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NURSE FOUND NOT GUILTY IN PATIENT DEATH VERDICT: 'MISTAKE IN JUDGMENT'.


Byline: Alex Dobuzinskis Staff Writer

PASADENA - A former Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center is a hospital in Burbank, California, USA. The hospital has 455 beds, and is part of Providence Health & Services. It's adress is: 501 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91505.  nurse was acquitted Wednesday of involuntary manslaughter The act of unlawfully killing another human being unintentionally.

Most unintentional killings are not murder but involuntary manslaughter. The absence of the element of intent is the key distinguishing factor between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter.
 in the death of a terminally ill Terminally Ill

When a person is not expected to live more than 12 months.

Notes:
Any gifts given out by the afflicted person at this time may be considered as a dispersion of the estate rather than a gift.
 Burbank man who was given a powerful drug without doctor's orders "Doctor's Orders" is the title of an episode from the third season of the television series . Its episode number is 068, and it first aired on 18 February 2004. Plot summary

This is a summary of the beginning portion of the episode.
.

Amy Brunner, 26, was accused of leaving the anesthetic anesthetic

Agent that produces a local or general loss of sensation, including pain, and therefore is useful in surgery and dentistry. General anesthesia induces loss of consciousness, most often using hydrocarbons (e.g.
 Diprivan in a syringe on June 7, 2003, for fellow nurse Kelly Miyasato, 32, to administer to Pierre Azar, 80, who was suffering from cancer. Azar was pronounced dead 10 minutes after Miyasato administered the drug.

Brunner's attorney, J. Michael Flanagan, said jurors found that Azar's death resulted from ``a mistake in judgment'' but not manslaughter on the part of Brunner.

``She's feeling very, very relieved that this nightmare has come to an end,'' Flanagan said.

The state Board of Registered Nursing has filed administrative charges against both nurses. Hearings on those charges are scheduled for March, but they still have their licenses. Brunner is working as a nurse in a medical office, Flanagan said.

The jury deliberated all day Wednesday at Pasadena Superior Court and came back Thursday morning and returned its verdict.

``While Ms. Brunner violated the medical center's policy as well as the scope of her nursing practice by providing a medication without a doctor's prescription, we are aware that she never meant to harm the patient. She was only trying to help another nurse in the care of the patient,'' Patrick Petre, the hospital's administrator, said in a statement.

The nurses are no longer working at the hospital.

Miyasato pleaded no contest Monday to practicing medicine without certification and had an involuntary manslaughter charge dismissed. She was sentenced to five years' probation and 350 hours of community service.

Diprivan, a fast-acting drug that can stop a patient from breathing, is only supposed to be administered through a syringe if the patient is breathing with a respirator respirator /res·pi·ra·tor/ (res´pi-ra?ter) ventilator (2).

cuirass respirator  see under ventilator.
 and if a doctor is present, according to according to
prep.
1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians.

2. In keeping with: according to instructions.

3.
 prosecutors. Miyasato gave Azar, who was not on a respirator, the drug in the early morning hours, when no doctor was nearby.

Flanagan said he is in settlement negotiations with the Board of Registered Nursing and that Brunner will not lose her license. An attorney for the agency would not confirm whether those negotiations are under way.

Sandi Gibbons Famous people named Gibbons include:
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  • Cedric Gibbons (1893–1960), American art director
  • Christopher Gibbons (1615 - 1676), English composer, son of Orlando
, a spokeswoman for the District Attorney's Office, said ``this was a case that needed to be taken to a jury.''

Alex Dobuzinskis, (818) 546-3304

alex.dobuzinskis(at)dailynews.com
COPYRIGHT 2004 Daily News
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2004, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Publication:Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)
Date:Nov 5, 2004
Words:403
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