Most healthcare workers understand they hold the lives of their patients in hand, but what happens when a client chooses to file a complaint to the local medical board? Physician’s Practice notes that while medical board complaints may not earn the punishments brought on by medical malpractice suits, they can cause considerable damage to one’s reputation and future income.
Healthcare workers may want to review some common complaints issued to state medical boards so they can do all they can to protect themselves from the harm these incidents can cause to their careers.
1. Violating standards of care
Healthcare professionals must always commit to standards of care, which means they do all they possibly can to ensure that they respect their patients’ rights and provide them with a full umbrella of care, no matter the medical setting. Violations of this type may include failing to provide aftercare or misdiagnosing an ailment.
2. Breaking client-patient confidentiality
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 protects patients’ privacy, including the disclosure of their medical records to certain individuals not authorized to access them. Any patient who feels they suffered such an incident can file a complaint to a medical board, and the submission of such could have a serious impact on the reputation of any healthcare provider.
3. Practicing under the influence of controlled substances
Doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers may experience pain as a result of standing or walking during long shifts and need to control that pain with either OTC or prescription medications. However, they must ensure these substances do not interfere with their ability to treat patients, as unusual behavior may result in a complaint.
Medical board complaints may not seem as serious as malpractice suits; nevertheless, they could result in the suspension or revocation of one’s medical license.