Monday, May 2, 2011

Sun exclusive: Officials broaden stent investigation

Sun exclusive: Officials broaden stent investigation

Maryland Stent Lawyers
410-288-2900
State health officials investigating claims that a Towson cardiologist performed hundreds of unnecessary medical procedures have identified other doctors in Maryland with similarly questionable practices, The Baltimore Sun has learned.

Several cardiologists in the state have performed a suspiciously high number of the same invasive cardiac stent procedures that Dr. Mark G. Midei is accused of over-performing at St. Joseph Medical Center, according to an analysis of data from the state's Health Services Cost Review Commission.

The discovery was made as part of a broader statewide investigation of hospitals that was triggered by the allegations at St. Joseph, and is raising concerns that the accusations against Midei might not be isolated.

Investigators plan to review the work of the other cardiologists — who were not identified to The Baltimore Sun — going back five years. Sources also said they expect the investigation to eventually expand to include inquiries into other medical specialties and procedures.

Del. Peter A. Hammen, who asked the state agencies to investigate, cautioned against jumping to conclusions about what the higher rates of stent placement indicate.

"Once we have [all] the numbers in front of us, we'll be able to make, obviously, better sense as to what they mean and what actions we should take," said Hammen, who was briefed on the initial data. "It's early in the state's investigation."

State investigators, after interviewing medical specialists and analyzing billing data reported by hospitals, have determined that doctors who perform a diagnostic test called a cardiac catheterization typically find blockage requiring treatment with a stent about 30 percent of the time.  Click to read more.


Stent Lawyers in Maryland
Law Offices of G. Randolph Rice, Jr., LLC
6914 Holabird Avenue, Suite A
Baltimore, Maryland 21222-1747
410-288-2900
RiceLawMD@gmail.com

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