Move by PRMC to avoid Med-Mal charges
At least 25 patients may have received unnecessary heart stent procedures at Peninsula Regional Medical Center last year, and the hospital is conducting an independent review to determine if any more are at risk. The incidents have compelled the hospital to conduct stronger audits of operating room procedures. While medical staff confirmed that the procedure, along with the subsequent office visits and consultations can be profitable to a doctor, the hospital said it is not looking to file any medical malpractice or criminal charges at this time. The operations under review were conducted by Dr. John R. McLean, a Salisbury cardiologist. Medical center officials said McLean suffers from a visual problem, which could have led the doctor to misdiagnose arterial blockages and require the procedures. Hospital officials did not say whether McLean's vision problems caused him to make any miscalculations during other heart procedures. PRMC said it would rectify the situation by paying back full medical fees to patients and their health insurance providers for the procedure. Subsequent costs and legitimate procedures are not available for a refund.
