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California State Medical Board Accuses Doctor of Negligence, Misconduct

Posted on: Wednesday, 17 August 2005, 18:00 CDT

Aug. 16--The California Medical Board has accused Dr. Eric N. Sorensen, a family practice physician from Hanford, of gross negligence and unprofessional conduct in connection with a patient who died after her cancer went undiagnosed for two years while under his care.

The seven-page accusation was filed last month. "It's a formal charge of wrongdoing by the medical board after a case has been fully investigated and independently reviewed by the office of the [California] Attorney General," said Candis Cohen, spokeswoman for the state medical board.

The Attorney General's Office acts as the prosecuting arm of the medical board.

Sorensen said, through his receptionist, that he had "no comment."

According to the accusation, a 48-year-old woman identified only by the initials "I.C." went to Sorensen for a gynecological exam in August 1998. He noted the patient had a lesion, but he allegedly failed to document it or chart gynecological historical information.

The woman tested positive for herpes and began treatment at Sorensen's office.

Over the next two years, the woman was prescribed several antiviral medications. However, Sorensen, on several occasions, failed to obtain and chart her gynecological information, the report said. In subsequent visits, the patient complained of allergic reaction to her medication, bleeding and worsening health problems. The doctor failed to obtain a biopsy to rule out other diseases, such as cancer, according to the documents.

In April 2000, the woman was referred to a Fresno dermatopathologist -- a specialist in diagnosing skin biopsies under the microscope.

Dr. Leah Press ordered a biopsy, and pathology reports revealed the cancer.

The woman died in May 2001.

The medical board accusation states that Sorensen's "failure from Oct. 15, 1999, through April 2000 to obtain a proper history and a proper examination … and a biopsy to rule out other causes" of the woman's health problems "constitutes unprofessional conduct and gross negligence."

The unprofessional conduct accusation also stems from his alleged failure to maintain adequate records on the patient.

Cohen, the medical board spokeswoman, said several things can occur after an accusation: "Either the physician stipulates or agrees to some type of discipline, or the case goes to a hearing before an administrative law judge."

If additional information comes to the board's attention, the accusation can be withdrawn, she said.

However, if it goes to a hearing and the doctor is found guilty of the accusations, the judge could seek to suspend or revoke the doctor's medical license, suspend him from practicing, or place him on probation.

A hearing date on Sorensen's case has not been set, Cohen said.

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Source: The Fresno Bee

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