How would you handle this and what is your opinion?

Published

Last night I was watching an episode of Untold Stories of the ER. There was a female doctor who was taking care of a stab victim. She said it was unlike anything she had ever seen b/c most stab victims don't look like the attacker was trying to kill them. But this individual had a stab wound near the heart. She said that she knew whoever did this was trying to kill the man. He was making jokes and seemed very friendly. After an x-ray she said that it had punctured his lung and caused it to collapse (nemothorax). When she was about to numb the area to make the incision between his ribs she asked him who did this to him. He replied that it was his wife. Then the doctor asked why would she do this to you. And he replied with no change in expression or tone of voice I was beating the crap out of her. She said he showed no remorse. She was filled with rage, because she said she has seen women who are abused but is usually never faced with the man who did it. She then told the nurse we won't be needing this, and handed the anesthesia to her. She told him this is going to be painful then she then proceded to make an incision in between two of his ribs then placed the tube in to reinflate the lung. He was in so much pain there were nurses holding him down. Now obviously she could lose her license doing this, so she wanted to remain anonymous during the interview. She still works at that hospital.

What is your opinion on this and how would you have handled it if you would have been the doctor's nurse?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

To withhold pain control measures because you don't like the patient is disgusting. If a person doesn't like their patient fine, but do your job just the same.

Adri

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Utilization Management.

I would've told her out loud--loud enough so that others could hear--that I refused to participate in this procedure unless the patient had adequate pain control. It's a standard of care with that particular procedure.

Then I'd let the doc hold him down.

I've taken care of some scary, sorry, mean customers in my day, but I don't have to sink to their level. What that doc did was unprofessional, unethical, and meaner than a beating. All she did was reinforce to that patient that it's OK to get revenge and it's OK to be cruel to others.

Ditto for the nurses who participated by holding him down.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

This type of behavior is indefensible. It is legally, morally and eethically wrong, and I would certainly hope that the doctor involved would be reported and held accountable for her actions.

It is NOT for healthcare professionals to judge the "worthiness" of our patients. If the doctor did not feel capable of providing the proper care for this patient because of her strong feelings about his behavior, then she should have recused herself and found another ER doc to take over his care.

While some may applaud her actions, I must ask where she will draw the line. If she was willing to deliberately subject him to severe pain because of his abuse of his wife, would she do the same to a drunk driver? A suspected criminal? What about a parent whom she deemed to be negligent in causing an auto accident that injured a child?

She doesn't get to be judge, jury, and executioner.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, Med/Surg, ICU, ER.

If the Doc wanted to haul him out back and beat the shizzle out of him, I'd be OK with that. :idea:

To refuse to provide pain control during a medical proceedure is just plain barbaric.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

this doctor's behavior is reprehensible.:angryfire as a nurse, i would have outright refused to participate and would have reported her.

my goodness, i remember a pt i had one time who was a pedophile. but that didn't prompt me to withhold pain medication as he lay dying (i work hospice). actually part of his dying process involved profound fear that he was damned to hell because of all his sexual abuses. and it was my job to soothe him and bring him peace, which i did. it wasn't easy but through the Grace of God i was able to do my job. and so should this doctor. no excuses.

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I definitely agree with Clee1. When we are at work, we MUST act and behave in a prefessional and ethical manner with all patients despite our personal feelings. The doctor should be held accountable for his/her actions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've got to agree with everyone else. This doc's behavior was wrong. I've never has to refuse a procedure (would have refused this one), but I've had to politely state "Dr. I think the patient needs something for pain," during a chest tube insertion. He wasn't thrilled, but did numb the area more. The doctor shoud by reprimanded. I'd contact the nursing supervisor, and ask that an incident report be filed, and that the medical director review it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Last night I was watching an episode of Untold Stories of the ER. There was a female doctor who was taking care of a stab victim. She said it was unlike anything she had ever seen b/c most stab victims don't look like the attacker was trying to kill them. But this individual had a stab wound near the heart. She said that she knew whoever did this was trying to kill the man. He was making jokes and seemed very friendly. After an x-ray she said that it had punctured his lung and caused it to collapse (nemothorax). When she was about to numb the area to make the incision between his ribs she asked him who did this to him. He replied that it was his wife. Then the doctor asked why would she do this to you. And he replied with no change in expression or tone of voice I was beating the crap out of her. She said he showed no remorse. She was filled with rage, because she said she has seen women who are abused but is usually never faced with the man who did it. She then told the nurse we won't be needing this, and handed the anesthesia to her. She told him this is going to be painful then she then proceded to make an incision in between two of his ribs then placed the tube in to reinflate the lung. He was in so much pain there were nurses holding him down. Now obviously she could lose her license doing this, so she wanted to remain anonymous during the interview. She still works at that hospital.

What is your opinion on this and how would you have handled it if you would have been the doctor's nurse?

I would have insisted the physician provide the anesthesia, and if she was still refusing to do so I would tell her that I would report the incident...then would do so - to my supervisor, the manager, and the medical chief. I would ideally like to be able to do this in private, but if she were determined to proceed then and there, I would say something right in front of the patient, unprofessional as that may be, and refuse to participate. I feel very strongly that personal feelings should not interfere with the care that we have to provide for our patients. Let me tell you, I've worked in ER for many years, seen my share of "not-so-nice" people, but have never witnessed any of this sort of behaviour from any physician I have ever worked with.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
To withhold pain control measures because you don't like the patient is disgusting. If a person doesn't like their patient fine, but do your job just the same.

Adri

Having had the crap beat out of me, I am not sure what I think-but to classify what the doc did as "not liking" the pt would be incorrect.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

And...the doctor knows its wrong which is why she wanted to remain anonymous...this is wrong.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm curious... would she have just been able to refuse to care for that patient? Or, working in the hospital, so you HAVE to take care every patient that comes your way?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment