What if I told you that docs with serious substance abuse problems were allowed to continue to practice while in treatment and no one would have to know about it? You may not believe me, but its true. A shocking report from CNN detailed a California Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Brian West, who missed an appointment because of a second DUI. Not only that, his patients never knew about it. In fact two of his patients who had cancer underwent mastectomy surgeries that went horribly awry. As a result of the complications, both patients had to postpone their cancer treatment (Be forewarned that these stories are very graphic and upsetting). From the article:
West is an alcoholic, according to a Medical Board of California decision, and a member of the state's Physician Diversion Program. The program keeps the doctors' identities private, so it allowed him to continue to treat patients, even operate on them, while he was secretly getting treatment for his addiction.
Not only is this story equal parts unbelievable and outrageous but whats more is that the innocent patients' and their families' rights to seek justice are drastically limited in California. As we've commented in the past regarding Dennis Quaid's experience at Cedars Sinai Hospital, California has a cruel, draconian limit on the compensation injured victims can receive. Come on CA protect patients rights don't limit them!
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