Please help me write up this surgeon.

[Mr. & Mrs. RN]

I've been asked to write up a surgeon if I feel that he did anything inappropriate. He yells alot, makes unrealistic demands...like asking for us to do something in 5 minutes, when it takes 45 minutes to complete. He stomps his feet, throws things (but not at others). He basically creates a hostile environment and I don't know how to write this up being as objective as possible. Thanks for any input.

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

Are they asking for everyone to write this surgeon up, or just you? Are you new with the organization by any chance?

I ask because I've seen instances in the past where newbies were used to write up "problem" surgeons whose behavior had been bad for a very long time but nobody wanted to stick their neck out and report the guy. I'm not trying to discrourage people from writing up bad behavior, because it really shouldn't be tolerated, but just be careful you are not being used as the fall guy.

Assuming that you are not taking the fall, just document as objectively as you can, ie. surgeon threw a clamp off the mayo stand and it hit the wall, surgeon answered circulator's question in an abrupt and impatient tone, surgeon interrupted scrub when scrub was trying to ascertain what suture surgeon needed next, etc. You can also add things like, surgeon's tone in responding to me made me feel inhibited about asking further questions....

Good luck, it's a difficult situation (I know)!

[Mr. & Mrs. RN]

I've been here almost 2 years, and he has been written up before. The CRNA already did his write up. They told me that it would be taken care of regardless because of the CRNA's write-up, but that it would be nice to have the nurse's perspective. I'm just going to make it short and sweet.

[LuvScrubs2, BSN, RN]

WoW that is a very touchy situation.... Just be careful and good luck...:)

[Scrubby]

If I was working with a surgeon that threw instruments I'd remove the backtable to ensure all instrument were out of his/her reach and get the head of surgery and the head of anaesthetics into the OR. I'd probably use the intercom and state something like 'emergency situation' and get everyones attention.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

OP, I have been in a similar situation. I was asked to write up a jackwagon surgeon for inappropriate behavior because the Director of Surgery needed supporting documentation to get rid of this Liability Nightmare. I had no qualms writing him up for obvious inappropriate behavior, but left it at that. I didn't write him up for just being a jerk, although I wish I could have!

Just make sure that your write ups are factual and concise.

[ORnurse77433]

Make sure if you decide to use any reporting tool your facility requires that you stick to facts, and don't let your emotion get your judgement cloudy. (I've had to submit documentation regarding a surgeon's actions, even though I had our Director on the phone listening to the disagreement between him and anesthesia during a case!!!)