Thursday, March 25, 2004

During a medical procedure, I had a disturbing experience. While on the examination table, I heard a cell phone ring. My doctor said, "Whose cell phone is that?" My anesthesiologist answered it.

While still talking on his cell, he administered the anesthesia. My arm jerked. My doctor was startled and said to the anesthesiologist, "What are you doing?" The anesthesiologist responded that the IV had not been inserted properly. My doctor said to him, "Look at the numbers!" That is the last thing I remember. If my doctor had not been in the room with me, I would probably not be around to write this letter.

I had undergone anesthesia before for surgery and it was nothing like this. It was gentle and gradual. This time it was like someone turned the lights out.

I have seen people talking on cell phones under many different situations, while driving, in movie theaters, but this is the first time I seen someone using a cell phone in a situation that involved life and death, especially my life and death.

There is talk about high medical malpractice insurance rates. After an experience like this, I can understand why. If the state wants to provide a subsidy to help reduce the high rates, standards and practices ought to be established, since common sense seems to be lacking in some people. -- 

TASANEE MORGENEIER,
Camp Hill