Another "What would you do post" but I really need some opinions....

Published

Hello all~

I have a dilemma that I would like to share and get some feedback on.

I am not a nurse yet (half way done with school! yay) but work in the hospital in a tech capacity. I found out today that a family member of mine was to have surgery done by a surgeon with notoriously bad results. I dont want to flame this doctor...but he is bad. Ive worked with him and seen how he works and I wouldnt recommend him to my worst enemy. I immediately had a mini panic attack. I wanted to tell my family member to please think about getting a second opinion but I didnt want to get fired.

I told the secretary and the charge nurse of my dilemma. Both of them knowing this doctor, agreed with me and told me in my position they would do the same.

So I did...I did it professionally. I just told them that I felt he should have a second opinion and that I could speak more with them when they were discharged from the hospital. I could see that what I said was scary for them and the family that was there.

Thankfully..they took my advice and when the nurse came to preop him they aked about their options and THANKFULLY went with the other surgeon of that specialty that was available.

I know I could have said nothing...but if something would have happened to them and I could have prevented it...I wouldnt have forgiven myself. Also, if this gets out, could this be grounds for extermination? What would you have done..?

Apologies for the length..Thanks for reading

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Also, if this gets out, could this be grounds for extermination? What would you have done..?

I really shouldn't make light of your question, as it is obvious that you are worried.

But this tickled my funny bone.

No, I don't know of any hospital that exterminates employees. Discipline or termination, but never extermination.

I'm glad all is well.

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Jolie, I thought the same thing.

I would have done the same thing, Nursey. Don't second guess yourself.

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LOL....sorry for the misspell!! Ive been stressed and worked 12+ hours today...

I also cracked up when I realized what I wrote......;)

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Specializes in district nurse, ccu, geriatric.

You have done nothing wrong in this situation, every patient has the right to a second opinion and to choose what surgeon they wish to go under. There is no reason for you to worry that you will be fired from your job.

I would have done the same as you, and I will continue to do the same, I don't name any names, and I don't go into any detail about reputations, but if I am concerned about a particular specialist of any sort, I will advise the client to seek a second opinion, and that is all I say. As the patient's advocate, we are obliged to advise the patient of all available options.

You stated that you would go into detail when your family member goes home. There would be nothing to gain by doing that, they chose the better option at the time, and for you to mudsling about another surgeon for the benefit of no one, would be unprofessional.

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i would have definitely done the same as you did nursey, but am sure i would have gotten myself exterminated.:yeah:

and yeah, it's over with.

no need to elaborate on your advice.

good job.

leslie

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Specializes in med-surg.

No, I don't know of any hospital that exterminates employees. Discipline or termination, but never extermination.

Although I am sure my charge nurse would like have liked to exterminate me a time or two. I'm glad looks can't kill:chuckle

OP, you did the right thing. I'm very protective about my folks after a jerk-off MD got my mom hooked on prescription drugs for years and then dropped her like a hot potato instead of helping to clean up the mess he turned her into.

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Why would you be terminated? If you are not committing slander, and you did not breach confidentiality (looking up family member in computer, etc.), what is the problem?

I would have done the same thing.

You were successful in what you set out to accomplish, so I agree, that is enough said.

I hope your family member has a speedy recovery!

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Nurses recommend physicians (or not) to friends and family members all the time. I wouldn't worry about it. Just don't talk about it with other people and risk having the surgeon find out and holding it against you. It's better to keep such things quiet and "behind the scenes." The fewer people who know, the better.

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Your family is very lucky that they have an advocate (sp?) watching out for them, because you know things. I have someone at my hospital I know very well ,who knows which ortho doctor's have high infection rate and what ones do not. To bad everyone does not get all of that information.

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

My family knows if I am ever injured and need surgery, if doc A, B, or C's on call, fine. If it's the guy we call "Doctor Death" they are to medivac me out to another surgeon -- I mean, seriously, I'd rather have my cat's vet take a shot at it than him. One of the charge nurses was going water skiing, and as she left, said, "okay, and we know who's on call so if me or the kids get hurt, send us up the road, don't let Dr. Death touch us."

Thankfully, he's getting booted from the hospital. Reason? Excessive patient mortality. I kid you not.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I did the same thing you did. I worked at a hospital as a pharmacy tech and found out my dear grandmother was going to have a knee replacement. The surgeon scheduled to do the procedure was a doctor known for his horrible post-op infections and the high percentage of his patients that would need to return for revisions of their surgeries. I begged my grandmother to change her physician, even just to another doc within the same group. She refused, saying she didn't want to hurt her doctor's feelings! I tried to tell her it was her body - who cares whose feelings got hurt - but she wouldn't do it. By some divine intervention the doctor's office changed the physician for her (I think the surgeon scheduled a vacation or something) and everything worked out ok. A few weeks ago in clinicals in a step down unit I took care of a poor elderly lady who still could not bear weight on her new knee 6 months after having it done. I knew who her surgeon was before I even asked...

So, like everybody else has said, no worries, you're fine, and even if you don't hear it, everybody else at the hospital is doing it ;)

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