State watch: Gun charges stop radiologist’s practice in one state, but not the next over
A previous gun charge is preventing one radiologist from practicing in the state of Massachusetts, while he continues to operate just north in New Hampshire.
It was back in March that Bay State Board of Medicine revoked Kang Lu’s license for three years, alleging a pattern of being armed when interacting with the police. He also continued to possess and carry firearms, despite lacking a license, and provided false answers to questions regarding criminal charges against him in 2017 and 2019.
Catching wind of these incidents, the New Hampshire Board of Medicine decided earlier this month to fine Lu $1,500 while continuing to let him practice. That’s according to an official order from the NHBM, which details the aforementioned past incidents, issued Aug. 7.
In a local news story, Lu claimed that the previous charges were eventually dismissed. The New Hampshire Union Leader also painted a picture of the confusing variation in practice laws from one state to the next. Lu reportedly delivers teleradiology services in some 20 states. Florida, for one, has fined the former army medic and ordered him to take a course on gun laws, while Montana has urged him to seek psychological counseling.
Meanwhile, New Hampshire, like most states, requires docs to adhere to the regulations of other jurisdictions in which they’re reciprocally licensed, the report noted.
Radiology workers claim unsafe conditions
A group of California healthcare workers have submitted a complaint to the state’s health department, claiming unsafe conditions at the Fountain Valley Regional Hospital in Orange County.
The National Union of Healthcare Workers is asking local officials to mandate testing of all newly admitted patients for COVID-19, and wants exposure-driven testing of its members, too, NBC reported Saturday. Their concerns stem from several alleged incidents, including a radiology aide reportedly coming into contact with relatives who had the virus, communicating this incident to his superiors, and being told to continue working.
He was reportedly admitted to the hospital nine days later after testing positive for COVID-19, the complaint states. NUHW claims the aide potentially exposed patients and employees to the disease, and the hospital did not follow up with contact tracing.
For its part, Fountain Valley disputed the claims and insisted that it has followed federal and state guidelines to protect patients and providers.
“We take immense pride in the extraordinary professionalism and dedication our physicians, nurses and other staff have demonstrated every day in caring for our COVID-19 patients," the hospital said in a statement shared with NBC.
Alabama expands PA scope of practice
Alabama’s State Board of Medical Examiners recently extended an emergency rule that allows physician assistants to care for COVID-19 patients without doc supervision.
The rule comes with the caveat that PAs must still operate within the scope of their education and training, the American College of Radiology reported. Alabama’s extension took effect on July 20 and will last 120 days following that date.
Rapid fire
Here are a few more imaging-related state news items of note, in rapid fashion:
- In the same post, the ACR also reported that California is mulling a measure that would remove mandatory physician supervision of nurse practitioners. The state’s radiological society, meanwhile, is pushing for an amendment to the bill.
- Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging announced the opening of its ninth radiology practice in Southern Nevada on Monday and is inviting virtual guests to a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 31.
- A bill introduced in Michigan would require radiographers, CT techs, radiation therapists and some x-ray machine operators to meet certain educational requirements, including passing a board exam.
- Georgia healthcare providers are now shielded from civil liability for COVID-related injury and wrongful death suits after Gov. Brian Kemp gave his approval to the bill earlier this month. Same for Nevada.
- And finally, at least 56 New York-based companies with checkered pasts have received Paycheck Protection Program loans. Those include a Long Island radiology provider whose CEO paid $8 million to settle allegations of Medicare and Medicaid fraud.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.