Legislation promotes transparency, standards for care that support patient safety and trust
The Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists (MSA), representing nearly 1,000 anesthesiologists across the state, applauds yesterday’s Michigan Senate unanimous bipartisan vote in favor of Senate Bills 475 and 476 — legislation that prohibits pelvic, prostate and other intimate exams on patients under anesthesia without their explicit, informed consent, except in emergencies.
“Yesterday’s vote reflects a clear commitment to patient autonomy, ethical medical practice and the transparency that defines safe care,” said MSA president Matt Dellaquila. “We are grateful to the Michigan Senate for its leadership in protecting patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.”
Anesthesiologists are entrusted with patients’ safety before, during and after surgery. Patients routinely share deeply personal information with their anesthesia team, including medical history, mental health background, fears, and past trauma. That level of openness exists because patients trust that their information will be used solely to keep them safe and guide their care.
“When patients place that kind of confidence in us, they deserve honesty and transparency in return,” Dellaquila said. “They deserve to know and consent to every part of a procedure that will occur while they are under anesthesia. Performing an intimate exam without consent breaks that trust, and when trust is broken, patient safety suffers.”
SB 475 and 476 will ensure that all providers in the operating room meet the same ethical standards, which anesthesiologists already uphold. The legislation strengthens the bond between patients and their healthcare professionals, aligns Michigan with national ethical norms and provides clarity for hospitals, educators and trainees so that medical education never compromises patient autonomy.
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