Opinion ID: 1593590
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Evidence of a Reserved Right of Control

Text: At trial, Dr. Ware conceded that, as supervising anesthesiologist during Brandi's surgery, he had the right to control Nurse Hayes's actions. Nurse Hayes also testified that as a nurse anesthetist she operates under the supervision and direction of the anesthesiologist. In addition, Timmons introduced evidence showing that the procedure manual at Baptist Medical Center East (the hospital at which Brandi's operation took place) requires all anesthesia care . . . be directed by a qualified physician anesthesiologist. Finally, § 34-21-81(4)(c), Ala.Code 1975, requires a CRNA such as Nurse Hayes to function[] under the direction of a physician licensed to practice medicine, . . . who is immediately available. Thus, Timmons's claim that Nurse Hayes was under the supervision and control of Dr. Ware is the only rational conclusion to be drawn from the evidence presented at trial. [12]