Doctors Who Abuse Patients Allowed To Remain Licensed

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Physicians take the Hippocratic Oath upon becoming a physician and promise to do no harm to any patient to whom they render treatment. Some doctors fail to uphold that oath. Instead of living their professional lives by the simple promise to protect the sanctity and dignity of human life, they destroy it by sexually assaulting their patients. The problem is more pervasive than initially believed.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution conducted a thorough investigation into the frequency of sexual abuse committed by physicians. Not only did the investigation reveal that the problem is far too common, but the coverups by hospitals and other organizations also shocks the conscience. Many physicians are getting away with sexual assault and given second chances to correct their behavior, only to go and re-offend.

The newspaper’s investigation yielded surprising results. After reviewing 100,000 disciplinary rulings and other documents, the journalists found that 3,100 doctors received public discipline since 1999 involve some illicit sexual conduct. More than 2,400 of those disciplinary cases referred to sexual abuse of a patient. The remaining cases involved sexual harassment, public indecency, and other forms of sexual deviance.

What these cases show is a physician taking advantage of their power and prestige to fulfill their own sexual desires. Doctors can ask a person to take their clothing off without an objection. The patient is extremely vulnerable to the physician. Unethical and deviant doctors can take advantage of the situation. According to the investigation conducted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, doctors would use suggestive or make inappropriate comments during intimate exams. Also, doctors would molest their patients, masturbate in front of the patient, swap drugs for sex, or commit rape. Doctors can document the exam with vague language that seemingly indicates that the patient consented to whatever occurred in the exam room. Consent is a tricky issue in this instance because of the disparity of power between the doctor and patient.

One advocate for sexual assault victims blames the deference the typical patient shows the doctor. As patients, we are sometimes helpless and at the mercy of the physician. Healthcare professionals could take advantage of the situation. After the incident, the patient could blame himself or herself for the assault. They could also be left with a sense of disbelief that a doctor could violate a patient’s trust in that manner.

State Boards of Medicine take allegations of sexual assault seriously. They can suspend the doctor’s license for the length of time the particular state’s law allows. At the end of the suspension period, the doctor’s license may be reinstated by the Board of Healing Arts. Of course, that assumes the doctor did not face a prosecution for a crime. Many times the doctor receives the benefit of the doubt if he or she admits to a problem, confronts the problem, and take the necessary steps to prevent recidivism. The investigative reporters found that in Kansas and Georgia, 2/3s of all physicians disciplined for sexual misconduct were allowed to resume the practice of medicine. In some instances, the Board of Healing Arts, the accused physician, and the victim reached private settlements. Consequently, the information does not become public.

Some sexual predators are brought to justice. For instance, a physician’s assistant who worked that the VA Hospital in Leavenworth faces criminal charges and his employer is facing a civil lawsuit based on the sexual misconduct of the individual.

You Deserve Zealous Representation No Matter What Allegations You Face

If you are facing professional discipline, Kansas Professional Licensing Attorney Danielle Sanger can help. Attorney Sanger takes great pride in representing professionals facing licensing discipline. Call Attorney Sanger today at 785-979-4353 to schedule a consultation.

Missouri Professional Licensing Defense Attorney Talks About Complying With OSHA Standards Can Help Clinicians Avoid Professional Discipline

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) promulgated guidelines for safety in clinical offices. OSHA operates on the simple premise that employers have an obligation to provide their employees with a safe work environment. Issues about workplace safety can arise during the course of treatment of a patient. It is important to recognize the potential occupational pitfalls a doctor, dentist, or another clinician must avoid maintaining the safety of their employees and patients as well. You could face professional licensing discipline if you fail to satisfy OSHA’s standards for clinical practice if the violation compromises patient safety. Kansas and Missouri professional licensing attorney Danielle Sanger zealously advocates for healthcare professionals and other professional licensees facing professional discipline.

While compliance with OSHA regulations appears on its face to be onerous, the regulations purport to provide a valuable service for healthcare practitioners. Following OSHA guidelines permits employers to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. Doing so keeps overhead down while promoting quality patient care by maintaining continuity of employees. Reducing workplace injuries and illness enhances employee morale because employees know that their employer wants them to be physically safe in their work environment.  Every employee is owed the right to work in a safe environment. That means the temporary medical assistant to the longest tenured physician enjoys the right to a safe work environment.

OSHA recommends establishing an office or clinic protocols that employers and employees must follow to ensure a safe work environment. OSHA’s regulations apply to every employer, no matter the number. There are no exceptions. To maintain a safe workplace, OSHA recommends:

  • establishing office protocols, policies, and procedures that comply with OSHA regulations;
  • identifying safety hazards such as biohazards, radiation hazards, chemical, physical, ergonomic, and psychological hazards as well;
  • taking steps to protect workers from infection from various sources;
  • being certain to store medicines securely and protect workers from medical waste contamination;
  • hanging required OSHA posters and required notices, and
  • providing training to employees regarding clinical safety measures.

OSHA requires employers to make sure labels are appropriately affixed when necessary. Additionally, fire exits must be designated and map provided to the nearest exit. Furthermore, steps must be taken to protect staff members from radiation exposure from X-ray machines, MRI’s, and CT-scan machines.

One issue clinicians must not overlook is the electrical requirements OSHA promulgated. OSHA has strict guidelines for electrical safety. If the office uses gasses, for instance, “laughing gas” in a dentist’s office, then the office must contain the necessary wiring to prevent fire and explosions.

Employers should not take these requirements lightly. Following OSHA’s mandates can save money in the long run. OSHA recommends that employers communicate with their subordinates a desire to have a safe workplace. Additionally, employers should establish clear goals and objectives. The goals should be measurable, realistic, and attainable. One way to accomplish that mission is to assign tasks to particular employees and put them in charge of a particular aspect of the clinic’s safety plan. Employers should allow time for employees to familiarize themselves with the safety plans issued by the clinic. Not allowing the necessary time for employees to become familiar with the safety requirements of their office will be counterproductive and provide a disincentive for employees to follow the safety protocols of the medical office. Finally, the employer should demand compliance with the safety programs define by their employer.

Professional Licensing Attorney Available To Assist

Kansas and Missouri Professional Licensing Defense Attorney Danielle Sanger is an aggressive advocate for the professional licensee. If you are facing the prospect of losing your professional license, call Attorney Sanger today at 785-979-4353 to schedule an appointment.

 

Missouri Professional Licensing Attorney Addresses Code Of Conduct For Architects And Similar Professions

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The Missouri Board of Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Professional Landscape Architects (the Board) is the licensing authority for those practicing in these professions. The Board must ensure that licensees are qualified to practice these professions and follow the rules of professional conduct regulating them. Thus, the Board performs a vital function for the residents of Missouri be ensuring that people who practice architecture, professional engineering, land surveying, and professional landscape architecture possess the requisite skill and workmanship ethically. Missouri professional licensing attorney Danielle Sanger is a skilled and experienced advocate for professional licensees in Missouri.

The Missouri state regulations governing architects, professional engineers, land surveyors, and professional landscape architects require the practitioners of each profession to be familiar with and understand the rules of conduct. The rules of professional conduct for architects, professional engineers, land surveyors, and professional landscape architects are substantially similar to the rules of professional conduct governing professions like healthcare professionals such as doctors and nurses, with exceptions for rules that were explicitly passed for each occupation. The Board is the sole enforcement authority for the rules. The Board will file a complaint with the Missouri Administrative Hearings Commission if it has sufficient evidence that a member violated a rule of conduct.

The foundation for the standards of professional conduct is the protection of the public. In the case of these professions, the public must be protected from shoddy work when licensees are designing buildings, public works projects, designating boundaries of land, and preserving the integrity of the land upon which buildings are situated. Therefore, the priority of the Board and the rules that it enforces is to make certain that every licensee must act with “reasonable care and competence.” Additionally, each licensee must “apply the technical knowledge and skill which are ordinarily applied by architects, professional engineers, land surveyors, and professional landscape architects.” The rules or regulations do not endeavor to delineate what is meant by phrases such as “reasonable care” and “ordinarily applied.”

Licensees monitored by the Board have every right to earn a living and receive remuneration for their work. However, in further protecting the public, architects, professional engineers, land surveyors, and professional landscape architects must refuse to engage in any self-dealing. Self-dealing has a broader application than financial interests. Self-dealing could mean anything which involves a licensee compromising his or her professional standards for which a personal advantage may be gained. Furthermore, no licensee may take any monetary compensation or other compensation for referring another professional’s services. Licensees must not offer financial awards or other valuable compensation in an attempt to obtain employment.

Licensees have an obligation to use their best professional judgment. Consequently, anytime the licensee’s judgment is questioned the licensee must notify their employer immediately if the public welfare of safety is compromised. A necessary component a licensee using his or her best judgment involves practicing within their area of expertise and technical knowledge consistent with the training and education they have received.

Licensees must also protect the integrity of their profession. Therefore, they must not attempt to injure other licensees’ professional reputations. Additionally, licensees must maintain all confidences about which they learn while performing the duties for which they are contracted. Licensees must cooperate with Board investigations if they are being investigated or are questioned during an inquiry into another licensee’s conduct.

Call For Help Today If You Are Facing Professional Discipline

Missouri Professional Licensing Attorney Danielle Sanger aggressively defends professional licensees facing disciplinary action. Contact Attorney Sanger immediately if a licensing authority has commenced an investigation into your professional conduct. Call 785-979-4353 to schedule a consultation today to learn how experience coupled with aggressive defense can make the difference for you.

Kansas and Missouri Professional Licensing Attorney Discusses Ethical Considerations Of Online Therapy

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With so much of our lives entombed in computers, there is little surprise that therapy sessions are now available online. The American Psychological Association (APA) calls the trend “telepsychology.” Telepsychology, according to the APA is the general rubric for any therapy session that is conducted either online, via a web service, or over a telecommunications portal. Both Missouri and Kansas now authorize their licensed therapists to conduct online therapy sessions.

Telepsychology has a tremendous upside, but therapists must be aware of the potential ethical pitfalls. If you are a therapist who has encountered disciplinary action because of online therapy or for any other reason, Kansas and Missouri professional licensing attorney Danielle Sanger has over a decade of experience fighting to protect therapists from allegations of ethical violations.

Some therapists offer video sessions via an online portal like Skype. One company has advanced the idea and has created a computer platform dedicated to facilitating therapeutical appointments without the face to face interaction. The service boasts that use of its portal will reduce costs significantly for patients and be considerably more convenient.

The program works more like a dating service than a referral system. Prospective patients complete an assessment form. The form is analyzed and categorized by individual metrics based on how the patient answers questions on the evaluation form. Next, the patient is matched with a therapist if the patient enrolls in the service. The service plans begin at $32 per week. The patient is eligible to conduct online therapy sessions once the transaction is consummated.

Prospective patients should not be misled. The minimum service is $32 per week. This allows for unlimited text or email exchanges. The website marketing this service indicates that therapists will respond one to two times per day. If written responses are insufficient for the patient, then they can schedule an online chat through a portal like Skype. The service does not indicate what the costs are for a streaming conference session. The website does discuss that couples therapy costs $59 per week. Additionally, the website offers gift cards and corporate functions as well.

The therapeutic services available on the website are what one would expect a psychologist or therapist to provide. They want to attract people who are having relationship difficulties, job problems, feeling trapped, or unable to achieve their goals. The service does have emergency response resources available for individuals who are suicidal or homicidal. However, the website redirects people in crisis to call 911 or present to an emergency room.

One service it does boast is assistance with social media dependence. The service claims that people become depressed and anxious after looking at social media too long. Therefore, some people may require talk therapy to work out their problems caused by prolonged exposure to social media.

Many testimonials posted on the service’s website exclaim the virtue of texting their therapist instead of treating in a traditional setting. Some said that removing the discomfort of face-to-face interaction allowed them to express themselves more accurately. Some people claimed to like the convenience of texting their therapist whenever they wanted to do so.

Therapists who chose to treat their patients this way must be wary of maintaining confidences. Therapists must be aware of protecting privacy and securing privileged information that is stored electronically. Additionally, therapists must be careful not to mislead others while participating in this service.

For More Information

Many people, especially those folks who are busy or live in remote areas who simply do not have the time or the resources to attend regular appointments can benefit from online therapy. As time passes, more and more services will be hosted online. As a result, many ethical questions will need answers. You can turn to Kansas and Missouri Professional Licensing Attorney Danielle Sanger for representation if you are facing a disciplinary hearing or investigation. Call Attorney Sanger today at 785-979-4353 to schedule a consultation and learn how her years of experience and aggressive defense of professional licensees will benefit you.

Kansas Professional Licensing Attorney Discusses Code of Ethics for Emergency Medical Technicians

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Emergency medical service (EMS) providers may be better known as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). The title also includes paramedics. However one refers to them, EMTs are on the front lines helping save people every day by responding to car accidents, heart attacks, strokes, choking victims, people who stopped breathing, drug overdoses, gunshot victims, women who are giving birth, and countless other medical emergencies. They do their jobs well and in dire situations which force them to summons all of their strength and professionalism to make it through. Sometimes it works out for the best, and sometimes it does not, unfortunately.  When it does not work out well for a victim or the victim’s family, they might try to assess blame for the death or injury to a loved one by filing a complaint against the EMTs who responded to the situation. If that happens, Kansas and Missouri professional licensing attorney will zealously advocate on the EMTs’ behalf to protect his or her livelihood and professional reputation.

EMTs are licensed medical professionals in both Kansas and Missouri. In each state, EMS candidates must satisfy a rigorous training and educational course before they can provide emergency services.  Once the EMS practitioner receives his or her license to work as an EMT, they must renew their certifications and take continuing educational classes.

The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) has promulgated a code for its members to follow. The code may serve as the foundation upon which EMTs services are provided and the manner in which EMTs provide them. EMS practitioners are sworn to uphold a code; an ethic that reinforces that they must be selfless, professional, and compassionate performing the job they do. The code embodies everything an EMT must be.

The NAEMT code was designed by its authors to enrich the quality of care, and service EMTs provide. Therefore, to abide by the code, EMS practitioners must:

  • Do what they can to preserve life and eliminate pain and suffering. They must not do harm and must provide emergency medical services with equality for all who rely on them for care;
  • EMTs must maintain the dignity of human life. They must not evince any prejudice toward any person. Rather, EMTS must treat people with compassion and respect without regard to race, color, creed, or socio-economic status in life;
  • EMTs must always act for the well-being of the public good;
  • EMTS shall not disclose confidential information;
  • EMS practitioners may use social media but should not compromise their professional integrity or shame the profession in any way;
  • EMS providers must maintain and demonstrate technical competence at all times;
  • EMTS shall maintain the highest standards in the practice and continue to educate themselves on new techniques in addition to maintaining competence in current technologies;
  • Individuals should use their best judgment at all times;
  • EMS providers must cooperate with other healthcare providers, so the patient for which care is given receives the highest-quality healthcare; and
  • EMS practitioners must report unethical or incompetent practitioners or practices as well as refuse to participate in unethical practices.

Following this code allows the EMS providers to care for patients not only with care, compassion, and dignity, but to perform technical, life-saving measures when called upon to do so.

Attorney Danielle Sanger; Aggressive Defense of EMTS In Kansas and Missouri

Kansas Professional Licensing Attorney Danielle Sanger understands and appreciates the sacrifices EMTs make every day for the good of us all. If you are an EMTs facing professional discipline, contact Attorney Sanger today at 785-979-4353 to schedule a consultation. Attorney Sanger will use her vast experience to defend you and your profession.

Kansas And Missouri Licensing Attorney Discuss Tragedy

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A question of whether a boy should have received a second dose of sedative arose after a child passed away during a dental procedure. The child was only 4-years-old. According to Foxnews.com, the boy may have had autism. His mother indicated he was on the autism spectrum although it is unclear whether he was officially diagnosed with the disorder. The boy went to a dentist that has a practice restricted to handling difficult patients. The initial investigation reports suggest that the boy received an additional dose of a powerful sedative before the dental procedure. Kansas and Missouri professional licensing attorney Danielle Sanger has represented numerous dentists and other professionals under investigation for violations of ethical rules.

The four-year-old presented an interesting problem for the dentist: the boy simply refused to open his mouth for the procedure. Despite lesser intrusive techniques, the dentist decided that sedating him would give the dentist the best opportunity to complete the process. The dentist office employs a board certified anesthesiologist to assist with difficult patients. The sedatives help the children relax as well as be compliant and non-combative during the examination. Toward that end, the dentist’s office employs an anesthesiologist to administer the appropriate drug.

Office personnel went to talk to the boy’s mother when the procedure was over. The staff reported to the child’s mother that he was resting comfortably and that it was time to begin to rouse him. The boy did not wake, however. He was found unresponsive and not breathing. Staff immediately commenced CPR and called for an ambulance. The EMS quickly transported him to a local hospital, but it was too late. The child died.

The dentist’s office and practice group declined to comment on the situation specifically because it was under investigation by several authorities. They did comment that their office performed over 1,900 similar procedures over a three-year span without complication or complaint. Furthermore, the dental office stated that the anesthesiologist followed strict protocols and guidelines. To ensure safety, the dental staff consults with the patient’s treating physician to obtain permission to give the child a sedative as a critical component of its anesthesia protocols.

In the immediate aftermath of the boy’s death, the mother learned that the anesthesiologist gave him a second shot of sedative. The sedative used is a powerful drug called ketamine. The mother stated the doctor wanted to be certain the child would not wake up while the dentist was working on him. Had that happened, the dentist would not have been able to complete the procedure. Accordingly, the physician gave a second shot. The report was not clear whether the boy’s mother knew they were going to give him a second shot.

Properly obtaining informed consent is the obligation of every healthcare provider. This instance may present an issue of whether the appropriate informed consent was given by the child’s mother for the second shot a ketamine. This issue will be thoroughly vetted by any investigatory body looking into these events. Therefore, it is vital for every healthcare professional to be certain informed consent is properly given. The patient or their proxy must understand what will be administered and have the opportunity to ask questions about the process. There must be no surprises when it comes to getting consent to perform medical and dental procedures.

Even the most diligent and conscientious healthcare professionals make mistakes

Kansas and Missouri Professional Licensing Attorney Danielle Sanger understands that mistakes can and sometimes do happen. It is a part of life. That understanding may not prevent a state licensing board from undertaking an investigation for an ethics violation. If that happens, Attorney Sanger will fight to protect your livelihood and your personal life as well. Call 785-979-4353 today for a consultation.

Kansas And Missouri Professional Licensing Attorney Asks If A Misdiagnosis Lead To New Mother’s Death?

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Did doctors in a New York hospital miss a diagnosis that caused the death of a young mother during childbirth? The answer of the question remains to be seen. The New York Times reported that a 34-year-old woman died after giving birth to her second child. Childbirth-related deaths are rare in the United States, but they do happen. The burning question is whether this death could have been prevented. If so, the physicians could face professional discipline as well as facing a medical malpractice lawsuit filed by the grief-stricken husband of the deceased.

The stricken woman began experiencing contractions about one month before her due date. They contractions were severe, and she was having difficulty sleeping. Consequently, she went to the emergency room of a local hospital. There, the staff examined her and informed her that she was not ready to give birth. They advised her to go home and get some rest. She did and eventually fell asleep. The next morning, the expectant mother awoke with contractions and pain in her abdomen.

The contractions advanced, and the woman gave birth in her apartment. Her husband called EMS and a neighbor assisted with the delivery. The EMS responders took the mother and newborn child to the hospital for a routine examination. Everything appeared to be fine. Before leaving the hospital, the new mother, her husband, and the baby’s brother all took photographs. The woman did not appear to be in any distress whatsoever. That changed shortly after arriving at the hospital.

What was to be a routine examination of the mother took a tragic turn. The doctors determined that the mother’s placenta did not discharge along with the baby. Therefore, the attending physicians began a procedure designed to expel the placenta. The initial attempt failed. As a result, the physicians opted to remove the placenta surgically. Surgeons delayed the procedure for reasons that are not clear. The surgery yielded disastrous results.

As the surgery was almost complete, the woman’s blood pressure crashed. The woman went into shock due to blood loss during the placenta removal. The staff quickly transferred her to the intensive care unit for blood transfusions. She received several transfusions but would her blood pressure would not stabilize. Doctors contemplated exploratory surgery to determine the cause of the problem.

Even at that point, the doctors did not expect to lose her. They informed her husband that the procedure would take a little while. That gave the man time to go home to pick up his eldest son who was with a babysitter all day. By the time she reached his home, his phone had ringed. It was the hospital calling to tell him his wife died from the blood loss.

The man filed a medical malpractice action against the hospital and the numerous physicians who treated his wife the night before she died and the day she died. He is understandably heartbroken. The lawsuit is still pending in court.

The most careful, diligent, and circumspect physicians make mistakes. The question here though does not only be they negligent but did they commit an ethical violation? Whether this was just a tragic case that could not have been prevented or not remains to be seen.

Count On Zealous Representation If You Are Accused Of An Ethical Violation

If you are a medical professional or other professional licensee facing professional discipline, Attorney Danielle Sanger can help. Attorney Sanger has extensive experience representing various healthcare professionals as well as other professional licensees. Call Kansas and Missouri Professional Licensing Attorney Danielle Sanger today at 78-979-4353 to schedule a consultation.

Kansas And Missouri Licensing Attorney Advises Clients Not To Relax Professional Standards

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According to the Miami Herald, a 25-year-old woman, who was a young mother, passed away during implant surgery at a Miami area cosmetic surgery clinic.  The woman engaged the clinic to perform a “Brazilin Butt Lift.”  The young lady was from Kansas City, MO. She was the second in a month to die in the Miami area while having cosmetic surgery. She is also the second woman in a year to die after seeking cosmetic treatment at this particular treatment facility. Unfortunately, this particular clinic and its predecessors have had problems in the recent past. Kansas and Missouri professional licensing attorney Danielle Sanger reminds physicians to adhere to the highest ethical and practical standards mandated by the medical profession to avoid professional discipline and claims of medical malpractice.

The Florida Department of Health and law enforcement authorities are investigating the young woman’s death. The young woman was reported to be happy and healthy two days before she died when she left Kansas City to head to South Florida. The woman was placed under a general anesthetic rather than a local before the surgery.During the surgery, which involves the physician removing cellulite from the stomach and injecting it into the woman’s buttocks, the woman’s blood pressure dropped. She was unconscious. Emergency personnel responded, but she could not be revived.

Using general anesthesia is risky for these types of procedures. The best option is to administer a local anesthetic for pain control.  In one instance, there was a question of whether the patient knew what was happening. The patient did sign an informed consent form. However, the news report suggests that the informed consent form purportedly signed by the patient was crossed out and written over. The report claims that it is virtually impossible to determine what procedure the unsuspecting patient approved. Moreover, there are no discernible means to tell whether the patient signed before or after the cross outs and additional markings.

The surgical clinic where the woman perished has had its share of difficulties. The news report about the incident refers to the clinic itself as a “storefront.” The description invites readers to infer that this is some fly-by-night operation. Health officials in Florida say that in 2015, a medical practitioner associated with the practice injured four patients during a 30-day span while performing liposuction. The doctor claims in “YouTube” videos the aggressively use liposuction. Additionally, the Florida attorney general’s office investigated the clinics and ordered that the clinic’s incorporators repay nearly $200,000 to patients who pre-paid for services. In exchange, the Florida attorney general’s office dropped the investigation. Furthermore, health officials cited the clinic for poor record keeping practices as well as the use of ineffective equipment.

While cosmetic surgery is often performed by reputable and competent physicians and staff, some facilities measurably fall below professional standards. The clinic in question went through numerous name changes and was “rebranding” itself. The owners of the corporation that runs the clinics dissolved those corporations and reincorporated under a different name. Additionally, the clinic marketed itself to out-of-town patients through internet marketing that promises inexpensive plastic surgery and amazing results. Practitioners must remember to consult the rules relating to marketing and advertising before making claims guaranteeing precise results. Additionally, physicians and other health care providers must practice in a manner consistent with maintaining the integrity of the professional and protection of the public.

Consult With A True Advocate For Professional Licensees If You Have Questions

Kansas and Missouri professional licensing attorney Danielle Sanger has the knowledge, skill, and experience to assist you if there are issues regarding your ethical obligations. Furthermore, licensees are well advised not to attempt handling professional discipline without competent counsel. Call Kansas Licensing Attorney Danielle Sanger today at 785-979-4353 to schedule a consultation and learn how Attorney Sanger will fight to protect you.

Kansas And Missouri Licensing Attorney Cautions Medical Professionals To Be Aware Of Fatigue

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Even the best nurses can make mistakes. A Canadian nurse learned that lesson the hard way recently. The nurse was feeding a child born prematurely who also had developmental problems caused by his premature birth. The baby, who was only a few weeks old at the time, fell out of the nurse’s arms during a feeding early in the morning. The child was severely injured in the fall. Kansas and Missouri professional licensing attorney Danielle Sanger cautions medical professionals especially, but other professionals as well, to watch out for the signs of fatigue. Injuries or death a patient can occur from inattentiveness or forgetfulness due to fatigue and exhaustion.

The Toronto Sun reported that the incident took place on February 20, 2017, at about 3:00 a.m. The child was born several weeks early just before Christmas 2016. Although his twin went home, the boy needed continued hospital care because of a lung condition caused by his premature birth. The boy fell out of the nurse’s arms when she fell asleep during the feeding. The boy tumbled to the floor. The nurse awoke when the boy started crying after striking the floor. The nurse followed hospital protocol. She sought a consult from the on-call pediatrician. The doctor examined the baby and determined he was uninjured. The nurse called the baby’s mother around 8:00 a.m.

The parents went to the hospital to check on their son. Again they were informed by another pediatrician that their son was uninjured by the fall. The mother persisted in obtaining further medical opinions. She was proved right. The boy had an ultra-sound and a CT-scan. The test results revealed that the boy suffered a fractured skull from striking the floor.

The child’s mother expressed dismay and disbelief over the nurse’s and hospital’s response to the situation. The boy’s parents were outraged that the nurse called five hours after her son’s fall. Additionally, they were incensed because the hospital refused to perform diagnostic testing to determine if he was injured. The mother also wonders why a nurse caring for special needs children in a facility designed to care for at-risk babies would chance going to work so tired that she fell asleep in the middle of her shift.

The hospital has defended the nurse. The hospital stated that the no disciplinary action would follow. The hospital reiterated that the nurse was an excellent caregiver with an exemplary record. The hospital also noted that the nurse followed hospital protocol. There is no word yet as to whether any Canadian licensing board would seek to take adverse action against the nurse’s license.

The preceding story, while tragic, can happen to the most diligent health care provider. The nurse’s professional rules of conduct in both Kansas and Missouri prohibit nurses practicing healthcare if their mental, emotional, or physical condition is compromised. Therefore, it is wise to take some time off if you feel fatigued. It happens to everyone, and there is no shame in it. Healthcare facilities should encourage the practice. Doing so will cut down on avoidable accidents and injuries to patients receiving care from less-than-attentive nurses and other healthcare professionals. The facility has a duty to ensure that it is sufficiently staffed to look after its patients. Staffing levels are not necessarily the nurse’s immediate concern. The overall care of their patients must take precedent.

Dedicated Professional Licensing Attorney Ready To Assist You

Kansas and Missouri Professional Licensing Attorney Danielle Sanger zealously represents all of her clients. She has extensive experience defending professionals facing licensing discipline and investigation. Call Attorney Sanger today at 785-979-4353 for a consultation today.

Kansas Professional Licensing Attorney Discusses How Kansas Pharmacists’ Association Is Ready And Willing To Help Practitioners Suffering From Substance Abuse

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Kansas Pharmacists Association recognizes that pharmacists, like doctors, dentists, and lawyers, are susceptible to becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol. To the uninitiated, learning that a doctor or a pharmacist became addicted to drugs or alcohol sounds incongruent. After all, if anyone should know that abusing drugs is unhealthy, the professionals who understand the effects drugs have on the human body should be at the top of the list of people who would never abuse drugs. Doctors and pharmacists are human and can easily fall into the trappings of drug abuse. Drug abuse can lead to misconduct, malpractice, and even criminal behavior. Kansas professional licensing attorney Danielle Sanger has represented numerous individuals facing professional discipline caused by substance abuse.

Pharmacists tend to use the drugs that are available to them rather than purchasing street level narcotics. One pharmacist wrote about his experience with abusing pharmaceutical drugs soon after he commenced his professional career. This pharmacist, Jared Combs from Lexington, KY who is a recovering addict, describes how he suffered for 11 years with an addiction until he finally got help. Mr. Combs stated that he took mood-altering drugs to combat stress in the new profession. He says he’s not alone among pharmacists. Mr. Combs’ research determined that forty-six percent of pharmacists have taken a prescription drug without a prescription. Meanwhile, sixty-two percent of pharmacy students used prescription drugs without a prescription. Finally, twenty percent of practicing pharmacists used prescription drugs without a prescription more than five times in their career. A recent study showed that approximately one out of every seven pharmacists would suffer substance abuse during their lifetime.

Mr. Combs is now a recovering addict. He related that wasting four years of his life and being arrested on two occasions brought a harsh reality upon him. Mr. Combs got clean and sober with the help of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association Recovery Network. Mr. Combs is grateful for the benefit of a second chance.

Kansas Pharmacists Association (KPhA) also has a recovery network dubbed “KsPRN.” The mission statement of KsPRN is to help pharmacists and pharmacy interns recover from substance abuse and mental health problems one step at a time. KsPRN’s goals are succinctly stated. The network’s goals aspire to protect the public and preserve the public trust, provide resources to people who need it, provide pharmacists and interns education on substance abuse, as well as encouraging voluntary participation in the program.  KsPRN encourages participants to seek treatment for their addiction issues and rehabilitate themselves through the program. KsPRN desires to protect the public from pharmacists and interns who cannot perform the necessary functions of a pharmacist. However, the program cannot work unless KsPRN maintains the anonymity of its participants.  KsPRN boasts that many of its participants continue to work while recovering from addiction.

KsPRN offers services related to treating addiction among its members. KsPRN educates pharmacists on prevention of drug dependency and impaired practice, education on how to recognize dependency, referrals to programs and associated costs, as well as help with personal and professional issues. KsPRN’s services are anonymous. Pharmacists’ participation in the program will not be reported to the Kansas Board of Pharmacy unless the pharmacist fails to follow the recommendations put forth by KsPRN.  While KsPRN has not promulgated statistics on recovery, one study showed that eighty-seven percent of pharmacists who entered similar programs completed them successfully and returned to work.  A significant component of the treatment plans involves relapse prevention. Consequently, treatment programs are structured to identify and prevent relapse among participants.

Seek Immediate Help From KsPRN if you are a pharmacist suffering from addiction

Contact Kansas Professional Licensing Defense Attorney Danielle Sanger if you are facing disciplinary action as a result of your substance abuse. She can help get you get your life back together. Call Attorney Sanger today at 785-979-4353 to schedule a consultation.