Periodically Washington State Department of Health issues an update on disciplinary actions taken against health care providers, including suspensions and revocations of  licenses, certifications, or registrations of providers in the state.

The department has also suspends the credentials of people who have been prohibited from practicing in other states.

Information about health care providers is also on the agency’s website.

To find this information click on “Provider Credential Search” on the left hand side of the Department of Health home page (www.doh.wa.gov).

The site includes information about a health care provider’s license status, the expiration and renewal date of their credential, disciplinary actions and copies of legal documents issued after July 1998.

This information is also available by calling 360-236-4700.

Consumers who think a health care provider acted unprofessionally are also encouraged to call and report their complaint.

Here is the January 26th update issued by the Washington State Department of Health:

Note: Health care providers charged with unprofessional conduct have 20 days to respond to the Department of Health in writing. The case then enters the settlement process. If no disciplinary agreement can be reached, the case will go to a hearing.

State disciplines health care providers

The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.

The department’s Health Systems Quality Assurance Division works with boards, commissions, and advisory committees to set licensing standards for more than 70 health care professions (e.g., medical doctors, nurses, counselors).

Information about health care providers is on the agency website. Click on “Provider Credential Search” on the left hand side of the Department of Health home page (www.doh.wa.gov). The site includes information about a health care provider’s license status, the expiration and renewal date of their credential, disciplinary actions and copies of legal documents issued after July 1998. This information is also available by calling 360-236-4700. Consumers who think a health care provider acted unprofessionally are also encouraged to call and report their complaint.

Chelan County

In December 2011 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Frances J. Pocan (NA00189315) with unprofessional conduct. A patient allegedly gave her money to pay the patient’s bills, and she failed to pay the bills or return the money to the patient.

Clark County

In December 2011 the Massage Program charged Douglas L. Black (MA00011374) with unprofessional conduct for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a patient.

In December 2011 the Medical Commission charged physician Patrick Chau (MD00030053) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations include failing to comply with terms and conditions set against his license, prescribing controlled substances inadequate notes about why he prescribed the substances, and failing to follow-up with patients.

Douglas County 

In December 2011 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Maria Elena Vasquez (NA60168663) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly borrowed money from a patient and failed to repay the loan.

Jefferson County

In December 2011 the Veterinary Board of Governors released veterinarian Joyce M. Murphy (VT00001824) from terms and conditions set against her license.

King County 

In December 2011 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Steve Becker that it intends to issue a cease-and-desist order. He’s charged with performing a forensic evaluation, administering psychological tests, and diagnosing a patient without a valid psychologist or counselor license.

In December 2011 the Dental Commission granted the application of dental assistant Jaime Lynn Clarke (D160231847) and placed conditions against her registration. She was convicted of driving under the influence and entered into a deferred prosecution for charges of driving under the influence.

In January 2012 the Nursing Commission amended the statement of charges against registered nurse Flor D. Cruz (RN00076122). She allegedly failed to act on a patient’s change in vital signs, failed to perform a complete assessment of the patient, and failed to communicate the changes in the patient’s condition to a physician or other staff. She also allegedly rented a room in her house to a former inmate at the jail where she worked, and checked the inmates medical records without authorization.

In December 2011 the Secretary of Health ended the probation order against physician Terrill L. Harrington (MD00038084).

In December 2011 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Gus Ernie Hayes (NC10013627) with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of violating a no-contact order and entered a deferred prosecution for charges of assault, malicious mischief, and resisting arrest.

In December 2011 the Medical Commission charged physician Jim Chun Jen Hsu (MD00044903) with unprofessional conduct. The diagnosis and surgery he performed on a patient’s shoulder was allegedly below the standard of care.

In January 2012 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program granted the application of chemical dependency professional trainee Jina Marie Milius (CO60185460) and placed conditions against her certification. She was convicted of vehicular homicide, theft, and underage alcohol possession.

In December 2011 the Health Care Assistant Program ended the probation order against Laura Lena Miller (HC60068282, HC60151774).

In December 2011 the Dental Commission charged dentist Steven H. Nguyen (DE00008242) with unprofessional conduct. It’s alleged that he knowingly allowed an employee without a valid license to perform denturist and dental assistant duties.

In December 2011 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Krystal J. Shoulders (NC10100007) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly took a patient’s debit card and purchased about $250 of groceries for her own use.

In December 2011 the Nursing Assistant Program ended the probation order against certified nursing assistant Maylee B. Vo (NC60156056).

Kitsap County

In December 2011 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Ashley Marie Rowland (NA60102636) with unprofessional conduct. She entered into a deferred prosecution for the charge of theft.

Lewis County

In December 2011 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of registered nursing assistant applicant Lisa J. Sipe (NA60255488). She was convicted of child molestation.

Mason County

In December 2011 the Chemical Dependency Program denied the application of chemical dependency professional trainee applicant Joseph Lee Schaeffer (CO60245631). He was convicted of methamphetamine possession, two counts of driving with a suspended license, two counts of domestic violence assault, attempting to elude police, and resisting arrest.

Pierce County

In December 2011 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Katie J. Byrd (NA60214486) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations include sleeping while caring for a patient, smoking marijuana with the patient, driving the patient while under the influence, and shoplifting. She also allegedly had the patient pawn jewelry so she could get a tattoo.

In December 2011 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program charged chemical dependency professional Terrance O. Jones (CP60044697) with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of three counts of domestic violence assault, marijuana possession, and two counts of violating a no-contact order.

In January 2012 the Counselor Program ended the probation order against agency affiliated counselor and certified counselor Sabryna D. Klug (CG60165266, CL60165237).

In December 2011 the Nursing Commission placed licensed practical nurse Nancy L. Picou (LP00047746) on probation for five years. She allegedly received prescriptions for controlled substances for herself, filled them, and gave them to her husband.

Spokane County

In January 2012 the Certified Counselor Program granted the application of Michael Tyrone Deal (CL60246873) and placed conditions against his certificate. He was convicted of two counts of obstructing police, driving without a license, false statement, two counts of possessing stolen property, attempting to elude police, driving with a suspended license, and illegal drug conduct.

In January 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program granted the application of certified nursing assistant Julie Raeann Potts (NC10096507) and placed her certification on probation. She entered into a deferred sentence for an assault charge.

Thurston County

In January 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the certification of James R. Pollard (NC10085152).

Yakima County

In January 2012 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Randy Allan of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. He allegedly advertised and represented himself as an equine dentist without evidence that he is supervised by a licensed veterinarian.

In January 2012 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program granted the application of chemical dependency professional trainee Frances Salinas Gonzalez (CO60256819) and placed her certification on probation for three years. She was convicted of solicitation to obtain Vicodin by fraud, and driving under the influence. Her registered counselor credential was suspended for two years.

Out of State

Virginia: In December 2011 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of registered nurse Brandon L. Bailey (RN00176831) and placed his license on expired status until he meets reactivation requirements.

 

The first of two articles on the epidemic by InvestigateWest’s Carole Smith appears today on the news and opinion websitce CrossCut.com.

Smith writes:

An InvestigateWest analysis of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration data shows Washington ranked fourth highest nationally in per-capita prescribing of methadone in 2006 (the most recent year for which reliable data is available) and 11th for oxycodone — the two biggest killers.

Even more disturbing, more than half of all prescription drug-related deaths in the state occur in the state’s poorest and most vulnerable population — people on Medicaid, a population that is itself exploding in our recent economy. A 2009 federal study showed the age-adjusted risk of death from prescription opiates in Washington was nearly six times higher for Medicaid enrollees than those not on the program.

An accompanying documentary will air on KCTS at 9 p.m. Jan. 30. The documentary will be followed by a half-hour in-studio discussion.

The Seattle Times also tackled this issue in its December series: The Politics of Pain.

To learn more:

• Read Smith’s CrossCut article: Prescription for Abuse: Washington tries to get serious.

• Read The Seattle Times series The Politics of Pain.

• Read other LocalHealthGuide coverage of the topic of prescription drug abuse.

• The National Institutes Health has published a brochure to help you select drug treatment programs.

Local Resources:

• Alcohol Anonymous (AA)/Seattle: www.seattleaa.org

• MetroKC Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention program: www.metrokc.gov/health/atodp

• MetroKC Mental Health & Substance Abuse Links: www.metrokc.gov/dchs/mhd/mhlinks.htm

• Northeast Seattle Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking: www.preventionworksinseattle.org

• Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator: http://FindTreatment.samhsa.gov

The booklet, Seeking Drug Abuse Treatment: Know What to Ask, says there are five key questions you should ask about a program:

Five Key Questions:

• Does the program use treatments backed by scientific evidence?

• Does the program tailor treatment to the needs of each patient?

• Does the program adapt treatment as the patient’s needs change

• Is the duration of treatment sufficient?

• How do 12-step or similar recovery programs fit into drug addiction treatment?

To learn more:

• Read the whole booklet Seeking Drug Abuse Treatment: Know What to Ask.

Additional Resources:

• American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
• American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
• Mental Health America
• National Alliance on Mental Illness
• NIDA’s DrugPubs Research Dissemination Center
• NIDA’s Clinical Trials Network
• NIH’s ClinicalTrials.gov
• NIDA’s Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research Based Guide
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Locator: 1-800-662-HELP
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK

If you are prescribed one of these drugs, the provider who dispenses the drug to you is required to supply the system with your name, address, date of birth, the name of  the prescribed drug and doctor who prescribed it, and where you picked it up.

The new Prescription Monitoring Program, also called Prescription Review, was authorized by legislation passed in 2007 and is intended to reduce abuse of prescription  drugs as well duplications of prescriptions and dangerous drug interactions. 48 other states have authorized similar programs.

Prescription drug abuse is now considered epidemic in the U.S. by many health officials. According the statistics gathered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention more than 36,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2008, with most deaths being caused by prescription drugs.

In Washington state, 505 died that year from accidental overdoses involving prescription pain medications – a 17-fold increase from 1995 — surpassing car crashes as the leading cause of injury death in the state for residents ages 35 to 54.

Under the new law, health-care providers before they prescribe or dispense a drug will be able to access information in the system, allowing them to see whether a patient has already been prescribed the drug, is on a drug that may interact with the new prescription or whether there are signs of drug misuse.

The Department of Health says the information will be secure, but all physicians, pharmacists, dentists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other licensed clinicians and professionals authorized by the Washington State Department of Health will be able to access information in the system and will be able to communicate through the system to discuss a patient’s prescriptions.

Law enforcement officials can also get a copy of a patient’s records but only for “a specific investigation,” the Department of Health said.

To learn more:

• Read: Prescription Painkiller Overdoses in the US — CDC

• Read the Patient Fact Sheet on the Prescription Review system from the Washington State Department of Health.

• Read Carol Ostrom’s Seattle Times article: New prescription monitoring draws complaints.

In the series, the Times reported that in order to save money the state steers Medicaid patients, workers’ compensation recipients and state employers toward methadone, a long acting drug that costs less than a dollar a dose.

The drug’s effects, however, are unpredictable, increasing the risk of overdose, and the Times investigators found that since 2003 at least 2,173 people in Washington had died from unintentional overdoses linked to the drug.

In today’s article, the Times writes:

The health advisory marks the first public acknowledgment by a powerful state committee that methadone can be more unpredictable than other pain drugs, or opioids. State officials had previously resisted attempts to single out methadone for special treatment, insisting the drug was as safe and effective as any other narcotic pain drug.

To learn more:

• Read today’s article in the Seattle Times: State plans emergency warning on risks of methadone.

Read the Seattle Times series:

Part 1: Silent deaths

State pushes drug that saves money, costs lives

Timeline: State defends methadone as deaths rise

How we did it: our analysis

Part 2: Politics of pain

New law leaves patients in pain

Source documents

Part 3: A troubled clinic

In pain clinic’s wake: doubts, chaos, deaths

Source documents

Graphics

More deaths from methadone than other drugs