Decrease in Sanctions Against Erring Physicians Alarm Consumer Groups
The apparent decrease in sanctions against doctor error and indiscretion is certainly alarming. All Headline News reports:
New York, NY (AHN) - While complaints against physicians keep on rising in the Big Apple, New York state’s Office of Professional Medical Conduct has penalized fewer doctors in 2007, an 11-year record low.
An 18-page report by the New York Public Interest Research Group and the Center for Medical Consumers attributed the dip in disciplinary measures to the OPMC’s high rate of using a nondisciplinary monitoring system. The report’s authors branded the state’s physician disciplinary system as one of America’s most pro-doctor systems.
The article continues:
From 1996 to 2003, prejudicial actions in the form of license revocations, suspensions and practice restrictions went up from 314 to 395 in the state. But in the last five years it has gone down by 20 percent to 316 in 2007.
Its unfortunate that NYC has experienced lax enforcement of medical malpractice regulations. Thankfully, groups like the New York Public Interest Research Group are taking up the slack and raising public awareness about the issue.