Not all residents are smart...

[SuzySunshine]

Hospital deleted on purpose but I will tell you this isn't from DH's program.

A <hospital> surgeon in training used a cellphone to photograph a patient's genitals during surgery and now may face disciplinary action and a patient's attorney.
Dr. <resident>, chief resident of general surgery at the <town> hospital, admitted to <hospital> administrators he snapped the photo during a Dec. 11 gallbladder surgery on patient Y, whose penis bears the tattooed slogan, "Hot Rod."

<Resident> has been placed on administrative leave and is neither seeing nor treating patients.

The issue is expected to be resolved at a hearing planned for today, according to Dr. X, education director for <hospital>.

"The options range from probation to termination," said Dr. X.

"Patient privacy is a serious matter, and photographing someone in this manner without a good reason is something we will investigate down to the last detail," Dr. X said.

Y runs a <town> topless bar, Centerfolds Cabaret, and said he'd gotten the tattoo on a $1,000 bet.

"… I've never been in a hospital and (my) first experience is the worst thing ever."

:huh: What is with some people? How stupid can you be? (The resident, not the patient BTW).

[MDPhDWife]

Re: Not all residents are smart...

Couple of thoughts here....

1. The resident should probably be termed. And that's a damn shame to let all that schooling/training go down the drain for something so stupid.

2. I wonder how the patient found out? :huh:

3. OUCH! I have a tattoo, and it hurt like hell, I cannot fathom how painful it would be on a penis!

[Vanquisher]

Re: Not all residents are smart...

I don't think the resident should be terminated. It was a stupid one time mistake. I think probation and suspension are in order.

To think that I know residents who have been suspended and nearly terminated without a hearing for nothing.

This road is too hard. Too damned hard.

[SuzySunshine]

Re: Not all residents are smart...

My understanding is that someone else on the surgical staff saw the photo and called the paper, the paper called the doctor and the doctor called the patient before he read about it in the paper.

[alison]

Re: Not all residents are smart...

I agree with Heidi. You get wrapped up in the moment, and it sounds like it could have been peer pressure too. Like "oh yeah, take the picture!" "DO IT!" There had to be more people involved. Plus, if he didn't get a picture of the guy's face in the shot, then it could be anyone.

[SuzySunshine]

Re: Not all residents are smart...

Thanks Lily I was trying to be discreet in case someone that knew him was a member here.

Re: Not all residents are smart...

Thanks, Lily. I was wondering how he was found out but I guess showing the photo around the hospital would do it. What a mess. I don't think he should be terminated from his position but there should be some definite consequences. It is a pretty basic expectation as a patient that your parts won't be photographed for fun while knocked out.

[peggyfromwastate]

Re: Not all residents are smart...

I don't think he should be terminated. The topless bar owner is probably going to get lots of busines....

[alison]

Re: Not all residents are smart...

I think all bets are off when you have "Hot Rod" emblazoned across your penis. If you have "Milk Jugs" on your boobs or something, I would feel the same way. You've got to be looking for attention.

[peggyfromwastate]

Re: Not all residents are smart...

This guy actually had a tat that said "hot rod" on his penis... I mean, if anything is going to tempt you to violate patient's rights, wouldn't this be it?

Not saying what he did is right, of course... I just think it's not worth termination...

[SuzySunshine]

Re: Not all residents are smart...

Well knowing the policies here I won't be surprised if they term him. I know a resident from our site who did an away rotation at that site and did something really stupid that had nothing to do with patient confidentiality and they sent him home when he wasn't even 1/2 way done with his rotation and suspended him for a week.

[peggyfromwastate]

Re: Not all residents are smart...

Ooops-- basically same thing Alison said... WE posted at the same time!

[DCJenn]

Re: Not all residents are smart...

Sorry- no one deserves to have their private parts exposed to the greater universe.

Dude, you're done.

Jenn

[Vanquisher]

Re: Not all residents are smart...

You know, I want to think that termination is too harsh - but what if he had taken a photo of a woman's breasts or genitals and shown it all over the hospital? Just playing devil's advocate.

Suzy, you left his last name in there on the second paragraph. It's all over the AP anyway - there's no hiding it.

I would feel the same way if it were a woman. I just feel that if a fired resident could, in fact, get another job, that would be one thing, but you get fired, career over, go directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200. It's not like they can say, oh, your fired, why don't you go to find a similar job elsewhere. Plus, it is splashed across the media. If he's fired, he will have to go into research or rural family medicine. End of story. Yes, I think THAT is too harsh. For the sacrifice, the hours, the debt. Lets not forget the stress that residents are under, the sleep deprivation, etc. That isn't to say that it wasn't a monumentally stupid act, it was, but he will be paying for this for years and years to come, but I don't think it warrants the complete termination of his entire career.

[Bittersweet]

Re: Not all residents are smart...

Sorry- no one deserves to have their private parts exposed to the greater universe.

Dude, you're done.

Jenn

Yeesh, I understand the temptation - but actually taking a picture and spreading it around - what an idiot.