Operating Room Standards or CareExpert Witness
Independent medical record review and expert consultation.
Operating Room Standards or CareExpert Witness
Independent medical record review and expert consultation.
About
Expert Witness Insights
John D. Ratliff, CST, FAST
John D. Ratliff has worked in the surgical technology profession since 1994 and has served as a surgical technology educator since January 2003. His experience spans more than three decades in surgical technology and more than two decades educating future surgical technologists, developing curriculum, and leading a Surgical Technology program in the Carolinas.
Mr. Ratliff is the author of Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice, 9th Edition, published by Elsevier, as well as the accompanying student workbook. He is also the author of a forthcoming pocket guide for surgical technology students. He holds the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential and has been recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Surgical Technologists (FAST).
As a Surgical Technology Expert Witness and Operating Room Expert Witness, Mr. Ratliff provides objective case review, medical record review, expert consultation, deposition testimony, and trial testimony. His areas of expertise include surgical standards of care, aseptic and sterile technique, retained surgical items, surgical counts, operating room protocols, surgical instrumentation, perioperative patient safety, and alleged deviations from accepted surgical technology practice.
Mr. Ratliff assists attorneys representing both plaintiffs and defendants. His opinions are independent, evidence-based, and grounded in accepted surgical technology principles, professional standards, education, and decades of experience in the profession.
Expert Services Offered
John D. Ratliff, CST, FAST
John D. Ratliff has worked in the surgical technology profession since 1994 and has served as a surgical technology educator since January 2003. His experience spans more than three decades in surgical technology and more than two decades educating future surgical technologists, developing curriculum, and leading a Surgical Technology program in the Carolinas.
Mr. Ratliff is the author of Surgical Technology: Principles and Practice, 9th Edition, published by Elsevier, as well as the accompanying student workbook. He is also the author of a forthcoming pocket guide for surgical technology students. He holds the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential and has been recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Surgical Technologists (FAST).
As a Surgical Technology Expert Witness and Operating Room Expert Witness, Mr. Ratliff provides objective case review, medical record review, expert consultation, deposition testimony, and trial testimony. His areas of expertise include surgical standards of care, aseptic and sterile technique, retained surgical items, surgical counts, operating room protocols, surgical instrumentation, perioperative patient safety, and alleged deviations from accepted surgical technology practice.
Mr. Ratliff assists attorneys representing both plaintiffs and defendants. His opinions are independent, evidence-based, and grounded in accepted surgical technology principles, professional standards, education, and decades of experience in the profession.
Areas of Expertise
Aseptic technique is essential to maintaining a safe and properly controlled surgical environment. Patient positioning, skin preparation, sterile field management, surgical counts, instrumentation, and adherence to established operating room protocols all play a critical role in perioperative patient safety.
When concerns arise regarding a surgical procedure, careful review of the medical record can help identify possible deviations from accepted practice, including breaks in sterile technique, improper positioning, communication failures, count discrepancies, or retained surgical items. As a Surgical Technology Expert Witness, Mr. Ratliff provides objective analysis of these issues and explains complex operating room practices in clear, understandable terms.
