Posted on 09/25/2017 7:58:19 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The California Attorney general filed a complaint to the state medical board accusing Neurosurgeon Rex Lloyd Patrick Rhoten of unprofessional conduct and failure to meet the duties of a surgeon, among other things
A San Diego Neurosurgeon risked his safety and others driving drunk to work, according to an accusation filed with the Medical Board of California. Now, the Board is making the first move toward revoking the doctor's license to practice medicine.
Along a stretch of Via De La Villa in Rancho Santa Fe, Neurosurgeon Rex Lloyd Patrick Rhoten crashed his Tesla into some trees on February 20, 2016,” according to documents filed with the state medical board. "As I started to talk to him and investigate the collision I saw signs of intoxication,” CHP arresting Officer Chris Parent said. Officer Parent said Rhoten was subjected to four field sobriety tests.
"Red watery eyes slurred speech his inability to handle fine motor skills,” Parent said. “The field sobriety test were conducted would show that here was intoxication present.”
d a "Matter of Accusation" against the physician with the state medical board. It indicates Rhoten’ s Blood Alcohol Level was .26, which is more than three times the legal limit. Compost Pile Fire Spreads to Home "We know as highway patrolmen you are affected even at a level of .08, the legal limit, all the way down to .05,” Parent said. Rhoten was convicted of driving under the influence three months later.
In a statement, Kaiser Permanente Spokesperson, Jennifer Dailard told NBC 7 Investigates, "Dr. Rhoten resigned immediately following the incident. He is no longer employed at the hospital.”
The California Attorney General's "Matter of Accusation" alleges the conviction is substantial to the qualifications and duties of a surgeon and driving drunk is dangerous to the public and it constitutes unprofessional conduct.
"It's based on the merits of the case,” Public Information Analyst for the Medical Board Christine Valine said. “We don't comment on pending accusations.”
NBC 7 Investigates contacted Rhoten but has not heard back from the doctor. Rhoten is still a licensed physician. The Medical Board sends his correspondence to LaJolla Neurosurgical Associates. A receptionist there told NBC 7 Investigates the doctor was attempting to join the group. The owner of the business called NBC 7 Investigates and said after a background check, Rhoten was denied an opportunity to join their group.
The outcome of the Attorney Generals case against Rhoten will determine whether he loses his surgeon's license.
The Attorney General filing was submitted September 14. Doctor Rhoten has 15 days to file a notice of defense. The board has another 15 days to set a hearing before an administrative judge.
NBC 7 Investigates is reporting on medical professionals accused by the public and the California Medical Board of wrongdoing in order to bring information to the public and increase transparency of medical practices in the San Diego region. Currently, this information is reported by the Medical Board on its website.
Come on! It’s not like he took a knee!
Yet, NFL players don’t lose their license to play football when they drive drunk.
Pretty sneaky!! Putting “Compost Pile Fire Spreads to Home“ in the middle of the article to see if anybody is actually reading it. Did I pass?
A Tesla.
“Well maybe I was drunk, but the car drove itself into those trees!”
He would have been fine once he got to work and didn't have to do anything involving hand-eye coordination.
The doctor has a real problem. His potential patients need protection.
California, unfortunately, is full of physicians who are attracted by sunshine and stature more than quality of care.
This may get the attention of the medical quality assurance board. They know that some docs operate while drunk and rarely do anything about it
Bingo!
> This may get the attention of the medical quality assurance board. They know that some docs operate while drunk and rarely do anything about it <
Years ago I read a book written by a nurse. She said that she occasionally saw doctors operate while drunk. When she reported it, she was always told to shut up. After all, she was “only” a nurse.
I guess that’s why malpractice attorneys were invented.
Holy cow, .26 is polluted - and he was on his way to work?! This guy has a severe problem and should not be practicing medicine.
“on the way to work” should be in the headline if he was going into work “drunk”.
I’ve heard about nurses who have easy access to Xanex.
Different staff use different things.
Here in Kentucky he would lose his license.
Oh, and something is Rhoten in Denmark.
I'd lose my security clearance and my job if I got a DWI today.
I got one back in 1991. In those days, you lost your license, paid your fine, went to your alcohol classes, bummed a ride for a few months, and went about your business. These days, DWIs will end careers.
Why should DWI result in the loss of a medical license? Does a plumber lose his license? That’s too much.
Under this concept, any California politician convicted of drunk driving would be kicked out of office.
It’s a two-edged sword which will take down a lot of Democrats, perhaps even the States AG.
Doc blew a .26? In Virginia a .15 is a mandatory one year jail term, with a .08 being the “legal” limit, however the legal limit doesn’t automatically keep one out of court.
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