Update: ‘Sociopath’ Surgeon Duntsch Facing Criminal Charges for Botched Surgeries

[TexasTowelie]

Christopher Duntsch, the Plano neurosurgeon whose deadly surgical mishaps became a case study in how Texas law allows even the most dangerous doctors to keep practicing, is facing criminal charges—and this time it’s for more than stolen pants.

On Tuesday a Dallas County grand jury indicted Duntsch on six counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The victims: his patients. The weapons: “hands and surgical tools,” according to the indictments.

Five patients are named in the indictments, including three—Jeff Glidewell, Mary Efurd and Floella Brown—who were featured in Saul Elbein’s 2013 report for the Observer. Elbein’s piece detailed how Duntsch left some of his patients injured, paralyzed or dead, sometimes for minor procedures.

As the tragedies mounted, Duntsch’s peers tried unsuccessfully to prevent his return to the operating room. Duntsch easily moved from hospital to hospital. The Texas Medical Board took nearly a year to suspend his license after receiving the first complaint against Duntsch.

Read more: http://www.texasobserver.org/sociopath-surgeon-duntsch-facing-criminal-charges-for-botched-surgeries/

Related threads:
Update: Cocaine-using ‘Sociopath’ Neurosurgeon Duntsch Arrested for Shoplifting Pants May 2015
Greg Abbott Defends Sociopathic Surgeon Over Victims of Botched Spinal Surgeries Aug 2014
Greg Abbott Intervenes In Suit Involving "Sociopathic Neurosurgeon" Mar 2014
Plano’s Baylor hospital faces hard questions after claims against former neurosurgeon Mar 2014
Federal suit: Baylor failed to stop cocaine-using surgeon from harming patients Jan 2014
Dr. Christopher Duntsch, Plano Surgeon Suspended for Killing Patients, Gets Sued for Malpractice Jun 2013

[Siwsan]

1. I used to review physician malpractice cases. It was an eye opener.

I was a physician credentialing coordinator for a managed care company. Every 3 years, physicians were reviewed for hospital privileges, license and DEA status, insurance coverage, sanctions and malpractice. In one year I ran across two physicians, both pediatricians, who had been arrested for pedophilia. And one OB/GYN who had initiated an abortion, decided it was too risky because he thought there were twins, so he sent the patient to a clinic over 80 miles away, rather than transporting her to a local ER. And, he sent no records in advance of her anticipated arrival at that distant clinic. Oh, and there was only one fetus. Naturally, he blamed everyone but himself.

I can't urge people strongly enough to investigate and don't be afraid to question any physician they go to for healthcare. There are more good than bad, but there are more bad than you might realize.

[Gothmog]

2. This will be fun to watch

[TexasTowelie]

3. You should take a look at the comments to the comments at the May 2015 link

where Dunsctch responds to the article and the comments from other people. This guy deserves whatever punishment he receives.

One thing that points to him being a pathological liar is that he says that he was robbed of $500 while he was incarcerated with the violent criminals after he was caught shoplifting. The police doesn't throw anybody into lockup with their wallet and cash.