Surgeon Settles with Florida Board of Medicine Over Malpractice Claim

A St. Petersburg surgeon has reached a settlement agreement with the Florida Board of Medicine after allegedly treating the wrong patient in a different hospital room. According to the Associated Press, James Westervelt, who practices at the Suncoast Medical Clinic, has been fined $10,000. Westervelt neither accepted nor denied the accusations and was not present at the board's meeting in Jacksonville.

Key Takeaways:

• James Westervelt, a St. Petersburg surgeon, has settled with the Florida Board of Medicine over allegations of medical malpractice.
• Westervelt was fined $10,000 under agreements worked out by the Florida Department of Health and its attorneys.
• The alleged incident occurred in September 2008 when Westervelt inserted a central line into the wrong patient, resulting in minor scars and a rash.
• Westervelt settled a medical malpractice claim in 2008 related to the incident.
• The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has records of Westervelt's settlement.
• The incident highlights the importance of accurate patient identification and proper medical treatment.
• Westervelt's settlement demonstrates the severity of the Florida Board of Medicine's actions in addressing medical malpractice.

Statistics:

• Florida has had 48 swine flu-related deaths.
• The typical duration of a H1N1 flu case is 48 to 72 hours.
• The H1N1 virus mainly affects people ages 5 to 24.
• The Hillsborough County Health Department recommends that people with flu symptoms stay home until the fever breaks.

Sources:

• Associated Press
• Florida Department of Health
• Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
• Hillsborough County Health Department