by Linda Edgeton

Nursing

A surgeon has been up 24 hours straight, performing emergency surgeries. He has a non-emergency case scheduled first thing in the morning. He is extremely fatigued, but decides to do the case anyway. This case scheduled would require an additional six to eight hours of surgery

Questions:

Should the Operating Room Supervisor step in and ask him to let her re-schedule the surgery for a later time when the surgeon has had some rest?

Should the surgeon disqualify himself for this operation, but leave it as scheduled and ask a colleague to take the surgery?

Should the Supervisor keep quiet; after all, doesn't the surgeon know his own capabilities?

Which would be the most fair for the patient?

Should the patient have a voice?