Cardiologist Testifies: Dr. Conrad Murray Messed Up Big Time

Filed under: Conrad Murray Trial

Cardiologist -- Dr. Alon Steinberg Testifies
Updated 10/12/11 at 08:45 AM

Dr. Alon Steinberg -- one of the leading cardiologists for the California Medical Board -- just told the jury ... Dr. Conrad Murray demonstrated an "extreme deviation" from standard practices in his care for Michael Jackson.

* Dr. Steinberg made it clear he is a cardiologist... not an anesthesiologist.
* Dr. Steinberg said he reviewed Murray's case relying solely on transcripts from his police interview because he wanted "to judge Dr. Murray on his very own words."
* Steinberg found 6 separate and distinct deviations of standard of care – each one amounting to "gross negligence."
* He said Propofol should only be used for procedures in a hospital and should never be used for sleep.
* Steinberg told Walgren he's never heard of anyone using Propofol for sleep.
* Steinberg also found that Murray lacked basic equipment in case of an emergency.
* Murray didn't have an assistant in case something went wrong.
* Murray's biggest mistake... he didn't call 911.  Steinberg told jurors that's the first thing he should have done.
* Steinberg says Murray had no idea what he was doing ... After calling 911 Murray should have fiven him Flumazenil -- an antidote -- then he should have given him air through an ambu bag.  Instead, Murray went for chest compressions ...  which MJ didn't need since his heart was still beating.
* When Murray does finally call for help, he calls MJ's assistant ... which caused further delay.
* Steinberg says that for every minute of delay there's less and less chance the patient will survive.
* Steinberg called Murray's behavior "bizarre."
* Another huge deviation ... Murray did not take notes. This is important not only for insurance and legal purposes but also to make sure everything is documented so that no mistakes are made. Not one single vital sign was written down. That caused confusion in the emergency room because doctors couldn't tell what MJ was given.
* Steinberg told the jury, the breeches in care directly contributed to the untimely death of Michael Jackson, saying if these deviations hadn't happened, Mr. Jackson would still be alive."
* Steinberg said that even if we assume MJ did take the fatal dose, Murray still would have been responsible for MJ's death. He said leaving MJ alone in that room was like leaving a baby on a countertop.

Judge Pastor Just Broke from mid-morning break... back in 20.

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