Our Point of View
October 16, 2007
Response to Los Angeles Times' Article About Fresno Medical Center
A recent story in the Los Angeles Times raised concerns about patient care involving a perinatologist on the professional staff at Kaiser Foundation Hospital Fresno. We take these issues very seriously. In regard to the Fresno Hospital matter, we took action more than two years ago to significantly limit the practice of the perinatologist and to monitor the care he delivers, and reported him to the state medical board.
Kaiser Permanente has more than 11,000 highly qualified physicians and specialists serving the needs of more than 6 million members in California. We expect each of them to provide the highest levels of quality care and believe in their clinical excellence.
Every Kaiser Permanente physician is subject to review and evaluation to ensure the quality of care they provide. Like all health plans and hospitals in California, Kaiser Foundation Hospital Fresno has processes in place to monitor and evaluate the quality of care. And when issues related to quality of care arise, we have processes to take appropriate action.
We know these can be difficult and emotional situations to deal with and we empathize with all involved.
With respect to this specific situation in Fresno, here is a statement provided to the Los Angeles Times from Susan Ryan, Hospital Administrator at Kaiser Foundation Hospital Fresno:
"Kaiser Foundation Hospital Fresno is committed to ensuring the safety of our patients, and we take this obligation very seriously. In July 2005, the leadership at Kaiser Foundation Hospital Fresno took disciplinary action to significantly limit Dr. Hamid Safari's practice. Since that time Dr. Safari has not performed vaginal deliveries and his practice has been monitored.
"Dr. Safari was afforded his due process rights under California law, a process that can be quite lengthy, involving hearings and appeals that can each extend months or longer. However, since 2005, Dr. Safari has voluntarily agreed with the hospital to restrict his scope of practice. After a due process hearing, the restrictions were made permanent, and the hospital filed a report to the Medical Board of California1. The hospital also has, and will continue to, fully cooperate with the Medical Board in its investigation of Dr. Safari.
"As to the present, we can't discuss any additional processes or actions that may be under way. With respect to this process, our hospital is no different than any other California hospital. Matters involving review of a doctor's performance or privileges are subject to state confidentiality laws and state and federal due process laws."
