By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    improving patient experience
    6 Ways to Improve Patient Satisfaction Within Hospitals
    December 1, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    What Are The Health Benefits Of Having A Degree?
    March 9, 2022
    custom software development is changing healthcare
    Digital Customer Journey Mapping and its Importance for Healthcare
    July 21, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Can Thinking Younger Make You Live Longer?
    April 20, 2011
    Image
    Obesity’s Outlook Unchanged
    June 13, 2011
    When It’s An Emergency Elderly Not Treated As Well in Hospitals
    July 16, 2011
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: High Drama in an Ambulatory Surgery Center
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > High Drama in an Ambulatory Surgery Center
BusinessPolicy & Law

High Drama in an Ambulatory Surgery Center

Michael Kirsch
Last updated: November 20, 2014 9:00 am
Michael Kirsch
Share
4 Min Read
intubation
SHARE

intubationA few days before I wrote this, a patient had a complication in my office. I have discussed on this blog the distinction between a complication, which is a blameless event, and a negligent act.

intubationA few days before I wrote this, a patient had a complication in my office. I have discussed on this blog the distinction between a complication, which is a blameless event, and a negligent act. In my experience, most lawsuits are initiated against complications or adverse medical outcomes, neither of which are the result of medical negligence. This is the basis for my strong belief that the current medical malpractice system is unfair. It ensnares the innocent much more often that it targets the negligent.

I performed a scope examination through one of the two orifices that gastroenterologists routinely probe. In this instance, the scope was destined to travel inside a patient’s esophagus on route to her stomach and into the first portion of the small intestine. Sedation was expertly administered by our nurse anesthetist (CRNA). The procedure was quickly and successfully performed. The patient’s breathing became very impaired and her oxygen level decreased markedly, a known and uncommon complication of sedation medications. We took the appropriate measures, but her low oxygen level did not respond.

At that point, our experienced and calm CRNA decided to intubate the patient by passing a breathing tube into her lungs, in the same manner as is routinely performed prior to surgery. The RN on the case, an ICU veteran, showed how quickly and superbly her medical skills and judgment could be recalled. In decades of medical practice, I had never had a patient whose scoping test and sedation led to a breathing tube insertion. Moreover, this procedure was performed in our outpatient ambulatory surgery center, not in the hospital, so drama like this is exceedingly rare.

The patient’s oxygen level immediately returned to normal and she was transferred to the hospital in stable condition. She was appropriately treated and discharged after a few days. 

I was so grateful to have a team in place that had the skills to rescue a patient who was in a dire situation. I told this to them directly and they seemed to regard the matter in a more routine manner than I did. They saved her life. Nothing routine about this, as I see it. 

For nearly all of the patients we see in the office, our staff is overqualified. But, once or twice a year, we need these folks on site, locked and loaded.

Physicians and the rest of us need back up. Do you have a contingency plan in your job if a crisis befalls you? Will you wait for a catastrophe before implementing one? We’ve all heard vignettes about cities who were warned about a dangerous intersection, but failed to ask until a tragedy occurred.

Finally, if someone helps you out of the abyss, give the credit to whom it is deserved. Conversely, if something goes wrong and it’s your fault, do the right thing. 

intubation / shutterstock

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Health
May 15, 2025
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction heart treatment
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction
Cardiology
May 13, 2025

You Might also Like

Cleveland Clinic Offering Global Care Air Rescue and Evacuation Services Program For an Annual Fee

February 25, 2011
Public Health

Person-Centered HealthCare: ER Doc’s Letter Shows Human Side of HealthCare

March 1, 2013

Wait Until FY 2012 on Meaningful Use

March 10, 2011
Medicare Advantage
NewsPolicy & LawPublic Health

Medicare Advantage Cuts Not Only Delayed But Reversed

April 12, 2014
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?