Anyone reading this that hasn’t heard about “Dr. Listen to the Podcast and watch the documentary “Dr. Death.” Death Undoctored, watch “American Greed”, or just Google him. You will likely see me talking about the case, and the many patients he had that I had the honor of representing. If you are interested in the story, I will likely talk about the institutional issues that allowed him to continue hurting patients.
Duntsch is currently residing in Huntsville, where he is serving his sentence. He is unable to hurt patients. What about the healthcare system that allowed him to continue to practice long after they had known or should have known that he was likely to kill, disable, and maim others?
“Dr. The “Dr. These were lessons to be learned. What reforms were actually implemented as a result of these lessons?
None. Zip. Zero. Nada. Zilch. Nill.
This is why it matters. Hospitals and the Texas Medical Board are meant to act as a thin line protecting patients from dangerous doctors. They have all the information. Patients must not have access to information that is required by law.
Patients are therefore at the mercy Texas Medical Board and hospitals to provide protection.
Since literally decades, I have said, along with others in the patient safety field, “It’sn’t a matter of If, but WHEN.” We mean that hospitals are allowed to regulate themselves based on a variety of factors. Many hospitals don’t follow the law, as we know. Yes, laws were created to protect patients. The Texas Medical Board does an awful job protecting patients, as we know for decades.
I was therefore not surprised to find out about the Dr. Ortiz-tainted IV bag cases.
Why? The system is not transparent and there are no consequences for bad behaviour.
You will have problems if you have for-profit companies that are self-regulating and have no penalties for violating the law. The bottom line.
My work on Dr. Death has led me to join other doctors, hospital industry experts, and patient safety advocates in trying to reform the system. What have we achieved?
None. Zip. Zero. Nada. Zilch. Nill.
But, why? What I’ve found is that reform is not a popular issue. Patient safety is now a political issue. Healthcare industry is determined to dominate legislation. They are resistant to any changes in patient safety. It’s quite amazing.
It is rare for politicians to see the importance of these issues as a priority over other hot topics. Those who want to do the right things are rare and cannot overcome the influence and power of the healthcare industry.
Everyone can now watch the horror and shock of Dr. Ortiz’s plot to poison IV bags and read the details. Will anyone be brave enough to say enough is enough?
Sorry to say this, however, I will say it again. This is what I have been saying for many decades. It is not a matter of whether, but when.
Do you think Dr. Ortiz’s case will suffice to make Dr. Death a force for reform? What number of victims will it take to get someone with the power and the ability to make changes?
It’s for my sake and yours.
The post Dallas’s New Dr. Death? was first published on Attorney at Law Magazine.