California Doctor Convicted of Murder Charges in Overdose of Patients

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http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/...s-murder-overdose-verdict-20151030-story.html

Seems like you always have to be careful around the drug seekers. Granted, based on the article it appears she has a history of questionable behavior with multiple patients. What are your prescribing habits for opioids? I never do more than 15 and usually write an odd/prime number such as 7 or 13 Anyone know people who have run into this kind of trouble with the law for a patient death linked to an ED prescription?

 

[gman33]

I would need to know more information to comment on the individual case.
On the surface it seems wrong.
The doctor did not kill these people.
Maybe she was overprescribing.

Working in the ED, I can't limit the patients that show up, and we are linked to patient satisfaction.
It's a no win formula for this issue.

I think the prescription drug issue needs to be addressed on a national level.
Don't put it on an individual prescriber.

 

[EM4life]

Reading this case, it seems like there were multiple red flags/warnings given to the physician regarding her prescribing behavior from patients and authorities. I think this is a huge example of system failure - why is a provider still allowed to practice after continuing to overprescribe like this, why wasn't her license removed, what is the standard of review of a physician like this in the state of California that would allow this to happen. The doctor here is clearly irresponsible and should not be allowed to practice medicine, but the sentence of murder I think sets a rather scary precedent to the detriment of physicians. You lose either way - you will be convicted of murder if you over prescribe, you will have your press ganeys go down the pipes if you don't address someone's pain and suffer the financial consequences. This physician was a scapegoat for a much bigger problem.

 

[WilcoWorld]

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/...s-murder-overdose-verdict-20151030-story.html

Seems like you always have to be careful around the drug seekers. Granted, based on the article it appears she has a history of questionable behavior with multiple patients. What are your prescribing habits for opioids? I never do more than 15 and usually write an odd/prime number such as 7 or 13 Anyone know people who have run into this kind of trouble with the law for a patient death linked to an ED prescription?

I'm genuinely curious - how is writing for a prime number of pills beneficial?

 

[Spinach Dip]

Why am I not surprised this happened in California?

 

[gro2001]

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/...s-murder-overdose-verdict-20151030-story.html

Seems like you always have to be careful around the drug seekers. Granted, based on the article it appears she has a history of questionable behavior with multiple patients. What are your prescribing habits for opioids? I never do more than 15 and usually write an odd/prime number such as 7 or 13 Anyone know people who have run into this kind of trouble with the law for a patient death linked to an ED prescription?

Well, I always write irrational numbers of pills. Square root of negative 30 should be good for most things. That way, there is no possible way anyone can overdose on or traffic those percocets.

 

[Psai]

April Rovero, whose son, Joey, died nearly six years ago after mixing alcohol with Xanax and oxycodone he had obtained from Tseng, said she believes the verdict will resonate throughout the country.

“I really hope this sets a precedent that will allow other dirty doctors to be prosecuted,” said Rovero, who blogged daily throughout the trial. “We feel that finally we have justice.”

She warned against simply blaming addicts when physicians are in a position to know the harm their prescriptions can bring.

“Addicts and people seeking medications aren't in control,” Rovero said. “Doctors are the ones who are supposed to push back. They have a duty.”

I dunno man, maybe it's not the doctor's fault that this kid mixed alcohol with xanax and oxycodone but what do I know? It's not like people have free will to make their own stupid choices. Let's blame someone else for our mistakes and then sue their pants off, that's the American way.

 

[Doctor Bob]

I'm genuinely curious - how is writing for a prime number of pills beneficial?

If they're doing it for the same reason as me...
I always write for prime numbers as well. That way when a pharmacy calls to say a patient is trying to fill a script for X number of pills, if the quantity isn't a prime, I know it's a fake right away; don't have to look them up in the computer.

 

[WilcoWorld]

If they're doing it for the same reason as me...
I always write for prime numbers as well. That way when a pharmacy calls to say a patient is trying to fill a script for X number of pills, if the quantity isn't a prime, I know it's a fake right away; don't have to look them up in the computer.

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks.

 

[d2305]

She wasn't the first to be convicted of murder. http://www.dc.state.fl.us/activeinmates/detail.asp?Bookmark=1&From=list&SessionID=28291659

 

[Birdstrike]

A conviction like this will likely never happen in an EM practice. Writing for 20-30 short acting, low dose opiates for acute injuries? There will be no criminal conviction. Set up an out patient, cash pay, pill mill practice and sell drugs to addicts for no legitimate medical need, with no drug testing, prescribing agreements, monitoring or follow up, and despite repeated board sanctions and notifications of young otherwise healthy patient fatal OD?

Okay. Might happen then.

 

[Psai]

If they're doing it for the same reason as me...
I always write for prime numbers as well. That way when a pharmacy calls to say a patient is trying to fill a script for X number of pills, if the quantity isn't a prime, I know it's a fake right away; don't have to look them up in the computer.

But what if you write 7 and they make it 17

Checkmate

 

[sonofva]

But what if you write 7 and they make it 17

Checkmate

Nah man. You write:

#7 (seven)

 

[Doctor Bob]

But what if you write 7 and they make it 17
Checkmate

The more enterprising drug seeker would make it 71, or 97, or any of the other primes with a 7 in it...

Nah man. You write:
#7 (seven)

But in reality... this.
Just like you do on a check.



Does anyone write checks anymore?

 

[Apollyon]

But what if you write 7 and they make it 17

Checkmate

#7 (seven) VII

Write just a number without additional ways at your own peril.

And I also always write an odd number, and usually a prime, for the same reasons as above.

And I still write checks (not everyone does digital yet).

 

[gutonc]

Serious (but sarcastically worded) question. On what planet are you all still handwriting prescriptions? I've had computer printed prescriptions for the last 8 years. I now eRx Schedule 2 stuff to most places.

 

[Doctor Bob]

Serious (but sarcastically worded) question. On what planet are you all still handwriting prescriptions? I've had computer printed prescriptions for the last 8 years. I now eRx Schedule 2 stuff to most places.

We've got computer printed prescriptions... but... the damned thing breaks or jams or some e-f**kup every few shifts. And I don't have time to wait for the IT people to come and troubleshoot it. So I hand-write them until the printer is back in service.

 

[Arcan57]

Texas. Controlled substance scripts require a paper form with an individualized bar code.

 

[Daiphon]

Serious (but sarcastically worded) question. On what planet are you all still handwriting prescriptions? I've had computer printed prescriptions for the last 8 years. I now eRx Schedule 2 stuff to most places.

We use Rx writer... but I took a blank and filled it out my way (Roman numerals) instead of the prefilled Rx & saved it to my profile.

 

[Apollyon]

Serious (but sarcastically worded) question. On what planet are you all still handwriting prescriptions? I've had computer printed prescriptions for the last 8 years. I now eRx Schedule 2 stuff to most places.

We e-prescribe, but the controlled rx process is too onerous, so I write those on paper. Some of the old guys/PITAs write all of their scripts, because they are not required to e-prescribe, so there is no pressure.

 

[gutonc]

We e-prescribe, but the controlled rx process is too onerous, so I write those on paper. Some of the old guys/PITAs write all of their scripts, because they are not required to e-prescribe, so there is no pressure.

I suppose I could have predicted that of the first 5 replies to my question (all of which have been legit...thank you), at least 3 would have included:
Texas
Technical f*** ups
"I don't want to"

 

[Apollyon]

I suppose I could have predicted that of the first 5 replies to my question (all of which have been legit...thank you), at least 3 would have included:
Texas
Technical f*** ups
"I don't want to"

Well, what other reasons are there? I think you got them right there. Honestly, I can't think of any others.