MJ's Doctor's Trial

     Dr. Conrad Murray is currently on trial for involuntary manslaughter stemming from Michael Jackson’s  2009 overdose, which resulted in death. If convicted, the doctor faces up to 4 years in prison. ABC News reports that this week, the prosecution presented recordings of Murray’s initial interview with the police. In the recordings, the doctor recounts the night that Michael passed away. Everyday for a month, Conrad Murray administered the pop star with the strong anesthetic, Propofol, to help him sleep. The prosecution claims Murray did not have proper medical equipment at Jackson’s home to safely administer the drug.  Furthermore, the doctor failed to call 911 right away. The singer suffered from insomnia and anxiety, and had hired Conrad Murray to be his personal physician for $150,000 a month.
     Accidental death, or negligence by a doctor?  Propofol, used for anesthesia and sedation, is not approved for insomnia use. Normally, it is used to induce coma prior to a surgical procedure. To think that Michael Jackson knowingly used this as a “sleeping aid” is terrifying.
     According to the article, “prosecutors say that Murray recklessly administered the drug and didn't properly monitor Jackson”. Furthermore, “they claim the oxygen tank was empty and that the pulse oximeter didn't have an audible alarm to alert someone if something was wrong”. After giving Jackson 25 mg of Propofol, Murray reportedly “went to the bathroom for a short time and returned to a lifeless Jackson”. He then used CPR and mouth-mouth resuscitation, but did not call 911. Dr. Conrad Murray’s use of Propofol as a sleep medication “ shocked the medical community”.
     I’m not sure how I feel about this case. I believe we, as patients, have a responsibility to educate ourselves on medication interactions and their side effects. Of course doctors have a much greater responsibility, but even doctors make mistakes.