番茄社区

This weekly roundup features arrests, criminal proceedings, and other reports alleging improper or questionable conduct by healthcare professionals.

Carmen Puliafito, MD, the former University of Southern California medical school dean who was banned from campus for his involvement in drug-fueled parties got a nearly $1-million settlement, according to recently released tax filings. In total, Puliafito was when his base salary and bonus were factored in. The former dean's license was revoked but he currently awaits a hearing on its possible restoration. (Los Angeles Times)

Fox News contributor Keith Ablow, MD, had his license indefinitely suspended by the Massachusetts medical licensing board following allegations that the nationally known psychiatrist sexually abused patients being treated for depression. Ablow is also accused of like pulling a gun out numerous times and pointing it in a "manner that scared an employee," according to a board statement. (Boston Globe)

Recently charged with the rape of an 18-year-old patient, a Maryland pediatrician -- including child sex abuse -- stemming from 11 other former patients' accusations of offenses dating back to the 1980s. (Fox News)

A former patient is suing her Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, saying he created across a 4-year period. She also claims sexual assault during one of the procedures. According to the lawsuit, he used the patient's health insurance "as his own personal ATM machine," fraudulently double-billing her for roughly $16,000 and the insurance company for around $330,000. (Los Angeles Times)

In Tennessee, a family medicine doctor faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1-million fine if convicted for to patients he allegedly knew were abusing them -- two overdosed. Federal officials nabbed him at his practice soon after he had booked a one-way ticket to the Marshall Islands, presumably in an attempt to flee. (The Tennessean)

Passed as a constitutional amendment in 2004, Florida's "three-strike rule" was designed to automatically revoke the license of doctors with multiple malpractice judgments against them, but an found that the rule has been invoked just twice in the last decade. This despite hundreds of doctors with multiple medical malpractice payouts, involving almost 1,400 patient deaths and totalling over $460 million in paid claims, since being signed into law 15 years ago. The investigation uncovered one St. Petersburg doctor with 16 paid claims -- six involving patient deaths -- who nevertheless maintains an active license after being disciplined by the state's medical board just once. Notably, out-of-court settlements don't count as a "strike."

Renal failure, sepsis, . These were the outcomes following a case of severe dehydration that led a former California inmate to sue a county jail for allegedly denying him medical treatment while in custody. Doctors had warned police that the inmate was a heroin addict who might require medical attention, and while en route to a court appearance, the inmate says he became seriously sick in a way that was "different than withdrawals." When he complained about his medical state, deputies overseeing his transportation allegedly dismissed the pleas and told him, "That's what happens when you're a crackhead." The plaintiff finally received treatment after transfer to a different detention facility several days later, according to the suit. (San Bernardino Sun)

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