Jul 27, 2007 12:52 am US/Pacific
Medical Board Closes Failed Diversion Program
by Kurtis Ming
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS13) ―
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Dr. Brian West dodged questions when CBS13 located him still practicing in Southern California.
CBS
Following a two year long Call Kurtis investigation, the California Medical Board voted unanimously to terminate a failed diversion program.
The program allowed doctors to continue practicing, despite having drug and/or alcohol addictions.
Heated testimony from Sacramento area patients said the California State Medical Board allowed Doctor Brian West to treat them, even though the state knew he had an alcohol problem. Several of his patients ended up permanently disfigured.
"Make it so no other patients are harmed like me," said former patient Linda Starr.
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"My sister is not able to be here today. She is dying," said Terri Pryde, sister of Becky Anderson, one of Dr. West's patients who now permanently disfigured.
For 27 years the medical board has allowed doctors with drug or alcohol problems to secretly enroll in their diversion program. The state was supposed to keep on eye on these doctors to make sure they weren't relapsing. However, five audits over the programs 27 years show the program has never been 100 percent accurate in detecting these relapses.
"It is time to admit the program is a problem. It does not adequately protect the public," said Julie D'Angelo Felmeth, University of San Diego.
"We as patients can't protect ourselves from physicians in the program, because we don't know who's in the program," said injured patient Tina Minasian.
Lobbyists from professional organizations told the board not to get rid of the program because of media or public pressure.
"We want to help you deal with that heat. We also want you to protect the public by improving not ending the program," said James Hay, California Medical Association.
In the end, a unanimous vote ended the diversion program. Board members stated it was a conflict of interest to claim the program can protect patients from drug and alcohol abusing doctors.
"Mission accomplished!" said Minasian.
"We are a regulatory board. We have one mission, that is to protect the public," said Steve Alexander, medical board member.
The medical board moved to create a summit to figure out what to do with doctors who are in need of drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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