In medical malpractice news: Patient safety bill would publicize doctors’ names
The recent medical malpractice case involving Dr. Harvey Finkelstein has given rise to a move for more medical malpractice accountability. New York Newsday points out:
Gov. David A. Paterson introduced a wide-ranging patient safety bill Wednesday that would give the state more authority in health investigations and, for the first time, make public names of doctors under scrutiny.
The bill follows the case of Dr. Harvey Finkelstein, a Long Island doctor whose poor infection control practices led to transmission of at least one case of hepatitis C.
The article continues:
The bill would also give the health department more power in conducting a public health investigation, authorizing it to order a physician to cease any practice deemed dangerous. And failure to provide records could lead to charges of professional medical conduct. The department can now subpoena records, an often lengthy process.
Hopefully all that oversight and accountability will lead to an increase in patient safety and better overall health.