The relationship between doctors and patients relies on trust. As a patient, you are trusting that the healthcare provider is acting in your best interests at all times, making decisions that support your health and wellbeing. While the vast majority of medical professionals uphold what’s known as the standard of care they owe to their patients, there are some who breach this duty and jeopardize the health and safety of the people under their care. In some cases, the doctor’s failure to uphold the duty of care results in patient harm or injury. Such violations of the standard of care can lead to professional or even legal consequences for the healthcare provider, such as disciplinary action, license suspension, or practice restrictions, among other repercussions. Although many of us believe in second chances, entrusting your health (and your life) to a medical provider who has a history of malpractice can be concerning and stressful. For many patients, looking into a doctor’s disciplinary history in Washington state allows them to make decisions about their care with better understanding and clarity, as they can reassess the situation or decide to work with a different doctor.
If you decide to check a doctor’s license in Washington or look into their disciplinary history, it’s important to understand the kinds of information you may find. For instance, just because there is a note attached to their professional license or profile does not automatically mean that this medical professional has engaged in malpractice or other serious violations. As with most things in life, context matters. It’s worth taking some time to familiarize yourself with how resources like the Washington Medical Commission, state licensing records, and public disciplinary orders affect individual doctors and what the information you may find means for future patients.
If you have suffered harm at the hands of a negligent medical professional and you are looking into this doctor’s disciplinary or malpractice history, you can reach out to the highly experienced legal team at Menzer Law Group to discuss your legal rights and options. We are deliberately selective in the cases we take on so that we can channel our attention to those cases where we can have the most significant impact. Let’s take a closer look at how to interpret medical board disciplinary actions and how you can exercise your patient rights in Washington state.
Where to Look For A Doctor’s Disciplinary History in Washington State
There are several resources available to patients who wish to check their doctor’s license in Washington. Below are just a few of these options to help you get started.
Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS)
Washington provides a searchable database through its Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS). According to this website, “This site provides disciplinary actions taken and credentials denied for failure to meet qualifications. If the Enforcement Action column is ‘No,’ there has been no disciplinary action.” The purpose of this publicly searchable database is to provide information to patients about their doctors’ histories. However, the site also provides a disclaimer that states, “The presence or absence of information in this system does not imply any recommendation, endorsement, or guarantee of competence of any health care professional, the mere presence of such information does not imply a practitioner is not competent or qualified.” In other words, the information found in this database does not automatically mean the healthcare provider is competent or not. This database is merely a tool to provide certain information, but it by no means comprehensive or given in context.
Washington Medical Commission Press Releases
Another option is to look at the Washington Medical Commission’s website, which provides a record of all its press releases and announcements. Some of these notices concern specific medical providers who have been investigated, charged, or disciplined. For instance, an update may state that the WMC issued an order restricting a doctor’s license or indefinitely suspending them.
Court Records
If a doctor was named in a medical malpractice suit, these records can be accessed online through the Washington Courts website. However, to view the case documents, you will need to submit a request to the County Clerk.
Understanding the Information You Find During a Washington Physician License Lookup or Disciplinary History Search
Finding information about a doctor or medical provider is one thing, but interpreting it is another. Let’s take a look at some of the details you may uncover during your search and what this information could mean for you.
License Status
Depending on the nature of the allegations, the Washington Medical Commission’s licensing board may discipline the medical provider by restricting, suspending, or revoking their medical license. You may notice that the doctor has been issued formal warnings, had their license suspended for a period of time, or revoked indefinitely. You may also see that the WMC placed limits on their medical license, restricting them from specific actions or practices.
License Suspensions
Medical professionals who have been investigated and charged by the Washington Medical Commission will face a series of steps as they navigate a formal legal process overseen by the WMC. Once the case concludes and the doctor stipulates to the findings of fact, conclusions of law and the agreed order, the board may issue an order suspending the doctor’s license to practice medicine. Suspensions can be for a set period of time or indefinite.
Probation
In some cases, the medical board may place a healthcare professional on probation as a formal disciplinary action. During this time, the doctor is typically allowed to continue practicing medicine, but they are bound to follow strict rules and increased scrutiny to protect the safety of their patients. There are several reasons why a doctor may be placed on probation, including substance abuse, professional misconduct, gross negligence, or inappropriate prescribing habits, to name a few.
Practice Restrictions
Healthcare systems and state licensing boards have the authority to restrict a doctor’s ability to practice medicine as a form of disciplinary action. For example, the WMC may restrict the procedures that a doctor is allowed to perform or impose chaperone requirements to protect the wellbeing of their patients.
Malpractice History vs. Professional Discipline
It’s important to recognize that not every malpractice lawsuit results in disciplinary action, which means that the doctor may face no professional consequences and be allowed to continue practicing medicine. On the other hand, not every disciplinary action involves medical malpractice, as a doctor may be disciplined for their own substance abuse that did not result in patient harm or lead to an act of medical malpractice. The key takeaway is that context is everything in these situations. The more information you can gather about your doctor’s history, the more informed your decisions will be when deciding whether to entrust yourself to their care.
Warning Signs That Patients Should Consider
Just because you find out that a doctor faced disciplinary action for something years ago does not inherently mean that they are unfit to practice medicine. The context and nature of the incident are hugely important. As you look through medical board disciplinary actions, there are a few red flags to keep in mind that may indicate a medical professional’s unfitness or inability to provide you with the quality care you need.
Multiple Disciplinary Actions
One or two disciplinary actions are not typically a cause for concern, but a slew of allegations, investigations, and disciplinary actions can be signs of incompetence.
Pattern of Similar Complaints
If a doctor has accumulated a series of complaints that are similar in nature, this likely indicates that they have a pattern of misconduct or professional violations that is concerning.
Serious Patient Safety Violations
Reports of serious patient safety violations should be taken to heart. If a doctor has a history of gross negligence or putting patient lives at risk, it’s best to steer clear and look elsewhere for the care you need.
What to Do If You Believe You Were Harmed By a Medical Provider in Washington State
Successful medical malpractice claims begin right away. As soon as you can, start to gather and compile medical records that demonstrate how your condition worsened at the hands of the medical professional or how you suffered an injury or other adverse health event under their care. To fully understand patient rights in Washington state, get in touch with a top Seattle medical malpractice law firm for the trusted legal guidance and support you deserve.
FAQs About Physician Disciplinary Histories in Washington
Can I see whether my doctor has been disciplined?
Yes. You can look up a healthcare professional through the state medical board or by searching the court system for medical malpractice cases.
Does one malpractice lawsuit mean a doctor was negligent?
Not necessarily. Context is everything, so gather as much information as you can to determine whether the incident was truly an oversight or one event in a larger pattern of misconduct or gross negligence.
Protect Your Rights as a Patient Today
Medical malpractice claims can be overwhelming to navigate on your own. Partnering with a top Seattle medical malpractice law firm is the best way for you to feel supported and reassured as you move through each step of the process. At Menzer Law Group, we are intentionally selective in the cases we choose to represent, which allows us to focus our attention and expertise on those cases where we believe we can make the most profound and lasting impact. Please reach out to our Seattle, Washington office today by calling (206) 903-1818 to arrange a complimentary review of your claim.
