A Kentucky-based physician received five years of probation for allegedly allowing his unlicensed wife to improperly handle flu vaccines, which led to a three-state infection outbreak, according to the Lexington Herald Leader.
The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure ordered Paul McLaughlin, MD, to pay a $5,000 fine for delegating medical tasks to someone without a medical license and contributing to a public health crisis.
Dr. McLaughlin's wife, Fairshinda Sabounchi McLaughlin, owns and operates Location Vaccination. The medical board alleges Ms. McLaughlin improperly handled and stored the vaccines, causing individuals in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana to experience adverse reactions. Patients reported swelling, redness and hard lumps at injection sites. The medical board said Ms. McLaughlin then prescribed antibiotics and steroids to these patients without taking specific "medically appropriate" steps.
Tracy Prewitt, Dr. McLaughlin's attorney, called the allegations "unproven" and said Dr. McLaughlin denies "all issues relating to quality of care," according to the Lexington Herald Leader.