During a night shift you notice a senior registrar about to start a complex laparotomy. You can smell alcohol on his breath and his speech is slightly...

Question

During a night shift you notice a senior registrar about to start a complex laparotomy. You can smell alcohol on his breath and his speech is slightly slurred. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Escalate concerns to the on-call consultant or clinical lead and ensure he is removed from operating on patients

Answer

Ignore it as he is experienced and already scrubbed

Answer

Confront him aggressively in front of the whole theatre team

Answer

Quietly ask if he is all right but allow him to proceed

Answer

Report him anonymously to the GMC the following week

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Raising concerns about an impaired colleague

During a night shift you notice a senior registrar about to start a complex laparotomy. You can smell alcohol on his breath and his speech is slightly slurred. What is the most appropriate immediate action?