Midlevels trashed again by MDs

Here's the story (December 7, '07 issue):

Mark Herranz, a physician extender, examined Navarro, who reported the sudden onset of a severe headache and feeling a "pop" in his head. Herranz ordered blood tests and a CT scan (without contrast), which were approved by ED physician Michael Austin.

When the lawyers deposed Herranz, however, they learned that he was an unlicensed physician assistant, having failed the state's licensure test for PAs four times.

Herranz denied that he performed patient exams. The medical group initially contended that although Herranz had seen Navarro, the doctor had actually done the exam. Herranz, who died before trial, insisted that he was "just a scribe." But Austin testified that he'd assumed Herranz was a licensed PA and that he didn't need to redo the history and exam.

The lawyers now realized they had a stronger case against the medical group for allowing the unlicensed practice of medicine, and could seek punitive damages...

Read article in its entirety:

http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/memag/Medical+Malpractice:+Awards%2FSettlements/200--million-verdict-It-started-with-a-midlevels-m/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/476100?contextCategoryId=7157

Very unfortunate set of circumstances. It appears that there were many factors involved here. Corporate greed being one of those factors.

Thanks for the story, cgfnp.

Yes, after reading the entire article - it sounds like the almost-PA's credentials should have been readily available to all physicians working with him. Our practice actually hired someone who presented themselves as a NP but then stated that she was still in school. Turned out she was in school for her NP but wasn't doing well and ended up failing out! Fortunately, she never saw pts on her own because of our credentialling practice. However, she collected a paycheck for a month!

it's too bad the title of the article wanted to sensationalize the whole thing and was so inflammatory.

when I read the entire article it seemed to me that the docs wanted to increase profits and KNEW hiring an unlicensed PA was wrong...why else did they try to cover up for 16 months? Fishy fishy fishy

I don't know why this Herranz was there, I wonder if they meant uncertified vs. unlicensed? I know some uncertified PAs who were grandfathered in ages ago, because they came over as foreign doctors. They are PA but not PA-C and can work. Maybe this Herranz misrepresented himself or his credentials, but it seems unlikely given how long the ED group tried to cover it up...?

why didn't they include "doctors' greed" up in the title too?

It stated in the article that Herranz had failed the PA licensing exam several times ... He was unlicensed.

It's too bad that moron fake PA gave the MDs someone to point their finger at

Exactly, cgfnp. One "bad apple" spoils it for all of us. And, one bad apple will be remembered while the good by other mid-levels will be but a brief moment in time.