Identifying and Addressing Dangerous Physicians through the Medical Staff Credentialing and Peer Review Processes

Session Description: This session will describe past situations where dangerous physicians were identified and provide strategies for avoiding similar situations in the future. One example is Christopher Duntsch, a physician who was sentenced to life in prison for acts he committed while performing surgery on patients, earning him the moniker of “Dr. Death.” The circumstances surrounding Dr. Death and similar physicians serve as a cautionary tale for the credentialing and peer review processes of Medical Staffs. This presentation will highlight the lessons learned from cases involving dangerous physicians. A journalist who has reported extensively on issues related to dangerous physicians will provide background information about these kinds of cases. An attorney who brought lawsuits on behalf of the patients who were harmed by Dr. Death’s actions will speak about the kinds of liability healthcare organizations can face with these issues, the importance of advocating for patient safety, and who the stakeholders are for patient safety efforts. Finally, the presentation will address how physicians can “hide in plain sight” and what steps can be taken to prevent a Dr. Death situation from occurring, however unlikely that may seem.