Napier v. Northrum

George Rose Smith, Justice.

This is an action for medical malpractice, brought by Albert Napier against Dr. Charles Northrum, an anesthesiologist, Dr. John Wideman, an orthopedic surgeon, and Sparks Regional Medical Center. At the close of the plaintiff’s proof the trial judge directed a verdict in favor of all three defendants. Napier argues that submissible issues of negligence were presented and that the court should have admitted into evidence the Sparks hospital’s Nursing Procedure Manual.

In 1969 Napier’s right hand was severely lacerated by the fan of his car. He was eventually sent to…