Rebecca Denman, MD, an OB-GYN at St. Vincent, sued the hospital after it took action following a nurse practitioner’s claim that Dr. Denman smelled of alcohol while on duty Dec. 11, 2017.
Under hospital policy, if a physician is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, he or she must be relieved of duty immediately and requested to submit to blood testing at a different facility.
Dr. Denman was not tested for alcohol on Dec. 11, 2017, according to the suit, which also says the NP’s claim was unproven.
When confronted on Dec. 13, 2017 about consumption of alcohol, Dr. Denman denied the allegation and asked why the protocol wasn’t followed.
St. Vincent reviewed the allegation and forwarded it to the St. Vincent Medical Group for further review.
The medical group told Dr. Denman that she was suspended with partial pay until she underwent an evaluation for alcohol abuse at the Indiana State Medical Association. She was required to sign a five-year monitoring contract as a condition to remain employed.
Dr. Denman claims the repercussions from the false allegations resulted in a loss of compensation, emotional distress and damage to her professional reputation.
She still is part of the medical group, according to the report.
More articles on legal and regulatory issues:
Former VA employee sentenced to federal prison for wrongfully accessing coworkers’ medical records
3 Texas health systems settle lawsuit alleging they colluded to stifle nurse pay
Supreme Court will not expedite review of ACA constitutionality
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
