Types of anesthesia

Legal and Ethical principles: Mr. Flynn – a morbidly obese 54-year-old patient of Dr. Money

Explain the legal and ethical principles that were violated in the following scenario:

Mr. Flynn was a morbidly obese 54-year-old patient of Dr. Money. Mr. Flynn was scheduled for a routine colonoscopy. On the day of the procedure, he met the GI nurse Lynette Money. She explained the procedure and explained that he would have an IV inserted by one of the preop nurses. The nurses had a difficult time and had to consult anesthesia. Mr. Flynn was no easy stick, and the anesthesiologist, Dr. A. Sleep, had to resort to an ultrasound machine to find a suitable vein for IV access. Mr. Flynn was uneasy and nearly fainted. He was sweating profusely. ” I never get used to this!” He pointed to the IV.” They always have a hard time,” he said.

Finally, with everything in place, the patient was brought into the GI suite.

It is a typical practice that a patient’s belongings are placed underneath the patient’s stretcher. As Mr. Flynn was hooked up to the monitors, Cassandra Bythely CRNA introduces herself and explains the types of anesthesia he will have. After the pause for the cause, she administers lidocaine followed by propofol. Since Mr. Flynn has sleep apnea, Cassandra has to do a chin lift and inserts an oral airway. Mr. Flynn settles down, and Dr. Money begins the colonoscopy.

Lynette Money raises her eyebrows at her husband, Dr. Money, the circulating nurse in the room. “ Boy, oh boy, can you see anything? “ “ It was probably hard for him to just eat clears yesterday,” Dr. Money chuckles. “ Not everyone can have a nice body like you love” Lynette blows him a kiss. The surgical technician, Able Body, laughs and says, “ This dude can afford to miss a meal!! “ Dr. Money says, “Well if he did a decent prep, he might lose a few!!!” Cassandra mutters, “ Damn he is really going through the propofol, I have given enough for a farm animal!!! “ “ For a cow, you mean? “ chides Lynette. Dr. Money says, “ I think you mean Bull, dear. “ They all laugh.

After the procedure and after his stay in the PACU, Mr. Flynn gathers his personal items. He notices that his phone battery is nearly depleted. Since he has always been self-conscious about his weight, he leaves his phone to record his procedures. This time he is shocked and dismayed to hear the conversation during the colonoscopy. He checks out of PACU and heads up to his cousin’s office, the CEO of the hospital, Dr. Al Right.

Within a week, all responsible parties were fired, and Mr. Flynn decided to file a lawsuit.