I can give you a perspective from both sides of the fence. I am an RN, BSN that contracted Hepatitis C from a needlestick while working as an oncology nurse at the VA hospital. I was documented but very far back in the history and nowhere on the quickchart or recent history. On admission he had answered no when asked. I feel it is my obligation to tell ANYONE who is coming in contact with my blood that I have HCV. I have even requested nurses wear gloves when taking mine or starting an IV, etc. I have had extreme reactions in both directions. Those that act as if they don’t want to insult me by gloving and being “extra” cautious and those who have refused to touch me when they found out. I do think it is an ethical issue and we harbor personal responsibility to tell others and keep them safe also.

Perhaps a better question would be this: If the surgery was botched because of complications that arose as a result of the previous scar tissue, could the surgeon be held liable? Should they be?

Yes I think it’s unecthical behaviour from patient end becuase it may cause critical situation for Doctor.

Both doctor and patient must be held legally responsible for whatever they are hiding.

Not disclosing such information is a wrekless behavior from the patient.and i think DR s should make their clients fill a disclamer or a form that has contains DRSsquestions and patients answers and the patient answer these Q’s and to date and sign it and aknowledge s that this information is true ,if something hapens or it apeared that the patient lied, the doctor would not be held liable or sued for misparctice or negligence.in some operations patients should be Hiv and hepatitis or insuline tested.

I don’t think it’s unethical for the patient to put himself at risk by failing to disclose; what I would be worried about, ethically, is when the patient puts his doctor (or other health professionals) at risk by failing do disclose, as with the communicable disease example above.

I think it’s unfair to require a patient to disclose everything if the only person who would be harmed by the failure to disclose is himself. For instance, a patient may wish to avoid disclosing suicidal ideation to his doctor because he (rightly) feels he will be involuntarily hospitalized if he does; I think it’s ethical for the patient to avoid involuntary hospitalization by failing to disclose in this situation.