Doctor puts in IUD with no consent
The Medical Council of New Zealand may review a doctor’s competency after he implanted a birth control device in a woman’s uterus without her consent.
The patient, Ms A, was under general anaesthetic at the time for a surgery to resolve her heavy menstrual bleeding and post-coital bleeding.
In December 2015, she signed a consent for a hysteroscopy, dilatation and curettage, endometrial biopsy and a Novasure endometrial ablation, said a report by the Health and Disability Commissioner.
The surgeon, referred to as Dr B, had technical difficulties with the Novasure machine, so abandoned the procedure and decided to insert a Mirena intrauterine device into the patient’s uterus.
The device is used to prevent pregnancy.
The patient had declined the device in the past and had not given consent to have it inserted on this occasion, but Dr B went ahead with the insertion, considering it to be the safest and most easily reversible treatment option, the report said.
While in the recovery room, the patient discovered what had happened and was distressed, so Dr B apologised and removed the device.
“It is plainly unacceptable that Dr B inserted the Mirena without have first obtained Ms A’s consent,” the report said. “Ms A was particularly vulnerable as she was under a general anaesthetic.”
The patient told the commission she felt “very angry about this abuse of my wishes”.
“I actively, firmly, and clearly stated numerous times that I did not want a Mirena,” she said. “At no point did my position alter. He wanted me to have it. I felt pressured but I am [a] strong person and felt able to say no.”
Dr B told the commission the patient had used it between each of her pregnancies without any issues.
The patient said she never told Dr B she’d had it fitted previously, and said she’d only had an IUD inserted between one of her pregnancies.
Dr B later said he accepted he did not make the right decision, and it was an error in judgment that he did not intend on making again.
The commissioner referred Dr B to the director of proceedings to determine whether any proceedings should be taken, and recommended Dr B undertake further education and training on informed consent.
The commissioner recommended the private hospital use the case to educate its staff, and provide the commission with an update of the corrective actions it has taken since the incident.
The commissioner also recommended that the Medical Council of New Zealand consider whether a review of Dr B’s competence is warranted.