A surgical team mocks a sedated patient — and it’s all recorded!

A surgical team mocks a sedated patient — and it’s all recorded

Sitting in his surgical gown inside a large medical suite in Reston, a Vienna man prepared for his colonoscopy by pressing record on his smartphone, to capture the instructions his doctor would give him after the procedure.

But as soon as he pressed play on his way home, he was shocked out of his anesthesia-induced stupor: He found that he had recorded the entire examination, and that the surgical team had mocked and insulted him as soon as he drifted off to sleep.

And in addition to their vicious commentary, the doctors discussed avoiding the man after the colonoscopy, instructing an assistant to lie to him, and then placed a false diagnosis on his chart.

There was much more. So the man sued the two doctors and their practices for defamation and medical malpractice and, last week, after a three-day trial, a Fairfax County jury ordered the anesthesiologist and her practice to pay him $500,000.

It only proves you listen to Rush, pathetic.

I don't listen to Rush and I heard about this story.

It's a terrible, terrible example of being unprofessional and unethical. But, I honestly DON'T think it happens ALL the time.

In every industry and every profession - and in life, in general - there are people who behave badly, break laws and treat others without respect. But, I think the majority of people, across all professions, don't engage in this kind of despicable behavior.

I'm glad the victim in this case went public. It's a terrible violation of the medical code of ethics. That doctor should never practice again.

I wonder why we don't hold ourselves to higher standards?

If the gastroenterologist who did my colonoscopy had said mean things about me I would have been DEVASTATED. I had such a crush on him. How do you not fall in love with a man who shows up to shove a tube up your down-below-and-around-the-corner and he's wearing a tie?

The point I was trying to make in my post, which was really in response to ArtMan, is that I highly doubt this is widespread.

There will always be people who will act like assholes. I just don't think that we can condemn the entire medical community over this. I still think the majority of professionals are professional. Call me Pollyanna, if you must.

(No puns intended with widespread and assholes. I thought about finding different words but can't be bothered).

Part two:

How did a cell phone make it into the surgical suite? They're supposed to be fully sanitized with stringent guidelines for what can be worn and brought in. . .

Not to take away at all from the inexcusable behavior, but, I've been wondering about it.

"No puns intended with widespread and assholes.
My love for you is limitless."

I honestly did not catch that when reading Addy's post. Now that it's been pointed out it really is hilarious and...priceless. I wouldn't change a word!

To Addy: I was wondering the very same thing. I worked in a hospital for 15 years and cell phones, especially in the surgical area was a definite no-no.

Updated On: 6/25/15 at 03:44 PM

He removed it before the cavity search? And I am outta here!

Addy, This story was featured on Inside Edition last night, with a follow-up story tonight. Tonight's story is other examples of this behavior and being caught. It probably doesn't happen all the time, but we will never know...until the person is caught. To me, one time, is one time too many. When I spend money at the doctor, it is for professional care. Not to be judged, laughed at and talked about behind my back. That's just me.

Where to start?

The anesthetist is an idiot. One of the 1st things they teach u re unconscious/ sedated patients is THEY CAN STILL HEAR!!! SO many conversations are reported by pts. that it is an axiom to watch what u say in that situation. That she was that antagonistic makes me wonder if she is a frustrated surgeon! ( joke)

Next, colonoscopies are not routinely done in a sterile surgical suite. Usually its a procedure room and the standards of sterility apply to the procedure itself- ie the scope is sterile as are the gloved hands that maneuver it. That would be why his possessions ( in his cell phone in his pants) would have been placed under the stretcher he was having the procedure done on.

Hemorrhoids as a diagnosis? Anesthetists deal w your vital signs ( esp if influenced by comorbidities) ALL anaesthetists are always at the head of the table- thats where the equipment is, so how would they be able to determine hemorrhoids 2+ feet from the rectum ? Bogus. Who'd accept an anesthetist's word for that ( tho to b fair 'rroids can come and then go) AS well as the BS about persuading pt he had been seen just didn't remember it? TOTALLY unprofessional and negligent- what if there were follow up instructions that needed to be relayed?

The "fake" page. OK truth is MOST medical staff have done this- it's not fake- u really do page them the beeper goes off and they get away. I do this when my doc NEEDS to do other things ie see other pts., write scripts, deal w an urgent lab result, or occ just get to lunch ( at 3:30 p.m.). There are always pts who, for a variety of reasons, will absorb all available time & resources . Other people also need those resources- WE have to consider their needs too.

I'm sure she will find work. Just some smaller place that can't be too picky.