Volume 2, No. 4 • Winter 1987

Monitoring Equipment

Leonardo M. Allende, M.D.

To the Editor

Concerning the APSF Newsletter September, 1987 in the Editorial asking for suggestions, I state:

If no monitoring equipment is available, do not provide any kind of anesthesia unfit this is bought.

If there is monitoring equipment, but it’s not used by the anesthesiologist

(a) Deny membership in the ASA for such a person;

(b) Contact him/her directly in an educational effort; and

(c) Notify the hospital administrator and the insurance companies for the hospital and for the anesthesiologist.

For the anesthesiologist who leaves the O.R. while a patient is under anesthesia, leaving no anesthesia person, I suggest:

(a) Contact that person to stress a need to prevent that situation. If no remedy:

(b) As in (a) and (c) above

Criminals should not be allowed to work as anesthesiologists. I was petrified by your statements! Hit hard please. Thank You.

Leonardo M. Allende, M.D. Miami, FL

Editor’s note: Dr. Allende may be proposing hardhitting actions because he comes from an area that is among the most expensive for malpractice insurance. One million dollars coverage costs nearly $100,000 per year.