Radioactive tracer injected without consent

[rn2bmaryg]

Has anyone ever heard of a case in which this could happen? An inpatient at a NJ hospital was injected with radioactive tracer for a stress test while not receiving any education of the injection or it's risks.

No one ever explained the procedure, the risks involved or whether there were any options to the procedure. I did not think that was possible until I saw it with my own eyes.

The test began as a nuclear test and then all of a suddent the doctor convinced her after doing the first 20-30 minute scanning that he didn't need a nuclear test and it would just be a treadmill stress test. It was not until after the stress test was completed with incident that the patient was then intimidated into signing the release for the stress test itself. Still never consenting to any radioactive tracer injections. Wasn't it the job of the doctor to explain the procedure and acquire the consent?? After the test the patient was asking now how do I get rid of this radioactive stuff, you injected it into me do you have to draw or take it out of me????

Has anyone else ever experienced something like this? I really don't know what my next step should be here. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. The Dr. who did not get consent is the head of the Cardiology Dept.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

Was this patient you or a family member?