NationStates Jolt Archive


Redneck in the Operating Room

Schnausages
15-02-2006, 21:53
Being a Redneck, I don't know if this is such a bad idea, if it was needed to keep the guy alive and well. I guess some people would have serious problems with it... I don't know if it is worth a lawsuit... (Unless, of course, you are one of the millions of sue-happy Americans)

Original Link = http://www.local6.com/news/7078103/detail.html



Doctor Robert Ricketson said that during a surgery on Iturralde, a nurse told him there were no more titanium rods for his neck.

Ricketson said he did not feel he could risk keeping the man under anesthetic with an unstable spine for any longer so he made the decision to substitute the rods with a screwdriver, according to the report.

An attending nurse, Janelle Feldmeyer, said she was kicked out of the operating by Ricketson and later found out from a co-worker at Hilo Medical Center how the surgery ended.

"She said Dr. Ricketson used a screwdriver that he cut apart from the instrumentation tray," Feldmeyer said. "And I said to Theresa at that time, 'He can not do that.'"

Feldmeyer said she complained to superiors at the hospital on different occasions but was told to keep quiet, according to the report.

Iturralde's family is now suing the Ricketson and the medical center.
Smunkeeville
15-02-2006, 22:07
OMG........that's terrible, I hope the lawsuit goes well.
Syniks
15-02-2006, 22:23
OMG........that's terrible, I hope the lawsuit goes well.
Why? Would you sue me for using the materials available to perform a needed emergency tracheotomy? It's not like I have a pocket stoma handy, but I DO have a pocket knife and the medical training to use it properly. Of course, I could just let you die, but I don't work that way.

The surgeon made an emergency decision to use the materials available rather than wait and more severely jeaprodize, in his opinion, the long term well being of the patient. That is his job after all.

A screwdriver can be removed. A severed spinal cord from an unstable spinal column can't be repaired.

I'll take the screwdriver, thank you.
Lunatic Goofballs
15-02-2006, 22:25
Dr. MacGyver. :)
Fleckenstein
15-02-2006, 22:29
what was a screwdriver doing in an operating room? let alone on the table?

jeez, someone saves your life, and you repay them with a lawsuit!

america, america, god bless with intelligence. . .
Smunkeeville
15-02-2006, 22:29
Why? Would you sue me for using the materials available to perform a needed emergency tracheotomy? It's not like I have a pocket stoma handy, but I DO have a pocket knife and the medical training to use it properly. Of course, I could just let you die, but I don't work that way.

The surgeon made an emergency decision to use the materials available rather than wait and more severely jeaprodize, in his opinion, the long term well being of the patient. That is his job after all.

A screwdriver can be removed. A severed spinal cord from an unstable spinal column can't be repaired.

I'll take the screwdriver, thank you.
no, but he should have had all his stuff together before the surgery.
Peechland
15-02-2006, 22:33
what was a screwdriver doing in an operating room? let alone on the table?

jeez, someone saves your life, and you repay them with a lawsuit!

america, america, god bless with intelligence. . .


It said that "Dr. Ricketson used a screwdriver that he cut apart from the instrumentation tray,"

I was under the impression he had wittled one out of the metal tray. Which sounds to me like a very useful talent.
Syniks
15-02-2006, 22:38
no, but he should have had all his stuff together before the surgery.
Most surgeons expect to have all that stuff ready and prepared by the hospital before they arrive.

"Scalpel", "scalpel"
"Titanium Rod", "sorry doctor. I ran out"
"WTF!", "sorry"
"Sorry my ass. Do you want to say sorry to this guy when he can never walk again?
"Screwdriver!", "no can do doctor, I can only give the patient a titanium screwing"

:rolleyes:
Smunkeeville
15-02-2006, 22:39
Most surgeons expect to have all that stuff ready and prepared by the hospital before they arrive.

"Scalpel", "scalpel"
"Titanium Rod", "sorry doctor. I ran out"
"WTF!", "sorry"
"Sorry my ass. Do you want to say sorry to this guy when he can never walk again?
"Screwdriver!", "no can do doctor, I can only give the patient a titanium screwing"

:rolleyes:
then maybe he needs to sue the hospital.......oh wait, he is.

not having the proper tools/supplies ready for a surgery is incompetent.
Moantha
15-02-2006, 22:41
Question, is the guy OK? Then stop whining and go sue McDonalds for making you fat.
Syniks
15-02-2006, 22:46
then maybe he needs to sue the hospital.......oh wait, he is.

not having the proper tools/supplies ready for a surgery is incompetent.Absolutely - which is why they shoud drop the suit targeting the surgeon, who did the best he could in a situation he was most likely not responsible for.

A surgeon does not necessairly go into surgery with an exact parts list like a Yugo Mechanic. They simply show up and expect to have enough materials to do the job.

The hospital is at fault, not the doctor. Yet they sue him anyway. That's simple Greed.
Smunkeeville
15-02-2006, 22:46
Absolutely - which is why they shoud drop the suit targeting the surgeon, who did the best he could in a situation he was most likely not responsible for.

A surgeon does not necessairly go into surgery with an exact parts list like a Yugo Mechanic. They simply show up and expect to have enough materials to do the job.

The hospital is at fault, not the doctor. Yet they sue him anyway. That's simple Greed.
hmm.......I might see your point........yeah, but still sue the hospital.
Moantha
15-02-2006, 22:47
Question, is the guy OK? Then stop whining and go sue McDonalds for making you fat.

I should probably note, I'm talking about the lawsuit against the doctor, not the hospital.