Healy, M.D. v. WV Board of Medicine
Annotate this CaseJanuary 1998 Term
__________
No. 24750
__________
PAUL T. HEALY, M.D.,
Appellant
v.
WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF MEDICINE,
Appellee
__________________________________________________________________
Appeal from the Circuit Court of Mineral County
Honorable Andrew N. Frye, Jr., Judge
Civil Action No. 97-C-18
AFFIRMED
__________________________________________________________________
Submitted: May 5, 1998
Filed: July 10, 1998
James E. Smith, II,
Esq. Deborah
Lewis Rodecker, Esq.
Keyser, West
Virginia Charleston,
West Virginia
Attorney for
Appellant Attorney
for Appellee
The Opinion of the Court was delivered PER CURIAM.
SYLLABUS
"'Upon judicial review of a contested
case under the West Virginia Administrative Procedure Act, Chapter 29A, Article 5, Section
4(g), the circuit court may affirm the order or decision of the agency or remand the case
for further proceedings. The circuit court shall reverse, vacate or modify the order or
decision of the agency if the substantial rights of the petitioner or petitioners have
been prejudiced because the administrative findings, inferences, conclusions, decisions or
order are: "(1) In violation of constitutional or statutory provisions; or (2) In
excess of the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the agency; or (3) Made upon unlawful
procedures; or (4) Affected by other error of law, or (5) Clearly wrong in view of the
reliable, probative and substantial evidence on the whole record; or (6) Arbitrary or
capricious or characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of
discretion."' Syllabus point 2, Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department v. West
Virginia Human Rights Commission, 172 W. Va. 627, 309 S.E.2d 342 (1983)." Syllabus,
Berlow v. West Virginia Bd. of Medicine, 193 W. Va. 666, 458 S.E.2d 469 (1995).
Per Curiam:See footnote 1 1
In a proceeding instituted by the West
Virginia Board of Medicine (hereinafter "Board") against Paul T. Healy, M.D.,
the Board concluded that the medical license of Dr. Healy should be suspended for five
years, such suspension being stayed upon certain conditions. The Circuit Court of Mineral
County affirmed that decision, and Dr. Healy appeals, contending that the Board and lower
court erred in finding that he falsified medical records. We affirm the decision of the
Board and the Circuit Court of Mineral County.
I.
Dr. Healy began his practice of medicine
and surgery in 1954. Mrs. Margaret Stanislawczyk became a patient of Dr. Healy in 1984 and
was treated by Dr. Healy for a variety of ailments, including hypertension and frequent
respiratory infections. On January 4, 1990, Mrs Stanislawczyk informed Dr. Healy that she
had experienced tenderness of the right breast. Dr. Healy ordered a mammogram of both
breasts, and the January 8, 1990, mammogram was interpreted by Dr. Buenventura Orbeta, a
radiologist. On January 8, 1990, Dr. Orbeta contacted Dr. Healy and advised Dr.
Healy that he was unable to complete the examination due to breast tenderness. Dr. Orbeta
further informed Dr. Healy that he had advised Mrs. Stanislawczyk to return in three to
six months for another mammogram based upon a density in her breast. Dr. Healy contends
that he telephoned the patient on January 8, 1990, and confirmed Dr. Orbeta's
recommendation to return in three to six months for a repeat mammogram.
Mrs. Stanislawczyk failed to return for
an additional mammogram and was diagnosed with breast cancer on March 1, 1993. She
subsequently underwent a mastectomy of the right breast. In April 1993, Mrs. Stanislawczyk
apprised Dr. Healy of her diagnosis and questioned him regarding his failure to inform her
of the results of the January 8, 1990, mammogram. Dr. Healy responded to Mrs.
Stanislawczyk's question by contending that he and Dr. Orbeta had both conveyed the
recommendation to her that she should repeat the 1990 mammogram within three to six
months.
In October 1993, Dr. Healy received
correspondence from Mrs. Stanislawczyk's attorney demanding $125,000 for the act of
failing to timely diagnose the cancer.See footnote 2 2 On February 25, 1995, Mrs. Stanislawczyk filed a complaint with the Board,
alleging that Dr. Healy had ignored a 1990 mammogram report of a possible tumor in her
right breast and that he had failed to follow up to ensure that she obtained another
mammogram.See footnote 3 3 Mrs.
Stanislawczyk also contended that as a result of Dr. Healy's action, the tumor
metastasized, causing her to undergo a mastectomy of the right breast.
In a March 23, 1995, response to the
complaint, Dr. Healy provided "office notes" and patient medical records of his
dealings with the patient, reflecting that he had contacted Mrs. Stanislawczyk by
telephone on January 8, 1990. While these entries were dated 1990, they were written on
stationery dated 1991 and 1993, and all the notations appeared to be written with the same
pen.
On August 1, 1995, the Board issued a
subpoena duces tecum to Dr. Healy for all original medical records relating to the care
Mrs. Stanislawczyk. Dr. Healy once again provided the same records he had attached to the
March 23, 1995, response to the complaint.
On November 13, 1995, Dr. Healy appeared before the Board's Complaint Committee. When
questioned with regard to the suspicious nature of the notes, Dr. Healy first reported
that he used the same pen over an eleven-year period in recording the patient's
information. He later admitted that he had "reassembled" the notes from the
original records based upon his concern that the Board would be unable to read the
original notes which were written in an unusual form of shorthand.See footnote 4 4
Although the "reassembled"
records indicated that he had contacted the patient after the January 1990 mammogram to
advise her that a repeat mammogram was necessary, Mrs. Stanislawczyk testified that when
she and her son visited Dr. Healy's office in April 1993 and asked him why he had not
called her or made an appointment for a repeat mammogram, Dr. Healy had informed her that
he though the girls at the hospital would take care of that.
On September 20, 1996, the Board filed
a complaintSee footnote 5 5 against
Dr. Healy, alleging that he falsified the patient's medical records to make it appear as
though he had contacted her following the 1990 mammogram and that he had failed to follow
up in any way on the radiographic report of the mammogram. The Board alleged that such
conduct constituted a deceptive, untrue or fraudulent representation in the practice of
medicine.
On January 6, 1997, the administrative
law judge recommended revocation of Dr. Healy's license based upon clear and convincing
evidence that Dr. Healy made a deceptive, untruthful and fraudulent representation in the
practice of medicine when he provided records which purported to be his original records
but were in fact records which he knew were not original records, thus violating West
Virginia Code § 30-3-14(c)(9) and 11 CSR 1A 12.1(s).
On January 17, 1997, the Board adopted
the findings of fact and conclusions of law of the administrative law judge, but found
that the appropriate discipline would constitute a five-year suspension of Dr. Healy's
license rather than the revocation recommended by the administrative law judge. The Board
stayed the five-year suspension, conditioned upon the payment of a $10,000 civil fine; the
payment of costs of $7667 witness fees; and upon Dr. Healy's commitment to maintain
complete and current records, including telephone conversations.See footnote 6 6 The Board determined that random audits
of Dr. Healy's patient records would be conducted, at least once in each calendar quarter.
If any audit
report reflects the Respondent's failure to keep complete and current records pursuant to
this Order, and if the Board thereupon determines that the Respondent failed to keep
complete and current records pursuant to this Order, the STAY shall be dissolved and
terminated, and the SUSPENSION shall be in effect immediately upon service upon the
Respondent of the Board's determination and written notice thereof.
On March 24, 1997, the Circuit Court of
Mineral County affirmed the Board's order of January 17, 1997. Dr. Healy thereafter
appealed to this Court contending that the Board failed to prove by clear and convincing
evidence that he falsified the records. Dr. Healy admits that he provided transcribed
notes rather than the originals, but he explains that he reassembled the originals only to
prevent confusion by the Board in attempting to interpret the originals written in his
unusual form of shorthand. Dr. Healy emphasizes the testimony of his office nurse, Joyce
Norvell, L.P.N., indicating that she was familiar with Mrs. Stanislawczyk and personally
overheard Dr. Healy notify Mrs. Stanislawczyk regarding the mammogram and the necessity
for a repeat mammogram.See footnote 7 7
Dr. Healy also contends that the Board
erred in concluding that he made a deceptive, untruthful, and fraudulent representation in
the practice of medicine. Dr. Healy maintains that the lower court erred in failing to
reverse the administrative law judge's findings of fact and in affirming the extreme
penalty imposed by the Board.
Subsequent to this Court's acceptance
of Dr. Healy's petition for appeal, the Board, by order dated January 15, 1998, terminated
the stay and reinstated the five-year suspension of Dr. Healy's license after an
independent medical consultant's audits of Dr. Healy's records revealed that Dr. Healy had
failed to maintain adequate and complete records as ordered in the January 17, 1997, Board
order.
II.
In the syllabus of Berlow v. West Virginia
Board of Medicine, 193 W. Va. 666, 458 S.E.2d 469 (1995), we explained that the West
Virginia Administrative Procedure Act, West Virginia Code § 29A-5-1, et seq., establishes
the guidelines to be followed by circuit courts in reviewing decisions of the West
Virginia Board of Medicine.
"Upon
judicial review of a contested case under the West Virginia Administrative Procedure Act,
Chapter 29A, Article 5, Section 4(g), the circuit court may affirm the order or decision
of the agency or remand the case for further proceedings. The circuit court shall reverse,
vacate or modify the order or decision of the agency if the substantial rights of the
petitioner or petitioners have been prejudiced because the administrative findings,
inferences, conclusions, decisions or order are: '(1) In violation of constitutional or
statutory provisions; or (2) In excess of the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the
agency; or (3) Made upon unlawful procedures; or (4) Affected by other error of law, or
(5) Clearly wrong in view of the reliable, probative and substantial evidence on the whole
record; or (6) Arbitrary or capricious or characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly
unwarranted exercise of discretion.' " Syllabus point 2, Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire
Department v. West Virginia Human Rights Commission, 172 W. Va. 627, 309 S.E.2d 342
(1983).
We have also determined as follows:
[F]indings of fact made by an
administrative agency will not be disturbed on appeal unless such findings are contrary to
the evidence or based on a mistake of law. In other words, the findings must be clearly
wrong to warrant judicial interference. . . . Accordingly, absent a mistake of law,
findings of fact by an administrative agency supported by substantial evidence should not
be disturbed on appeal.Modi v. West Virginia Bd. of Medicine, 195 W. Va. 230, 239, 465 S.E.2d 230, 239 (1995) (citations omitted).
As we cautioned in Devrnja v. West
Virginia Board of Medicine, 185 W.Va. 594, 408 S.E.2d 346 (1991), "the Board must
keep in mind the legislative findings as set forth in W.Va. Code, 30-3-1 (1980), that the
practice of medicine is a privilege granted to citizens, but not a natural right, and that
there is a need to protect the public interest through the licensing procedures." 185
W. Va. at 596, 408 S.E.2d at 348. In a New Jersey case based upon a p hysician's
appeal from an order of the State Board of Medical Examiners revoking his license to
practice medicine and surgery, the New Jersey Supreme Court addressed the issue of tam pering
with a patient's medical records:
We are persuaded
that a physician's duty to a patient cannot but encompass his affirmative obligation to
maintain the integrity, accuracy, truth and reliability of the patient's medical record.
His obligation in this regard is no less compelling than his duties respecting diagnosis
and treatment of the patient since the medical community must, of necessity, be able to
rely on those records in the continuing and future care of that patient. Obviously, the
rendering of that care is prejudiced by anything in those records which is false,
misleading or inaccurate. We hold, therefore, that a deliberate falsification by a
physician of his patient's medical record, particularly when the reason therefor is to
protect his own interests at the expense of his patient's, must be regarded as gross
malpractice endangering the health or life of his patient.
In re Jascalevich, 442 A.2d 635, 644-45 (N.J.Super 1982).
In the case sub judice, pursuant to the
standard of review applicable to decisions of the Board, we conclude that the findings of
fact are not clearly wrong and that the Board clearly and convincingly proved that Dr.
Healy falsified the patient medical records and made a deceptive, untruthful and
fraudulent misrepresentation in the practice of medicine. Dr. Healy admitted that he did
not provide original patient records when those documents were requested, he
misrepresented the nature of the documents produced by informing the Board that they were
original records, and he then fabricating varying explanations for the suspicious nature
of the notes provided. We therefore affirm in all respects.
Affirmed.
Footnote: 1 1 We point out that a per curiam opinion is not legal precedent. See Lieving v. Hadley, 188 W. Va. 197, 201 n.4, 423 S.E.2d 600, 604 n.4. (1992).
Footnote: 2 2 Civil litigation was apparently not pursued.
Footnote: 3 3 Dr. Healy was the patient's family physician. She had a family history of breast cancer, and her mother had died of the disease.
Footnote: 4 4 Dr. Healy testified that the "reassembled" notes were actually transcriptions of his "initial medical notes, some of which were done by caricature, by drawings, etc., some of which would have probably been illegible for the average lay person to read, so by virtue of that, since the Board wanted the information, I transcribed this information from the original notes." He further testified that he didn't think the Board "would be devious enough to look at the bottom of my sheets to see what date the sheet was produced." Dr. Healy also forwarded the explanation that he used a pencil for Mrs. Stanislawczyk's records over a ten year period because he hurt his index finger on a band saw and could not hold a pen, but "could hold a pencil by reason of the fact that they are hexagonal." He also informed the Board that he had "sequestered" the patient notes in the "archives files" since Mrs. Stanislawczyk had not had an appointment for several years since the 1990 mammogram.
Footnote: 5 5 Dr. Healy was provided an opportunity prior to the filing of charges to surrender his license to practice medicine and surgery.
Footnote: 6 6 Specifically, the Board required Dr. Healy to "keep complete written records of all patient consultations, including telephone consultations, which shall include at least the following information: a. Complaint; b. Diagnosis: c. Examination; d. Treatment/Plan." Further, the Board required Dr. Healy to "cause all records of patient consultations, including telephone consultations, to be transcribed within a reasonable time after each consultation, a period of fifteen (15) days being a presumption of reasonableness."
Footnote: 7 7 Although Mrs. Norvell testified that Dr. Healy maintained patient records on a "big card," such card was never produced. Mrs. Norvell testified that she was in the next room when Dr. Healy telephoned Mrs. Stanislawczyk and that she remembered this conversation vividly, even though it occurred seven years prior to Mrs. Norvell's testimony. Mrs. Norvell contended that she could hear "very, very clearly" while she and Dr. Healy's daughter were filing in the next room. Dr. Healy's daughter did not testify.
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