Anesthesiologist trashes sedated patient during colonoscopy

[KHCD5]

I found this story about a anesthesiologist that was caught on recording talking poorly about their patient and also giving a fake diagnosis. The patient did not have IBD, but who really knows what our doctors say or do while we are under anesthesia....

This story is really disturbing to me. Just a friendly reminder to get a second opinion....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local...8f3-11e5-ab92-c75ae6ab94b5_story.html?hpid=z3

 

[DEmberton]

A good reason not to have the sedative.

 

[UnXmas]

This was posted on another thread. Unfortunately it doesn't surprise me at all.

 

[UnXmas]

A good reason not to have the sedative.

That wouldn't be an option with surgery. And I wouldn't want a doctor who is only behaving appropriately because they know they'd get in trouble if they didn't. So you need to make sure you always get a trustworthy surgeon!

 

[teeny5]

WOW, this is ridiculous. What were the other people in the room doing? Shouldn't they be held accountable too? There were 4 people in the room for mine. I don't know that I could do a colonoscopy without sedation, they have been extremely painful for me.

 

[Lady Organic]

That wouldn't be an option with surgery. And I wouldn't want a doctor who is only behaving appropriately because they know they'd get in trouble if they didn't. So you need to make sure you always get a trustworthy surgeon!

A while ago, I was watching this documentary about the ''psychopath next door''. when we think of psychopaths, we think of serial killers, or people in jail, but in reality, the majority of psychopaths live ''normal lives'' around us, they are not ''criminals'' in the sense we think of it. about 1% of population is like that, so that makes a lot of people. they are men in majority. I have already had such a boyfriend in the past. Good for me I left him on time. psychopaths are manipulative, fearless, cool under pressure, pathological liars and like to con or harm people, with no guilt or remorse. In the documentary, they drew a list of what occupations attract psychopaths the most. No one will be suprised that Business CEOs rank first, fallowing by lawyers, tv media and (not so)... suprisingly... surgeons!

I'd personally always ask a second or third opinion before a surgery. Ive done it in the past which served me a great deal and avoided me unnecessary interventions.
One rheumy and 2 surgeons were speedy and ready to operate me, 3rd surgeon said otherwise and that I didnt need that for my condition. That is 2 years ago, and he was 100% right.

 

[DEmberton]

I remember a documentary on psychopaths that also said that psychopaths were responsible for winning most wars. There was some study done on the troops of WW1 that discovered 98% of them weren't shooting to kill, not wanting to be responsible for taking someone's life even in war, and it was the 2% with psychopathic tendencies that did all the killing.

So really you could get rid of most of the armed forces and just keep the psychopaths and they'd be just as effective.

But back to the topic:

You can choose your surgeon, but do you get to choose your anaesthetist? Or the nurses?

I am vaguely disturbed by the idea that I remember being in the anaesthetist's room with a hospital gown on, and then I woke up in a recovery room with a gown and a catherter. Somewhere inbetween I must have been naked and unconscious with a bunch of strangers.:shifty-t:

 

[UnXmas]

I have similar thoughts hearing all the news stories lately (in the UK news anyway) about sexual abuse and child pornography, and the culprits are often professionals, celebrities, teachers, lawyers and so on - and priests of course. And there are so many of them and you wonder how many you meet without suspecting a thing (my mum actually did used to know one person recently announced in the media as guilty of sexually abusing children - she didn't know him well, but she was very unsettled by the fact she had never even thought he'd do anything like that).

I have one surgeon I've known a long time and trust completely. Soon I'll be having a surgery by someone else, but I've been seeing him a long time, this is just the first time he'll operate, but I trust him, and he was recommended by my usual surgeon. But then I had emergency surgery with a surgeon I'd never met before, there's no choice in emergency situations. I was again lucky and got someone not only trustworthy but also a great and caring surgeon, but you're so vulnerable in that situation, it could have been someone completely different.

 

[UnXmas]

I am vaguely disturbed by the idea that I remember being in the anaesthetist's room with a hospital gown on, and then I woke up in a recovery room with a gown and a catherter. Somewhere inbetween I must have been naked and unconscious with a bunch of strangers.

I have been in that situation many, many times. I don't find it disturbing. Maybe I should, but it's a good thing I don't as I'm going to continue to be put in that situation many more times.

 

[wild_one353]

on a more positive note, my GI just forgave a 200.00 debt I owed them, that's a pretty amazing act of compassion. Lots of good sane docs out there.

 

[KHCD5]

This is scary and I seriously doubt this is the only time this has happened. In my experience the gastroenterologists' don't really understand what it's like to have IBD - they treat us from the book and show minimal compassion to side effects of the medication or disease. This patient didn't have IBD but I think a lot of us have complained to our GI only to get a less than sympathetic response or no response at all.

The doctor patient relationship is incredibly important since this disease will most likely be a life long battle. If there is any hint that the doctor doesn't respect you or shows no compassion about how you feel I would consider getting a second opinion.

 

[2thFairy]

I work in surgery. There are facilities that feel they should just pretend they don't hear the crass things that a few doctors say during surgery or other procedures where the patient is heavily sedated or completely knocked out. However, the majority of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and scrub techs do not act this inappropriately. The surgery personnel are a team and they are all supposed to keep watch on each other, from good sterile technique all the way down to what comes out of their mouth. I am fortunate enough to work at a facility where we are encouraged to report anyone in the operating room who acts or says anything inappropriate. After a report is made, the offender is brought in front of a panel who then discuss what changes have to be made.

While there will always be situations as distasteful as what happened to the patient in the news, please know that the majority of hospitals and clinics who perform procedures with the patient under any form of sedation/anesthetic do not act like this and PLEASE don't stop seeing your doctor, getting the colonoscopy/endoscopy that you need, or surgery that you need.

 

[2thFairy]

WOW, this is ridiculous. What were the other people in the room doing? Shouldn't they be held accountable too?

Yes, they should be held accountable as well.

 

[teeny5]

I had a colonoscopy yesterday and the staff was all amazing. Constantly asking if I was ok with what was going on. Male nurses asking if I was ok with being escorted to the procedure room or if I wanted another nurse (because he was male). Once in the room a female nurse introduced herself and told me she would be observing the procedure since my GI, anesthesiologist, and nurse were all male. They ask you a lot of quests to ensure you understand and consent to the procedure. They ask your name several times and seem to double check everything before they begin.

What is scary is that had I not had a good experience I would have no idea what to look out for. My medical group always requires a female in the room if a male Dr or nurse is alone with a female patient. They have all sorts of precautions...I am sure to protect the staff and the patient. When you book a gynecologist appt they always ask if you prefer male or female. You can always request a change if you get there and change your mind, just will have to wait.

The trash talking is outrageous, but what would concern me is sexual or physical abuse/molestation.

I have read stories about dentists that have taken advantage of patients while sedated. Anyone remember the movie "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle?" That was an obstetrician. Happens more than we know I am sure.

I agree with 2thFairy - you need to feel comfortable with your medical staff. I think it is the facility that would be diligent in ensuring patient safety and the integrity of the staff. I believe most would be just as horrified by this story as we are. My medical group is amazing and I would pay extra just to stay with them if my work ever dropped their coverage. I have to be able to trust the people I go to for medical treatment. Be your own advocate, if it doesn't feel right then seek another dr or facility, but don't let it keep you from being treated. I HATE going to the Dr. Always have, get a ton of anxiety. This disease forces me to go in all the time so for me liking my Dr is a deal breaker.

 

[RNGirl]

Yes, this is a very disturbing incident. I worked as an RN in the operating room for over 20 years. Half of those years as a manager. This kind of behavior was not tolerated and more likely than not, the professional registered nurse in the room would reign in anyone that would start to get out of line. I have even had one surgeon stop all inappropriate chatter in the room and turn off the music to put everyone's attention on the whole reason we were in the room---for the patient! She also said "this is a holy place, we have a family's loved one on this table". These bad incidents no matter how rare are the ones that are published. Please know this is not usual. Trust your OR team and ask to speak to your advocate while you are asleep---your professional Registered Nurse.