes.
ROBERSON: There are a lot of steps in this process, and there are a lot of humans involved, and there's always room for human error.
GUPTA: If you're a patient in a hospital and waiting for an operation, expect these questions from the hospital staff.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You should expect it and if you don't find it occurring, you should stop everybody and ask why not.
GUPTA: For Mary, the new OR check list and her own involvement in her care gives her peace of mind.
HAUN: You feel a little more in control. Of the situation. Because you lay there, thinking oh I hope they get the right knee but this way, if it's marked, it's going to be right.
GUPTA: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: So now this might have you wondering what can you do to protect yourself from deadly medical errors. Joining us in New York is Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical associate professor of medicine at New York University Medical School. Good to see you, Dr. Siegel.
DR. MARC SIEGEL, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL SCHOOL: Hi Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: Well the numbers are astounding, 195,000 unnecessary deaths due to hospital errors. You have to wonder how do they get so high? What is the simple explanation?
SIEGEL: Well the first explanation to this is that we're becoming much more technical. We will have more technology, more procedures, and more medications. We have less staff, shorter hours, you know, so errors can occur more rapidly. These new set of data may not be entirely accurate. Nevertheless, there has been a trend for more and more mistakes. I think this is something we have to be very concerned about.
WHITFIELD: So knowing this in addition to a lot of hospitals doing their check lists; it really does mean that patients have to be more vigilant, don't they? What are some of the things that patients need to do?
SIEGEL: Well first of all, a patient should choose a center that's really up to date in terms of electronic record keeping. That's the direction we're going in, and that decreases errors. You also should choose a center where the doctor and the procedure that you're having done is one they commonly do. That is another smart idea.
And probably the best idea is to make sure you choose a physician who you know well and that you can trust. That can be hard to come by, but if you are a relationship with a physician, they can also act as your advocate. WHITFIELD: So even this if this is a new doctor to you, it really would behoove you to get to know this doctor, have as many appointments prior to surgery as possible so that there is no mistake, this doctor recognizes you when he sees you in the operating room?
SIEGEL: Absolutely. And you know you shouldn't ever accept from a doctor, you know, an annoyance if you speak up. I think a patient should speak up. A patient also can appoint somebody knowing that they're not going to be totally wake, you want to appoint somebody who you can trust to work with you, a family member or friend that can be your advocate when you're going under the knife.
WHITFIELD: So we saw in Dr. Gupta's piece that a lot of the physicians themselves are asking, the surgeons themselves are asking the patients a lot of questions before they're put under. So what kind of questions need the patient perhaps ask?
SIEGEL: Well the patient should really ask how many of these cases have you done, how many have you done recently. I mean it may seem impertinent but you can ask your physician how many are you doing in a given day, is the physician getting enough sleep, are they getting enough to eat. These are very important things.
We have to be very careful not to overwork our physicians and nurses but at the same time give them enough exposure to the patients so that they have enough experience to be doing the procedure.
WHITFIELD: So what are some of the tell tale signs or maybe even red flags that a patient should look out for and say you know what, I changed my mind at this place or with this particular health care provider, let me move on?
SIEGEL: Well, you know, there is something called informed consent. And for that, to me, that doesn't mean signing your name to a paper. I think it means that you have to feel comfortable that who ever you're talking to has patients and is willing to fully explain to you what is going to go on here. You have to have confidence in this person and you really should trust your instincts.
WHITFIELD: Dr. Marc Siegel, associate professor at NYU Medical School, thank you so much for joining us. Appreciate it.
SIEGEL: Thank you Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: We will find out more about protecting yourself from medical errors at CNN.com/health. And while you are there discover why public pools are making people sick, as well.
And join Dr. Sanjay Gupta Sunday on "House Call" for more tips on avoiding medical errors.
Another day in court for Kobe Bryant and another leak for the accuser. We'll examine the latest development in the Bryant rape case and find out what effect, if any, it could have on the upcoming trial scheduled in August.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Well in, our legal briefs today, she was a mother, a wife, and a teacher who had sex with her 12-year-old student at the time. Next week, Mary Kate Letourneau will be freed after seven years in prison; she will reportedly try to reunite with her young lover and their two children.
We look at this case and others in our "Legal Roundtable." Avery Friedman is a civil rights attorney and law professor and Richard Herman --
RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Hello.
WHITFIELD: Hello, is a criminal defense attorney.
HERMAN: Good afternoon.
WHITFIELD: All right good to see you guys.
AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY: Good to see you.
WHITFIELD: Before we get to the Mary Kate Letourneau case, let's talk about the Kobe Bryant case because a lot of interesting movement in that case. The defense attorney, Pam Mackey says that the victim compensation fund up to $20,000 that was given to this accuser is financial incentive for this accuser, and that you have to wonder the motivation behind the accuser's intent.
So Avery, is this a legitimate argument to make?
FRIEDMAN: It is an absolutely legitimate argument, Fredricka. The problem is the victim's lawyers, at least in my opinion, have really disserved the victim. Because the last thing you are going to do, I represent victims of crime. What they did is they should have ignored the Victim's Compensation Fund. They've got a very highly collectible defendant here. The problem is, the only objective is to get the conviction.
Why in the world they would go after Victim Compensation Funds at this point before the trial to me is just absolutely mindless, and it's handed over to Pamela Mackey and the defense team for Kobe and absolutely rock solid defense of giving her a money motive to go after the victim.
WHITFIELD: But Richard, this is a large amount of money, and very few states that have this kind of Victim Compensation Fund have these kinds of figures.
HERMAN: Well, Fredericka, the problem here is this. Most of the viewers are probably think it's a cheap shot by Pamela Mackey but when a witness testifies in a case, their credibility comes into issue, and therefore, this is absolutely going to be admissible in cross- examination.
But the bigger picture is this, this $17,000; this $20,000 is nothing because if she gets a conviction against Kobe Bryant, you saw that $5 million ring he gave to his wife? This alleged victim is going to be a multi, multi, multimillionaire.
WHITFIELD: In fact, you know, let's talk about the next possible proceeding if this case, whether it pans out or not in the criminal phase, apparently Lynn Wood has been hired now by the accuser for a potential civil suit. Avery, what does that mean?
FRIEDMAN: Well, this is another screw-up by the lawyers there representing the victim. The last thing you want to do before there's a criminal trial is start talking about a civil suit. The Victim's Compensation Fund bringing a civil lawyer in. I don't know --
WHITFIELD: Now you have the question the motivation of the accuser.
FRIEDMAN: Yes, it is really bad news because they're handing on a silver platter to Pam Mackey and the defense a money motive. And this is the worst thing that could happen to the victim right now.
WHITFIELD: And Richard --
HERMAN: Fredricka I can't believe, I'm actually agreeing with Avery here, and if they are stupid enough to even file a complaint against him civilly, all Kobe will do is petition the court for a stay pending the outcome of the criminal proceeding, which most likely the judge will grant.
WHITFIELD: And then yet another potential blow to the accuser with her identity being slipped for a third time now. This really is remarkable for a courtroom. The judge apologized. But you have to wonder what is the motivation here, Richard?
HERMAN: Well, I just think it's a clerical error and I hope it's just a clerical error and without any reason to believe otherwise, that's what it is. The system is not perfect. These clerks are hard working people and they make mistakes and the judge apologized. That's all he could do. At the end it's meaningless, it will have no impact on this case.
WHITFIELD: Avery, you don't think it is unintentional?
FRIEDMAN: I don't agree with that. I think it was unintentional. If they made one mistakes, I would agree with Richard. Two mistakes, this is the third mistake. You've got to get the amoebas out of that clerk's office and maybe hire a vertebra to handle affairs; this is terrible for the victim.
WHITFIELD: All right, lets move on to the Mary Kate Letourneau case, she is soon to be released. And the person that she had an affair with it was her student, 12 years old at the time. Now he's an adult and apparently the two want to get back together once she is released from jail.
Because she is going to be registered as a sex offender, might thereby some real restrictions between her interaction with this young man as well as their two children, Avery? FRIEDMAN: Well they absolutely, there will be restrictions because it's not up to the released convict; it is not up to her lover. It's up to the local King County Children's Services. And the fact that she's a sex offender is going to play in on the decision of whether or not she can have those children.
If she clears as a good parent, then she'll be OK. But I think there are going to be some battles ahead because I don't think the county officials are going to be very happy with that kind of a relationship.
WHITFIELD: And Richard, are you in agreement with this? That more trouble is ahead.
HERMAN: Unfortunately, I'm going to have to agree with him.
WHITFIELD: Oh, no.
HERMAN: But I do think --
FRIEDMAN: I can't believe it, we're actually agreeing.
WHITFIELD: I've got to get more creative for you guys if you can continue to conflict.
HERMAN: I think she's going to end up back with her boyfriend. I think the two of them are going to get back together again.
WHITFIELD: All right real quick, Scott Peterson case. Detective Allan Brocchini made a few mistakes Richard. How costly are these mistakes, grounds for a mistrial?
HERMAN: These are not a few mistakes, these are horrendous. This happens every time throughout the United States. It's a cancer on the judicial system. It's outrageous, and let me tell you Fredricka, when the government or prosecutor or their agent commits obstruction like this, nothing happens. A slap on the wrist and move on.
But if a defendant or a defendant's agent would do this in court under oath, you can bet your bottom dollar, they will be charged with obstruction and they would be incarcerated for it. It's outrageous. Wake up America. This is very bad.
FRIEDMAN: An overstatement.
WHITFIELD: And Avery I think I have you guys disagreeing again.
FRIEDMAN: Absolutely. You know what Brocchini this actually disserved the interests of the justice. The sanction against him is that again, cops botching the case, prosecutors not preparing witnesses. This is an outrage and think of it in the context of the tragedy of a murder of a young woman and her child.
WHITFIELD: All right Avery Friedman and Richard Herman, thanks very much. We got it all in. Appreciate it. And I got you guys disagreeing again. HERMAN: Fredricka hacking -- hacking's going to get arrested.
(CROSSTALK)
WHITFIELD: Take us right to break. Thanks a lot, guys.
FRIEDMAN: We will see you soon.
HERMAN: Right take care.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: So much more ahead on CNN SATURDAY, at the top of the --
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
