Sleeping Doctor Facing Fines for Falsifying Patient Records
According to the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners, a doctor is facing fines for falsifying patient records after he woke up from a nap. The patient who the Rutherford, New Jersey doctor treated for at least five years was taken to a local hospital after being found unresponsive at his home. The doctor requested that the patient be transferred to the Hackensack UMC, which occurred around 10 pm, so that he could monitor him. The doctor slept for several hours due to improperly setting his alarm while his patient suffered a fatality during that time. Once the doctor woke up, he recorded false findings regarding his patient’s medical history, physical assessment, and fatality. Within two months, his privileges at the hospital were revoked, and he was discharged from his position. Last week, the state formerly reprimanded him, gave him a $3,500 civil penalty, and ordered that he complete courses in medical ethics and medical record keeping.
Patients trust their doctors to correctly update and record their medical records, so that any health issues that arise will be handled in a swift and beneficial manner to ensure their quality of life. When doctors fail to properly monitor their patients, and register inaccurate information on patient records, they are failing the patient and engaging in medical malpractice. False information listed on medical records could mean the difference between good health and life-threatening conditions.
If you or someone you love developed medical conditions due to physician negligence or medical malpractice, contact our New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP at 732-777-0100. Contact us online or visit our offices in Edison, Red Bank, or Toms River, New Jersey. We represent clients throughout New Jersey.
Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP has purposely remained small in size, because it is important to us that we get to know our clients and their needs. Larger NJ injury firms may churn out case after case, but that’s not how we operate. Partners Barry Eichen, William Crutchlow, and Daryl Zaslow have created a firm with the resources to handle complex litigation, and a team that takes your case personally.
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