Meningitis Cases Continue to Rise - Patients Suing Physicians

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) confirmed another case of fungal meningitis in Florida on November 19, 2012. A 56-year-old man allegedly received a contaminated steroid injection at Florida Pain Clinic in Marion County, Florida. This brings the state’s total number of fungal meningitis cases up to 24, including three deaths.

To read the entire press release from the Florida DOH, click here.


Recap of Meningitis Outbreak Across the Country.
As of November 19, 2012, the Florida DOH reported the number of fungal meningitis cases nationwide is up to 480 with 33 deaths in 19 states.

The meningitis outbreak is reportedly linked to contaminated steroids made at the New England Compounding Center (NECC) in Framingham, Massachusetts, which is now closed. The compounding pharmacy was allegedly not following the requirements of its state license, according to the Massachusetts DOH. Under Massachusetts state law the NECC was only supposed to produce medications for patient-specific prescriptions, but it is believed the compounding pharmacy was preparing drugs in bulk. I previously wrote a blog on the reports related to the compounding pharmacy violating its license. Click here to read that blog.


Patients Suing Physicians.
Victims of the meningitis outbreak are starting to file lawsuits against the physicians and clinics that administered the tainted steroids. In a Business Insurance article released on October 28, 2012, I was quoted as saying liability might be established to the extent that the physicians were aware that the steroids distributed by the NECC violated regulations on compounding prescription medications. To read the entire article from Business Insurance, click here.


Florida Compounding Pharmacy in Hot Water.

 Florida has seen its share of fungal outbreaks. I previously blogged about the problems encountered by Franck’s pharmacy in Ocala, Florida. It was accused of distributing eye medications that contained a fungal infection. Click here for the first blog and here for the second blog.

Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Representing Pharmacies and Pharmacists.

The Health Law Firm represents pharmacists and pharmacies in investigations, regulatory matters, licensing issues, litigation, inspections and audits. The firm's attorneys include those who are board certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law as well as licensed health professionals who are also attorneys.

To contact The Health Law Firm please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.Jameson. Marni. “Florida Health Officials Confirm State’s 24th Case of Fungal Meningitis.” Orlando Sentinel. (November 19, 2012). From: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-florida-fungal-meningitis-20121119,0,3451600.story

Comments?
What do you think of the lawsuits again the physicians and clinics that administered the tainted steroid shots? Please leave any thoughtful comments below.


Sources:

Hiers, Fred. “Man Who Received Injection Locally Confirmed to Have Fungal Meningitis.” Ocala Star Banner. (November 19, 2012). From: http://www.ocala.com/article/20121119/ARTICLES/121119679/1412?Title=Man-who-received-injection-locally-confirmed-to-have-fungal-meningitis

Greenwald, Judy. “Meningitis Lawsuits Target Physicians.” Business Insurance. (October 28, 2012), From: http://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20121028/NEWS07/310289984?tags=|75|303

Hammonds, Jessica. “Florida Department of Health Uncovers Case of Fungal Meningitis.” Florida Department of Healht. (November 19, 2012). From: http://newsroom.doh.state.fl.us/wp-content/uploads/newsroom/2012/11/111912MeningitisUpdateonecase.pdf

About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law.  He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice.  Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area.  www.TheHealthLawFirm.com  The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone:  (407) 331-6620.

 

"The Health Law Firm" is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. - The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.

Copyright © 1996-2012 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

Boca Raton Compounding Pharmacy Shut Down by Florida Department of Health

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law


On October 26, 2012, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) issued an emergency suspension order (ESO) against a Boca Raton compounding pharmacy, according to a number of sources. The DOH in a press release called the conditions in the pharmacy so “deplorable” that nothing short of immediately shutting down the pharmacy would suffice.

Click here to read the press release from the DOH.


State Inspector Found a Number of Violations at Compounding Pharmacy.
On October 12, 2012, a state inspector arrived at the Boca Raton compounding pharmacy for an inspection. According to an article on Health News Florida, rodent feces, dead bugs and a sink full of dirty water were discovered. A film of powder covered surfaces in the drug-compounding area, where containers of drugs were open. Information on patients and prescriptions was missing, and drug labels were missing important information on the dose, lot number and prescribing physician.
Apparently the compounding pharmacy had been cited in past inspections for similar issues.
To read the Health News Florida article, click here.


Suspension in Effect For Now.
The compounding pharmacy can have a DOH hearing before final action is taken. The suspension is in effect until final disciplinary action, until the suspension is lifted or the case is appealed.
This inspection and ESO occurred in the wake of a nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to contaminated drugs made by a compounding pharmacy in Massachusetts. I previously wrote a blog on the Massachusetts compounding pharmacy shutting down. To read more click here.
It’s believed because of the meningitis outbreak, all compounding pharmacies are under the microscope.


Other Florida Compounding Pharmacy in Trouble for a Fungal Growth. I previously blogged about the problems encountered by Franck’s pharmacy in Ocala, Florida. It has been accused of distributing eye medications that contained a fungal infection. Click here for the first blog and here for the second blog I wrote on this.


Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Representing Pharmacies and Pharmacists.The Health Law Firm represents pharmacists and pharmacies in investigations, regulatory matters, licensing issues, litigation, inspections and audits. The firm's attorneys include those who are board certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law as well as licensed health professionals who are also attorneys.
To contact The Health Law Firm please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.


Comments?
Do you think the Boca Raton compounding pharmacy was unfairly served with an ESO due to the meningitis outbreak? Or do you think it is better for the Florida DOH to be safe rather than sorry? Please leave any thoughtful comments below.
Sources:
Gentry, Carol. “State Finds Pharmacy Conditions ‘Deplorable,’ Suspends License.” Health News Florida. (October 26, 2012). From: http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/state-finds-pharmacy-conditions-deplorable-suspends-license

Florida Department of Health. “Department of Health Takes Action Against Florida Pharmacy.” DOH. (October 26, 2012). Press Release From: http://newsroom.doh.state.fl.us/wp-content/uploads/newsroom/2011/08/102612RejuviESO.pdf


About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law.  He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice.  Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area.  www.TheHealthLawFirm.com  The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone:  (407) 331-6620.

"The Health Law Firm" is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. - The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.

Copyright © 1996-2012 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

Phony New York Plastic Surgeon Performing Surgeries Without a Medical License

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A fake New York plastic surgeon was convicted on September 7, 2012, for performing cosmetic surgeries between April 2011 and December 2011, without a medical license. He’s also accused of completing the surgeries without general anesthesia and permanently disfiguring his patients. This is all according to the New York Attorney General’s (AG) Office.

To see the entire press release on this arrest, click here.


Phony Plastic Surgeon Allegedly Performed Liposuction Without a License.
According to New York AG, Eric Schneiderman,  the fake plastic surgeon allegedly admitted to soliciting patients from a full-service spa, holding himself out as a licensed physician, and performing liposuction and other invasive procedures on patients without a medical license.

An article on Stamford Daily Voice stated the man pleaded guilty to unlicensed practice of a profession. He will spend six months in prison followed by five years of probation. He will also be responsible for paying $8,700 in restitution.


A teenager in Florida was recently found guilty of impersonating a Physician’s Assistant (PA). I also blogged about this case. To read that blog, click here.


The license status of most health care professionals can be checked online. In Florida, license verification for all health care professionals can be checked on the Florida Department of Health (DOH) website.


Two Others Co-Defendants Accused of Working with Fake Plastic Surgeon.
The Stamford Daily Voice names two other men that are accused of working with the fake plastic surgeon. One, who is also allegedly not a licensed doctor, is still at large. The other is a licensed physician and has charges pending against him.
With our luck, they are probably here in Florida somewhere, most likely practicing medicine. South Beach and Miami seem to attract their unfair share of fake plastic surgeons and phony doctors, although the rest of the state seems to get plenty, too.


Click here to read the Stamford Daily Voice article.


Look For More stories on Fake Physicians and Other Health Professionals.
In the near future on this blog, we will include additional articles on fake doctors and health professionals, some old, some new.


Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced with Investigations of Health Professionals and Providers.
The attorneys of The Health Law Firm provide legal representation to physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists and other health providers in Department of Health (DOH) investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigations, FBI investigations, Medicare investigations, Medicaid investigations and other types of investigations of health professionals and providers.
To contact The Health Law Firm, please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.


Sources:
Buzzeo, Anthony. “Man Pleads Guilty to Posting as a Doctor in Stamford.” Stamford Daily Voice. (September 7, 2012). From: http://stamford.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/man-guilty-posing-doctor-stamford

Attorney General’s Office. “A. G. Schneiderman Announces Conviction Of Fake Plastic Surgeon Who Disfigured Patients.” Attorney General New York. (September 7, 2012). From: http://www.ag.ny.gov/press-release/g-schneiderman-announces-conviction-fake-plastic-surgeon-who-disfigured-patients


About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law.  He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice.  Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area.  www.TheHealthLawFirm.com  The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone:  (407) 331-6620.

 

"The Health Law Firm" is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. - The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.

Copyright © 1996-2012 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.

Florida Man Arrested for Allegedly Hiding Human Body Parts in Self-Storage Facility

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A former medical examiner, who is accused of keeping the body parts of more than 100 people in his Pensacola storage facility, was arrested September 7, 2012. He now faces a felony charge of improper storage of hazardous waste, a misdemeanor charge of “nuisance injurious to public health” and driving with a suspended license, according to a number of sources.

To see the case against the former medical examiner, click here.

It is reported that he had previously been fired as a medical examiner in Jackson County, Missouri. His medical license was allegedly revoked in Missouri. A check of the Florida Department of Health (DOH) licensing website lists his license as null and void. To see his license verification, click here. He could also have some serious points added to his driving license, making his auto insurance premiums go up (if convicted of the traffic offense).
Discovery in Storage Facility Right Out of A Horror Movie.

According to an article in the Pensacola News Journal, the former medical examiner rented the self-storage unit for about three years. On August 22, 2012, he defaulted on his payments, and the unit was auctioned off.
When the storage facility was auctioned off, the new purchaser allegedly discovered 10 cardboard boxes containing human remains stored in a liquid. Garbage bags containing human remains packaged in soda cups and plastic food containers were also found.
This is one auction I doubt you are going to see on “Auction Hunters” or “Storage Wars” on television.
According to a related Associated Press article, the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office in Pensacola said that the remains appear to have come from private autopsies that were performed between 1997 and 2007 at funeral homes in the Florida Panhandle and in Tallahassee. Allegedly 111 containers filled with body parts, including hearts, brains, a liver, and a lung were found.
Although there were lots of brains found, there were no “Abbie Normal” brains reportedly found.
For a related story regarding zombie outbreaks in Florida and the Florida Legislature’s effort to control them by banning bath salts, click here.


Former Medical Examiner Reportedly had a Problems with Former Job.
The former medical examiner reportedly worked at the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office in Pensacola from 1997 to 2003. He was fired for allegedly having a large backlog of cases and failing to complete autopsy reports in a timely manner.Man Could Face More Charges.
Right now, the former medical examiner faces a felony charge of improper storage of hazardous waste, a misdemeanor charge of “nuisance injurious to public health” and driving with a suspended license. These charges alone could land him in prison for more than five years. 
The District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office in Pensacola is contacting all the family members of the decedents whose body parts were found. If the family did not give permission to the former doctor, more charges could be coming. Exactly how these body parts are being identified has not been made clear.
Click here to read the entire Pensacola News Journal article.


Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced with Investigations of Health Professionals and Providers.
The attorneys of The Health Law Firm provide legal representation to physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists and other health providers in Department of Health (DOH) investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigations, FBI investigations, license complaints, administrative hearings, business and commercial litigation, and other types of investigations of health professionals and providers.
To contact The Health Law Firm, please call (407) 331-6620 or (850) 439-1001 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.


Sources:
Heisig, Eric. “Charges Filed Against Doctor in Body Parts Cases.” Pensacola News Journal. (September 9, 2012). From: http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012309080010
Associated Press. “Ex-Medical Examiner Charged After Human Organs Found in Storage Unit.” Associated Press (September 8, 2012). From: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-09-08/news/os-human-organs-storage-unit-florida-20120908_1_human-organs-storage-unit-medical-examiner


About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law.  He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice.  Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area.  www.TheHealthLawFirm.com  The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone:  (407) 331-6620.

"The Health Law Firm" is a registered fictitious business name of George F. Indest III, P.A. - The Health Law Firm, a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 1996-2012 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.