From OrengonLive.com:
It should be noted that Kaiser Permanente vigorously defended Dr. Death Jayant Patel in malpractice cases that were filed against him during his tenure at Kaiser. They only took action after several people had been harmed and revictimized by Kaiser lawyers in the rigged Kaiser arbitration process. Several recommendations were also made by colleagues at Kaiser, which enabled Patel to procure his position in Australia (links at the end of this story)
Arrest warrants issued for U.S. doctor
11/22/2006, 9:16 a.m. PT
The Associated Press
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) ? A court issued warrants Wednesday for the arrest of an Oregon surgeon on three charges of manslaughter and five charges of causing grievous bodily harm to patients at an Australian public hospital, officials said.
A government inquiry found that Jayant Patel of Portland may have contributed directly to 13 deaths due to an “unacceptable level of care” at Bundaberg Base Hospital in the state of Queensland while he was director of surgery there from 2003 to 2005.
The warrants, issued at the request of police in a closed-court hearing, are the first step in an official extradition process.
An extradition request must go through Australia’s federal attorney general and then would be forwarded to the U.S. Justice Department. A hearing in a U.S. court would be held, and Patel could appeal an extradition order.
State Premier Peter Beattie told Australian broadcasters that Patel would likely not be extradited before 2007.
Patel was hired at Bundaberg, a farming town 190 miles north of Brisbane, without disclosing that he had been disciplined for negligence by medical boards in Oregon and New York, according to Australian authorities.
Patel, born and trained in India and now a U.S. citizen, left Australia in April last year and has refused to publicly discuss the allegations against him.
He did not respond to a phone message left at his Portland home Tuesday.
A spokeswoman for the FBI in Portland, Beth Anne Steele, said the case is still in the hands of Australian officials.
In June, Patel signed an order from the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners that suspended his Oregon license indefinitely and bars him from applying for a medical license in any state.
Under the agreement, his license will remain suspended until he proves “that the criminal and administrative process against him in Australia is complete.”
Patel was a surgeon at Kaiser Permanente in Portland from 1989 to 2001. After an internal investigation, Kaiser restricted him from doing complex operations in 1998. The Board of Medcical Examiners disciplined him for negligence in 2000.
He was sued for malpractice or wrongful death eight times during his time at Kaiser. Kaiser settled five of those suits, paying out $1.8 million in two.
Previously:
Former colleagues at Kaiser Permanente gave surgeon branded ?Dr. Death? glowing references
Patel’s disturbing record at Kaiser
Dr. Death Jayant Patel on the Run
Jail time is appropriate including those who were suppose to monitor him
My post about Dr. Death. and the almost nearly human Phd and his wife Ms. Evans. Sad story of how he litterally tied her down like the rest of the mental patients as a form of punishment. But in this case a very much harsher life sentance of a marital and shackel rape. Now the baby is seven and shes a house wife with the doors locked all day from the big outside world. But not on Meds or should I say not yet. Not quite a cheap fluzzy but close. As for Doctor Death heard of him maybe even seen him or may have been treated by him but I that cant remember. If I find out I could tell you about him to. As for this pro his parrot colorfull wedding picture.
Just spotted Dr?… Patel at Washington Square Mall. Seems he has not been extradited to Australia. No justice.
Joe