Gisborne Hospital Report - Health and Disability Commissioner
Gisborne Hospital Report - Health and Disability Commissioner
Gisborne Hospital Report - Health and Disability Commissioner
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<strong>Gisborne</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong> 1999 – 2000<br />
Operating Theatre Protocols<br />
Tolaga Bay Wild Food Festival <strong>and</strong> Ngati Porou Hui for the cultural<br />
immersion <strong>and</strong> where I ate not one but two kinds of huhu grubs.”<br />
2.28 The Group Manager (<strong>Hospital</strong>) advised that “given concerns regarding Dr<br />
Lucas, measures have been taken to improve the orientation given to overseas<br />
Doctors”. The Clinical Board is reviewing the orientation material provided to<br />
senior doctors.<br />
3. RE-USE OF SYRINGES<br />
The alleged incidents<br />
3.1 Dr Lucas was alleged to have breached consumers’ rights to services of an<br />
appropriate st<strong>and</strong>ard by re-using “single use only” syringes periodically from<br />
October 1999 to March 2000.<br />
3.2 A single-use disposable syringe is defined as a “device that is intended [by the<br />
manufacturer] to be used on one patient during a single procedure. It is not<br />
intended to be reprocessed [cleaned <strong>and</strong> disinfected/sterilised] <strong>and</strong> used on<br />
another patient” (definition from the United States Food <strong>and</strong> Drug<br />
Administration Agency, November 1999). It is generally considered that<br />
many items marked “single use” by manufacturers can be safely sterilised <strong>and</strong><br />
that devices are marked “single use” to protect manufacturers.<br />
3.3 According to the Charge Anaesthetic Technician, at the time of induction she<br />
“specifically mentioned [<strong>Gisborne</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong>’s] non re-use policy” to Dr Lucas,<br />
bringing to his attention that syringes were for single use only <strong>and</strong> indicating<br />
the words “single use only” on the packet. Dr Lucas disputed this.<br />
Timeline<br />
3.4 The Chief Executive provided the following timeline of events relating to this<br />
allegation.<br />
27 September 1999 Dr Lucas temporary registration<br />
commenced, Class 3b, temporary locum<br />
consultant anaesthetist<br />
30 September 1999 Employment commenced<br />
1 October 1999 First theatre list by Dr Lucas<br />
Approx 1-2 weeks later Head of Department (Anaesthesia)<br />
approached Dr Lucas, advised practice<br />
Approx 2-4 weeks later<br />
unacceptable<br />
Group Manager (<strong>Hospital</strong>) approached Dr<br />
Lucas<br />
26 November 1999 Incident form reported by Theatre Manager.<br />
“It has been brought to my attention that Dr<br />
L[ucas] continues to re-use syringes<br />
although [the Head of Anaesthesia] has<br />
spoken to him about this being<br />
unacceptable.”<br />
73
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