Supreme Court Declines to Hear Case Involving Patient Death From Nurse Anesthetist Malpractice

The Supreme Court has declined to hear a case, "Witt, Alexis v United States," involving malpractice by a military nurse anesthetist that resulted in the death of a U.S. Air Force Airman, according to an ASA release.

In declining to hear the case, the Supreme Court upheld the "Feres Doctrine," which prohibits active duty members of the military from suing the federal government for healthcare liability issues.

The case involved a successful appendectomy, after which the patient experienced breathing complications. While attempting to address the complications, a nurse anesthetist improperly intubated the patient by placing the breathing tube into his esophagus instead of his trachea. The patient consequently suffered brain damage and died.

The supervising nurse anesthetist admitted her error and surrendered her license.

Read the ASA release on Witt, Alexis v United States.

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