Gosnell killed woman with dangerous use of anesthestics, expert testifies

The Philadelphia Inquirer continues their coverage of the Kermit Gosnell murder trial. The latest article focuses on the testimony of Dr. Andrew Herlich, an expert anesthesiologist, and his belief that Gosnell's method of anesthetizing one woman during her abortion resulted in her death.

The "custom" formula - a potent cocktail of Demerol, promethazine, and diazepam - that Karnamaya Mongar got several doses of on Nov. 19, 2009, kept her unconscious throughout the abortion.

It also put her in a coma and killed her, Pittsburgh anesthesiologist Andrew Herlich told a Philadelphia jury Thursday at Gosnell's murder trial.

"The dose given to her exceeded the norm," testified Herlich, of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Mercy. "It would make her stop breathing."
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Questioned by Assistant District Attorney Edward Cameron, Herlich criticized every aspect of Gosnell's use of painkillers and anesthetics.

Herlich said that given Mongar's size - 5-foot-1 and 110 pounds - the anesthesia would have put her "into a coma."

Herlich also criticized Gosnell's practice of having staff - none with medical training - administer anesthesia and perform other medical tasks.

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