S.C. lowest in doctor discipline
Study finds decline in serious penalties
By Jill Coley
Ten years ago, the S.C. Board of Medical Examiners fined a Charleston orthopedic surgeon $3,000 for using an amputated foot as bait in a crab trap.
The paltry fine amounted to a slap on the wrist, said Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of the Health Research Group at Public Citizen, a national consumer advocacy nonprofit.
Little has changed in South Carolina in the last decade, Wolfe said. In an annual report issued by Public Citizen, South Carolina slipped to the final rung in 2007, falling dead last in the ranking for serious doctor discipline.
More info
-- To see the Public Citizen report in full, go to citizen.org.
-- To see S.C. Board of Medical Examiners' orders and board actions from 2001 to present, go to tinyurl.com/5m6c3w.
Dr. Louis Costa, president of the state Board of Medical Examiners for the last two years and a Charleston surgeon, called the report's model flawed. Costa compared the premise to saying that the safest state in the country has the most prisoners incarcerated.
Further, the report failed to distinguish among states' criteria for licensure and different procedures for revocation, Costa said.
The rankings were calculated by averaging the disciplinary rates over the three-year period from 2005-2007.
South Carolina had 11,590 physicians and nine serious actions taken, amounting to a rate of 1.18 serious actions per 1,000 physicians. The state's rank hovered between 43 and 45 from 2003 to 2005, before dropping to 51 in 2006.
Nationally, since 2004, the number of serious disciplinary actions against doctors decreased 17 percent, resulting in 553 fewer actions.
Alaska fared the best, with a rate about seven times higher at 8.33. Kentucky ranked second with a rate of 6.55 and has a comparable number of physicians to South Carolina. Among 11,251 physicians in Kentucky, 83 actions were taken.
Wolfe and Costa see different meanings in the low rate of meting out serious disciplinary action.
Wolfe said, "The lack of doctor discipline in many states equates with a lack of patient protection for those patients whose physicians would have been disciplined in states with better enforcement of their state medical practice acts."
Costa countered that South Carolina has higher standard of licensure than many states and therefore has a higher quality corps of physicians. "We routinely turn away doctors licensed in other states for substandard training or previous disciplinary records," he said.
Wolfe has heard boards say before that they have better doctors than other states. "In every state, most doctors are practicing very good medicine," he said. "We're talking about the worst offenders in every state. There's not a shred of evidence that tiny fraction is smaller or larger than any state."
The study defined serious action as revocations, surrenders, suspensions and probations.
Revocation has different meanings in each state, Costa said. It is noteworthy that in the top three states, the process is not necessarily permanent, he said. In Kentucky, physicians can petition the board to practice again within two years.
In South Carolina, revocation is permanent and therefore not given so lightly, Costa said. A physician may undergo public exposure, fines and rigorous demands for retraining and rehabilitation before being able to practice again and still not make the definition of "serious action" used by the report.
"According to Dr. Wolfe's analysis, a perfect score would be the state that revoked all of its doctors," Costa said.
Reach Jill Coley at 937-5719 or jcoley@postandcourier.com.
E-mail this story
Printer-friendly version
Comments
oldglory (anonymous) says...
Sitting, drinking coffee, when I reach JQ's post. I'd like to have a nickel for every time JQ has made me laugh!
April 23, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Another "expert" out of nowhere with a half-baked "scientific" rating and ranking of apples and oranges appears to enhance their sense of self-importance and to instill fear into the people possibly somehow to line their pockets.
April 23, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
I'll tell you what this State is number uno in. Excuses for being last!
April 23, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AHLeland (anonymous) says...
This is appalling! I am going to Kentucky for medical care where more doctors get in serious trouble!
April 23, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dmwallac (anonymous) says...
And I used to think it was SC that couldn't get over the Civil War. Look, we seceded and we took our medicine for it. Get over it already! And quit dreaming up ludicrous "studies" in which to place us last.
Oh nevermind, I have my own study. Pennsylvania is the most racist state in the union. How's that? Just look at the demographics of last night's primary...
April 23, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
Ten years ago, the S.C. Board of Medical Examiners fined a Charleston orthopedic surgeon $3,000 for using an amputated foot as bait in a crab trap.
I remember that one well. Just the thought makes me shudder.
It is totally disrespectful to dispose of any human being's body parts in this manner.
April 23, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Yeah, everyone just picks on SC, shucks.
April 23, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ridgerunner (anonymous) says...
Did he catch anything? not trying to be funny if they went after the foot what would happen if you were in the water
April 23, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lexylady (anonymous) says...
ColdBeer, sounds like your tool can be dangerous too! LOLOLOL, Oh MY!!
April 23, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
I find it amusing that SC is rated lowest in so many things, yet this state draws people like flies.
Nice weather, good fishing, golf courses,and other attractions; and yes we do have great medical facilities.
Don't forget the friendly people. :)
April 23, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
unknown_username (anonymous) says...
Early, a correction sent with love from the microbiology world:
"Marsa" should be MRSA - Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
"Staff" should be Staph, as in the genus Staphylococcus.
Speaking of which, has everyone washed their hands today?
April 23, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
allwoman, haven't you learned by now what that type of behavior gets you? I'm not talking about bragging rights either. :)
I foresee this forum turning into a " who dunnit last night" poll.
April 23, 2008 at 10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
Early, I remember that story too.
Total bs, as they are more sophisticated measures in which to do that. Think about it. A crab really has the surgical skills to carefully not disturb the tendons and ligaments.
Those little suckers will chop on anything that they can pull loose. Beware of those hangy down parts too. :)
April 23, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ln1959 (anonymous) says...
If I was a betting man..ops I am... Ok, I bet he caught a lot of crabs with that foot. Thats probably why he got caught.
April 23, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
I remember the story but not the outcome. All that education and so dumb.
April 23, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
theronce, the guy still has a successful practice. I'm willing to bet that most of his patients don't know about what he did. I wouldn't want him to lay a hand on me. It might not be his own anyway.
April 23, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MsBehavin (anonymous) says...
RTC - I get what you're saying about not wanting him to lay a hand on you. Is a foot okay, but not a hand? LOL! Just having fun :)
April 23, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
Early, Coldbeer, and Allwoman
3 out of 4 people got sex last night in SC and I wish you don't bring it up again!!!! I'm very irrate and disturbed that you would show that poll that is inadequate and incomplete Coldbeer...
lol....you hit a small nerve....sorry
April 23, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lilpenny0 (anonymous) says...
allwoman/Early/ColdBeer/GirleyGirl
Not to stay off topic, but those numbers should be 3 out of 5 now....lol.
Sorry. I just couldn't resist putting in my two cents on this one.....lol.
Oh, and that is ridiculous that we (SC) stay at the bottom of somebody's list. Is there a list out there that we are at the top of besides being "friendly"?
April 23, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RTC (anonymous) says...
LOL@Early.
wpc3iop, that study has proven to be inconclusive.
April 23, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
proudmomma (anonymous) says...
4 out of 6!
April 23, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
COLDBEER WHAT THE HECK DID YOU START!!!!
Early- stooooooooooooooop....
LMAO
April 23, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Larz13 (anonymous) says...
As a rebuttal to JohnQ's misinformed comment,
If the Dems were in control here, SC would be at or near the top with malpractice lawsuits, making health insurance more expensive and giving excuses to lazy people who say that they cannot afford health insurance (but somehow can find the funds for the HDTV).
Just ask the folks in PA where there is a doctor shortage.
April 23, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sclaires (anonymous) says...
I know of one doctor in Columbia who was reported to the Medical Board for several things he did. I know because I was the one that reported him. All that was done was a "slap on the hand" and that was that. He should have been suspended for at least six months but wasn't. He also refused to fill out disability forms for a patient unless the patient had a colonoscopy which had absolutely nothing to do with his disability. All that was nothing except pure blackmail. And, again he should have been disciplined by the Medical Board but wasn't.
I know of another doctor who could only talk about removing my cataract even though it is NOT ready to be removed. After two visits to him, I started going to another one 90 miles away. At least then I know unnecessary surgery will not be done until it is time to do it. Too many doctors are out to get all the money they can from Medicare, insurance companies, and the patient regardless of rather what they are ordering is necessary or not.
There is one thing I know and that is how hard it is to find a doctor that you can trust, have confidence in, and who will talk WITH YOU instead of to you. It has taken me years to find such doctors and even now I will drive 90 miles one way to the doctors of my choice because I know them and have confidence in them.
April 23, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lexylady (anonymous) says...
O.K. dammit, 5 out of 6!!!
April 23, 2008 at 7:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LutherVanderhorst (anonymous) says...
What sick F*** uses a foot as bait? You're going to eat a crab gnawing on foot? What a disturbed individual. If you attended a soiree at this dude's house, you may want to have your intestinal tract analyzed.
April 23, 2008 at 10:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abitskeptical (anonymous) says...
OK guys I must jump in here. Please read this post.
The REAL story on the Dr. who put the foot in the crab trap:
The story, to folks who do not understand, sounds horrible & insensitive--sensational. Most posting are responding in stereotypical knee-jerk emotional outrage. I think the P&C wants this...the article very well could have reported what I am getting ready to.
The medical board actually did not have to discipline this Dr. at all over this but did so in a PR move.
The doctor is an orthopedic surgeon & a very fine one. As I recall, he had to amputate that foot due to an anatomical deformity.
There really is not a sophisticated, sterile, nice & pretty way to clean flesh off of bone,i.e..no aesthetic way to skeletonize something like an amputated limb or other body part.
READ the below:
"Enter the bone laboratory. Inside, there are some impressive new tools. But some things -- like cleaning the bones -- will always be macabre, says Galloway.
"We put bones in a box of dernestid beetles -- carrion beetles that will only eat dry, leathery, soft tissue but don't damage the bones at all," she explains.
When there is...urgency or the bugs are busy, Galloway or...students simply boil the bones clean with water and a detergent. "You cook it until you can pull off the soft tissue,"...recalling an occasion when she accidentally poured a bit of the "soup" in her lap"(from-http://whyfiles.org/192forensic_anthro/4.html)
The Dr. did know what he was doing. Crabs do the same thing the beetles do. Crabs eat off the muscle 1st & tendons,ligaments last. The difference: The process took place at the Dr.'s home instead of at the lab. I do not know why he chose to do it at home, but it probably was nothing more than trying to economize his time.
The Dr. was not keeping the foot for his personal pleasure. It was going to be a valuable learning tool for future orthopedic surgeons, just as the cadavers are that all medical students cut upon in their 1st yr of school. BTW, at the end of the 1st yr. a service of thanksgiving for those cadavers, who were once somebody's loved ones, is held in St Luke's chapel & all the 1st yr. medical students attend .
I am pretty sure that the orthopedist had not one notion of caviler disrespect for the previous owner of the foot. His life's work is to study such deformities, so that in the future a foot might not have to be removed but rather repaired.
April 24, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
abitskeptical (anonymous) says...
Well Early, I am glad you read my post, but unless others look at this article again it seems I was preaching to the choir. I started to respond last night but life does get in the way of the computer time.
April 24, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full Terms and Conditions.
Users can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends' recent posts, add an avatar that fits their personality, and more. If you have posted here before you'll need to sign up again, or if you've never posted before, start now by signing up!
Thank you for your interest in this story. The comment thread for this article has been closed.
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Shared
- Upper King on rise: Hotels, apartments, restaurants changing face of downtown area
- Missing woman case gets murkier
- UPDATE: Missing woman's fiance seen leaving scene of burned SUV, carrying a shovel
- Magnolia Gardens offering free dream wedding to contest winner
- Body of missing woman's fiance was found near handgun
- Pinterest: Pinning hopes and dreams
- DAVID SLADE: S.C. offers hybrid car tax credit
- Black women today: Strong. Resilient. Ambitious.
- MCDERMOTT COLUMN: Golf business has risks, rewards
- Ex-Boeing worker claims racism, retaliation in firing
