Medical Examiner Letter I Received

Oregon Board of Medical Examiners:

June 19, 2007

The Oregon Board of Medical Examiners is in receipt of your complaint form and letter dated June 13, 2007. towards the goal of ensuring the safety of the public and maintaining the highest standards of health care possible, the Board takes seriously concerns and complaints such as what you have presented.

The Investigative Unit of the Board of Medical Examiners did perform a thorough review of the information you forwarded to us. The Board of Medical Examiners is tasked with investigating violations of state law by those persons licensed by the Board. Following the review of the information you submitted, the medico-legal basis appears insufficient at this point to warrant initiation of a formal investigation within the Board's formal disciplinary process.

By saying this I am not inferring that the care and treatment rendered was perfect. Problems do arise at times in areas of care, but there may not be sufficient medico-legal basis to support a conclusion that state law was violated. It is very unfortunate that you had such an unpleasant experience during the course of your follow-up office visit with Dr. Patton and his nurse, Kelly. The Board is sympathetic with your plight and understands how you must have felt as a result.

The Board, unfortunately, receives too many complaints regarding physician attitude, demeanor and "bedside manner." The vast majority of these complaints, however, do not cross over the boundary where a violation of state law is evident. Such would be the case in this instance and the Board will not be initiating a formal investigation based upon the evidence you have presented. Also, this Board does not license nurses. If you wish to pursue your complaint against "Kelly," you need to obtain her last name and then contact the Oregon Board of Nursing...

Although the medico-legal grounds do not exist to support a formal investigation against this licensee for the complaints that you list, I wish you to know that this should not be interpreted by you as the Board minimizing or downplaying the concerns and allegations which you have expressed in your letter. The information that you have provided helps the Board in tracking trends in complaints about licensees, which can eventually aid the Board in interveneing with physicians who exhibit a history of problematic behavior. It is desirable to have this type of information from patients such as yourself, and the Board again thanks you for bringing this matter to our attention.

Please be advised that your complaint information has been retained and electronically linked with the referenced licensee within the Board's database,

Sincerely... Tweet