All Entries Tagged With: "disruptive behavior"
Nurses face felony charges after reporting doctor to the Texas Medical Board
Anne Mitchell, RN and Vicki Galle, RN, two nurses from West Texas, tried reporting a physician’s problem behavior through designated hospital channels. When their complaints fell on deaf ears, they took the next step and anonymously reported the physician to the Texas Medical Board.
If you’re a follower of Rita Schwab’s Supporting Safer Healthcare blog you already know what happened next – the medical board notified the physician of its investigation. In turn, the physician contacted the local sheriff to file a harassment report. The sheriff’s investigation led to third degree felony charges for the nurses.
The Texas Medical Board and the Texas Nurses Association both support the nurses’ actions, but that hasn’t stopped the sheriff’s office’s investigation.
Newspaper columnists have also come out in support of the nurses, saying the state’s whistleblower laws should offer more protection.
What do you think of the case? Do you think a similar situation could occur within your medical staff?
Just when you thought you’ve seen everything: Physician extends the definition of ‘privilege’
The Medical Board of California revoked Dr. Roy Chi Wing Lung’s medical license after he was found to have repeatedly stolen medical supplies from hospitals to sell on eBay, according to an Orange County Register article.
In 2004, the physician allegedly stole two computers from Long Beach Memorial Medical Center after showing up at the hospital in scrubs in an attempt to blend in.
AMA unveils model code of conduct
The American Medical Association (AMA) has unveiled a new model code of conduct in response to The Joint Commission’s new Leadership Standard (LD.03.01.01), Elements of Performance 4 and 5, effective January 1, which state that hospitals must have a code of conduct that addresses acceptable and unacceptable behavior, and how they handle the latter.
A sample code developed by the AMA can be accessed here. The AMA also suggests codes of conduct be incorporated into facility bylaws, and cover members of the board, management, and all employees.
Todd Morrison
Managing Editor
$1.6 million victory for female doctor claiming harassment and mistreatment
If you missed the memo, disruptive, discriminatory behavior will no longer be tolerated in the workplace—especially hospitals.
A U.S. District Court jury awarded $1.6 million to Dr. Sagun Tuli, a neurosurgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA and a native of India. The jury found that Tuli was subject to harassment, ridicule, intimidation, or other abusive conduct with regard to her sex and her nationality of origin—much of it instigated by her boss, Dr. Arthur Day, the chair of the neurosurgery department at Brigham and Women’s.