San Diego Patients Should Know About Their Doctors
Recently, it was discovered that six cases of Hepatitis C were caused by grossly negligent practices at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada. Among the cost and safety cutting procedures alleged were directions to staff to use syringes and vials of anesthesia more than once--despite the risk of spreading diseases.
Out of this scandal, Southern Nevadans have discovered a problem that should also concern patients in San Diego--how do patients find out about the doctors treating them?
In California, the state Medical Board does not provide any information about past or pending lawsuits for medical malpractice unless a judgment was entered or settlement reached in excess of $30,000. This makes is it difficult for patients to discovery evidence of poor, although perhaps not negligent, performance by their doctors. Due to the scarlet letter this hangs on the chest of a careless doctor, medical malpractice cases, no matter how legitimate or clear-cut, are litigated tooth and nail through trial.
This is a poor way of sharing information with patients about the doctors treating them. It is believed that 90% of all malpractice claims come from the conduct of 10% of doctors. While these may not be exact figures, they do seem logical. Persons who make mistakes or who cut corners tend to repeat these mistakes over and over. For example, in San Diego, a dentist has been successfully sued four times for substandard care.
The California Medical Board should do more to police their ranks and weed out those members who repeatedly fail to competently treat their patients. There is too much at risk not to do so. In addition, the CMB should also share more information about the members and prior claims and lawsuits with patients. I hope that the CMB will take these actions rather than the legislature as I believe that the CMB, and the vast majority of its' members, are competent and caring health care providers who have their patients' best interests at heart. Involving the legislature should be unnecessary, unless the CMB fails to act.
If you wish to know more about your doctor's past history, our office recommends that you contact the CMB and ask that they change to a more open system of sharing information.
