An Oregon anesthesiologist has been suspended after potentially exposing over 2,000 patients at Portland-area hospitals to HIV and Hepatitis due to unacceptable infection control practices. Affected hospitals, including Providence Portland Willamette Falls Medical Center and Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center, are notifying patients and offering free blood tests. The physician has been terminated, and new protocols have been implemented to prevent future incidents. The Oregon Health Authority has not reported any related illnesses.
Dallas anesthesiologist Raynaldo Riviera Ortiz Jr. has been convicted of tampering with IV bags at a surgical center, resulting in the death of a coworker and causing cardiac emergencies for several patients. He faces up to 190 years in prison for four counts of tampering with consumer products resulting in serious bodily injury, one count of tampering with a consumer product, and five counts of intentional adulteration of a drug. Ortiz surreptitiously placed tainted IV bags into a warming bin at the facility and waited for them to be used in his colleagues’ surgeries, while facing disciplinary action for an alleged medical mistake in one of his own surgeries.
Dr. Raynaldo Ortiz, an anesthesiologist at Baylor Scott & White Surgicare North Dallas, has been found guilty on all 10 felony charges related to tampering with IV bags, which led to medical emergencies for surgery patients and the death of a fellow anesthesiologist. The jury deliberated for about six hours before reaching their decision, and Ortiz could face life in federal prison. The sentencing will be determined by Chief District Judge David C. Godbey of the Northern District of Texas.
An anesthesiologist in the U.K. accidentally sent her diamond ring through the wash, assuming it was lost, only to have it found 100 miles away at another hospital. The ring, a gift from her husband, was discovered by an anesthetics registrar who made efforts to reunite it with its owner, resulting in a heartwarming reunion and a display of honesty and teamwork among healthcare workers.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists has recommended that patients stop taking GLP-1 drugs, including popular medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, before undergoing surgery due to concerns about delayed stomach emptying and the risk of regurgitation and food aspiration into the lungs during anesthesia. Limited data exists on how these drugs affect surgical patients, but anecdotal reports have raised concerns. The group advises holding GLP-1 drug treatment on the day of surgery for daily doses and the week before surgery for weekly doses. Anesthesiologists should assess the patient's stomach contents and discuss the risks with other doctors involved in the surgery and the patient.
Larsa Pippen is facing backlash for belittling her Real Housewives of Miami co-star, Dr. Nicole Martin, by saying that she doesn't have a real job, unlike herself. Nicole is a board-certified anesthesiologist, author, and lecturer, and people are siding with her, pointing out the extensive schooling required to become an anesthesiologist.
Larsa Pippen faced backlash after belittling her Real Housewives of Miami co-star, Nicole Martin, for being an anesthesiologist during the show's reunion. Martin is a board-certified anesthesiologist, author, and lecturer, and becoming one requires years of rigorous schooling. Fans of the show sided with Martin, calling out Pippen's offensive comments.
