Philadelphia Healthcare Licensing Blog

Life as a Pennsylvania doctor or nurse can be stressful. In addition to staying updated on current medical data and regulations regarding patient care, being a medical professional can pose personal challenges as well. Family life often bears the strain of mothers or fathers who must work long hours away from home, thus causing various relationship issues. Some medical workers also face serious problems concerning prescription drugs and substance abuse. In fact, misusing prescription drugs can lead to serious medical licensing problems. 

Doctors often write prescriptions to help their patients alleviate symptoms associated with pain and discomfort following injuries or during recovery from illness. Such medications often include opioids or other strong drugs that do a good job alleviating pain but can also be highly addictive. Sadly, many licensed medical workers fall under the temptation to self-treat by misusing prescription drugs.  

If co-workers or employees accuse a Pennsylvania doctor or unlawful behavior in the workplace, he or she may risk a license suspension. A situation that remains ongoing in another state involves a physician who has been branded as a public health threat by the medical licensing board. The doctor has apparently practiced family medicine for more than 25 years.  

Several people who worked with the general practitioner say she uttered terroristic threats against them in the workplace. She is also accused of using physical force to try to keep one particular employee from leaving the room. The workers who filed a complaint against the doctor say her threats were graphic, and threatened them with violence. 

An administrative process is in place in Pennsylvania and all other states that investigates suspicious actions and complaints against physicians and other licensed professionals in the workplace. A licensing board has the power to suspend a license if it determines a particular party is a threat to public welfare. In fact, sometimes a board takes action if it thinks a person's actions may pose a threat down the line, if not in present circumstances.

Such was the case regarding a pediatrician in another state when the medical license board recently decided to suspend his license until a particular hearing takes place. Board members say that although the doctor's alleged actions may not be an immediate threat to public safety, they have chosen to suspend his license for now, anyway. At least 15 complaints have been filed against the doctor, saying he acted inappropriately with patients and other staff members.  

A neonatal intensive care unit is a specialized department of hospital care in Pennsylvania and all other states that treats newborn infants suffering serious illness, infection or injury. The NICU in another state is currently under investigation regarding several infants who suffered injuries while in admittance. The situation has become a medical licensing concern for a particular nurse who works in the unit.  

Some time ago, a report was filed stating that a baby in the NICU had suffered bruising, the cause of which was unidentified at the time. Officials determined that the child's injuries had likely been caused by swaddled blankets or equipment wiring. When several more infants were injured, the situation led to a police investigation.