Local News Makers

Local News Makers

In Ohio, but not New York, doctor discipline is public
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Flanked by his attorney and desperate to regain his license to practice medicine, Dr. George Jakymenko quietly read his statement before the State Medical Board of Ohio. For 21 years, the 55-year-old internist had had a family practice in Canton. "I was well liked by the community," he said. "I would like to continue."
New York City Puts Hospital Error Data Online
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, the nation’s largest public health system, plans to begin publicly releasing data today on infection and death rates at its 11 hospitals, in response to widespread concern about deadly, preventable and costly hospital-acquired conditions and pressure to crack open the shrouded culture of many hospitals
Another LI woman misdiagnosed with breast cancer
Lynne Yurosko said she was crushed when she learned another Long Island woman was misdiagnosed with cancer only after a double mastectomy. "I ache for her," Yurosko said today of Darrie Eason, who like Yurosko was the victim of a medical lab's error. "They told me that I was the only person that it had happened to. It's happening out there; maybe the government should be involved and really find out how many women this has happened to."
Toward a Proactive System to Ensure Patient Safety by Senator Kemp Hannon
Last week, I convened a public hearing at Farmingdale College investigating the response of the State Department of Health, the Nassau County Department of Health and the Office of Professional Medical Conduct to the Long Island anesthesiologist reusing syringes and infecting patients with hepatitis.
Law enacts tough new guidelines for NYS outpatient facilities
With a new law going into effect Monday, New York's oversight of outpatient facilities -- including pain-management practices such as Dr. Harvey Finkelstein's -- will be among the toughest in the nation, advocates and health officials said.
But some said the law fails to address ways to ensure good infection control in all outpatient settings, an issue for Long Islanders in light of the state's recent notification of more than 10,000 of Finkelstein's patients after the Dix Hills doctor's re-use of syringes led to a transmission of hepatitis C in 2004.

Dirty Needle Doc, Series

State: No alerts for Finkelstein hospital patients
December 18, 2007
Elizabeth Sinclair has what seems like a simple decision before her. Five years after undergoing an epidural spinal tap performed by Dr. Harvey Finkelstein, she's now mulling whether to get tested for blood-borne diseases, like thousands of the physician's patients have been urged to do by the state Department of Health
More patients test positive for hepatitis
December 6, 2007
As state Sen. Kemp Hannon prepares to convene a hearing today on the Dr. Harvey Finkelstein case, patients of the Dix Hills physician continue to stream into Nassau County clinics to be tested for blood-borne infections.
State: Key factors delayed patient notification
December 6, 2007
From their offices in Atlanta, Albany, Mineola and Central Islip, some of the country's top disease detectives dialed in to a conference call in May 2006. The topic: Dix Hills physician Dr. Harvey Finkelstein and lab results showing he had infected at least one patient with hepatitis C through his practice of re-using syringes.
More hepatitis cases follow LI needle scare, but relation unclear
December 6, 2007
MELVILLE, N.Y. - Authorities say they have found more hepatitis infections among patients of a doctor accused of spreading the disease through slipshod injection techniques. But it may never be clear whether the newly diagnosed cases are linked to the doctor's practices.
Why wait 3 years?
December 3, 2007
From their offices in Atlanta, Albany, Mineola and Central Islip, some of the country's top disease detectives dialed in to a conference call in May 2006. The topic: Dix Hills physician Dr. Harvey Finkelstein and lab results showing he had infected at least one patient with hepatitis C through his practice of re-using syringes.
Lawmaker drafting bill to study syringe use
November 30, 2007
Assemb. Andrew Raia (R-East Northport) said he is drafting a bill calling for the state Health Department to study the use of single-dose syringes to prevent disease transmission such as that which took place in the office of Dr. Harvey Finkelstein.
Court found records discrepancies by Finkelstein in '04
November 29, 2007
Dr. Harvey Finkelstein settled a malpractice case in 2004 after acknowledging that the plaintiff's original medical records -- where he'd noted that the patient was HIV-positive -- did not match a set he brought to court.
State conducts probes of doctors in secret
November 26, 2007
When it comes to investigating physicians like Dr. Harvey Finkelstein, New York State has a system that occurs largely behind closed doors.
State offers information about doctors
November 26, 2007
Consumers can try to protect themselves against problem doctors by checking New York State databases that track physicians' credentials and disciplinary actions brought against them, patient advocates say.