Hospital knew doctor had previous drug addiction
Officials at Hazleton-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, PA, knew that the anesthesiologist had abused drugs in the past, but they credentialed him to practice at the hospital anyway.
The doctor’s extensive criminal history was unknown, but officials decided the doctor had overcome the drug addiction he admitted to having five years before seeking credentials at the hospital, explains Jeff Sackrison, BSN, MBA, senior vice president of operations for the hospital. The anesthesiologist had been through a drug rehabilitation program for past problems.
"This was a physician who had been rehabilitated, had outstanding references, and was licensed by the state," Sackrison says. "His references said he had been clean. I guess you can never be 100% sure."
The doctor’s criminal background was not discovered because the hospital did not address that possibility in the credentialing process. That oversight has since been addressed, Sackrison says. Doctors are now asked about any criminal background, and the hospital investigates on a case-by-case basis when suspicions warrant. Nevertheless, Sackrison expresses skepticism about the need to eliminate all doctors with a criminal history.
Shortly after the anesthesiologist’s crimes were discovered, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations in Oakbrook Terrace, IL, sent in a team of investigators, as it usually does after a high-profile case involving medical errors or oversights.
Physicians previously were not included in the hospital’s drug testing program, but Sackrison says the medical staff bylaws have been changed to allow routine drug testing of doctors.
Sackrison also notes that surgeons had complimented the anesthesiologist on his work. There was no obvious clue that patients were not getting the proper anesthesia, Sackrison says, denying patient complaints in lawsuits that they suffered unbearable pain during surgery. Instead, he says the hospital was alerted by "suspicions" of operating room personnel. He declines to elaborate on what the suspicions were.
The hospital is being sued by several patients who claim they suffered from inadequate anesthesia, and Sackrison says the lawsuits go far beyond the typical malpractice suits that any hospital encounters as a part of doing business.
"These are major lawsuits, and we’re hoping it makes a difference that the doctor was not actually employed by the hospital," he explains. "The lawsuits go beyond the scope of a normal, medical malpractice lawsuit because the plain-tiffs are looking for punitive damages. That could amount to a lot of money."
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