An 18-page report by the New York Public Interest Research Group and the Center for Medical Consumers attributed the dip in disciplinary measures to the OPMC's high rate of using a nondisciplinary monitoring system. The report's authors branded the state's physician disciplinary system as one of America's most pro-doctor systems.
Blair Horner, legislative director for NRPIRG, said, quoted by Newsday, "It's not just on guy on Long Island who has a problem. The system has a problem and the whole system needs to be fixed."
The Department of Health, through spokeswoman Claudia Hutton, said New York Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines has initiated changes to improve the state's physician disciplinary system. A new director has been appointed to run after medics with records of malpractice cases.
From 1996 to 2003, prejudicial actions in the form of license revocations, suspensions and practice restrictions went up from 314 to 395 in the state. But in the last five years it has gone down by 20 percent to 316 in 2007.
Hutton, however, pointed out, quoted by Newsday, "The number of disciplinary actions taken are not the only measure of a disciplinary board's success. It should not be interpreted as the Department of Health taking less of an interest in physician discipline. In fact it's the opposite."
The report coincided with the filing by Gov. David Paterson of a state patient safety bill as a response to the case of Dr. Harvey Finkelstein, a Plainview anesthesiologist, who was accused of infecting a patient with hepatitis C. Finkelstein was monitored by the NYOPMC, but was not punished.
But it was not all bad news for New Yorkers health care system. Two weeks ago, the Bronx Regional Health Information Organization announced the trial launch this month of an electronic medical information system. Six Bronx hospitals and health care facilities would be part of the pilot program in which doctors from the six could update and view medical records of patients who agree to participate in the electronic medical records keeping system.
After the pilot testing phase, 22 borough hospitals, health centers, nursing homes and home health service organizations would also be linked with the electronic system, which would eventually include laboratory results and new prescriptions.
