Dr. Brad Daniel Hamik, MD

Hamik was my anesthesiologist for a major abdominal surgery I had at MMC. My last dose of pain medicine (25mcg Fentanyl ONLY - absolutely no other pain meds given, including IV tylenol, etc.) was more than 1 hour BEFORE the end of the operation. Not surprisingly, upon my arrival in the PACU (more than 1 hour AFTER last dose of pain med), I was in tears, completely overwhelmed by pain, and told the nurse my pain was at least an 8 out of 10, primarily over my incisions and abdomen. My first memory of waking up was agonizing pain. The nurse contacted Hamik who ordered a one time dose of ONLY Versed, which was not helpful at all, as I continued to report a pain level of at least 8 which escalated to at least a 9. I was in agony. I did not receive ANY pain meds for 2.5 hours. ANY (including tylenol, etc.). I found out as the nurses were switching shifts that Hamik did not prescribe any post-op pain meds, and was "unreachable" because he immediately had gone into another surgery - the nurse… leaving her shift said the one starting her shift, "I couldn't reach him..what could I do?". It is hard to say how much the role of the PACU RN was at play, but my records clearly show that Hamik did not prescribe any post-op orders, and only ordered Versed when the nurse contacted him about my pain level of 8 (which indicates severe pain). I have had minor surgeries before and never experienced a lack of follow or attention in the PACU like this - for this to happen on my first major surgery was difficult to wrap my head around. When I compared records, Hamik is also the only anesthesiologist to not write any order at all for the PACU (including ones for assessment and monitoring, iv fluids, and of course, meds!). Avoid him if you can, or at least make sure your family is aware to advocate for access to pain relief after surgery (something I thought was common protocol in the PACU? After surgery? to make sure your pain is manageable?) Would definitely not recommend at all!!