The patient was admitted to the hospital for dilation and…

The patient was admitted to the hospital for dilation and curettage. The defendant was an anesthesiologist who injected sodium pentothal into the patient. The patient developed a laryngospasm, which prevented oxygen from entering the lungs and bloodstream. Attempts were made to break and relax the spasm but were unsuccessful. The plaintiff suffered severe and disabling brain damage. Conflicting evidence was submitted with regard to whether the defendant left the operating room to attend another patient before or after an equally qualified physician arrived to provide patient care. Was the physician at liberty to withdraw from the patient?