'It is a big mistake for the hospital to dictate anesthesia, because the hospital is not qualified to dictate anesthesia,'' Dr. Cottrell said. ''The hospital is not in the business of practicing medicine. The doctors are.'' Anesthesia is not without risk but is certainly safer than it was 30 years ago, when one patient in 5,000 died from complications from the powerful drugs. The mortality rate has dropped to fewer than one death in 250,000 patients. The investigation by the State Health Department, completed April 29, identified 10 violations at the hospital, and each one drew a fine of $2,000, the maximum under state law. Ann Silverman, the hospital spokeswoman, said that it was the first time in memory that the hospital had been fined. She declined to comment about the cases.
