By Sally Wenley
Photo: 123RF
An anaesthetist has breached the Code of Consumers' Rights by giving an unconscious woman morphine when she was allergic to it.
Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Deborah James said before surgery the patient had told clinicians six times that she was allergic to morphine.
However, the anaesthetist injected morphine during surgery as a trial, despite saying earlier he wouldn't. By doing so, he failed to obtain informed consent.
He thought giving her a small amount while being monitored would allow him to establish if it was a safe drug for her, the commissioner's report said.
The patient was surprised to learn after her surgery that she had been given morphine.
The commissioner said it was unacceptable the anaesthetist did not discuss the trial with the woman.
The woman was particularly vulnerable as she was under anaesthetic - and her permission in writing should have been obtained in advance, James said.
The anaesthetist has been instructed to have further training on informed consent, and the woman has fully recovered.