Injury In Idaho

Avoiding Dangerous Doctors

The May, 2016 issue of Consumer Reports magazine contains an important, if disturbing, article concerning the state of medical practice in the United States. Specifically, it highlights the fact that thousands of U.S. doctors are on medical probation for reasons including drug abuse, alcoholism, sexual misconduct and making serious and sometimes deadly mistake. Unfortunately, as the article points out, it is very difficult for patients to identify these doctors.The magazine cited the following examples:

— An orthopedic surgeon whose inattention to a leg injury resulted in amputation

— A urologist arrested for drunk driving while he was on call

— A psychiatrist drinking alcohol mid-shift

— An obstetrician who surgically removed the wrong ovary, leaving the diseased ovary in the patient

— A cardiologist exposing his patient to excessive amounts of radiation during surgery

— A doctor who allowed an unlicensed office assistant to give narcotics painkillers through an infusion pump

State medical boards have the right to sanction a doctor or place limits on a doctor’s license to practice. However, in most cases these probationary measures are not made public. The 50 states vary in terms of the way these cases are handled, and a list containing each state’s practices can be found at ConsumersUnion.org/safepatientproject. Idaho ranks poorly in publicizing hospital disciplinary actions, federal disciplinary actions, malpractice payouts and convictions. Idaho ranks well in search capabilities and identifying doctor information.

Consumers Union has launched the Safe Patient Project which is designed to change the way the regulatory system works so that patients can be better informed about doctors who may be impaired or operating under a limited license. Some physician organizations have resisted efforts to make such information public.

The article also revealed that just 2% of doctors are responsible for 50% of malpractice payouts since 1990. The May issue contains tips on avoiding dangerous doctors, and access to the article is well worth the cost of an online subscription to Consumer Reports.

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