Need Advice - Conflict of Interest?

Published

  1. What would you do

    • 9
      Scrub-In (Assist as if any other case)
    • 0
      Observe (But don't assist)
    • 15
      Take Day Off - Stay with Family in Waiting Room
    • 0
      Keep Mind Busy and Assist on Other Cases

24 members have participated

Specializes in Operating Room Scrub / FA.

Hello,

I need advices from other OR nurses that may have encountered this situation or seen it occur. I have a dear friend who is scheduled for a 16-hr dual open-heart (valve repair) and En bloc esophagectomy. He will literally be split open from trachea to pubic region. Due to the complexity, the case is estimated to carry a 30-40% intraop mortality, but really his only hope at this point.

The dilemma I face is that it will be performed at my institution and I am lead scrub for two of the top surgeons in both CT and general thoracic. It is a case that they would like to have me scrub-in on. I believe I have the maturity to handle this, and in some way, trust that I will help deliver the best acute intraoperative care possible. And he really wants me to be involved - I think he knows that this may be his time.

Would you assist? I'm torn.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I would do it. With the caveat that if things go south you may need to be pulled out.

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Specializes in Operating Room Scrub / FA.

Thank you CrunchRN, that is the way I'm leaning - how would you define 'going south'?

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I mean that if they coded or other crisis situation they should pull you out and let someone else handle that.

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Is that you in your avatar? If so bad idea.

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I wouldn't do it. I would feel bad if something went wrong.

If you are there, and something does goes wrong, you may be forever explaining and answering to your friend and family members what happened. They may always think of you in there, and make that association with you when they think of your friend and what went wrong.

I would tell administration that I need off that day- to sit with family and support family. I would tell my friend that it is a conflict of interest for me to be there, and I will be with his/her family.

If something goes wrong are they are going to pull you out in the middle of the emergency and have someone available to immediately scrub in? I'd be surprised if the facility even allowed you in, knowing it is a very dear friend.

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Specializes in Operating Room Scrub / FA.

Thank you Selfie, are you in OR?

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No. I'm a discharge coordinator in the hospital.

My days in the OR were as a special care nurse; attending all OR deliveries.

I wouldn't do it just because the surgeons wanted me there. I'd probably run it by my boss, and in the end if I was still allowed to be part of it, I'd follow my gut.

Good luck with your decision.

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