[SMK1]

Just read the ap report about a woman in labor at a kaiser hospital. Apparently the anethesia professional (don't know which kind crna, mda or aa) asked the husband to help hold the wife still while the needle was inserted into the epidural space of her back and, he saw the needle going in and fainted, fell over and hit his head, suffered a fatal brain bleed and died 2 days later. Of course the wife is sueing, stating that he was asked to assist the procedure and so "reasonable" care should have been taken to prevent reasonable forseable complications/accidents. My thoughts as a simply a student, is that this is a firviolous lawsuit, and the lawyer that is encouraging her to go forth with this case should be ashamed. Also I am so saddened for this family to have such a joyous event marred and a life gone without warning. I guess to all of you L/D nurses and CRNA's etc... don't ask a family member to help hold the mom still. What are your takes on this?

[prmenrs]

I don't think it's a frivolous suit. A professional (RN) should have been holding, not dad. The nurse assigned to the mother should not have permitted dad to "help", and the anesthesia provider shouldn't have asked. Some people faint when seeing medical proceedures.

JMO

[SMK1]

Originally Posted by prmenrs

I don't think it's a frivolous suit. A professional (RN) should have been holding, not dad. The nurse assigned to the mother should not have permitted dad to "help", and the anesthesia provider shouldn't have asked. Some people faint when seeing medical proceedures.

JMO

i guess i see your point, however i only see negligence if an adverse outcome had happened to the actual patient. (i.e. dad wasn't holding firm and patient moved and was paralyzed or went into cardiac arrest etc..) A lot of dads faint watching procedures that are related to the childbirth process. What about a dad who faints cutting the umbilical cord? Should the family be able to sue then? My hubby almost fainted watching the crowning. (I probably would have too if i could have actually seen what was going on! ) In any case I think the dad in this case could have fainted whether he was touching the mom or not. I don't think the actual holding had anything to do with it, it was just the actual sight of the needle. Imho some things just fall under the category of unfortunate, but no one is really to blame. Of course this is just my opinion and I am not a nurse yet...

[Faeriewand]

Since you asked what our take was on this....

I agree with prmenrs.

[Princess74]

I wonder just how common it is for a non-medical professional to hold the patient still during these procedures. I was recently with my neice during her labor and delevery. The CRNA had me support her during the procedure, and the RN was in the room looking at the moniters etc.. Of course needles and such have no affect on me whatsoever. The CRNA knew that Im a student but still he did ask me about 5 or 6 times if needles bothered me, he said he didn't want me to pass out. I don't know if he "let" me do it just because he knew how interested I was in the who thing or if it is a common practice to have family members do it on a regular basis.

It didn't bother me one bit to be involved, it was right up my alley.

And actually now that I think about it, I was also in the room when my sister in law was in labor and her husband supported her.

Two seperate hospitals. One Navy and one civilian.

I feel really bad about the man passing out and dieing, thats just awful!

[SMK1]

Originally Posted by Faeriewand

Since you asked what our take was on this....

I agree with prmenrs.

always nice to see other viewpoints, that's what the forum is for.

[canoehead]

If he was just standing there holding her hand and fainted with the same outcome would change the liability issue?

[mkaszukgirl]

I don't think that I would have had Dad hold Mom during that kind of procedure, but as to the liability? I think it was an awful, tragic accident. But, in our society of legal jargon, someone will be paying dearly-probably the hospital and CRNA. My heart goes out to the wife. How terrible to lose your husband at the joyous moments of labor and delivery!!! Melinda

[amber1142]

Originally Posted by SMK1

Just read the ap report about a woman in labor at a kaiser hospital.

I think it's a frivolous lawsuit. He was a grown man. He should have said no if he felt uncomfortable.

[Marie_LPN]

Originally Posted by amber1142

I think it's a frivolous lawsuit. He was a grown man. He should have said no if he felt uncomfortable.

I agree.