The 20/80 Rule

At my pre-op information session, I learned about the 20/80 rule. It says that the surgeon bears 20% of the responsibility for a successful operation, and I bear 80% of the responsibility. Is it just me, or does that ratio seem crazy? The 20/80 rule means that the surgeon can do a bad job of his part and, provided that I do a good job of my part, we can still have a successful outcome. Even if the surgeon doesn’t show up, I still have a good shot at a successful outcome. I think the hospital is exaggerating the numbers in the hope that it will make us patients more responsible.

Part of my responsibility involves learning from others who have had hip surgery so that I can do the right things. I read that Nick Nolte was anxious and went on a vodka bender the night before his surgery. As a result, his surgery had to be postponed. I learned from Nick’s experience, and I won’t go on a vodka bender the night before my surgery.

It’s my responsibility to maintain a positive attitude, and writing this blog helps me to do that. When my son Brandon was helping me to set up this blog, he pointed out that my suggested URL, ronshipadventure.com, would be read as “Ron Ship Adventure.” Readers expecting adventure on the high seas might be disappointed to find a blog about hip surgery. So, thanks to Brandon, I chose the less misleading URL of myhipadventure.com.

Tomorrow I’ll keep working on my 80%. The day after tomorrow, my surgeon will contribute his 20%, and I hope he gets it right.

Thank you Bill and Sue for sending me this cartoon.