Letters to the editor Sept. 9

Does a title make a difference?

Apparently a brilliant judge in Florida has determined that a nurse anesthetist can call herself an anesthesiologist, a term, until now, reserved for doctors. So when an unsuspecting patient now has someone introduce him/herself as their anesthesiologist for a surgical procedure (at least in Florida, so far), one may have no idea if they are about to have a doctor or a nurse manage their anesthesia, essentially controlling life, death, pain and memory of pain that one may experience.

Perhaps that same foolish judge would have no problem with a justice of the peace calling him/herself a judge or a paralegal calling him/herself an attorney.

I don’t know about you, but I want to know whether the person controlling my anesthesia has a four-year degree with two years of training as a nurse anesthetist or a four-year degree, four years of medical school and four years of anesthesia residency.

Does a title make a difference? It might if it means more than double the education and training before being allowed to manage patients in the operating room. No guarantee, but the odds are that if the SHTF in the operating room you want the best trained person around to be providing your care. Trust me. As a retired surgeon, a skilled anesthesiologist can make a world of difference.

But, we live in strange times where earned achievements are no longer important ... just peoples’ feelings. What happened to the patient’s right to know the qualifications of their caregivers? You might want to ask that person who walks into your cubicle in the preoperative holding area and introduces him/herself as your anesthesiologist if they are a doctor. It might just matter.

—David Myerowitz, Columbia Falls

A gun owner and psychologist

Public health and military style weapons was addressed by Mr. Jim Eddington in a Sept. 1 letter to the editor in the context of the Second Amendment.

Unfortunately, his views were distorted by what he did not address including the background history of the amendment and medicine.

The Founding Fathers had a choice between a standing army and a “... well regulated militia...”.

A standing army is expensive and a militia adds no burden to the government.

Gun ownership was folded into this defense concept.

As a gun owner and psychologist, I reject Mr. Eddington’s idea that “ finding a solution to mental cases causing mass shootings is more about medicine...” than gun reduction.

Most mentally ill persons are not violent. Persons with what are called personality disorders are not mentally ill, yet are unpredictable in behaviors .

A narcissistic disorder is one example of these disorders and we do not know the cause nor is there treatment for the disorder.

A multi-pronged approach to reduction to the level of violence in America to the low level in Europe would require a reduction in available weapons — especially military-type assault weapons, comprehensive background checks of all sales, perhaps a buy-back program of certain weapons, stricter laws of weapon containment like Switzerland, and, of course, more available mental health treatment for children, adolescents and adults.

In my 81 years, I have never seen or heard a gun safety ad by the NRA, but they could become part of the solution. The NRA could open military-type theme parks. These parks for adults would offer shooting a military grade machine gun, driving a tank over cars, firing a bazooka at a truck, and similar adventures for a few hours.

They have them in Europe and have been successful.

— Timothy Forester, Eugene, Oregon

KRMC is the perfect mix

Unfortunately, I’ve recently spent a lot of time in Kalispell Regional Healthcare. Wow! The health care providers are excellent. Some with great, across the country, recognition. Some quietly “just doing my job.” I’m sure all are chosen for their knowledges and skills and as important, how they fit as part of the KRMC team. Great personalities.

I enjoy asking technicians, nurses, doctors, admin, et al, about their personal path to KRMC. Some from out of state. Some local. Some with extensive work histories. Some kinda new. All tops in their field. Many are FVCC grads. MSU and UM too. Kudos to our Montana educators.

Thank you all for being here, for all of us.

—Bill Milner, Columbia Falls

Hurricanes

Hey you scientists, I have a question for you people. What would happen if liquid oxygen was dropped in the eye of the monster like tons of liquid oxygen bombs? Perhaps freezing the thing would be a lot better than always running away from it.

—Marcel Guy Cote, Libby