Five Rhode Island Doctors Disciplined by the State
GoLocalProv News Team
Five Rhode Island Doctors Disciplined by the State
Two of the cases involved incidents in which patients died.
And, in one action, the underlying case dates back to 2016.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe disciplinary actions range from reprimands to probation. All of the sanctions were made public in the past week.
Dr. Philip A. McAndrew - Reprimand
According to RIDOH, “A complaint was filed against McAndrew in connection with notice received by the Board of a medical malpractice settlement. The settlement related to a medical procedure that was performed by McAndrew in 2016. McAndrew provided the Board with a response to the complaint. McAndrew likewise appeared before the Board's Investigative Committee to discuss the care of the patient and answer the Committee's questions.”
Patient Died
“The Board reviewed the relevant medical records pertaining to an upper endoscopy performed by McAndrew on August I, 2016. Based upon a review of the medical records, as well as the information provided by McAndrew during his appearance, the Investigative Committee determined that McAndrew performed an upper endoscopy upon a patient in an outpatient setting. The patient had a known condition, myotonic muscular dystrophy, and also suffered from coronary artery disease and hypertension. The patient was sedated prior to the procedure. Following the procedure, the patient was unresponsive and was transported by emergency medical services to Miriam Hospital. Resuscitation was unsuccessful,” writes RIDOH.
McAndrew was issued a reprimand by the Board as well as the imposition of administrative fees in the amount of $1,100.
Dr. Brian G, Kwetkowski - Reprimand
According to the RIDOH disciplinary document, “At the time of the filing of the Complaint, Kwetkowski was employed as the Medical Director of Primary Care for South County Health, located in Wakefield, Rhode Island. On or about August 21, 2024, a complaint was filed against Kwetkowski, alleging that he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member and that his employment had been terminated by the hospital on August 15, 2024, following an internal investigation.”
Further RIDOH found, “Kwetkowski appeared before the Investigative Committee of the Board, Based upon a review of relevant documents and its interview of Kwetkowski, the Investigative Committee found that Kwetkowski failed to maintain appropriate boundaries with a staff subordinate who also received medical treatments from Kwetkowski The Investigative Committee concluded that Kwetkowski 's medical treatments and personal interactions with the patient/staff member were outside the normal scope of medical practice and that he neglected to maintain appropriate boundaries during the doctor-patient relationship, The Investigative Committee further determined that Kwetkowski failed to document medical treatments that he provided to the patient. The record also evidenced that Kwetkowski's employment with South County Health was terminated due to inappropriate behavior.”
The Investigative Committee made a probable cause determination of unprofessional conduct on the part of Kwetkowski.
Kwetkowski was issued a reprimand by the Board and ordered to pay administrative fees in the amount of $1,100. He is also required to take ethics classes.
Dr. Insu Kong - Reprimand
“On or about November 29, 2022, a Complaint was filed against Kong reporting allegations of an incident involving a patient who was scheduled for a non-emergency surgical procedure for the removal of uterine fibroids. The patient had been treated by Kong for a number of years. The patient was known to have religious beliefs that precluded her use of a blood transfusion or other blood products,” according to RIDOH.
“In order to address the diagnosed fibroid tumors, Kong scheduled the surgical procedure at Westerly Hospital where he has surgical privileges. Kong also had surgical privileges at Rhode Island Hospital. Preoperative bloodwork indicated that the patient's hemoglobin level was 8.8 (normal range is 11.7-15.5). Both Kong and the patient were aware that Westerly Hospital, where the procedure was scheduled, did not have cell saver technology available that would have allowed for autologous blood recovery during the surgery. The hysterectomy was performed on March I, 2022, as scheduled. Thereafter, while in recovery, the patient became hypotensive and it was documented that her hemoglobin level had dropped to 5. 0 and within one hour it further dropped to 3.3,” according to RIDOH.
Return to Operating Room and Death
“Kong returned the patient to the operating room for an exploratory laparoscopy. There was no evidence of active bleeding but later that afternoon the patient's hemoglobin level dropped to 2.0, at which point the patient was transferred to Rhode Island Hospital. The patient remained at Rhode Island Hospital from the evening of the original surgery on March 1 until her death on March 25, 2022. Kong did not assess the patient's level of anemia immediately prior to the procedure; no new bloodwork was ordered subsequent to the preoperative bloodwork of February 12, 2022. The patient suffered hemorrhagic shock and passed away at Rhode Island Hospital on March 25, 2022,” cited RIDOH.
According to RIDOH, “Based upon the information reviewed, the Investigative Committee has made a probable cause determination of unprofessional conduct on the part of Kong, in violation of R.I. Gen. Laws§ 5-37-5.1(19). Specifically, Kong failed to have a clear documentation of communication of the treatments that the patient would accept or decline, given her religious beliefs. The medical record does not document adequate evidence of that physician-patient communication or the development of such plans.”
As a result, “The Board hereby imposes the sanction of reprimand upon Kong’s medical license."
"Kong shall pay an administrative fee in the amount of $1,100. No additional sanctions or fines have been imposed," said RIDOH.
Dr. David Audeon Maddock - Reprimand
David Audeon Maddock, MD was issued a medical license by the State of Rhode Island on April 30, 2010.
Maddock is an obstetrician-gynecologist with medical staff privileges at Women & Infants Hospital.
On or about July 30, 2021, a Complaint was filed with Women & Infants Hospital alleging abuse, neglect, or mistreatment that allegedly occurred on July 28, 2021, at Maddock’s medical office, according to RIDOH.
“Upon completion of its investigation, the temporary suspension of Maddock’s medical staff privileges was lifted by Women & Infants Hospital on March 21, 2023. Maddock remains on probation in the form of an in-depth Focused Professional Practitioner Evaluation for a 3-year period. Maddock also provided evidence to Women & Infants Hospital of compliance with active treatment on a continuous 6-month basis and proof of completion of a workshop on Managing Workplace Conflict,” writes RIDOH.
Maddock was issued a reprimand and required to make payment of an administrative fee in the amount of' $1,100.
Dr. William Thompson - Probation
According to documents, “William Thompson, M.D. entered into a Voluntary Agreement Not To Practice Medicine in Rhode Island on July 14, 2015. On August 11, 2021, Dr. Thompson entered into a Consent Order wherein he agreed to surrender his license. Pursuant to the August 11, 2021 Consent Order, Thompson was not to seek reinstatement until he showed substantial evidence of remediation.”
Now, the RIDOH finds, “The Thompson has presented substantial evidence of remediation. He has completed a comprehensive assessment by Acumen. In the August I 0, 2021 report of their Forensic Fitness to Practice Evaluation, the Acumen team of experts determined that Dr. Thompson was fit to practice medicine. Dr. Thompson has also successfully completed the evaluation of clinical competency by CPEP, and he previously enrolled in the Rhode Island Medical Society Physicians Health Program (PHP). He has continued to engage in extensive Continuing Medical Education and has provided the Board with documentation of such ongoing education.”
He is restricted from seeing patients under 18 years of age and must work under the supervision of a monitor.
“Thompson’s license shall be unrestricted, but he shall be on probation until relieved therefrom by the Board. Relief from probation may be sought no sooner than thirty-six (36) months from the date of the ratification of this Consent Order by the Board,” according to the agreement between RIDOH and Thompson.