Patient threats present an ethical dilemma for the anesthesiologist.

Pollard, J B; Brook, M W; Shafer, A · Anesth Analg · 2001

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Patients who receive sedation occasionally divulge thoughts that they would not usually express. This report describes a sedated patient who threatened to murder two family members. Immediate consultation with an attorney and psychiatrist is recommended when the anesthesiologist may be required to breach patient confidentiality to warn potential victims.

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