"She will not die. She does not have that permission from me."

[pockunit]

Did anyone else have a problem with this quote from the neurologist about Rep. Giffords?

YOU DON'T GET TO GIVE PERMISSION.

I get that he was using levity in a very dark situation. But it's representative of a general school of thought that very likely helps lead to overtreatment in futile situations.

But I may be crabby.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

You're taking the quote waaaay too literally and ripping any feelings of hope, encouragement, and dedication to his patient out of it.

In times of traumatic injuries, the only thing that families have to survive on is hope. Why take that out of his quote? The conversation regarding futile care should not even enter into dialogue at the time the quote was made.

[MunoRN, RN]

It was actually the Trauma MD, not the Neurosurgeon who said that. Although the neurosurgeon said something even more idiotic by saying that the breathing tube was being left in to "prevent complications such as pneumonia" Ever hear of VAP?

[backatit2]

you're definitely digging a little deep here.

as part of the "i'm not a nurse yet and have no bias" general population - i found the statement to be very encouraging, uplifting, etc.

he was "joking" but you are right that people hold their doctors in a different light. of COURSE they are regular people, but there's just something about being deathly ill and the only person who can make you feel better is the doctor that makes people respect them. OR you go into the hospital fat and miserable and leave with a healthy baby thanks to the doctor. same goes for nurses really IMO, but the doctor calls the shots so they're always held to a higher standard.

i agree with the poster who said it's just like saying "not on my watch."

NOT a big deal.

[whodatnurse]

you're definitely digging a little deep here.

as part of the "i'm not a nurse yet and have no bias" general population - i found the statement to be very encouraging, uplifting, etc.

he was "joking" but you are right that people hold their doctors in a different light. of COURSE they are regular people, but there's just something about being deathly ill and the only person who can make you feel better is the doctor that makes people respect them. OR you go into the hospital fat and miserable and leave with a healthy baby thanks to the doctor. same goes for nurses really IMO, but the doctor calls the shots so they're always held to a higher standard.

i agree with the poster who said it's just like saying "not on my watch."

NOT a big deal.

I see it the same way. It's a different way of saying, Don't you even think about giving up on you because "I" am not giving up on you. I too find the statement very encouraging and uplifting.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

It was actually the Trauma MD, not the Neurosurgeon who said that. Although the neurosurgeon said something even more idiotic by saying that the breathing tube was being left in to "prevent complications such as pneumonia" Ever hear of VAP?

I thought the same thing, but kept that fact to myself since I'm not wise in the ways of neurosurgery and all the fuss here is being made over the "permission" statement, which I found to be very encouraging and positive. I think too many people are taking it way too literally and reading too much into it at a time when we all ought to be focusing on the amazing progress Rep. Giffords has made since the shooting. But, that's just me.

[nursel56]

I've been doing some reading about Dr. Rhee, and I couldn't find anywhere that he said there would be no neurological consequences from her injury. It's hard to imagine that any doctor would say something that ridiculous, especially while also saying that chance of surviving a bullet to the brain is small. He is a battlefield trauma surgeon of 20 years, having served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and trained at LAC-USC Medical Center caring for up to 30 gunshot wounds a day.

Altra was right about interview school!! His background didn't really lend itself to social skills. A quote from an LA Times article:

And while Dr. Rhee has charmed reporters, others have found his comments abrasive. On Wednesday, he said, he received an e-mail from a stranger calling him "pompous." Dr. Rhee declined to specify the objection, but he said that he responded with an apology.

Pockunit. . . .??? :)

"I don't think I am naturally a nice person," he said. "When you are in battle you don't have time for a discussion. Whether it is right or wrong, you have to listen to what I say. When I go into a trauma bay, time slows down and I am very clear and calm and focused."

Apparently his wife told him he should smile more on camera, and the next day when he did his colleagues told him it was inappropriate! lol Jeeze! It seems all in all that Tuscon was pretty lucky to have him there, as he directed the care of all the victims, I am not going to quibble about inept phrasing.