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AMA watches post-Katrina investigation

Credentialing Resource Center Connection, September 28, 2006

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The American Medical Association (AMA) issued an official statement earlier this week stating the organization will watch closely the investigation of a Louisiana physician currently under investigation for her possible role in "mercy killings" in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

"The facts of this case appear complex, remain under investigation, and based on medial reports, are sharply contested," the AMA said in a statement issued September 25. "Dr. [Anna] Pou and others under investigation are entitled to due process and the AMA expects that they will receive full and fair treatment by our judicial system."

Pou was accused in July of administering fatal injections to Memorial Medical Center's sickest patients following the hurricane. Two nurses are also under investigation in the case. Thirty-four patients died at the hospital, which was without power at the time.

"The AMA has a clear policy on several issues relevant to the current investigation, including: encouragement of physician involvement in disaster preparedness; physician obligation to relieve pain and suffering; opposition to the criminalization of medical judgment; and the incompatibility of euthanasia with a physician's role as a healer," the AMA said in its prepared statement.

To view the AMA's complete statement, visit http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/16876.html.

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