mirrored here for historical purposes
Response to Los Angeles Times' Article About
Fresno Medical Center
Oct 16 2007
A recent story in the Los Angeles Times
raised concerns about patient care involving a perinatologist on the
professional staff at Kaiser Foundation Hospital Fresno. Our
heartfelt
sympathies go out to the families involved.
We take
these issues very seriously. In regard to the Fresno Hospital
matter, the hospital took action more than two years ago to
significantly limit the practice of the perinatologist and to monitor
the care he delivers, and reported him to the state medical board.
We
know these can be difficult and emotional situations to deal with and
we empathize with all involved. With respect to this specific
situation in Fresno , here is a statement provided to the Los Angeles
Times from Susan Ryan, Hospital Administrator at Kaiser Foundation
Hospital Fresno:
"Kaiser Foundation Hospital Fresno is
committed to ensuring the safety of our patients, and we take this
obligation very seriously. In July 2005, the leadership at Kaiser
Foundation Hospital Fresno took disciplinary action to significantly
limit Dr. Hamid Safari's practice. Since that time Dr. Safari has not
performed vaginal deliveries and his practice has been monitored.
[Note: Another surgeon is present with Dr. Safari for all surgeries and
C-sections.]
"Dr. Safari was afforded his due
process
rights under California law, a process that can be quite lengthy,
involving hearings and appeals that can each extend months or longer.
However, since 2005, Dr. Safari has voluntarily agreed with the
hospital to restrict his scope of practice. After a due process
hearing, the restrictions were made permanent, and the hospital filed a
report to the Medical Board of California1. The hospital also has, and will continue to,
fully cooperate with the Medical Board in its investigation of Dr.
Safari.
"As
to the present, we can't discuss any additional processes or actions
that may be under way. With respect to this process, our hospital is no
different than any other California hospital. Matters involving review
of a doctor's performance or privileges are subject to state
confidentiality laws and state and federal due process laws."
1At
the end of the hearing process, if some or all of the proposed
restrictions on a physician's practice are upheld, mandatory reports
are filed with the California Medical Board and the National
Practitioner Data Bank. The report, a Section 805 Health Facility/Peer
Review Reporting Form, must be filed with the Medical Board of
California when, based on any medical disciplinary cause or reason, a
physician's privileges, membership or employment are suspended for more
than 15 days or are restricted for a total of 30 days or more within
any 12-month period.