Lethal Injection & Medical Ethic

alifornia’s recent lethal injection controversy resulted in numerous requests from domestic and international media for interviews with ASA officers and members on the subject of physician participation in capital punishment. Both ASA and the California Society of Anesthesiologists received numerous requests for comment from the media. In anticipation of inquiries, a statement addressing the issue was posted on the homepage of the ASA Web site under “What’s New.”

The following media outlets ran stories on this topic that included interviews with ASA members:

Miami Herald, January 31, and Philadelphia Inquirer, February 12 — David A. Lubarsky, M.D.

National Public Radio, February 21 — ASA President Orin F. Guidry, M.D.

ABC Affiliate KXTV 10, Sacramento — Jeffrey Uppington, M.D.

NBC Affiliate KNSD, San Diego — Edgar D. Canada, M.D.

Chicago Tribune, February 23, 2006 — Jeffrey L. Apfelbaum, M.D.

ASA Voices Concern Over ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Episode

SA leaders and members were alarmed by the depiction of the anesthesiologist in the February 5, 2006, episode of “Grey’s Anatomy.” In the program, the anesthesiologist abandoned his patient during a “Code Black” and left a young paramedic alone in the operating room to care for the patient.

In a letter to the program’s producer, ASA President Orin F. Guidry, M.D., pointed out the unrealistic features of this portrayal and provided accurate information on the conduct and capabilities of anesthesiologists. The letter, which was quoted in Modern Healthcare, can be found on the homepage of the ASA Web site under “What’s New.”

The following ASA members submitted personalized versions of the letter to the “Op/Ed” section of their local papers:

• Roger A. Moore, M.D., Burlington County Times, Medford, New Jersey (published)

• Robert E. Johnstone, M.D., The Dominion Post, Morgantown, West Virginia (published). (Dr. Johnstone’s letter received affirmation in a published response from an orthodontic professor.)

• Michael C. Gosney, M.D., Montgomery Advertiser (published), Florence Times Daily; Birmingham News; Mobile Press Register

• Sorin J. Brull, M.D., Jacksonville Times Union (published)

• Gerald A. Maccioli, M.D., Raleigh News & Observer

• Charles D. Gregorius, M.D., Lincoln Journal Star (published)

• John P. Williams, M.D., Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (published)

• H.A. Tillmann Hein, M.D., The Dallas Morning News

• Alan P. Marco, M.D., Toledo Blade

• John F. Dombrowski, M.D., Washington Post; Washington Times.

Pediatric Anesthesia

he January 29 issue of the Baltimore Sun included an article on advancements in pediatric anesthesia. Five ASA members who are pediatric anesthesiologists at Johns Hopkins Hospital were interviewed for the story:

Donald H. Shaffner, Jr., M.D.

Myron Yaster, M.D.

Sabine Kost-Byerly, M.D.

Robert S. Greenberg, M.D.

Lynne G. Maxwell, M.D.

Anesthesiology as a Career

SA member Sherman D. McMurray, M.D., was quoted in an article in the January 1 edition of the Indianapolis Star. The article gave an overview of the 20 best careers in the nation, with anesthesiology ranking 16th. In the story, Dr. McMurray, who works at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, described anesthesiology as a “great job.”

The career of anesthesiology was also the subject of an article in the February 26 edition of the San Antonio Express-News. ASA members Randall W. Day, M.D., and Paulette S. Bunton, M.D., described the role of anesthesiologists during surgery and their impact on patient care.

Cell Phone Study Results

SA member Keith J. Ruskin, M.D., participated in broadcast interviews regarding a study of cellular telephone use in hospitals. Dr. Ruskin was the senior investigator of the study, which was conducted by the Yale University School of Medicine. The lead author was Roy G. Soto, M.D. The study, published in the February issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, was based on responses from attendees at ASA’s 2003 Annual Meeting.

The study results showed that cell phone use by hospital medical personnel reduced medical error due to more timely communication. The study was featured on MSNBC, NPR, CNN and WB affiliate WPIX TV-New York in January and February.