Patients at Risk

Gerald "Jay" Baltz, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, was investigated by the California Board of Nursing after allegations that he had entered into a sexual relationship with a patient who subsequently took her own life.  The Board received this information in April of 2018, began its investigation, and filed a claim against Baltz on June 15, 2020. Today, six months later, Baltz continues to practice psychiatry as a nurse practitioner in California and in Washington state, where he has autonomous practice and does not require physician supervision.  We are joined by psychiatrist Dr. Natasha Cervantes to discuss details of this tragic case.If you are someone you know is having thoughts of self-harm, help is available. Contact your physician immediately, or call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline for help at 800-273-8255.Learn more about this issue - get the book Patients at Risk, available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. https://www.amazon.com/Patients-Risk-Practitioner-Physician-Healthcare/dp/1627343164/PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

Dr. Robin Rose, a family physician who trained as a nurse and then nurse practitioner discusses the differences in education and training between the medical disciplines. Dr. Rose, who lives on an isolated island in Hawaii, describes challenges in obtaining physician-led care, especially for vulnerable populations living in medically underserved areas.PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

Physicians who speak out in support of physician-led care face repercussions. Steven Maron, MD, a pediatrician with 31 years of experience, was fired from United Community Health Center in southern Arizona after writing a newspaper article explaining the difference in training between a physician and a nurse practitioner. As Maron pointed out in his op-ed, while there are excellent and experienced nurse practitioners and physician assistants, their education and training are not the same as that of a physician. He suggested that to make an informed decision about medical care, the public should know who is treating them and the critical differences in the training of clinicians. Although Maron had worked for the community health center serving socioeconomically depressed children for 10 years without any disciplinary actions, he was terminated just days after the op-ed appeared in the Green Valley News. “I was told that my article stood in opposition to the principles of the organization, specifically the principle of mutual respect."Get the book! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/patients-at-risk-niran-al-agba/1137936919?ean=9781627343169PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

Dr. Amy Townsend discusses the incredible lengths she went through to get the Texas Board of Nursing to act to stop a dangerous nurse practitioner after he caused 2 patient deaths.  Get the book! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/patients-at-risk-niran-al-agba/1137936919?ean=9781627343169July 21, 2017https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/local/nederland-nurse-practitioner-says-allegations-of-inappropriate-use-of-hormones-are-unfounded/502-4583920July 26, 2017https://kfdm.com/news/local/two-setx-families-hire-attorney-for-possible-legal-action-against-clinic-in-nederlandOct 5 2017https://kfdm.com/news/local/nursing-board-accuses-optimum-health-owner-of-altering-documentOct 24, 2017https://kfdm.com/news/local/angel-san-juan-breaks-optimum-clinic-raid-reports-live-on-investigationOct 24, 2017https://kfdm.com/news/local/law-enforcement-agencies-searching-nederland-health-clinicMay 23, 2018https://kfdm.com/news/local/kfdm-investigates-optimum-clinicSept 11, 2018https://kfdm.com/news/local/tmb-says-doctor-didnt-properly-supervise-two-nurse-practitioners-at-optimum-clinicJan 30 2019https://kfdm.com/news/local/southeast-texas-nurse-practitioner-surrenders-license-optimum-clinic-evictedMarch 3 2019https://kfdm.com/news/local/owner-of-controversial-optimum-clinic-surrenders-nursing-licenseNov 14, 2019https://kfdm.com/news/local/kfdm-investigates-the-hiring-of-a-lamar-university-instructor-who-has-now-resignedPhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

Drs. Rebekah Bernard, Niran Al-Agba, and Phil Shaffer break down the 2018 Cochrane Review "Nurses as Substitutes for Physicians in Primary Care," pointing out that of 9,000 studies reviewed over the last 50 years, just 18 were of adequate quality to include in a review of the subject. Of these 18 studies, just THREE were published in the United States, most contained high degrees of bias, had small sample sizes, were of short duration, and ALWAYS included physician supervision or nurses following physician-created protocols. Bottom line: there is no evidence that unsupervised nurse practitioners can provide the same quality of care for patients.PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

Drs. Rebekah Bernard and Niran Al-Agba are joined by Shannon Keaney, a nurse with 11 years of intensive care experience who recently graduated as a nurse practitioner. Shannon explains the differences between "brick and mortar" nurse practitioner training as compared to newer "diploma mills," and discusses why she thinks patients are best served when nurse practitioners practice with physician supervision.PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

Drs. Rebekah Bernard, Niran Al-Agba, and Phil Schaffer discuss researcher Mary Mundinger's recent Wall Street Journal letter, which argues that the nurse practitioners studied in her 2000 JAMA publication were practicing without physician supervision.  The fine print reveals fascinating details left out of the headlines.Referenced in the podcast:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BUGdOs74Q8&t=746s&fbclid=IwAR1hMRBFlgzV3gmgaBIDH744-5nX-RAa5-9xDd9nloDqQ4R0NTqOS5ESuoM PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org