Under the proposed measure, physicians or other licensed healthcare professionals who perform a surgical or medical procedure while intoxicated would face a class B misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation would constitute a class A misdemeanor. Physicians could also face a class C felony if practicing medicine in an intoxicated state results in physical injury to a patient.
Missouri State Medical Association Spokesman Jeff Howell said although the issue of intoxication in healthcare needs to be addressed, the bill is “unworkable,” according to the news report. “It pretty much requires some type of drug test at the operating room door,” Mr. Howell said.
Read the news report about proposed legislation penalizing intoxicated physicians.
Read other coverage about healthcare quality:
– Appeals Court Allows MRSA Patient’s Lawsuit Against Hospital to Go Forward
– New York Bill to Criminalize Reckless Infection of Patients
– Patients File Lawsuit Over Tulane Medical Center’s Failure to Sterilize Endoscopes
