A high-profile San Diego cardiologist is under CMS investigation for allegedly hitting a patient several times during a cardiac catheterization. The physician, Dr. Maurice Buchbinder, is a controversial figure who's been up against federal authorities before, last time for using an unapproved device developed by a company in which he had a financial interest. Buchbinder practices within the Scripps hospital system, which performs more heart procedures than any other in the U.S.
Dr. Buchbinder was targeted after lab technicians filed complaints with state licensing officials alleging that he had struck an unruly patient several times during a cath procedure done on August 31st. The complaints triggered the CMS investigation. Scripps has since announced that Buchbinder has been suspended indefinitely from practicing at any Scripps facility nationwide.
To learn more about the investigation:
- read this San Diego Union-Tribune article [1]
Links:
[1] http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070908-9999-1m8buch.html