Top anaesthetist speaks out about claims surrounding Buderim Private Hospital

A Sunshine Coast anaesthetist has weighed in on bombshell claims surrounding the Buderim Private Hospital, sharing his concerns.

Sunshine Coast Buderim Private Hospital.

A Sunshine Coast anaesthetist has weighed in on bombshell claims surrounding the Buderim Private Hospital, sharing his concerns.

The anaesthetist, formerly employed at Buderim Private Hospital, criticised the hospital’s practice that allows surgeons to work between two separate operating theatres simultaneously.

The latest comments come after a staff member raised concerns over an incident involving two patients undergoing surgery at the Buderim Private Hospital. 

The staff member claimed two patients were anaesthetised without the surgeon being on the hospital premises.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said the matter had been “investigated and addressed” and there had been no adverse clinical outcomes for the patients involved.

The anaesthetist, who wished to remain anonymous, said a number of risks for patients were exacerbated when a surgeon’s attention was divided.

“I’ve seen it work quite well for eye surgery, where the surgery takes five or 10 minutes, but for more complex surgeries where you’ve got assistants sewing up at the end it doesn’t inspire much confidence,” they said.

According to the anaesthetist, pressure on hospital staff to complete as many surgeries as possible can raise the risks involved in surgeries.

“That is just a symptom of the pressure that everyone feels to get things moving quickly,” they said.

“People can take anaesthesia for granted, but it is a pretty big deal and the unnecessary prolongation of anaesthesia would increase the risks, particularly of clot formation in the legs which can cause pulmonary embolism, that is a big risk and there is the unnecessary exposure to powerful drugs for longer periods.”

The Buderim Private Hospital was contacted for further comment regarding regulations surrounding the simultaneous use of two theatres but is yet to respond.