The Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) has found that an anaesthetist breached the rights of a patient by administering a drug she had explicitly refused. The woman, a doctor by profession, underwent hip repair surgery at a private hospital in April 2020.
Before the surgery, the patient specified that sevoflurane, an inhaled general anaesthetic, should not be used due to concerns about its side effects. Despite this clear directive, the anaesthetist administered sevoflurane during the procedure.
The HDC's investigation concluded that the anaesthetist failed to respect the patient's informed choice, violating the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights. The commissioner noted that the patient's advance directive was clear and should have been followed.
The anaesthetist has been referred to the Medical Council for further review. The HDC emphasized the importance of respecting patient autonomy and the right to refuse specific treatments.
