Doctors With Histories Of Medical Mistakes Identities Protected By Database
As stated in a recent article concerning the federal medical malpractice database a once useful tool to provide information about doctors who make medical mistakes has been changed, making it more difficult to obtain this crucial information. Recently, the Department of Health and Human Services changed the rules concerning how researchers and reporters use anonymous information about more than 196,000 doctors who commit medical malpractice or have other discipline issues. Previously, individuals such as reporters were able to download the information about dangerous doctors from the federal database, and in some cases, identify the particular offenders. Examples of medical negligence included surgical errors, delays in diagnosis, prescription errors and delivery mistakes.
If you believe you or a loved one has been injured as the result of medical malpractice, it is important to speak to an experienced Hawaii medical malpractice attorney. A skilled medical negligence lawyer can provide critical answers in your time of need.
The public database collected information from across the country and was used to show:
• Lax discipline of doctors by Missouri’s licensing board, allowing one physician to practice in several states, including Hawaii, where the doctor had been disciplined for negligent patient care;
• To document a long history of medical malpractice by a partially blind neurosurgeon, prompting the state medical board to more closely monitor the physician; and
• To show a history of medical malpractice by physicians, leading to greater authority by the state board to discipline doctors.
However, recent changes in the law now require those accessing the database to agree not to combine that information with other source to reveal the identity of individual doctors.
The rules were changed after one surgeon complained that reporters were able to identify him in the database.
Unfortunately, with the changes in access to the database the public is denied critical access to information. As stated by a patient advocate, “Why are we putting this information out there? …The public has an incredible interest in whether doctors are practicing safely.” In fact, nearly 9 in 10 people surveyed believe the public should have full access to the database.
Although the majority of physicians provide quality care, medical malpractice and medical mistakes occur far too frequently. For more information or if you believe you or a loved one has been harmed due to medical negligence, contact a dedicated Hawaii medical malpractice lawyer at Bostwick & Peterson for a confidential consultation.
