A former anesthesiologist from Laval, Isabelle Désormeau, is on trial for involuntary manslaughter following the death of 84-year-old Raymond Bissonnette. During surgery on November 1, 2019, complications arose, leading to a shift toward palliative care in the operating room. Désormeau argues she acted in accordance with the patient’s wishes to avoid unnecessary treatment. After administering comfort medications, Bissonnette passed away. Désormeau resigned shortly after, with the trial’s cross-examination ongoing.
Trial of Former Anesthesiologist Accused of Involuntary Manslaughter
In a gripping courtroom drama, a former anesthesiologist from Laval faces charges of involuntary manslaughter related to the death of an 84-year-old patient. The accused, Isabelle Désormeau, asserts that she was compelled to provide end-of-life care directly in the operating room because the patient, Raymond Bissonnette, expressed a desire to avoid “therapeutic persistence.” She claims it was impractical to transfer him to intensive care.
Details Surrounding the Patient’s Condition
The case revolves around events that unfolded on November 1, 2019, when Mr. Bissonnette visited the emergency department due to stomach pain. During surgery, Dr. Hubert Veilleux discovered necrosis in the patient’s small intestine, bringing the procedure to an abrupt halt. Mr. Bissonnette had preemptively communicated his wishes regarding treatment before the operation commenced.
During her testimony at the Saint-Jérôme courthouse, Désormeau questioned, “What right do I have to authorize myself to continue treatments that the patient did not consent to?” This reflects her belief in respecting the patient’s autonomy.
Following the surgical procedure, Dr. Veilleux and Mr. Bissonnette’s niece agreed on a course of action to close the abdominal wall and initiate palliative care. Désormeau explained that the essence of palliative care is to discontinue any treatment that does not enhance the patient’s comfort or quality of life. She believed that keeping Mr. Bissonnette on mechanical ventilation contradicted his wishes, as he had previously declined such interventions.
Désormeau emphasized that Mr. Bissonnette was being “artificially kept alive” and was experiencing “evolving septic shock.” Despite the intention to transfer him to intensive care, complications arose when the on-call intensivist refused the transfer, stating that it was “not a hospice.”
Ultimately, the decision was made to provide palliative care within the operating room, marking a significant moment in Désormeau’s 24-year medical career. She administered doses of midazolam, propofol, and fentanyl to ensure Mr. Bissonnette’s comfort until his passing, which was confirmed at 5:04 AM.
Isabelle Désormeau resigned from her position shortly after the incident, indicating the profound impact this case has had on her life and career. The cross-examination of Désormeau is set to continue, as the courtroom awaits further developments in this high-stakes trial.